Marginal Christianity

I. Adolescence/Numbers (6/26/12) Theme: Rocky Road to the Promised Land 1. Numbers has two parts in terms of -action (preparation for leaving Sinai [10:10] and the journey itself [10:11-36:13]) and -two generations (those who left Egypt with Moses [chs.1-25] and the generation after them [chs.26-36]) 2. The preparation section shows the care with which YHWH has organized the people and provided for their needs. a. They journey now with YHWH at their center (tabernacle) and as an Exodus-people (the cloud of God’s presence which had been with them since the Exodus) b. “swing”-like dynamic: we lean back (into the center, toward the tabernacle and worship) and kick forward (journey outward) at the same time. c. To go “farther” we have to go “deeper”! 3. Problems on the journey: a. “Massah and Meribah” complaining (chs.10-11, 20, 21) Against Lord’s wisdom and provision b. Leadership revolt (ch.12) & Priestly revolt (ch.16) Against his chosen leaders c. Spies’ fai...

These are my notes for my series on "Moses as Spiritual Director" at Corinth Presbyterian Church in Parker, TX (6/24/12-6/26/12) I. Birth/Exodus and Childhood/Leviticus (6/25/12) 1. Birth/Exodus Theme: Freed by Grace, Freed for Gratitude, Accompanied by Glory (29:43-46) a. Three Crises i. Who will Israel serve? (3:1-15:21): Pharaoh or YHWH? Pharaoh’s building project or YHWH’s? ii. How will Israel serve YHWH? (15:22-24:18): Its Own Wisdom and Way or YHWH’s Wisdom and Way? iii. Why Israel serves YHWH? (25:1-40:38): To participate in his building project b. Mosaic Covenant i. The Nature of the Covenant Grace-based (20:2) ii. The Nucleus of the Covenant Idolatry (20:3-17) iii. The Nurture of the Covenant Freedom (for God and others) c. Moses as God’s partner i. Builds on Abraham’s profile but goes beyond him ii. Begins in reluctance (chs.3-4) but ends in friendship (33:11) iii. He has to be a “god-with-you” kind of person (18:19) iv. Come...

These are my notes for my series on "Moses as Spiritual Director" at Corinth Presbyterian Church in Parker, TX (6/24/12-6/26/12) I. What is the Bible & Conception/Genesis (6/24/12) 1. What is a “Spiritual Director” a. A friend who walks with us following Jesus, listening to our stories, sharing his with us, and pointing to where we can find God. b. Moses served this as well as many other roles for Israel. 2. As Christians, we read Moses’ writings through the lens of the cross and resurrection of Jesus and the end of the story God began with his people at creation. 3. We can look to the end (the book of Revelation) to see how the story ends and to show us what’s important to watch for as we read. a. Revelation – Genesis b. Revelation: new creation/new Jerusalem – temple Genesis: first creation/garden temple (people) c. Revelation: God dwells w/his people on new creation Genesis: God rests on Sabbath and “walks” with Adam and Eve (God’s presence...