Wednesday I talked about God's General Revelation. He reveals Himself through the handiwork of His beautiful creation in so many wonderful and unique ways; so-much-so that it is hard to dispute the craftsmanship of a Master planner and designer.
But God also reveals Himself in special ways. The theological term for this is Special Revelation. This Sunday I am going to talk about one of those special ways in my message to my congregation. You see, we are going to do a Vision Audit on the evening of Tuesday, February 28, and what we hope to see (to be revealed to us) is God's Special Revelation.
Vision is God's Special Revelation into the life of every congregation. We exist for a special purpose in our communities beyond our own needs and desires. God wants us to "see" that purpose through His eyes. It cannot have anything to do with what we want to be or what we think is best for us, it must be God's vision. If it is not, then we fail to be the church of Jesus Christ.
One of the illustrations I am going to use on Sunday is about travelling. Travelling is made easy these days with GPS and inbuilt computers in the dashboard of cars. But there are still some who try to get to an unfamiliar destination the old fashion way - head in the general direction and hope for the best. Women claim that men are the most likely to head out with no specific direction in mind.
But even the stubbornest of men will follow road signs. For example, if you were headed out on a 300 mile journey you are not likely to start out by turning down a street with a sign that says, "dead end." But yet that is the direction of most churches when they don't take the time too seek out a clear vision from God.
Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast of restraint." Now I know that this is not exactly talking about vision per say. But when you apply it to an earlier reading of Proverbs 1:20-33, it speaks volumes about the importance of God's direction through vision. It talks about the ills of not seeking out God's special revelation for the church. Verse 32 says, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." Verse 33 concludes: "But whoever listens to me will live in safety, and be at ease without fear of harm."
God has a unique purpose for every church. If you can't see it or feel it then you should be worried. Every vision brings passion into the life of the church. Do you feel the passion in your church?
Blessings,
-Leo
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
God, Our Wonderful Creator
A few days ago my wife and I were having a discussion about God's General Revelation. Basically God reveals himself in two different ways: 1. General revelation, and 2. Special Revelation. Special Revelation is God revealing Himself through special ways: like miracles, and instant healing without the support or influence of natural means.
General revelation is God revealing himself through natural means. Last Sunday I spoke about General Revelation in opposition to the big bang theory and evolution. God reveals himself as the Master Designer of the universe. Evolution claims that the universe and everything that has life happened out of unique circumstances (chance). One theory says that the sun exploded and by chance a chunk drifted 93,000,000 miles to this exact spot and evolved into what we call earth.
However, I would argue that nothing happens by chance - especially creation. There is a Master Designer behind it. For example, 93,000,000 miles is just the right distance for the earth to be heated by the sun. All variables are delicately balanced and supported by each other. The earth's core maintains the right temperature for it to rotate on its axis every twenty four hours, and to circle the sun every 365 days.
The earth is suspended in a bubbled atmosphere which contains 21 percent oxygen on its surface. This by-the-way is the exact amount necessary to support every form of life as we know it. Any less or more would endanger life. 21 percent is the exact amount required.
I have mentioned only a few facts. When only one form of life is considered against the hundreds and thousands of variables necessary for it to have life, the evidence overwhelmingly supports a master plan by a Master Builder.
Give thanks to your Creator. He is the Master Planner behind it all. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.
General revelation is God revealing himself through natural means. Last Sunday I spoke about General Revelation in opposition to the big bang theory and evolution. God reveals himself as the Master Designer of the universe. Evolution claims that the universe and everything that has life happened out of unique circumstances (chance). One theory says that the sun exploded and by chance a chunk drifted 93,000,000 miles to this exact spot and evolved into what we call earth.
However, I would argue that nothing happens by chance - especially creation. There is a Master Designer behind it. For example, 93,000,000 miles is just the right distance for the earth to be heated by the sun. All variables are delicately balanced and supported by each other. The earth's core maintains the right temperature for it to rotate on its axis every twenty four hours, and to circle the sun every 365 days.
The earth is suspended in a bubbled atmosphere which contains 21 percent oxygen on its surface. This by-the-way is the exact amount necessary to support every form of life as we know it. Any less or more would endanger life. 21 percent is the exact amount required.
I have mentioned only a few facts. When only one form of life is considered against the hundreds and thousands of variables necessary for it to have life, the evidence overwhelmingly supports a master plan by a Master Builder.
Give thanks to your Creator. He is the Master Planner behind it all. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen.
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