Love, Character and Separation
Last sunday,
we probably experienced something at church for the very first time. A BLACKOUT. I have to apologize right away because even such a little thing like the absence of adequate lighting will change the entire learning atmosphere.
Thank you guys for trying your best to learn/listen.
That being said, I think it's a great segway into what we were originally trying to do.
We did an activity whereby you had to describe a TIME magazine page to the other person without having that other person be able to see the magazine. As we experienced first hand, if we just separate one of our senses, it is very difficult to fully communicate.
This is a universal truth.
We looked at Genesis 3 and we see that there are generally 6 things that causes separation/alienation that is true for all mankind. These 6 ideas of separation will result in barriers in communication, relationship, and spiritual well-being.
6 TYPES OF SEPARATION
By order, this is what we see in Genesis 3:
v.7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves
1. Separation from YOURSELF.
Can you look at your naked self and not be ashamed? Do you immediately wish to cover up because you are ashamed of what you see (physically, emotionally, spiritually)?
v.8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
2. Separation from GOD.
Do you run away from God? Are you ashamed of being fully naked in front of Him?
v.12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate."
3. Separation from OTHERS.
Do you tend to cast blame on others? Is your tendency to be selfish, not trusting?
v.17 ...cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life...
4. Separation from STEWARDSHIP.
Does work lose its appeal to you? Does it no longer become a challenge but is rather oppressive?
v.23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden... he drove out the man...
5. Separation from our ROOTS.
Have you ever felt like you lost your sense of space, your home, your 'turf'? What happens when you are so mobile and you have no permanent sense of community?
v.24 ...and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.
6. Separation from TREE OF LIFE.
Do your thoughts drift towards the finality of death? Do you lament the aches and pains of your body? Do you fear aging?
THE HOPE
It is important that we reconcile all 6 ideas of separation. The church typically focuses on just reconciling our separation with God, but perhaps we should begin where the person is.
Our hope is that there is still the tree of life, and that it has been moved from the garden and ends off at Calvary's hill.
see y'all on sunday.
we probably experienced something at church for the very first time. A BLACKOUT. I have to apologize right away because even such a little thing like the absence of adequate lighting will change the entire learning atmosphere.
Thank you guys for trying your best to learn/listen.
That being said, I think it's a great segway into what we were originally trying to do.
We did an activity whereby you had to describe a TIME magazine page to the other person without having that other person be able to see the magazine. As we experienced first hand, if we just separate one of our senses, it is very difficult to fully communicate.
This is a universal truth.
We looked at Genesis 3 and we see that there are generally 6 things that causes separation/alienation that is true for all mankind. These 6 ideas of separation will result in barriers in communication, relationship, and spiritual well-being.
6 TYPES OF SEPARATION
By order, this is what we see in Genesis 3:
v.7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves
1. Separation from YOURSELF.
Can you look at your naked self and not be ashamed? Do you immediately wish to cover up because you are ashamed of what you see (physically, emotionally, spiritually)?
v.8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
2. Separation from GOD.
Do you run away from God? Are you ashamed of being fully naked in front of Him?
v.12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate."
3. Separation from OTHERS.
Do you tend to cast blame on others? Is your tendency to be selfish, not trusting?
v.17 ...cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life...
4. Separation from STEWARDSHIP.
Does work lose its appeal to you? Does it no longer become a challenge but is rather oppressive?
v.23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden... he drove out the man...
5. Separation from our ROOTS.
Have you ever felt like you lost your sense of space, your home, your 'turf'? What happens when you are so mobile and you have no permanent sense of community?
v.24 ...and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life.
6. Separation from TREE OF LIFE.
Do your thoughts drift towards the finality of death? Do you lament the aches and pains of your body? Do you fear aging?
THE HOPE
It is important that we reconcile all 6 ideas of separation. The church typically focuses on just reconciling our separation with God, but perhaps we should begin where the person is.
Our hope is that there is still the tree of life, and that it has been moved from the garden and ends off at Calvary's hill.
see y'all on sunday.
posted by Yu-Ling at
6:33 PM
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