At our last Hope Springs staff meeting, Ben led us in devotions and brought out some very interesting points from Nehemiah about church planting. Since I cannot remember for sure which was the Holy Spirit speaking to me or that which Ben mentioned, I am just going to mention some of the things that I have noticed from the book of Nehemiah – to God be the glory!
The Call (Neh 1:2-3)
Henry Blackaby in his popular book “Experiencing God” mentions that God’s revelation of a need is His invitation (or call) to join Him in the work He plans to do. In this passage, Nehemiah inquires about the city Hanani and some of his friends come from. He is made aware of the need and his heart is filled with compassion – so much so it drives him to prayer about that city. In that prayer, he accepts responsibility for the sin that has taken place. In closing, he asks for divine favor from those who he works for.
I see this as the first initial call to plant a church or do anything for the Lord, it begins with revelation of needs, followed by compassion, that leads to intercessory prayer, and permission from superiors to do something about it. Nehemiah recognized that permission is a result of God’s divine favor.
The Ministry Plan (Neh 2:4-8)
The king responds to Nehemiah’s request by inquiring, “What is it you want?” (v. 4). Nehemiah doesn’t have time to go into his prayer closet and pray a lengthy prayer, instead he prays – what I would imagine is – a prayer of desperation. “Oh God, what do I say?!”
Nehemiah asks, “Send me to the city…” His leadership naturally asks for his ministry plan (How long will it take…? etc.) Nehemiah then presents his list of needs: a letter of approval to empower him to do the work; a request for resources for both the ministry and his residence (v.8). And because God’s hand was upon him, leadership granted his request. Along with these things, leadership sent with him a leadership team (v. 9). What is interesting about this is that king Artaxerxes gave without asking for anything in return. What was Artaxerxes motivation? You know what? I don't know, but what if Nehemiah didn't have the boldness to ask? We have to give people the opportunity to give to God's work and entrust them to the promises of God that He rewards those who give generously.
Opposition to the Plan (Neh 2:10, 19; 4:2-3)
Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” That tells me that whenever Jesus is building His church there is opposition against it. In fact Jesus warns us if all men speak well of us (Luke 6:26). We must have a holy boldness and determination as a church planter or minister of Christ to finish the race marked out before us.
The Plan is Delegated (2:17; 3:1-32)
If at first you don't succeed, delegate it. In reality, the work God calls us to is designed to be too great for human hands. Again, Henry Blackaby brings this out in “Experiencing God.” God’s desire is for us to personally know Him as the God of – whatever it is you need. if you need healing – He is the God who heals us; if we need provision – He is Jehovah Jireh…etc. He is the One who plants and grows His church. God’s representation of Himself on earth is not a single person but it is a body of many members whose head is Christ. Nehemiah divides the work to be done and establishes leaders over each area. This is God’s plan for work in His kingdom to be accomplished – the effectual working of every member brings increase to the body (Eph 4:16).
Three factors for success involve effort on our part according to the “Life in the Spirit” study notes: the people put their whole heart into the work (4:6); the people were prayerful and watchful as they did the work (4:9); and the people demonstrated courage, determination, and faith when confronted with opposition (4:14).
The Workers Weary (Neh 4:6-12)
It is interesting that the laborers tire at the half way mark (v.6). It is to be expected that weariness will set in even when doing a great work for God. Part of the problem was that there was “so much” garbage in the way. Nehemiah listened to and validated the workers concerns and took appropriate measures. The other part of the problem was with those who “lived near” told them ten times over they needed to be afraid. Nehemiah had to both encourage and respond (v. 14) to their fears. Interestingly when the enemy realized that they were aware of Satan’s schemes (2 Cor 2:11) they left and allowed the work to continue. The Bible says they recognized “God had frustrated” their plan.
Conclusion
Church planting is not promised to be easy work but in it we each have the privilege of seeing God’s hands at work. We willingly place ourselves in the activity of God who is seeking to save that which is lost. Whatever it is that we are called to do; we must seek first His kingdom – I believe that means for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, let us go into all nations and make disciples.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Can God Create a Rock He Cannot Move? Or One Reason Reformed Theology is in Error
In my previous blog on this subject, I mentioned that the answer that was given to me in prayer, was, “Yes, and He did. The rock is the Word of God.”
The Scriptures truly bear this out:
Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus describes His word as a rock that, if men will build their lives upon, what they build will endure whatever devastating storms may come. Jesus said, “… on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matt 16:18); which is commonly interpreted to mean that Jesus will build His Church upon that same word, or confession of faith, uttered by Peter – “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”
In fact Jesus himself is so closely related to the Word of God – this rock – He is Himself referred to as that “spiritual rock,” (1 Cor 10:4); the “foundation” of our faith (1 Cor 3:11); the cornerstone (Isa 28:16), and the Word of God (John 1:1; Rev 19:13).
That the Word of God is unmovable and eternal is shown by the following passages: The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa 40:8). Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words (said Jesus) will never pass away (Matt 24:35). The word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the word that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:25).
This is by no means an exhaustive list so if you have time to study it out I think that it will be a blessing to you.
So why would this be significant in view of the question, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move?”
First of all, I believe there is significance to the fact that God is unchanging and His word is unchanging. Whatever God says He fully stands behind in order to bring it to pass. If God is unchanging there are some things that He cannot do. For example: God cannot change, there is no shifting shadows from God changing (James 1:17); God cannot lie (Titus 1:2); in fact it is impossible for Him to lie (Heb 6:18); His promises are unchangeable.
The seeming contradiction to the nature of God is applied when one looks at the term “omnipotent.” When we say that God is omnipotent and that with God “all things are possible;” neither we nor the Bible implies that God can contradict Himself. The Bible teaches that God cannot deny (Gk.: arneomai) or contradict Himself (2 Tim 2:13). God does not create anything that is contradiction to His character (Rom 1:20). God can create what is eternal, (for example heaven, hell, angels, and humans) but all of these things reflect an aspect of God’s character or are made in His image.
When we are referring to God’s omnipotence we are saying that God is fully capable of doing what is faithful to His nature regardless of opposition. In other words, nothing can obstruct or prevent God from His fully being able to be Himself. What He has said He will do, He is fully able to bring it to pass (Isa 14:27, 46:11).
This is where those of the Reformed Theology persuasion make an error in regard to God’s “sovereign will.” They would say that God imputes faith to some and holds it back from others based upon “His sovereign will.” The phrase they use is "unconditional election;" as if to say that God’s sovereign will is an unknowable will that is somehow able to contradict His Word.
Yet the Bible says, He has made known the mystery of His will (Eph 1:9, 3:3-9; Rom 16:25-26; 1 Cor 2:10). God is holy. That means that it is impossible that God makes any judgment based upon an arbitrary reason. Unconditional election is false. The judgment of God is according to truth and will be righteousness (Rom 2:2, 5). In regard to imputation, the Bible never says that God imputes “faith.” The Bible says that what is imputed and what is the free gift – it is righteousness (Rom 4:11, 21-24, 5:17; James 2:23).
Because God is unchanging and always acts in accordance to ways that are holy, just, good, and loving, as the Bible states, does that mean that He is no longer sovereign and omnipotent? No, God is still the supreme power and presides over all external control.
Can God create a rock that even He cannot move? Most certainly! What this says about God is that He is faithful to His character, to His word, and cannot act outside the realm of either (just like those decrees made by kings in the Bible that cannot be reversed). God has absolutes. Therefore when God says, “I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame (Rom 9:33), He means it. How do you not stumble or fall? Rom 10:8-11 tells us that “the word of faith we are proclaiming (is): That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
The Scriptures truly bear this out:
Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus describes His word as a rock that, if men will build their lives upon, what they build will endure whatever devastating storms may come. Jesus said, “… on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matt 16:18); which is commonly interpreted to mean that Jesus will build His Church upon that same word, or confession of faith, uttered by Peter – “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”
In fact Jesus himself is so closely related to the Word of God – this rock – He is Himself referred to as that “spiritual rock,” (1 Cor 10:4); the “foundation” of our faith (1 Cor 3:11); the cornerstone (Isa 28:16), and the Word of God (John 1:1; Rev 19:13).
That the Word of God is unmovable and eternal is shown by the following passages: The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa 40:8). Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words (said Jesus) will never pass away (Matt 24:35). The word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the word that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:25).
This is by no means an exhaustive list so if you have time to study it out I think that it will be a blessing to you.
So why would this be significant in view of the question, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move?”
First of all, I believe there is significance to the fact that God is unchanging and His word is unchanging. Whatever God says He fully stands behind in order to bring it to pass. If God is unchanging there are some things that He cannot do. For example: God cannot change, there is no shifting shadows from God changing (James 1:17); God cannot lie (Titus 1:2); in fact it is impossible for Him to lie (Heb 6:18); His promises are unchangeable.
The seeming contradiction to the nature of God is applied when one looks at the term “omnipotent.” When we say that God is omnipotent and that with God “all things are possible;” neither we nor the Bible implies that God can contradict Himself. The Bible teaches that God cannot deny (Gk.: arneomai) or contradict Himself (2 Tim 2:13). God does not create anything that is contradiction to His character (Rom 1:20). God can create what is eternal, (for example heaven, hell, angels, and humans) but all of these things reflect an aspect of God’s character or are made in His image.
When we are referring to God’s omnipotence we are saying that God is fully capable of doing what is faithful to His nature regardless of opposition. In other words, nothing can obstruct or prevent God from His fully being able to be Himself. What He has said He will do, He is fully able to bring it to pass (Isa 14:27, 46:11).
This is where those of the Reformed Theology persuasion make an error in regard to God’s “sovereign will.” They would say that God imputes faith to some and holds it back from others based upon “His sovereign will.” The phrase they use is "unconditional election;" as if to say that God’s sovereign will is an unknowable will that is somehow able to contradict His Word.
Yet the Bible says, He has made known the mystery of His will (Eph 1:9, 3:3-9; Rom 16:25-26; 1 Cor 2:10). God is holy. That means that it is impossible that God makes any judgment based upon an arbitrary reason. Unconditional election is false. The judgment of God is according to truth and will be righteousness (Rom 2:2, 5). In regard to imputation, the Bible never says that God imputes “faith.” The Bible says that what is imputed and what is the free gift – it is righteousness (Rom 4:11, 21-24, 5:17; James 2:23).
Because God is unchanging and always acts in accordance to ways that are holy, just, good, and loving, as the Bible states, does that mean that He is no longer sovereign and omnipotent? No, God is still the supreme power and presides over all external control.
Can God create a rock that even He cannot move? Most certainly! What this says about God is that He is faithful to His character, to His word, and cannot act outside the realm of either (just like those decrees made by kings in the Bible that cannot be reversed). God has absolutes. Therefore when God says, “I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame (Rom 9:33), He means it. How do you not stumble or fall? Rom 10:8-11 tells us that “the word of faith we are proclaiming (is): That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
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