Christ's presence was with the

Israelites just as Christ's presence is with the church

The church must pattern its life in ways designed to

make possible obedience to Christ

regardless of institutional survival

The community of faith must step

away from being enamored by its own history of

blessedness and vitality

Complete, ongoing openness and

fidelity to Christ alone will keep us safe against the

temptations of self absorption

Self centeredness will shame our

faith

G. K. Chesterton declared that the highest pagan sin is self enjoyment; extending the ego

to infinity.

Dallas Willard calls spiritual

transformation “the inescapable human problem with no human

solution.”

Stanley Hauerwas calls the greatest

lie of our day that, "The

purpose of life is not to die.”

Instead, the core of the Christian faith proclaims that the purpose of life is

indeed to die – so as to indicate that God's kingdom is indeed our

reason for living.

God cannot be trifled with on a casual basis in a

non-shallot manner

Three things are true

• vs. 1-11, we have all passed through the sea and then fallen again.

• vs. 13, God is faithful and gracious.

• vs. 12, God demands we step away from self absorption and rely on Him.