How God Works

WHAT IS GOD’S M.O.? (MODUS OPERANDI)

THE RUMSFELD THEOREM

1. There are Known Knowns Things we know we know2. There are Known Unknowns Things we know we don’t know3. There are Unknown Unknowns Things we don’t know we don’t know

Our Human Understanding

Truth (The Mind of God)

Revealed Truth (Revelation)

Known Knowns

Known Unknowns

Unrevealed Truth

(Mysteries)

Unknown Unknowns

Truth (The Mind of God)

Revealed Truth (Revelation)

Known Knowns

Known Unknowns

Unrevealed Truth

(Mysteries)

Unknown Unknowns

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete (1 Cor. 13:9)

1 Cor. 2: 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God…10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Paul’s Prayer/God’s Intent for Us

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10Truth (The Mind of God)

Revealed Truth (Revelation)

Known Knowns Known Unknowns

Unrevealed Truth (Mysteries)

Unknown Unknowns

God’s Will for You

NOW FUTURE

Knowledge and Depth of Insight (Philippians 1:9)Ignorance

1

Jeremiah 29:11‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

God Has a Plan For You

Jeremiah 29:11‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

God Has a Plan For You

1. There is a Plan (Existential Meaning & Purpose)

2. God has that Plan (Divine Sovereignty)

3. The Plan is Good, Not Bad (Omnibenevolent)

4. The Plan Continues Into the Future (Not Past Tense)

5. You Will Find God & His Plan If You Seek (Condition)

2

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18)

Sin Distorts Discernment of God’s Voice/Will

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18)

Sin Distorts Discernment

1. Sin affects the mind/emotions (idolatry/mind off God)

2. Therefore, sin clouds the psyche (spiritual confusion)

3. This results in poor judgment and duplicity 4. Then we can’t establish a connection with

God to hear His Voice and to Learn His Will5. This leave us estranged from God (quenches, Eph

4:30)

3

All the forces of darkness cannot stop what God has ordained (Isa 14:27). cf., Rev. 2:5

Some of God’s Plans Are Ordained/Absolute,

And Some are Conditional (Depend on What We Do)

Some of God’s Plans are Ordained/Absolute, And Some are Conditional

(Depend on What We Do)

1. Some things are genuinely determined (ordained)

2. Not everything falls in that category– only those things that represent His ultimate will or that other important plans hinge on (an interconnected web)

3. God can accomplish His Will naturally (natural law) & supernaturally (above nature), with equal ease

4

I open a door that no man can shut (Rev. 3:8)

God’s Preferred Will Is Not Always Done, But His Ultimate

Will Always Is

God’s Preferred Will Is Not Always Done, But His Ultimate

Will is Never Thwarted or Nullified By Our Human

Actions or Willful Disobedience

1. God has an Ultimate Will (Things that are pre-ordained, determined in the heart of God, e.g., Jesus to cross, etc., & Eph 1)

2. Explain: It has been said that God has a Preferred and a Permissive Will (I suggest we don’t imply that He has a “perfect” will, because in a sinful world it doesn’t make much sense to use that language)– and God gives us freedom/agency to act– though we are affected by forces sometimes beyond our control

5

Story of Moses and Joshua (Ex. 3:8; Num. 20:9-12; Josh 1:1-3)

If You Don’t Do What God Wants, Someone Else Will– And

They Will Receive Blessings Originally Intended For You

If You Don’t Do What God Wants, Someone Else Will– And

They Will Receive Blessings Originally Intended For You

1. Consider Moses and Joshua; Moses called to bring them out of Egypt (ordained), but Disobedience striking the rock led to not leading the people into Promised Land– Joshua got that, though Moses got to promised land at Transfigur

2. Parable of Talents: Matt 25 (he who has little, even what they have; he with much, even more)

6

Stories of Samson, David, Moses, Abraham, Paul

God Can Use Us Greatly, In Spite Of and Even “After” Our

Greatest Mistakes

God Can Use Us Greatly, In Spite Of and Even “After” Our

Greatest Mistakes

1. God Can Use Us Greatly, In Spite of Mistakes On Our Part, If We Cooperate–

2. And May Do His Greater Works After Our Greatest Failures (sometimes not, likely depending on our repentance and receiving forgiveness and restoration from guilt/shame)

3. Think of Samson, David, Moses, Abraham

7

Eph 3:20

God Wants To Do More Through Each of Us Than We Can

Possibly Imagine

Call to Action

• Focus on Your Adventure with God (“Life”)

• Deal with Past Baggage and Move On

• Live with Spiritual Abandon. Go for Broke.