The God Box

I spent the morning reading Romans 10-16. After Paul writes of his passion for his Jewish brethren to come to faith in Christ in chapters 10 and 11, he puts the rubber to the road starting in chapter 12. He spends time warning Gentile believers not to get cocky because God has grafted them into His family after cutting off the Jews. This was an act of unspeakable and unimaginable grace on God’s part. He says that the whole reason God offered salvation to the rest of the world is to make the Jews jealous.

In Romans, Paul uses what is rapidly becoming one of my favorite Pauline terms: mystery. More and more (as a result of Dr. Doug Bookman’s teaching) I’m seeing this mystery as God’s offer of salvation to Gentiles AS Gentiles. This was something so crazy, so incredible, so “outside the box,” that it would have been inconceivable to first century Jews. Sure Gentiles could come to faith in Yahweh, but only as Jewish proselytes. In other words, Gentiles could follow God, but not without converting to Judaism first. That meant circumcision and complete adherence to the Mosaic Law.

Paul writes that he doesn’t want his Roman brothers and sisters to be ignorant of this mystery (Rom 11:25). This is something that NOBODY saw coming. This is something that is hard to figure out even after God has revealed it. As a result of this brain busting revelation, the apostle launches off into an impromptu moment of praise:

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Rom 11:33-36)

Paul is blown away by this incredible revelation of God’s plan. Gentiles as Gentiles?!?! You have got to be kidding me!!! Yet when he goes back and looks at the OT Scriptures, the evidence is there. The apostle seems to be saying, “Oh, THAT’S what He meant!” This is a classic example of why we can never fully understand and comprehend His omniscience and His omnipotence. Just when Jews like Saul thought they had Yahweh figured out and packed neatly into their box, it exploded right in their hands!

I need to hear Paul’s warning loud and clear. While the Bible presents me with the revelation of who God is and what His plans are, it can in no way fully contain Him. There are no books of theology, seminary libraries, web resources, or software applications that can hold a thimble of who God is. Remember, His wisdom is UNSEARCHABLE and UNFATHOMABLE. I must never lose the sense of holy awe, wonder and worship of the One who descended from heaven to die on a Roman cross for me. Yet He calls me “friend” and “brother.” How is that possible? Because He is unsearchable and unfathomable.

A couple of encounters between John and Jesus come to mind. At the Last Supper, John is resting his head against Jesus’ chest as they eat. Now THAT’S a friend. Some of that is lost in cultural translation. But it’s clear that they are intimately close. Yet in the book of Revelation, that same John sees Jesus and falls like a dead man in awe and worship. We must always remember that the same Savior that allows us to lean on Him in those tender times is also Almighty God, Creator of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords. As Paul would say, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

In Christ,

Jay

Job Insecurity

The headlines and evening news are chock full of downturns, bailouts and layoffs. Seems everyone is concerned about job security. 

But let's talk about "Job insecurity."   Not job, but Job.  You know...the guy in the Old Testament.  Yeah, THAT Job.  You see, Job had lost it all.  Not just his job, but also his health, his wealth and most of his family.

I sat down and read through this amazing book in one reading the other day.  What an incredible reminder to me about reading the Bible.  So often, I'll check out a verse or two here or a chapter there, but never see the B-I-G picture of an entire book.  Not this time.  Read Job in one sitting.

For 37 chapters, we read about this once proud man whose life is now nuked.  We hear the loving "advice and encouragement" of the three stooges: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar.  We are right there when Elihu lovingly and firmly speaks some sense to this broken man.  We read Job demanding a hearing with Almighty God.     

And then God shows up.  Oh, does He ever show up!

God hits Job with an unending barrage of challenges that start with phrases like, "Have you ever..?" and "Can you..?" and "Do you know..?"  The Creator questions him on such topics as geology, astronomy, zoology, biology and philosophy.  Imagine the hardest blue book exam times a gazillion.  And Job had no idea this would be on the final.

Job is left there...stuttering and stammering.  "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers?" (Job 40:3a NLT).  

"Job insecurity."

Interestingly, God never tells Job why he lost it all.  And Job is fine with that.  After experiencing first hand the awe-inspiring and jaw-dropping power of God, it just doesn't seem to matter.  And God drenches Job in His amazing grace by restoring him.  "So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning" (Job 42:12 NLT).

If you ever doubt the power, the majesty, the holiness or the knowledge of God, crack open your Bible to the book of Job.  Read it all the way through.  I think you'll experience "Job insecurity."  And that's a good thing.

In Christ,

Jay

Jesus Is All the Power You Need

Power. Nuclear power. Electrical power. Political power. All power pales in comparison to our All-Powerful God.

Nebuchadnezzar found this out the hard way. As the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most powerful people on the planet. He built his country from a third-rate Third World step child into a dominating superpower.

With a powerful military machine, he bullied neighboring nations into submission. Through an amazing domestic revitalization, Nebuchadnezzar brought his people up from the ashes. He ordered the construction of shipping docks, canals, aqueducts and temples. He built not one, but three opulent palaces. The king actually ordered that his name be stamped on every brick used in construction to make sure all would know of his power.

His most impressive accomplishment may have been a gift for his wife. His new bride was a native of the mountains. Nebuchadnezzar literally built her a mountain in the middle of the capital city, covering it with an amazing array of plants and trees. It became known as "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon," one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

But it all came to sudden end one day when the king walked along the roof of his palace. Daniel 4:28-37 says that a voice from heaven told Nebuchadnezzar that his reign was over. Almighty God cut the arrogant monarch down to size. If that wasn't bad enough, the King of kings humbled the King of Babylon, making him believe he was a cow! For seven years, one of the most powerful persons on planet grazed the pasture like a Holstein!

And after a humbling seven years, a broken Nebuchadnezzar realized God's power and might. "He has the power to do as He pleases." (Daniel 4:35b NLT)

God's purpose was to make sure that we would all know that only God is Almighty. But what does it mean that God is powerful? While we can't comprehend the full scope of His power, five "Power Points" may help us appreciate His omnipotence.

1-The power of God is UNSTOPPABLE.
For our God is in the heavens, and He does as He wishes. (Psalm 15:3 NLT)

"...with God everything is possible." (Matthew 19:26 NLT)

2-The power of God is UNIMAGINABLE.
Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

3-The power of God is IRREVERSIBLE.
"From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse My actions." (Isaiah 43:13 NLT)

4-The power of God is AVAILABLE.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:13 NLT)

5-The power of God is the GOSPEL.
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--Jews first and also Gentiles. (Romans 1:16)

Coming to some understanding and comprehension of the power of Almighty God has incredible consequences on our daily lives. Simply put, how powerful is your God? Sadly, it seems that so many of us end up worhsiping an impotent God with an impotent Gospel. If our Omnipotent God can literally speak the universe into existence from absolute nothing, then He is powerful enough to do a great work through us and in us!

John Piper sums it up best.
To be gripped by the omnipotence of God is either marvelous because He is for us or terrifying because He is against us. Indifference to His omnipotence simply means we haven't seen it for what it is.

As Nebuchadnezzar stated so simply 2700 years ago, "He has the power to do as He pleases."

Jesus is all the power you need.

In Christ,
Jay

From a sermon at Freedom River Community Church on August 3, 2008.