Let me give a quick recap of the sermon yesterday:
There are three relational killjoys that can be counteracted:
1. Selfishness is a killjoy that can be countered with giving;
2. Resentment is a killjoy that can be countered with focusing on healing;
3. Fear is a killjoy that can be countered with focusing on God's power.
I appreciated the focus on the positive aspect of salvation. Too many times we focus on the negative instead of building up the positive and focusing on the GOOD NEWS of salvation and seeing how extensive it really is.
Any thoughts on the sermon from anyone else?
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After reviewing the notes I realize that the content is boiled down to a very simple thing. If these 3 things kill relations(ship) it is obvious because they are "all about me". This is the very opposite of relationship - something between at least two people. The solutions for counteracting are "all about someone else", whether a person or God himself.
When we are having difficulties, we forget to look in the mirror first. Then we can look outward and onward.
This is great, Marcia. Actually, I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the "all about me" religion where it is "my" relationship with God--as though being in communion with the divine Creator of the Universe wouldn't automatically have repercussions for all other relationships in my life.... (But that's another discussion...)
Conceptually I think Gary was correct in identifying these three killjoys and some possible counter measures for them. I don't believe they are the only ones. In the marketplace I see others that rob people of real joy. Things such as pride, "success" journeys, and busyness (or over "doing") are some that easily come to mind. Maybe they have some routes in Gary's 3, but then I suppose all are intertwined - i.e. fear can cause or add to selfishness, resentment may be rooted in pride, etc. We are way too complex beings to not have overlap. So I agree with Marcia - the "it's all about me" syndrome - or even the predisposition in some areas contributes to real joy killing in our lives.
There was a statement Gary made when speaking of giving as the solution to selfishness that took me aback. He said "When we give we are most like God because God is a giving God." I'm not sure that's accurate. Certainly giving is a characteristic of God but I believe we are most like God when we love - Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love other people as you love yourself. Doing anything else, such as giving, with Christ-like love is when we are most like God.
Interesting thoughts, Beth. I would definitely agree that there are more than just three kill joys and that there is often overlap. Good note on the complex beings.
Re: Giving and being like God. First, very good listening! I hadn't picked up on that. I will definitely have to think about it more. What first comes to mind is the Trinitarian nature of God: Three Persons existing in one being. God is the eternal giving, receiving, and being given in love of one Person to the others. This points to the fact that one cannot be "like God" outside of relationship with another. I cannot sit in my room (or office) by myself and be like God because God is, in his triune nature, relational.
Thanks for highlighting this part of the sermon. This is exactly why it is important to talk through some things--none of us hears the whole thing!
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