I. We must realize we are indeed emotional creatures.

The idea that Deep Blue has a mind is absurd. How can an object that wants nothing, fears nothing, enjoys nothing, needs nothing and cares about nothing have a mind? It can win at chess, but not because it wants to. It isn’t happy when it wins or sad when it loses. What are its after match plans if it beats Kasparov? Is it hoping to take Deep Pink out for a night on the town? It does not care about chess or anything else.

-David Gelernter

But the gap between the human and the surrogate is permanent and will never be closed. Machines will continue to make life easier, healthier, richer and more puzzling. And human beings will continue to care about the same things they always have, about themselves, about one another and, many of them, about God.

-David Gelernter

  

II. Nothing makes us feel more intensely than words aptly spoken.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

-Hebrews 1:1-3

1 - What prejudices and insecurities have we brought into our relationship with God?

  

2 - We must ask ourselves what wrong ideas about God have we brought into our relationship with Him.

Nothing silences the voice of God more than bad theology and unrealistic expectations.

  

3 - What indisciplines have you brought into your relationship with Jesus?

In the same way an Olympian understands the disciplines that catalyze victory a Christian understands the disciplines that open the line of communication and makes the voice of God discernible and remarkable.

Older Peter:

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: 'This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased'—and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

-2 Peter 1:18-20 NASB

Younger Peter:

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter responded and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, I will make three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, ‘Get up, and do not be afraid.’ And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

-Matthew 17:1-8

In the beginning was the word, the word was God, the Word was with God.

-John 1:1

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen = Heat Energy (Combustion).

Word + Jesus (Holy Spirit) = Transformation.

A Spiritual Reaction occurs when Jesus meets the Word. A type of spiritual combustion.

The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God:

The Old Testament is the story of how the one God of the universe saw His good creation turn bad through human rebellion and so chose to call one particular group, the people of Israel—into a special relationship with Him. His dealings with them would reveal his grand purpose and promise of redemption and renewal for the whole earth. The New Testament is the story of how that purpose and promise was fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah of the Jewish people. It documents the early years of the new Jesus movement as it spread from Jerusalem across the Mediterranean with the help of its most famous convert and evangelist. Paul. Christians today believe they continue to swim in the stream of the grand story which will yet have its fulfillment as predicted in the Old and New Testaments—a renewal of all creation in which ‘he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more, and where Jesus will reign, as the whole earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord and the waters cover the sea.’

-Justin Brierley

  

  

  

  

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