Good

“It is our turn to rediscover the beautiful, dangerous, compelling idea that a group of people, surrendered to God and each other, really can change the world.” – Rob Bell

The Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell

Movement Seven – Good

Idea: Restoration, God’s people, the world, and the church.

Discussion Setting: Now!

Coming Full Circle:

Genesis 1:26-27 – Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:8-9 – Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Garden of Eden was good, but not perfect… God gave man power, but when man sinned, he threw off the balance of everything. God is restoring everything through Christ Jesus.

John 20:15 – He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”  Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Acts 3:21 – Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Colossians 1:19-20 – For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Man gets it horribly wrong, and Jesus sets it right:
 
 “The Roman Empire was ruled by a succession of emperors called the caesars. The caesars claimed they were sent by gods to renew creation. Caesar Augustus believed that as the son of god, he was god incarnate on earth, the prince of peace who had come to restore all of creation. He inaugurated a twelve-day celebration called advent to celebrate his birth. … One of this popular slogans was ‘There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved than that of Caesar.’ Another phrase they used often was ‘Caesar is Lord.’ … and a city that acknowledged Caesar as Lord was called an ekklesia.  … the caesars claimed they were the ones who provided for everyone and saved everyone and made the world a better place. … Julius Caesar himself was reported to have ascended to the right hand of the gods after his death.” – Rob Bell

1 Corinthians 15:20 – But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

“God raised Jesus from the dead to show the world that Jesus is Lord, and it is through his power and his example and his Spirit that the world is restored.” – Rob Bell

Acts 3:33-34 – With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Roman social structure (man’s social structure) – Roman citizens vs non-Roman citizens, men vs women, slave owners vs slaves, elite ruling class vs the masses.

Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. – Also see James 2:1-13.

God expects the church to step up:

“If the gospel isn’t good news for everybody, then it isn’t good news for anybody. … Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.” – Rob Bell

The Church exists to serve the world!

John 13:14-17 – Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The Church exists to love the world!

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The Church exists to be a blessing machine and to proclaim the good news, not through agenda or coercion, but through love.

Matthew 10:16 – “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

John 13:35 – By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

“What you win them with is what you win them to.” – Jared C. Wilson

Epilogue: Rob Bell’s experience with coercion and half truths.

Discussion Points: What are your thoughts on the following?

1. Rob Bell says “Very few people in our world are offering anything worth dying for.”
2. Rob Bell says “The way of Jesus is a journey, not a destination. We never arrive.”
3. Rob Bell says “The church is like a double edged sword.”
4. Stevie Wonder wrote, “There's something 'bout your love that makes me weak and knocks me off my feet.” Shouldn’t the love we show through Christ Jesus be so much more?
5. Genesis 12 - Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Additional readings that helped shape this study: 

The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard
Gospel Wakefulness, Jared C. Wilson
When Christians Get It Wrong, Adam Hamilton
Jesus Wants To Save Christians, Rob Bell and Don Golden