God as Love (Systematic Theology I Short Paper)

Introduction

Who can understand the mystery of God’s love? We cannot fathom the depths of this truth, though love is easily considered His most famous attribute. It is easy to sanction the love of the Father when we understand it to be personally true. The great mystery of the Creator is that He loves at all times, unmeasurably, even when we cannot see it or attest to it. 

A God of Love

His Love Manifested in Creation

His love is manifested in infinite ways. The Father shows us His love through creation. A perfect God who could be content to Himself chose to create. He gave the earth order and purpose in his design. He had plans and purpose for mankind before they were even birthed. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds the believer, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 This is the measure of love that the Father has toward his children.

His Love Manifested as Providence

His love is evidenced to us through His providence. Many testimonies of dedicated believers can arouse worship to the Almighty through His providence.  It is providence when God’s love is evidenced in his provision for the needs of His children, in terms we would understand as coincidences. 

Unexpected miracles, undoubtedly supernatural circumstances, are embedded in history. The Old Testament contains countless instances of God’s providence. The Lord God was working behind the scenes in Esther, carefully weaving the events together to bring a story that glorifies his provision for His people. So many coincidences occur that only the omniscient designer could be responsible. He had instigated enmity between Mordecai and Haman. He had prepared Esther to be the Queen among hundreds of other candidates. He had caused insomnia in King Ahasuerus so that his servants would read him boring minute details, and just happen to run across the account of faithfulness in Mordecai. 

The prophet Isaiah 46:9-10 reminds us, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 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.’” Providence is a measure of His love. 

His Love Manifested in the Sacrifice of His Son

His love is ultimately substantiated in the sacrifice of His son. This is the absolute highest measure of the love of the Father. The first revealing of this is in the act of God the Father giving his only son. What an extravagant act. For any fleshly father with love for his son it would be indisputably impossible. The second revealing of the Father is in the act of sending His only son. He sent his only son, a pure and righteous being, to a world drenched in sin, shame, greed, idolatry, and evil. He did this to show His love towards sinners made in His own image. 

The third revealing is in Christ becoming the propitiation for our sins. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (I John 4:10). Hallelujah! What a God of Love! He sent his pure son to us to save us from ourselves! The fourth revealing of the God of Love is in his plan to give us the freedom to chose forgiveness and redemption. We were once dead and in darkness, but the Most High gave us freedom and life in His light.

It is the very nature of the Creator to reveal Himself in these ways because it defines His character. It is the only explanation for these acts of service towards a finite and undeserving people.

His Love Manifested for All Mankind

His love is manifested through creation, providence, the sacrifice of His son and finally in His children. Christ became our advocate. ... He gave us the privilege of having access to Him. He tore the veil, and we can lift up our prayers to Him and He hears us. What other worshippers can boast of that from their gods? Our father hears our prayers and cares for us. He knows us by name and takes care of our every need, even more than the birds of the air. The loving Father has sent us a comforter, the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the believer in the physical absence of the Christ. The Holy Spirit directs are minds and actions towards Heaven.

The precious love of the Most High God has saved us from the bondages of sin and destruction. In our iniquity and shame He made a way to secure our very souls. When we call upon His name and believe in Him we are saved through His ever abounding grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved from the penalty of sin.

As faithful Christians we continue to work on our salvation. The Holy Spirit frees us from the power of sin. It has no hold on the us. We can call upon the name of the Lord and he will deliver us from our temptations. He has always provided a means of escape for us. How gracious he is to us.

When Christ returns we will be saved from the repulsive presence of sin and will be swept into the glory of Heaven. Matthew 5:10-12 conveys our reward, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Application

Having a deeper working knowledge of the heights and depths of God’s love we one correct response available to us. We must show the love of God to the rest of the hurting world. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) commands us to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This is the picture of God’s love manifested towards others. As Christ was concluding His ministry here on earth he emphasized love, love, love. He instructed us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Now we realize that we are born of God, being made in His image, the image of love. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also out to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (I John 4:11-12). The love in us drives out the fear, and we are able to shine clearly the light of God’s love for mankind. When we react to a harsh situation kindly, we are professing the love of Christ. When we are angry and do not sin, we are picturing the forgiveness of a loving God for a generation that does not know to care. When we care for each other, the widows, the orphans, the homeless, the hurting, the angry, the wild, the lonely, the destitute, we are emptied vessels transferring the love and hope of the Father to those whom he cares for. Love is the only thing strong enough to awaken the deadness in the desolate hearts of men.

Conclusion

An infinite God has chosen to create and love a degenerate world. Some may blame him, and attribute to him wickedness and cruelty for allowing homicides, genocides, wars, and personal pain. But the God of Love, who is Love, whose character reflects love, who has embodied love, has entrusted this world with the mystery of His love. He allowed sinners to have a free will and to chose to love Him back. And the only way this could happen was if we could understand that we are desperate need of Him, of His love. He has hidden infinite clues throughout his creation, through his people, and through the testimonies of His children. His story points to his ultimate sacrifices for love, to gain our attention, to share our passion for pursuing love to others, that they may know Him also. It is our duty to share with others living in darkness the keys to the mysteries of love that we have unlocked. With God working in us and through our lives we can be a part of unlocking the bondage that sin has on us. 

Sources Consulted

Fisher, David A. “Teaching God's Providence in History.” Christian Curriculum, Music, Distance Learning, & Books | BJU Press. Fisher, David A. “Teaching God's Providence in History | Articles | Resources | BJU Press.” Christian Curriculum, Music, Distance Learning, & Books | BJU Press. http://www.bjupress.com/resources/articles/t2t/teaching-gods-providence-in-history.php (accessed March 23, 2011). 

Lloyd-Jones, David Martyn. The Love of God. Vol. 4 of Life in Christ : Studies in 1 John. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1994.

Steele, Daniel. “Love Revealed.” In Love Enthroned. Salem, 15. Salem, OH: Convention Bookstore Publications, Schmul, 1977-1961.

Discipleship in the Church

agree/disagree position paper on the statement by Aubrey Malphur "attempts to reach everyone in general will reach no one in particular. once your church's culture is set, you'll exclude some people. this can't be helped."


 Homework II

I would disagree with Mr. Malphur’s statement that a church cannot reach everyone. It would seem like a faithless statement. It is likely to be factually correct that a variety of churches today try to reach every social type and fail. In any social structure seeking growth, even secular centers, it is impossible to include everyone and to reach everyone. 

The most excellent public relations teams have tried in every way imaginable to reach prospective audiences of all types to promote their product.These teams of experts focus on specific demographics and target strengths and weaknesses and are often times rewarded with monetary success in relation to their knowledge of man’s desires. If a church today was to desire to be the most inclusive center of worship they may perhaps hold meetings where department heads would seek the newest and latest and greatest tactics and techniques to reach new souls, to change lives, and to add to the offering plate. They will never have everyone’s captive attention however, as there will always be doubters.

In that situation I would agree with Mr. Malphurs, that once a church’s culture was set it would be inevitable to exclude people. Trying to reach everyone will weary the laborer and in turn set the culture of the church up to eventually exclude people.

However, unlike the socials systems of the world, the ones hiring the biggest and baddest public relations teams, the true church has an unmatchable advantage. The church has the Creator on their side, the ultimate in creativity. The Most High is more knowledgeable on the desires of men’s hearts than any public relations team could ever examine. The Holy Spirit can draw men like magnets, and pull at their inmost longings better than any ad campaign every could. 

The culture of the church must rely on one thing, because Mr. Malphur’s is right to give this proclamation so much weight. The one thing that the culture must be based on is to glorify God and to preach the Word. The church cannot have a single grain of pride in their leadership, or any teaspoon of self-promotion. The church cannot compete with the world when it offers the same things that world offers, because the world will always win. The church cannot be degraded to just a social structure with an active daycare center, a delicious coffee bar, a poppin music party, or a book club. That is when the church has lost it’s focus. 

A church that is solely devoted to preaching the Word of God, to reaching the hurting world solely with the love that Christ has lavished on our degenerate hearts, is the church with a Biblical culture in mind. The love of the Father is the absolute best public relations tool ever known to man. It is this love that compels his followers in the church to want to share with every social type, to encourage them to pursue the Truth, and to attend a church that is only interested in serving the Almighty.

It is time that universal church stops competing with the world to put God in a box. He is able and more than capable to draw men unto Himself, he does not need the world’s ideas and solutions to change man’s hearts. A church that has full faith in the power of the Holy Spirit cannot exclude anyone from His Love. All are called out of the darkness and into the Light. Yes, the church will exclude people as a social system, but as the bride of Christ, it is clearly evident that a church of any size could pursue righteousness and reach numbers larger than the thousands in the book of Acts, simply because of the unfailing power of God.

Theo

Homework I

The Creator is perfect, complete, unchanging, everlasting, and majestic, and all of creation glorifies him. Jehovah Jireh provides for His sheep as the Great Shepherd. This Sovereign is the Redeemer for his flock, the compassionate Comforter, the absolute Almighty, and the Holy Healer. He is the Divine Didactic, with uncontainable wisdom and overwhelming omniscience.  The King of Kings is long suffering, fair, blameless, glorious, just, self sufficient, and personal. My Father in Heaven is the Great I AM, He is my Counselor, Deliverer, Judge, Shelter and Shield.

NT Dictionary Terms

1. Herod Antipas: the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. He was the second son of Herod the Great. He ruled from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He had several construction products, most importantly would be the capital Tiberias. The Gospel of Luke mentions Herod Antipas when Pontius Pilate hands Jesus over to Antipas, who hands him back over to Pilate. (IVP Jesus and the Gospels, p. 322-323)

1. Ananias: a personal name that means “Yahweh has dealt graciously.” Ananias refers to three individuals in the New Testament. The first is a spouse to Sapphira, who sold private property and deceitfully said they were giving all proceeds to the church. He was struck dead. The second was a disciple who lived in the city of Damascus who helped Saul’s conversion. The third Ananias was a Jewish high priest and president of the Sanhedrin when Paul was tried. (Holmans, p. 64)

1. Water Baptism: except when used metaphorically, baptism is always associated with water. Baptism comes from the word baptizo which means “immerse.” It symbolizes the removal of guilt, cleansing, and a new start. It is held as an outward sign of an inward change of the heart, as a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as savior. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection. (Holmans, p. 167-168)

1. Caesar Augustus: meaning “reverend”, a name given to Octavian. He ruled Rome during the birth of Jesus. He was the ruler that ordered the taxation that brought Joseph to Bethlehem. He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar and gained power after his death. He defeated Antony and Cleopatra. He was highly esteemed of the roman senate. (Holmans, p. 145)

1. Centurion: an officer in the Roman army, usually in command of 100 soldiers. They were usually career soldiers. They were looked at favorably in several instances in Gospels: One centurion came to Jesus to heal his servant, another one identified Christ as the Son of God at the crucifixion. Another centurion, Cornelius, was converted and began an outreach to the Gentiles. (Holmans, p. 275-6)

1. Crucifixion: a method of execution in the ancient cultures. It was one of the most heinous ways to die since death came so torturously slow. It was always a public affair, and subjected the criminal to ridicule, no proper burial, and to be carrion for the birds. Romans usually flogged first, hammered nails into arms that were extended and raised up. Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion. This form of punishment was reserved for those of lowly status, criminals, slaves, and foreigners. (IVP Background, p. 147-149)

1. King Herod the Great: ruled in Rome from 37-4 BC. He was an Idumean, but was never accepted among Jews. He tried to marry a Jewess, Miramne, and loved her deeply. Because he was so paranoid he had her executed. As a roman official he was an efficient administrator, but also cruel and merciless. Jesus was born during his reign. Due to his paranoia Herod had all the male babies executed  at the time of Jesus’ birth. (Holmans, p.833)

1. Devil: the devil is known as the chief enemy(ies) of God, Jesus and the establishment of the kingdom. The devil is the primary leader of the devils or demons and were created and are controlled by God. The devil, or Satan, maintains the ultimate goal to separate people from God. (IVP Jesus and the Gospels, p. 163-171)

1. Gentile: all men that are not of Jewish descent. They are considered sinful by Jews. (IVP Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, p. 261-263). It refers to a different race or territory or religion. Israelites were restricted from intermarriage with Gentiles. In the New Testament Jesus makes clear that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles. (Holmans, p. 638)

1. Hell: known as Sheol. It is usually referred to as downwards, with darkness. It is a place for dead, as a grave of eternal punishment and damnation. It is sometimes attributed to Gehenna, a deep valley of Hinnon, as a scene of future carnage. Gehenna was one of seven things created before the world. The valley connotates levels of Hell. (Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, p. 309-312)

1. Jew: Those Israelites that had derived from the line of Judah, or even the tribe of Benjamin after the exilic period. They maintain the covenant promises that were made to the Israelites as God’s chosen nation. They look forward to the coming of the Messiah to save them, though few Jews believe that He has already come. (Holmans, p. 920)

1. Messiah: Messiah literally means “anointed one”, and expresses God’s divine purposes being instilled in certain individuals. Through Jeremiah and Ezekiel Israelites believed in the coming of a royal and priestly divinely purposed individual who would save the Israelites literally. After Jesus’ death and resurrection it was more clearly understood the true terms of His messiahship as a savior of souls, not just a physical deliverer. (Holmans, p. 1111-1115) 

1. Parable: stories that contain pictures, metaphors, or similes that provide a vision of life in God’s kingdom. The broad story conveys many implications but it only has one main point, as opposed to an allegory, which can have several different meanings disclosed by several different comparisons. Parables were also used prior to Jesus and were understood as a literary expression. (Holmans, p. 1244-1246)

1. Pharisee: A member of one of the largest Jewish Parties in the New Testament. Pharisee means “Separated one.” They controlled the synagogues and had a heavy influence over the Jewish population. They separated themselves to study and interpret the law, and were the primary teachers of the law who promoted obedience to God as primarily through following the law than through offering sacrifices. They held the OT as an ultimate authority and understood God to have a concern for man. (Holmans, p. 916-917)

1. Rabbi: A title applied to teachers or those in high position literally meaning “my master.” Jesus forbid the use of rabbi among his disciples, keeping the name separated for himself. He emphasized the use of Lord, to draw away from the simple context of teaching; he was also their Lord and master. (Holmans, p.1360)

1. Roman: pertaining to the Empire of Rome. Roman citizens treated Judaism with tolerance, perhaps out of respect for their long-standing religion. They exempted the Jews from the required idol-worship. Romans encouraged a spirit of diverse integration of cultures and religions. They maintained their authority but they let the regions have their own identity. (IVP Backgrounds, p. 172-173)

1. Caiaphas: The high priest  during Jesus’ time. His name literally means “rock” or “depression”. He served as high priest from A.D. 18 to A.D. 36/37. He was primary leader in the plans to arrest and execute Jesus. Caiaphas was the high priest during Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. He was the son-in-law of Annas. (Holmans, p. 249)

1. Sadducee: A sadducee was a member of the Sadducees, one of the most influential Jewish parties in the New Testament. They were composed of the wealthy and priestly families and were in charge of temple, temple services, and concessions. They opposed the oral law but accepted the Pentateuch as the authority. They did not believe in eternal life and emphasized materialism in the current life since there is no later life. They were also strong opposers to Jesus and his ministry (Holmans, p. 917)

1. Samaritan: a Samaritan referred to the Samaritans  who were from the Northern Kingdom, the area in the central region of Palestine with Galilee to the North and Judea to the South. Several Jews intermarried with Samaritans, who worshipped foreign gods. They were no longer accepted with the other Jews when it was time to rebuild Jerusalem.They accept the Pentateuch as authority and continued to worship at Mount Gerizim. (Holmans, p. 1436)

1. Synagogue: a synagogue was a local place of worship and instruction for Jews. They had their beginnings after the destruction of Solomon’s temple. Most communities had at least one synagogue if not more. They were supervised by local elders who cared for the building and participated in services. A regular service would be as follows: the recitation of the Shema, prayers, Scripture reading from the law and prophets, a sermon, and a benediction. (Holmans, p.1545) 

1. Tax Collector: also known as a Publican, tax collectors were the lowest ranking employees of Rome. Most often tax collectors were Roman, however some were Jewish, like Zacchaeus. Publicans would collect money from the people and tack on an extra fee so that they might exact a profit from the citizens, thus they were considered to be like harlots. (Holmans, p. 1349)

1. Second Temple Period: The period during the time of the second temple. It concludes Old Testament history and starts the intertestamental period. This period was when the Jews were allowed to return from Babylon to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Nehemiah.The Jewish community was reestablished and they were able to continue their worship. (Holmans, p. 829)

1. Sanhedrin: the Sanhedrin was a Jewish council. It was presided over by the high priest and contained both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There were usually 70 members, Jewish tradition says that Moses appointed the original 70 members and that Ezra reorganized the entity. This council had the power to hold trials and issue arrests, but it is unlikely that they could condemn people to death, as they could not with Jesus. (Holmans, p. 1445)

1. Simon Peter:  was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and part of the inner three. He was known as Simon or Simeon but Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “rock.” He was a Galilean fisherman and was married. He was a leader for the disciples and helped establish the early church, but did not emerge as the leader. He wrote several books of the Bible. (Holmans, p. 1281-2)

1. Bartholomew: one of the twelve disciples. He appears in four different lists of the disciples, but not at all in John. Although he carries many similarities to the Nathanael. Traditionally, Nathanael and Bartholomew are held as one and the same. If so, then Nathanael was famous for asking what good could come out of Nazareth. (Holmans, p. 173, 1176)

1. Thomas: one of the first 12 disciples of Jesus. His name means “a twin.” The apocrypha holds a book titled The Acts of the Thomas. He had much skepticism and is known by the name “Doubting Thomas.” Once he had evidence of Jesus resurrection he confessed his faith wholeheartedly. (Holmans, p. 1592)

1. James, the Younger: the son of Alphaeus and one of the twelve disciples. His mother was among the women at Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb. He is not really distinguished in the Gospels. (Holmans, p. 866)

1. Thaddeus: perhaps one of the disciples listed after James the Younger. His name means “gift of God” in Greek, but “breast” in Hebrew or Aramaic (Holmans, p.1578). He is also called the son of James and may have been known as Judas and/or Labbaeus Thaddaeus. (Holmans, p. 959)

1. Simon the Zealot: one of Jesus’ disciples called “the Canaanite” (Matt 10:4) or the Zealot in Luke 6:15. (Holmans, p. 1504)

1. Paul: a prominent figure in the New Testament. He was a missionary, a theologian, and the authored twenty-five per cent of the New Testament. He was born a “Jew of Jews” from the tribe of Benjamin. He grew up in Jerusalem and knew the religion inside and out. He was a tentmaker by trade and held Roman citizenship. Before his conversion he was know as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians. (Holmans, p. 1254-8)

1. Andrew: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, originally a disciple of John the Baptist. He followed Christ and brought his brother, Simon, to him. He was a fisherman. He is the disciple that found the boy that had five loaves and two fish. According to extra-biblical texts he is a leader in the early church. (Holmans, p. 66)

1. Philip (the disciple): one of the twelve disciples of Christ. Jesus asked him how to feed the multitude. He brought inquiring Gentiles to Jesus. His query to Jesus to “show him the Father” opened up Christ’s discourse that to see Jesus was to see the Father himself. (Holmans, p. 1288)

1. James, Son of Zebedee: one of the twelve disciples of Christ and part of the inner three. He was a brother of John. He was present with the inner three at three key events: the raising of Jarius’ daughter, the transfiguration, and for support for Jesus in Gethsemane. James and John were known as the “Sons of Thunder” and had great zeal. Their mother inquired on her son’s place of heirarchy in Heaven. He was executed under Herod Agrippa. (Holmans, p.866)

1. Matthew: one of the twelve disciples of Christ. He is also known as Levi. He was a tax collector, thus hated by his fellow Jews. He is also the son of Alphaeus, perhaps the half brother to James the son of Alphaeus. He was a record keeper and a researcher. It is widely held and accepted by the early church that he was the author of The Gospel of Matthew. (Holmans, p. 1090-1091)

1. John, Son of Zebedee: one of the twelve disciples of Christ, and part of the inner three. He was the brother of James the Son of Zebedee and thus one of the “Sons of Thunder.” He was also a fisherman. He was one of the disciples who were sent to prepare the Passover meal for Christ and the disciples. He spoke boldly about the message of the Gospel. He may be the disciple who laid on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper. It is widely held by the early church and by Iraneus that he was the author of the Gospel of John, three letters, and maybe Revelation. (Holmans, p. 931-2)

1. Judas Iscariot: always the last mentioned in the list of twelve disciples. Iscariot means “man of Kerioth”, the town near Hebron, and was the only disciple from Judea. He was the treasurer for the disciples despite his reputation as a thief. Christ predicted his betrayal at the last supper. He sold Jesus to for thirty pieces of silver to the Jewish leaders. Following his traitor ship he hung himself. (Holmans, p. 959)
2. Sources Consulted

Evans, Craig A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series). Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2000. 

Draper, Charles W., ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Revised ed. Edited by Charles W. Draper, Chad Brand and Archie England. Nashville, TN: Holman Publishers, 2003.

Green, Joel B. et al (eds.), Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: 

InterVarsity, 1992.

OT: Character Sketch of Joseph

CHARACTER SKETCH OF JOSEPH

Old Testament History and Literature

1. What The Scripture Says About Joseph
1. Major Events
2. Scripture’s Evaluation of Joseph
2. How Joseph’s Life is an Example for Christians
1. Joseph’s Leadership Qualities
2. How Joseph’s Story Applies to Christians

What the Scriptures Say About Joseph

Major Events

The story of Joseph is found in Genesis 37-50. He is seventeen when Scripture begins to detail his story. Joseph is one of two sons of Jacob (Israel) and Rachel, and he had ten half brothers. He was a shepherd, and his father’s favorite. Jacob had made Joseph a coat of many colors, and his brothers were sorely jealous. Joseph would have dreams that implied that his brothers and parents would serve him one day, and this added fuel to the fire for the brothers. One day they sought to exact their revenge on Joseph, and threw him into a pit with no water. Not long after, the bitter brothers sold Joseph into slavery for silver, and connived a story for their father that Joseph had been devoured by a wild animals.

Joseph finds himself in Egypt and works diligently for Potiphar, a prominent Egyptian. He did well there, and was put over all the Potiphar owned. While he was away, Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph, but he escaped from her. She was very cunning and powerful, however, and had convinced her household and husband that Joseph had tried to persuade her. Joseph was thrown into prison. While in prison he interpreted dreams for the Pharaoh’s household staff. Pharaoh had a fitful dream and called upon Joseph to interpret it. Joseph predicted the rise and fall of nations and of feast and famine in the land. Pharaoh was so impressed that he promoted Joseph to oversee the abundance of the land to be stored for the famine. At the close of Genesis 41, Joseph is indeed very powerful and successful in Egypt.

During the famine, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for supplies. Joseph does not let on his identity but tests them. He sends the brothers back for Benjamin to see the veracity of their story. He also tests them by hiding “stolen” money and items in their grain sacks. Finally the brothers pass all tests of character and it is a very touching moment when Joseph weeps with joy as he reveals himself to his brothers. He blesses them abundantly and sends for his father and makes arrangements to provide for his entire family to move to the land of Goshen in Egypt.

Scripture’s Evaluation of Joseph

The Bible portrays Joseph as a diligent worker, a discerning follower, and a benevolent brother. Joseph’s diligence is shown as soon has he introduced in Scripture. As a shepherd he took his job seriously and reported to his father, his overseer, of his brothers’ indolence in the fields. Joseph also started out as a slave in Egypt and worked his way up to the master of prominent Potiphar’s household. Again Joseph found himself in the pit again as he is in the Egyptian jail, but not for long. By God’s sovereignty he is promoted from the lowly prisoner to second in command over all of the land. Joseph’s work ethic was to do what God gave to him with diligence!

As a discerning follower of YHWH, Joseph’s mind was attuned to Him. When God have Joseph dreams, he did not second guess himself. He recognized it as a gift from the Almighty and used it to His glory.

Being a benevolent brother must have been very hard for Joseph. He knew his worth and value, but his brothers did not. They treated him with the dishonorably, and had hurt Joseph deeply. When they are finally reunited, one would notice that Joseph does not immediately run into their arms. He has to test their remorse. When he realized that his brothers’ hearts were changed, he finally revealed himself to them with his whole heart. Out of his benevolence and forgiveness he provides for their needs, and allotted a place for them in Egypt.

How Joseph’s Life is an Example for Christians

Joseph’s Leadership Qualities

God formed Joseph in to a leader that had essentially saved both Israel and Egypt. Because Joseph listened to God, he did not fail when he was sent to Egypt. In a land that was completely foreign to Him, he obeyed God’s voice and prospered. Genesis 45:7-8 says “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God”. God gave Joseph character, faith, and a vision.

Joseph built up character through the hardships he faced. His brothers hated him, his father hushed him, his family washed their hands of him, his master’s wife tricked him, and he was forgotten by those whom he had helped in prison. Through all of this Joseph was stripped so that he was only able to rely on God to see him through, to deliver him. And he was obedient.

Another leadership quality that Joseph had was integrity. He could not lie to his father about the shepherding style of his brothers. He wanted his father to prosper with the least bit of waste. Joseph also showed integrity when he refused Potiphar’s wife. We know this must have been a difficult position for Joseph, but because he had already set his mind to following God, he did not fall to her advances.

The last leadership quality that Joseph had was vision. Joseph was a careful planner. He had long term goals and ideas that were will constructed and accurate. When Pharaoh asked him for advice, Joseph responded with a clear plan. He had a strategy for the famine to come. When he sent his brothers for his family to move to Egypt, Joseph had a proposition ready to make the move easiest for them. 

How Joseph’s Story Applies to Christians

Joseph’s story has an abundance of practical truths for Christians. It also contains a few keys for parents. First, it is important not to pick favorites from one’s children. Second, It is important, however, to spend time with one’s children to instill in them a knowledge of the Holy One, and to listen to His voice. At the age of seventeen Joseph already understood this. 

Third, Christians must be diligent with the work that the Father has given them. This is a testimony of His goodness, and he will bless the efforts of his children. Fourth, Christians must have a mindset that reflect’s God’s character, and they must stick to it. If Joseph had not guarded himself against temptation, he would have been at the mercy of Potiphar’s wife. Fifth, It is important to know your spiritual gift, and to use it for the glory of the Father. Joseph knew that his dreams were from the Lord, and utilized it to further God’s kingdom. 

The last thing that Christians can learn from the story of Joseph is forgiveness. If Joseph did not learn to forgive his brothers, he would have missed out on the blessings of having a family surrounding and supporting him. He would have also been out of God’s will, since He had divinely purposed for Israel to move to Egypt for provision.

Book Critique: The Knowledge of the Holy (Tozer)

This book has inspired me to open my mind to the complexity of the Almighty God. The Knowledge of the Holy impresses the reader with the absolute magnitude of an infinite God. It encourages the reader to explore the details of His intricate personality to the greatest extent that created beings could discover. This book does not just gloss over well-read descriptions. The text brings new and old adjectives to light, makes point of new concepts, and defines terms in such a way that it only brings more glory to the Most High.

The beginning of the book emphasizes the importance of knowing who God is. Of course when we assume that God is a god that he had the highest score in every single aspect, and we do well to think that highly of Him. However, God is not just the Great One, he is infinitely higher than we can imagine, and higher than it is possible to imagine, as the word “infinite” suggests. Our knowledge of our Father is directly correlated with the how we react to Him, and to how we allow Him to work through us to others. When we know that our God is more powerful and just than anything we can imagine, then we can believe that for ourselves and hold on to the promise that He will never change. This translates to knowing that we have power through Christ, and that his omnipotence can more than tackle any struggle that we have.

The text also stresses how incomprehensible God is to us, and why is encouraging to us. As finite creature we attempt to put a label on God, to wonder about Him based on our own experiences and learning attitudes. We “judge” the Creator based on our own report cards. Tozer stresses that this is a very grave thing; it is imperative that we understand that a Great and Holy God has an eternal personality that will be impossible for us to grasp, much less question. It is clear that our providential Father has used Tozer to renew Holiness to His names.

Discipleship in the Church: Position Paper (Hmk #1)

Sara DeVol

Box 161

Discipleship in the Church

February 7, 2011

There Are More Christians Than Disciples In the Church

The tragedy in our churches today is the lack of disciples being raised up from the multitudes of christians. Even more disheartening is that those believers in Christ, who had never been truly discipled, are content to bask in the glamour of the gospel; they accept Jesus into their hearts and take advantage of God for all that He can do for them. These believers have not yet captured the intensity of the great commission, and have yet to empty themselves to be used as God’s vessels. How sorrowful it is that so many believers listen to sermons week after week and are still like the newly born babes in Christ that are described in 2 Peter; they are seeking and longing for the nourishing milk of the Word, but have not put away their hypocrisy, deceit, and slander. Who will feed them if we have no disciples ready to meet the spiritual needs that new christians require?

The hundreds of congregations that meet every sunday are full to the brim with worship leaders, pastors, youth workers, evangelists, ushers, deacons, and board members, women’s ministry leaders, children’s clubs, and other ministries. These churches give altar calls, hold revivals, and pass out conversion cards and Bibles and reap a harvest of new believers. They have the workers, they have the means, and they even have the message of Christ and the power of His sacrifice, but the church today lacks trainers and mentors willing sacrifice the precious time it takes to invest in new believers.

An article recently written titled “Where Have All the Converts Gone?” states that of the new converts to christianity, less than one out of ten of them will stay in church. These new christians have not only heard of the gospel message, but have responded positively by accepting Christ into their hearts. Half of the battle has already been won by then! Where church members need to step up next is in truly involving these new believers into their lives. Jesus himself simply called his twelve disciples to just follow Him; and although he taught them many things, he mostly taught them with his actions. The disciples learned the love of God by being followers of Him. In the same manner we are to show new christians how to “follow” us. This means more than pointing out a reading plan for new believers; this means that we make one on one connections with them. This means taking time out of our busy schedules to learn their names, the struggles they go through, to pray for them, and to show them how to live righteously so that they might be effective in discipling others some day. 

It is to the distress of the kingdom that these new believers are not sought after with diligence to be discipled in their new faith. They need to be taught more than the salvation message. They need to be closely guided and mentored through the storms that lay directly ahead of them. They must learn how to thoroughly search the scriptures and to defend their faith. They need to be filled with the holy spirit, and to receive the baptism of the holy spirit. They to learn to seek after God, to humble themselves before him and to pray for his provision and protection. They must learn how to fast and pray. They have to learn the love of the Father, and how to share their faith with others. They have to be baptized. Properly trained disciples are the fruit of the church. They are the testament to the faith that we believe in. When they learn to abide in Christ, their will be full, and they will be spilling out with the love of Christ. When a true disciple of Christ is living the faith set out before them it creates a powerful reaction: more people will be interested in having changed hearts, and even more lives will be changed.