S6E179: New Creation 11: When the Church Attempts to Impress Artwork

The Eikon Podcast

Please consider supporting this podcast by going to: https://www.patreon.com/eikonpodcastJoin Michael Burns (biblical teacher, author, and speaker), Jason Alexander (pastor, speaker), and Gianna Hearn (journalist, host of "The Weekly G" video news magazine of the NBA G-League) for a fun, lively, and relevant examination of biblical texts, emphasizing their historical and cultural context with an eye on applying those principles into the mess of modern life. To submit questions, or suggestions, or give feedback contact us at eikonpodcast@gmail.com. If you're a new listener. Welcome and thank you. We recommend that you start listening to season 4, episode 93. After you're caught up to the present, we suggest that you then go back and explore the first 3 seasons when the podcast was still called "All Things to All People with Michael Burns."

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The Eikon Podcast

S6E179: New Creation 11: When the Church Attempts to Impress

May 13, 2024 • Season 6 • Episode 179

Michael and Jason dive into 2 Corinthians looking starting with the idea that new creation is not just about individual transformation, but also about the transformation of the church body as a whole. They explore the idea that true thriving is not about worldly success or impressive appearances, but about embracing weakness and dependence on God. They emphasize the importance of viewing success and thriving through the lens of faith, rather than the standards of the world. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the significance of fixing our eyes on the unseen and eternal.

Takeaways
- The concept of new creation in 2 Corinthians is not just about individual transformation, but also about the transformation of the church body as a whole.
- Living in the new creation can be challenging and requires a shift in perspective from worldly values to the values of the kingdom of God.
- Paul's emphasis on weakness and reliance on God challenges the worldly notion of presenting oneself with grandiosity and prestige.
- The world often does not understand the gospel, and preaching Christ can be seen as foolish or unimpressive.
- There are two realities at play: the old creation of the world and the new creation of the kingdom of God. True thriving is not about worldly success or impressive appearances, but about embracing weakness and dependence on God.
- Success and thriving should be viewed through the lens of faith, rather than the standards of the world.
- There is a contrast between outward appearances and inward renewal in the new creation.
- Fixing our eyes on the unseen and eternal is key to understanding true thriving.
- The paradoxical nature of the new creation challenges our conventional understanding of success and thriving.

Chapters
00:00 – Opening Conversation
13:59 - The Concept of New Creation
20:01 - Shifting Perspectives: From Worldly Values to Kingdom Values
25:11 - The World's Misunderstanding of the Gospel
27:01 - Exploring the Desire for Impact
29:38 - The Danger of Seeking Personal Glory
35:15 - Contrasting Outward Appearances and Inward Renewal
39:24 - Redefining Thriving in the New Creation
46:47 - The Paradox of Success in the New Creation