This was for a class... it doesn't cover all the major doctrines. These views are viewed from a standpoint of looking at the whole Bible on a given subject.
Systematic Theology seeks truth that begins with and is subject to a comprehensive study of the Bible; historically informed, communicated and defended in an accurate, precise, consistent, and relevant fashion that portrays the heart of God on any given issue to the end of effective evangelism and a growing Christ-likeness of His Church corporately and individually. ST can utilize a number of sources; reason, history/tradition, Scripture. While these and others have been suggested the Bible holds preeminence while the others can only aid in our understanding of how to communicate what God has already revealed. While the Bible is our only definitive source for theology, other elements naturally act as vehicles directing us to what we are to seek the heart of God about in the Bible.
ST is the product of the other branches of theology combined and it dives back into those branches to answer the question for which it is employed. I will do Theology with a comprehensive approach. I'm sure (seeking pastoral ministry) much of my theology will be initiated in response to questions, counseling, and sermon prep. I will approach theology with the desire to see what the Bible teaches in totality about a given subject. The question may not be about whether theology matters, but how much theology bears in on different situations. We are always doing theology in the way we live, think, make decisions, interact with people, and filter life experiences. These things are an overflow of internal theological roots that guide the lens through which we see the world and respond to it. The question becomes to what degree or what branch of theology is more or less relevant at a given time. This comes with an acknowledgment of the above reality and the wisdom.
General revelation is that which the world can know only know before salvation. People can see the intricate created order and see there is a creator (Romans 1:18-32, Psalm 19:1-6) and He has given us a conscience to know right from wrong (Romans 2:14-15). These things tell humanity there is a God but they are not enough for them to know Him personally. They need direct/special revelation. This is God's specific involvement through Christ, Scripture itself, Theophanies, angels, etc. It's the way God has specifically shown Himself and His will to man. It can be loosely described in the oft quoted apolgetical explanation that "religion is man working his way to God and Christianity is God working His way to man" through the above means.
I believe every and all words of Scripture are inspired by God (Verbal-Plenary) (Luke 24:25-27, Matthew 22:41-45). God "superintended" the writings of men to communicate His truth being in total control of the process but without the human authors' role being violated (2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is completely without error (not just simply trustworthy) in the original autographs and in manuscripts and translations as it is interpreted correctly. The Bible affirms nothing false and only all that is true. Scripture holds absolute authority because it is the very Word of the only true God (Matthew 4:4,7,10; John 10:35).
Illumination is the supernatural internal revelation by the Holy Spirit in the heart of a person whom God has drawn to Himself to spiritually open their blind eyes unto salvation (Colossians 2:13, Eph. 2:4-5) and it's how believers "in right relation to God" (Barbieri) understand biblical truth. Canonicity begins with God's inspiration of the specific books first and their recognition by men second. The key thing to remember is that it begins with God. There were specific criteria in determining which books were inspired that reasonably eliminated the pseudepigrapha, apocrypha, and everything else (The Gospel of Thomas: Women become men to be saved? Not!). We also see the early church councils in the forming stages beginning to validate the canon we now have today.
God has revealed Himself logically and biblically (Psalm 105:4) as a Spirit, infinite (1 Kings 8:27), eternal (Psalm 90:2) and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. His attributes are not component parts of God. Each describes His total being. God's attributes are incommunicable and communicable. Some of them can be seen in us insofar as we are a mere reflection of His image. Others we cannot possess; omnipresence (Acts 17:24-28), omniscience (Psalm 147:4), omnipotence (Genesis 17:1).
The Trinity is the doctrine that there is one God who exists eternally as three persons; Father (John 6:27), Son (John 20:28), and Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4), yet of one substance, fully God (Deut. 6:4, Matt. 28:19). The person of Jesus Christ has existed before His earthly birth and will exist forever (John 8:58, Isaiah 9:6). The apostles testified to the deity of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3). He has performed divine works of creation, preservation, revelation, forgiveness, raising of the dead, and sending the Holy Spirit. He also displays the divine attributes of immutability, omnipresence, and omnipotence. He is not only fully God, but fully man.
He had to be God in order to bear the world's sin upon Himself and He had to be man to be a sufficient sacrifice on behalf of the human race (Heb. 10:1-10). Christ was born of a virgin (Matt. 1:22-23). Christ came "in the flesh" (incarnation) and is one person yet with two natures; He has undiminished deity (100% God) and perfect humanity (100% man). The "kenosis" (to empty, emptying) is Christ's condescension in taking the likeness of sinful flesh (Phil 2:7). In doing so He voluntarily chose not to use some of His attributes on earth. The Holy Spirit is not an "it" but is revealed as a person in that He has intellect (Rom. 8:27), emotions (Eph. 4:30), and will (Acts 16:6-11). He is included with the other members of the Trinity (Matt. 28:19). He has titles reminiscent of deity (Heb. 9:14). He displays divine attributes (Job 33:4). He performs divine works (Gen. 1:2) and He is called God (Acts 5:3-5). The decree of God is His eternal purpose, according to His own will, where for His own glory, He has foreordained whatever comes to pass (Eph. 1:11). This may or may not be plan 297. The book of 2 Opinions implies it is plan 293. God is completely sovereign over His decree (Acts 4:27-28) for this world. He is owner and operator in a very tangible sense (Proverbs 21:1).
Angels were created in eternity before our existence (Job 38:4-7). They were originally created good (Col. 1:16). They are called "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14) and therefore are eternal spirit-beings (Luke 20:36). Sin entered the angelic realm when Lucifer said "I will" (Isaiah 14:14). I believe Satan is a real person (Job 1) who was once an angel that fell from heaven (Ezek. 28:16). He does not possess the divine attributes of omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. He can be resisted by believers (James 4:7). He has already been judged (Gen. 3:14-15, John 12:31) and will be barred from heaven completely and cast into the lake of fire that was prepared for him and his angels (Rev.12:10,20:10). Satan tempted Christ and does the same with believers. He blinds the minds of unbelievers to the gospel and uses them to his own ends of opposing God's work.
Demons are also fallen angels from heaven (Matt. 25:41) and that too means they are spirit beings (Eph. 6:12). Demons aim to thwart the purposes of God (Dan. 10:10-14 ;
Rev. 16:13-16). They extend Satan's authority (Col. 2:15) and influence. They can be used by God for His purposes (2 Cor. 12:7). They spread false doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1). They may foretell the future and are involved in spiritism and the occult (Gen. 44:5, Acts 8). They can also possess animals and people. Demonic possession is very specifically only able to occur in unbelievers (1 John 4:4). There are two aspects to this however. Demons are able to possess and to influence others. Demonic influence can take a number of forms; they can be manifested in physical illness (not always true), sometimes mental derangement, great psychic or occult powers, divine strength, uncontrolled cussing, fits of rage, depression, and even physio-emotive responses (the Mormon "burning in the bosom" is a physical experience that confirms Mormonism to people... this is obviously not from God).
The earth and all that is in it was created in six literal 24 hour days (Gen. 1). This view has also been called "the Literal Hermeneutic View" because it relies upon a plain reading of the text and interprets the six days by the words in the first chapter of Genesis that interpret for us; "morning and evening" after each day. This is also supported by the example of the sabbath in Exodus 20:11. It was easily understood as weekdays in the practical lives of the Jews of Jesus' day. The Pharisees knew the day of the sabbath (while they misapplied it) well enough to rebuke Jesus' disciples (Luke 6:2). While the heavily disputed word for "day" can mean "period," whenever it is used in the rest of the OT connected to a number (4th day, etc.) it always refers to a literal solar day.
Humanity's creation was a direct and personal act from God without any help from evolutionary processes. Man was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). This means man was made to be like God and to represent God on this earth. It seems most appropriate to conclude that the image of God in man can be understood in a combination of three ideas; mankind is given dominion over the world (this is something man does), man relates with God and other beings (this is a relationship man has), and the image is inner quality like reason or personality (this is something man is). There is some truth to each of these aspects. The fall of man did not erase the image of God in men. It was still partly retained, but it was marred after the fall (Gen. 5:1). The image can be partially restored through salvation through Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:10).
Humans are made up of essentially two parts; a material part and an immaterial part. This is a lot less complicated then people try to make it. Humans consist of "body and soul." These terms are used synonymously in some places of Scripture (compare Genesis 41:8 with Psalm 42:6; Hebrews 12:23 with Revelation 6:9). In Matthew 10:28 the whole person is described by "body and soul." Because God cannot create an imperfect sinful being that is not "good" the soul itself is not created, but rather is transmitted through the parents as the life-force of a child at conception (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12, Hebrews 7:10. This view is logical for the transmission of original sin through birth.
Sin is transgression of the moral law of God (1 John 3:4). It is however more than this because not everything God calls sin is specifically found in the law and it's certainly more than outward acts. Sin must be understood from the standpoint of God, whom it is against. "Sin is [fundamentally] any lack of conformity to the character of God" - Lewis Sperry Chafer. The remedy for personal sin is forgiveness (Eph. 1:7) and justification (Rom. 3:23-25a) through Christ alone by repentance and faith toward God (Eph. 2:8-9, Acts: 26:20). Sin originated with Adam's willful disobedience (Gen. 3, 1 Tim 2:13-14). Because of Adam's sin the sinful nature was passed on through all generations and to every individual at birth after him (Romans 5, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). The imputation of sin brought spiritual and physical death.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Genesis 19: 1st Person Dramatic Monologue Manuscript
(Reading of 2 Peter 2:1-9) The next person you'll hear is Lot himself...
(Sitting) Good morning. My presence has been requested here from a time long ago, from a place you haven't known, a place... you don't want to know... from a city in the land of the plain of the Jordan River near the valley of salt. As I'm sitting here I wanted to share with you about another time I was sitting... sitting at the gate of Sodom. But before I do that I must say something strange happened to me this morning. I was walking around this place you apparently call a... school? a campus? and a man approached me with authority in his eyes asking, "Do you have your ID?" I was puzzled. I asked, "What is an... ID?" He asked my name and I told him my name is Lot, son of Haran. He said, "Oh I know you and he opened a book turning to.. what was it... Genesis 19? It was amazing! It recorded the whole story I've come to share with you today. We talked briefly and he gave me this (visitor's pass). I guess I don't need it now.
Where was I? I was sitting at the gate of Sodom. People came and went at the gate. Business was as usual. There was much noise in the place... booths were setup lining the path through the gate; one sold meat for special occasions, another handled olive oil, and others (perhaps the busiest) dealt in the sale of beans and lentils to provide the affordable common family meal. I've had a lot of beans and lentil soup. The gate also brought its' share of beggars grasping for a few coins of pity amidst their despondency. The elders also sat there ready to handle the disputes of the people. I wonder how good a job they're doing considering the reputation of Sodom. The king sometimes visits this gate. The gate was the best choice for a prophet of Yahweh to come and draw a crowd to speak to the people. God's messengers were needed in a city like this. Oh! Oh look we had more visitors... two men. Something was different about them I tell you. That's strange. They have no belongings. A hush swept through the multitude of the gate at their arrival. Could it be? They were men of God! It wasn't hard to notice them in a city like Sodom. Oh I go to them. They're not safe here!
(Relocating and bowing face-down) Oh my lords! Please come to your servant's house. Stay the night. Wash your feet. You can go on your way in morning. (pause) Oh no! you can't spend the night in the square. Please! come! I am also a servant of Yahweh. Please... stay the night. They accepted my offer. I showed them my home. My wife and I prepared a feast to honor such men of God, some unleavened bread, and we ate. I shared with the men about my uncle Abraham. My uncle was kind enough to take custody of me when my father died. He watched over me for a time and we grew very close. He even permitted me herds, flocks, and tents of my own. There came a point however that our possessions were so great that my uncle suggested we part ways. It seemed a fair decision and he was wiser than I was. He told me to choose which way I would go and he would go the opposite. I looked out into the valley of the Jordan and saw that it was good for farming; well watered... in fact it was like the garden of the Lord. I would live there. So my uncle mounted his camel, took his entourage, and disappeared over the hill headed toward Canaan while I pitched my tent near Sodom. I eventually made my way here. I told the visitors of my uncle Abraham's kindness to me. He rescued me you know. Foreign kings had taken me captive in a raid on Sodom, but my uncle pursued me with a band of men and won my freedom. I respect my uncle. He is a man of courage.
Well (pause)... the hour grew late and I'd done enough talking for one night. I saw my daughters to bed and walked back into the common room to attend to my visitors and there arose a sound outside. There were voices... male voices.. lots of them. It was as if there was a large growing crowd, a riot even. They were shouting something. (loudly) "Lot! Where are those men we saw earlier today? Bring them out to us so we may have our way with them." Just as soon as the words left their mouths my mind flashed through all that I'd seen and heard through my days in this place. These men and their lusts! My mental journey then jolted to reality as the shouts outside my door grew louder. What am I going to do? These two innocent men haven't even been here a day and they want to have sex with them! Why did I ever move into this city? This has got to stop! (exits room via door and re-enters) As I stepped outside and stood at my doorway looking out into the road, to my left, to my right... we were surrounded. It had to be men from every corner of the city. I could see their faces in the flicker of light from their torches. It reminded me of the fires of Hell spitting forth evil... young and old, all thirsting for sin.
Brothers, please! Don't do this wicked thing! I have 2 daughters that have never been with a man. I'll bring them out to you... do whatever you want to them, but please! Don't touch these men. They've come under the shelter of my roof! I didn't know what to do. I didn't want them to have my daughters. What do I do?! But they didn't listen to me. (Change character to the mob) "Stand aside. This one came to live among us as a foreigner and now he's trying to be our judge. Now we'll treat you worse than those men." (Change character back to Lot) And they pressed me to the door. I was losing my footing. They were going to break the door down. Then suddenly my visitors pulled me into the house and STRUCK their eyes with blindness. They were so evil! They wearied themselves searching for the door... even in their blindness. They couldn't find it. The men in my house said to me, (Change character to the angels) "Who else do you have in this city? A son in law, children, take them from this place for the sin of this city has become so great the Lord has sent us to destroy it. (Change back to Lot) So I quickly ran through the mob of confusion and terror to find my sons-in-law and I pleaded with them. Come, we must go. They're going to destroy the city! But they laughed in my face. I made my way back up to the house. Then the crowd began to dissipate. I looked outside and noticed morning was beginning to dawn. It was clear to me now these men weren't just godly, they weren't prophets, they were more than that.
And when morning dawned they said to me, (Change character to angels) "Take your wife and your daughters and go or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city." (Change back to Lot) What do I do? What about my sons-in-law? What's going to happen to them? I don't know what to do... and time stood still. But God had compassion on me in this moment, because the men seized my hands and the hands of my family and put us outside the city. But this is where the real challenge came. The men spoke once again, (Change to the angels) "Escape for your life! Do not look back, do not stay in the valley, go to the mountains or you will be swept away." (Change back to Lot) Oh no my lords, thank you for your mercy and kindness, but the mountains are only a mile away. The disaster will overtake me. I'll die! Please! There's a town about 7 miles down here. It's near enough for me to flee to and it's small. Please let me go there. (pause) Thank you! We ran as fast as we could until our legs gre weary and then we ran again and again until... my wife began to lag behind. Then suddenly we heard a scream! I held my daughters close and I said, "Don't...look...back. Don't...look...back." We kept...on...moving. Fire and brimstone rained down as justice Himself touched Sodom that morning. The smoke chased the sky as the smoke of a furnace. We made it to the city. As the terror died down and we mourned the loss of wife and mother... my heart was grieved. What have I done? Those men were able to strike men with blindness, they destroyed an entire city, and they even had compassion on me in my time weakness and I didn't trust them to protect me in the mountains?! I couldn't take God's messengers at their word. What have I done? I've disobeyed my Lord. The fear of the Lord was the beginning of my wisdom. I took my two daughters and we stayed up in the mountains in the wet darkness of a cave. It was not a home of convenience by any means, but it was a home of obedience.
You may have a question. He was there for you Lot. Will He be there for me? I am a man, a simple servant of Yahweh... like yourself. Your book calls me a righteous man. If you also are righteous men and women before our God... then you know even the righteous can experience weakness. Even the righteous can be faithless. Even the righteous can fear their circumstances above their God. If He is MY God through faith, He is yours as well. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
What I've come to share with you today is not merely my story, but the truth that When you are faithless... He is faithful. When you are faithless, He is faithful. So remember His faithfulness to you in the past. Remember His compassion to you... and store it up here (the mind). So that when you face those times of crisis, those times of weakness, those times of fear... your fear will not be of your circumstances, but of your God... and you CAN RUN TO THOSE MOUNTAINS... the first time. Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Well, my time is up. I must go...
(Sitting) Good morning. My presence has been requested here from a time long ago, from a place you haven't known, a place... you don't want to know... from a city in the land of the plain of the Jordan River near the valley of salt. As I'm sitting here I wanted to share with you about another time I was sitting... sitting at the gate of Sodom. But before I do that I must say something strange happened to me this morning. I was walking around this place you apparently call a... school? a campus? and a man approached me with authority in his eyes asking, "Do you have your ID?" I was puzzled. I asked, "What is an... ID?" He asked my name and I told him my name is Lot, son of Haran. He said, "Oh I know you and he opened a book turning to.. what was it... Genesis 19? It was amazing! It recorded the whole story I've come to share with you today. We talked briefly and he gave me this (visitor's pass). I guess I don't need it now.
Where was I? I was sitting at the gate of Sodom. People came and went at the gate. Business was as usual. There was much noise in the place... booths were setup lining the path through the gate; one sold meat for special occasions, another handled olive oil, and others (perhaps the busiest) dealt in the sale of beans and lentils to provide the affordable common family meal. I've had a lot of beans and lentil soup. The gate also brought its' share of beggars grasping for a few coins of pity amidst their despondency. The elders also sat there ready to handle the disputes of the people. I wonder how good a job they're doing considering the reputation of Sodom. The king sometimes visits this gate. The gate was the best choice for a prophet of Yahweh to come and draw a crowd to speak to the people. God's messengers were needed in a city like this. Oh! Oh look we had more visitors... two men. Something was different about them I tell you. That's strange. They have no belongings. A hush swept through the multitude of the gate at their arrival. Could it be? They were men of God! It wasn't hard to notice them in a city like Sodom. Oh I go to them. They're not safe here!
(Relocating and bowing face-down) Oh my lords! Please come to your servant's house. Stay the night. Wash your feet. You can go on your way in morning. (pause) Oh no! you can't spend the night in the square. Please! come! I am also a servant of Yahweh. Please... stay the night. They accepted my offer. I showed them my home. My wife and I prepared a feast to honor such men of God, some unleavened bread, and we ate. I shared with the men about my uncle Abraham. My uncle was kind enough to take custody of me when my father died. He watched over me for a time and we grew very close. He even permitted me herds, flocks, and tents of my own. There came a point however that our possessions were so great that my uncle suggested we part ways. It seemed a fair decision and he was wiser than I was. He told me to choose which way I would go and he would go the opposite. I looked out into the valley of the Jordan and saw that it was good for farming; well watered... in fact it was like the garden of the Lord. I would live there. So my uncle mounted his camel, took his entourage, and disappeared over the hill headed toward Canaan while I pitched my tent near Sodom. I eventually made my way here. I told the visitors of my uncle Abraham's kindness to me. He rescued me you know. Foreign kings had taken me captive in a raid on Sodom, but my uncle pursued me with a band of men and won my freedom. I respect my uncle. He is a man of courage.
Well (pause)... the hour grew late and I'd done enough talking for one night. I saw my daughters to bed and walked back into the common room to attend to my visitors and there arose a sound outside. There were voices... male voices.. lots of them. It was as if there was a large growing crowd, a riot even. They were shouting something. (loudly) "Lot! Where are those men we saw earlier today? Bring them out to us so we may have our way with them." Just as soon as the words left their mouths my mind flashed through all that I'd seen and heard through my days in this place. These men and their lusts! My mental journey then jolted to reality as the shouts outside my door grew louder. What am I going to do? These two innocent men haven't even been here a day and they want to have sex with them! Why did I ever move into this city? This has got to stop! (exits room via door and re-enters) As I stepped outside and stood at my doorway looking out into the road, to my left, to my right... we were surrounded. It had to be men from every corner of the city. I could see their faces in the flicker of light from their torches. It reminded me of the fires of Hell spitting forth evil... young and old, all thirsting for sin.
Brothers, please! Don't do this wicked thing! I have 2 daughters that have never been with a man. I'll bring them out to you... do whatever you want to them, but please! Don't touch these men. They've come under the shelter of my roof! I didn't know what to do. I didn't want them to have my daughters. What do I do?! But they didn't listen to me. (Change character to the mob) "Stand aside. This one came to live among us as a foreigner and now he's trying to be our judge. Now we'll treat you worse than those men." (Change character back to Lot) And they pressed me to the door. I was losing my footing. They were going to break the door down. Then suddenly my visitors pulled me into the house and STRUCK their eyes with blindness. They were so evil! They wearied themselves searching for the door... even in their blindness. They couldn't find it. The men in my house said to me, (Change character to the angels) "Who else do you have in this city? A son in law, children, take them from this place for the sin of this city has become so great the Lord has sent us to destroy it. (Change back to Lot) So I quickly ran through the mob of confusion and terror to find my sons-in-law and I pleaded with them. Come, we must go. They're going to destroy the city! But they laughed in my face. I made my way back up to the house. Then the crowd began to dissipate. I looked outside and noticed morning was beginning to dawn. It was clear to me now these men weren't just godly, they weren't prophets, they were more than that.
And when morning dawned they said to me, (Change character to angels) "Take your wife and your daughters and go or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city." (Change back to Lot) What do I do? What about my sons-in-law? What's going to happen to them? I don't know what to do... and time stood still. But God had compassion on me in this moment, because the men seized my hands and the hands of my family and put us outside the city. But this is where the real challenge came. The men spoke once again, (Change to the angels) "Escape for your life! Do not look back, do not stay in the valley, go to the mountains or you will be swept away." (Change back to Lot) Oh no my lords, thank you for your mercy and kindness, but the mountains are only a mile away. The disaster will overtake me. I'll die! Please! There's a town about 7 miles down here. It's near enough for me to flee to and it's small. Please let me go there. (pause) Thank you! We ran as fast as we could until our legs gre weary and then we ran again and again until... my wife began to lag behind. Then suddenly we heard a scream! I held my daughters close and I said, "Don't...look...back. Don't...look...back." We kept...on...moving. Fire and brimstone rained down as justice Himself touched Sodom that morning. The smoke chased the sky as the smoke of a furnace. We made it to the city. As the terror died down and we mourned the loss of wife and mother... my heart was grieved. What have I done? Those men were able to strike men with blindness, they destroyed an entire city, and they even had compassion on me in my time weakness and I didn't trust them to protect me in the mountains?! I couldn't take God's messengers at their word. What have I done? I've disobeyed my Lord. The fear of the Lord was the beginning of my wisdom. I took my two daughters and we stayed up in the mountains in the wet darkness of a cave. It was not a home of convenience by any means, but it was a home of obedience.
You may have a question. He was there for you Lot. Will He be there for me? I am a man, a simple servant of Yahweh... like yourself. Your book calls me a righteous man. If you also are righteous men and women before our God... then you know even the righteous can experience weakness. Even the righteous can be faithless. Even the righteous can fear their circumstances above their God. If He is MY God through faith, He is yours as well. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
What I've come to share with you today is not merely my story, but the truth that When you are faithless... He is faithful. When you are faithless, He is faithful. So remember His faithfulness to you in the past. Remember His compassion to you... and store it up here (the mind). So that when you face those times of crisis, those times of weakness, those times of fear... your fear will not be of your circumstances, but of your God... and you CAN RUN TO THOSE MOUNTAINS... the first time. Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Well, my time is up. I must go...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Inconsistent American Romance
Here we are. God has afforded me some free time and it's legitmate too! We're half done with the semester and things are going well. Due to the Lord's provision I've been able to do exactly what I hoped. I've been developing more friendships and being efficient in schoolwork. I just finished all the reading in one textbook for a class tonight and feel it's time to sit down and do some writing. This semester I've been able to spend much time reading and time in prayer. this has allowed more time to devote to Greek and sermon preparation for preaching class. I'm so thankful... even if Greek grades still aren't reflecting the time spent.
I praise God this semester for a number of reasons. My internship will go forward and unofficially begin next semester. I got the classes I wanted for Spring... although I didn't worry that I wouldn't get em.
Senior Seminar in Biblical Exposition
Structure and Style in Biblical Exposition
Greek Exegesis 2
Romans in Greek
Wellness Seminar
I imagine there will be little motivation for the Wellness Seminar. people remind me of the body being a temple and all that, but the argument is unconvincing. We all know we need to be physically fit and take of our bodies. However, after 3 years of secular classes... I wanna be DONE with them! I just wanna pass and say goodbye. They are an incredible frustration. My biblical education is what concerns me at this point. On a sad note my sister won't be able to come visist me at school. I now don't have the money and my mom refused to let her come alone. That's prolly all the random updates I have.
Something has been troubling me lately... and likely long before that while I was unable to express it. To all who read this it's a general lament of frustration not indicative of a specific personal experience or enitrely directed a specific person.
It seems to me though that American romantic/dating culture (among Christians too) has a certain accepted system or formula. This formula is usually unspoken, dogmatically held, and yet it seems to collapse upon itself. Let me explain what I mean... How should a relationship begin? The general idea is that it starts with a friendship and at some point the guy initiates more and then POOF! you have a romantic relationship. Sounds reasonable enough until one tries it. You see there are so many factors working against a person that it seems nearly impossible in some ways. A guy can't be passive because he is to initiate, right? Ok, well can you be active? Lets say you set out to develop a broad scope of friendships. At what point does a guy feel he should pursue? The woman doesn't usually show signs of attraction since is to move first (understably so) and yet what causes the guy to get to this place? he notices things in the prospective woman that would cause him to take the next step, right?
Here's the problem: How much can he realistically come to know about her with the usual radar and wall most women have up? It seems a conversation of over 30 minutes and eye contact makes people think you're interested in them these days. It becomes childish. How can he really come to know her character? How can he know who she really is without spending 5 years as a casual friend? I'm hearing from some women that the way to go is to interact in groups. I understand the security in this. I would push back though to say... how does a guy know a woman is being herself in the group? We are so good at wearing masks and pretending. We want friendships but we aren't willing to be vulnerable enough and take the risk necessary to really know someone to the degree of getting an accurate assessment of who they are. So we're forced to rely on beauty and charm (for the most part) which Proverbs 31 soberly reminds us are "vain and deceitful."
Oh and since the guy is supposed to be the iniator... he does the best he can to read the beauty and charm and perhaps connect a few dots that could indicate interest (while he is uncertain) and if of course there's something he likes in her (which would naturally be something small because littel has been revealed) and he puts his foot forward. Is that what's really expected of us? That's how it feels a lot of the time. It's even been expressed directly and indirectly that it's not even possible to have a close friendship with the opposite sex. This probably bothers me most of all. I truly believe this finds its' origin in secular dating culture right next to the idea that exes can't talk to eachother or maintain a friendship after breakup. These are very worldly ideas that are usually guided by selfish protection of our own emotions and usually a kind of enmity against our brother or sister in Christ that Scripture speaks directly against.
I would hope we would all admit that close friendships are ideal at least..? If we can start there... there's a chance. Now don't hear me wrong. There are some people you need to stay away from. Physical abuse, stalkers, etc. There is some wisdom and discernment involved here. I am simply pleading for the men out there that get stuck working within a system that is self-defeating and inconsistent. How can a REAL friendship before a relationship develop if one or both people are unwilling to take the risks necessary to form it? The inevitable result of an apparent success for those working in this system only seems to arise when (1) A guy smoothly slips past the woman's radar and she opens up, (2) She likes him before-hand and therefore opens up, (3) Or some other unknown mystical magical fairy dust and mistle-toe effect happens.
From a purely human viewpoint we then find ourselves at the current dilemma: You can't be passive (because you need to pursue). You can't be active (because they pick up on it and RUN). The only option is to be passively active. That means pray. All we can do... is pray. God is still sovereign and the single women are still single therefore God can do anything with such a situation if it brings Him the most glory. On the other hand, as with sanctification... we know God enables us and promises to guide us in the right direction, but there is still an element of cooperation in it. I propose the answer to our dilemma is this: Honest, no-nonsense, mature communication. This combined with a focus that remains God-centered through all of the communication is a step we cannot afford to overlook. The question now is... will we do this? Can we do this? This takes more courage than running from people when a potential problem or interest is suspected. This takes more courage than simply asking a woman out on a date.
If I may be so bold to suggest it: Anything less than this is a waste of our time, emotional investment, weeks of "how was your day?" questions, and hours of worrying. Let's grow up and take the risks necessary (while bathed in prayer) to develop rich friendships and even healthier relationships that begin on a foundation of communication.
I praise God this semester for a number of reasons. My internship will go forward and unofficially begin next semester. I got the classes I wanted for Spring... although I didn't worry that I wouldn't get em.
Senior Seminar in Biblical Exposition
Structure and Style in Biblical Exposition
Greek Exegesis 2
Romans in Greek
Wellness Seminar
I imagine there will be little motivation for the Wellness Seminar. people remind me of the body being a temple and all that, but the argument is unconvincing. We all know we need to be physically fit and take of our bodies. However, after 3 years of secular classes... I wanna be DONE with them! I just wanna pass and say goodbye. They are an incredible frustration. My biblical education is what concerns me at this point. On a sad note my sister won't be able to come visist me at school. I now don't have the money and my mom refused to let her come alone. That's prolly all the random updates I have.
Something has been troubling me lately... and likely long before that while I was unable to express it. To all who read this it's a general lament of frustration not indicative of a specific personal experience or enitrely directed a specific person.
It seems to me though that American romantic/dating culture (among Christians too) has a certain accepted system or formula. This formula is usually unspoken, dogmatically held, and yet it seems to collapse upon itself. Let me explain what I mean... How should a relationship begin? The general idea is that it starts with a friendship and at some point the guy initiates more and then POOF! you have a romantic relationship. Sounds reasonable enough until one tries it. You see there are so many factors working against a person that it seems nearly impossible in some ways. A guy can't be passive because he is to initiate, right? Ok, well can you be active? Lets say you set out to develop a broad scope of friendships. At what point does a guy feel he should pursue? The woman doesn't usually show signs of attraction since is to move first (understably so) and yet what causes the guy to get to this place? he notices things in the prospective woman that would cause him to take the next step, right?
Here's the problem: How much can he realistically come to know about her with the usual radar and wall most women have up? It seems a conversation of over 30 minutes and eye contact makes people think you're interested in them these days. It becomes childish. How can he really come to know her character? How can he know who she really is without spending 5 years as a casual friend? I'm hearing from some women that the way to go is to interact in groups. I understand the security in this. I would push back though to say... how does a guy know a woman is being herself in the group? We are so good at wearing masks and pretending. We want friendships but we aren't willing to be vulnerable enough and take the risk necessary to really know someone to the degree of getting an accurate assessment of who they are. So we're forced to rely on beauty and charm (for the most part) which Proverbs 31 soberly reminds us are "vain and deceitful."
Oh and since the guy is supposed to be the iniator... he does the best he can to read the beauty and charm and perhaps connect a few dots that could indicate interest (while he is uncertain) and if of course there's something he likes in her (which would naturally be something small because littel has been revealed) and he puts his foot forward. Is that what's really expected of us? That's how it feels a lot of the time. It's even been expressed directly and indirectly that it's not even possible to have a close friendship with the opposite sex. This probably bothers me most of all. I truly believe this finds its' origin in secular dating culture right next to the idea that exes can't talk to eachother or maintain a friendship after breakup. These are very worldly ideas that are usually guided by selfish protection of our own emotions and usually a kind of enmity against our brother or sister in Christ that Scripture speaks directly against.
I would hope we would all admit that close friendships are ideal at least..? If we can start there... there's a chance. Now don't hear me wrong. There are some people you need to stay away from. Physical abuse, stalkers, etc. There is some wisdom and discernment involved here. I am simply pleading for the men out there that get stuck working within a system that is self-defeating and inconsistent. How can a REAL friendship before a relationship develop if one or both people are unwilling to take the risks necessary to form it? The inevitable result of an apparent success for those working in this system only seems to arise when (1) A guy smoothly slips past the woman's radar and she opens up, (2) She likes him before-hand and therefore opens up, (3) Or some other unknown mystical magical fairy dust and mistle-toe effect happens.
From a purely human viewpoint we then find ourselves at the current dilemma: You can't be passive (because you need to pursue). You can't be active (because they pick up on it and RUN). The only option is to be passively active. That means pray. All we can do... is pray. God is still sovereign and the single women are still single therefore God can do anything with such a situation if it brings Him the most glory. On the other hand, as with sanctification... we know God enables us and promises to guide us in the right direction, but there is still an element of cooperation in it. I propose the answer to our dilemma is this: Honest, no-nonsense, mature communication. This combined with a focus that remains God-centered through all of the communication is a step we cannot afford to overlook. The question now is... will we do this? Can we do this? This takes more courage than running from people when a potential problem or interest is suspected. This takes more courage than simply asking a woman out on a date.
If I may be so bold to suggest it: Anything less than this is a waste of our time, emotional investment, weeks of "how was your day?" questions, and hours of worrying. Let's grow up and take the risks necessary (while bathed in prayer) to develop rich friendships and even healthier relationships that begin on a foundation of communication.
1 Kings 17: Elijah's Ministerial Training Ground
This is the sermon manuscript for my first sermon in Narrative Messages Preaching class.
Intro: This is the story of a preacher… you know him well. He once miraculously raised a woman’s son from the dead. He was thrown into a deathly depression while on the run from the wicked woman Jezebel. Though he struggled with depression he was not without courage when he challenged 450 priests of idolatry to test; “Is your god the true God or is the LORD?” And the LORD was proven true by fire! He also maintained his confidence when King Ahaziah’s men were sent to fetch him sitting on a hill and he said to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire consume you all” and it did. He was also the man who never died, but climbed up into the heavens with a flaming whirlwind of horses in a chariot of fire. This only after he discipled another preacher to take his place… as any good preacher would do. His name is Elijah. His name means, “Yahweh is God” which sets the tone for his ministry against Ba’al, the false fertility god of rain, fire, and the elements. While you may look at all these events and say, "wow he really was a man of God..." it wasn't without a beginning. This morning we’re looking at Issue #1 in The Adventures of Elijah, his first appearance. And this is very special because this is his internship, his training ground for ministry. Ahab had been more wicked than all the kings before him. In a “trivial” way Scripture says He set up an altar and formally introduced idol worship into Israel. He had to be rebuked for his sin. Here comes… the preacher.
Look with me at v.1 if you're able: "Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of (A)the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely (C)there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 2The word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3"Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 "It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and (D)I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there."
We know very little about Elijah. We’re not sure who his parents were nor exactly where he came from. John Wesley said it’s as if he just “dropt from the sky.” And if this was so then he dropped providentially, because he approaches the mighty throne of the king of Israel to declare, “Because of YOUR wickedness King Ahab, the LORD is going to make this land SO dry for SO long (3 years) that even your idol will feel the dehydration of his nonexistence!” And after saying something like that you don't stick around for tea and crumpets. God says to go to the Brook Cherith. This was a wadi, a stream of water that only flows during a rainy season and God says you are to drink from this and that's what will be your water supply. Can you see Elijah's face? "Sure. Lord you know this won't last very long right? You know we're in a drought right?" But that's not all. The ravens would provide for him. The animal that's known to be a scavenger, not a provider. The animal that some commentators say is hardly known to feed its' own young. Can you see his face? "Are you serious God?! Ravens!?" So he travels eastward and begins to notice the plants withering for lack of moisture. The ground grows parched beneath his feet. But as he nears the place where the Lord had directed him he begins to notice a glimmer of hope reflecting the sun amidst the surrounding barrenness. The sound of the water was music to his ears. God was right. The brook was ready and waiting. (PAUSE)
It's day 1 of Elijah's stay by the brook. The sun is rising. As he begins to stir from his slumber his nose picks up a curious scent. He's hungry. "What IS that smell?" And as he rolls over and looks to the other side of the wadi he sees them... sausage biscuits! And these aren't McDonalds either. This is the good stuff. When God provides He does it well. The Bible says the ravens brought him bread AND meat in the morning and in the evening. God didn't just give him bread, but bread and meat. Here we also have a grammatical merism. Two opposites to denote totality. "Morning AND evening": This says God provided not only well, but for the totality of his needs each day. Jewish Rabbis speculate that the food may have come from King Ahab's own table. So Elijah got used to this. Life is good. Some say considering the length of the drought he could've been there at the brook for months, but Scripture only says, "after awhile..." something happened. He was easily trusting the Lord as he could clearly touch, taste, and swallow God's provision each day, but this morning was different. The sun was rising. Elijah was stirring. He was thirsty. As he rolled over and cupped his hands for a drink, with eyes half open, he plunged them right... into... dry... dirt. The brook was no more. The body can only go about three days without water. Can you see his face today? "Lord I knew this would happen! You bring me out here in the middle of a drought and tell me a seasonal stream will last forever?! I'm thirsty and now I'm homeless... what am I gonna do?"
V.8 begins, "Then the word of the Lord came to him..." (PAUSE) God was there all along. Elijah's needs were not unknown to God. He was there. You and I have times where our provision dries up. Someone asks you to help them move: $40, A family you know needs a house-sitter: $100, Maybe you do a little catering here and there: $100 a month. But all those things end. They are temporary. The moving ends at 3pm Saturday afternoon, you turn over the keys of the house to their owners, and the catering company says, "We're sorry, but the economy has affected business. Call back next month." Don't be upset. Your God is more sovereign than those things. Don't live your Christian life like an Open Theist. They don't teach you that here. God knows the beginning and the end. God is personal. God is there and He'll provide. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Back to v. 8 "...the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."
Elijah stood and traveled 7 miles to a public road along the Mediterranean seashore where we find the city of Zarephath. As he traveled I wonder went through his mind. Was he thinking he'd been through this before. Was he asking God in the quietness of his seaside journey, "Lord, how long will this one last? She's a widow, you said, right? They're not known for the means of generosity. Lord I'm getting thirsty. What if she refuses? What if it only lasts a few days? I'm getting hungry." Or was Elijah moved to confidence in the Lord? He did provide for so long and He knew exactly when that brook would be empty. Elijah could've reasoned, "God had to have been there with me or I wouldn't even know to go to a widow right now." What was he thinking? Maybe we'll never know. What we do know is what happened next... He reached the city gate of Zarephath and he noticed a woman, dressed in black, picking up sticks. She had no servant to pick up the sticks and her son was too young to do that for her. But they needed to prepare the food so someone had to do it. Elijah thinks to himself, "Well, one widow is as good as any," and he says, "Can you please get me a jar of water that I may drink?" Always be polite. This wasn't a problem for her. They're along the Mediterranean Sea. But as she goes to fulfill his request he really pushes the envelope. "Can you also please bring me a piece of bread in your hand?" Widows were the first to run out of food during times of famine and drought. Imagine her reaction: "What did you say to me? You want what!? Do I look rich to you? I don't have any bread. I just have this handful of flour in a bowl and a little oil in the jar. I was picking up these sticks before you interrupted me so I could prepare what little I have for my son and I so we can eat... and... die. Alright? I don't have any bread." Her reaction was normal. A piece of bread was a tall order for a widow. But what do you say to that? Can you see Elijah looking up to heaven saying, "Now Lord you said you commanded this widow..? She must be in disobedience because this isn't working out. I need a little help here...." No he didn't he say that.
V.13... "Then Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14"For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.'" Elijah believes God and evokes His promise to provide for his needs, even extending this promise to the widow and her son... should she also believe. She does and the Bible says her house had food for MANY days. And it all happened according to just the way God said it would.
We see from this story that Elijah learned what we all need to learn...
Big Idea: When we trust God and do what He says in our times of drought, He shows Himself to be The Lord who provides. In our times of drought when we trust and obey God, He shows Himself to be our Jehovah Jireh, our provider.
Primary Applications: Some of you are sitting in a financial drought. You open your wallet and it nearly cracks in two for lack of moisture. We're nearing the end of the month. It's October 27th. You don't know if you'll even be here at this school next month if you can't find the money. About a year ago I wasn't sure how my meager job at the time was gonna get me through school. I was worried. I get an email from home saying, "Call your dad ASAP." I didn't know what that meant. Was something wrong? I called as I soon as I could only for my dad to remind me of a life insurance policy in my name. I'd forgotten it. I was older enough to cash it out: $3500 lump sum. The beginning of this semester I was wondering how I could possibly afford to come back in the Spring. I call my father to talk one night and he says, "I'm taking the money you needed out of my 401K to put into your school account." My dad is the only breadwinner in a home of five and I totaled one of our vehicles this past summer and he's giving me $3,000 from his 401K. My dad isn't even a Christian. God provides and sometimes from the least likely of places (seasonal streams of water, ravens, widows). You may that's great, but what if God doesn't provide? Then have the attitude of Daniel's friends who trusted God whether He protected them or not. Acknowledge God's ultimate control over your situation.
Some of you are in a romantic drought. Your love life is so dry it needs its' own brand of chapstick. Trust God. If He has placed that desire in your heart He'll provide. He knows who's best for you. He knows what you need when you need it. If I were talking to the single women of this campus I would say that God will provide for you as well, but it may not be from among the King Sauls who stand a head above the rest, but among the shepherd boys, the Davids, who seek after God's own heart. Some of you are experiencing ministerial drought. You're trying as best you can at PCM but people aren't growing. Seemingly no one is responding well. You counseled someone on your floor and they ignored your advice. Know that God is there in midst of those situations. We're so pragmatic aren't we? ...To think we always have to see the results. What if you don't see them, but someone else does? Trust the Lord. Remain faithful in doing what He's called you to do. (PAUSE)
John Waller wrote a song (you may have heard it in the movie, Fireproof). It's called While I'm Waiting. Tucked in the middle of the song is the attitude we all must have..
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
God is training you and I for ministry... just He trained Elijah, to trust Him in times of drought. Will we trust Him?
Intro: This is the story of a preacher… you know him well. He once miraculously raised a woman’s son from the dead. He was thrown into a deathly depression while on the run from the wicked woman Jezebel. Though he struggled with depression he was not without courage when he challenged 450 priests of idolatry to test; “Is your god the true God or is the LORD?” And the LORD was proven true by fire! He also maintained his confidence when King Ahaziah’s men were sent to fetch him sitting on a hill and he said to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire consume you all” and it did. He was also the man who never died, but climbed up into the heavens with a flaming whirlwind of horses in a chariot of fire. This only after he discipled another preacher to take his place… as any good preacher would do. His name is Elijah. His name means, “Yahweh is God” which sets the tone for his ministry against Ba’al, the false fertility god of rain, fire, and the elements. While you may look at all these events and say, "wow he really was a man of God..." it wasn't without a beginning. This morning we’re looking at Issue #1 in The Adventures of Elijah, his first appearance. And this is very special because this is his internship, his training ground for ministry. Ahab had been more wicked than all the kings before him. In a “trivial” way Scripture says He set up an altar and formally introduced idol worship into Israel. He had to be rebuked for his sin. Here comes… the preacher.
Look with me at v.1 if you're able: "Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of (A)the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely (C)there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 2The word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3"Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 "It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and (D)I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there."
We know very little about Elijah. We’re not sure who his parents were nor exactly where he came from. John Wesley said it’s as if he just “dropt from the sky.” And if this was so then he dropped providentially, because he approaches the mighty throne of the king of Israel to declare, “Because of YOUR wickedness King Ahab, the LORD is going to make this land SO dry for SO long (3 years) that even your idol will feel the dehydration of his nonexistence!” And after saying something like that you don't stick around for tea and crumpets. God says to go to the Brook Cherith. This was a wadi, a stream of water that only flows during a rainy season and God says you are to drink from this and that's what will be your water supply. Can you see Elijah's face? "Sure. Lord you know this won't last very long right? You know we're in a drought right?" But that's not all. The ravens would provide for him. The animal that's known to be a scavenger, not a provider. The animal that some commentators say is hardly known to feed its' own young. Can you see his face? "Are you serious God?! Ravens!?" So he travels eastward and begins to notice the plants withering for lack of moisture. The ground grows parched beneath his feet. But as he nears the place where the Lord had directed him he begins to notice a glimmer of hope reflecting the sun amidst the surrounding barrenness. The sound of the water was music to his ears. God was right. The brook was ready and waiting. (PAUSE)
It's day 1 of Elijah's stay by the brook. The sun is rising. As he begins to stir from his slumber his nose picks up a curious scent. He's hungry. "What IS that smell?" And as he rolls over and looks to the other side of the wadi he sees them... sausage biscuits! And these aren't McDonalds either. This is the good stuff. When God provides He does it well. The Bible says the ravens brought him bread AND meat in the morning and in the evening. God didn't just give him bread, but bread and meat. Here we also have a grammatical merism. Two opposites to denote totality. "Morning AND evening": This says God provided not only well, but for the totality of his needs each day. Jewish Rabbis speculate that the food may have come from King Ahab's own table. So Elijah got used to this. Life is good. Some say considering the length of the drought he could've been there at the brook for months, but Scripture only says, "after awhile..." something happened. He was easily trusting the Lord as he could clearly touch, taste, and swallow God's provision each day, but this morning was different. The sun was rising. Elijah was stirring. He was thirsty. As he rolled over and cupped his hands for a drink, with eyes half open, he plunged them right... into... dry... dirt. The brook was no more. The body can only go about three days without water. Can you see his face today? "Lord I knew this would happen! You bring me out here in the middle of a drought and tell me a seasonal stream will last forever?! I'm thirsty and now I'm homeless... what am I gonna do?"
V.8 begins, "Then the word of the Lord came to him..." (PAUSE) God was there all along. Elijah's needs were not unknown to God. He was there. You and I have times where our provision dries up. Someone asks you to help them move: $40, A family you know needs a house-sitter: $100, Maybe you do a little catering here and there: $100 a month. But all those things end. They are temporary. The moving ends at 3pm Saturday afternoon, you turn over the keys of the house to their owners, and the catering company says, "We're sorry, but the economy has affected business. Call back next month." Don't be upset. Your God is more sovereign than those things. Don't live your Christian life like an Open Theist. They don't teach you that here. God knows the beginning and the end. God is personal. God is there and He'll provide. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Back to v. 8 "...the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you."
Elijah stood and traveled 7 miles to a public road along the Mediterranean seashore where we find the city of Zarephath. As he traveled I wonder went through his mind. Was he thinking he'd been through this before. Was he asking God in the quietness of his seaside journey, "Lord, how long will this one last? She's a widow, you said, right? They're not known for the means of generosity. Lord I'm getting thirsty. What if she refuses? What if it only lasts a few days? I'm getting hungry." Or was Elijah moved to confidence in the Lord? He did provide for so long and He knew exactly when that brook would be empty. Elijah could've reasoned, "God had to have been there with me or I wouldn't even know to go to a widow right now." What was he thinking? Maybe we'll never know. What we do know is what happened next... He reached the city gate of Zarephath and he noticed a woman, dressed in black, picking up sticks. She had no servant to pick up the sticks and her son was too young to do that for her. But they needed to prepare the food so someone had to do it. Elijah thinks to himself, "Well, one widow is as good as any," and he says, "Can you please get me a jar of water that I may drink?" Always be polite. This wasn't a problem for her. They're along the Mediterranean Sea. But as she goes to fulfill his request he really pushes the envelope. "Can you also please bring me a piece of bread in your hand?" Widows were the first to run out of food during times of famine and drought. Imagine her reaction: "What did you say to me? You want what!? Do I look rich to you? I don't have any bread. I just have this handful of flour in a bowl and a little oil in the jar. I was picking up these sticks before you interrupted me so I could prepare what little I have for my son and I so we can eat... and... die. Alright? I don't have any bread." Her reaction was normal. A piece of bread was a tall order for a widow. But what do you say to that? Can you see Elijah looking up to heaven saying, "Now Lord you said you commanded this widow..? She must be in disobedience because this isn't working out. I need a little help here...." No he didn't he say that.
V.13... "Then Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 14"For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.'" Elijah believes God and evokes His promise to provide for his needs, even extending this promise to the widow and her son... should she also believe. She does and the Bible says her house had food for MANY days. And it all happened according to just the way God said it would.
We see from this story that Elijah learned what we all need to learn...
Big Idea: When we trust God and do what He says in our times of drought, He shows Himself to be The Lord who provides. In our times of drought when we trust and obey God, He shows Himself to be our Jehovah Jireh, our provider.
Primary Applications: Some of you are sitting in a financial drought. You open your wallet and it nearly cracks in two for lack of moisture. We're nearing the end of the month. It's October 27th. You don't know if you'll even be here at this school next month if you can't find the money. About a year ago I wasn't sure how my meager job at the time was gonna get me through school. I was worried. I get an email from home saying, "Call your dad ASAP." I didn't know what that meant. Was something wrong? I called as I soon as I could only for my dad to remind me of a life insurance policy in my name. I'd forgotten it. I was older enough to cash it out: $3500 lump sum. The beginning of this semester I was wondering how I could possibly afford to come back in the Spring. I call my father to talk one night and he says, "I'm taking the money you needed out of my 401K to put into your school account." My dad is the only breadwinner in a home of five and I totaled one of our vehicles this past summer and he's giving me $3,000 from his 401K. My dad isn't even a Christian. God provides and sometimes from the least likely of places (seasonal streams of water, ravens, widows). You may that's great, but what if God doesn't provide? Then have the attitude of Daniel's friends who trusted God whether He protected them or not. Acknowledge God's ultimate control over your situation.
Some of you are in a romantic drought. Your love life is so dry it needs its' own brand of chapstick. Trust God. If He has placed that desire in your heart He'll provide. He knows who's best for you. He knows what you need when you need it. If I were talking to the single women of this campus I would say that God will provide for you as well, but it may not be from among the King Sauls who stand a head above the rest, but among the shepherd boys, the Davids, who seek after God's own heart. Some of you are experiencing ministerial drought. You're trying as best you can at PCM but people aren't growing. Seemingly no one is responding well. You counseled someone on your floor and they ignored your advice. Know that God is there in midst of those situations. We're so pragmatic aren't we? ...To think we always have to see the results. What if you don't see them, but someone else does? Trust the Lord. Remain faithful in doing what He's called you to do. (PAUSE)
John Waller wrote a song (you may have heard it in the movie, Fireproof). It's called While I'm Waiting. Tucked in the middle of the song is the attitude we all must have..
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
God is training you and I for ministry... just He trained Elijah, to trust Him in times of drought. Will we trust Him?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Prayer This Semester
"I don't want to go through the motions. I don't wanna go one more day... without your all-consuming... passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking, 'What if I had given everything instead of going through the motions?'" -From the song, The Motions By Matthew West.
Another semester and a year older. By God's grace I've lived up to the ripe old age of 25. The age where car insurance prices drop and where you begin to notice and accept your receding hairline. God is always good, but He's been particularly good to me this semester. While I shouldn't have been surprised, it looks like the Lord has provided financially so that I won't have to work for this last half of my time at Moody. This of course is assuming I can work next summer as usual and that my final semester yields a couple scholarships through the pastoral department. the question I ask though is... why has God opened this time for me? For what purpose? To what end? I know myself... my tendency to rely on cushions and backup plans. I know how that has affected my trust in God and His provision. Why has He nearly shown me the end this soon? Is He opening up time for me to fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Spend more time with Him? Or is there something else? Well, I've chosen to spend the time getting ahead in schoolwork comfortably and I feel (as I haven't before) that I'm able to spend time with people, the sister floor, and be alright with that. If something spontaneous happens I won't be worried that I'm being lazy the whole time. This is BIG. For someone who commonly views all planned recreation as a threat to homework time... it's BIG. Maybe the Lord will use it to someone's benefit.
I might have mentioned this but I've chosen to spend Wednesdays and Fridays this semester with a certain prayer focus on each day. While there is sometimes overlap, Wednesdays are spent praying that the Lord would prepare me for ministry. For me this means:
-Thanksgiving for the financial provision to be here. It's hard to believe that after it's all over it will have been about $30,000 spent for school... and this, without debt.
-That He would increase my confidence, boldness, and decisiveness when it comes to leading and preaching to other believers. I find that because of practice... I can preach and witness to the unsaved all day, but when it comes to other believers it's harder.
-That He would grow me in my ability as a preacher and similarly that I would always hold Scripture in high regard. This should spill over to my reverence in speaking about the things of God and keeping a close eye on my use of humor.
-That He would solidify my internship and order things in a way that it would be a most beneficial ministry experience. If all works out I will essentially be spreading it between 2 semesters full of pastoral care (prayer/visitation) and preaching.
-That He would provide direction on what to do after Moody. Should I enter the ministry? What opportunities will open up at that point? Should I go to the Master's Seminary in CA as planned? What complications or changes of plan will come at that time? What will my life look like when the time comes? I pray that He will provide the direction and discernment necessary for these questions and uncertainties.
For Fridays I spend time among other things on probably the second most important consideration in one's life:
-I pray for my future wife, whomever she may be. I've recently decided to pray Proverbs 31 over her. As I was reading it yesterday I was reminded of v.30, which says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." I think this is verse will be my focus. I pray that the Lord would increase her love for me (because I can't always trust my own emotions) and I pray that He would provide a woman who loves Him infinitely more than she would love me. I want nothing less. I am content waiting on God, but I am active at the same time. One could call it a dissatisfied satisfaction.
-I pray that He would make me into the man I need to be... a man of courage, a man who can protect his future wife, a man of gentleness, a man of truth, and a man who is prepared to lead a house who will "serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
-Because those things are future I've also chosen to spend this day in prayer for my sisters in Christ. My friendships with them will prepare me for my wife and in a real way reflect how I interact with godly women. I reveal these things knowing that they may be read and even perhaps read into, but the Lord knows my heart and that's all I need to be concerned with.
Another semester and a year older. By God's grace I've lived up to the ripe old age of 25. The age where car insurance prices drop and where you begin to notice and accept your receding hairline. God is always good, but He's been particularly good to me this semester. While I shouldn't have been surprised, it looks like the Lord has provided financially so that I won't have to work for this last half of my time at Moody. This of course is assuming I can work next summer as usual and that my final semester yields a couple scholarships through the pastoral department. the question I ask though is... why has God opened this time for me? For what purpose? To what end? I know myself... my tendency to rely on cushions and backup plans. I know how that has affected my trust in God and His provision. Why has He nearly shown me the end this soon? Is He opening up time for me to fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Spend more time with Him? Or is there something else? Well, I've chosen to spend the time getting ahead in schoolwork comfortably and I feel (as I haven't before) that I'm able to spend time with people, the sister floor, and be alright with that. If something spontaneous happens I won't be worried that I'm being lazy the whole time. This is BIG. For someone who commonly views all planned recreation as a threat to homework time... it's BIG. Maybe the Lord will use it to someone's benefit.
I might have mentioned this but I've chosen to spend Wednesdays and Fridays this semester with a certain prayer focus on each day. While there is sometimes overlap, Wednesdays are spent praying that the Lord would prepare me for ministry. For me this means:
-Thanksgiving for the financial provision to be here. It's hard to believe that after it's all over it will have been about $30,000 spent for school... and this, without debt.
-That He would increase my confidence, boldness, and decisiveness when it comes to leading and preaching to other believers. I find that because of practice... I can preach and witness to the unsaved all day, but when it comes to other believers it's harder.
-That He would grow me in my ability as a preacher and similarly that I would always hold Scripture in high regard. This should spill over to my reverence in speaking about the things of God and keeping a close eye on my use of humor.
-That He would solidify my internship and order things in a way that it would be a most beneficial ministry experience. If all works out I will essentially be spreading it between 2 semesters full of pastoral care (prayer/visitation) and preaching.
-That He would provide direction on what to do after Moody. Should I enter the ministry? What opportunities will open up at that point? Should I go to the Master's Seminary in CA as planned? What complications or changes of plan will come at that time? What will my life look like when the time comes? I pray that He will provide the direction and discernment necessary for these questions and uncertainties.
For Fridays I spend time among other things on probably the second most important consideration in one's life:
-I pray for my future wife, whomever she may be. I've recently decided to pray Proverbs 31 over her. As I was reading it yesterday I was reminded of v.30, which says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." I think this is verse will be my focus. I pray that the Lord would increase her love for me (because I can't always trust my own emotions) and I pray that He would provide a woman who loves Him infinitely more than she would love me. I want nothing less. I am content waiting on God, but I am active at the same time. One could call it a dissatisfied satisfaction.
-I pray that He would make me into the man I need to be... a man of courage, a man who can protect his future wife, a man of gentleness, a man of truth, and a man who is prepared to lead a house who will "serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
-Because those things are future I've also chosen to spend this day in prayer for my sisters in Christ. My friendships with them will prepare me for my wife and in a real way reflect how I interact with godly women. I reveal these things knowing that they may be read and even perhaps read into, but the Lord knows my heart and that's all I need to be concerned with.
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