Renovatus Sermon Series: Sturdy-ing the WORD Leg on the Coastal-Stool

How do we know who we are?
What are the mementos that point us toward our true identity?
In Coastal we use the metaphor of the barstool to help us remember our role in the Story of God.
The Coastal barstool represents the core values of Jesus: WORD, SPIRIT, JUSTICE, COMMUNITY.

Jesus valued the WORD.  Jesus meditated on the Scriptures.  Jesus withdrew in order to abide with the Father.  Abiding is essential to knowing God, aligning our hearts with God's heart, and accurately loving the world.
This week we are following Jesus together in the renovation of the WORD leg of the barstool by practicing the ancient art of meditation.

Check out this clip before listening to the sermon below:



+ Sermon Notes:
Sturdying the WORD Leg on the Coastal Stool

Meditating on the Vine - John 15:1-17

Meditation is about sitting-resting-dwelling in the presence of God.  

Its about the mind AND the heart. To meditate is to hover over something in the mind and to ponder something in your heart. The Hebrew word for meditate is hagah. Isaiah uses the word to describe the growl of a lion feasting on its prey. In the same way, pondering something in the heart is like sucking the juicy nutrients out of an orange until it’s dry. The only trouble is that there are so many things fighting for our attention that we rarely meditate on anything.

+ Practicing the WORD:  Meditate/Lectio Divina John 15:1-17 daily

In order to create space in your heart for God’s presence, take 5-10 minutes and write down all of the noise inside your head and heart. This is sometimes called “stream of consciousness writing”. Be mindful of the fact that these noises are constantly fighting for your heart’s attention. 

Now read John 15:1-17 out loud.  Hagah the Word.  Ingest it. 

Read it out loud three times, allowing for a brief period of silence after each reading in order to meditate. [This practice of Word meditation is called Lectio Divina, which means “divine word”.] 

During the first reading, listen for a word, phrase, or idea that captures your attention. Then focus your attention on that word, phrase, or idea, repeating it to yourself quietly. 

During the second reading, pay attention to how the word, phrase, or idea is speaking to your life. What does it mean for you? What is it telling you about your life? 

During the last reading, focus on what you sense God calling you to do or to become.

+ Sources:

•       The Message of the Sermon on the Mount – J. Stott

•       Sermon on the Mount – R. Guelich

•       For Everyone Bible Study Matthew – N.T. Wright

•       Everything Must Change – B. McLaren

•       Who Do You Think You Are? – M. Driscoll

•       Storyline – D. Miller

•       Blue Letter Bible

•       Memento (film) – Nolan

•       Darrel Harvey – Common Ground Christian Church

•       Mars Hill Bible Church – Meditation