The Glory of God in the Gladness of the Nations in God
John Piper teaches that the ultimate purpose of the universe is the glory of God expressed through the gladness of the nations, manifested in joyful global singing to Christ.
This sermon emphasizes the connection between the gladness of Godward singing and the acknowledgment that the kingdoms of the earth belong to Christ. It highlights the global singing as a sign of Christ's triumph among the nations, where both the joy of the singer and the glory of the Savior are intertwined. The ultimate goal is the glory of God in the gladness of the nations, showcasing the design of God for His glory to be known and nations to find joy in Him through singing and praise.
Full Transcript
The gladness of God, the gladness of Godward singing, is a sign that the kingdoms of the earth belong to Christ. Psalm 138. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O Lord.
O Lord, for they have heard of thy words, of the words of your mouth, and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord. That's all the kings of the earth are going to sing to the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. Or Isaiah 34, 16, they lift up their voices, they sing for joy over the majesty of the Lord, they shout from the west, from the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise to the righteous one.
So this is the sign, singing, global singing among all the powers is the sign of the triumph of Christ among the nations. A song of joy to the majesty of the Lord. So the singer gets the joy and the Savior gets the glory, the praises.
That's the way God has set up the world. He's designed the world so that God gets the glory among the nations and the nations get the gladness in God. Neither happens without the other.
God doesn't get the glory he should have without the gladness in the nations. The nations will never be glad in God except through knowing, loving, delighting in, being satisfied by the glory of God. There is one united goal for the universe, namely the glory of God in the gladness of the nations in God.
A gladness that is of such a nature that it cries out, what language shall I borrow? And answers, I will borrow the language of singing and I will summon the nations to join me. So Father, I pray that the upshot of the entire conference and these last couple of hours in particular would be the means by which you would catapult hundreds of people singing to the nations. I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The gladness of Godward singing signifies Christ's reign over the earth
- Psalm 138 reveals all kings will give thanks to the Lord
- Isaiah 34 describes nations shouting praise to God's majesty
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II
- Global singing is the sign of Christ's triumph among the nations
- Singers receive joy while the Savior receives glory
- God designed the world so nations find gladness in His glory
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III
- God's glory and the nations' gladness are inseparable
- Nations cannot be glad without delighting in God's glory
- The universe's unified goal is God's glory in the nations' gladness
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IV
- Gladness expresses itself through singing and summons the nations
- Prayer for the spread of joyful singing to the nations
- Encouragement to participate in global worship for God's glory
Key Quotes
“The gladness of Godward singing is a sign that the kingdoms of the earth belong to Christ.” — John Piper
“God doesn't get the glory he should have without the gladness in the nations.” — John Piper
“There is one united goal for the universe, namely the glory of God in the gladness of the nations in God.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Engage regularly in joyful singing as an expression of worship to glorify God.
- Delight in God's glory to cultivate true gladness in your spiritual life.
- Pray for the nations to join in global praise, advancing Christ's triumph worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main sign of Christ's triumph among the nations?
The main sign is global singing of joy and praise to the majesty of the Lord.
How are God's glory and the nations' gladness related?
They are inseparable; God does not receive glory without the nations' gladness, and the nations find gladness only by delighting in God's glory.
Why is singing emphasized in this sermon?
Singing is the language of gladness that expresses joy and summons the nations to worship God.
What is the ultimate goal of the universe according to this sermon?
The ultimate goal is the glory of God in the gladness of the nations.
How can listeners apply this message today?
Listeners can engage in joyful worship and pray for the nations to join in glorifying God.