Being Christ Church (4): Spirituality
2014/05/25
Christ Church, Mountain Top
Christ Church, Mountain Top
Prayer,
Psalm 6
Psalm 6
Children,
2 Samuel 23.13-17
2 Samuel 23.13-17
Message,
1 John 2.12-17, Jeremiah 9.23-24
1 John 2.12-17, Jeremiah 9.23-24
Wealth,
Sex, Power (human struggles)
Sex, Power (human struggles)
Poverty, chastity, obedience (monastic vows)
Monastic
spirituality: no wealth, no sex, no power
spirituality: no wealth, no sex, no power
Domestic
spirituality? For ordinary disciples?
spirituality? For ordinary disciples?
Wealth,
Sex, Power (human struggles)
Sex, Power (human struggles)
Lust
of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life (1 John 2.16, traditional lang)
of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life (1 John 2.16, traditional lang)
Lust of the eyes – Wealth
Expensive car, “he deserves it”
College debt
Mortgages without down payment
Slavery to debt
Slavery to work, work like a slave
Deut
5.12 – Sabbath given to Israel because they had been slaves
5.12 – Sabbath given to Israel because they had been slaves
Value in Practice: Giving … our
practice and situation
practice and situation
Secondary: Sabbath
Lust of the flesh – Sex
“Then,
when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death” James 1.15
when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown,
gives birth to death” James 1.15
Porn, objectify ourselves and others
Intimate moment: No one else on your mind,
not the past, not a fantasy
not the past, not a fantasy
Value in Practice: Faithful
Song of Songs 8.9-10, be either a door or
a wall
a wall
Song
of Solomon 8:6, Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for
love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.
of Solomon 8:6, Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for
love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.
Pride of life – Power
Control (obsessive-compulsive, and all
other ways)
other ways)
Have it your way … not in the life of
discipleship!
discipleship!
Anti-Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me
The anxiety to try to control the things I
cannot control
cannot control
The fear to avoid the things I can
And the neurosis to deny the difference.
Value in Practice: Being Real
Self-aware, accurate self-perception
Responsibility, ownership,
not projected onto others or defined
by others
by others
Story: Coaching conflict
Story: David and the water from
Bethlehem’s well (2Sam 23.13-17)
Bethlehem’s well (2Sam 23.13-17)
Antidote: The Love of the Father
Not about our guilt, but about sins forgiven – because of Jesus
Not about our weakness, but about our conquest – in Jesus
Not about our desires, but about our deepest longing – “love of the Father”
Jeremiah
9:23-24 Do not let the wise boast in
their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the
wealthy boast in their wealth; 24 but
let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am
the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth,
for in these things I delight, says the LORD.
9:23-24 Do not let the wise boast in
their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the
wealthy boast in their wealth; 24 but
let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am
the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth,
for in these things I delight, says the LORD.
1
John 2:12-15 I am writing to you, little
children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you
know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because
you have conquered the evil one. 14 I
write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people,
because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome
the evil one. 15 Do not love the world
or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the
world …
John 2:12-15 I am writing to you, little
children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you
know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because
you have conquered the evil one. 14 I
write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people,
because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome
the evil one. 15 Do not love the world
or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the
world …