Join us as we kick off our exciting new series with a twist—Tonetta wanted to have some fun, so we’re diving into a horror movie theme! 🧟♂️ But don’t worry, even if you’re not a fan of the creepy and spooky (like me), there’s something profound waiting for you.
In this message, we explore the concept of zombies—not just as monsters in movies but as a metaphor for areas in our lives where we might feel like the “undead.” We tackle questions like:
• Why don’t we like zombies?
• How can staying in the closet or suppressing our true selves make us feel lifeless?
• What does it mean to lose our identity, culture, or autonomy?
We delve into John 12:23-26, where Jesus talks about a grain of wheat needing to die to produce much fruit. This powerful passage challenges us to consider what it means to “die to self” in a way that leads to true, abundant life.
🌱 Key Points:
1. Loss of Identity (Enmeshment): Breaking free from societal pressures that force us to hide who we truly are.
2. Loss of Culture (Assimilation): Resisting the pull to abandon our heritage and uniqueness.
3. Loss of Autonomy (Subjugation): Overcoming environments that demand blind obedience at the expense of our freedom.
But it doesn’t stop there! We discuss the concept of Death as Rebirth, focusing on:
• Dying to Individualism: Moving beyond self-centered living.
• Dying to Kyriarchy: Confronting oppressive systems (yes, we explain what “kyriarchy” means!).
• Dying to Independence: Embracing interdependence and community.
💡 Highlights:
• An insightful reading from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity on finding your true self through surrender.
• A reflection on Galatians 5:13: Using our freedom to serve one another in love.
• Understanding that to be truly alive, we must engage in collective liberation and authentic community.
We wrap up with a thought-provoking conclusion inspired by Kierkegaard’s idea of the “half dose”—challenging us to fully commit to this transformative journey.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how embracing certain “deaths” in our lives can lead us to genuine, vibrant living.
Keywords: Zombies, John 12:23-26, Dying to Self, True Life, Authenticity, Kyriarchy, Individualism, Community, C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Sermon Series, Spiritual Growth, Christianity, Faith Journey, Collective Liberation