The Table Church DC

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

The Coordinates of Liberation: From Cain and Abel to Ubuntu

From our "Marks of A Liberating Church" series, Pastor Tonetta reflects on the concept of Ubuntu and its significance in building a liberating church community. Drawing parallels between the ancient story of Cain and Abel and modern-day challenges, the sermon encourages a rejection of unlimited growth and excessive consumption in favor of interdependence, care, and community. Pastor Tonetta explores how understanding and practicing Ubuntu can lead to a more human and just society, grounded in the values of knowing and keeping our neighbors. Join us as we delve into the wisdom of Ubuntu and its biblical connections to inspire a more liberated and interconnected church community in today's world.

00:00 Welcome Back: Embracing the Fall Season

00:52 Reflecting on Our Core Values

02:48 Exploring Liberating Community Structures

04:04 Personal Church Histories and Models

06:52 The Concept of Hush Harbors

08:51 Introducing Ubuntu: A Philosophy of Interdependence

11:37 Biblical Insights: The Story of Cain and Abel

17:52 Lessons from Cain and Abel: Embracing Ubuntu

24:00 Practical Applications of Ubuntu

29:18 A Call to Action: Becoming a Liberating Church

Practical Redemption: Romans 8

August 25, 2023 In this episode, Matt Collinson from the preaching team at The Table wraps up a series on the Book of Romans, focusing on Romans 8. Matt begins by confessing his early misunderstandings of Christianity, noting that it initially seemed like a means to avoid hell rather than a transformative faith. He critiques the simplified 'Toothpaste Christianity,' which is a hedge against future 'bad places,' and stresses that the gospel is more about a present, active life of transformation. Through Romans 8, Matt dives into Paul's teachings on living by the Spirit rather than the flesh, emphasizing that our bodies are good, not inherently bad. He explores the concept of Christians as heirs of God's vocation, not just future rewards in heaven, and challenges the Western Church's often future-oriented focus by calling for active participation in God's work of liberation and the renewal of all things here and now. The episode concludes with a call to engage deeply in this present transformation, to empathize with the world's suffering, yet hold onto the hope of future restoration.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Confession

00:21 Struggles with Faith and Understanding

03:01 The Concept of Toothpaste Christianity

04:39 Exploring Romans 8

07:24 Body and Spirit Dichotomy

14:50 Inheritance and Vocation

20:32 Engaging in Collective Liberation

25:43 The Role of Suffering and Hope

34:29 Call to Action and Conclusion