Message
God’s Will/My Will: Holy/Human Weave: Concurrence
John 15:1-17, Psalm 139
Last week, we were given some homework for the week, to read Proverbs 1-4 and make note and take notes of what characterizes true wisdom. Where is it found? What does it look like? How is it described? And what place should the pursuit and gaining of true wisdom have in our lives?
Sunday, we will begin our message time with some quick responses all together on what you have discovered. We will celebrate communion, have a potluck feast and gather in our care groups once again.
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth (and in me!), as it is in heaven.”
For the message, we will probe the ‘doctrine of concurrence.’ Concurrence is defined in the dictionary as ‘two or more effects or circumstances happening or existing at the same time,’ ‘a point at which two or three lines intersect,’ ‘agreement or consistency.’ In seminary, ‘concurrence’ was described more in terms of ‘free will’ and ‘predestination’, and the theological understandings of the intersection of the two. I wasn’t aware of a ‘doctrine of concurrence’ until this summer sabbatical, stumbling on it while diving into the holy human weave of the integration of God’s will and our will. In studying it further, I was surprised by the lack of exposure I have had to this little known doctrinal understanding. It will be worth our time together exploring this with a message on Sunday as it helps frame an essential truth about life in Christ: that God’s will become our will. It is the seeking of the Lord’s Prayer fulfillment, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth (and in me!), as it is in heaven.”
A great passage to get our reflection thoughts going on ‘concurrence’ is John 15:1-17, The Vine and the Branches. Concurrence is everywhere. The way I have come to understand ‘concurrence’ is this, ‘to act together, as agents of cooperation, in harmony.’ God’s will is to become my will in all things… Spirit of God, make it so in me.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Mark