Throughout history, God’s strategy for reaching unreached people groups with the gospel has often included the suffering of his front-line heralds—the missionaries who made countless sacrifices to advance the kingdom of God.
In Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ, John Piper focuses on the flesh and blood reality of pain in the lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton. Paying dearly to translate the Word of God, mobilize missionaries around the world, and lead the hostile to Christ, their stories illustrate how God builds his kingdom through the suffering of his servants.
Interested in more? Check out the Crossway John Piper Collection (39 vols.).
“God’s design for the evangelization of the world and the consummation of his purposes includes the suffering of his ministers and missionaries. To put it more plainly and specifically, God designs that the suffering of his ambassadors is one essential means in the triumphant spread of the Good News among all the peoples of the world.” (Page 14)
“Suffering was not just a consequence of the Master’s obedience and mission. It was the central strategy of his mission. It was the way he accomplished our salvation. Jesus calls us to join him on the Calvary Road, to take up our cross daily, to hate our lives in this world, and to fall into the ground like a seed and die, that others might live.” (Page 20)
“Afflictions are not merely the result of missionary fruitfulness, but also the means. God has appointed our pain to be part of his powerful display of the glory of Christ.” (Pages 9–10)
“in contemplating that heavenly crown, you may be ready without regret to leave all that belongs to this world.” (Page 8)
“I die every day!’ The seed falls into the ground and dies not just once in martyrdom, but over and over as we obey the command to take up our cross ‘daily’ and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).” (Page 14)