When Everything Looks Good But God Says No (Genesis Part 5)
Time Stamps
00:00 - Welcome & Introduction with Matt & Dave
03:08 - When Desire Meets Divine Boundaries | Jenny's Talk
20:54 - Understanding Trust in Modern Life
30:00 - Real Talk About Relationships & Sex
38:00 - Church Leadership & Humility
44:00 - Navigating Power & Accountability
49:00 - Looking Ahead: Next Week's Deep Dive
When Desires and Divine Boundaries Collide
This week at Crowd, Jenny Mariner tackled one of those questions we all wrestle with: what happens when God says no to something that looks really good? In a world that tells us to "follow our heart" and "trust our desires," this message has the potential to clash with modern culture.
The Cultural Clash
Starting with a relatable story about disappointed chocolate cake expectations (we've all been there!), Jenny highlighted how our culture's message about desire is pretty straightforward: if you want it, go for it. Following your desires equals happiness. But what if there's another way to think about this?
“Our culture says to follow your heart, follow what you desire, and you will be fulfilled. The Bible says to follow God and learn to trust Him, that is the route to eternal life.”
A Fresh Look at Genesis
Through Genesis 2-3, Jenny showed us how God isn't some cosmic killjoy trying to restrict our joy. Instead, He's a generous creator who says "eat, eat!" to almost everything in the garden. The issue isn't about having desires - those are natural and good. It's about understanding where those desires fit in our relationship with God.
“God is not distant. He didn’t just make us and say go off, do whatever you want. God wants us to steward this planet in relationship with Him.”
When Good Things Become Ultimate Things
One of the evening's most powerful insights was about how we can mistake good things for ultimate things. Whether it's relationships, career success, or even church leadership, anything good can become problematic when we start treating it as the source of our fulfillment rather than God Himself.
Real Talk in Conversation Street
Matt, Dave, and Jenny shared personal stories about times they've had to say no to good things because of their faith. From career choices to relationships, their honesty about the struggles and rewards of trusting God resonated deeply.
A particularly striking moment came when the team addressed how the church handles power and accountability. In a time when church scandals make headlines, Jenny's call for humility and Dave's emphasis on accountable relationships offered a different way forward.
“We need to take stock, and we need to take stock starting with us... We need to be men and women who just don’t criticise. We need to take stock, starting with ourselves”
What Now?
Whether you're wrestling with desires that seem good but don't align with God's direction, trying to understand why God sometimes says no, or simply curious about how ancient wisdom speaks to modern life, this message offers fresh perspectives on finding fulfillment in relationship with God rather than in getting everything we want.
Want to dive deeper into these themes? Join us next week as Dave Connolly explores what it means to be made in God's image. Every Sunday at 7pm UK time, online or in person at the Frontline Centre, Liverpool.
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