Embracing Love Amidst Hardening Hearts and Free Will

Devotional

Day 1: The Complexity of Free Will

Free will is a topic that has been debated for centuries, with perspectives ranging from religious to scientific. Religious traditions often view free will as being limited by divine will, suggesting that God's plan ultimately supersedes human choices. On the other hand, some scientific perspectives, like those of Sam Harris, argue that free will is an illusion. Harris's argument is grounded in neuroscience, which suggests that our decisions are predetermined by a myriad of inputs and brain processes. This challenges us to reconsider the nature of our choices and the extent of our autonomy. [25:47]

Understanding these perspectives can help us navigate our own beliefs about free will. Are our choices truly our own, or are they influenced by factors beyond our control? This question is not just academic; it has real implications for how we live our lives and understand our responsibilities. As we ponder this, we are invited to explore the depths of our own decision-making processes and the influences that shape them.

Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV): "I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps."

Reflection: Think about a recent decision you made. What factors influenced that decision? How do you see the balance between your own free will and external influences in that choice?

Day 2: The Hardening of Hearts

The story of Pharaoh in Exodus illustrates the phenomenon of hardened hearts. Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart, but as the plagues progress, it is God who hardens Pharaoh's heart. This narrative raises profound questions about divine justice and human responsibility. It reminds us that hardened hearts, regardless of the cause, lead to suffering and loss. [38:55]

This story is not just a historical account but a reflection of ongoing human experiences. We all encounter situations where our hearts or the hearts of others become hardened, leading to conflict and suffering. Understanding this can help us approach such situations with greater empathy and a desire for reconciliation.

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where your heart has become hardened? What steps can you take to soften your heart and seek reconciliation?

Day 3: Jesus' Radical Teachings

Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Beatitudes, flip societal values on their head. He calls us to love our enemies and to show compassion and mercy, even in the face of persecution. This radical love challenges us to move beyond power struggles and to embody the transformative power of the Gospel. [47:04]

Jesus' message is revolutionary because it goes against our natural inclinations. Loving our enemies and showing mercy to those who persecute us is not easy, but it is the essence of the Gospel. This teaching invites us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions, challenging us to live out the radical love that Jesus exemplified.

Luke 6:27-28 (ESV): "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you show them love and compassion this week, following Jesus' radical teachings?

Day 4: The Ongoing Relevance of Exodus

The story of Exodus is not just a historical account but a narrative that continues to happen. It reflects ongoing human experiences of oppression, liberation, and the consequences of hardened hearts. This perspective helps us see the story as a living, dynamic reflection of God's ongoing work in the world. [34:03]

By viewing the Exodus story as a living narrative, we can draw parallels to our own lives and the world around us. The themes of oppression and liberation are still relevant today, and the story challenges us to consider our role in God's ongoing work of justice and mercy.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

Reflection: In what ways do you see the themes of Exodus—oppression, liberation, and hardened hearts—playing out in today's world? How can you be a part of God's work in addressing these issues?

Day 5: The Call to Love Through Hardening

As we face times of political and social tension, where hearts are prone to hardening, we are called to embody the radical love of Jesus. This means extending grace and mercy even to our enemies, recognizing that the essence of the Gospel is love and compassion. This is the transformative power of the Gospel, a call to love through the hardening of hearts. [49:17]

In times of tension and division, it is easy for hearts to become hardened. However, the Gospel calls us to a higher standard of love and compassion. By embodying this radical love, we can be agents of transformation in a world that desperately needs it. This is not just a call to passive love but to active, intentional acts of grace and mercy.

Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively show love and compassion to someone you disagree with or consider an enemy? What specific actions can you take this week to embody the transformative power of the Gospel?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the complex and often debated topic of free will, using the story of Pharaoh from the Book of Exodus as our focal point. We began by exploring the philosophical and theological perspectives on free will, noting that religious traditions often view free will as limited by divine will, while scientific and atheistic perspectives may also deny free will, albeit for different reasons. We then examined Sam Harris's argument that free will is an illusion, grounded in neuroscience, which suggests that our decisions are predetermined by a myriad of inputs and brain processes.

Transitioning to our scriptural focus, we discussed the story of Pharaoh and the ten plagues, emphasizing the repeated hardening of Pharaoh's heart. Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart, but as the plagues progress, it is God who hardens Pharaoh's heart. This raises challenging questions about divine justice and human responsibility. We considered the implications of this narrative, not just as a historical account, but as a story that continues to happen, reflecting ongoing human experiences of hardened hearts and the resulting suffering.

We then connected this Old Testament story to the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Beatitudes and His command to love our enemies. Jesus flips the script on societal values, advocating for compassion, mercy, and love even towards those who persecute us. This teaching challenges us to see beyond the immediate power struggles and to recognize the deeper spiritual truth that hardened hearts, regardless of the cause, lead to suffering.

In conclusion, we are reminded that the essence of the Gospel is love and compassion. As we navigate through times of political and social tension, where hearts are prone to hardening, we are called to embody the radical love of Jesus, extending grace and mercy even to our enemies. This is the transformative power of the Gospel, a call to love through the hardening of hearts.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Complexity of Free Will: The debate over free will spans both religious and scientific perspectives. While religious traditions often see divine will as superseding human will, some scientific views, like those of Sam Harris, argue that our decisions are predetermined by brain processes and external inputs. This challenges us to reconsider the nature of our choices and the extent of our autonomy. [25:47]
2. The Hardening of Hearts: The story of Pharaoh in Exodus illustrates the phenomenon of hardened hearts. Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart, but eventually, God hardens it. This narrative raises profound questions about divine justice and human responsibility, reminding us that hardened hearts, regardless of the cause, lead to suffering and loss. [38:55]
3. Jesus' Radical Teachings: Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Beatitudes, flip societal values on their head. He calls us to love our enemies and to show compassion and mercy, even in the face of persecution. This radical love challenges us to move beyond power struggles and to embody the transformative power of the Gospel. [47:04]
4. The Ongoing Relevance of Exodus: The story of Exodus is not just a historical account but a narrative that continues to happen. It reflects ongoing human experiences of oppression, liberation, and the consequences of hardened hearts. This perspective helps us see the story as a living, dynamic reflection of God's ongoing work in the world. [34:03]
5. The Call to Love Through Hardening: As we face times of political and social tension, where hearts are prone to hardening, we are called to embody the radical love of Jesus. This means extending grace and mercy even to our enemies, recognizing that the essence of the Gospel is love and compassion. This is the transformative power of the Gospel, a call to love through the hardening of hearts. [49:17]
### [49:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:07] - Call for Volunteers
[12:20] - Introduction to Free Will
[25:47] - Religious and Scientific Perspectives on Free Will
[27:06] - Sam Harris's Argument Against Free Will
[28:25] - Neuroscience and Decision Making
[31:06] - Introduction to Exodus and Pharaoh
[32:34] - The Question of God's Justice
[34:03] - The Ongoing Relevance of Exodus
[35:48] - Overview of Moses' Story
[37:11] - The Ten Plagues
[38:55] - The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
[40:26] - Human Responsibility and Divine Action
[44:00] - Jesus' Teachings and the Beatitudes
[47:04] - Love Your Enemies
[49:17] - The Call to Love Through Hardening
[51:26] - Offering and Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the story of Pharaoh, who initially hardens Pharaoh's heart, and how does this change over time? ([40:26])
What are the ten plagues mentioned in the sermon, and what is their significance in the story of Exodus? ([38:55])
According to the sermon, what is the broader message of the Exodus story beyond its historical context? ([34:03])
How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44 challenge the societal values of His time and ours? ([47:04])

Interpretation Questions

What might be the theological implications of God hardening Pharaoh's heart after Pharaoh initially hardens his own heart? ([40:26])
How does the story of Pharaoh and the plagues illustrate the consequences of hardened hearts, regardless of the cause? ([49:17])
In what ways does Jesus' command to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44 flip societal values on their head? ([47:04])
How can the ongoing relevance of the Exodus story help us understand current human experiences of oppression and liberation? ([34:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt your heart harden towards someone. What were the consequences, and how might you have responded differently with a heart of compassion? ([49:17])
Jesus calls us to love our enemies. Identify a person or group you find difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them compassion and mercy? ([47:04])
In the context of political and social tensions, how can you embody the radical love of Jesus in your interactions, especially with those who hold opposing views? ([51:26])
The sermon suggests that hardened hearts lead to suffering. How can you guard against your heart becoming hardened in your daily life? ([49:17])
Consider the story of Pharaoh and the plagues. How can you apply the lesson of recognizing and softening your heart in your relationships and community? ([40:26])
Reflect on the Beatitudes and Jesus' teachings. How can you incorporate these values into your life, especially in situations where societal norms push you towards power struggles? ([45:37])
How can you actively participate in God's ongoing work of liberation and restoration in your community, as illustrated by the story of Exodus? ([34:03])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "The story of Moses, the story of Exodus is not about what happened, it's about what happens. In other words, salvation, deliverance, restoration isn't a story only about the past, it's the very definition of what our God does all the time every day." [34:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The bottom line of the gospel is compassion, right? Holding the hand of the other, being with the other, caring for the other, even your enemy. Every one of those plagues is not about who or how hearts got hardened. This should be a reminder of what happens when hearts are hardened." [49:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Let us remember the gospel of Jesus, a gospel of love and compassion and grace and mercy, a gospel where we are to turn the other cheek, a gospel that says, sure, love your neighbor, but flip the script and also love your enemy. That's what Jesus teaches. Hearts will get hardened. The reason is irrelevant. Love through it." [51:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "When you step back and look at all eleven opportunities, I think that what we want to do is look at this concept of free will, at least I do. Does God actually make me do bad things sometimes? Does God make you do bad things sometimes? And I think that might actually be the wrong question. Because when you look at the whole thing, it's like the story is, the storyteller is saying, listen, sometimes you harden your own heart, sometimes your heart is hardened due to forces that you can't control. But every time a heart is hardened, people get hurt." [42:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is a rabbi. He's a rabbi. These are the stories he preached from. Every one of Jesus' parables and stories are grounded in Torah. He's a rabbi. This is part of the backdrop. And he is in Israel with, being, he's an oppressed people, right? Rome is there. Rome is oppressing them. Rome is present. Rome is occupying them. And they absolutely have the kind of conversations of who's more powerful. Is our God going to free us from the Romans, just like our God freed us from the Egyptians?" [44:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Maybe the hardening of the heart, who hardens the heart, is completely irrelevant. Maybe what we're being taught to see is that whenever hearts are hardened, people get hurt, which is why Jesus is trying to preach through that, teach through that, a gospel that we take it. That there are no boundaries on who God loves. There is no line that divides who God loves and who God doesn't. That whenever our hearts are hardened, regardless of the reason, we are not able to love each other and people get hurt." [47:04] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "These are values that are upside down, from our culture, our society, the very world in which we live, and it was true then, and it's true now. But after he says, turn the other cheek, there's another section that I think is incredibly important for us today, and I think might speak into, knowing that Jesus' backdrop are these stories like the Exodus. He says, what everybody knows is true, what everybody thinks is absolutely the way it should be. There's not a religion on the planet, not an atheist on the planet that doesn't think we should love our neighbor. Everybody agrees with that. Big deal, but in Matthew 5.44, Jesus says, love your enemy." [45:37] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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