“Consider why God formed us in the first place. As the self-sufficient God of the universe, he certainly had no unmet need in himself, so why did he create us?” -David Platt
In chapter 4 we see David dive into deep questions that form the root of our existence here on earth. He goes on to say that God “created each of us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth,” and he proposes “that anything less than radical devotion to this purpose is unbiblical Christianity” (Platt, 2010, pg. 64). He then questions if this, in turn, makes God selfish? He asks “how can God’s purpose be to exalt himself? …Whom else would we have him exalt?” (Pg. 71).
“As we explore what it means to be radically abandoned to Christ, I invite you simply to let your heart be gripped, maybe for the first time, by the biblical prospect that God has designed a radically global purpose for your life.” -David Platt
Questions to consider about chapter 4:
Regarding Scripture and God’s message, do we typically pick and choose the meaning and intent that we are comfortable with? Such as the “I’m not called” section.
What does David Platt mean by his statement that “We live in a church culture that has a dangerous tendency to disconnect the grace of God from the glory of God”? Are you disconnecting God’s Grace from His Glory? And, is the result a self-centered Christianity that bypasses the heart of God?
Platt, David. (2010). Radical. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Books
Platt begins the book comparing modern American Christianity with biblical first century Christianity. The three key differences can be seen in fervency in prayer, passion for God's Word, and complete dependence on the Holy Spirit. Not only do we need to have these three aspects in our churches, but it starts in us as individuals. We need to look at our own lives and focus on these priorities. How much are we willing to give up to make them a reality in our lives?
ReplyDeleteNow Platt seems to turn to a little more practical topic: the Why of God. Of all that God made, we alone were made in His image. We alone can enjoy a relationship with Him. We alone have the ability to disobey Him! God's purpose is that not only can we enjoy His grace in relationship, but our reflection of His grace would show His glory everywhere! I never thought about the separation of God's grace and glory. Does it really cause a self centered Christianity? Maybe we do talk much more about His grace than His glory. If we focused on God's glory, His awesome character, we would probably see ourselves more clearly and not be so self centered. We would realize how flawed we really are. How much we NEED His Holy Spirit. How little we really do know and understand. Maybe that gets us a little closer to the heart of God.
October 20, 2010 8:10 PM
PS My computer thinks I'm Bruce!
ReplyDeleteI think most people (and most churches) pick out verses that they want to focus on. I don’t think that’s necessarily wrong. However, we need to know God’s word in its entirety. We need to read every word. Know the books and who wrote them. I think it’s also good to know details about who wrote them and perhaps why the book was written. I don’t think ‘Blind Faith’ means that God wants us to just read His word and believe it without an understanding of the history behind the words. God gave us the Bible as a guide to live by. We should read into that guide as much as we can. So that when we are faced with questions about the Bible, we will be able to address the questions knowledgably. Too many Christians don’t have a true familiarity and understanding of the Bible. The Bible is one of the oldest books that we have today (not to mention a book people still die for) and it is sadly taken for granted here in America. When I speak about this, I mostly speak from personal experience. I am currently reading the Bible from beginning to end. I have realized that in between the lines of verses I have read before there is so much I have missed! I don’t think anyone can claim to know everything about God after reading the Bible, but we can learn and gain perception as much as humanly possible.
ReplyDeleteDavid Platt is correct in assuming that many Christians disconnect the grace of God from the glory of God. The result has been a self-centered Christianity. It is all about me…Me…ME!!! That’s why when something devastating happens many people fall away and curse God. They say ‘if God loves me, why would he allow this to happen’. All they seemed to hear from Christianity is how much God loves us. They focus on a God who loves THEM, who wants great things for THEM, a God who will lift THEM up. " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:22-24).
ReplyDeletePS ...is that you Mom (under Bruce) or is that really Daddy?
ReplyDeleteThis chapter was especially difficult, especially when Platt talked about the "I'm not called" excuse. I am one of those people who typically prays, "Lord, I'll do whatever you want me to, but please don't send me to Africa!" (I think I once heard a song with those lyrics.) I do truly believe that God created us each with different abilities and different personalities,however, and uses each of us in different ways to share the gospel. Over the years I have had other, more outgoing Christians try to make me feel guilty because I was not sharing the gospel in the same way that they do. I believe that if we stay in close fellowship with the Lord, He will give us a passion for the work that He has called us to do. I do see the need to be more fervent in prayer, passionate for the Word, and dependent on the Spirit. I wonder what great works God would do if I could be more fervent, passionate, and dependent on the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think all churches emphasize grace more than God's glory, but there are certainly some that have grown quite large because people flock to hear the pastor preach that it doesn't matter what you've done in your life...God can forgive you. (Kind of like the kids in my class who hit on their friends then use the excuse, "But I said 'Sorry.'" They flock to hear the message that says God wants you to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. They want to hear about what God can do for THEM. But, as Rick Warren said in The Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about me."
You both have made good points. Not every church focuses exclusively on God's goodness. But we do need to be wary of one that does. I don't think God calls each of us to go to Africa, nor should we feel guilty for not being led to go to Asia. We do need to be obedient to the call of God, whatever or where ever that may be. We also do need to know the Bible in its entirety. We can't ignore the hard parts, or think that because we haven't been called to go to another country that we haven't been called at all. God uses each of us in a variety of ways. When something seems beyond what we can do, we still need to be obedient to what God has called us to do and remember that the Holy Spirit works through us to accomplish what we can't! Then God gets all the credit for using the inadequate human that I am! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI hope you all haven't had as much trouble with this weeks blog as I have! This is actually the 6th time I have tried to write. Once it called me Bruce (you are right Sarah!) The next several it just wouldn't accept........???? I couldn't get signed in! Just realize that although we are facing obstacles of many kinds, we need to keep encouraging each other to be all that God wants us to be. We need to be "iron sharpening iron" for each other. You each mean a lot to me. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteHere is a quote from the sermon note for today's message at our church: "To be glorified means God is made manifest in all His splendor, by the church made up of redeemed sinners from all the nations of the earth as His masterpiece of grace." This statement seems to balance the message of God's grace with the importance of His glory. Perhaps our pastor has read David Platt's book, I hear that is was required reading for the youth who went on the missions trip to China.
ReplyDeleteWell, I posted something on here yesterday, but it didn't take.
ReplyDeleteI left my book at home, but I remember really liking this chapter and feeling challenged by it. I agree that not everyone is called to Africa or China, but I think his point is that deep in our hearts, we need to be willing... if that is where he calls us. I think as he pointed out, being called to a foreign or 3rd world country shouldn't be seen as punishment or a threat but as a blessing. To live is Christ and to die is gain. I think it would almost be easier if our lives were on the line for our faith. It's so easy in this country to get seduced by our affluence and comforts. The more affluence and comforts we have, the harder they are to give up. It's not that the things are bad... it's the hold they have on our lives... if we let them have a hold. I think God made us first and foremost for fellowship with Him, and the things in life can sometimes come between.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that came to my mind as I was reading this was the link with economics. Bear with me for a moment... we all hear about the "global economy" but it hardly ever really sinks home. I feel like in the same way that there's this economic global connection that nobody can 'see', that makes the spiritual connection even stronger and more real. Every day our money goes to other countries that suppress the gospel... every time we buy something made in China (which is almost everything now) we are supporting a communist government that is against Christ. Although we can't "see" directly, America and Europe are funding the rise of China through our desire for "stuff".
ReplyDeleteAnyway, when we break it down and can see the financial connection it's very discouraging and feels rather hopeless. BUT this chapter brought light to me that God is more powerful and if worldly ways can use our money for bad things, God can use our prayers, time, and our dedicated money for so much more!!!
Good point Kat about buying something made in China... I never really thought about it before in supporting a government against Christ. I just thought about it as a communist country where children are allowed to work (no child labor laws). Interesting point! Many Christians will boycott an American company for supporting gay rights, but shop at Walmart and buy things that they have no idea where they came from! (I know that's not where you were going with this but I do see how wide spread our world is...even though we don't realize it!)
ReplyDeleteBTW... I should get Chapter 5 up today or tomorrow!
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