Cafe' Artist of the Week
Kawanna Williams
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Thank God it's Monday.
In his book The Call, Oz Guiness describes two different perspectives of work. One he calls the Catholic Distortion, which suggests that there is a perfect will of God, and a permissive will of God. The perfect will refers to vocational church ministry, while the permissive will refers to other secular work. The latter is impliedly inferior to the first. Hence, to work in the marketplace is less of an act of worship to God.
On the other hand, the Protestant Distortion refers to the idea that one's work is worship. This idea began in the roaring 20s where Henry Ford called "work the salvation of the human race" and where President Coolidge declared, "The man who builds a factory builds a temple. ... The man who works there worships there."
Both views distort a biblical approach to work.
Jesus, our perfect model, worked almost 20 years in vocational secular work as a carpenter. This was God's perfect will for Him; it was not His permissive will. On the other hand, our work is to be done unto God, but work is not worship in itself. 1 Cor. 10:31.
Where do you find yourself?
Do you feel guilty working in the secular marketplace? Unless God is calling you elsewhere, which is the exception rather than the rule, you shouldn't. We are called to be "domestic missionaries." As we begin to see our job as a "vocation" rather than just a "job," God will begin to open opportunities for ministry and advancement. Ps. 1:1-3.
Or do you worship your work? We are called to be "salt" and "light," and ultimately agents of change in the marketplace. Work should not be an idol. Too often when we view work as a "job" we begin to worship the proceeds of that work: money and power. But as we view our jobs as a vocation, we realize that our job is not about us, but it is about others.
Thank God it's Monday.
On the other hand, the Protestant Distortion refers to the idea that one's work is worship. This idea began in the roaring 20s where Henry Ford called "work the salvation of the human race" and where President Coolidge declared, "The man who builds a factory builds a temple. ... The man who works there worships there."
Both views distort a biblical approach to work.
Jesus, our perfect model, worked almost 20 years in vocational secular work as a carpenter. This was God's perfect will for Him; it was not His permissive will. On the other hand, our work is to be done unto God, but work is not worship in itself. 1 Cor. 10:31.
Where do you find yourself?
Do you feel guilty working in the secular marketplace? Unless God is calling you elsewhere, which is the exception rather than the rule, you shouldn't. We are called to be "domestic missionaries." As we begin to see our job as a "vocation" rather than just a "job," God will begin to open opportunities for ministry and advancement. Ps. 1:1-3.
Or do you worship your work? We are called to be "salt" and "light," and ultimately agents of change in the marketplace. Work should not be an idol. Too often when we view work as a "job" we begin to worship the proceeds of that work: money and power. But as we view our jobs as a vocation, we realize that our job is not about us, but it is about others.
Thank God it's Monday.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
God's Sovereignty Over the Nations
I was thinking this week about how God works in governments and political processes in ways we often don’t understand. We need to pray, obey and vote but yet we can not forget there is also the invisible hand of God guiding history.
In the years leading up to the American Revolution, pulpits throughout the colonies were boldly declaring that succession from Britain was God’s will – with many encouraging armed resistance. However, there were also many pastors who felt such preaching of succession was simply rebellion and thus a violation of God’s clear command to honor authority in Romans 13.
Which side was God on?
In the Civil War, the South had a God-fearing, praying and humble general named Robert E. Lee, while the North had a hard drinking, arrogant, and secular general named Ulysses S. Grant. The North had the right cause but the South had an overtly Christian general.
Which general was pleasing to God? Think about it.
When I hear someone categorically declare that such and such candidate is God’s man or woman, I remember both biblical and secular history and realize we must always say such things with humility.
In the years leading up to the American Revolution, pulpits throughout the colonies were boldly declaring that succession from Britain was God’s will – with many encouraging armed resistance. However, there were also many pastors who felt such preaching of succession was simply rebellion and thus a violation of God’s clear command to honor authority in Romans 13.
Which side was God on?
In the Civil War, the South had a God-fearing, praying and humble general named Robert E. Lee, while the North had a hard drinking, arrogant, and secular general named Ulysses S. Grant. The North had the right cause but the South had an overtly Christian general.
Which general was pleasing to God? Think about it.
When I hear someone categorically declare that such and such candidate is God’s man or woman, I remember both biblical and secular history and realize we must always say such things with humility.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Prayer above the political fray
Today marks the beginning of the New Life Providence's Video Cafe at 10 discussion forum. This blog is a place to discuss current issues that are relevant to our faith and culture. Some will be related to the sermon, while others will be the 'hot buttons' of our times.
With the historic nomination of Barak Obama - age 47 - and the recent selection of Sarah Palin - age 44 - as the vice presidential candidate with John McCain, there has never been a presidential election with such intense focus on the igeneration as 2008. This election is marked by both the first African American candidate as well as the first Republican woman VP hopeful. At the same time each party is struggling to shape its identity and define its relationship with religion and faith. Religion again plays a central role in the American voting conscience as illustrate by the recent forum at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.
The question I want to pose is "What should the role of the church be in politics?" Most knows that God "raises up kings and and kingdoms and brings them down", but what does that mean in practical terms for the local church? How does God's sovereignty relate to man's obedience to vote or pray? We are encouraged by Paul to pray for those in authority, yet how are we supposed to pray? Many Christians hold a deep conviction about whom they should vote for, so if I feel convicted to pray for my candidate should I pray against the others? The questions could go on and on...
So tell me what you think?
Pastor Dan
With the historic nomination of Barak Obama - age 47 - and the recent selection of Sarah Palin - age 44 - as the vice presidential candidate with John McCain, there has never been a presidential election with such intense focus on the igeneration as 2008. This election is marked by both the first African American candidate as well as the first Republican woman VP hopeful. At the same time each party is struggling to shape its identity and define its relationship with religion and faith. Religion again plays a central role in the American voting conscience as illustrate by the recent forum at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church.
The question I want to pose is "What should the role of the church be in politics?" Most knows that God "raises up kings and and kingdoms and brings them down", but what does that mean in practical terms for the local church? How does God's sovereignty relate to man's obedience to vote or pray? We are encouraged by Paul to pray for those in authority, yet how are we supposed to pray? Many Christians hold a deep conviction about whom they should vote for, so if I feel convicted to pray for my candidate should I pray against the others? The questions could go on and on...
So tell me what you think?
Pastor Dan
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