the age-old issue

Through quite a number of good quality conversations with my brother Rob, I have decided to write for myself a 'position statement' for predestination. I wonder how long this will stand before I'm forced to rewrite:

First and foremost, God chooses some to be his people. The means by which his Chosen are received, is by them hearing the message of our Saviour and Lord Jesus preached, and then responding by a real decision. So God works through real decisions, in which we fully have the power to say yes or no.

It would stand then, that if God has chosen you, you WILL say yes, but because God works through real life and real choices, your acceptance was totally what you wanted to do, that is, you willed it, desired it, yearned for it. At this point, it's important to remember that God's 'mind' is infinitely about our own, and ultimately his 'decision' will come to pass. That is to say, our mind is not (at all) on the same level or above God's, so in no way is it possible to override His 'decision'.

Finally, if God chooses you to be His, you will always be His and never fall away. But the only true sign of having been chosen is by the perseverance of faith. In effect: if you die having still believed, you could say with surety that you are chosen (so until then, stand-fast!).

It's late now, but hopefully soon I'll add some Bible references. Also, I'm assuming there's a WHOLE lot more to cover in regards to predestination... but this position stand satisfies the extent of my knowledge at this point in time.

If you read this and disagree or have any thoughts or something important to add, please comment... otherwise I'll just (naively) rest assured that I've solved what was the perennial dividing-line between Christians of yester-year :)

Leading the service

To keep a track of what I learn, I thought I'd make a few notes for next time:

• In the intro, possibly lay 'a seed' to ponder, in regards to the topic for the sermon
  
• Leading the service can require 'sign posts' in which we direct the people as to what's happening next, and possibly why. I could do a few more of those. Because, as John Forsyth would say, "the leader may as well lead" :)
• End clearly. End the service with clear instructions as to what's next and what to ponder during the week
  
• Speak a bit slower
  

This list may be added/revised on Thursday after meeting with one of my 'followers' who is really my leader, John... or Trent, who is yet to 'follow' (who, again, is my leader :)

Extra note- I am against exact procedures/communication 'techniques' that people think they should follow to be a good communicator (at least for a contemporary service). A line of thinking such as, 'if I use more hand gestures, it'll be much more effective', or 'If I look at my notes 10 times, that should give a good balance of 'freedom-from-notes' but also assure them I'm being guided by notes' etc etc.

Maybe these aren't great examples, but I've heard a few pieces of advice like these that try to pin-point a set of 'to-do' communication techniques. There are certainly helpful things that one should keep in mind, but some things get too much into the micro- side of things. Just lead as you feel best, and you'll learn and develop over time.

And maybe overtime, we might be able to add selected communication techniques (that one might consider helpful) to the character already developed.

the gospel in miniature

I came across this as I continue a short Theology course on CARM.org. It was written by Luther, and just unravels the gold on one of the most well-known and familiar verses on the Bible. Instead of associating John 3:16 with banners at football matches and men on street corners with sandwich board signs, think of this:

“God…" …The greatest Lover
“So loved…" …The greatest degree
“The world…" …The greatest number
“That He gave…" …The greatest act
“His only begotten Son…" …The greatest Gift
“That whosoever…" …The greatest invitation
“Believeth…" …The greatest simplicity
“In Him…" …The greatest Person
“Should not perish…" …The greatest deliverance
“But…" …The greatest difference
“Have…" …The greatest certainty
“Everlasting Life…" …The greatest possession