Vision Statement

I’ve worked in corporate America for many years. Nearly every company has a vision statement or mission statement that is created by leadership to define the company direction to its employees and customers. I’ve always thought they were pretty silly. One company actually sent us to a week long orientation course that taught us the mission statement along with signs to help us remember it. The vision and mission statements embody the character of the company. I can see some benefit. Most of the companies I’ve worked for have been fortune 500 companies; Deloitte Services, LLC, HCA, Dollar General, NBC. Companies of this size need to be able to maximize the efforts of their employees by getting them on the same page…getting them to pull in the same direction.

The same is true for the church. Solomon said, “without a vision the people perish.” What is our vision? Are we pulling in the same direction? What are the signs that help us recall the vision when things are not as clear? Who’s providing the vision we have?

Vision - We exist to spread a passion for the love of God in all things for the joy and unity of all people through Jesus Christ. (Modified line from a book I read by John Piper.) To fulfill this vision we need to do the following:

• Take the passion we have for God to reign over all things and share it with others. Make sure that we are allowing him to reign in us as we share.
• Promote unity in the Spirit in the bond of peace until we all come into the unity of the faith.
• The life that we live should be lived with joy. Joy only comes from a life that is not focused on us, but on God and others. Sacrificial love will prevent us from becoming too focused on ourselves. Our mansions in heaven do not have mirrored walls. Despite what the culture tells us it’s not all about us.
• Christians are supposed to be nice. Sometimes being nice keeps us from sharing our faith with those who may disagree. The nice thing, the loving thing to do would be to tell others that Jesus is the only “way” to the Father. All other ways, that is, religions, materialism, self indulgence will not lead to joy and happiness. Jesus Christ and the crucified life that he lived will.
• Reconcile ourselves to anyone who will reconcile. (Through Jesus Christ)
  
  Sign – The cross of Jesus is the sign that helps us remember the vision. Thoughts about the cross:
• The cross is the crowning act of the sacrificial life that Jesus lived. Had he not lived the sacrificial life the cross would be meaningless. If Jesus would have been self-indulgent the cross would not draw anyone.
• Jesus asked us to take up our cross and follow him.
• Those who stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion have followed him.
  
  In a world without leadership and vision we need to fulfill our vision and sacrificially give our lives for the cause of God. The God of heaven has set up a kingdom and he’s looking for citizens to join him in it. Let’s allow him to have his will in our lives. Let’s glorify him through the ordinary (work, love, friendship, community). The light of his glory, displayed through ordinary men and women will draw all people to him.
  
  
  

God is Immutable and Personable

I'vs been debating in my mind and with others the question of God's immutability (unchangableness). I hate philosophical language and believe the truth in the current debate between classical thiests (those that believe God is immutable to the point of impassability) and those who espouse the Openness theology (which teaches that because the future hasn't taken place not even God can know what his creatures of free will may do) can be found in the elusive center.

The Openness camp use verses like these in Jeremiah to bolster their point:
Jeremiah 3:7: "I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not." and Jeremiah 19:5: "They have built the high places of Baal . . . something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." They lean toward a highly relational God that wants to be with his people and responds based on their actions.

The classical position use verses like the following:
Isaiah 46:10: "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." and Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." They tend to use austere high words to describe God and can be fatalistic in their interprestation of God's work with man; a kind of chess piece analogy.

I believe most evangelicals and pentecostals accept the comparative attributes of God's nature. Without using heady philosophical terms the bible clearly expresses that God knows the future. I like the way he taunts the gods of the pagans by saying in Isaiah 41:23, "Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods". I think a modified version of the classical position, however, might need to be considered.

The language used by the Calvinists and Arminians in reference to the comparative attributes of God were austere and produced the concept of a distant, untouchable creator. It's not as bad today, but there is still a tendency to use language in reference to God that doesn't promote relationship in the lives of the hearers.

The modified classical position looks something like this: God's comparative attributes of omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience continue to be defined as they are today, but as a church we emphasize the attributes using the book He chose to reveal himself through, the bible. When we teach others about our God we balance His high and lofty attributes with the fact that he is a person. The implication being that he has a mind, will and emotions and wants to warmly relate with his people. We need to let them know that the 'effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man' does 'avail much'. We need to convey that the seeking, saving love of God will find the heart that turns to Him (Prodigal).

Response to Genesis Questions

I received and email today that contained the following questions I responded in an email and thought I would post my responses as well.

Why the word 'us' is used in Genesis? The word translated 'God' in the verses of the 1st chapter of Genesis is the Hebrew word 'Elohim'. It is the name associated with God while he's performing his great creative acts. The name itself is plural. The singular form of the name is El and it is used sparingly. Some say the 'us' is the heavenly host of angels, some say it is a hint to the Trinity, but I believe that it is the Father and the Son. Notice the verses from Colossians 1: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

Adam leaves father and mother? Genesis 2:24-25; 3:1 is the voice of the narrator. The Hebrew scriptures have three 'voices'; the voice of God, the voice of person (prophet, king, etc) and the voice of the narrator. These verses are the voice of the narrator. Notice the change in tone between the words of Adam in verse 23 and the 'Therefore' of verse 24. Then again notice the transition in 3:1 where the narrator transitions from a description of the serpent to the words of the serpent.

God was the first one to shed blood? This is a true statement. God shows in this act the preeminence of man over all the creation (established in Genesis 1:26-28). God showed that he would initiate the covering of mans sins by shedding blood. The animals that he killed were probably sheep, goats or cattle. Moses, the writer of Genesis, had these sacrifices in mind when he began to write in the book of Leviticus regarding the various sin sacrifices. It foreshadowed God shedding the blood of his son, 'the Lamb of God', on the cross for the covering of the sin of the world. (John 1, Exodus 12)

Did the serpent have legs before the curse? Yes. Originally the serpent had two legs. Eccl. 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. The serpent through the writings of Moses and interpreted in the New Testament represented the nature of man in opposition to the will of God. In Num. 21:6 it says, And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Moses was instructed by God to create a brass serpent and put it on a pole and lift it up before the people. Anyone who looked on the brass serpent would be healed. Those who didn't would die. John (3:14-15) records Jesus saying, And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. When Adam and Eve listened to the voice of the serpent then 'sin entered into the world and death by sin (Rom 5). John the Baptist and Jesus called the religious leaders of their day (those who were in opposition) a 'generation of vipers' (Mt 3 and Mt 23). Paul warns believers in Rome (Rom 16), Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Compare these words from Rom 16 to Genesis 3 and see the highlighted words pop out of the text.

Authentic Manhood

What are the chief characteristics or qualities of a man? If you or I had to define manhood what words would we use? These questions were posed to me this morning and I have to admit I was slow in my response. I was actually completely without a response. If I cannot define manhood how can I teach it to my sons?

The question will probably take years to answer. Maybe my whole life, but four points presented to me this morning will establish the foundation in which to build my definition.

1. A man rejects passivity: A true man will lead, direct and protect his family, church, community and nation. In accepting this responsibility he recognizes that there is a higher will to obey. He is not the one who defines the direction or means of provision, but that is provided by the one who designed him.

2. A man accepts responsibility: A true man will accept the responsibility for God's work and his will. He will spend the necessary time learning and understanding what the work and will of God is for his family and community. This understanding does not come over night, but should be applied as it is learned. What has been God's work? It is narrated in the scriptures and illustrated in nature. A man will use his understanding to provide leadership, direction and protection.

3. A man leads courageously: The leadership and direction that a man provides will be decisive. No decision is a decision. It's the decision to abdicate your role as a man. This is where the first man, Adam, failed; he let another lead. Leadership is by nature intercessory. I mean that judgment is mitigated in the life of one who has been under godly leadership and council. Mitigated in the sense that wrong actions are prevented because of the knowledge of God's will. When someone misses the mark in life then leadership will provide instruction on how to reduce the damage. This courage to provide courageous leadership is driven by a clear understanding of the future and its rewards. He provides leadership because of the eternal value that is associated with it.

4. A man expects a greater reward: A man will learn to control his feelings; to master his emotions. Notice how Christ was tempted in the wilderness. He was offered all the kingdoms of the world if he would bow to another's will. Jesus knew that it was for this purpose he was called into the world, but to take any action prematurely would be out of the will of his Father. Men will choose the will of God over their own comfort. They will love their wives, family and community sacrificially expecting that their reward will come later. Man was given six days to labor and on the seventh he would rest. Modern man, however, wants to rest six days and labor on the seventh.

As a man I want to put aside my comforts and live a life for others. If someone in the home is going to be put out let it be me. If someone is going do without let it be me. This is the greatest example of Christ that we can mirror to our family.

God Bless.