(Clip) Is Your Life Controlled by a Holy Ambition？
John Piper challenges believers to seek and embrace a God-given holy ambition that drives their life purpose and mission for God's glory.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of having a strong, clear gospel ambition in life. It encourages individuals to take time away, seek God's guidance, and discover their mission or ambition for the future. The speaker shares personal experiences of seeking God's direction during challenging times and highlights the need to have a specific purpose to avoid drifting aimlessly through life.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Encouragement to have a gospel ambition
- Some are naturally without ambition, but should seek one
- Ambition is essential to avoid drifting in life
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II
- Practical advice to take a retreat for seeking God’s mission
- Use of solitude and prayer to discern God’s calling
- Example of Piper’s own retreat experience in 1993
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III
- The importance of writing down and remembering your ambition
- Ambition should focus on God’s supremacy and joy of all peoples
- Ambition as a guard against aimlessness and drifting
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IV
- Biblical call to redeem the time and live wisely
- Ambition fuels purposeful living in the face of evil days
- Encouragement to bite into your God-given ambition daily
Key Quotes
“I exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things, for the joy of all peoples, through Jesus Christ.” — John Piper
“If you don't have an ambition, you coast. You drift. You just drift in life.” — John Piper
“Redeeming the time because the days are evil. He didn't mean drift.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Take intentional time away from distractions to seek God’s direction for your life.
- Write down your God-given ambition and review it regularly to stay focused.
- Live each day purposefully by redeeming the time and avoiding aimless drifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a holy ambition according to John Piper?
A holy ambition is a God-given purpose that centers on glorifying God and advancing the gospel with passion and joy.
Why does Piper encourage taking a retreat?
He encourages retreats to create space for prayer and reflection, allowing God to reveal a clear mission or ambition for the coming years.
What happens if a Christian lacks ambition?
Without ambition, a person tends to drift aimlessly through life, lacking direction and purpose.
How can one remember their God-given ambition?
By writing it down and keeping it somewhere visible, like a wallet or purse, to remind oneself regularly.
What biblical principle does Piper reference about living purposefully?
He references Ephesians 5:15-16, urging believers to walk wisely and redeem the time because the days are evil.