The Word Accomplishes the Work

Radical Together is an argument for applying Biblical principles in the contemporary church. David Platt states, "The Word of God accomplishes the work of God." Evangelicals passionately affirm that truth. We believe the Bible is without error and write endless volumes about the Book.

Dr. Platt, the pastor of the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham Alabama, asks in Radical Together, if Jesus’ American disciples are prepared to hear God’s Word and allow the Word to strip away good human efforts and programs so that the Bible can transform individuals and congregations.

After being a pulpit guest in more than 300 churches of my denomination, I have made a few observations which indicate that the Word is God is slipping and sliding from the central place in classical Pentecostalism.
Congregations seldom open their Bible and follow their pastor as he reads an extended text. Recently my pastor led our congregation in reading Psalm 136. The rhythms of 36 statements affirming God’s goodness were reinforced with "His mercy endureth forever." The song of mercy echoed in my spirit the following week.
More time is spent worshiping than preaching and teaching. Do we modulate through key changes, polish transitions and create atmospheres of worship at great expense, the greatest being the displacement of strong, Biblical preaching? Great churches, transforming communities of faith, most often are fed rich food from God’s Word.
Much preaching is topical and thematic in an attempt to be culturally relevant. The agelessness of the Bible demands that it be allowed to speak for itself. The preacher-teacher, the Holy Spirit’s gift to the church (Ephesians 4:11-12) is ordained to "preach the Word." (2 Timothy 4:2) By application, if someone experiences an emergency in the darkness of night the first reasonable action is to turn on the light! Are we spending time groping in darkness, flailing away with useless tools when what we really need is light? The Psalm of the Word, 119, defines God’s Word as light.
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple
(Verses 129, 130, KJV)
And, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
(Verse 105, KJV) Architecturally, evangelicals have placed their pulpits in the center of the church, usually elevated and prominent. Huge stages now are filled with instruments, speakers, screens and other equipment used to create a desired effect. If present at all, contemporary pulpits are spindly nearly invisible podiums. The phrase, "Hide me behind the sacred desk," so often heard a generation ago as pastors prayed before preaching is no longer appropriate. Billy Graham’s mantra, "The Bible says . . ." is a quaint item in video archives.
A new commitment to knowing the content of the Bible is in order. Knowing it is critical to life-sustaining faith.
The Word must be trusted as the material with which the Holy Spirit constructs the likeness of Jesus (the Word made flesh, John 1) in His disciples. A thorough review of Romans 10:17 ought to bring us to a thorough examination of our message.
Jesus’ prayer for the Twelve includes, Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (John 17:17-19, NIV) And, I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. (John 16:12-14, NIV)
Those who know the stories of the Bible dare to pray more boldly, without hesitation. The spirit of man is energized with the accounts of Daniel in the lion’s den, Gideon’s battle, and Joshua at Jericho. Those who are sick approach God differently if they have committed James 5 to memory and believe the promise.
David Platt’s line is worthy of our musing, "The Word of God accomplishes the work of God." Our musing may result in daring decisions to pursue effectiveness in the pulpit.