"...........When it becomes easier to be a Christian the Jesus movement kinda loses its steam. I actually get really concerned about the future, about areas where it becomes easier and easier and more comfortable. The worst thing is when Christians get comfortable, when there is no suffering. That is when the Jesus movement isn't at its best. We do best underneath the empire, we do best on the margins, we do best when your boot is on our neck. Cause then we're totally dependent on the grace of God. It's suffering where our God shines. When every thing's fine we don't really need God. Actually, what terrifies me is if the Christian movement ever became in meshed with power structures. Like I'll tell you what would be terrifying, is a Christian nation. A Christian nation that would use the sword in the name of Jesus. That would be anti-christ in it's origin, because what Jesus said was to put away your sword. What terrifies me is that you could have a Christian nation that forced and compelled people, this movement doesn't work because if we were to force and compel people then we would be just like you (Roman Empire). The only way our movement works is with desire, it only works with love, it only works cause you glimpse something you want more than anything. If it ever became compulsory, if it ever became like be a Christian or else. If being a Christian ever became synonymous with being part of the empire or the nation, that would be the worst thing ever. If there were a group of Christians who thought they were right, who tried to vote and use their influence to simply dominate over everybody else that wouldn't be what Jesus had in mind. You have got to understand that this movement thrives when it is on the underside of power. This movement, we thrive when we are weak. Because then God can be strong.........."
Rob Bell- What Has Happened To Me, Mars Hill 2-9-2008
Rob Bell is talking from the perspective of Paul in this sermon. I thought that it was an interesting way of doing it. He doesn't tell you that is what he is doing, but just listening you just get it. This sermon just stuck with me, mainly because it was different but also because of the last five minutes or so. The whole thing is worth a listen to. I just transcribed a portion of the last five minutes. It is the part that really stuck out to me in my listening.
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4 comments:
love it!
"If there were a group of Christians who thought they were right, who tried to vote and use their influence to simply dominate over everybody else that wouldn't be what Jesus had in mind."
This wouldn't be grace but should and should not.
Rob Bell's been on Phillipians 1 since January, but each week has been pretty awesome. I've been reading Jesu s for President, and he takes some of his points from sermons by Rob Bell, and I've really come to see that Jesus is constantly 'mocking' and poking fun at traditional forms of power...so for Christians to strive for those same forms of power under the guise of doing it 'for christ' is inherently antichrist. And a lot of the problems in America tend to revolve around the supposed Christian nature of the US.
Christianity has always flourished under persecution. Look at the church in China. It's growing like crazy. We need what Rob Bell is describing. A boot on our neck. Then it's really faith. We've lost something in our comfortable, Christian, American lives. Complacency. A real faith killer.
I'm also afraid that too many "American Christians" would love to have all the power. That's not our purpose. We were made to serve God, not be warlords forcing others to share our "biblical" views. Scary.
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