WELCOME Lets acknowledge and welcome the Presence of

WELCOME

Let’s acknowledge and welcome the Presence of the LORD.

“Living and Loving Like Jesus”

Inviting Others to Do the Same

Current Events & What are we to do?

Love God!!!

Love Others!

Isaiah 43: 1 -5 a

But now, this is what the Lord says — he who created you… he who formed you…:

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you…

Do not be afraid, for I am with you…”

Our Abba Father promises us His Presence

Continuing our Mini Series What is our posture toward God? With by Skye Jethani

As a CHILD of God, how do we view/relate to God?

It is my personal belief that most Believers do not assess/examine their posture toward God.

It has been said: “A fish is the last one to know that the water is polluted. ”

How do we get these views of God?

Illustration Perceptions: Blind people meet an elephant.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

st 1 - It’s flat & thin (ear) nd 2 - No, it’s round & flexible (trunk/nose) rd 3 - No, it’s hard & pointed (tusk)

th 4 - No, it’s thick & tree-like (legs) th 5 - No, it’s big & round (belly) th 6 - No, it’s small, round & hairy (tail)

Each statement holds some truth, but not all of the truth.

Holy Scripture This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

Holy Scripture & Jesus Holy, Perfect, Pure, & True

Yet, sometimes people pick and choose certain portions, or emphasize some things based on personal experiences.

In With, Skye Jethani challenges Believers to examine their “posture” toward God.

Postures that Skye Jethani Discusses

Life Under God Life Over God Life From God Life For God Life With God

Last week’s Life Over God and this week’s Life From God are similar yet distinct

In a Life From God posture people primarily try to both “use God” and “re-make God into his/her likeness. ”

GOD Life From God GOD Stick Drawings by Skye

A Couple Biblical Examples

Jacob’s Early Life

Jacob’s Dream At Bethel

Genesis 28: 20 -22 “Then Jacob made a vow, saying,

‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear

so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God

and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth. "

“If you… then the Lord will be my God” Pride & Arrogance!!! (Consumerism)

From the New Testament Simon the Sorcerer Acts 8

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money

and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. ’"

Scripture teaches that in the beginning God said “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” Gen 1: 26

If a person has a Life From God posture, he/she typically returns the favor and creates God in his/her image.

Many with this view of God think of God as a “combination divine butler and cosmic therapist. ” Jethani pg. 63

Typically, those holding this view of God are primarily concerned with his/her own happiness rather than

focusing on glorifying God, learning obedience, or serving others. Jethani pg. 63

Sound like anyone you know? (Hint- Before judging others, please listen to your own prayers!)

This view of God typically leads to a consumer mindset and consumerism is typically more than a mindset, it becomes a belief system.

“Furthermore, consumerism is a supremely narcissistic worldview in which everything’s value is determined by its value to me. ” Jethani pg. 67

In the words of Skye Jethani (related to a Life From God posture) - “People in this category want God’s blessings

but they are not particularly interested in God Himself. ” Jethani pg. 6

In fact, “like everything else in the consumer worldview, God’s value is determined by His usefulness. ” Jethani pg. 68

As God orbits around us, the mantra, “What have you done for me lately? ” can come into play. Jethani pg. 68

One extreme form of a Life From God posture is the “prosperity gospel. ” Jethani pg. 64

Remember The blind people and the elephant?

Holy Scripture This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

Again, a posture of Life From God fits perfectly into our consumeristic culture.

Remember Martin Buber’s I –Thou Principles

GOD I’m to p i h rs o W Love Use People Thi ngs

Jeff’s Interpretation: “Worship & Adore God Use Things & Never People”

I don’t know about you, but I was raised to be a good consumer.

Unknowingly, consumerism bled over into other areas of my life.

Key Question Who/what is at the center of your universe?

Galatians 2: 20 a “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…”

In the C&MA The Christian Life is about an ongoing and an ever more complete submission/surrender to God!

Again Who/What is at the center of your universe?

Prayer

Let us remember Jesus’ death, burial, glorious resurrection, and look forward to His return through celebrating

Communion

Table Talk (Discussion Points)

Please Consider As you read Isaiah 43: 1 -5 a what feelings are aroused?

Please Consider What has the Lord been revealing to you about your posture(s) toward Him?

Please Consider As you look at Jacob’s “If you… then you will be my God” conditions directed toward God, what comes to your mind?

Please Consider In your own words, how does our North American Consumeristic culture fit in relation to a Life From God posture?

Please Consider If you were to draw your universe, “Who/what would be at its center? ”

Benediction