Co-Creation with God: Flourishing Through Work and Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker discussing the concept of work as a form of co-creation with God. They reference theologian Tim Keller's definition of work as rearranging the raw material of God's creation in a way that helps the world and people thrive. The speaker encourages the congregation to consider their own work and how it contributes to the flourishing of others. They give examples of different professions, such as baking, accounting, artistry, and healthcare, and highlight how each one involves rearranging God's creation to promote flourishing. The speaker emphasizes the spiritual significance of design and beauty, noting that even things like sunsets and fruit in Genesis are described as pleasing to the eye.
The speaker then transitions to the topic of the new series they have started, which focuses on the vision statement of flourishing for the people of Jersey. They explain that the series will explore the Grand Narrative of the Bible, which is described as a five-act play by theologian N.T. Wright. The first act, the creation of the world, is currently being discussed. The speaker wants to zoom out and examine the nature of God, whose image humans are made in. They acknowledge that the audience may be at different points in their faith journey and may have different levels of familiarity with the Bible, so they start by asking the question, "What is the Bible?"
The speaker then discusses the nature of the Bible and its various genres. They explain that the Bible is a collection of ancient writings written by approximately 40 people over a span of 1,500 years. It contains songs, historical narratives, laws, sermons, and letters. The first book of the Bible, Genesis, is described as an ancient creation poem, which is one of many explanations for why things are the way they are. The speaker then mentions another popular creation story called the Enuma Elish, which is not found in the Bible. This story involves gods killing each other and the creation of humanity.
The speaker focuses on the creation story from the book of Genesis. They highlight how God created the day and night, separating light from darkness, and saw that it was good. God then proceeds to create living creatures in the waters and birds in the sky, blessing them to be fruitful and increase in number. The speaker emphasizes that God's creation is abundant and flourishing. Next, God creates land animals, including livestock and wild animals, according to their kinds. Finally, God creates mankind in his own image, male and female, and blesses them to rule over the fish, birds, and all creatures on the Earth. The speaker emphasizes that God's nature is one of love and creativity, as he creates an outburst of life and flourishing.
Key Takeaways:
- Work is a form of co-creation with God. It involves rearranging the raw material of God's creation in a way that helps the world and people thrive. This perspective can transform how we view our professions and the impact we can have on others. [49:32]
- The Bible is a collection of ancient writings that contain a variety of genres. Understanding the nature of the Bible can help us better interpret its messages and apply them to our lives. [49:32]
- The creation story in Genesis highlights God's nature as one of love and creativity. He creates an outburst of life and flourishing, which serves as a model for us to follow in our own lives. #!!01:03:26!!#
- The speaker emphasizes the joy, humor, and delight in God's creation. They suggest that one's driving engine in life is deeply connected to their view of God. This perspective can influence whether one's life is characterized by aggression and brokenness or joy and flourishing. #!!01:06:02!!#
- The speaker discusses the importance of maintaining cultural and historical narratives in the face of contrasting foreign narratives. This was exemplified by the Jews who, while exiled in Babylon, assembled and wrote down their own traditions to maintain their tribal cohesion. This serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding our own cultural and spiritual heritage. #!!57:04!!#
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:1-31 - The Creation Story
2. Colossians 3:23-24 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
3. Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1, what are the different stages of creation, and how does God describe His creation at each stage?
2. How does the speaker define work in relation to God's creation? [49:32]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of professions that contribute to the flourishing of others? [49:32]
4. How does the speaker describe the nature of God as seen in the creation story? [01:05:21]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be a co-creator with God in your daily work? How does this perspective change the way you view your profession? [49:32]
2. How does understanding the Bible as a collection of various genres help in interpreting its messages? [50:28]
3. In what ways does the creation story in Genesis contrast with the Enuma Elish, and what does this tell us about the nature of God? [53:12]
4. How does the speaker suggest that one's view of God influences their behavior and life outcomes? [01:06:52]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current job or daily activities. How can you see your work as a form of co-creation with God? What specific actions can you take to contribute to the flourishing of others through your work? [49:32]
2. The speaker mentions that the Bible contains various genres like songs, historical narratives, and laws. How can you approach reading the Bible differently to better understand its messages? [50:28]
3. Think about the creation story in Genesis. How does the idea of God creating out of love and joy influence your view of the world and your role in it? [01:05:21]
4. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining cultural and historical narratives. How can you actively preserve and understand your own cultural and spiritual heritage? [57:04]
5. The speaker discusses the joy, humor, and delight in God's creation. How can you incorporate more joy and creativity into your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week to reflect God's nature of love and creativity? [01:06:02]
6. How does your view of God influence your behavior and interactions with others? Identify one area in your life where you can shift your perspective to align more with a view of God as loving and creative. [01:06:52]
7. The speaker talks about the importance of flourishing for the people of Jersey. What are some practical ways you can contribute to the flourishing of your community? [49:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Co-Creation with God in Our Work
Our work is not just a means to an end, but a form of co-creation with God. It involves rearranging the raw material of God's creation in a way that helps the world and people thrive. This perspective can transform how we view our professions and the impact we can have on others. [[49:32]]
1 Corinthians 3:9 - "For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building."
Reflection: Reflect on your current profession or daily tasks. How can you see them as a form of co-creation with God and how can they contribute to the flourishing of others?
Day 2: Understanding the Nature of the Bible
The Bible is a collection of ancient writings that contain a variety of genres. Understanding the nature of the Bible can help us better interpret its messages and apply them to our lives. [[49:32]]
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
Reflection: Choose a book of the Bible you're less familiar with. How can understanding its genre and historical context enhance your interpretation and application of its messages?
Day 3: Embracing God's Nature of Love and Creativity
The creation story in Genesis highlights God's nature as one of love and creativity. He creates an outburst of life and flourishing, which serves as a model for us to follow in our own lives. [01:03:26]
Psalm 104:24 - "How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures."
Reflection: How can you reflect God's love and creativity in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to promote life and flourishing in your community?
Day 4: Finding Joy in God's Creation
God's creation is filled with joy, humor, and delight. Our view of God deeply influences our life's driving engine, determining whether our lives are characterized by aggression and brokenness or joy and flourishing. [01:06:02]
Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Reflection: Reflect on your view of God. How does it influence your daily life and interactions with others? How can you cultivate a perspective of joy and flourishing?
Day 5: Preserving Our Cultural and Spiritual Heritage
Maintaining cultural and historical narratives in the face of contrasting foreign narratives is crucial. This was exemplified by the Jews who, while exiled in Babylon, assembled and wrote down their own traditions to maintain their tribal cohesion. This serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding our own cultural and spiritual heritage. [57:04]
Deuteronomy 4:9 - "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
Reflection: What are some important aspects of your cultural and spiritual heritage? How can you actively preserve and pass them on to the next generation?
Quotes
"Your view of the universe and the driving force behind everything ultimately determines your intentional or unintentional effectiveness and bringing flourishing to those around you." [45:00]
"God loves to make things and so you love to make things" [01:09:54]
"Design and Beauty are deeply spiritual...the point of beauty is to be beautiful" [01:11:14]
"Whatever you turn your hand to, you're positioned to execute your good ordained purpose to make something with the world" [01:11:59]
"This creation is made for flourishing when we're selfish and greedy we go against the very nature of the universe when we realize it's not about me it's about bringing life to others and them bringing life to others then the whole thing starts to flourish" [01:08:29]
"God created Mankind in his own image in the image of God he created them male and female he created them God blessed them and said to them be fruitful and increase in number fill the Earth and subdue it rule over the fish and the Sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground" [01:04:40]
"God saw all that he had made and it was very good and there was evening and there was morning the sixth day I wonder what sense you get of the nature of God when you read this creation story this God loves to make things flourish it's good it's very good" [01:05:21]
"The Bible is a library of ancient writings written by approximately 40 people over a period of [51:05] approximately 1,500 years."
[51:05]
"The Genesis 1 [51:54] poem is one of many ancient explanations for why things are the way they are."
[51:54]
"When was the book of Genesis finally assembled and edited together and compiled? When the Jews were exiled from Jerusalem and found themselves living in Babylon." ([58:30])
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