I want to talk to you about our church plant in Oconomowoc. To do that effectively, in my mind, I want to share my heart in regard to what the Lord has shown me about church planting. When Peter spoke to the church, he said the reason he wrote was to “stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance” “though they knew (those things) and were firmly established in the truth.” Many of the things I am writing serve that purpose, I want to stir them up again and bring them to your attention.
Jesus said, “I will build my church…” and yet we also are told from the Scriptures, “God has committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation.” Jesus affirmed this by saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
You see, I believe that Jesus is saying He is with us as we go and make disciples and thus build the church. When we go to build His church, we go with His authority and therefore His blessing. I am writing you because I believe that you also know how important it is for each of us to obey the great commission. Experience has taught the church at large that the most effective way to make disciples is church planting.
Why do many church plant attempts fail if Jesus is involved in building His church? One may blame the faith or skill of the church planter, but I believe no person is called to do the work of ministry on their own. Eph 4:16 tells us that “From Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” That means we each have a part to do and share responsibility for the work. The Holy Spirit has told us that we cannot say that we do not need each other; each member is essential and necessary not only to the growth of the local church but also to the Church at large.
In the past there have been individual planters whose primary resource from the body of Christ was finances. Because they lacked the other elements of support necessary in planting a church, they failed. This has resulted in a move towards satellite churches where one local church provides almost all the necessary elements.
While these churches are more successful, they still do not reflect the image of the full body of Christ working together for growth and edification. The body of Christ shouldn’t have a sink or swim pragmatic attitude toward church planting success or failure. Rather the Bible says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor 12:26). That tells me that for every church plant that has failed, the whole body has suffered and every success should be shared amongst the whole body (because the whole body contributed in some way toward that success).
What does a successful church plant need? I have grouped the needs into four categories:
1) Prayer – church planting is met with spiritual resistance according to Jesus (Mt 16:18). The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor 10:4).
2) People – The lead pastor is called of God to equip/prepare these people to do the work of the ministry (Eph 4:12) and entrusting the same to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Tim 2:2).
3) Provisions – finances are needed for start up costs, to purchase necessary equipment, and to provide for the lead pastor whom God has ordained or commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (1 Cor 9:14 KJV/NIV).
4) Peers – these are those individuals and organizations willing to provide supervision, guidance, wisdom, and even accountability for the church plant’s leadership team.
Since you are my friends, I am making my plea to you to join with us to help plant Hope Springs Christian Church in Oconomowoc, WI. Pray seriously about what function God is calling you to do in this work. Friends, we do share responsibility and as such we share the success or failure of this church plant. Each one of us can do something, however great or small, however trivial or significant in our own eyes, the point is to have a good conscience before God that we did something and that something is all that Jesus has told us to do.
I am available to share my vision for Oconomowoc to you and your church if you like. Meanwhile check out our website at www.hopespringschristianchurch.org to see our specific plans and view a needs list.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
God's Duty of Care
As a Christian, often times I have struggled to understand seemingly contradictory concepts in regard to our faith, but because “to whom would I go? I believe and am sure that Jesus has the words of eternal life…”[1] I have held those questions in my heart and continued to pray about them until God gave me some answer that would make sense to me. One such struggle centered on the justice of God and the vicarious or substitutionary death of Jesus for mankind.
As a person who evangelizes fairly often, I came across a tract that illustrates the reason for my struggle. In this tract, a bully grows up to eventually become a murderer. Because there are witnesses, he is arrested, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death. All his life his mother loves him and pleads for him to live right, yet her son continually spews out hatred toward her. Even while in jail, his mother comes with cookies and declares her unconditional love for her son, yet still he rejects her love. Eventually he is told the day of his execution will be the following day and he proclaims, “I’m too young to die!” The next day the guards come to lead him away, but to his surprise he is set free and informed that his mother bore his sentence and died on his behalf. From this tract an analogy is drawn of how Jesus died on our behalf.
I don’t know if you ever thought about it, or if you have just accepted this kind of analogy, but I am asking you to think about it now. Would this truly satisfy the justice of God who is holy? Think about it. If a righteous person approached the bench of a judge in the sentencing portion of a convicted murderer and said, “Judge, you and I know that this man is worthy of death. Since the law demands death as the penalty for his crime and I can prove I am a person of impeccable character, I request that you allow me to die in his place. The death sentence that the law requires will be satisfied so you may set him free.”
What do you really think the judge will say? “Hmmm…kill a righteous man so that a criminal can go free to commit the same, or worse, crime again!” You and I both know that a good and just judge would never allow the criminal to go free and a good person take their punishment. How could that ever be considered justice?
So do you now see the dilemma and the contradiction in regard to Jesus’ death being the righteous dying for the ungodly. How could a completely holy, just, and good God accept as payment for our wickedness the death of one righteous? In fact, contrary to popular belief, the more righteous Jesus was the more unjust His substitutionary death would become.
So I prayed, “God I do not understand. It doesn’t make any logical or right sense that just because Jesus was the only one without sin that he could ever legally be accepted as a payment for our sin. Help me to understand.” I prayed over and over till finally the answer came when I was watching a PBS program about tort law.
The word “tort” refers to injury and the dominant action in tort is negligence. The tort of negligence provides a cause of action leading to damages, or to injunctive relief, in each case designed to protect legal rights, including those of personal safety, property, and, in some cases, intangible economic interests. Negligence actions include claims arising primarily from automobile accidents and personal injury accidents of many kinds, including clinical negligence.[2] In tort law, the standard of care is the degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care. A breach of the standard is necessary for a successful action in negligence.[3] What does this all have to do with Jesus and justice you ask?
Well, I think it could be argued to a Trier of fact that God had a breach of the standard and a duty of care in regard to Adam and Eve, who were His sole creation. By reason of God’s ability to foresee the consequences of giving them a free will to choose or reject obedience, by virtue of Him being in all places present and failing to prevent them from eating of the deadly fruit, and allowing another member of His creation to so deceive Eve that it led to her actions that resulted in the spiritual death and subsequent physical death of all mankind, God failed to act with prudence and caution with those individuals who were under His duty of care.
It could be thus argued although God is not held in direct liability for the actions of His creation, but indirectly by virtue of creating Adam and Eve with a manufacturing defect called, “Choice.” Because God allowed Adam and Eve to exercise their choice and did not prevent them from doing so, which resulted in tort to not only themselves but all mankind. Much like the manufacturer of an automobile who is held liable for damages resulting from foreseeable defects that result in injury, so it could be said that God is liable for our injuries resulting from our defects (called our weaknesses or the weakness of our flesh in the Bible). Consider also the fact that God hid from mankind His wisdom - which it was He who came in the flesh, for if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.[4]
This is why the Bible in John chapter one and Colossians chapter one tells us that the one that took responsibility for our sins and redeemed us by paying our sin penalty was the same One who created us.[5] The fact is the only one that could have purchased us back was the Creator because He is the only one who could be held liable for our sin. This is why the Bible teaches that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.[6] God through Christ willingly accepted responsibility for His creation, although it could also be argued that God should not be held liable.
So it could be said that there is a class action lawsuit against God for damages resulting from His tort liability for those under His duty of care. All those who wish to receive compensation must have their names added to the suit and be listed in the Lamb’s book of Life. As a result, all those who do cannot have their sins held against them.
God is both the judge and the defendant. Jesus is both the payment and our attorney. We are the plaintiffs and we truly have an opportunity to benefit for all eternity. Won't you come to God, not only to receive compensation but the fix to our resulting injuries caused by the exercise of our freewill - a new heart and a new Spirit.
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”[7]
[1] John 6:68-69
[2] Wikipedia etymology of tort
[3] Wikipedia standard of care
[4] 1 Cor. 2:7-8; Acts 3:17
[5] John 1:1-4, 10-14; Col 1:12-20
[6] 2 Cor. 5:19
[7] Rom 3:25-26
As a person who evangelizes fairly often, I came across a tract that illustrates the reason for my struggle. In this tract, a bully grows up to eventually become a murderer. Because there are witnesses, he is arrested, found guilty of murder, and sentenced to death. All his life his mother loves him and pleads for him to live right, yet her son continually spews out hatred toward her. Even while in jail, his mother comes with cookies and declares her unconditional love for her son, yet still he rejects her love. Eventually he is told the day of his execution will be the following day and he proclaims, “I’m too young to die!” The next day the guards come to lead him away, but to his surprise he is set free and informed that his mother bore his sentence and died on his behalf. From this tract an analogy is drawn of how Jesus died on our behalf.
I don’t know if you ever thought about it, or if you have just accepted this kind of analogy, but I am asking you to think about it now. Would this truly satisfy the justice of God who is holy? Think about it. If a righteous person approached the bench of a judge in the sentencing portion of a convicted murderer and said, “Judge, you and I know that this man is worthy of death. Since the law demands death as the penalty for his crime and I can prove I am a person of impeccable character, I request that you allow me to die in his place. The death sentence that the law requires will be satisfied so you may set him free.”
What do you really think the judge will say? “Hmmm…kill a righteous man so that a criminal can go free to commit the same, or worse, crime again!” You and I both know that a good and just judge would never allow the criminal to go free and a good person take their punishment. How could that ever be considered justice?
So do you now see the dilemma and the contradiction in regard to Jesus’ death being the righteous dying for the ungodly. How could a completely holy, just, and good God accept as payment for our wickedness the death of one righteous? In fact, contrary to popular belief, the more righteous Jesus was the more unjust His substitutionary death would become.
So I prayed, “God I do not understand. It doesn’t make any logical or right sense that just because Jesus was the only one without sin that he could ever legally be accepted as a payment for our sin. Help me to understand.” I prayed over and over till finally the answer came when I was watching a PBS program about tort law.
The word “tort” refers to injury and the dominant action in tort is negligence. The tort of negligence provides a cause of action leading to damages, or to injunctive relief, in each case designed to protect legal rights, including those of personal safety, property, and, in some cases, intangible economic interests. Negligence actions include claims arising primarily from automobile accidents and personal injury accidents of many kinds, including clinical negligence.[2] In tort law, the standard of care is the degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care. A breach of the standard is necessary for a successful action in negligence.[3] What does this all have to do with Jesus and justice you ask?
Well, I think it could be argued to a Trier of fact that God had a breach of the standard and a duty of care in regard to Adam and Eve, who were His sole creation. By reason of God’s ability to foresee the consequences of giving them a free will to choose or reject obedience, by virtue of Him being in all places present and failing to prevent them from eating of the deadly fruit, and allowing another member of His creation to so deceive Eve that it led to her actions that resulted in the spiritual death and subsequent physical death of all mankind, God failed to act with prudence and caution with those individuals who were under His duty of care.
It could be thus argued although God is not held in direct liability for the actions of His creation, but indirectly by virtue of creating Adam and Eve with a manufacturing defect called, “Choice.” Because God allowed Adam and Eve to exercise their choice and did not prevent them from doing so, which resulted in tort to not only themselves but all mankind. Much like the manufacturer of an automobile who is held liable for damages resulting from foreseeable defects that result in injury, so it could be said that God is liable for our injuries resulting from our defects (called our weaknesses or the weakness of our flesh in the Bible). Consider also the fact that God hid from mankind His wisdom - which it was He who came in the flesh, for if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.[4]
This is why the Bible in John chapter one and Colossians chapter one tells us that the one that took responsibility for our sins and redeemed us by paying our sin penalty was the same One who created us.[5] The fact is the only one that could have purchased us back was the Creator because He is the only one who could be held liable for our sin. This is why the Bible teaches that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.[6] God through Christ willingly accepted responsibility for His creation, although it could also be argued that God should not be held liable.
So it could be said that there is a class action lawsuit against God for damages resulting from His tort liability for those under His duty of care. All those who wish to receive compensation must have their names added to the suit and be listed in the Lamb’s book of Life. As a result, all those who do cannot have their sins held against them.
God is both the judge and the defendant. Jesus is both the payment and our attorney. We are the plaintiffs and we truly have an opportunity to benefit for all eternity. Won't you come to God, not only to receive compensation but the fix to our resulting injuries caused by the exercise of our freewill - a new heart and a new Spirit.
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”[7]
[1] John 6:68-69
[2] Wikipedia etymology of tort
[3] Wikipedia standard of care
[4] 1 Cor. 2:7-8; Acts 3:17
[5] John 1:1-4, 10-14; Col 1:12-20
[6] 2 Cor. 5:19
[7] Rom 3:25-26
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Misunderstood Worship
Rom 11:36b-12:1 To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
As a young Christian, I met many individuals who had a profound impact on me - some for good and many by virtue of them being so wrong. One such individual, told me the story of how they went to a pentecostal service that the praise and worship was so exuberant that many were "dancing in the spirit" along with the praise music. Their group was led by a self-proclaimed judge of the move of the Spirit. When this man saw a woman praising God in a red dress (because they believed that wearing red was sinful like the whore in the book of Revelation), he proclaimed, "That woman's praise is unacceptable!" He believed that God did indeed look at the outward and refused her praise on the basis the color of her dress!!
It is interesting to me that, in both the Old and Testaments, the words used that are translated "worship" mean to bow or to prostrate one's self in the presence of another. In this definition I see what Paul mentioned as our spiritual act of worship. It is first ascribing glory to another and second to sacrifice ourselves.
The Greek word translated "glory" means to "make very apparent." The idea is that whatever we glory gets bigger in our eyes. In other words, whatever we esteem, value, or focus more attention on we ascribe glory to. Paul, in the passage above, tells us that to Jesus should be the glory. He must increase in our eyes. He should be the focus of our lives.
The second aspect of worship is that of prostrating or sacrificing. John the baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase and I must decrease." Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." The idea is that we sacrifice other things for whatever we worship. We lay down our wills and deny ourself. We humble ourselves with contrite and broken hearts.
You can see that THIS is the reason Jesus so hottly rebuked the Pharisees, they refused to prostrate their hearts and humble themselves. Whenever we refuse to humble ourselves and decrease in God's presence we are not worshiping in the literal sense.
So often in church during the "praise and worship" portion of the service we stand or are told to stand. It is not often we are told to bow or to fall to our knees. Yet this is what the figure or analogy is for worship. Let us bow our hearts, let us deny ourselves next time we praise Jesus and glorify Him, remembering that if we fail to humble ourselves we fail to worship. And MOST importantly...let us not judge others as they worship!! As the song says, "Down at Your feet, oh Lord, is the most high praise."
As a young Christian, I met many individuals who had a profound impact on me - some for good and many by virtue of them being so wrong. One such individual, told me the story of how they went to a pentecostal service that the praise and worship was so exuberant that many were "dancing in the spirit" along with the praise music. Their group was led by a self-proclaimed judge of the move of the Spirit. When this man saw a woman praising God in a red dress (because they believed that wearing red was sinful like the whore in the book of Revelation), he proclaimed, "That woman's praise is unacceptable!" He believed that God did indeed look at the outward and refused her praise on the basis the color of her dress!!
It is interesting to me that, in both the Old and Testaments, the words used that are translated "worship" mean to bow or to prostrate one's self in the presence of another. In this definition I see what Paul mentioned as our spiritual act of worship. It is first ascribing glory to another and second to sacrifice ourselves.
The Greek word translated "glory" means to "make very apparent." The idea is that whatever we glory gets bigger in our eyes. In other words, whatever we esteem, value, or focus more attention on we ascribe glory to. Paul, in the passage above, tells us that to Jesus should be the glory. He must increase in our eyes. He should be the focus of our lives.
The second aspect of worship is that of prostrating or sacrificing. John the baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase and I must decrease." Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." The idea is that we sacrifice other things for whatever we worship. We lay down our wills and deny ourself. We humble ourselves with contrite and broken hearts.
You can see that THIS is the reason Jesus so hottly rebuked the Pharisees, they refused to prostrate their hearts and humble themselves. Whenever we refuse to humble ourselves and decrease in God's presence we are not worshiping in the literal sense.
So often in church during the "praise and worship" portion of the service we stand or are told to stand. It is not often we are told to bow or to fall to our knees. Yet this is what the figure or analogy is for worship. Let us bow our hearts, let us deny ourselves next time we praise Jesus and glorify Him, remembering that if we fail to humble ourselves we fail to worship. And MOST importantly...let us not judge others as they worship!! As the song says, "Down at Your feet, oh Lord, is the most high praise."
Friday, March 27, 2009
In the Hands of God - a mini church planting lesson
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.
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.
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."
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Point of the Plan
Jer 29:11NIV - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
As Christians, most of us are familiar with this scripture passage and from it we teach an important truth: God has a plan for each of our lives. As a result of that plan God promises to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Therefore we conclude this plan for our lives is a good plan because it is given to us by a good God. A holy God who cannot do anything but good. As the scripture says, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:16-17 NIV).
Here is a thought: Does this plan of God for our lives automatically take place apart from anything that we do? Well, of course not - correct? In other words, the plan of God is the call of God on our lives to which we must seek and respond to it. For instance, it would do us no good to know that God called us to overseas missions where He planned to prosper us if we failed to respond to that call and become a missionary and go.
The point of God having a plan for your life and mine is the "call." The "call" is different for each person's life and one person may be "called" to do many different things in their lifetime. The point is that we must become aware of what God is "calling" each of us to do and then for us to adjust our lives to obey and follow that "call."
What is God calling you to do? Has He told you to do something like enter full time ministry? or has He called you to help a church grow by contributing your time, gifts, and resources? "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col 3:23-24 NIV).
How will you recognize God's calling? Look for the opportunities to do good that God places in your life and respond to them. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:10 NIV). Like the story of the good Samaritan, we are responsible for those God places in our path not outside of it.
Father bless your children as they listen and respond to your call and bring about the good purpose and plan that you have for their lives, in Jesus name. amen.
As Christians, most of us are familiar with this scripture passage and from it we teach an important truth: God has a plan for each of our lives. As a result of that plan God promises to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Therefore we conclude this plan for our lives is a good plan because it is given to us by a good God. A holy God who cannot do anything but good. As the scripture says, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:16-17 NIV).
Here is a thought: Does this plan of God for our lives automatically take place apart from anything that we do? Well, of course not - correct? In other words, the plan of God is the call of God on our lives to which we must seek and respond to it. For instance, it would do us no good to know that God called us to overseas missions where He planned to prosper us if we failed to respond to that call and become a missionary and go.
The point of God having a plan for your life and mine is the "call." The "call" is different for each person's life and one person may be "called" to do many different things in their lifetime. The point is that we must become aware of what God is "calling" each of us to do and then for us to adjust our lives to obey and follow that "call."
What is God calling you to do? Has He told you to do something like enter full time ministry? or has He called you to help a church grow by contributing your time, gifts, and resources? "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col 3:23-24 NIV).
How will you recognize God's calling? Look for the opportunities to do good that God places in your life and respond to them. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:10 NIV). Like the story of the good Samaritan, we are responsible for those God places in our path not outside of it.
Father bless your children as they listen and respond to your call and bring about the good purpose and plan that you have for their lives, in Jesus name. amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Can God Create A Rock He Cannot Move?
“I have a question for you…,” one of the two obviously college students proceeded to ask me, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move?”
It was a few years ago that I was standing on a corner in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on a Saturday evening with a friend of mine from the church where I was attending at the time. We had a sidewalk sign that read, “Read the Bible, it’s for you and concerns you.” I had only come to receive God’s grace through Jesus Christ a year or so earlier and I was quite nervous to return to my home town to “street witness.”
The person that I was with was a much more experienced Christian who engaged passers by with ease while I secretly hoped that everyone would ignore me. While the person I was with from the church spoke to a man who had been walking down this busy street, suddenly two guys approached me.
I was nervous, I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, or how God could use me to “witness” about Him, but sure enough, one of them spoke to me. “I have a question for you…,” one of the two obviously college students proceeded to ask me, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move?”
I had known that this was a trick question used in philosophy classes to show the impossibility of an “all powerful creator God.” The idea is this: If God couldn’t create such a rock; it would be proven that there is something that God couldn’t do, who supposedly by definition, could do all things. As a result, you couldn’t answer, “No,” without disproving God. On the other hand, If someone would answer, “Yes,” then the result would be a God was not all-powerful because there is now something He cannot do. Either reply supposedly disproved God’s existence as being irrational to the logical mind.
As all of this flashed across my mind, I felt like I would soon become a failure as a witness for Jesus. Admittedly I replied, “I don’t know the answer,” but I continued, “Let me pray and ask God if He will give me an answer to your question.” So, I bowed my head to pray right there on the sidewalk in front of them. As I prayed silently suddenly I knew the answer.
I raised my head and looked the young man in the eyes and said, “The answer is: Yes and God did! The rock is the Word of God! The Bible says, Heaven and Earth will pass away but my Word will never pass away. Jesus said, upon this rock I will build my church. God has established His Word forever.”
At this, the young man’s friend slapped him on the back and shouted, “He got you!” In disbelief, the young men walked away.
There are some very important reasons why this answer is significant and why I believe this answer was in deed from God. In subsequent posts I will go on to explain the ramifications of this immoveable rock and the Scriptural reason for our God who willingly limits Himself so that He cannot do all things (e.g., it is impossible for God to lie). I will also explain the hidden agenda of philosophers who ask the question, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move.”
It was a few years ago that I was standing on a corner in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on a Saturday evening with a friend of mine from the church where I was attending at the time. We had a sidewalk sign that read, “Read the Bible, it’s for you and concerns you.” I had only come to receive God’s grace through Jesus Christ a year or so earlier and I was quite nervous to return to my home town to “street witness.”
The person that I was with was a much more experienced Christian who engaged passers by with ease while I secretly hoped that everyone would ignore me. While the person I was with from the church spoke to a man who had been walking down this busy street, suddenly two guys approached me.
I was nervous, I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, or how God could use me to “witness” about Him, but sure enough, one of them spoke to me. “I have a question for you…,” one of the two obviously college students proceeded to ask me, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move?”
I had known that this was a trick question used in philosophy classes to show the impossibility of an “all powerful creator God.” The idea is this: If God couldn’t create such a rock; it would be proven that there is something that God couldn’t do, who supposedly by definition, could do all things. As a result, you couldn’t answer, “No,” without disproving God. On the other hand, If someone would answer, “Yes,” then the result would be a God was not all-powerful because there is now something He cannot do. Either reply supposedly disproved God’s existence as being irrational to the logical mind.
As all of this flashed across my mind, I felt like I would soon become a failure as a witness for Jesus. Admittedly I replied, “I don’t know the answer,” but I continued, “Let me pray and ask God if He will give me an answer to your question.” So, I bowed my head to pray right there on the sidewalk in front of them. As I prayed silently suddenly I knew the answer.
I raised my head and looked the young man in the eyes and said, “The answer is: Yes and God did! The rock is the Word of God! The Bible says, Heaven and Earth will pass away but my Word will never pass away. Jesus said, upon this rock I will build my church. God has established His Word forever.”
At this, the young man’s friend slapped him on the back and shouted, “He got you!” In disbelief, the young men walked away.
There are some very important reasons why this answer is significant and why I believe this answer was in deed from God. In subsequent posts I will go on to explain the ramifications of this immoveable rock and the Scriptural reason for our God who willingly limits Himself so that He cannot do all things (e.g., it is impossible for God to lie). I will also explain the hidden agenda of philosophers who ask the question, “Can God create a rock that He cannot move.”
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