"If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

"If a work of God doesn't continue, it never was a work of God."
-- a highly esteemed preacher


Do you agree or disagree?
Why?

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Totally disagree. God works in seasons, places, and times.....the initial Upper Room experience eventually came to an end, was it not of God? It just moves into different areas, realms, applications......people........

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Where do they come up with this stuff?! :toofunny

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

The initial upper room experience has not ended.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

It did in the Upper Room.......it evolved....

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

It evolved?? Interesting.. In acts 11 they said it fell on then just like it did in the Beginning and it fell on me the same way so how did it evolve?

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I completely disagree; there's nothing to say that people can't derail God's good intentions. We're the ones He puts in charge of accomplishing His will; if we mess it up, that doesn't mean it was "never a work of God."

Was scripture provided in support of this statement?

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

It would be best stated that IF a Work does not complete then it wasn't of God!

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Exactly.

It would also be wise to acknowledge men's idea of success and completion might not resemble God's idea of the same.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Very wise...

To the Pharisees of Jesus' day, Jesus death (and not being able to come down from the cross) "proved" that Jesus' work was not of God...well, we know better.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Also true.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

JD - Why not post the source of the quote?

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Not trying to over-simplify my 2-cents here, but I remember years ago being told that ministry begins one-on-one.

Long and short....if we all are not careful, we run the risk of not being wise ourselves and measuring ourselves by ourselves.

Statements like this may hold SOME merit, however, they can also be a way to broad brush as well. If I am doing my level best to make a difference whenever I possibly can, and reaching out as best as I can - then it stands to reason that I will not be focused on what the guy or gal across the way is accomplishing or perhaps not accomplishing.

I have seen quite a few one liners recently, which are bascially said for us to read between the lines and I question the sincerity and motive honestly...the problem with a statement such as this is that there are countless folks who have been saved under a ministry that has since fallen apart...to say that the minstry was not of God would be in error. To say the person backslid and left the Lord would be correct.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, but I'll humor you anyway.

If the 120 would have stayed in the Upper Room, the entire continent of Asia could not have been evangelized in the space of 2 1/2 years.

If someone would have said "Let's build a monument here, stay here, continue this work" then the outpouring couldn't have multiplied throughout the world.

When the disciples witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter said "Hey, let's stay here and build three tabernacles, it's good for us to be here, let's not leave!" But, Jesus said, "No, this was important for you to be a part of, but your work is out there in the cities and villages, not up here on this mountain worshipping some shrines".

If I understood the initial post, the preacher indicated that if a church didn't last, then the entire thing wasn't of God. I don't believe that at all.

SOMETIMES ITS NECESSARY FOR GOOD THINGS TO END SO BETTER THINGS CAN BEGIN......

Isaiah 43
18Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

If I misunderstood the point of the statement, I'd be happy to reconsider.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I won't agree or disagree because you pulled one sentence from a message without providing any context. It'd be unwise to take any position based on a noncontextual quote.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Great post!! And, really, motion is not always the same thing as progress.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I believe the preacher is basing this statement on what was said by Gamaliel regarding the Gospel...

Acts 5:33-39
English Standard Version (ESV)
33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

Now, I also think a work of God is about fruit...

Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Did the work fizzle out before accomplishing it's stated vision?
Are those enfluenced by such a work of God bearing the fruit of the Spirit?

Just my initial thoughts.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Disagree -- we can hinder or stop the work of God because of our own doings. :foottap

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

Because I wouldn't want the discussion of what was said to be clouded by the identity of the speaker.

He is someone that many have heard of.


The context of the statement was backsliders-- people who have "left from among us who because they were never of us."

Now do you have an opinion?
Does the context changes anyone's expressed opinions?

Can a Work of God really be ended by someone or something other than God-- in any context?

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I would want to have something else clarified, since not everyone who has "left from among us" is a backslider. At least, not in my opinion.

Yes--in the sense that God leaves a lot in our hands. Case in point:

II Kings 13:18-19

18 And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed.

19 And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

In your example, the work of God was not stopped. God began the work and finished the work, based on the response of the King of Israel.


The speaker of my quote was specifically speaking of people who once was said and or thought to be saved, only to be three of four years later not attending anyone's church, not living for the Lord in any identifiable way.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I didn't say that He stopped the work of God, but it certainly was limited. My point was that how far it went was in the hands of the king. What would have happened if he had refused to shoot arrows?

I still disagree; God can work in someone's life, they can begin to live for Him, and then they can choose of their own accord to go a completely different direction. The speaker sounds a bit Calvinist in his thinking.

Re: "If A Work of God Doesn't Continue,"
 

I thought so too.

However, I don't think that I can say that I disagree.
I am thinking that in order for this statement to work, the BIBLICAL definition of backsliding CAN'T INCLUDE the appearance of one to completely turn away from Christ that lasts the rest of one's life- as that would seem impossible based on scripture.

In order for this to work, BIBLICAL BACKSLIDING is limited to red hot on fire Christians who seem to simply settle down, calm down, who remain committed, but not as committed, consecrated, but allowing a little more stuff than they once did, etc.