More Valuable Than Toilet Paper
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Me
Me
During this last month or so we have experienced what is most important to the human race. No, I’m not talking about toilet paper or hand sanitizer.
Story after story has arisen about the importance of community in the midst of social distancing. Close proximity community has risen as a need high above just about any materialistic need.
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that has been the primary source to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some quick Zoom stats for you:
Daily Meeting Participants
December 2019 - 10 Million
March 2020 - 200 Million
April 2020 - 300 Million
All for the sake of connection.
In New Jersey a newspaper delivery man decided to deliver something besides newspapers: groceries.
In Woodward, people have began to put bible verses in their front yards to bring hope to the community. Its called the Woodward scripture hunt.
People thrive on community because we were built for it.
We
We
Learning that community and connection is so important to humanity, what kind of danger does isolation bring?
Isolation doesn’t just damage us, isolation tempts to change who we are.
Connection is essential to who humans are because it is who God is.
God
God
In my opinion the greatest basis for understanding scripture is understanding one piece of scripture in 1 John 4:8
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
God is love. If you can understand this idea, the rest of the Bible falls into place.
Love requires connection
Love requires connection
Love requires connection. Love doesn’t exist without connection. It is impossible to experience love without another individual. In fact love is only possible through our connection with others.
Jesus Is Communication
Jesus Is Communication
This idea is even further enhanced with the person of Jesus. When Jesus is introduced in the book of John, He is described as the word. We use words primarily for communication.
Which when we study the gospels we find that Jesus is the communication between humanity and the Father.
We are Relational Because God is Relational
We are Relational Because God is Relational
We know that the Bible tells us that we were created in the image of God, we are modeled after the God of the universe.
If God is love and love is relational at its heart, and we were indeed made after the image of God, it can be safe to assume that we too are relational beings who crave connection and community.
Illustration:
Sin has isolated us from the God’s presence.
One of the key messages of scripture is God’s desire to remove our quarantine, so that the connection and relationship between creation and the divine might be restored.
To really help us understand this lets go to the book of Romans.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Paul makes a statement concerning our present day sufferings and our future hope.
Namely, that the sufferings that we are and will endure here on earth are not even worth comparing to the vast glory that God will reveal to us.
Meaning that when we enter into eternity and God is revealing to us everything He has planned for us, our sufferings, no matter what they are will pail in comparison, in fact it is not worth our time to compare the two.
So lift up your head! Because what God has in store for you is worth the wait.
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.
Paul takes this idea even further by telling us through divine inspiration that all of creation is longing for restoration. This restoration happens not simply through the second coming of Christ, but through the revealing of the sons and daughters of God.
Who are the sons and daughters of God?
In scripture, there are three individuals who are called a son of God.
Jesus, Adam, and the people of Israel.
38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’ ”
Romans 8:19 tells us that all of creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation or the revealing of the sons of God.
Is it talking about Jesus or Adam? They have been revealed. I believe this is talking about the followers of Jesus. As God referred to the nation of Israel as His son in Exodus, so creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God even today.
Why is creation waiting for the revealing of the sons of God?
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
So that creation will be set free from its bondage and obtain freedom.
This is the same language that is used in Exodus 20 linking physical slavery and bondage to the slavery and bondage of sin.
This all happens in the restoration of the children of God.
The next couple of verses explain this even further:
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
All creation is groaning in pain, awaiting our adoption as sons and daughters of God.
This all ties into Romans 8:28:
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This passage doesn’t stand alone. We often use it as a beautiful promise, which it is, but its more than that.
All things are working together for good. The absolutely best good there could ever be. What is the best good?
Our adoption from servants to sons and daughters of God. Our adoption doesn’t just affect us, but it affects the entire universe.
Want some proof? Check out this story from the book of Job:
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
We have been lowered because of sin. We were supposed to be sons and daughters of the Most High God. But Satan has taken our position as the ruler of this planet.
Because of this all creation is eagerly awaiting the soon return of Jesus and the our return as Sons and Daughters of God.
We are no longer slaves or servants, but we are sons and daughters of God.
You
You
But how do we make the transition from servants to sons and daughters?
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
By living according to the Spirit.
Spirit Living.
Spirit Living doesn’t happen when we enter the pearly gates. It happens here in this place.
In our homes.
In our schools.
In our community.
What does it mean to be Spirit led?
Its the difference between being Me-led and Spirit-led.
Who guides your actions?
Who guides my actions?
Are my actions and choices decided by me? Me-led.
Or are they determined by the Spirit? Spirit-led.
We
We
As we fall more and more in love with God through the beauty of the scriptures we will learn what it means to be led by the Spirit. We will experience an existence founded in the character of God.
One thing we can do right now: Pray, ask God for us to be led by the Spirit each day.
Will you pray this prayer with me?