Living Connected: Embracing Divine Order and Shalom

 

Summary

In today's talk, we explored the profound concept of living connected—connected to God, to others, to our work, and to creation. This connection is not just a superficial bond but a deep, meaningful engagement that reflects the very process of creation itself. In Genesis, God brings order from chaos through a series of separations and connections, creating a universe where life can flourish and love can happen. This is the essence of shalom, a state of peace and completeness.

We delved into how this divine pattern of separation and connection is mirrored in various aspects of life. In human relationships, we are called to be separate yet connected, reflecting the mystery of being made in God's image. Sin, then, is the violation of this divine order, either by separating what God has joined or joining what God has separated. This is evident in societal issues like racism and theft, where boundaries are either wrongly enforced or ignored.

The sermon also highlighted how this pattern is evident in our personal development and consciousness. Our minds, created with billions of neurons, thrive on differentiation and integration, leading to a state of flow where we are fully absorbed and connected with our activities. This is true for families, governments, and even our spiritual lives. Christianity uniquely captures this balance, teaching that we are distinct individuals made in God's image, yet called to be united in Christ.

Jesus came to restore this divine order, reconciling us to God and each other. He broke down barriers, inviting all to be one in Him, while still honoring our individuality. As we live connected, we become agents of shalom, contributing to a world where God's peace and love reign supreme.

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Order in Creation: The process of creation involves both separation and connection, reflecting God's design for a universe where life can flourish. This pattern is foundational to understanding shalom, a state of peace and completeness that God desires for all creation. [02:18]

2. Sin as a Violation of Shalom: Sin disrupts the divine order by either separating what God has joined or joining what God has separated. This understanding reframes sin not as mere rule-breaking but as a deeper violation of God's intended harmony. [05:25]

3. The Complexity of Human Connection: Our brains, with their billions of neurons, exemplify the divine pattern of differentiation and integration. This complexity allows us to experience flow, a state of deep engagement and connection with our activities, reflecting God's design for human flourishing. [08:34]

4. Christianity's Unique Perspective: Unlike secularism and monism, Christianity teaches that personhood is an indivisible unit of creation. We are made in God's image to be connected to Him and others, yet maintain our individuality, reflecting the balance of separation and connection. [15:17]

5. Jesus as the Reconciler: Jesus came to restore the divine order, breaking down barriers and reconciling us to God and each other. In Christ, we find unity without losing our individuality, becoming agents of shalom in a world longing for peace and connection. [16:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Living Connected
- [01:04] - The Process of Creation
- [02:18] - Order from Chaos
- [03:11] - Shalom and Human Connection
- [04:07] - The Mystery of Human Relationships
- [05:25] - Understanding Sin
- [06:59] - Alienation and Reconciliation
- [07:13] - The Pattern in Human Development
- [08:34] - Complexity and Flow
- [10:08] - Consciousness and Engagement
- [12:16] - Family Systems and Shalom
- [13:36] - Government and Society
- [14:19] - Christianity's Unique Insight
- [16:25] - Jesus' Role in Reconciliation
- [18:23] - Living as Agents of Shalom

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Connected

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1-5 - The Creation and Separation of Light and Darkness
2. Genesis 2:18-24 - The Creation of Man and Woman
3. Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ as Our Peace and Reconciler

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Observation Questions:

1. In Genesis 1, how does God bring order from chaos, and what does this reveal about His method of creation? [02:18]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Hebrew word for "separate" also meaning "holy"? [03:21]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between sin and the violation of shalom? [05:25]

4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of "flow" in human consciousness and activity? [10:08]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the pattern of separation and connection in creation reflect God's design for human relationships, according to the sermon? [04:07]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sin disrupts the divine order, and how does this understanding change the perception of sin? [05:25]

3. How does the sermon explain the unique perspective of Christianity on individuality and unity, and why is this significant? [15:17]

4. What role does Jesus play in restoring the divine order, and how does this impact our understanding of reconciliation? [16:25]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal connections with God, others, your work, and creation. In which area do you feel most disconnected, and what steps can you take to improve this connection? [00:15]

2. Consider a situation where you might have contributed to the violation of shalom, either by separating what should be joined or joining what should be separate. How can you seek reconciliation in this area? [05:25]

3. The sermon discusses the concept of "flow" in our activities. Identify an activity where you experience this deep engagement. How can you incorporate more of this into your daily life? [10:08]

4. How can you balance maintaining your individuality while being united with others in your community or church? What practical steps can you take to foster this balance? [15:17]

5. Jesus broke down barriers to create unity. Are there any barriers in your life or community that need breaking down? How can you be an agent of reconciliation in these situations? [16:25]

6. Reflect on the idea of being an "agent of shalom." What specific actions can you take this week to promote peace and completeness in your relationships and environment? [18:35]

7. How can you actively participate in creating a community that reflects the balance of separation and connection as described in the sermon? What role can you play in fostering shalom in your church or neighborhood? [14:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Order in Creation
The process of creation is a profound reflection of God's design, where separation and connection work in harmony to bring about a universe where life can flourish. In Genesis, God brings order from chaos, establishing a divine pattern that is foundational to understanding shalom—a state of peace and completeness that God desires for all creation. This divine order is not just a cosmic principle but a blueprint for how we are to live our lives, connected to God, others, our work, and creation. By embracing this pattern, we align ourselves with God's purpose and contribute to a world where His peace and love reign supreme. [02:18]

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally align your daily activities with God's divine order, fostering peace and completeness in your life and the lives of those around you?


Day 2: Sin as a Violation of Shalom
Sin is more than just breaking rules; it is a disruption of the divine order that God has established. It occurs when we either separate what God has joined or join what God has separated, violating the intended harmony of creation. This understanding reframes sin as a deeper violation of God's intended shalom, evident in societal issues like racism and theft, where boundaries are either wrongly enforced or ignored. Recognizing sin in this light calls us to a higher standard of living, where we strive to maintain the balance of separation and connection that God has ordained. [05:25]

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 28:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you may be disrupting God's intended harmony. How can you seek reconciliation and restore shalom in this area today?


Day 3: The Complexity of Human Connection
Our brains, with their billions of neurons, exemplify the divine pattern of differentiation and integration. This complexity allows us to experience flow, a state of deep engagement and connection with our activities, reflecting God's design for human flourishing. In our personal development and consciousness, we thrive on this balance, which is mirrored in families, governments, and spiritual lives. By embracing this complexity, we can live more fully connected lives, experiencing the richness of God's creation and our place within it. [08:34]

"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship or activity where you feel disconnected. What steps can you take to foster a deeper connection and experience the flow that God intends for you?


Day 4: Christianity's Unique Perspective
Christianity offers a unique perspective on personhood, teaching that we are distinct individuals made in God's image, yet called to be united in Christ. Unlike secularism and monism, this balance of separation and connection reflects the divine order and invites us to live in harmony with God and others. As we embrace our individuality while seeking unity in Christ, we become agents of shalom, contributing to a world where God's peace and love are evident. This perspective challenges us to live authentically, honoring both our uniqueness and our interconnectedness. [15:17]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you celebrate your individuality while actively seeking unity with others in your community, reflecting the balance of separation and connection that God desires?


Day 5: Jesus as the Reconciler
Jesus came to restore the divine order, breaking down barriers and reconciling us to God and each other. In Christ, we find unity without losing our individuality, becoming agents of shalom in a world longing for peace and connection. By following Jesus' example, we are called to break down the barriers that divide us and embrace the unity that He offers. This reconciliation is not just a personal journey but a communal one, where we work together to create a world that reflects God's love and peace. [16:25]

"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a barrier in your life or community that needs breaking down. How can you actively participate in Jesus' work of reconciliation today, fostering unity and peace?

Quotes


You are meant as an individual being to be connected with God, never alone in His power and love, to be connected with other people, look them in the eye, care about them, bond with them, to be connected with your work in your task from one moment to the next, whether it's leisure, volunteering, for a paycheck, to be fully invested, engaged in it, connect with creation, love it, wonder at it, revel in it because this is what it is to flourish. [00:00:19]

God makes human beings in His own image, so we're meant to be created to Him, connected with Him. He makes us to be stewards over creation, exercise dominion that doesn't mean exploited but care for it, so there's a connection there, and then we're to be connected with each other while still being separate. [00:03:47]

Sin is to try to separate what God has joined together or try to join together what God has separated. What's racism? Well, God made all of human beings, every human being to share in His image, but racist says I want to try to separate you from your status as an image bearer because of the color of your skin. [00:05:37]

The unaided mind tends towards chaos, towards anxiety, discontentment, but he's studied over many decades, beginning with artists and athletes, and then others, the nature of our conscious experience, and he says at our best we were actually created to experience what he calls flow. [00:09:55]

Flow means what happens when I get so engaged in an activity that I experience such a deep sense of absorption in it that I'm still here, and yet I have a kind of oneness with what it is that I'm doing so I lose self-consciousness. I don't lose self and I don't lose consciousness. [00:10:18]

Christianity teaches that personhood is in fact an indivisible unit of creation, and that you are made in the image of God to be connected to God and to other people and to the work that you do as an image bearer into all of creation. [00:15:07]

God sent Jesus to reconcile us, to make it possible for us to be again united with God, and Paul would strain to find the language to describe that. He would sometimes talk about Christ being in you, the hope of glory, or very often talk about you being in Christ. [00:15:40]

Jesus came to divide, to tear down the dividing wall of hostility, so that we could become one. Now there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female, all those things that caused us to separate the humanity that was intended to be together, for we are one in Christ Jesus. [00:16:23]

We are meant to be one and yet still to be separate. Paul says that we are one body but many different parts. The eye can't say to the ear I don't need you, the hand can't say to the foot I don't need you. This is called diversity training. [00:17:04]

We don't value each other because of our diversity, we value each other because of what we share in common, which is the image of God, and we are moving towards a day where the shalom will be so great that it's impossible to capture it. [00:17:28]

As you walk through this day, live connected, understand it's a really good thing that you exist. Don't go through life thinking that you have to appease other people or make other people like you or give up your self-existence. No, it's a real good thing that yourself exists. [00:18:37]

As you surrender it to God and bask in God's love from one moment to the next every time you think about it, and seek with each person as a free, powerful, God-loved self to give yourself in love to them and to the task you do like listening and learning in this moment into creation all around you, you become an agent of shalom. [00:18:55]

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Transcript
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