Volume 10 Post/Email 1 – The Immanence And Transcendence of God (part 1)
I plan to do some lessons on the immanence and transcendence of God the next few weeks at James Avenue. Likewise, I will include some of those sermon thoughts for reflection and application here on elguy.
Genesis 1-3 is an introductory picture to this transcendent, yet immanent God. God is set apart from the material universe, is above and independent of the physical universe, yet He is active and involved in the material world. God creates the universe and also inhabits it. God's Spirit is present, hovering over the waters (1:2). How does God create within the heavens and earth? He speaks. His spoken word is powerful. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Adam and Eve are able to hear the sound of the LORD God "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (3:8).
So, God is both active and removed from the world. He is set apart from, beyond our existence. But He is also near and personal. The experience of Moses with the burning bush is an event and picture of the immanence and transcendence of God. We witness God's dual and mysterious existence throughout Scripture.
God is ultimately a mystery to the human race. We cannot comprehend His being, existence, presence, holiness, and thoughts. He is too wonderful for us to fathom. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Yet, we are able on some level to know and experience this unapproachable God who transcends the universe and is superior to our finite understanding and inability to fathom His person. Isaiah 57:15b reads, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit." So, while being transcendent, God remains immanent.
Acts 17:24-28a provides a detailed explanation of this transcendent, yet immanent God. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being."
While God created and sustains the universe, and lives independently of the universal realm and limitations, he also is near to each person providing them breath and everything else needed to live, and desires for us to seek and know him.
In the New Testament Scriptures, we read that this holy and transcendent God becomes most immanent through the incarnation of Jesus. Through Jesus, people come to know and experience the loving, almighty, mysterious God who creates and sustains the cosmos.
Jesus is both human and divine. He enters time and space, and experiences limitations and suffering. He also defies nature and limitations by calming storms, casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the hungry, and walking on water.
Reflection: How is prayer an experience of both the immanence and transcendence of God?
Transformation
The term transformation means "completely changed." I wonder if we in Christian circles and classes sometimes use the term too loosely? Do we diminish the word to simply meaning any kind of change? Do we reduce the force of the word to where it describes any variation in our life?
Romans 12:2a - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (completely changed) by the renewing of your mind."
1 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed (completely changed) into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
We are not called to "modify" spiritually, or to "modify" our morality, or to "modify" our lifestyle.
We are called to total spiritual change, total moral change, and total lifestyle change.
Jesus does not simply offer a little help, or ask for small improvement. Jesus invites us to transformation.
Reflection:
Am I certain I am becoming totally different because of my faith and commitment to God?
How am I intentionally and specifically living in the process of being completely changed (transformed) by Jesus?
Volume 9 Post/Email 8 – Leadership
In Romans 12:6-8, Paul mentions various spiritual gifts or functions people have within the church. One of the seven he references in this context is the ability to lead. Paul instructs, "if it is leadership, let him govern diligently."
Not everyone has the same gift, or gifts, in the church. Not everyone is granted the spiritual endowment of leading. Everyone is to use whatever gift they have for the good of the church.
Therefore, if a person has the gift of leadership, they are to govern diligently.
1. Leaders are to govern; direct; manage; lead. They are not to do other people's jobs or responsibilities. They are to handle their personal responsibilities as a leader.
2. Leaders are to be diligent. It is not always easy to lead. Leading can be frustrating, discouraging and exhausting. Leaders in the church are not to stop leading when times and matters are difficult. They are to remain diligent.
As a final thought for this morning devotional, leadership can be rewarding. When a leader sees individuals, and even the majority within a congregation, responding positively to the examples and direction of the church's leadership, great blessings are in store for such people and communities of faith.
-Brian
Volume 9 Post/Email 7 – Missions
I do not believe Missions is supposed to be a program of the church. I believe Scripture clearly communicates that Missions IS the church. Must I reference verses to persuade anyone? (There are plenty of them.)
So that this is not a rather abstract concept, think of missions in terms of relationships. Our mission is to lead more people to Christ, thus, our mission is our relationship with people and directing them to our Savior and Shepherd.
Reflection Questions:
How well is my congregation keeping the main thing the main thing?
How committed am I to supporting and advancing my congregation's mission?
Is my life and lifestyle keeping the main thing the main thing?
-Brian
Volume 9 Post/Email 6 – The Boat
In my lesson last week, titled, A Church That Walks On Water, I mostly applied the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-36. Toward the end I asked the application question - "What might be represented by the boat?" A few answers were offered. I added security, familiarity, comfort, etc.
However, ultimately, I believe the boat represents human ability. The disciples had been rowing in the storm for over 9 hours in a manmade boat, using manpower to try and stay afloat. To leave the boat and walk on the water is to leave trusting and relying on self-sufficiency for that of God-sufficiency.
Our prayers shouldn't be, "Lord, help us do the best we can." (Have you ever prayed or heard those before?)
Our prayers should be, "Lord, help us get out of our boat."
-Brian