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