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Edward Fudge

GOD'S 'POEMS' (1)
April/May 1997 -- Our English word "poem" comes directly from the Greek poema which means "a piece of work," whether an act, deed or -- as in this instance -- a literary product. Paul uses this Greek word twice in the New Testament to describe God's workmanship. God's first "poem" is Creation itself (Rom. 1:20). His second "poem" is the redeemed life of women and men who constitute God's new creation in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10).

These past eight days Sara Faye and I have thrilled to both of God's "poems." First at the Pepperdine University Annual Bible Lectures in Malibu, California, then driving up the Pacific coast on Highway 1 for most of two days, then during weekend ministry in the Bay Area at the San Leandro Church of Christ near San Francisco. Along the way, we spent a night at a state park Lodge in Big Sur, under the living canopy of a Redwood forest, beside a crystal-clear brook, in company with the bluebirds and all the other assorted creatures of the woods and river and sky.

Throughout our journey, the sheer beauty and magnificence of God's creation almost strained the senses' abilities to receive. Pepperdine University rests on a flowered mountainside overlooking the Malibu beach. Chris and Claudia Sangster, our dear friends and gracious hosts, reside in a condo at the very top of the mountain. From their deck, we enjoyed an eagle's view of the campus, town, beach and ocean to the horizon.

On our leisurely drive north with my brother Benjamin and sister-in-law Susan, we watched beach turn to coast, and saw sand give way to rocky cliffs. Hour by hour we observed the warm sunland of southern California yield to meadows of cherry orchards and fields of artichokes, then to craggy headlands and ocean promontories, to giant Redwoods, and finally to the graceful hills and bays of historic San Francisco.

God's "poem" of Creation awed us, humbled us and inspired us all at the same time. Jubilate!


gracEmail
Edward Fudge

GOD'S 'POEMS' (2)
April/May 1997 -- Yesterday we noted Paul's use of the Greek word poema (from which we get "poem") to describe God's workmanship in Creation (Rom. 1:20) and in his New Creation in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10). I described the divine handiwork in Creation, which we experienced recently in California. It aawed us into silence and then elicited outbursts of adoration.

God's "poem" in his New Creation awed us as well these past eight days. For four days at Pepperdine, we joined an estimated 5,000 believers who packed the Fieldhouse twice each day to worship God in song and to enjoy soul-stirring sermons, attended some 200 classes held throughout the week, and imbibed Christian fellowship that warmed the soul while sun and ocean breeze refreshed the body.

I had the privilege of presenting three classes under the general title of "God at Work in You," using Second Timothy 1:9-10 as a beginning text. These lessons, which set out God's sovereignty and initiative in our salvation from eternity to eternity, focused on the truths that God saved us (in Jesus Christ, once for all, before we were even born); that he called us (in the good news of our salvation, by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit); and that this all was according to divine purpose and grace given us before the world began (in the electing favor of the Father). For information concerning tapes of those classes, as well as all the other classes and sermons, contact David Gaylor, Gaylor MultiMedia, Inc., 804 Musket Trail, Nashboro Village, TN 37217. Telephone 615-361-3611.)

On Sunday, our hearts were further warmed and cheered in San Leandro, where a thoroughly multi-racial church visibly manifested the "one new person" in Christ which transcends all fleshly boundaries and classifications. Jesus has done what neither government nor culture can do, by creating a family composed of Caucasians and African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians. These brothers and sisters obviously love God and each other. Mark and Stacy Mullins, a very gifted husband-wife team, minister to that church, which was founded in 1939. They are assisted by Woody and Judy Square, an interracial couple who once served as missionaries in New Guinea. The congregation has six elder-shepherds, three white and three black.

This delightful congregation received with open hearts my Sunday morning Bible messages on "Seeking Intimacy with God " and "Listening for the Voice of God." On Sunday evening, an appreciable number returned to dialogue for about an hour and a half concerning the two lessons that morning. Our God reigns!

For more on nature and travels, click here.