GREATER THINGS FOR New England – GREATER THINGS FOR WORCESTER PART 2
This post is a continuation of reflections on two discussions given by Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling and Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary on Tuesday, October 29.
Read previous post:
Greater Things for New England Pt. 1: Andy Crouch | Flourishing to Shalom
Notes for the second discussion are provided below. Also, Andy has seen these truths come to life among multiple churches choosing to work together in a specific city. One city that resembles Worcester in size and demographics is Richmond, Virginia. You can learn more about the Church's endeavors in Richmond at:
Richmond | This is Our City
If you want to hear more details about what I thought, feel free to drop me a line.
Andy Crouch | Saturday, October 26
Genesis 3 | Acts 1, 4, 16, 19 – Vulnerability, Idolatry, and Authority
Idolatry and Vulnerability
As humans, we actually come into the world more vulnerable than most other creatures. And temptation preys on this vulnerability. We are constantly in a battle of balancing the authority God has given us, while also attempting to rely on Him in our vulnerability."When Satan tempted Adam and Eve, he promised them more authority – 'You will be like God' – and less vulnerability – 'You will not die' – but it was only a twist on what God had already given them. So when they shifted to wanting 'more authority' and 'less vulnerability,' they shifted to idolatry – trusting in something that wasn't God and who could not provide them with the right balance of vulnerability and authority."
Idolatry lies to us and says, "I'm going to die here unless I do ..." And the amazing thing about idols is that they work ... at first. They start off by delivering a lot and demanding a little. For example, wine is something good. But when it turns into an idol is when the first drink doesn't supply what it used to. It begins to demand more and provide less. And in the end, every idol will demand everything and deliver almost nothing. In history, every pagan religion when it reaches its peak, or demise, is when it ends up demanding the sacrifices of children in the end.
For example, we see this in the Roman Empire. As Rome expanded and became more vulnerable, Caesars grew in their pride and required more power. Eventually, Caesar was worshiped as god and could declare that female babies were disposable and could be aborted or thrown away after birth in order to grow stronger Roman lineages.
"Idolatry is never better than the first day you worship it. Idols have diminishing returns. Idols say make bargains. God says I make promises – covenants – and keep them. Idols say give me your child. God says I give you my child.
The Scriptures tell us that God hates idolatry – it destroys His image. And yet, He sends His child to save us, the idolaters, in order to restore His image to what He intended. The Scriptures also reveal that God hates injustice – it exploits His image. 'Poverty is not primarily a lack of money or power – it's someone 'playing God' in the life of others' by determining who benefits and who does not."
Restoring God's Image-Bearers to Represent His Kingdom Authority
God uses the weak to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). He's on the side of those who don't seem to have power. And God likes to bring the "powerless" alongside the "powerful" and form coalitions to bring about His redemptive purposes.For example, Moses, the wandering murderer, was God's good choice to use to free His people from slavery. While Moses said that he could not speak well and had been away from Egypt for 40 years, he could also speak the Egyptian language and knew their customs. And he was an Israelite, so he understood his people's language and customs, too, and knew their suffering.
Today, the church is who God intends to use to bring the powerless and the powerful into the family of God to bring people out of spiritual, emotional, and physical slavery to change society. And with the Spirit of God, He only needs 120 people to change the world (Acts 1:15).
In the book of Acts, as we see the church grow, we see them continue to endeavor, envision, and expand. These gospel witnesses spread from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, and spiral out into Africa and Asia and the ends of the earth as Jesus promised they would (Acts 1:8).
This transformation was not easy, and at times could be very difficult. But these witnesses challenged the religious and irreligious idols of the Jews and the Gentiles and declared Jesus as King and His kingdom only as worthy of allegiance. It not only affected people personally, but also their households, means of business, and societal structures (see Acts 16 and 19). It shook the cities they went into including Corinth, Athens, Philippi and Ephesus.
If we look at how Jesus did this, He started small. He had his core of three – Peter, James, and John – and his group of twelve who He shared His time, resources, and wisdom with at deeper levels. With them, there were one hundred and twenty in the room waiting for the Spirit. And after they received Him, a movement was started.
What does it take?
- Followers of Jesus who obey all that He commanded and walk with the Spirit of God
- Real diversity among the followers who say to each other "I have need of you"
- True transformation within the group, giving each other the highest level of trust and being willing to stay together through the very, very difficult times that are sure to come
- Tenacious commitment to persevere together and seek Jesus' kingdom come, His will be done
– Sully
Curiosity piqued? Something inside you being stirred? Go ahead and connect.
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