Series: The New Humanity
Message: Innovators
Preacher: J. Murdock
Reflection: Tim Gillespie
Live Wonder: Verity Were
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Beyond: Moe Stiles
Live Purpose: Vanessa Rivera
Editor: Becky De Oliveira
Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.
Read: Isaiah 43:1-7,18-19 in the New Living Translation (NLT). Note 1–3 insights or questions.
Reflect: Unfortunately, as new creations we ended up making some pretty major mistakes. Genesis 3 tells of the fall, and of the need for further innovations in the plan of salvation. Adam and Eve created a problem that needed some creative solutions. In this way, God was able to be innovative and creative in the way that He would solve a problem. The character of fallen creation forced God to be innovative. He could no longer say “This is good” but had to toil to create a new way forward.
The same could be said for us. Can we really say that there is nothing that needs to be adjusted or changed in our churches or in our lives? There is a constant need for innovation in both our lives and the lives of our churches. As long as the world is changing, we will need to find ways for our tradition to springboard innovation if we are to remain relevant and keep up with an ever-changing world.
When God chose certain people, like Noah or Abraham or Moses, for specific things, He was being innovative in the way that He worked with humanity. They were all chosen for a specific purpose to do something new and abundant for God in this world. The common strain between each of these pillars of the faith is that they were available to be used by God. Are you available for the specific innovation that God has for you? Because you are still an innovation from God—and for God.
The story of the fall reminds us that God used what we call “design thinking.” Design thinking means that He began with the end in sight and worked His way back. Much like an architect begins with the picture and reverse engineers everything that needs to be done in order to make it a reality. When God mentions Jesus in Genesis 3:15, we see that He began with the end in sight. He understood what business He was in, the business of salvation, and He worked tirelessly to see that end happen with the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Recalibrate: How can you use design thinking to impact your spiritual life and your church? What principles can we learn from God as He moved history and finally placed the incarnated Jesus into our reality for our salvation? How has God been constantly reverse engineering our lives in order to let us know that He will continually innovate in order to grow the Kingdom for and through us?
Respond: Can you create a narrative for the church to which you want to belong and attend? Spend time thinking and writing about what that would look like each week. Who would be there? What would it sound and smell and look like? Be as specific as possible. Once you can begin to see the end, you can begin to work toward it.
Research: Read Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation.
Remember: “Behold, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19, ESV).
Dr. Timothy Gillespie is lead pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA. He also teaches at several universities and consults on mission integration for Adventist Health.
Make finger puppets with your little one. Allow your child to decorate/color them, and give each one a name. Explain that just as you created that finger puppet, God created your little one. He formed them and named them. He will forever fight to keep them close to Him. Watch this YouTube video first and this one second.
Team Jesus has a captain and it is Jesus, of course. He invites us to play like Him by always making room so others can play. Sometimes we don’t like this because we find it hard to get along with everyone. That is why Jesus is the captain of the team. His love for us and how He plays pulls us together so we can play well together as a team.
So when I was at college (Avondale College in Australia), I went home for spring break. And while I was home, a couple of friends of mine (both surfers) wanted to go on a road trip along the coast on our way back to college. I agreed to go with them. The thing is, I am not a surfer—but I loved my friends and loved hanging out with them. One of our first stops was not too far from home, but it was a beautiful sunny day and the surf was perfect, so the guys went out into the waves while I watched from the shore. But then it got a little warm, so I thought I would go for a dip in the water (I mean who goes to the beach and sits in the sand all day and doesn’t get in the water?). When I got in the water, it was heavenly—especially after sitting in the sand for so long. I don’t know exactly how long I was in the water, but I found myself drifting, and in my drifting I felt the current getting stronger. It turned out I was in a rip and didn’t know it. The waves were getting bigger and stronger! All I can remember is getting in the water, enjoying the way it felt, and then finding myself getting smashed by waves. The were tumbling me underneath their force onto the sand below with hair stuck to my face—and each time I came up for air another wave would hit me and I would find myself gasping for air. It felt like it went on this way for ages. I could kind of see my friends making their way towards me on their surfboards, but before they could get to me, a very strong and handsome stranger surfer swept me up and put me on his surfboard and paddled me back to shore. I thanked him about a million times in between coughing up water and catching my breath, and his only response was, “No worries,” and a request that I name my first child after him! (Hmmm, that hasn’t happened but I remember him still and the wonderful feeling of being saved!)
The passage this week tells us that our Creator God recreates and is in the business of saving and walking with us. That day, when I was tumbling under the waves and my surfer savior came to my rescue, makes this text real to me. I don’t know where you are right now or what you are struggling with. I do know life can feel like waves smashing you down and making you gasp for air! If this is you, know this—God promises to walk with you. We may not always get a surfer dude rescuing us, but God promises that He is in the waves with us. He is not just a re-Creator God—He is also God in the waves! Prayers for you today that you will have peace knowing your God is with you right now, right here.
Friendships go in phases. First, you meet someone as a stranger. As you get to know each other more, you may become acquaintances and eventually, if you both click enough you become friends. It could be kind of awkward trying to figure out precisely when this stranger became your friend. I always struggle calling someone a “friend” too early because what if they don’t agree that we are friends yet? They might not feel the same way, and here I am calling them my friend! God is already claiming us as His. Even before we’ve made our decision to believe or follow Him, He’s already calling us by name.
Verity Were is a registered nurse at the largest pediatric intensive care unit in Sydney, Australia. She attends Kellyville Adventist church with her husband and two toddlers.
Zan Long is GRC director for faith development for ages 0-17. She lives in Sydney, Australia, and serves at her local church in nearby Kellyville.
Moe Stiles is lead pastor at Oasis Church in Vancouver, WA. She is married to Adrian and is mother to Caleb and Johnny.
Vanessa Rivera is a therapist at a community mental health center in Denver, CO, and serves as the faith engagement pastor at Boulder Church.