Rediscovering God
description
Transcript of Rediscovering God
Rediscovering God
NaomiSeeking & Finding
God
• A faithful community converts the faithless, supports the
weak, and produces the strong
• Is our community a place where God can be found?
• Rediscovering God is a humbling process
• True faith is personal, not cultural
• God exceeds expectations
• It’s never too late
Naomi
Rediscovering God
ElijahHearing & Trusting
God
• Our spiritual life will never improve if we merely wait for God to improve it
• God is always listening to us; are we listening to Him?
• Rediscovering God is a daunting process
• Are we too focused on ourselves?
• God calls us to rediscovery
• We are never alone
Elijah
Rediscovering God
JobResisting &
Resenting God
Job vs Elihu Job 9:3 Job 33:13
Man cannot strive with God So why do you fight Him? Job 9:11 Job 35:14 I cannot see God in my life You say do not perceive Him Job 9:22-23 Job 34:11 The innocent are mocked God repays us for our works
Job 10:9 Job 34:14-15 God can return me to dust God can return us all to dust
Job 13:18 Job 34:5 I know that I am right! Job says, ‘I am innocent!’ Job 21:17-18 Job 34:26 The wicked escape punishment The wicked are punished
• Life is neither fair nor unfair—life just is —what matters is how we respond to it
• Our challenge is to endure suffering without blaming God
• Rediscovering God is a healing process
• Bad things happen to good people
• Others learn from our response
• Trial hurts God too
Job
Rediscovering God
AkivaLoving & Obeying
God
• We cannot blame our environment for our own lack of commitment
• Jesus prepared himself before entering God’s house
• Rediscovering God is a cleansing process
• Actions must be consistent with words
• Works without faith are dead
• We are the temple of God
Akiva
Rediscovering God
The EcclesiaConfessing &
Reflecting God
Domus
Atrium
Triclinium
Legalism:
A convenient term to describe behaviour of which we personally disapprove,
exhibited by those whom we personally dislike
Legalism:
Self-justification
• The ecclesia rediscovers God by reaffirming its spiritual obligations
• The ecclesia is called to confess, proclaim and reflect God
• Rediscovering God is a communal process
• Unity does not preclude diversity
• Legalism is self-justification
• Liberty is not license
The Ecclesia
• Ecclesias which educate will reduce their need to legislate
• Rediscovering God requires personal initiative
• Counter legalism with honest introspection
• Christians have responsibilities, not rights
• Your community needs you
• Keep the door open
Ourselves