John Stott (1921-2011)

Earlier today John Stott went to be with the Lord. He was 90 years old. Or as the Bible says of others, “He was old and full of years.”

It is interesting to me that Twitter is today’s version of the water cooler. If you would like to know what other people are thinking about John Stott’s life and legacy, you can find out (in bite-sized chunks) at Twitter. In fact, I recommend that you do just that. If you don’t see a Twitter widget below, refresh your browser. If you still don’t see it, click here.

Here are a few tributes that stood out to me:

@wesleyhill – “Thankful for the life and ministry of John Stott. Among other things, he showed me possibilities of beauty and joy in lifelong singleness.”

@ahc – “Requiescat in pacem ‘Uncle’ John R. W. Stott. Into Paradise may the angels lead you.”

@ScottyWardSmith – “John Stott, who shaped my love, respect & understanding of the Bible more than anyone, entered heaven this morning.”

@Quaerentia – “Well it’s out now. Praise god for 90 amazingly well lived influential and godly years. John R W Stott (1921-2011).”

@nathanfinn – “Saddened to learn that John Stott passed away today. Thankful to God for his decades of ministry and his influence on world Christianity.”

@barrygcooper – “John Stott went to be with the Lord this morning. What unimaginable joy he must be experiencing even now.”

@ChrisLarson – “John Stott (1921-2011) has joined the spirits of just men, made perfect. Remarkable legacy recorded in 52 books: (click for a link)

@BurkParsons – “Thank you Lord for calling and sustaining your servant John Stott. We look forward to eternity with him, by your grace. SDG.”

The next couple of days will undoubtedly bring many more substantial and thought-provoking tributes and remembrances. In the meantime, we do well to thank the Lord for the life of this man.

I will leave Stott with the final word:

Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, “I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.” Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is here, at the foot of the cross that we shrink to our true size.

Update: Christianity Today has a bit more information:

Editor’s Note: John Stott died today at 3:15 London time (about 9:15 a.m. CST), according to John Stott Ministries President Benjamin Homan. Homan said that Stott’s death came after complications related to old age and that he has been in discomfort for the last several weeks. Family and close friends gathered with Stott today as they listened to Handel’s Messiah. Homan said that John Stott Ministries has been preparing for his death for the past 15 years. “I think he set an impeccable example for leaders of ministries of handing things over to other leaders,” Homan said. “He imparted to many a love for the global church and imparted a passion for biblical fidelity and a love for the Savior.” This story will be updated as more information becomes available.