Craig Groeschel - What Is God Really Like?

WHAT IS

GOD

REALLY LIKE?

Expanded with additional material

CRAIG GROESCHEL

GENERAL EDITOR

One afternoon several years ago, my doorbell rang. I answered, politely acknowledging the twenty-something-year-old guy smiling warmly on my doorstep.

Can I help you? I asked.

Almost immediately, he began sharing his faith in Christ with me. Now, not only am I a Christian, but Im also a pastor. But he was doing so well, his passion so genuine, his smile so infectious, that I just couldnt bring myself to stop him. He looked like he had just won the lottery. After thirty seconds or so, I realized I shouldnt waste his time, and I needed to come (mostly) clean:

Man, Im so glad youre out witnessing about Christ, I said sincerely. I think I should probably let you know, though Im actually already a committed believer.

Thats awesome! he half-shouted, his eyes shining. Youve gotta come with me to my church. Seriously, its the best church in town!

So I told him Im already part of a church.

Thats great, man! he said enthusiastically. What church do you go to?

Its called Life Church.

His countenance dropped from lottery winner to food-poisoning victim. He drew in a deep breath and regained in his composure. Glancing around, he leaned in and half-whispered, Dude, I hate to say it, but you probably shouldnt go to Life Church. My pastor says your pastor doesnt preach the truth.

Now I had to practice composure. I almost said, Yeah? Well, you can tell your pastor that the pastor of Life Church wants to meet him in a dark alley and introduce him to the truth!

Instead, I smiled weakly and said, Well, thanks for coming, man. I have to go now. May the Lord bless you, okay?

According to the World Christian Encyclopedia (Oxford Univ. Press, 2001), the Christian faith has some 33,830 denominations. Thats an awful lot of diversity! On the one hand, with that many approaches, there should be something for everyone. On the other hand, its possible the word denomination might actually break Gods heart. The Latin origin of de- means apart, while nominare means to name. Denomination literally means to separate by naming. As far as I can tell from the Scriptures, only one name should matter: Jesus.

In John 17:20 23, Jesus prayed an amazing prayer for his disciples and for us: My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

One day as I was visiting with some pastor friends, the question came up, What if we could be a part of the answer to Jesus prayer? Later, when I returned to the church office, the implications of that idea haunted me. What would happen if for just one month churches around the world partnered together? What would happen if we fasted and prayed together? What would happen if we all served our communities at the same time in the name of Christ? What if we all gave generously to start new churches? What would God do if a few of us acted like we were one?

That question eventually gave birth to One Prayer (www.One-Prayer.com). In the spring of 2008, I posted an invitation on our blog, Swerve.lifechurch.tv, asking churches if they would be willing to partner during the month of June. I sincerely hoped that at least a handful would reply. We were shocked when hundreds of churches from around the world enthusiastically responded. In 2009, we invited churches to work together again. This time, more than two thousand churches, from thirty-nine countries around the world, came together to make a difference in our world.

Different styles of worship. Different backgrounds. Different mission fields. Different ministry philosophies. Yet all share just one Lord and one Savior, Jesus Christ. Together these churches raised enough money to start more than sixteen hundred new churches, in places like India, China, Cambodia, and Sudan.

In John 13:34 35, Jesus tells us the one way that the world will know that we follow him: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Churches used to be known for their traditions, their buildings, and their style of music. Sadly, in more recent years Christians have become known more for what were against. Through One Prayer, were becoming known for our love again.

The theme for One Prayer 2009 was God is Pastors from all around the world submitted their messages describing different attributes of God found in the Bible. In uncertain times, God is certain. God is strongso why arent his children? God is here, and anything can happen. God is able to overcome the strongholds in our lives. God is merciful, and he wants to give people a fresh start. And those are just a few.

None of the pastors who participated in One Prayer 2009 will profit financially. Together we participated simply because we believe in the unity that One Prayer represents. When Gods people act in unity, we see his power to change lives. Any and all royalties generated from every part of One Prayer will be used to plant churches around the world. We hope that learning who God is through what his Scriptures have to teach us will lead people to want to know God, and not be satisfied just to know about him Jesus Christ died for us and for the world Jesus is the hope of the world, and we are his body, commissioned to bring that hope to them. Each one of us is just one small part.

In the hockey movie Miracle, Coach Herb Brooks told his players, When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a lot more important than the one on the back. We dont play for the name on the back: First United Methodist, Peace Lutheran, Resurrection Assembly of God, Holy Ghost Temple of Praise Cathedral of Power and Anointing, or GracePointeLifeTruthHouseRiverNorth.

Were playing for the name of Jesus.

This one guy in my church is literally the strongest man on earth. Im not exaggerating. Hes actually appeared on ESPN. He bench presses something like 1,050 pounds. To baptize him, we had to turn him sideways because our baptismal couldnt hold him. Hes huge, the kind of guy whose head extends straight up out of his torso, no neck.

His wife could beat me up. She bench presses over four hundred pounds. (I dont know if you know, but thats a lot for a girl.) I havent met their children, but Ill bet theyre pretty big. It would be really strange if they had scrawny little kids. That wouldnt make any sense.

We serve an all-powerful, amazing, strong God. But we dont focus enough on that aspect of him. Consequently, our churches are filled with people who are scared and weak. It doesnt look right for such a powerful God to have such weak children. Powerful is not an adjective I would use to describe most of the people filling churches today. We should talk about the strength of God. God is strong.

How many people would you describe as powerful? Probably not many. I think its because we believers seldom think about this characteristic of God, so we become weak ourselves. The more I focus on Gods strength and power, the more I find I have the courage to do and to say the things that he wants me to.