If secular solutions (education, science, technology, etc) to the problems of our world have been so ineffective, perhaps it's because these treatments do not address the real problem. The concept of "sin" causes an allergic reaction in our culture. But much of this reaction is due to a superficial and simplistic understanding of what sin really is. If we're willing to look, Genesis 3 gives us a much deeper, and far more nuanced, understanding. This week, we continue our study by exploring not just what sin is, but its effects in our lives and our world.
"Sin" is a deeply problematic word in our culture. On the one hand, it's often seen as a primitive, oppressive, and dehumanizing doctrine. On the other hand, much of the baggage comes from a shallow understanding of what sin really is. But if we really want an effective solution to the problems of the world and of our lives, it's essential we have an accurate diagnosis of those problems. This week, we begin looking at the question: What's wrong with the world?
What kind of difference does the presence of God make in our world and in our lives? If God really does exist, and really desires to inhabit or indwell this world in some way, how would that change our lives? For example, do you need God to be good, happy, content, or satisfied? As we continue our series in Genesis, we look at this crucial question, and find some surprising answers.
"Work" is something that can carry a lot of baggage for us. It often has connotations of hardship, toil, and unpleasantness. The lack of work can also be a dehumanizing and painful experience in our lives. But what does the Bible say about it? Is work a good or bad thing? What is it for, and what should our relationship with it be like? How can we find satisfaction in our work, and how can we find rest to say enough is enough? Join us as we explore this huge topic in this week's sermon.
What kind of beings are human beings? What does it mean that we are created in the image of God? How would that impact the way we see ourselves, the way we see others, and the way we practice things like justice and human rights? The doctrine of the image of God has tremendous implications for our lives and the world. Join us this week as we explore this foundational topic.
We can't understand who Jesus is and what he came to do without understanding the "back story" of the Bible. Genesis gives us basic answers to some of the biggest questions in life: Where are we? Who are we? What's wrong with the world? What can be done about it? This week, we begin by looking at one of the most foundational questions anyone can ask: What kind of world is this in which we live? Genesis 1 gives us some answers that may surprise us, answers that offer us a radical, yet deeply encouraging, counter-narrative to many of the other answers out there.
Justice is a huge topic in our society these days. More people are talking about justice and looking for ways to make our society more just than ever before. A deep concern for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized has always been one of the primary themes in the Bible. This passage shows us why justice is so important, and how we can make a bigger difference in the world.
Money, financial stewardship, and generosity don't normally strike us as the most spiritual of topics. The Bible, however, talks about money - and our attitude toward it - as one of the main indicators of our spiritual health. This passage offers us surprising news about how God wants to use our money not just to change the world, but to change our hearts.
Friendship is an important, though often overlooked, part of a healthy Christian life. Traditional cultures emphasize family, while our contemporary culture emphasizes romance and sexual love. But the Bible has always emphasized the importance of friendship in addition to these kinds of relationships. Whether we're married or single, whether we have a family or not, we see that this topic is of vital importance for all of us.
What kind of community is Christian community supposed to be? Many feel that faith is fine, as long as you keep it to yourself. This passage, however, shows us how radically counter-intuitive, and counter-cultural, Christian community really is. Along the way, we discover some surprising things about the ultimate source of our identity, and how that shapes our relationships with people both inside and outside the church.