Imposter Gods (Notes from 9-24-06 sermon)

Thursday, September 28th, 2006

The Cosmic Vending Machine or Cosmic Bellhop God             God’s main function is to love and serve me (us).  If I put in a prayer, God owes me a certain result.  God’s main function in prayer is to answer my requests. Etc…you get the picture.  Such a God betrays God’s passion for relationship.
The God of Just Deserts            This imposter is in charge of carrying out our concept of justice or our agenda towards those whose actions/beliefs offend us.  This punitive God must make sure everyone pays for their sins and/or gets what they deserve.  Such a God betrays God’s mercy and grace.
The God of Limited Freedom             This imposter is a God who is held hostage by our understanding of God’s promises, word, and/or character.  God has to do this because “The Word” says so.  This is the God behind the popular health and wealth teaching.  Our understanding of “the law” or our view of what is right must be carried out by God.  Jesus demonstrated that the laws were created for humanity, not humanity for the laws.  In Exocus 33:19 God reminds Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”   Samuel Wells talks about the story of God being a drama of God turning God’s unlimited freedom into covenants and humanity turning their limited freedom into prisons.   Sometimes, when Christians insist that God fit into their small view, they not only imprison God, but imprison themselves as well.  This God betrays God’s sovereignty. 
The Gnostic God              This is the God of secrets, not mystery.  This imposter God doles out special favors to those who “discover” hidden secrets. Books with titles such as “Unlocking The Secret of God’s (you fill in the blank)” lead us to believe that God shows favoritism to those who have somehow read the right book, or discovered the right prayer, or have in some way stumbled onto a way to get more out of God via some bit of previously hidden information.  This God says there is a magic formula for healing, defeating sin, or releasing God’s wealth into our coffers.  When the disciples could not cast out a demon like Jesus they wanted to know his secret.  He said, “These things only come through prayer and fasting.”  That’s no secret.  As one matures in faith one does find one’s prayers and ministry becoming more effective, and a growth in one’s ability to discern God’s voice.  This imposter betrays God’s justice.

Sermon Notes, Ten Commandment Series

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