What the Bible Is All About 4

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. (John 8:28)

And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29)

Then many who heard him say these things believed in him. (John 8:30)

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. (John 8:31)

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

What we believe – God – important

Going through classic parts – Jesus

Forgivness Mercy Self Sacrificial love

LASIK

Satanism & D&D

Me – Grew Up:

D&D Animal Sacrifices Drinking Alcohol

Tract

Research:

Friends Character – Warrior, Rouge, Wizard, Pieces (Lego) Roll Die

Winning

Every adventure contains its own set of victory conditions. Sometimes it’s as simple as surviving the dungeon and escaping, or defeating the boss villain at the heart of the fortress of evil. Other times, you might have a specific goal to accomplish (take the evil ring and toss it in the volcano) or a specific monster to beat. If you achieve the objective, the group wins.

D&D is a cooperative game, not a competitive one. In other words, you don’t compete against the other players and you don’t win by beating them.

The common denominator in every victory is “fun.” If you and the other players have fun, everyone wins at D&D.

Creators

Dave Arneson

Born Oct 1, 1947 – Attended University of Minnesota before finding his passion as a board game designer.

He married Frankie Ann Morneau in 1984; they had one daughter, Malia, and two grandchildren.

Dave Arneson died on April 7, 2009, after battling cancer for two years. According to his daughter, Malia, “The biggest thing about my dad’s world is he wanted people to have fun in life … I think we get distracted by the everyday things you have to do in life and we forget to enjoy life and have fun.”

Gary Gygax

Born July 27, 1938 in Chicago within a few blocks of Wrigley Field. Due to Gary being violently bullied as a small boy his family moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Gary was a lover of games. And in 1973, founded TSR, Inc. a board game publishing company.

Gary described himself as a Christian, but for much of his life, hid his faith, citing fears that he would hurt the reputation of Christianity because of the mysterious moral panic that D&D had caused in the Christian community.

Gary later revealed that biblical stories echo in many D&D concepts. Many D&D spells are copies of biblical miracles. For example, almost all of Elisha’s miracles find their way into D&D, as well as the ‘tongues’ spell which lets a character understand unknown languages.

After suffering multiple strokes in 2004, Gary was diagnosed with an inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysm and died the morning of March 4, 2008, at his home in Lake Geneva at age 69.

In one of his last interviews: “I would like the world to remember me as the guy who really enjoyed playing games and sharing his knowledge and his fun pastimes with everybody else.”

Classic Case Of Satanism

Sometimes our assumptions are stupid.

Scary to question

Can’t live our Christian lifes from a place of fear

Growing Maturing Learning

Critical thinking

Abraham sacrificing Isaac

Then God said to Abraham:

“Take your son, your only son, whom you love-Isaac-and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there…” – (Genesis 22)

This story – classic example

“What does a story like this possibly have to teach us” “What kind of God would ask a man to sacrifice his son?”

That’s the question, right? There’s an answer.

But 1St – Brief History – Religion

Early humans Food/Water Sun/Rain Forces didn’t control On your side or not Sacrifice

Imagine: Made sacrifice – didn’t rain/shine – Not enough

All religion – Anxiety

Never knew where you stood

Angry – disaster Going good – sacrifice – Enough?

Anxiety either way

Wether good or bad – answer – Sacrifice more.

Crop Goat Lamb Cow Birds

Anxiety b/c – always offer more

Most valuable? Child

Obvious – OT – Where religion took us

Ok, so Abraham:

God – Abraham offer son. Not shocked b/c

“early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey”.

Get’s right to it!

No argue No protest

B/C he understands religion.

God’s demanded – most valuable. If not – pay price

So he leaves

he reaches the place on the third day.

Travel 3 days – son/dead Nod to Jesus

Get’s to mountain says:

Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.

Wha…??? Something bigger.

Isaac (son) “where sacrifice will come from.” Morbid, right?

Standard reading: willing to kill son, b/c loves God.

Fameous Preacher There’s a story of a well known preacher telling the story of when his son was a teenager he took his son up on a hill and read him this story and then the preacher told his son that he would always love God more than him. He told me the story like it was an admirable thing he did to teach his son about devotion to God. I wanted to throw up.

But we’ve already seen that Abraham knows theres something else happening.

Abraham – God will provide

Clever. Non-answer answer. Abraham is in on the joke.

Abraham gets ready God stops him Offers ram insteads

Angel – Abraham – blessed and “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed…”

Original Question

What kind of God would ask a man to sacrifice his son?

Answer: Not This One.

Other God’s demanded your first born, but not this one.


So Hoopla?

1. The Drama Is The Point

Abraham knows b/c RELIGION

Starts like other stories, but turns.

God’s don’t do that!

2. The God In This Story Provides

Worship & sacrifice – you giving This story – God giving

3. This isn’t a story about what Abraham does for God, it’s a story about what God does for Abraham.

Mind blowing New. Ground breaking

Doesn’t demand but gives & blesses.

4. Abraham is told that God’s blessing was going to flow through him to others

Story – violent/wrathful – opposite

End w/this:

God is merciful God is gracious God is loving God is kind

Better understand bible – God patiently turning perception

NOT: decided to be kind

ALWAYS: kind

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)