Idols in Orbit - Why We Put God in a Box • How Big is God? | Seek First the Kingdom of God | Sermon

Idols in Orbit - Why We Put God in a Box • How Big is God? | Seek First the Kingdom of God | Sermon
The Awe-Inspiring Vastness of Space and Our Limited Perception

Matthew Vander Els begins by sharing his excitement about the images from the James Webb telescope. He notes that while we have a conceptual understanding of the vastness of space, actually seeing the deep space images provides a more profound sense of its scale. The Hubble telescope, launched a long time ago, was a significant achievement, but the James Webb telescope is described as 100 times more powerful in reading infrared light, allowing us to see farther into deep space than ever before.

One of the first images shown is of the Southern Ring Nebula, also known as the Eight Burst Nebula, an expanding cloud of gas surrounding a dying star that is nearly half a light-year in diameter and 2,000 light-years away from Earth. To put this in perspective, traveling at the speed of light, which is the fastest speed possible, it would take six months to cross the nebula and 2,000 years to reach it from Earth, and this is still within our Milky Way galaxy.

Another image is of the Carina Nebula, specifically a section called the Cosmic Cliffs, located 8,500 light-years away, still within our galaxy. Then, the speaker discusses the Galaxy Cluster SMACS 0723, a deep field image containing countless galaxies, each similar to our Milky Way. A video is shown to illustrate the scale: the area of the sky captured in this image is equivalent to the size of a grain of sand held at arm's length.

This overwhelming sense of the universe's size can lead to a feeling called cosmic vertigo, a genuine sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of the cosmos. The speaker poses a thought-provoking question: if the size of the universe evokes such a profound feeling, why is a similar sense of being overwhelmed so unfamiliar when we consider the vastness of God?

Putting God in a Box: Control and Fear

The teaching then shifts to the idea that we often tend to put God in a box to make Him easier to worship. This desire to make God smaller can stem from a lack of trust in difficult circumstances or a yearning to be in control ourselves. The temptation in the Garden of Eden, to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, was about wanting to be like God, ultimately driven by a desire for control.

The core reasons why we put God in a box are identified as control and fear, which are interconnected. We desire control because it makes us feel safe and secure, or it allows us to dominate others. This desire for control mirrors the original sin of reaching for the fruit to determine good and evil for ourselves. When we trade trust in God for knowledge of God, the result is often fear and uncertainty. Adam's response to God after eating the forbidden fruit – hiding because he was naked and afraid – illustrates this point.

This desire for control and fear has consequences, leading to conflict and violence in the world. The speaker uses the example of a mass shooting motivated by fear of losing power and privilege due to changing demographics. This echoes the fear that led Abraham and Isaac to lie. Sarah's decision to give Hagar to Abraham was also driven by a lack of trust in God's promise and a desire to take control.

Even though we may acknowledge God's goodness and control, we often struggle to trust Him in our circumstances, leading us to scramble for control. The speaker references Matthew 6:25-34 about not worrying, acknowledging how challenging it can be to fully embrace this trust. Ultimately, the message is one of trust: trusting that God is bigger than our problems and our fears.

The Idolatry of Control: Historical Examples

The teaching explores how humanity has historically tried to control or limit God. The Israelites at Mount Sinai were overwhelmed by God's presence and asked Moses to be their intermediary. However, when Moses was on the mountain for 40 days, the people, fearing an untamable God, pressured Aaron to create golden calves. They declared, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." Aaron even proclaimed a feast to the Lord, indicating they saw the calf as a representation of Yahweh, a tamed and controllable version of God they preferred. This highlights our tendency to desire a God we can manage rather than a limitless one.

The story of Jonah further illustrates this tendency to put God in a box. Jonah was displeased when God showed mercy to Nineveh, a city he believed deserved destruction. Jonah wanted God's grace and judgment to align with his own limited understanding and desires for control. He was angry that God broke out of his "box" of expected behavior and showed untamed grace and mercy.

Theological Debate vs. Obedience and Love

The speaker emphasizes the difference between knowing about God and truly trusting and obeying Him. The serpent in Genesis 3 engaged in a theological debate with Eve, treating God as a third party and twisting His words. Walter Brueggemann is quoted as saying, "The serpent is the first in the Bible to seem knowing and critical about God and to practice theology in the place of obedience."

Knowing the Bible is important, but it is meaningless without action rooted in trust and love. Using theological knowledge to control or condemn others is likened to being the serpent. True followers of Jesus are known by their love, a love that extends even to enemies. Jesus consistently broke societal standards by showing grace, mercy, and love to those considered outcasts.

We are called to be image bearers of God, speaking life and pouring out energy for the benefit of others, even our enemies. This means serving, not seeking to manipulate or control. Condemning from a distance is easier than building authentic relationships and showing genuine care. The world is waiting to see a God they can trust, and our actions are the "resume" of the God we serve.

Instead of using the Bible as a weapon to feel powerful, we should yield to God. The strategy Jesus taught for correcting the world is rooted in love, demonstrated through empathy and connection. We must practice catching ourselves when we judge and instead seek to love others. True theology leads to action and obedience.

Applications for Everyday Life

• Recognize the tendency to control: Be aware of situations where you feel an overwhelming need to be in control, and consider if this stems from fear or a lack of trust in God.
• Cultivate trust in God's bigness: When faced with overwhelming circumstances, remember the vastness of the universe and the even greater vastness of God's power and love.
• Examine your theological lens: Ensure your understanding of God doesn't limit His power, grace, or mercy based on your comfort or preferences.
• Prioritize obedience over mere knowledge: Put your faith into action by obeying God's commands, especially the command to love others.
• Practice love and empathy: Engage with others, even those you disagree with, with love, empathy, and a desire for their well-being, rather than judgment and condemnation.
• Serve others self-sacrificially: Look for opportunities to serve those in need, reflecting the love and actions of Jesus.
• Be aware of hypocrisy: Check your own heart and actions for inconsistencies between your beliefs and behavior.
• Focus on unity and peace: Make an effort to maintain unity and peace within the community of believers, bearing with one another in love.
• Speak truth in love: When addressing issues or correcting others, ensure it is done with genuine love, care, and relationship.
• Let go of fear: Trust in God's perfect love, which casts out fear, allowing you to love others more fully.

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