Category Archives: John R. W. Stott

The Highest Motive for Missions

Posted on by under John R. W. Stott

If God desires every knee to bow to Jesus and every tongue to confess Him, so should we. We should be ‘jealous’ for the honor of His name—troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed, and all the time anxious and determined that it shall be given the honor and glory which are due to it.

The highest of all missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God), but rather zeal—burning and passionate zeal—for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Only one imperialism is Christian, and that is concern for His Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire or kingdom. Before this supreme goal of the Christian mission, all unworthy motives wither and die.

John Stott, The Message of Romans (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1994), 53.

HT: Of First Importance

Making the Scriptures Come Alive in Your Preaching

Posted on by under John R. W. Stott

True preaching is never stale or dull or academic, but fresh and pungent with the living authority of God. But the Scripture comes alive to the congregation only if it has come alive to the preacher first. Only if God has spoken to him through the Word which he preaches will they hear the voice of God through his lips.

John R. W. Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait, p. 30