John Piper on John Calvin: The Supremacy of Christ in All Things | DG 2009
Text: Ephesians 1:4-6
Calvin believed that what the theater of God was for was for the shining for of the glory of God and the display of the greatness of Christ. John Piper moved beyond Calvin in the closing section, and turned directly to Christ. There is no better way to honor Calvin.
What is the theater of God? Is the universe the theater of God?
At first glance, it seems the theater of God is the universe. From the angels to the demons, from humanity to nature.
But it is not that simple.
The scope of the theater is bigger than you think it is.
God chose us in Him before the foundation of the World. Christ is the ground of our election before anything was created. Therefore, the glory of Christ is on display before there is anyone but God to watch it.
God directs our attention out of the theater to show us the full extent of the theater.
It won’t due to say that the theater of God is the created universe. It is too small. Too short. The theater must be enlarged beyond creation. The script is constantly pointing us out of the created universe to the scope of the Godhead.
Now we have the theater in its appropriate infinite proportions.
What is the ultimate goal of God in the theater of God?
Ephesians 1:4: To the praise of the glory of His grace.
The aim of election through Jesus Christ is the everlasting white-hot praise of the glory of the grace of God. That’s why everything exists.
Piper: “God has done everything with the view to that one great end. Namely, that the glory of His grace would be praised by innumerable human beings.”
“Not just are we to praise His glory, but specifically the glory of His grace. The highest point of the glory of God is the grace of God. Everything else – justice, wrath, power, wisdom, truthfulness – serve to make the glory of his grace more plain, more beautiful, and more precious.”
God has done all of it to solidify and intensify your praise for the glory of His grace.
God shows love by doing everything forever in order that we might see God. It will take an eternity for Him to show the riches of His grace.
This is not the way the world defines love.
The world defines love as God making me central, attending to me.
We must understand the God-centeredness of the love and grace of God.
Love is God doing whatever He has to do, even if it costs Him His Son, in oder that we might see and savor God.
How do the historical work and the eternal person of Christ relate to that ultimate goal of glorifying God’s grace?
The historical work of Christ is the action of God’s grace, and the eternal person of Christ is the gift of God’s grace.
Christ is the price and He is the pearl.
The work on the cross makes it possible for us to enjoy His person forever. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and the means of attaining it. His blood purchases the ultimately satisfying gift, and He is the ultimately satisfying gift. He is what God gives, and the way God gives. He is the price and he is the pearl.
The theater exists to glorify God’s grace. Christ is the embodiment and enablement of that grace. Therefore, the theater exists to glorify Christ.
What difference does it make?
1. The highest pleasure of the human being is the pleasure of admiration.
Salvation is ultimately the revelation of God in such a way so that we can enjoy the glory of God. Therefore, make it your life long, eternity long vocation to know Him, to savor Him.
2. Seek Christ, not just God’s gifts.
“Don’t get excited about eternal golf…I fear that our churches have many people who will be shocked to hear the Lord say, “I never knew you, because all you wanted were my gifts, and not Me,” said Piper.
3. Now we understand what it means to be loved.
To be loved is not to be made much of, but to be rescued from the craving to be made much of. This is God’s love: God bringing us to God. God awakening our affections for God. Christ is our rescue and our reward.
4. We ourselves will be glorified.
You, Christian, will shine like the Son in the kingdom of God. You will shine with the glory of Christ, not your own (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
Even further, according to John 17:26, we will love Christ with the same love the Father loves Christ with.
Piper:
“That is precious beyond words because in this life my greatest frustration is that I do not love Him as I ought, and I feel there is nothing resident in me to love Him as He deserves. Eternity will be a bummer if I am not given that love for Christ.
5. Now we are gradually being changed into the likeness of Christ.
Beholding is becoming (2 Corinthians 3:18). Seeing the glory of the Lord with the eyes of our heart opened by the Holy Spirit, changes us. And any other way to change results in legalism. All pastors: Your vocation is to open the eyes of the blind to see the glory of Christ.
Guest writer Daniel C. Wilson is covering the Desiring God National Conference.
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4 Comments to John Piper on John Calvin: The Supremacy of Christ in All Things | DG 2009
Piper for the win: Turning the corner and showcasing Christ instead of Calvin. That is indeed a majestic closer. Great job, Daniel.
All the messages were strong and helpful and moving, but Piper’s closing message was especially good.
Steve, I agree. Piper skillfully drew the conference to a Christ-centered close.
September 30, 2009
[...] 8. John Piper: God’s ultimate goal is to glorify His grace in and through Christ [...]
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