[featured_image]Missional movements are not about starting churches, they are about the glory of God.
The highest of 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. (1)
I learned at a young age that the chief end of man was to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Ultimately everything exists for His glory—including the Church. “The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God God made it all for his glory.” (2)
The entire focus of the missio Dei is the glory of God. The Father sent the Son to glorify His name (John 13:31–32). The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to the praise of His glory (Eph 1:14).
The Church is on mission for the glory of God. “When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity.” (3)
It is the means to the end of the glory of God!
Missional movements exist to bring God glory
- John Stott, Romans: God’s Good News for the World, Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994, 53; quoted in John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003, 9.
- Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, 53.
- Piper, Let the Nations be Glad! 17.
