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Suffering and the Goodness and Sovereignty of God

Several days ago I had some friends of mine suffer a horrible tragedy, the death of a second child. The event has no doubt caused much pain and raised questions among even the church family. In moments of extreme suffering, your theology is most important, because what you believe determines whether you will sink or swim when the flood waters come rushing. The following doctrines are essential in keeping your head above water; fail to grab any of them and you will drown.

First, God is sovereign. This event has not caught him off guard or crept up unexpectedly. God is in complete control of the situation commanding and directing all events according to his sovereign will. It is important to believe that God is even sovereign over the evil things we do or the evil things that happen to us. God could have stopped the fall of Adam, the increase of wickedness on the earth during the times of Noah, the enslavement of Joseph, the enslavement of his people Israel, the rebellion of the Jews, the killing of the prophets, the captivity in Babylon, the fall of the temple at the hands of the Romans, the Black Plague, the crusades, Hitler and the Holocaust, the planes that hit the World Trade Center, and the death of this precious little girl. God ordained that all of these things happen, and God is ultimately behind all of these horrible things. Now before some cry “heresy,” let’s look at Job. Job was a man on which profound suffering fell, to a degree which few people today can relate. He lost his kids, his property, his wealth, his servants, the respect of his wife, and his reputation with his friends. Yet in the midst of this pain look at what he says in Job 1.20-22:

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

We all remember the story well. Satan comes before God and God brags on Job for his faithfulness. Satan then accuses God of putting a hedge of protection around Job, and that Job only praises God in the midst of his blessing. So God allows Satan to go and devastate Job. Yet who does Job attribute everything that has happened to him to? It is the Lord that gives and takes away. Was Job wrong? Was he accusing God of something that he didn’t do, but that Satan was the one actually responsible? The text says immediately after Job speaks that Job did not sin in everything that he said.

God also ordained the greatest evil act in history, the murder of Jesus the Christ. It was sin to crucify the Son of God. It was sin to betray him. It was sin to mock him and spit on him and beat him. Yet look at what Isaiah says concerning this wicked thing in Isaiah 53.10a: “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief.” Who crushed Jesus? God did. Who brought about his suffering ultimately? God did. God was the one in control when Jesus died and God is in control now.

And think about this as well. If God could not rescue a little girl and allow her to continue breathing then we have far greater problems then the loss of this child. If God can’t save a baby, he can’t save anybody, he can’t right what we have made wrong, and he can’t bring any kind of hope and peace to us in the midst of tragedy. His hands are tied and he is not a God worth praising. Thanks be to the sovereign “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” (2 Corinthians 1.3b-4a)

Second, God is good. He is good when he gives us good things. He is good even when he takes good things from us. Thinking back to the text in Job, notice that Job declares that the Lord’s name is blessed regardless of what befalls us. Jesus says in Matthew 10.18 that, “no one is good except God alone.” Also John says that, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1.5)

Yet God can and does use the evil and horrible things in our lives for his good purposes and for our good. Look at what the Apostle Paul says about everything that happens to us in Romans 8.28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” What is included in the phrase “all things?” Taxes, tests, job loss, muggings, parking tickets, fights, and even loss of loved ones. Everything is used by God for the good of those who love him, namely, those who are found in Jesus Christ. And why does God choose to work in us this way? Listen to Philippians 2.13: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God uses evil things that happen to us for our good according to his “good pleasure.” In other words, God working in us in this way is only good, not a result of some cruel or mean spirit about him.

And consider this. The supremely evil act in history, the murder of Jesus, was used for the greatest good in the universe: that God would be glorified in redeeming a sinful and fallen race. It was good for God to crush his Son that we might receive life and no longer stand under God’s condemnation. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (1 Peter 3.18)

Lastly, suffering identifies us with the God who suffers. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1.5 that, “we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” We are comforted by the God who suffered when we share in his suffering. Listen to Philippians 1.29: “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Suffering for the Christian is expected and is even spoken in terms of a gift. It is “granted” to us to suffer. Jesus also suffered to help us in our temptation when we suffer the same things: “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Our only hope in our suffering is clinging to the cross of Christ, the instrument of his suffering and shame, and be identified with our great God and Savior as we endure the most horrible things for the glory of his Name. Let us be able to say with the Apostle Paul, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8.18)

God is in control. God is good. Even when little girls die.

For My Good, For His Glory

In a previous post I listed the many various reasons why someone should plant a church in Hemet, CA. However, out of the million reasons to NOT plant a church, I hit one this week: God hinders it. Last week I had a meeting with the deacons of our church on what the support would look like from Hemet Valley Baptist Church. There were some objections and concerns that were made by a few of the deacons, but after a lunch with one of them a few days later I felt entirely confident and optimistic about Hemet Valley's involvement. The deacons met again however and almost unanimously voted against proceeding with the church plant after careful prayer and consideration. For whatever reason, God moved in their hearts to prevent this undertaking. To be honest I was a bit shocked at first. Some have objected and encouraged me to plant the church anyways, though this is unacceptable. The deacons function as leadership in this church, which I am a member of. I must respect and submit to their leadership and authority, and if I were to be the young punk pastor who starts the church in spite of godly counsel, then it would not be a Christ honoring endeavor.

This circumstance is an example of how God reveals his will to us. First, we are to obey what God has clearly commanded us in the Scriptures. As we are transformed by the renewing of our minds and the Spirit uses the Word of God to mold my thinking, I begin to assess situations with the mind of Christ. As I am obedient in these things I simply do what I desire to do. I truly believed that my highest form of obedience was to plant this church. I believe my motives were right. I believed that this would honor Christ more than anything else. However, God has other plans. In his perfect knowledge he has something better in store. He has kept me from this church plant for a reason, and though I do not see what that reason is currently, I know ultimately it is for my good and for his glory.

A lot of good has come from this church plant attempt. I have grown in godliness and faithfulness as a husband and father. Others have grown in their faith. People have been saved. All of our preparations were not done in vain, but were used to glorify Jesus. And for this reason I rejoice.

So, what now? I have no idea. I am applying to churches and putting my resume out there to see where God is taking us next. It could be anywhere in the country. I don't know what the future holds but I know this: God is good and God is in control. He has good plans for us for his glory, and I can rest in that truth.

Worshipping God Specifically

Working at Carpet One has afforded me the opportunity to listen to the radio. For many of us, the radio has become a thing of the past. Why listen to the radio when I can listen to a CD, or even better my iPod? I can even hit random and have my portable music device function as a radio, playing only songs that I approve of in some kind of arbitrary order. I have been driving the work truck to and from my job which does not have my CDs or my iPod in it. I am forced to listen to whatever I can find on the airwaves. The station I most frequently listen to is a well-known Christian radio station. This has given me the opportunity to hear what is popular in mainstream Christian music. What I have been hearing lately, however, I find unnerving.

The kind of worship songs that tend to be most popular are what I dub the “worship a generic God” songs. The focus on singing about God in a very generic sort of way. He’s a God who accepts me for me. He’s a God who frees us (though never specifically told freed from what or how we are freed.) He’s a God who loves and dances and sings over us. He’s a God who blesses, encourages, helps, supports, chases, and invites me. All of this is true and correct. However, I always come away from these songs feeling like there is something more than these generic pick-me-up God songs.

And in fact there is. You see, Christian worship is necessarily centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. We don’t worship God generically. We worship God specifically, revealed to us in the crucified and risen Jesus. For instance, the topics I listed above are indeed true, but only because of Jesus. For example, why does God accept me? Because Jesus died in my place, and has imputed or transfered to me his righteousness. How has God freed us and from what have we been freed? Jesus died on the cross so that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. I am free from the power of sin and death. How has God loved me? By sending his son to die for me. Why does God sing and dance over me? Because I am intimately connected to him through his son by the blood shed on the tree. Why does God chase me, and what does he invite me to do? To know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is uncool and offensive even in many “Christian” circles.

For the Christian, think to the songs that move you most. Aren't the songs we sing about Jesus, his death, and his resurrection for you the most moving, inspiring and glorious? These generic God worship songs fall flat compared to songs like “Sweetly Broken,” “In Christ Alone,” and “Overwhelmed.” A worship service where the Spirit is moving will be a worship service that is centered on the person and work of Jesus. Remember what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 4.2-3a, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” God honoring worship, that is, worshipping God in Spirit and truth, is focused on Jesus.

Philippians 2.5-11 gives us the reason that we worship Jesus, the name above all names: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Because Jesus, though he was God, became a man and obediently humbled himself to the point of death on a cross, God has “highly exalted him” and has given him “the name above every name.” Jesus is the center of exaltation and worship, because of his death on the cross. And also notice that it is not at the name of God generically that every knee bows and every tongue confesses, but at the name of Jesus, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One last thing I would like to mention in relation to these texts. Jesus centered worship never leaves the rest of the trinity out of the loop. Notice, confession that Jesus is Lord is to the Glory of God the Father. When we worship Jesus, the Father gets the glory. After all, he is the one who sent his son. He is the mastermind of history. Also, the worship of Jesus is empowered by the Spirit. It is the Spirit who enables the confession that Jesus, who came in the flesh, is Lord. Worship of Jesus is by definition then, Trinitarian worship.

So stop worshipping God generically, and fix your eyes upon Jesus.

Why the City of a Hundred Congregations Needs Another Church

I have been told that there are intersections in my town that have a church on every corner. While I am not 100% positive that this is true, there are areas I can think of that have at least three corners covered by church buildings. The church I currently attend has another church across the street. Every denomination under the sun is represented with multiple congregations. There is no shortage of para-church ministries and Christian preschools, day care centers, and private academies. Searching for churches on yahoo.com will bring up over 70 churches in Hemet and San Jacinto, which doesn't include the vast sea of churches that do not have any king of web presence. There are easily 100 churches meeting through out our valley through out the week. One could easily assume that Hemet and San Jacinto are "reached".

Now subtract from that number at least 10-15 congregations that are connected to different cults, such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and the like. Remove another 10-15 for Roman Catholic Congregations. Now subtract the vast majority from that new number all of the churches that are in decline, are predominately elderly (or 100% elderly), are theologically liberal, or are smaller than 30 and you are left with a handful of churches. Now subtract all of the churches that and have abandoned faithful biblical expository preaching, reaching a new generation for Christ, and the faithful proclamation of the gospel and you are left with a number you can count on one hand. There are over 150,000 people that live within this valley, most of which do not know Jesus Christ. So here are my reasons for planting a church in this valley at this time.

1. A desire to see Jesus Christ worshipped where he currently is not - there are thousands of people in our area who do not treasure Jesus Christ above all things. New churches are needed to bring about worship where there is currently no worship.

2. A desire to preach the gospel and the whole counsel of God - as so many churches have abandoned the gospel and the faithful preaching of the Scriptures, new churches are needed that will proclaim Jesus Christ and him crucified according to the Scriptures.

3. A desire to reach the next generation - most of the faithful congregations left in Hemet and San Jacinto tend to be older. Senior citizens fill most of these churches. Praise God for them! But, young adults and young families are not being reached to the same degree. New churches are needed to incarnate the gospel in this new and emerging culture.

4. A desire to encourage other congregations into faithfulness - many churches are stuck in a rut, stuck in their ways, or are unwilling to change. New churches are needed to encourage them to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and the proclamation of the gospel.

Lord willing we will start services on September 6th, 2009. There are several ways to be involved in this church before we begin meeting in September. First, there is a Bible Study taking place on Tuesday nights at my place, that will be transitioning into this church plant. Second, there will be a informational meeting at Hemet Valley Baptist Church on August 2nd, where we will answer questions, objections, or concerns. Thirdly, starting on August 16th and the following two Sundays we will be having meetings to teach those who are interested in joining the church our doctrine, church structures and ministry philosophies, and membership responsibilities. If you want information regarding any of this please contact me or Joe Slunaker. I am excited for what God is going to do through this new church and it is my prayer that you will be able to support this kingdom advancement, whether in prayer, with resources, or with participation.