This week was week 3 of “What Everyone is Talking About.” We heard from our Elevate City campus pastor, Joe Baker, and he unpacked the topic of deconstruction and doubt. We learned that it is imperative for us to make sure we are bringing our doubts and questions to the foot of the cross, and that we are actively reconstructing that which has been destroyed. Faith storms are real, but they don’t have to end in a shipwreck.
Ephesians 4:11-16
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried out by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”
Deconstruction is the dismantling of anything already constructed
2 Timothy 3:7
“...always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Timothy 6:20b
“Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.”
What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you. – A.W. Tozer
Faith storms are real, but they don’t have to result in a shipwreck.
We have to distinguish between loving the God we want versus the God who is.
Matthew 28:16-20
“...Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember you leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Doubt doesn’t discredit your faith.
Demolition needs a plan for renovation.
Too many people equate who God is with their feelings about God.
New doesn’t mean true.
1 Timothy 6:3-4
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions…”