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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is God Sovereign in the Church today? | Rom 1:22 | humbledbyhisgrace | 168569 | ||
Hello Brother Brad! I just want to share some thoughts on this one and through out a few questions :-) Question: Does anyone think "the church" is not exactly where God wants it to be today? If the answer is no, would that not question God's Sovereignty? In my understanding it would. You ask "What are your thoughts as to why this is?" based on what A.W. Pink had written. I think that's a great question and exactly the type of questions we should be asking ourselves. What is God doing? What is His will for the church at this point in time? What do I, as His servant need to be doing for His glory and His church? I don't think we should be surprised at what mankind is doing for we know them to be corrupted and hopeless without God's intervention. For me the "why" leads to the question, what is God showing us and what are we the church suppose to do with it? There are many today and throughout history like A.W. Pink and the many examples we see throughout the pages of the bible that God has given a passion and a hunger for His word. It's these people that are able to see the contradictions between what the word of God says and what mankind teaches and twist to create their own doctrines. I think that is exactly what A.W. Pink is pointing out. So, going back to your question, why is it like this? Hummmm.... I of course don't have the answer to that. But I'm confident in that it fits God's sovereign plan. In my way of thinking, God is clearly showing us the corruption and false teachings of mankind probably more so then ever before. Why is that and what are we the church to do? "What can be done about it?" If you have been given His truth, never compromise on it, remember where it came from and share it with others as if their life depended on it (which it does!). For me, the farther I see the teachings of mankind move away from the word of God, the clearer the word of God becomes to me. The stronger my desire becomes to know it and understand it and share it with others. I for one am so thankful to God for His word and those that He has given to His church that do not and will not compromise on His word and will stand up and shout when it is trampled on. Just another thought on what we can do. This may seem like a radical idea to some. However, what about actually teaching the word of God from the word of God in our churches. I can't help but wonder what it might be like if we removed the Sunday School books, discipleship training materials and such from the church and just use the word of God to teach the word of God. I say this because I become more and more irritated by the materials that seem to insert one or two scriptures and then a page or two or three of mankind's thoughts and babblings. Well, I've babbled enough myself. I know the question was dealing more with the sovereignty of God in the church then where I drifted off to in my babblings so I'll just leave you with this thought on the church (Nehemiah 8:1-8). I think it's a beautiful picture of what it must be like to truly come together with a hunger and reverence for God's word and worship the Lord as we should and goes a long way in answering the question, "what can we do about it?". As you read Nehemiah 8:1-8 ask yourself these questions. Do we gather as one and encourage our pastors to feed us the word of God like it is written? Are we attentive as the word of God is shared with us? Does the leadership of our local church stand together as one, united and determined to teach and guide us in the word? Do we stand with those that stand on the word of God? Are we awed by the word of God and show reverence to it as they did in Nehemiah 8:5? Do we praise the Lord our Great God like we should? Do we teach the word of God to others and seek to help them understand it? Can you just imagine what it would be like to gather as they did in Nehemiah 8? What an awesome picture! God Bless, Steve Lord helps us. We long for the day you gather your church to be with you. Amen! |
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2 | Is God Sovereign in the Church today? | Rom 1:22 | BradK | 168572 | ||
Hi Steve, Thanks for sharing your thoughts! My question was intended to provoke thought and hopefully lead to fruitful discussion:-) Whether we agree with Pink or not, his comments are very relevant to our church today (I only quoted him in part). Especially given that they were written some 80 Years ago! I don't think it's gotten better. He pastored (in relative obscurity) in both the U.S. and his native land of England. I couldn't agree more with your observation about, "actually teaching the word of God from the word of God in our churches"! I'm a bit narrow on this but I think the Word of God completely sufficient (Heb. 4:12). When I see the trivial stuff used, i.e "The 7 Promises of a Promise Keeper" (taught recently in one of our churches Sunday schools), I shudder and ask, "why"? Honestly, I think "who cares"? We have departed from His Word being all that is necessary and gone to more convenient less demanding nonsense. It takes too long to actually study the Word so we let somebody do the work for us:-( I can't help but thinking in jest, could Job have benefitted from "The Purpose Driven Life"? Not that there isn't some good material in Rick Warren's book, but it is man's wisdom as you say. Our meaning and purpose to life is found in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ! Do we really need a whole "seeker-movement" to reveal this to us? If God is truly sovereign, and the Bible is His Word, cannot we rest in its' sufficiency? Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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