Episode 960
Beyond Sacred Spaces: Reimagining Divine Presence Acts 7:44-53
In today’s discourse, we engage with the profound themes elucidated in Acts 7:44-53, wherein Stephen articulates a potent critique of religious institutionalism, thereby challenging the confines of sacred spaces as merely human constructs. We delve into the significance of reimagining divine presence, positing that the essence of spirituality transcends physical edifices, inviting a broader recognition of God’s manifestation in social justice movements and acts of solidarity. Furthermore, we examine the resistance encountered by prophetic voices throughout history, illustrating the perennial struggle faced by truth-tellers who confront institutional inertia and prioritize preservation over progression. Our reflection culminates in actionable steps, encouraging listeners to expand their understanding of sacred spaces and redirect resources towards meaningful justice work. Thus, we invite you to contemplate these essential truths and engage in the transformative journey of spiritual authenticity.
Takeaways:
- In this episode, we engage with Stephen's critique of religious institutions and their limitations.
- The notion that divine presence transcends physical structures is a theme we explored extensively.
- We examine how contemporary religious practices often conflate institutional buildings with true spirituality.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of prophetic voices in advocating for justice and truth.
- Our discussion highlights the resistance faced by those who challenge traditional religious norms.
- We encourage listeners to reconsider how their communities define sacred spaces and divine engagement.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
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He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Foreign Sacred Spaces Reimagining Divine Presence A reading from Acts 7:44 53 on the Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
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Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker A:Reading from Acts 7:44 53 from the Message and All this time our ancestors had a tent shrine for true worship made to the exact specifications God provided Moses.
Speaker A:They had it with them as they followed Joshua when God cleared the land of pagans and still headed right down to the time of David.
Speaker A:David asked God for a permanent place for worship, but Solomon built it.
Speaker A:Yet that doesn't mean that the Most High God lives in a building made by carpenters and masons.
Speaker A:The prophet Isaiah put it well when he wrote, heaven is my throne room, I rest my feet on earth.
Speaker A:So what kind of house will you build me?
Speaker A:Says God.
Speaker A:Where can I get away and relax?
Speaker A:It's all built and I built it.
Speaker A:And you continue.
Speaker A:So bullheaded callousness on your hearts flaps on your ears, deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit.
Speaker A:You're just like your ancestors.
Speaker A:Was there ever a prophet who didn't get the same treatment?
Speaker A:Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the just one.
Speaker A:And you've kept up the family tradition.
Speaker A:Traitors and murderers, all of you.
Speaker A:You had God's law handed to you by angels, gift wrapped, and you squandered it well, my friend.
Speaker A:In today's reflection, we're exploring Stephen's bold critique of religious institutionalism and his call for authentic spiritual engagement.
Speaker A:Let's look at three points to ponder.
Speaker A:1.
Speaker A:Is the sacred space reimagined?
Speaker A:Stephen challenges the notion that God can be contained in human made structures.
Speaker A:This speaks powerfully to our contemporary context, where we often confuse buildings with authentic spirituality.
Speaker A:Progressive theology invites us to see divine presence in movements for justice, in care for creation, and in acts of solidarity, not just in traditional religious spaces.
Speaker A:Then there's the point of institutional resistance.
Speaker A:The critique of bullheaded religious leaders resonates with how institutions often resist transformation.
Speaker A:When churches prioritize building maintenance over homeless shelters, investment returns over climate action, or institutional preservation over justice work, we continue this pattern of resistance to the spirits movement.
Speaker A:One more point to ponder.
Speaker A:It's about the prophet as truth teller.
Speaker A:Stephen connects his critique to a long tradition of prophetic truth telling that faced violent resistance.
Speaker A:Today's prophetic voices, whether speaking about racial justice, economic inequality, or environmental crisis, often face similar institutional opposition, and this passage validates the discomfort that comes with speaking truth to power.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Practice Sacred Space Expansion what we mean by this is to identify one way your community may be containing God in some traditional structures or practices.
Speaker A:Perhaps it's limiting worship to a building while ignoring nearby suffering, or prioritizing institutional preservation over justice work.
Speaker A:Create some way proposal, perhaps for expanding your community's understanding of sacred space and divine presence.
Speaker A:Include some specific ways to redirect resources from maintaining structures to supporting justice work.
Speaker A:We'll come back with a closing prayer here in just a moment.
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Speaker A:It does a bit.
Speaker A:Here's our closing prayer.
Speaker A:O God, you're a divine presence beyond walls.
Speaker A:We confess our tendency to contain you in buildings and traditions, in comfortable patterns and familiar spaces.
Speaker A:Help us recognize your movement in unexpected places and uncomfortable truths, in protest for justice and in acts of solidarity in the dismantling of oppressive systems and the building of a beloved community.
Speaker A:Give us courage to be truth tellers, wisdom to recognize prophetic voices, and strength to face institutional resistance in openness and determination.
Speaker A:We pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
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Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible refresh.
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Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
