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My Job or HIS Job?

TueNov102009 PostedTuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 10 PMByBryan PayneTaggedNo tags

How does the work of the ministry go forward? Do people do all the work, or does God make sure ministry happens — meaning we do nothing but trust Him?

As I begin the work of planting a church in Austin, it would be easy to rely on my own strength. After all, I’m the one reading books, soaking in wonderful training at Harvest Bible Fellowship, interviewing other church planters in order to have the right programs, and making contacts in Austin to establish a core group.

While that kind of self-dependence is not what Scripture commands, neither is the opposite approach — abandoning my ministry responsibilities and assuming God will do the work of the ministry without me. Trusting in God's sovereignty and power to build His church is important, but “trusting God” can be a mask for laziness. This is the "let go and let God" mentality.

So what is the answer for us at HBC Austin? How should we approach working for Christ? How should we go about planting a church? Do we do the work or does God? My answer is..."YES"! I believe Scripture teaches both.

In Proverbs 21:31, King Solomon describes what this tension looked like in his day. "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD." I’ve often found myself meditating on that verse — applying Solomon’s wisdom to the foundation we’re building in Austin. We are called to prepare for our work in Austin while knowing the any success in ministry is FULLY the LORD's. Paul had this tension in mind when he wrote, "For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Col. 1:29). Even as Paul worked to the point of exhaustion, he understood it was only God's power that accomplished everything!

What are your thoughts? How do you find yourself battling this in your life?

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3 comments

On 11/14/02009 5:14 PM, Keith said... both. I Cor. 15:10. we work our guts out knowing the whole time that is God at work through us.

On 11/14/02009 7:30 PM, Bryan Payne said... Amen! Great verse, Keith. Who else has a verse they meditate on to keep them in balance?

On 11/18/02009 8:13 AM, Marla Kizer said... I find myself depending on God for guidance in the direction I should go and then having the attitude of "Ok, God I've got it from here... I'll check in with you later". I will also say, this doesn't work well for me. I pretty sure it's the whole vine/branch relationship thing. It isn't so much a lack of faith but a lack of discipline on my part to intentionally depend on God.