John Piper
February 6, 2001
7:15 pm
Infinite Cost of Racial Diversity
Message Summary
Transporting his audience through time and space, John Piper spoke about God's heart for diversity within the body. Piper began by relating personal experience, taking his audience back 38 years to 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama, a seat of political demonstrations and violence because of race. Just as Martin Luther King Jr. challenged his readers in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Piper challenged his audience to be extremists for love and justice.
Moving back in time even further, Piper pointed out Christ's heart for diversity in Revelation 5:9. The bride of Christ, an amazing creation of God, is made up of a wide array of color and diversity, created by God himself. Just as Christ "...purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation," (Rev. 5:9) so we should recognize also this heart for racial diversity.
There are four implications of these truths. First of all, Piper explained that God intends to have a people for himself from every tribe, language and nation. These three descriptions cover every base; there are no socio-linguistic groups excluded. Secondly, Rev. 5:10, which follows, clearly teaches about the unity and harmony that will and should be apparent as we serve together as His "kingdom of priests" that is the church. Thirdly, the cost of this diversity is infinite. It was purchased with the blood of Christ and there is nothing more precious than that. Lastly, the ultimate purpose of racial diversity is for God Himself. Essentially, Christ's desire is for multi-colored worship of Him.
In conclusion, Piper outlined what we should do in response to these truths. We need realize and truly believe that racial unity is important. We need to join God in pursuing the goal of gathering together in the diversity of His holy priesthood, and we need to truly research and understand ethnic diversity through reading books and other helpful resources.
Piper ended with a challenge and a warning. This pursuit of racial unity will cost us, just as it cost Christ. But we need to love like Jesus loved, not giving up easily because we muddle things up. "The church is filled with thin-skinned, easily offended whiners," Piper concluded. We need to realize that we're in it for the "long haul," to the ultimate place of worshipping Christ through our diversity, as outlined in Revelations 5:9.
Student Response
Piper's insight and eloquence, as well as his exposition of the Word, opened up Revelation 5:9 like I had never heard it before. I was challenged, I was taught and I feel that I understand just a little more of God's heart for racial unity and diversity. He exemplified to me, through this message, what it means to truly seek after God's heart and purpose for humanity in every aspect of life. He was very real in his presentation which, I think, made his message more real and understandable.
—Susanne Eadelman, Junior, Communications/Print Media major