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