The Table Church DC

The Evolution of Satan: From Divine Prosecutor to Enemy of God

Why do bad things happen if God is good? Journey through biblical history to discover how our understanding of Satan transformed from a divine legal prosecutor to the ruler of this world's broken systems. Learn how the Bible's view of evil evolved, from ancient chaos monsters to the familiar adversary we know today. This eye-opening sermon challenges both fundamentalist and modernist views, revealing how spiritual warfare isn't just about demons and exorcisms - it's about creating communities of justice, forgiveness, and radical inclusion. Perfect for anyone wondering about the nature of evil, the role of Satan in modern life, and how we can meaningfully resist darkness in today's world.

Shadowboxing: Jacob and Jekyll: Navigating Identity and Fear

Shadowboxing: Unmasking the Monsters Within In this episode of the sermon series 'Shadowboxing: Confronting the Monsters Within,' we explore the concept of the 'false self' and the inner 'monster' through personal anecdotes and literary references like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. By delving into the Bible story of Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau from Genesis 27:1-20, we uncover the masks we wear to navigate life's challenges and seek acceptance. Insights from Christian psychologist David Benner and the Enneagram help us differentiate the false self from our true God-given identity. The sermon concludes with reflections on autumn's symbolism of letting go, inspired by Lucille Clifton's poem, 'The Lesson of the Falling Leaves.'

00:00 A Memorable Mistake in London

03:06 Facing Fears and Cultural Monsters

06:43 Exploring the Monster Within

07:29 The Tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

11:09 The False Self and Genesis 27

15:54 Setting the Stage: Isaac's Prayer and Rebecca's Revelation

16:20 Jacob and Esau: The Struggle Begins

17:12 The Shrewdness of Rebecca and Jacob

18:43 The Deception Unfolds: Jacob's Mask

20:12 The Consequences of Deception

20:45 Reflecting on Identity and the False Self

21:56 Understanding the False Self in Christian Context

22:46 Personal Journey: Confronting the False Self

23:34 The Enneagram and Self-Discovery

25:34 Jacob's Transformation: From Supplanter to Israel

27:00 The Struggle of Marginalized Identities

28:11 The Spiritual Journey: Losing the Self to Find the Self

28:55 Confronting Our Fears: The Lesson of the Falling Leaves

Shadowboxing - Becoming the Living Dead

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.

 

🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more messages in this series and join the conversation in the comments below!

 

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

Trusting in the Slow Work of God: Becoming a North Star Community

This sermon delves into the themes of patience, growth, and the transformative power of trusting in the slow work of God. Through the writings of Teilhard de Chardin and insights from the book 'Slow Church,' the sermon challenges cultural obsessions with speed, prompting the pursuit of a deeper, more intentional Christian community. Exploring the concept of 'North Star' communities, the sermon highlights the significance of being a liberating church, drawing from historical examples like the desert monks of North Africa and the hush harbors of enslaved African Americans. Emphasizing rootedness, love, and communal growth, the sermon is part of a larger series on the 'Marks of a Liberating Church.'

00:00 Opening Prayer and Reflection

01:29 The Slow Work of God

02:54 Introduction to Slow Church

04:24 Marks of a Liberating Church

06:08 The North Star Community

10:35 Imitating God and Love

20:10 Rootedness and Growth

24:53 Broadcasting the Gospel

27:19 Reflection and Communion

All God's Children Got Shoes

In this heartfelt sermon, Trevor Wentt delves into the essence of a liberating church by drawing on the black spiritual 'All God's Children Got Shoes' and exploring its resonance with 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Wendt emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing our diverse spiritual gifts for the common good, promoting equality, dignity, and communal purpose. With references to modern cultural icons like 'My Hero Academia' and personal stories of faith communities on the margins, this sermon invokes a powerful call to action for creating communities of connection and dismantling structures of oppression.

00:00 Introduction to the Series

00:25 Welcoming Trevor Wendt

01:32 Anime and Power Dynamics

03:40 Exploring Spiritual Gifts

07:22 Understanding the Triadic Formula

12:26 The Common Good and Spiritual Gifts

17:28 Dignity for All

23:36 You Are Enough

28:22 Call to Action

Unspeakable Joy

Embracing Unspeakable Joy Amidst Trauma In this sermon, our Co-Director of Community Formation Antonio Ingram explores the concept of 'unspeakable joy' that transcends circumstances and finds its root in faith in a victorious risen Christ. He discusses the challenges of experiencing genuine joy amidst trauma, using personal anecdotes and biblical examples, particularly focusing on the figure of Miriam in Exodus. Antonio also reflects on the experiences of the Pentecostal Black Church and how unspeakable joy served as a means of liberation for African Americans. The message highlights the importance of choosing to invite God's presence into our pain and using worship as a way to encounter divine joy that defies reason and logic.

00:00 Introduction to Unspeakable Joy

01:04 Personal Story of Loss and False Joy

02:34 Historical Context and the Black Church

06:34 The Story of Miriam in Exodus

10:30 Miriam's Prophetic Joy and Modern Parallels

12:48 The Power of Worship in Pain

15:13 Conclusion and Prayer

Greenhouse | Stage 1 | Week 1 | Radical Friendship Foundations

Welcome to Greenhouse a new groups curriculum for The Table Church. This is the audio version. You can find the PDF of Stage 1 Week 1 here: PDF Link

The Hymn for Liberation: Unmasking the Old Time Religion

Part of "Marks of a Liberating Church Series." Preacher: Pastor Tonetta Landis-Aina

This sermon delves into the contrasting narratives within American Christianity, focusing on the song 'Give Me That Old Time Religion' and its implications of division and exclusion. The speaker critiques this version of faith, highlighting its historical role in subjugation and oppression. They contrast this with a more liberatory approach to Christianity, emphasizing the need to interpret the Bible through the lens of liberation theology. Key moments include a detailed reading of Luke 4:16-30 and an exploration of how Jesus' teachings challenge the status quo, calling for a faith that promotes freedom and justice for all.

00:00 Introduction to an Old Song

01:07 The Divided American Church

03:00 A Different Side of Christianity

04:42 Choosing Which Jesus to Follow

06:03 Reading the Bible for Liberation

09:20 Jesus' Inaugural Sermon

17:17 Interpreting Scripture in Community

22:54 The Scandal of God's Grace

25:29 Conclusion: A Creative Relationship with the Bible