It is my understanding that eight out of ten churches in America are have leveled off or are in a state of decline. What is answer? Spiritual revival will wake us up and return us to the Lord.
It is also helpful to remember that Jesus is the Lord of the church and that we are to keep our eyes on him. In Matthew 16.16, Peter confessed to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God! In His response to this correct confession, Jesus said: I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! What an awesome promise from Jesus. Let us focus on him. He is our treasure and our true delight.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
A Pledge to be Sold-Out to Jesus
Good afternoon from Omaha. It is warm and humid again here. In the most recent copy of The Voice of the Martyrs, there is the story of 1,508 students who graduated from Emmanuel Bible College in Kota, Rajasthan, India in 2003. They stood side-by-side and made the following pledge. Oh, if we American Christians were just as fervent in our walk with Jesus...
"I stand with the apostle Paul in stating that 'for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.'
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my hand to serve all mankind
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my feet to spread the gospel to all the ends of the earth no matter what the cost.
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my lips by proclaiming the Good News to all who hear and by edifying the Body of Christ.
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my mind as I meditate upon His Word and His promises to me.
I give all my earthly treasures and all that I possess to follow the way of the cross.
I commit to love my family, orphans, widows, lepers, the wealthy and the poor the way that Christ loved the church.
I will surrender my will to His will and life.
I commit to the service of the Lord by being a good steward of my time.
I surrender my body on earth to the perfect will of Jesus, and should my blood be spilled may it bring forth a mighty harvest of souls.
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb. I will seek to honor His command. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
Lord Jesus, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I love my India and my fellow citizens, and I claim India for Christ"
The students knew that persecution laid ahead for them. They were motivated to stake a stand and make a pledge to do so partly because of a story about a man who had been a Christian for only four months. With joy, he shared about his new faith Jesus with people in his village. But the villagers tied old shoes around his neck and forced to walk through the village as they beat him. He was also forced to drink the urine of a cow. However, as this Christian was both bold for Jesus and persecuted for Jesus, 100 people in the village turned to Jesus for salvation (The Voice of the Martyrs, July 2005, pgs. 2-3).
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my hand to serve all mankind
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my feet to spread the gospel to all the ends of the earth no matter what the cost.
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my lips by proclaiming the Good News to all who hear and by edifying the Body of Christ.
I take a stand to honor the Lord Jesus Christ with my mind as I meditate upon His Word and His promises to me.
I give all my earthly treasures and all that I possess to follow the way of the cross.
I commit to love my family, orphans, widows, lepers, the wealthy and the poor the way that Christ loved the church.
I will surrender my will to His will and life.
I commit to the service of the Lord by being a good steward of my time.
I surrender my body on earth to the perfect will of Jesus, and should my blood be spilled may it bring forth a mighty harvest of souls.
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb. I will seek to honor His command. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
Lord Jesus, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I love my India and my fellow citizens, and I claim India for Christ"
The students knew that persecution laid ahead for them. They were motivated to stake a stand and make a pledge to do so partly because of a story about a man who had been a Christian for only four months. With joy, he shared about his new faith Jesus with people in his village. But the villagers tied old shoes around his neck and forced to walk through the village as they beat him. He was also forced to drink the urine of a cow. However, as this Christian was both bold for Jesus and persecuted for Jesus, 100 people in the village turned to Jesus for salvation (The Voice of the Martyrs, July 2005, pgs. 2-3).
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Our Treasures are Often Garbage
Good Morning. Below is John's Piper's most recent, "Fresh Words." He reminds us that we American Christians often treasure things that eventually will rot.
The Treasure That Turns Treasures to Garbage
June 29, 2005 — Fresh Words Edition
By John Piper
Philippians 3:7-15
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Paul has a way of playing your game, winning, and then saying the game is bunk. He does it, for example, in 2 Corinthians 11:21–12:11 where he lists his “superior” achievements and then says, “I have been a fool! You forced me to it” (2 Corinthians 12:11). In other words, I can play your game of measuring myself by your standards, win, and then call it all worthless. It is fool’s play.
He does it again here in Philippians 3. He warns the church to watch out for the evildoing dogs who mutilate the flesh (people who insist on circumcision as a way of getting right with God). The problem with these people is that they “put confidence in the flesh”—that is, they bank on their works for justification (vv. 2-3, cf. v. 9). So Paul says, OK let’s play that game for a moment. And then he lists his works of the flesh and knocks his opponents out of the ring with legal achievements. “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.” Indeed he does.
Then come three of the best verses in all the Bible. In essence: the victory I just won in the contest of the flesh is a pile of garbage (the Greek is skubala, v. 8). And the reason he uses such a strong word (refuse!) is that the alternative is Christ. Compared to Christ, being the greatest Pharisee of his time was foul garbage.
But that is too vague. Paul is not vague. He does not simply say that compared to Christ legal achievements are garbage; he is more specific. He says that what is superior to moral and religious achievements is 1) knowing Christ, 2) gaining Christ, and 3) being found in Christ.
1. Knowing Christ. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8). “Knowing” here is not just knowing the fact that Jesus is Lord. It is the kind of knowing that prompts the phrase, “my Lord”! He knows the supreme Lord of the universe (see 2:9-11) as his Lord. So there are two aspects to Paul’s passion for Christ here. One is the rational and relational knowledge of the greatest person in the universe. Paul’s mind and heart are full of Christ. The other is that he belongs to Christ as subject to the all-ruling, all-protecting Lord. This is better than being at the top of any human heap.
2. Gaining Christ. “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (v. 8). “Gain” means get all that Christ is for us in heaven, not just on earth. Paul has already said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21), because “to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (1:23). And he is about to say, “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (3:12). So it is clear that part of what makes human achievement a pile of garbage compared to Christ is that soon (and very soon!) he is going to meet the king—in a way far more full and intimate and stunning and satisfying than anything he has known here. And he has known so much of Christ here that the garbage verdict has been rendered on that alone.
3. Being found in Christ. “. . . and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (v. 9). Paul was overwhelmed by the fact that “in Christ”—that is, united to Christ by faith alone—he possessed a righteousness that was infinitely better than all his legal achievements could ever be. Paul knew he needed a righteous life in order to be accepted by God and in order to enjoy all the glories of Christ forever. He did not have such a righteousness in himself. He needed the free gift of righteousness from God himself. God gave it to him in Christ.
Therefore Jesus Christ was both the treasure he cherished and the one who provided the right to have the treasure. In Christ alone Paul had a right to know and gain Christ. And that is all he wanted. That is the gospel. This is what we mean at Bethlehem by Treasuring Christ Together. Christ alone is the ground of our acceptance with God and the goal of our heart’s desire. He is our righteousness and our reward. Compared to him (knowing him, gaining him, being found in him) all else is garbage.
Treasuring Christ together with you,
Pastor John
The Treasure That Turns Treasures to Garbage
June 29, 2005 — Fresh Words Edition
By John Piper
Philippians 3:7-15
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.
Paul has a way of playing your game, winning, and then saying the game is bunk. He does it, for example, in 2 Corinthians 11:21–12:11 where he lists his “superior” achievements and then says, “I have been a fool! You forced me to it” (2 Corinthians 12:11). In other words, I can play your game of measuring myself by your standards, win, and then call it all worthless. It is fool’s play.
He does it again here in Philippians 3. He warns the church to watch out for the evildoing dogs who mutilate the flesh (people who insist on circumcision as a way of getting right with God). The problem with these people is that they “put confidence in the flesh”—that is, they bank on their works for justification (vv. 2-3, cf. v. 9). So Paul says, OK let’s play that game for a moment. And then he lists his works of the flesh and knocks his opponents out of the ring with legal achievements. “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.” Indeed he does.
Then come three of the best verses in all the Bible. In essence: the victory I just won in the contest of the flesh is a pile of garbage (the Greek is skubala, v. 8). And the reason he uses such a strong word (refuse!) is that the alternative is Christ. Compared to Christ, being the greatest Pharisee of his time was foul garbage.
But that is too vague. Paul is not vague. He does not simply say that compared to Christ legal achievements are garbage; he is more specific. He says that what is superior to moral and religious achievements is 1) knowing Christ, 2) gaining Christ, and 3) being found in Christ.
1. Knowing Christ. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8). “Knowing” here is not just knowing the fact that Jesus is Lord. It is the kind of knowing that prompts the phrase, “my Lord”! He knows the supreme Lord of the universe (see 2:9-11) as his Lord. So there are two aspects to Paul’s passion for Christ here. One is the rational and relational knowledge of the greatest person in the universe. Paul’s mind and heart are full of Christ. The other is that he belongs to Christ as subject to the all-ruling, all-protecting Lord. This is better than being at the top of any human heap.
2. Gaining Christ. “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (v. 8). “Gain” means get all that Christ is for us in heaven, not just on earth. Paul has already said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (v. 21), because “to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (1:23). And he is about to say, “I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (3:12). So it is clear that part of what makes human achievement a pile of garbage compared to Christ is that soon (and very soon!) he is going to meet the king—in a way far more full and intimate and stunning and satisfying than anything he has known here. And he has known so much of Christ here that the garbage verdict has been rendered on that alone.
3. Being found in Christ. “. . . and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (v. 9). Paul was overwhelmed by the fact that “in Christ”—that is, united to Christ by faith alone—he possessed a righteousness that was infinitely better than all his legal achievements could ever be. Paul knew he needed a righteous life in order to be accepted by God and in order to enjoy all the glories of Christ forever. He did not have such a righteousness in himself. He needed the free gift of righteousness from God himself. God gave it to him in Christ.
Therefore Jesus Christ was both the treasure he cherished and the one who provided the right to have the treasure. In Christ alone Paul had a right to know and gain Christ. And that is all he wanted. That is the gospel. This is what we mean at Bethlehem by Treasuring Christ Together. Christ alone is the ground of our acceptance with God and the goal of our heart’s desire. He is our righteousness and our reward. Compared to him (knowing him, gaining him, being found in him) all else is garbage.
Treasuring Christ together with you,
Pastor John
Thursday, July 07, 2005
A Great Link About Revival
Here is a great link on the subject of revival: http://www.lifeaction.org/lam/. As you dig through this site, your heart will be encouraged to pray more for revival. May we all taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34.8).
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Praying for Revival
The churches in America need revival. Fervent prayer always precedes a heaven sent revival. The prophetess Anna in Luke chapter 2 is a great example of persistent prayer. She prayed and fasted and worshipped in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem for at least 50 years waiting for the coming of the Messiah. In verse 38, she was able to see the baby Jesus when his parents brought him to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord. Anna prayed! In the same way, we are to pray hard for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to blow through our churches.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Response to Henry Blackaby at the BGC Annual Meeting in Denver
Henry Blackaby spoke this morning on God's refining fire in our lives. After his message, Dana Olson of the BGC Prayer First invited the delegates to come forward to pray. Dozens upon dozens (maybe more, but I am not sure because I was close to the stage when I went forward) to cry and confess our sins. Many pleaded for a fresh touch from God. Mr. Blackaby has experienced corporate revival fist-hand. Perhaps it will come to the BGC.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
I Heard Henry Blackaby Today
I was able to hear Henry Blackaby speak today at the BGC Annual Meeting in Denver. He said this statement: "If revival in America depended on your prayer life, would God grant it?" Honestly and with shame, I would personally say "no." If revival is going to come, God's people must pray. Have a good evening. Pastor Bryan
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
I Am in Denver for the BGC Annual Meeting
I flew into Denver, CO for the Baptist General Conference (BGC) Annual Meeting. It is beautiful here. There is still snow on some of the higher mountains. The landscape reminds me of the years I lived in Hawaii. There are mountains in Hawaii (there is no snow on them except on the Big Island).
I love these annual meetings because of the fellowship, corporate prayer, worship and preaching. Henry Blackaby will be speaking tomorrow.
I love these annual meetings because of the fellowship, corporate prayer, worship and preaching. Henry Blackaby will be speaking tomorrow.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The Perspectives Course Will Be Taught in Omaha
The Perspectives on the World Christian Movement will be taught here in Omaha from August 30 to December 13, 2005 at Christ Community Church. This course will motivate and challenge students to understand God's singular intent to bless all nations.
I have not taken it, but I know people who have. It will truly be life changing. If you are interested, contact LaVern Smith at (402) 734.1551 or at LaVern.Smith@worldteam.org.
The cost $195.00 plus $35.00 for the textbook and Study Guide. There is a $25.00 discount if you register before June 30th.
Have a great day. Pastor Bryan
I have not taken it, but I know people who have. It will truly be life changing. If you are interested, contact LaVern Smith at (402) 734.1551 or at LaVern.Smith@worldteam.org.
The cost $195.00 plus $35.00 for the textbook and Study Guide. There is a $25.00 discount if you register before June 30th.
Have a great day. Pastor Bryan
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Good Morning:
Check out this link about the current weather conditions in Omaha: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=986. I am in my air-conditioned office and the humidity is still getting to me!
Well, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were eliminated yesterday in the College World Series. It was a great baseball game and a great season.
Stay cool and drink lots of water.
Pastor Bryan
Check out this link about the current weather conditions in Omaha: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=986. I am in my air-conditioned office and the humidity is still getting to me!
Well, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were eliminated yesterday in the College World Series. It was a great baseball game and a great season.
Stay cool and drink lots of water.
Pastor Bryan
Monday, June 20, 2005
Michael Campbell Wins the US Open
Yesterday on Father's Day, I watched 36 year-old New Zealander, Michael Campbell win the US Open. Even though Tiger Woods made a charge, Campbell dug deep and played wonderful golf
on a very difficult course. See...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/golf/specials/us_open/2005/06/19/fourth.round.ap/index.html
Campbell's career has been characterized by ups and downs. During the broadcast, Campbell was quoted as saying that prior to the Open, he decided that it is time to go to the next level of golf. So he took the time in recent months to refine his game--especially his short game.
There is certainly a lesson for us followers of Jesus. Are we content with an up and down Christian life? Are we content with mediocrity in our relationship with Jesus? Or are we willing to do what it takes to go to the next level of faith? May we all dig deep into God's Word and delight in it. May we be people of prayer who possess a holy urgency to grow deep in the faith.
on a very difficult course. See...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/golf/specials/us_open/2005/06/19/fourth.round.ap/index.html
Campbell's career has been characterized by ups and downs. During the broadcast, Campbell was quoted as saying that prior to the Open, he decided that it is time to go to the next level of golf. So he took the time in recent months to refine his game--especially his short game.
There is certainly a lesson for us followers of Jesus. Are we content with an up and down Christian life? Are we content with mediocrity in our relationship with Jesus? Or are we willing to do what it takes to go to the next level of faith? May we all dig deep into God's Word and delight in it. May we be people of prayer who possess a holy urgency to grow deep in the faith.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Playing Golf for God's Glory!
My sermon this Sunday on Father's Day will answer the question: "Can we play golf for God's Glory?" The answer, of course is yes because 1 Corinthians 10.31 says: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I love the game of golf and I do want to improve every year. But it is not to be more important that my love for the Lord. The second point of the message is simply: "Remember that golf is just a game". Here are some statements of that point...
Psalm 37.4 says delight yourselves in the Lord. That is command! Isaiah 58.14 says that we will find our joy in the Lord. We are to delight ourselves in the Lord even when that little golf ball refuses to go where we want it. Every golfer will have bad rounds and stretches of weeks where it seems like nothing goes right but it is just a game. ILL--Many years ago, I was with a friend at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and we saw a well-known golf pro hit a bad shot.
It was bad according to his standards. His approach shot to the green wasn't as close to the hole as he visualized. Most of us would be thrilled to be near the green. After he did that, he took his iron and just smashed it on a rock, and then he threw that mangled club into the woods. We were right behind him. I looked where he threw it and I thought, "I wonder if I can fix that!" But he destroyed it.
Well, he lost his temper. And on a professional level, there is a needed intensity in order to compete, but it is still just a game. And there are far more important things in life than golf. ILL--Several years ago after the conclusion of the 1995 Ryder Cup, the American team was beaten by the Europeans. The Americans went in the locker room feeling bad. Then Paul Azinger came into the room.
He is a pro who just recovered from cancer. He told the team: "Guys, this isn so bad. The sun will come up tomorrow. I had cancer." In other words, golf is just a game. It is temporary compared to the glories of eternity. When we die, our clubs stay in the garage or basement.
Psalm 37.4 says delight yourselves in the Lord. That is command! Isaiah 58.14 says that we will find our joy in the Lord. We are to delight ourselves in the Lord even when that little golf ball refuses to go where we want it. Every golfer will have bad rounds and stretches of weeks where it seems like nothing goes right but it is just a game. ILL--Many years ago, I was with a friend at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and we saw a well-known golf pro hit a bad shot.
It was bad according to his standards. His approach shot to the green wasn't as close to the hole as he visualized. Most of us would be thrilled to be near the green. After he did that, he took his iron and just smashed it on a rock, and then he threw that mangled club into the woods. We were right behind him. I looked where he threw it and I thought, "I wonder if I can fix that!" But he destroyed it.
Well, he lost his temper. And on a professional level, there is a needed intensity in order to compete, but it is still just a game. And there are far more important things in life than golf. ILL--Several years ago after the conclusion of the 1995 Ryder Cup, the American team was beaten by the Europeans. The Americans went in the locker room feeling bad. Then Paul Azinger came into the room.
He is a pro who just recovered from cancer. He told the team: "Guys, this isn so bad. The sun will come up tomorrow. I had cancer." In other words, golf is just a game. It is temporary compared to the glories of eternity. When we die, our clubs stay in the garage or basement.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
More Prayer is Needed!
Good Afternoon. Two Wednesdays ago, Harvey Oaks Baptist Church began a prayer time. It is a prayer time for the spiritual state of the church. We want to pray for the power of God to descend on the church. Seven people came to pray yesterday. As they walked into the sanctuary, they picked up a handout which is below.
"Harvey Oaks Baptist Church
Wednesday Morning Prayer (6:30 to 7:30 AM)
June 15, 2005
This morning's Scripture: Psalm 85. Especially notice the prayer in verse 6.
As we pray this morning, let us pray:
That God will send spiritual revival to Harvey Oaks Baptist Church (True spiritual revival will refocus our hearts and lives on the supremacy and greatness of Jesus Christ so that we will be the church that he desires. Someone once defined revival as "a people saturated with God").
That Christ-centered worship will occur each Sunday morning at Harvey Oaks Baptist Church. Psalm 100.2 says: Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
That the powerful wind of the Holy Spirit will descend on us every Sunday morning so that lives are radically transformed.
That Harvey Oaks Baptist Church will no longer be in a state of plateau (Eight out of ten churches in the United States have plateaued or are declining).
That God will cause many people around in the Omaha area to turn to Jesus for salvation. Pray that they will be fruitful Christians for God's kingdom.
That the remaining unreached people groups around the world will be reached for Jesus Christ.
Thank you for praying this morning. Have a great day as you live for the Lord Jesus.
"Harvey Oaks Baptist Church
Wednesday Morning Prayer (6:30 to 7:30 AM)
June 15, 2005
This morning's Scripture: Psalm 85. Especially notice the prayer in verse 6.
As we pray this morning, let us pray:
That God will send spiritual revival to Harvey Oaks Baptist Church (True spiritual revival will refocus our hearts and lives on the supremacy and greatness of Jesus Christ so that we will be the church that he desires. Someone once defined revival as "a people saturated with God").
That Christ-centered worship will occur each Sunday morning at Harvey Oaks Baptist Church. Psalm 100.2 says: Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
That the powerful wind of the Holy Spirit will descend on us every Sunday morning so that lives are radically transformed.
That Harvey Oaks Baptist Church will no longer be in a state of plateau (Eight out of ten churches in the United States have plateaued or are declining).
That God will cause many people around in the Omaha area to turn to Jesus for salvation. Pray that they will be fruitful Christians for God's kingdom.
That the remaining unreached people groups around the world will be reached for Jesus Christ.
Thank you for praying this morning. Have a great day as you live for the Lord Jesus.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Our Need For Revival!
Recently, I read in the book, "Breakout Churches" by Thom S. Rainer that eight out of ten churches in America are in a state of decline or have plateaued (Pg. 45). If that is the case, then the American church is in deep trouble. Acts 1.8 and the Great Commission (Matthew 28. 18-20) is not, on the most part being fulfilled by us. What is the answer to this. We must pray! Psalm 85.6 says: "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"Brothers and sisters in Jesus, we must pray for a fresh new power from the Holy Spirit. Let us wake up and pray urgently for revival. I will welcome any feedback.
Pastor Bryan
Pastor Bryan
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
How to Query God
Good Morning. Is it okay to question God? Below is a helpful article by John Piper. Stay strong in Jesus. Pastor Bryan
John Piper
Thoughts on Romans 9:20 - You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"
Clearly Paul was displeased with this response to his teaching about God. Does this mean that it's always wrong to ask questions in response to Biblical teaching? I don't think so.
Paul had said some controversial things. Peter admitted that Paul was sometimes hard to understand: "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul had said that God "has mercy on whom he wills and hardens whom he wills" (Romans 9:18).
The point was: his will decides finally whether we are hard-hearted or not. "Before they were born or do anything good or evil" God had mercy on Jacob and gave Esau over to hardness (Romans 9:11-13).
Someone hears this and objects in verse 19, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" To this Paul responds, "You, a mere human being, have no right to answer back to God."
The word "answer back" (antapokrinomenos) occurs one other time in the New Testament, namely, in Luke 14:5-6. Jesus is showing the lawyers that it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He said to them, "'Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?' And they could not answer back (antapokrithenai) to these things."
In what sense could they not "answer back"? They could not show him wrong. They could not legitimately criticize him. They could not truly contradict what he said. So the word "answer back" probably carries the meaning: "answer back with a view to criticizing or disagreeing or correcting."
That, I think, is what displeased Paul in Romans 9:20. This leaves open the possibility that a different kind of question would be acceptable, namely, a humble, teachable question that wants to understand more if possible, but not rebuke or condemn or criticize what has been said.
For example, in Luke 1:31 the angel Gabriel comes to the virgin Mary and says, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." Mary is astounded and baffled. Virgins don't have sons. She could have scoffed and argued. But instead she said, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). She did not say it can't happen; she asked, "How?" Contrast this with Gabriel's visit to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
The angel comes and tells him, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:13). But Zechariah knew that "Elizabeth was barren and advanced in years" (Luke 1:7). Different from Mary, his skepticism gave rise to a different question. He said, "How shall I know this?" Not: "How will you do this?" But: "How can I know you'll do it?"
Gabriel did not like this answer. He said, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time" (Luke 1:19-20).
So I conclude that humble, teachable questions about how and why God does what he does are acceptable to God. To Mary God gave a very helpful answer, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). This did not remove the mystery, but it helped.
I can't remove the mystery from Romans 9. But there may be more to understand than we have seen and I do not want to discourage you from pressing further up and further in to the heart and mind of God.
Wanting to be teachable with you,
Pastor John
John Piper
Thoughts on Romans 9:20 - You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"
Clearly Paul was displeased with this response to his teaching about God. Does this mean that it's always wrong to ask questions in response to Biblical teaching? I don't think so.
Paul had said some controversial things. Peter admitted that Paul was sometimes hard to understand: "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul had said that God "has mercy on whom he wills and hardens whom he wills" (Romans 9:18).
The point was: his will decides finally whether we are hard-hearted or not. "Before they were born or do anything good or evil" God had mercy on Jacob and gave Esau over to hardness (Romans 9:11-13).
Someone hears this and objects in verse 19, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" To this Paul responds, "You, a mere human being, have no right to answer back to God."
The word "answer back" (antapokrinomenos) occurs one other time in the New Testament, namely, in Luke 14:5-6. Jesus is showing the lawyers that it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. He said to them, "'Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?' And they could not answer back (antapokrithenai) to these things."
In what sense could they not "answer back"? They could not show him wrong. They could not legitimately criticize him. They could not truly contradict what he said. So the word "answer back" probably carries the meaning: "answer back with a view to criticizing or disagreeing or correcting."
That, I think, is what displeased Paul in Romans 9:20. This leaves open the possibility that a different kind of question would be acceptable, namely, a humble, teachable question that wants to understand more if possible, but not rebuke or condemn or criticize what has been said.
For example, in Luke 1:31 the angel Gabriel comes to the virgin Mary and says, "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus." Mary is astounded and baffled. Virgins don't have sons. She could have scoffed and argued. But instead she said, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34). She did not say it can't happen; she asked, "How?" Contrast this with Gabriel's visit to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
The angel comes and tells him, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:13). But Zechariah knew that "Elizabeth was barren and advanced in years" (Luke 1:7). Different from Mary, his skepticism gave rise to a different question. He said, "How shall I know this?" Not: "How will you do this?" But: "How can I know you'll do it?"
Gabriel did not like this answer. He said, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time" (Luke 1:19-20).
So I conclude that humble, teachable questions about how and why God does what he does are acceptable to God. To Mary God gave a very helpful answer, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). This did not remove the mystery, but it helped.
I can't remove the mystery from Romans 9. But there may be more to understand than we have seen and I do not want to discourage you from pressing further up and further in to the heart and mind of God.
Wanting to be teachable with you,
Pastor John
Friday, May 20, 2005
I am back (again)
This blogging stuff takes discipline. It was another beautiful day in Omaha. Five years ago, I could not have imagined living in Omaha. But the Lord brought me (and my family) back home. Have a good night. Pastor Bryan
Monday, April 11, 2005
Back to Blogging
Hi. It has been awhile since I have posted anything. Last Monday, I was at the Master's Golf tournament in Augusta, GA. I met a friend from college and his cousin the day before in Atlanta. What a zoo Augusta was. There were 40,000 people on the course, but what a course it was. I was actually walking at Augusta National. I have watched the Masters for over 20 years, so to actually see the holes and fairways up close was cool. Oh yeah, there was some players there as well practicing including the eventual winner: Tiger Woods.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
It is never too late to learn
I have spent the past three days in class at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. Dr. Haddon Robinson has brought in Dr. Don Sunukjian from Talbot Graduate School to teach us the stages of sermon preparation. Some of it was review, but much of it opened up new doors for me. I am being challenged to adjust my 20 year approach to sermon writing. Yes, the day is long and we sit on hard chairs for hours in class, but it is fun to learn new approaches. Dr. Sunukjian will be us for one more half day. Have a great day. Pastor Bryan
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
I am in Boston
Good Morning. I am in Boston for my two-week residency for a Docter of Ministry degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Class actually is delayed by three hours because of a snow storm last night. It was a "nor-easterner!" I am in the class room typing this blog. I made it to school early. My rental car had around six inches of snow on it. The roads were all cleared on the way to school (about 13 miles).
It was good to see my classmates and Dr. Robinson yesterday. A couple of people dropped out of the program for various reasons. This past year went by fast.
I will try to post some more in the next couple of weeks. Have a great day. Pastor Bryan
It was good to see my classmates and Dr. Robinson yesterday. A couple of people dropped out of the program for various reasons. This past year went by fast.
I will try to post some more in the next couple of weeks. Have a great day. Pastor Bryan
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Reaching People for Jesus
Part of my preparation for my second residency for my Doctor of Ministry degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is the requirement that I read the book, “Culture Shift: Communicating God’s Truth to Our Changing World.” It is written by David W. Henderson and it is the most practical book on how to reach other people for Jesus. If you are wondering why people do not care about your faith and your Jesus, then you will want to read this book.
The book is a wake-up call for Christians to seriously work hard at fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus. Matthew 5.13 and 14 that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. How can we bring preserving flavor and light to our world?
Thus, if each person decides what is “true” about God, then they will have little time or tolerance for those who claim to have the ultimate truth about a relationship with God. Back in the mid 1970’s when I was in high school; some of us after youth group would sometimes drive to the Westroads Mall (in Omaha here) and witness to strangers using “The Four Spiritual Laws”. We found out that most people were willing to listen to us as we nervously shared from the tract.
Now that we are in the 21st century, many people may not be as open for a total stranger to talk to them about their need for a savior. The problem just isn’t with the Christians sharing about Jesus. Self-absorbed individualism has allowed people to isolate themselves. Thus, the building of meaningful relationships becomes more and more difficult. As a matter of fact, many Americans are not very connected at all with other people. Three out of four Americans do not know the people who live next door to them. One out of seven people do not even know the name of their neighbors (pg. 103).
So how do we communicate God’s truth and love to others? Well, there can still be a place for using a gospel tract, but only after a relationship has been established with people. And this requires the investment of work and time.
“…it is crucial that we befriend non-Christians, winning our way into their distracted hearts and busy schedules. That means spending the kind of time with them that lets us get to know each other; having them over for a cookout, watching their kids play in a high school game; feeding their fish and collecting their mail while they’re on vacation, all while waiting and praying for the opportunity to comfortably and naturally talk about our faith” (pg. 114).
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