Expanding Our Understanding: God Beyond the Box
Summary
### Summary
This morning, we explored the concept of putting God in a box, a metaphor for limiting our understanding and experience of God to specific places, traditions, or practices. We began with a story about a little girl who humorously tried to confine God to a box, illustrating how absurd it is to think we can contain the divine. This theme is central to the story of Stephen in Acts 7, who was accused of preaching that Jesus would destroy the temple and the law, the two cornerstones of Jewish faith. Stephen's defense was that God has never been confined to a single place or structure. He recounted the history of God's appearances to His people in various locations, from Mesopotamia to Egypt to Mount Sinai, emphasizing that God's presence is not limited to the temple in Jerusalem.
Stephen's key argument, quoting Isaiah, was that "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands." This means that while God may choose to reveal Himself in specific places, He is not confined to them. This truth is crucial for us today as we often limit our understanding of God to our past experiences or specific religious practices. The fall of a Christian leader or the decline of a particular church movement can make us feel like God has failed, but Stephen's message reminds us that God is not confined to any one box.
We also discussed the significant shift in how God reveals Himself, from the temple to the person of Jesus and now through the Holy Spirit dwelling in the community of believers, the church. This means that God's presence is not limited to a building or a specific group but is found in the global, diverse body of Christ.
To apply this truth, we need to widen our vision and loosen our grip. Widening our vision involves recognizing and appreciating how God is at work in different cultures and traditions. Loosening our grip means letting go of our rigid expectations and being open to new ways God might be working. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives and communities.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Presence is Not Limited to Specific Places: Stephen's defense in Acts 7 highlights that God has appeared to His people in various locations throughout history, from Mesopotamia to Egypt to Mount Sinai. This teaches us that God's presence is not confined to a single place or structure, such as the temple in Jerusalem. We must recognize that God can and does reveal Himself in diverse and unexpected ways. [03:54]
2. The Shift from Temple to Community: With the coming of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God's presence is now found in the community of believers, the church. This means that the church, as the body of Christ, is the new temple where God dwells. This shift challenges us to see God's presence in the collective body of believers rather than in a specific building or tradition. [14:19]
3. Widen Your Vision: To truly understand the breadth of God's work, we need to widen our vision and see how God is at work in different cultures and traditions. Experiencing the church in other cultures can broaden our understanding and appreciation of God's diverse ways of revealing Himself. This can be done through mission trips, partnerships with global churches, or simply engaging with believers from different backgrounds. [17:00]
4. Loosen Your Grip on Rigid Expectations: Often, we hold tightly to specific ways we've experienced God in the past, which can limit our openness to new ways God might be working. By loosening our grip on these rigid expectations, we can be more open to experiencing God in new and different ways, whether through different worship styles, traditions, or practices. [20:39]
5. God is Bigger Than Our Boxes: The fall of a Christian leader or the decline of a particular church movement can make us feel like God has failed. However, Stephen's message reminds us that God is not confined to any one box. God's work continues beyond our limited understanding and experiences. Trusting in God's greater plan allows us to see His work even when our specific boxes are broken. [12:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Introduction to Acts 7
[02:47] - Stephen's Charges: Temple and Law
[04:49] - Stephen's Defense: God Beyond the Temple
[06:01] - Pilgrimage to Israel
[07:54] - God's Presence Throughout History
[09:54] - The Tabernacle and the Temple
[10:46] - God is Not Limited by Structures
[12:57] - The Shift to Jesus and the Church
[14:19] - The Church as the New Temple
[15:32] - Application: Widen Your Vision
[17:00] - Experiencing Global Church
[18:49] - Kairos Course and Local Engagement
[19:45] - Application: Loosen Your Grip
[20:39] - Worship Styles and Preferences
[21:40] - Embracing Diverse Worship
[22:35] - Conclusion: Don't Put God in a Box
[23:21] - Final Applications and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 7:48 - "Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands."
2. John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
3. 1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
### Observation Questions
1. What was Stephen's main argument in Acts 7:48 about God's dwelling place? [04:49]
2. How does John 1:14 describe the shift in how God reveals Himself to humanity? [12:57]
3. According to 1 Corinthians 3:16, where does God's Spirit dwell now? [14:19]
4. What were the two main charges brought against Stephen by the Jewish council? [02:47]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Stephen emphasized that "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands"? How does this challenge traditional views of worship and God's presence? [04:49]
2. How does the incarnation of Jesus (John 1:14) change the way we understand God's presence among us? [12:57]
3. What implications does 1 Corinthians 3:16 have for how we view the church and our role within it? [14:19]
4. How can the fall of a Christian leader or the decline of a church movement affect our perception of God, and what can we learn from Stephen's message to counteract this? [11:54]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in an unexpected place or situation. How did that experience change your understanding of where God can be found? [04:49]
2. In what ways can you "widen your vision" to see God at work in different cultures and traditions? Have you ever participated in a mission trip or engaged with believers from different backgrounds? Share your experience. [17:00]
3. Think about a specific expectation or tradition you hold tightly to in your faith. How might loosening your grip on this expectation open you up to new ways God might be working? [20:39]
4. Have you ever experienced the collapse of a church or the fall of a Christian leader you admired? How did it impact your faith, and how can Stephen's message help you see beyond that box? [11:54]
5. How can you actively participate in the community of believers, recognizing that God's Spirit dwells within the collective body of Christ? What steps can you take to strengthen your involvement in your church community? [14:19]
6. Identify one way you can engage with someone from a different generation or ethnic background within your church. How can this interaction help you see God at work in new ways? [18:49]
7. Consider the worship styles and practices in your church. How can you appreciate and support diverse expressions of worship, even if they differ from your personal preferences? [21:40]
Devotional
### Day 1: God’s Presence is Everywhere
God's presence is not limited to specific places. Throughout history, God has revealed Himself in various locations, from Mesopotamia to Egypt to Mount Sinai. This teaches us that God's presence is not confined to a single place or structure, such as the temple in Jerusalem. We must recognize that God can and does reveal Himself in diverse and unexpected ways. Stephen's defense in Acts 7 highlights this truth, reminding us that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands. This understanding challenges us to look beyond our traditional confines and see God's work in all areas of life. [03:54]
Acts 7:48-50 (ESV): "Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?'"
Reflection: Think of a place outside of your usual worship setting where you have felt God's presence. How can you seek to experience God in new and unexpected places this week?
### Day 2: The Church as the New Temple
With the coming of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God's presence is now found in the community of believers, the church. This means that the church, as the body of Christ, is the new temple where God dwells. This shift challenges us to see God's presence in the collective body of believers rather than in a specific building or tradition. It encourages us to value and nurture our relationships within the church community, recognizing that together we are the dwelling place of God. [14:19]
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of community and God's presence within your church this week? What specific actions can you take to strengthen your relationships with fellow believers?
### Day 3: Widen Your Vision
To truly understand the breadth of God's work, we need to widen our vision and see how God is at work in different cultures and traditions. Experiencing the church in other cultures can broaden our understanding and appreciation of God's diverse ways of revealing Himself. This can be done through mission trips, partnerships with global churches, or simply engaging with believers from different backgrounds. By doing so, we can gain a fuller picture of God's kingdom and His work in the world. [17:00]
Revelation 7:9 (ESV): "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands."
Reflection: What steps can you take to learn about and engage with the global church? How can you broaden your understanding of God's work in different cultures and traditions?
### Day 4: Loosen Your Grip on Rigid Expectations
Often, we hold tightly to specific ways we've experienced God in the past, which can limit our openness to new ways God might be working. By loosening our grip on these rigid expectations, we can be more open to experiencing God in new and different ways, whether through different worship styles, traditions, or practices. This openness allows us to grow in our faith and experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives. [20:39]
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 are some rigid expectations or traditions you hold onto that might be limiting your experience of God? How can you open yourself up to new ways of encountering Him?
### Day 5: God is Bigger Than Our Boxes
The fall of a Christian leader or the decline of a particular church movement can make us feel like God has failed. However, Stephen's message reminds us that God is not confined to any one box. God's work continues beyond our limited understanding and experiences. Trusting in God's greater plan allows us to see His work even when our specific boxes are broken. This perspective helps us maintain faith and hope, knowing that God's purposes are far greater than our immediate circumstances. [12:57]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Think of a time when a leader or movement you trusted failed. How can you shift your focus from the failure to God's greater plan and continue to trust in His work?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's kind of crazy, right, to think that we could ever possibly put God in a box. And yet I think as we're going to discover this morning, this is something we all do in various ways and at various points in time." [01:42] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't put God in a box. Yes, God chose to make his presence known in the temple, but that doesn't mean that God is limited to that one place. God is present in many different places." [06:53] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The people of God are now the temple of God. The people of God are where God dwells. Not a particular building, or even a particular person, but a community of people." [14:19] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If the box in which we have experienced God is beginning to break down, that does not mean that God is breaking down. God is always at work building His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail." [15:32] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Widen your vision to see God at work in different ways, in different cultures. Maybe consider if the Lord's calling you to travel on one of our teams in this coming year." [23:21] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Stephen's message is don't put God in a box. It's not where God lives. He dwells in the capital C church by the presence of his Holy Spirit. And if you're struggling with that, perhaps try one of these two applications. Widen your vision, loosen your grip." [22:35] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sometimes for us to see God at work, we need to loosen our grip on what we hold so dearly. I thought God only worked through congregational singing. But now I see that God works to bring about worship through choral anthems and handbell choirs, organ preludes and electric guitar solos." [22:35] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I think we are all inclined to limit our understanding of God by the ways that we've experienced God in the past. I remember growing up in the UK, being heavily influenced by a particular youth movement. And this movement was so influential. I doubt that there's a single Christian leader who's been ordained in the UK in the last 20 years. Who was not impacted in some way by this youth movement." [10:46] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And I wonder if you've ever experienced something like that. A church. A Christian leader. A Christian movement. In which you've experienced God powerfully going on to collapse and fall apart. And it's painful. Because it's so easy to believe that God has collapsed at the same time." [12:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And more than this, now Jesus' followers were claiming that after Jesus' death, his resurrection and ascension into heaven, Jesus had left behind his spirit to inhabit a new temple. This temple was not made by human hands, but was the people who collectively called themselves the church, the body of Christ." [14:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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