Boasting Only in the Cross - Part 5
John Piper teaches that believers are called to boast and find their joy solely in the glorification of Christ's cross, which is fulfilled through personal and global exultation in the cross.
This sermon emphasizes that Christ died for the glorification of His cross, calling believers to boast and exult only in the cross of Jesus Christ. The speaker highlights the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice, stating that our joy is found in the glorification of the cross through our exultation and the exultation of others, including unreached people and nations. The ultimate goal is for God to receive glory through the cross, leading to fullness of joy for believers as they participate in spreading the message of the cross.
Full Transcript
Christ died for his own glorification. May it never be that I should glory or boast or exult except in the cross by which the world was crucified to me and I to the world. Christ died on the cross so that my exultation would be in his cross.
That is, so that his cross would be glorified. So put it another way, Christ died in order that his cross might be glorified. In my exulting in it.
Do you hear what the implications of that are? Christ died so that his cross would experience a glorification in my exultation in the cross. To me, this is the best of all possible theologies. The best of all possible worlds is that Jesus Christ would come into the world in order to magnify his cross through my exulting in his cross so that he gets the glorification and I get the exultation.
But that's not quite where I want to end. One more step. It's not simply you and me in our little wonderful, glorying, exulting, happy exultation in the cross because our sins are forgiven and we're heading for glory when we go over a cliff.
Rather, this is the way to say it biblically. Jesus Christ came into the world in order to die on a cross in order that his cross might experience a glorification in my exultation in campus' exultation in the cross or that his cross might experience a glorification in my exultation in the people's, the unreached people's, exulting in the cross. I hope that you will take this booklet, which I think you got, at your registration and sometime before you leave, turn to page 14 where it talks about missions and about the statistics of how many people are out there unreached and realize what Galatians 6:14 and boasting in the cross ultimately means about your joy and your glorification in the cross.
Let me say it again. God is going to get the glory in the cross. You're going to get the joy in the cross.
But your joy will not be full in the cross unless and until that glorification of the cross is experienced in your exultation not just in the cross but in the campus' exultation in the cross and the people's exultation in the cross and the nation's exultation in the cross. Then your joy will be full. And so I call you as a generation to join me in my last chapter on your first chapter.
May it never be, may it never be that we would boast or glory or exult in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by which the world was crucified to me and I to the world. Lord, take it, please. Take this call to die because there is no place where you get more glory than when we are on the cross with you.
Take this plea to die and seal it so that there are martyrs here and there are thousands who take up the challenge to go to the nations and to go to the campuses, the hard ones, at the hard time, in the hard places for the glory of the cross. Through Christ I pray. Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Christ died for the glorification of His cross
- Believers are called to boast only in the cross
- Exultation in the cross brings glory to Christ
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II
- The cross as the source of believer's joy
- Joy is incomplete without global exultation
- The role of unreached peoples in glorifying the cross
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III
- The call to missions and evangelism
- Boasting in the cross motivates outreach
- The challenge to take up the cross in hard places
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IV
- The ultimate goal: God's glory through the cross
- Believers' joy is full when the cross is exalted worldwide
- A plea for commitment to the cross and its mission
Key Quotes
“Christ died so that his cross would experience a glorification in my exultation in the cross.” — John Piper
“God is going to get the glory in the cross. You're going to get the joy in the cross.” — John Piper
“May it never be that we would boast or glory or exult in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Boast only in the cross of Christ in your daily life, rejecting worldly sources of pride.
- Engage actively in missions and evangelism to help glorify the cross globally.
- Find fullness of joy by rejoicing not only in your salvation but also in the spread of the gospel to unreached peoples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to boast only in the cross?
It means that believers should find their pride and joy solely in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, not in worldly achievements or status.
Why is the glorification of the cross important?
Because the cross is central to salvation and God's glory, and believers' joy is tied to the cross being exalted both personally and globally.
How does missions relate to boasting in the cross?
Missions spread the message of the cross to unreached peoples, expanding the exultation and glorification of Christ's sacrifice worldwide.
What is the relationship between joy and the cross in this sermon?
Believers experience fullness of joy when they rejoice in the cross themselves and when others, including unreached nations, also exalt the cross.
What practical challenge does John Piper give to listeners?
He calls believers to take up the cross by engaging in missions, even in difficult places, to bring glory to Christ through the spread of the gospel.