Embracing New Beginnings: Finding God in Life's Tension

 

Summary

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves caught between the beauty of creation and the brokenness of the world. This tension is vividly illustrated in the book of Genesis, where the rhythms of life—creation, fall, and redemption—are played out repeatedly. As we navigate our own lives, we are reminded that we are part of a larger story, one that began in Eden and continues through the ages. The beauty of Genesis lies in its ability to connect us with the deeper realities of life, urging us to find God in the midst of our struggles and joys.

The series on Genesis has been a profound exploration of these themes, inviting us to let go of the past and embrace the new beginnings that God offers. It challenges us to live with a sense of blessing, to rest in the Sabbath, and to engage with the world around us with curiosity and love. The ancient stories of creation, chaos, and divine interaction are not just historical accounts but are deeply relevant to our lives today. They remind us that even in the midst of chaos, there is hope and a divine presence that guides us.

As we reflect on the sacrificial systems of the past, we see how God has transformed these practices to teach us about His nature—a God who does not demand but gives, who does not need but provides. This transformation is a testament to the self-giving love that is at the heart of God's character, a love that is ultimately expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

In our modern context, we are called to rediscover the beauty of character formation, to identify and cultivate our strengths, and to live out our faith in tangible ways. This journey is not just about personal growth but about contributing to the greater good, about being a blessing to others as we have been blessed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace New Beginnings: Life is full of opportunities for new beginnings, and Genesis reminds us that God is the author of these fresh starts. By letting go of the past and embracing the present, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. [13:10]

2. Find God in the Tension: The rhythms of Genesis teach us that life is a series of ups and downs, but in the midst of this tension, we can find God. By recognizing the divine presence in both the beauty and the brokenness, we can navigate life's challenges with hope and faith. [19:38]

3. Transformative Sacrifice: The sacrificial systems of the past have been transformed by God to teach us about His self-giving love. This transformation invites us to live lives of sacrifice and service, reflecting the character of God in our interactions with others. [33:48]

4. Character Formation: Our journey of faith involves the cultivation of character strengths that align with God's nature. By identifying and developing these strengths, we can live more fully and contribute to the well-being of our communities. [37:06]

5. Blessing as a Spiritual Reality: Blessing is a profound spiritual reality that transcends the physical. By seeking the good of others in the presence of God, we participate in the divine act of blessing, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. [44:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:58] - Community and Life Events
- [12:41] - The Deeper Reality of Genesis
- [13:10] - Embracing New Beginnings
- [14:20] - Spiritual Formation and Work
- [15:00] - The Ancient Near East Context
- [16:00] - Living with Blessing Today
- [18:03] - Challenges and Hope in Genesis
- [19:38] - The Rhythms of Life
- [22:24] - Ancient Experiences and Modern Connections
- [25:05] - Holistic Gospel Movement
- [26:43] - Encouragement for Small Churches
- [29:22] - The Sacrificial System
- [33:48] - God's Transformative Love
- [37:06] - Character Formation and Strengths
- [44:03] - The Power of Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1-2:3 - The Creation Story
2. Genesis 3:1-24 - The Fall of Man
3. Romans 12:1-2 - A Living Sacrifice

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 1:1-2:3, what are the key elements of the creation story, and how do they reflect the beauty and order of God's creation?
2. How does Genesis 3:1-24 illustrate the concept of the fall and the introduction of chaos into the world?
3. According to Romans 12:1-2, what does it mean to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, and how does this relate to the transformation of sacrificial systems mentioned in the sermon? [33:48]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the tension between beauty and brokenness in our lives today? [19:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the rhythm of creation, fall, and redemption in Genesis help us understand the larger story of God's interaction with humanity? [19:38]
2. In what ways does the transformation of sacrificial systems in the Bible reveal God's self-giving love, and how is this ultimately expressed in Jesus' sacrifice? [33:48]
3. How can the concept of blessing as a spiritual reality, as discussed in the sermon, change our perspective on life's challenges and joys? [44:03]
4. What does it mean to find God in the tension between beauty and brokenness, and how can this understanding impact our daily lives? [19:38]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced a new beginning. How did you see God's hand in that fresh start, and how can you embrace new beginnings more fully in your life? [13:10]
2. Identify a current challenge in your life. How can you find God in the midst of this tension, and what steps can you take to navigate it with hope and faith? [19:38]
3. Consider the concept of transformative sacrifice. How can you incorporate self-giving love into your daily interactions with others, and what might that look like in practical terms? [33:48]
4. Think about your character strengths. Which ones align with God's nature, and how can you cultivate these strengths to contribute to the well-being of your community? [37:06]
5. How can you actively participate in the divine act of blessing others? Identify one person in your life who could benefit from your blessing, and plan a specific way to bring hope and healing to them this week. [44:03]
6. Reflect on the idea of living with a sense of blessing today. What practices can you incorporate into your routine to remind yourself of God's blessings and to share them with others? [16:00]
7. How can you let go of past burdens and embrace the present moment as an opportunity for growth and renewal in your spiritual journey? [13:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the Gift of New Beginnings
In life, we are often presented with opportunities to start anew, and Genesis reminds us that God is the author of these fresh starts. By letting go of the past and embracing the present, we can experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. This involves trusting in God's plan and being open to the changes He brings into our lives. Embracing new beginnings means acknowledging that every day is a chance to grow, learn, and become more aligned with God's purpose for us. It is about stepping forward with faith, knowing that God walks with us in every new chapter. [13:10]

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: What is one area of your life where you feel God is inviting you to start anew? How can you take a step today to embrace this new beginning with faith and trust?


Day 2: Discover God in Life's Tensions
The rhythms of Genesis teach us that life is a series of ups and downs, but in the midst of this tension, we can find God. By recognizing the divine presence in both the beauty and the brokenness, we can navigate life's challenges with hope and faith. This involves seeing God's hand in every situation, whether it is a moment of joy or a time of struggle. It is about understanding that God is present in the tension, working all things for our good and His glory. By finding God in the tension, we learn to trust Him more deeply and rely on His strength. [19:38]

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you seek to find God's presence and guidance in the midst of this tension today?


Day 3: Live a Life of Transformative Sacrifice
The sacrificial systems of the past have been transformed by God to teach us about His self-giving love. This transformation invites us to live lives of sacrifice and service, reflecting the character of God in our interactions with others. It is about understanding that true sacrifice is not about loss but about love and giving. By living a life of transformative sacrifice, we align ourselves with God's heart and become conduits of His love to the world. This means being willing to put others before ourselves and to serve with humility and grace. [33:48]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve sacrificially today? What specific action can you take to reflect God's love to them?


Day 4: Cultivate Character Aligned with God's Nature
Our journey of faith involves the cultivation of character strengths that align with God's nature. By identifying and developing these strengths, we can live more fully and contribute to the well-being of our communities. This involves a commitment to personal growth and a desire to reflect God's character in all we do. It is about being intentional in our actions and decisions, seeking to embody the virtues that God values. By cultivating character, we become more effective witnesses of God's love and grace in the world. [37:06]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: What is one character strength you feel God is calling you to develop? How can you take a practical step today to cultivate this strength in your life?


Day 5: Participate in the Divine Act of Blessing
Blessing is a profound spiritual reality that transcends the physical. By seeking the good of others in the presence of God, we participate in the divine act of blessing, bringing hope and healing to a world in need. This involves recognizing that we are blessed to be a blessing and that our actions can have a significant impact on those around us. It is about being intentional in our words and deeds, seeking to uplift and encourage others. By participating in the divine act of blessing, we become instruments of God's peace and love in the world. [44:03]

Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV): "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can bless today? What specific words or actions can you use to bring hope and encouragement to them?

Quotes

"John I was saying god of the Bible is the god of new beginnings so take a deep breath let go yesterday on dead bye-bye I was here um uh whose voice do I hear whenever you say that I'll think of it later but I love that intro I remember the first time that you said that intro on the second Everest episode which we could talk about if you want but again I actually just laughed out loud because it was so refreshing and helpful just ugh it's gone let it go I think we all have yesterday's that we are very happy to say I think somebody wrote in the chat that they forgot to let go yesterday." [00:13:07]

"um yeah so that initial quote is a significant part of that journey I love studying this I you know what I love and what I'm so grateful to get to do with all of you is to try to learn and read and think and talk with people about the stuff of life and then figure out a way to communicate that that can touch folks minds and hearts and Genesis is unique in that way to be able to read uh what was going on in the great conversation in the world of the ancient near East and how did Genesis fit in there was very stimulating but then I would find myself just preoccupied with thoughts about uh the Babylonian and Mesopotamian and Egyptian creation myths and the use of imagery and the role of chaos and how they viewed the gods and I just got completely stuck because I would start recording stuff it's like this is not working at all and it was real abstract and, um actually both you Nancy and you Tim were super helpful because it's uh it can be very difficult and distressing and depressing and spiritually hard and then to remember, um actually at the core of what we're doing here is trying to help each other find a way to connect with God today and to walk with him through life today so to make sure that I was structuring each one of the talks around getting to that point, um how do I live with a sense of blessing today how do I rest in the Sabbath today how do I do good work today how do I love another person today how can I be curious about the animals today, to be brought back like that's home so that's really where the the intro on every day kind of flowed out of my own deep wrestling with a sense of inadequacy and failure and then kind of finding oh yeah that's home base so it was a very very meaningful series to me I love doing it before I forget the one other thing I'll mention because somebody asked about this I've misstated it earlier on this Sunday July 9th I actually will be preaching but here in California at um uh the Cathedral of Faith, um our really good friend Ken Foreman is Pastor there so I'll be here we'll be in Chicago and I'll be preaching at Christ Church the following week, um July 16th somebody saw that on the church's website and basically if you ever see anything online that's different than what I say the other source is probably more accurate and that's the case here." [00:14:20]

"um I was so excited when John decided to do this series because I think there's so much richness in Genesis that's easy to overlook I'm going to merge those two questions together and it's actually something John and I talked about just a couple of days ago he was saying that the rhythms really throughout Genesis are, um you're gonna have to help me with the words but the rhythm of something goes wrong and there's a spiral downward and then eventually there's hope and that gets repeated over and over again from the fall to Cain and Abel to Babel to Abraham to the flood and I think for so many of us myself included in the American Church the idea of following Jesus unconsciously what we're looking for is just on-ramps of hope all the time and I think the reminder that from the very beginning it's been uh breaks from God downward Spirals and then just glimpses of Hope just enough to keep us moving forward has helped recalibrate me in what my unconscious expectations are for my life that what I want so badly is for the good parts of life to predominate and the hard parts to seed into the background and I don't think the Bible I don't think that's the Bible story." [00:19:38]

"and I think um the loveliness of Eden this Series has helped me remember that gosh we were created for the loveliness of Eden that's in our DNA and yet we live in a broken world where it's full of the downward spiral and so I have to find a way to live in between those two wanting the one so much more than I want the other but I have to find God and I think he lives in the middle so for me this Series has been great and then the phrase John used a couple of weeks ago um don't believe anything bad about God I screenshotted that title on my phone of just when you have to live in between those two it's sort of like okay if this is you God in the loveliness of Eden why don't you take care of this hard part of my life more often and just that reminder that if it's which is just just to make sure that's true that's pretty much everything I say is so yeah no I think that's great Nancy I agree with you totally I think this series was just so helpful I mean the everyday the everyday weekday rhythm of coming back to those thoughts in that reality and John I think you do that so well is holding I mean both of those tensions both in your own life experience what you're going through today but also just in the reality of that's that's all of our life experience is that it's that combination how would you answer John just some about those three years all those episodes you did this one is personally tough for me you know uh or which one brought you the most help." [00:22:24]

"yeah I think um the uh the the part that that I found myself thinking about a lot now and wondering about is, um, how what was people's experience like in the ancient world that they're communicating in the Bible and how does that connect with mine I can sometimes think of people's experience with God you know like a movie with special effects and then to think here God doesn't have a body so when he talks about they heard God walking in the cool of the day what exactly was going on what did they experience, um I'd not fought deeply before about how like when the serpent shows up and again it's not a talking snake so it's using a lot of imagery and symbol but there's already a problem when the man and the woman are first born they they're first created they haven't sinned yet but their something's already wrong in the universe there is already um a power greater than us that is pulling us away and um so just trying to trying to figure out, um, what's going on in my life that is significant and where there is something sacred happening that I just miss all the time where uh anybody who's watching us your experience of life could be part of scripture, um, you are hearing we are hearing in some ways from God even if we don't know it how often do I miss it where do I miss it, um, just that little word blessed and I was thinking for some reason I don't understand why I don't understand what it is but when we do these moments and you all write in, um, it is deeply deeply meaningful to the heart and there's a deep sense of blessing in it, um, but I miss that most of the time in most of the day so it's that question how do I how do I learn how to, um, not miss it when I'm walking through life." [00:25:05]

"um you know such a rich question, um, and it ties real deeply into the nature of Genesis you know when I was a kid I often didn't understand that there was a context to the writing of scripture and would just think of the Old Testament as like this blueprint drop down from heaven where God is saying this is how I did it what I did instead of realizing it was part of a great conversation that's always going on in the world what does it mean to be human is there a sense of transcendence is there meaning is there anything out there and, um, that relates to the sacrificial system that, um, I used to think oh the idea of sacrificing animals was invented in the Bible and it always seemed kind of strange to me and uh it wasn't until months later that I realized no people have uh offered sacrifices to God or the Gods uh in the ancient world pretty much universally interestingly even in Genesis we see with Cain and Abel they're offering sacrifices to God and that of course was way before the pentateuch was written before Israel existed, um, there is something inside the Consciousness the minds and hearts of people early on that led them to offer sacrifices that can look strange to us because they were stupid and they didn't know any better and we're really smart but there were Dynamics going on they had this sense that there was another world beyond our world and they had this strange sense that there was a mystery that somehow our being able to live involves death uh that happens with crops that happens with animals and this strange sense that we need help and we should ask for help and all of that's part of what was involved in sacrifices." [00:29:22]

"um but that actually uh self-giving love a God who sacrifices himself his time to create this beautiful world and then shares it with us is transferring his goodness into our realm so that we can transfer Our Lives into his realm, um, is at the core of who God is and that theme I wish he had the right words for it but the notion that, um, what is good what is beautiful what is blessed what is love what is self-giving and self-offering is rooted in the nature of God and that's why we respond to good and Beauty the way that we do because there is a trinitarian fellowship of sacrificing self-giving love that is at the core of everything that will one day Prevail and even the way that God takes the sacrificial system of the ancient world and one step at a time teaches people there are not many gods and there they are not needy there is one God and he is great and he is good and uh that he gives of himself so that we can learn to give of ourselves is a beautiful beautiful thing we see It ultimately expressed by Jesus and the cross and um so that uh that the way that God uses and transformed the sacrificial system I think is one of the most beautiful parts of scripture." [00:33:48]

"um in the field of uh positive psychology there's been a lot of work over the last couple of years around, um, character formation and uh it's kind of um resulted in a list of 24 character strengths and they're each one of them beautiful they're deeply deeply a part of scripture they're deeply a part of story you can't watch a movie without finding somebody's character moving in the right direction or moving in the wrong direction it's part of why story is so important, um, as the Deep part of there's a philosopher named Christian Miller that's doing a lot of writing about that Tim we've just been in touch with him a psychologist in the UK Roger Brotherton that we're also hoping to talk to and the idea of this series will be not just to abstractly study these Concepts but to actually identify, um, what are your signature character strengths what are the things where, um, when you practice spirituality or humor or humility or creativity or curiosity or leadership you just feel deeply deeply alive and how do you embed that more into your life virtue in action so that's where we're headed next and uh I just love to bring together the best thought of scripture and spiritual formation and people that work in the social sciences and philosophy I think it's going to be, um, really really rich." [00:37:06]

"um I do uh one of the uh words in the Genesis account that I just love is the word bless and uh Dallas would often talk about how blessing is a spiritual reality it's not physical but it is a form of energy it comes from the will, um, to bless uh is to uh seek will the good of the other in the presence of God and I love that the first time we see it in Genesis God is blessing the fish and uh science cannot tell us if anything is good or not it can just say this is or it isn't if you ask a scientist is the cosmos a good thing there's no scientific journal that does a peer-reviewed study of that but Genesis tells us that, um, it is a blessed thing to be alive and so I just want to take this moment to bless you whoever you are watching this in your fourth month without drinking, um, about to get married suffering because you have a brother or a brother-in-law or a parent or a spouse who just died, um, struggling because you're facing difficulties or challenges or pain which we do in our own life and are deeply aware of in the midst of all of this the word to you now is blessed blessed blessed blessed God bless you thanks thank you." [00:44:03]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?