Trusting God's Sovereignty in Church Growth

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound truth that God is not a tame lion, drawing inspiration from C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles. This metaphor serves as a reminder of God's unpredictable, mysterious, and powerful nature. Unlike a lion on a leash, God does not conform to our expectations or timetables. This understanding is crucial as we examine the church growth movement, which often prioritizes methodology over theology, suggesting that success in evangelism and church growth can be achieved through specific techniques and strategies.

The church growth movement, with its emphasis on felt needs and seeker-sensitive approaches, often overlooks the theological foundations that should underpin any methodology. It risks reducing God to a predictable entity who responds to human-devised methods, much like the Israelites who believed they could manipulate God by carrying the Ark of the Covenant into battle. This approach is not only theologically flawed but also pragmatically questionable, as evidenced by the decline in church membership despite the widespread adoption of church growth strategies.

Historically, figures like Charles Grandison Finney have influenced this movement with their focus on human ability and excitement to drive religious commitment. Finney's revivalism emphasized human moral powers and the use of appropriate means to achieve religious outcomes, a perspective that has permeated modern church growth ideologies. However, this man-centered approach often neglects the essential role of God in true spiritual transformation and church growth.

The Apostle Paul provides a counter-narrative, emphasizing that true church growth is the work of God through the faithful preaching of His Word. The gospel, bearing fruit and growing throughout the world, is the foundation upon which the church is built. Our task is to remain faithful to this message, trusting in God's timing and methods, rather than relying on human strategies.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Unpredictable Nature: God, like Aslan, is not a tame lion. He operates beyond our expectations and timetables, reminding us of His sovereignty and the need to trust in His wisdom rather than our own methods. [01:21]

- Theological Foundations: The church growth movement often prioritizes methodology over theology, risking a reduction of God to a predictable entity. True church growth must be rooted in sound theological understanding, recognizing God's role in transformation. [05:00]

- Historical Influences: Figures like Charles Finney have shaped modern church growth ideologies with their emphasis on human ability and excitement. This man-centered approach often neglects the essential role of God in spiritual transformation. [19:46]

- Pragmatic Critique: Despite the widespread adoption of church growth strategies, American churches have declined in membership. This suggests a need to reevaluate the effectiveness of these methods and return to a focus on faithful gospel proclamation. [25:34]

- Faithful Proclamation: The Apostle Paul emphasizes that true church growth is the work of God through the faithful preaching of His Word. Our task is to remain faithful to this message, trusting in God's timing and methods. [42:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:31] - Introduction to Aslan and God's Nature
- [01:21] - The Unpredictable God
- [02:14] - Church Growth Movement Overview
- [02:55] - Influential Figures in Church Growth
- [03:31] - Promises of Church Growth
- [04:20] - Methodology vs. Theology
- [05:44] - The Danger of Unexamined Theology
- [07:13] - Man-Centered Theology
- [08:46] - Misunderstanding the Great Commission
- [10:19] - The Error About God
- [11:08] - Historical Example: Israel and the Ark
- [13:27] - God's Power and Mystery
- [16:10] - Origins of Modern Church Growth
- [19:46] - Finney's Influence on Revivalism
- [25:34] - Pragmatic Critique of Church Growth
- [27:10] - Stories of Failure
- [28:44] - Literary Critique: Elmer Gantry
- [37:11] - Theological Critique
- [41:08] - God's Church Growth Plan
- [42:38] - Faithful Proclamation of the Gospel
- [46:37] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Colossians 1:3-6
2. 1 Samuel 4:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. In Colossians 1:3-6, what does Paul say about the growth of the gospel? How does he describe its impact on the world and the Colossians? [41:57]

2. According to the sermon, how does the metaphor of Aslan from C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles illustrate God's nature? [01:21]

3. What historical example from 1 Samuel 4 was used in the sermon to illustrate the danger of trying to control or predict God's actions? [11:08]

4. How does the sermon describe the influence of Charles Grandison Finney on the modern church growth movement? [16:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the unpredictable nature of God, as illustrated by Aslan, challenge the methodologies of the church growth movement? What does this suggest about our expectations of God? [02:14]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church growth movement's focus on methodology over theology might lead to a misunderstanding of God's role in church growth? [05:00]

3. How does the historical example of the Israelites and the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Samuel 4 serve as a warning against trying to manipulate God for our purposes? [11:08]

4. What are the potential dangers of a man-centered approach to church growth, as influenced by Finney's revivalism, according to the sermon? [19:46]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you tried to fit God into your own expectations or timetable. How did that experience shape your understanding of His sovereignty? [01:21]

2. The sermon critiques the church growth movement for prioritizing methodology over theology. How can you ensure that your personal faith journey is rooted in sound theological understanding rather than just following popular trends? [05:00]

3. Consider the historical example of the Israelites using the Ark of the Covenant as a tool for victory. Are there ways in which you might be trying to "control" God in your life? How can you shift towards a more trusting relationship with Him? [11:08]

4. The sermon mentions the decline in church membership despite the adoption of church growth strategies. How can you contribute to genuine spiritual growth in your church community? [25:34]

5. How can you balance the excitement and engagement of church activities with a deep, meaningful focus on the gospel message? What steps can you take to ensure that your church involvement is spiritually enriching? [19:46]

6. Reflect on the Apostle Paul's emphasis on faithful gospel proclamation. How can you incorporate this focus into your daily life and interactions with others? [42:38]

7. Identify one area in your life where you might be relying too heavily on human strategies rather than trusting in God's timing and methods. What practical steps can you take to realign your focus? [46:37]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty Beyond Our Understanding
God's nature is often likened to Aslan from C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, a powerful and unpredictable lion. This metaphor serves as a reminder that God is not confined to our expectations or timetables. He operates beyond human understanding, emphasizing His sovereignty and the need for us to trust in His wisdom. In our lives, we often try to control or predict outcomes, but recognizing God's unpredictable nature invites us to surrender our plans and trust in His divine timing and purpose. This understanding challenges us to let go of our need for control and embrace the mystery of God's ways. [01:21]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God's timing? How can you actively surrender this to Him today?


Day 2: Theological Depth Over Methodological Success
The church growth movement often prioritizes methodology over theology, risking a reduction of God to a predictable entity. This approach suggests that success in evangelism and church growth can be achieved through specific techniques and strategies, much like a formula. However, true church growth must be rooted in sound theological understanding, recognizing God's role in transformation. It is essential to remember that God cannot be manipulated or controlled by human-devised methods. Instead, we are called to deepen our theological foundations and trust in God's power to bring about genuine spiritual growth. [05:00]

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

Reflection: How can you deepen your theological understanding to better align with God's transformative work in your life and community?


Day 3: Human Effort vs. Divine Transformation
Historical figures like Charles Finney have influenced modern church growth ideologies with their emphasis on human ability and excitement to drive religious commitment. This man-centered approach often neglects the essential role of God in spiritual transformation. While human efforts and enthusiasm can play a role, they should not overshadow the divine work that only God can accomplish. True transformation and growth come from God, and our role is to be faithful stewards of His message, allowing Him to work through us. [19:46]

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own strength rather than God's Spirit for transformation? How can you shift your focus to rely more on Him?


Day 4: Reevaluating Church Growth Strategies
Despite the widespread adoption of church growth strategies, many American churches have experienced a decline in membership. This suggests a need to reevaluate the effectiveness of these methods and return to a focus on faithful gospel proclamation. The pragmatic approach of relying on human-devised strategies often overlooks the importance of God's role in church growth. By returning to the core message of the gospel and trusting in God's power, churches can experience genuine growth that is not dependent on human efforts alone. [25:34]

Acts 2:47 (ESV): "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Reflection: How can your church refocus its efforts on faithful gospel proclamation rather than relying solely on growth strategies?


Day 5: Faithful Proclamation of the Gospel
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that true church growth is the work of God through the faithful preaching of His Word. Our task is to remain faithful to this message, trusting in God's timing and methods. The gospel, bearing fruit and growing throughout the world, is the foundation upon which the church is built. By focusing on the faithful proclamation of the gospel, we align ourselves with God's plan for growth and transformation, allowing Him to work through us to reach others. [42:38]

Colossians 1:5-6 (ESV): "Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth."

Reflection: How can you personally commit to faithfully proclaiming the gospel in your daily interactions and relationships?

Quotes


And what that means is that Aslan is not a performing animal. Aslan is not a lion on a leash. He doesn't act when, where, and how people expect him to. Throughout the Narnia Chronicles, the refrain goes up in various difficult circumstances, why isn't Aslan here? Why isn't Aslan working? Why isn't Aslan behaving as we think he ought to behave? And the answer given over and over again is because Aslan is not a tame lion. He doesn't do our bidding. He doesn't work on our timetable. He doesn't operate according to our notion of what is wise. [00:00:54]

The church growth movement has been a major influence, indeed a major industry, in recent decades. It's produced some very famous names like Robert Schuller who has an annual institute to help churches grow, or Bill Hybels who has an annual institute to help churches grow, or Rick Warren, similarly involved. Rick Warren, I saw recently on television, not only has he written The Purpose Driven Church but now The Purpose Driven Life, and he expects The Purpose Driven Life to be taught in some 15,000 churches in this country next year. [00:02:56]

And very often, the church growth movement is surrounded with amazing claims. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life says, "The next 40 days will transform your life." That's a lot to promise. And many other writings in the church growth movement promise that if you will follow their methodology, if you will listen carefully to the how-to programs they present, your church will grow, and if your church doesn't grow, it's because you're not using the methods right. [00:03:52]

We listen not so much to theologians as to sociologists and psychologists of religion. We listen to marketers and advertisers because our great work is how to connect with people, how to bring people in, how to give them what they want. And so, there's great talk in the church growth movement about felt needs, about being seeker-sensitive, but all of it with the goal of discovering what people want so we can give it to them. [00:05:21]

All methodology in the church rests on some theology. There is no methodology of any sort, at any point, in any way that doesn't rest on some kind of theological conviction. And this is where the grave danger of the church growth movement comes in, because it's largely unexamined theology is really very dangerous, very much likely to lead the church astray. [00:06:51]

They have a theology of man, and their theology of man is that man has a free will, and if you only find the right way to move them, you can move them. And so, they end up with a radically man-centered approach. In 40 days, you'll be told about you, what you need to do, what you are, what you can accomplish, how you'll change, and there'll be very little about God. [00:07:30]

Our God is not a tame God. He doesn't come in a box. He doesn't perform on command. Israel marched out triumphantly to war, and they lost the battle. And they lost 30,000 men and they lost the priests of God, and they lost the ark of the covenant, taken by the Philistines because God is not a tame God. God is powerful, but he's mysterious, and he could be dangerous. [00:13:18]

And you know, this way of thinking about God is not something new. It's really pretty ancient. This way of thinking about God, we can find at least as early as the people of Israel as they're described in 1 Samuel chapter 4. You probably remember the episode. The Israelites had gone out to fight the Philistines, and they had been defeated. And they said, "We've been defeated. We're the people of God. We're the people rescued from Egypt. We're the people that belong to God, but we've been defeated. What are we going to do? [00:11:08]

Finney was one of the great beginners of the audience-centered revivalistic campaign. What do the people like? What do the people need? How will they respond? How can they be moved? He wrote, "The object of our measures is to gain attention, and to gain attention, you must have something new." That's a bit of a burden, always something new, but that's what's necessary. You know, excitement gets old. No matter how exciting the roller coaster ride is the first time, by the fiftieth time it's getting a little old. [00:20:13]

Finney's message was, and it's at least implicit still in the church growth movement, "You have all the power you need to believe. You have all the strength you need to believe. You just need to do it, and the way to move you to do it is to get you riled up, get you a little excited, get your feet tapping, get you clapping, get you shouting. Come forward to the anxious bench. [00:22:09]

Paul already, in the earliest decades of the church, could talk about how the gospel was growing everywhere. And how is it growing? It was growing by the faithful preaching of the Word, the faithful opening of the Word of truth, the faithful declaration of the gospel. Paul was working hard. Epaphras was working hard. They were faithful fellow servants with one another, opening up the Word of life in all of its fullness, in all of its richness. [00:42:23]

And Paul is saying, "God is building His church through His God-appointed preachers who preach God's truth, testifying to God's Son and the grace that comes from Him from the cross. And in this sad and needy world, that's what we need today. We need to hear the gospel. Now, before people can hear the gospel, they have to come to some understanding of who God is and who they are and how great their need is. [00:43:49]

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Transcript
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