There was once a man who built a shed. He purchased blueprints, materials and with hand tools he crafted it for his own unique purposes. From the foundation, to the walls and roof, every detail was thoroughly thought out, even to the doors, windows and shelves. When the project was complete he invited a friend over to show him what he had done. The friend was so impressed that he desired to build one of his own. The man offered to build it for him as a friendly gesture, but needed to know what exactly his needs were.
“No need for that,” the friend quickly interrupted, “I really need to get started.”
“At least let me help you,” the man said. “We can work side by side as partners to get this done for you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” the friend abruptly explained. “I get what you are doing here. I have my own tools. Just let me get some measurements off of your shed, and I’ll build what I need.”
The man finally offered, “May I at least loan you the blueprints to guide you?”
“Keep your blueprints. I’m on my way. I’ll let you know how it goes.” The friend said this and left.
A great deal of time later, the friend invited the man to the inaugural celebration of the completion of the tenth shed. The friend said, “It is unbelievable what you have inspired! These sheds seem to be popping up everywhere since my first facsimile. I haven’t seen this one yet, but I’m sure you won’t believe what we have been able to accomplish.”
The friend was right, for when the man saw the tenth facsimile of the original, it not only had no resemblance to the inspiration, but the entire construction was perfectly useless. The edifice was a monstrous monstrosity. The foundation was unstable; the windows were gone; the doorway was too narrow to enter in; the roofline was so low a person could not comfortably work in it and finally entire facsimile was built as some sort of embellished ornate thing that it had lost all of its functionality and practicality.
The man questioned, “How did this happen?”
“I don’t know, but isn’t it a wonder,” the friend exclaimed! “It really doesn’t matter. This shed alone is worth ten times ten of what your old pathetic little utility shed is worth.”
“Well, at least my shed still serves me well,” the man said, as he walked away in disappointment.
(Excerpt from my new book, "Identifying the Believer", Chapter 9, "We are the Church")
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, August 31, 2009
Restricting God
Just one of the reasons why I love the teachings of Watchman Nee. From his book "The Release of the Spirit". Chapter V, The Church & God's Work. (Italics mine.)
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.
God's Manifestation & God's Restriction
There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.
In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.
Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.
The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.
Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Other Prodigal
Many of us have prodigals in our lives. A prodigal is one who wastefully squanders what he has. The prodigal that we are most familiar with is the younger son who prematurely took his share of his father’s estate and carelessly consumed it all on immoral living. This led to poverty and the awakening of his conscience to repent and return his father’s house. But did you know there is more than one way to wastefully squander what you have in relation to the father? Did you know there was another prodigal?
The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.
At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.
“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)
The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.
What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!
The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.
While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!
The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.
At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.
“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)
The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.
What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!
The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.
While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Lost Coin
I recently finished teaching a series on “Kingdom Parables”. A few weeks ago I was meditating on the parable of the “Woman & the Lost Coin” (Luke 15:8-10). This is one of the lost-and-found parables of Jesus. There is truly more joy in heaven when a lost soul is restored to faith in Christ. But something else occurred to me from this story. Practically speaking, what did the woman really loose? One coin out of the ten was probably equal to a day’s wages. I suppose that could stress a person out. But I think there was something deeper in her panic. The tenth coin that she lost was her tithe! And, according to Malachi 3 with the tithe goes the blessing.
Now, I understand that tithing is a controversial subject. I don’t see tithing as a command to new covenant believers. The New Testament command is to love – God, you, believers, neighbors and enemies. That encompasses just about everybody, don’t you think? Tithing is an expression of love for God and everyone else! The servant of the Lord owns nothing. Everything belongs to the Master. Regular, consistent tithing supports the local church that provides ministry to your family and others. Giving the tenth portion of our increase is a guideline that expresses we understand that all we have is our trust of the kingdom of God, and that we are answerable to Him for how we manage 100% of these kingdom assets. In the new covenant the tithe is an expression of commitment and faithfulness to the Lord. Whether Old or New Testament, God rewards expressions of faithfulness!
Then the next question to be answered is this. Where did she lose her tithe? If she can find it, the blessing of God can be restored to her. I suppose, when she retraced her steps, she realized the tenth coin was lost in her house. Now, I have heard people say they can’t afford to tithe; that is to make a commitment to regular consistent giving to the kingdom of God through the local church. Truth be told, I will be the first to admit, we have made just about every financial mistake in the book, but we have always made a concerted effort to maintain the tithe as an expression of our faith toward God.
When I started to think about losing the tithe in the house, the thought occurred to me how wasteful the American Christian is. We leave the lights on, waste gas, through food away, over eating, over spending, pay exorbitant interest rates on credit cards. Not to mention that we are gluttons for entertainment and high tech gadgets. Ask yourself, “Could I find the tithe, if I removed the movie channels from my cable subscription, or cut the cable all together? Could I find the tithe, if I planned my meals and ate out less? Do I need to keep the gym membership, if I don’t go? Etc.” We need to get back on a reasonable household budget until we find the tithe again. Try paying your tenth first, than live on the rest. And don’t forget to save for your financial future.
When the woman in the parable found the tithe, she had a party! There will surely be a party in the house of God when 100% of the believers give 100% of the tithe! The local church is struggling today with only 20-30% of the membership faithfully contributing. Think of what we can accomplish for the kingdom of God when all believers bring the entire tithe into the “storehouse”. When we prove ourselves to be faithful with the little that we have now, God will be able to trust us with more. Would you count it an honor to garner our Lords trust?
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