Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church in Washington D.C., discusses the importance of finding awe amid modern distractions. He sheds light on the themes of power, fear, and faith through Jesus calming the storm, encouraging listeners to embrace divine connection. Stuart also delves into addiction, community, and the church's role, emphasizing dignity and faith's transformative power. He shares personal stories that highlight the need for grace and the significance of surrendering to God's guidance, ultimately inspiring a deeper spiritual journey.
The conversation emphasizes the societal issue of losing a sense of awe, linking it to rising anxiety and self-harm among adolescents.
Participants highlight technology distractions that hinder spiritual clarity, advocating for moments of silence to foster introspection and truth-seeking.
Faith is framed as an admission of need rather than personal merit, encouraging reliance on God's grace and recognizing His sovereignty.
Deep dives
Apple's New Innovations
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The Importance of Awe
The discussion centers on the societal issue of losing a sense of awe, which is linked to rising anxiety and self-harm among individuals, particularly adolescents. Reference is made to Jonathan Haidt's research, illustrating that many struggle to perceive the beauty and glory of God, often due to a mix of spiritual blindness and overwhelming distractions in modern life. It is acknowledged that the constant noise from cell phones and technology hinders moments of silence that can lead to introspection and encounters with deeper truths. Therefore, cultivating awe is seen as crucial for mental and spiritual well-being.
Distraction and Spirituality
The conversation highlights how distractions from technology often serve as a means to escape uncomfortable feelings instead of facing them. The participants reflect on their struggles with excessive phone checking and how this behavior can prevent moments of spiritual clarity and truth-seeking. They also discuss the tendency to replace silence with content consumption, which can be misleading in assuming one is engaging meaningfully with spirituality. Acknowledging what drives this distraction becomes an integral step toward spiritual growth and understanding one's relationship with God.
Faith as Surrender
The idea that faith is linked to surrender rather than a work that brings about personal merit is examined. It is expressed that acknowledging one's limitations and recognizing God’s power is essential to understanding faith. Faith is described as an empty hand reaching out for assistance, not a transaction of goods but an admission of need before God. This perspective encourages individuals to rely on divine grace, emphasizing that fostering a relationship with God involves recognizing His sovereignty over their lives.
The Nature of Jesus
Conversations about the character of Jesus reveal He possesses absolute power, yet uses it for love and healing rather than exploitation. This unique dynamic contrasts with the historical common perception of power, where those in authority often abuse it for personal gain. The discussion illustrates the importance of understanding Jesus' benevolence, especially in today's world where individuals grapple with their apprehensions toward authority. Reflecting on Biblical stories reinforces the idea that Jesus prioritizes personal relationships and individual healing over societal expectations.
In this episode, we continue our series of conversations with the guest preachers for The Church of Eleven22’s Saturated 2024 with Pastor Ben Stuart of Passion City Church in Washington D.C.. Let’s get into it…