Enslaved No More Handout

8/9/2019 Enslaved No More Handout

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Enslaved No MoreRighteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy SpiritDoug FloydMay 21, 2010

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever hasentered Gods rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. -Hebrews 4:9-10

What happens to Sabbath in the New Testament? Paul only mentionsSabbath directly one time, and in that case, he is suggesting that we notworry about being judged in regard to Sabbath. In the Gospels, Jesus seemsto be violating or challenging Sabbath customs at almost every turn. Heeventually declares that He is Lord of the Sabbath. Yet, Hebrews points to aSabbath rest for the people of God. So what is the Sabbath rest? Saturday?Sunday?

Hebrews seems to argue that Jesus Himself is Sabbath Rest. While Pauldoesnt mention Sabbath, his letters could be seen in a similar light(especially in light of His focusing other aspects of Torah fulfilled in Jesus. Ithink Sabbath rest is literally the rest of grace and transforming power of thefinished work of Christ revealed by Spirit and experienced in relationship withthe Father and His people.

1. Each person is created as a unique image of God.We are shaped by relating in time and space to other persons. Our uniqueencounters form memories that are rooted in the five senses, in our physical

body, and even in our language (to name a few things). These memoriesform a set of patterns or symbols that impact the way we perceive andengage our world.

In His manifold wisdom, the Father has created a world of persons who allreflect His glory in unique and glorious ways. Yet, the Scripture reveals (seeJohn 17, Ephesians 3) that God intends a glorious unveiling of unique personsunited in Christ.

Each of us will express our uniqueness in specific creative ways such aswriting, singing, painting and so on. But our greatest creative endeavor will

always involve participating in the shaping of other persons.

2. Ungodliness inverts man back upon himself, leading to acorrupting corruption.

Enslaved No More, Doug Floyd, May 21, 2010


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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and

unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

(Romans 1:18)

A. Ungodliness is to turn from worship.Ungodliness comes from the Greek word asebeia. This is derived from theword sbomai which means to worship and fear God. Asebeia is turningaway from worship of the true God.

In Rom. 1:1832, Pauls principal indictment against human ungodlinessand wickedness is that it began in, and continues to involve, idolatry (1:1923), from which all other sin is depicted as flowing; here Paul echoes Jewishtexts such as Wis. 1215. In 1 Cor. 8 and 10, Paul consistently uses idolsand idolatry to refer to other gods and the reverence given to them in the

Roman-era culture; and he insists that Christians must shun the worship ofother deities as completely incompatible with their participation in Christ(10:1422). In Revelation, however, we have the most militant expressions inthe NT. The author rails against the widespread idolatry of his time (9:2021), and in particular warns sternly against worship of the beast (14:911),urging all to worship solely the true God (14:67; 19:10; 21:89).(Vanhoozer, K. J., Bartholomew, C. G., Treier, D. J., & Wright, N. T. (2005).Dictionary for theological interpretation of the Bible (520). London; GrandRapids, MI.: SPCK; Baker Academic.)

B. False worship turns us back in upon ourselves.

Idolatry is hope inverted--eschatology in reverse that can lead only back tonihil, to the nothingness God abolished in speaking creation into being. -Telford Work (Deuteronomy Commentary, Brazos Press, 2009)

C. The judgment of false worship is sin.Sin perverts our uniqueness, destroys our relationships, and limits ourperception of the world (inward, outward, backward, forward).

Eugen Rosenstock Huessys Cross of Reality shows four self-containedworld that trapped the pre-Christian world.

Enslaved No More, Doug Floyd, May 21, 2010Inward

Outward

ForwardBackward


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D. The Father calls Abraham out from a past oriented world into thefreedom of trusting a God not bound by human understanding. He promisesto bless Abraham and through Him bless all nations.

E. The Father calls Moses (Abrahams descendent) out from the outward

oriented world of Egypt to a journey toward a land that is only found bygrace. Through the Children of Israel, the Father reveals Himself (glory,character, holiness) to the world. At the same time, through the Children ofIsrael, the Father reveals the true condition of god-hating mankind. Israelbears the calling to reveal both God and man to the world. In the cross, thesecollide. As Israel cries out, Crucify Him! the true god-hatred of humanity isrevealed. As Jesus says, Father forgive them, the faithful Father reveals hisredeeming love.

F. In His death, Jesus buries a dead humanity. In His resurrection, Jesus raisehumanity. In His ascension, Jesus leads humanity into the throne of God. Nowold self contained worlds have passed away (2 Corinthians).

3. Jesus Christ is our Sabbath.A. Humanity is lead out from our entrapments, our jails, our slavery into the

boundless freedom of relation with God. In Jesus, our Sabbath, we rest fromour works

B. Sabbath in Jesus is both resting and remembering.

Reading Philippians 3:4-14 in light of Jesus as our Sabbath.

Rest Rememberingno work rehearsing, resounding, retelling,

refreshingTomb of Holy Saturday ResurrectionRenunciation RestorationTomb WombFreedom from constraint of Freedom to expression of particularityparticularity

Think of Peter. He is constantly passing through conflict, renunciation andever-increasing freedom in Christ. This renunciation and restoration happensin the context of relationship with and in Christ and with Christs people.

Highlights of Peters life through the lens of confrontation that leads toopening new worlds or greater freedom in Christ.

Peter vs AndrewPeter vs Jesus (Fisher of Men, Mother in Law, Walking on Water, Parables, Sonof God, Get Behind Me Satan, Transfiguration, Taxes, Forgiveness, Fishing,Deny Christ?, Sleeping while Jesus Prays, Empty Tomb, Do You Love Me?)Peter vs Guards (who come to arrest Jesus)



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Peter vs Crowds during Trial of JesusPentecostPeter vs Lame ManPeter vs Rulers of JerusalemPeter vs High Priests

Peter vs CorneliusPeter vs PrisonPeter vs ApostlesPeter vs Paul (in Galatia)

We never see Peters death. Based in his story, we can only expect that hewas being confronted and led to greater and greater freedom up until hisdeath.


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