The Relevance of Theology…
I remember several years ago as a late 20 something. I was asked to be the Sunday school teacher of a group of old adults (sarcasm inserted!) – in their mid to late thirties. I was nervous and wanted some insight from an older Christian who was on staff at the church. He told me that, while he knew I favored the verse-by-verse approach to teaching, it would be important to give these 30 somethings some practical insight…give them something relevant. Talk about marriage. Talk about finances. Be relevant.
FAST FORWARD TO TODAY…
As I prepared to write my sermon today, I received a phone call. It was my brother. My best buddy. His voice was shaking, and he simply asked me to pray. My three year old niece was in an ambulance on her way to Children’s Mercy after suffering a seizure. There are a lot of things I wish no human being had to experience. But, the thought of my sister-in-law watching her daughter going through the scary symptoms of a seizure is not something I would wish on my worst enemy – let alone family that I love so much.
As I drove to the hospital, my mind raced. When I saw my buddy, what would I say? As anxious thoughts raced through my mind, I prayed. I prayed for healing. I prayed for the medical staff. I prayed for my brother and his wife. I prayed for their 1 year old son. Then I began to think…
THEOLOGY (PART 1)
ROMANS 8:28 says that all things work together for our good – for those who are called according to his purpose. What is that purpose? What is the definition of good in this very real situation where my niece is being raced to the hospital? Good must be her healing. Good must be an immediate release from the hospital. Good must be all of us reflecting on God’s goodness tonight with her home and a clean bill of health. After all, that is what I was praying for.
Not necessarily.
The purpose for which all things work together is found in ROMANS 8:29 - that we will be conformed to the image of Christ! The definition of good is found in the very character of who God is (PSALM 119:68). So, no matter what God’s specific answers are to our requests, we can rest assured that it will further conform us to the image of Christ and that it will be good - His definition, which is infinitely better than we could ever dream.
THEOLOGY (PART 2)
Sometimes as I pray, I remember Christ’s teaching in MATTHEW 6:8 and wonder why I should even pray. After all, that verse says the Father “knows what [I] need before [I] ask Him”! Not only does He know, but He has ordained it! Even the most seemingly mundane details of life – like dice being rolled and the numbers which will show up – are ordained by Him. (PROVERBS 16:33) Yet, He desires us to pray…in fact, He commands it! (LUKE 18:1; ROMANS 12:12; PHILIPPIANS 4:6; 1 TIMOTHY 2:8; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17)
I know. God’s sovereignty. This topic is reserved for the ivory towers of scholars and theologians. This isn’t practical. Isn’t relevant.
I heard a definition of sovereignty today. It goes something like this: What you would choose for yourself if you knew what God knows.
Hmmmm.
RELEVANCE
So, my niece is still in the hospital. Has had at least two more seizures. No diagnosis yet.
So, I pray. I pray because I am commanded and because God’s power is unleashed through the power of His people (JAMES 5:16B). I make specific request and I make them known to God specifically (PHILIPPIANS 4:6). I pray for her healing.
So, I have peace. I have peace because God promises it (PHILIPPIANS 4:7). I have peace because all things includes these things (ROMANS 8:28). I have peace because I know the purpose of these things is our being conformed to Christ. I have peace because God in His nature is good! I have peace because God is sovereign.
The circumstances haven’t changed. The situation is still weighty – for us as extended family and especially for my brother and his family. Yet, we can all have a practical, relevant peace – because of the absolute truth of biblical theology.
Thank you for joining me in praying for my niece, my brother, his wife, and their son. We continue to pray for healing and trust in the character and sovereignty of God.
What would you choose for yourself if you knew what God knows?



