Volume 11 Post/Email 1 – Action
The words of our Lord in Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
God wants His church to be a people of action. He has given us a mission. The mission is not to be optional. The mission is not to be negotiable. The mission is not to be a side-thought. The mission is to be the main thing. The mission is to be the motivation and driving force of the church. The mission is to determine what the church does and does not do.
Every aspect of the church is to be aligned with her mission. Members of the church, beginning with the elders and evangelist, should be analyzing each activity through this lense. Ministries should be determined and organized based upon the mission. Worship should inspire and energize the church for a greater commitment to Jesus and the mission. Bible classes should be planned and taught in a context of mission and action.
Adult and teenage Bible teachers can help the students in the class ask and answer the following questions: Why does this lesson and truth matter? How can this lesson apply to and be married with a verb?
For all of the positives in every member of a congregation, there can still be some forces of inertia at work. A few can be vocally and even silently reluctant and resistant to change, even change that would actually improve faithfulness to the mission of the church. These can be personal friends and incredible Christians and members of the same congregation. What matters is that every congregation become more loyal to her mission than to habits, tradition and preference. What matters is that we all have pure motives who want to see the Lord's will be done, and not our own. We should all want the church to grow. We should all pray and work towards this end, and whatever this requires of us. We should all be committed to the mission of the church and taking action that is appropriate.
Finally, it is not pure to have a "personal" "hidden" agenda in a congregation. However, it is okay to have an agenda if it is the Lord's agenda. We should not hide, disregard or dismiss the Lord's agenda. We should uphold the Lord's mission for His church. The Lord's mission requires continual commitment to growth and improvement. The definition of insanity is to do the same things the same way and yet expect different results. Positive change and action are necessary. Positive change is happening in the church today. Greater health and growth are becoming realities. Episodic change is coming. Yes, "visible change" is being resisted, but that is expected. Each congregation has to be led gently and lovingly into transformation, especially when it is "visible transformation." What every church needs to know is that if it does not welcome an evolution, it can expect to experience a revolution - it will eventually become a dinosaur.
-Brian
Volume 10 Post/Email 4 – The Immanence And Transcendence Of God (part 4)
What do we mean when we say, "God is holy?" I find Psalm 99 to provide three diverse understandings of the concept of God's holiness. The passage communicates there is much meaning and substance to God being described as holy.
Psalm 99:1-3 reads, "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name - he is holy."
This first statement that "he is holy" is an example of God's greatness; transcendence; power; authority. He reigns and we tremble. He is enthroned and the earth shakes. He is great, exalted, and praised as great and awesome. Sometimes when we describe God as holy, we are alluding to his transcendence.
Psalm 99:4-5 reads, "The King is mighty, he loves justice - you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy."
This second statement that "he is holy" is a reference to God's ethical character. He loves justice. He established equity. He does what is just and right. Sometimes when we describe God as holy, we are alluding to him being ethical.
Psalm 99:6-9 reads, "Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy."
This third and final statement that God is holy is because he is personal. God answered the prayers of Moses and Aaron when they called on his name. God personally spoke to them from the pillar of cloud. Furthermore, in answering them, he forgave Israel. Sometimes when we describe God as holy, we are alluding to his immanence.
Reflection:
Because God is concurrently transcendent, ethical, and personal, when you pray to and worship Him, he is transforming (completely changing) you to be more holy, obedient and Christ-like!
Volume 10 Post/Email 3 – The Immanence And Transcendence Of God (part 3)
God is able to do all things. He is unlimited in power. God questions Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." (Gen 18:14)
Abraham thought it would be too difficult even for God to cause Sarah to become pregnant!
Aren't we the same way? 'Some matters are just too much for God...' we say to ourselves. I am perplexed when I hear statements like, 'Well, all we can do is pray' - as if prayer to God is a last resort with little hope. The best action Christians can take is to pray!
In Matthew 19:26 Jesus tells his disciples, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." In Luke 1:37 it is emphatically stated by the angel Gabriel, "For nothing is impossible with God."
It is difficult for us to imagine this reality, but God’s will is never frustrated! God's plans are never thwarted or interupted by people. Psalm 33:11 states, "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
Reflection: For what in my life am I doubting God's plans?
Volume 10 Post/Email 2 – The Immanence And Transcendence Of God (part 2)
It is impossible to define God. It is impossible to fully grasp God. Isaiah speaks of this when he writes, "Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?" (Isaiah 40:13, 18).
God is a spirit, thus, he is not composed of matter. He is transcendent to man's physical nature. Nevertheless, God is alive. He is a living being who possesses "life." John writes, "For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself." (John 5:26). Here, John explains that God the Father does not derive his life from any external source. He continually exists independently of any and every thing.
Another way to express God's life or existence and transcendence, is that God is eternal. He is "from everlasting to everlasting." (Psalm 90:2) God is not confined by time and space. David is pondering this concept when he writes: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Psalm 139:7-12)
This Scripture also provides a description of God's immanence. David acknowledges God is present and personally involved in his life. David knows God's hand is upon him blessing and guiding him. David knows that even the darkness is as light to God! David entrusted his life to God, knowing he could not flee from His transcendent, yet immanent Spirit.
Reflection:
Is it easier for you to trust Jesus with your soul and eternity than to trust him with your temporary problems and life decisions?