#230 UBER Series# 2, Upsetting the Applecart

UBER Series# 2, Upsetting the Applecart
By: Pastor Cheryl Thomas

uber _______
to an extreme or excessive degree : uber _______
Supercharge
 

Greek Equivalent (sphódra) vehemently, in a high degree, exceeding(-ly), greatly.

Uber – the superlative – the highest example of its kind or class. I love this definiton I hope Pastor Karl speaks to that next week.

Last week Pastor Karl introduced us to this way-out trend in transportation UBER

Uber uses speed in innovation to quickly test, iterate and add new services.

Uber … Shared Network economy    Uber App     Uber Rush

Uber valued in late 2015 at 61.5 Billion.

Uber also crossed the $50 billion mark in five years, a feat rivaling what took facebook took seven years to accomplish.

In an article written by Mathew Hughes in July 2014 he stated that it would be hard to imagine London without its taxis. But that is precisely what London experience in June 2014. The taxis went on strike, blockading the city and rendering some parts of central London utterly impassable in a move that was set to cost the London economy almost £125m ($212 USD).

Why? Because Uber has landed, and it’s fundamentally changing inner-city transit. But What’s That Uber Thing?

But What’s That Uber Thing?

Travis Kalanick –Uber isn’t a taxi service, its a service is that connects passengers with willing drivers.
It is easy and uncomplicated and no cash is exchanged – payment is taken automatically from the passenger’s debit card – and no tip is required.

Kalanick has been vilified by the press and taxi companies

What Does It Take To Become A Taxi Driver?

• To become a taxi driver? It’s a long, laborious and expensive process.
• The first step involves getting a roadworthy, reliable car.
• The second step involves getting insurance, which is ludicrously expensive.
• According to the 2013 Insuretaxi Taxi Driver Survey, the majority of taxi drivers spend more than £1000- £3000 per year for insurance
• Finally, a taxi driver needs to be registered with a local authority with annual fees usually around the £200 mark.
• They will also have to pay a yearly rental for a taxi meter and radio, which often costs around £500.
• All things considered, being a taxi driver is expensive.
• In 2011, the New York Taxi and Limousine sold two taxi licenses at auction for $705,000 with the average price of becoming a licensed driver having tripled since 2002.
• By 2013, the costs of becoming a licensed taxi driver in New York had surged to $1,000,000.

Let’s compare that to Uber.

• You don’t need special Taxi driver insurance.
• You don’t need to be registered with a local authority.
• The upfront costs are comparatively minimal.
• Furthermore, the costs of operating as an Uber driver is entirely proportional to the amount of work you do.
• There are no monthly fees, nor are there any membership dues to be paid.
• Uber just take a small commission from the driver’s earnings.
• This – perhaps rightfully – has irritated traditional taxi drivers, who see Uber as circumventing the regulation that ensures that only qualified, safe drivers carry passengers.

The Uber Experience

• All you need is a Smartphone and the Uber app.
• Press a button, and a car will pick you up.
• You don’t even need to go to an ATM – it just charges your credit card.
• Compare that to a traditional taxi firm. Unless you hail a cab from the street, you need to call a dispatch office.
• If you’re in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, this can be immeasurably challenging.
• Then you need to be able to articulate where you are located. If you’re in an unfamiliar place, this can be difficult.
• And let’s not forget that, you need to have cash to hand. Many taxis do not accept credit cards, and the ones that do generally charge a hefty surcharge.
• Simply put, Uber has created an automated, consistent process for booking rides.

I want to read some lyrics of a song written in 1964 by Bob Dylan.

And no I am not going to sing because it is impossible to replicate Bob Dylan even Bob Dylan can’t replicate Bob Dylan

For the times they are a-changin’

His song was a prophet mirror of the change that marked the 60’s. And perhaps the  Uber transportation buzz—marks a season of change for all of us.

1 Corinthians 15: 46… talks about first in the natural then the spiritual, Is a new wave of change upon us… can we perceive what God is doing and can we perceive a change that comes with the emergence of the biggest generation to hit centre stage since the boomers.

My question is do we see this, how will we prepare ourselves? Are we ready to shake things up?

• As a church this is the most crucial challenge we’ll face in our lifetime; it will affect every sphere of society. It’s a pandemic!
• It’s new breed of avant-garde people called Gen Y, Millennial.
• 60-70 million strong, more than three times the size of Generation X

Boomers are retiring, and they will continue retiring for years to come.

Most of the established leaders, innovators you follow are likely from the Baby Boomer generation. They will be retiring or vacating leadership positions in hospitals, in government, in education, in churches, on mission fields and in corporations. They represent between 40-45% of the workforce.  With that change of leadership role I imagine they will innovate and work in ways that vehemently contrasts what has been for decades.

In the same way Uber –the market for ride-sharing around the world is growing and changing so rapidly, I believe we are about to witness exponential change…

A generation that has moved from:
From modernism to postmodernism
What is the difference between Modernism and Postmodernism?

Period:

• Postmodernism began after modernism.

Thinking:

Thinking too differed in modern and postmodern periods.

• The thinking of postmodernism period is generally considered irrational and unscientific in its approach.

Originality of work:

• Postmodernism did not give such attention to original work. They considered such work as pieces that gained popularity due to propagation.

Art:

• During postmodernism, artist did not follow the traditional methods of making art. They rather used media to increase the speed of the creation of their pieces.

Gaining knowledge:

• Postmodernism was much dependent on technology, and they considered web, which expanded the limited boundaries of printed media, as a more important way of gaining knowledge.

Learning from the past:

• Postmodernism did not firmly believe in benefiting from the past experiences. In fact, they questioned the authority of text books.

Truth about life:

• Post modernist did not believe in abstract truth of life.
  Postmodernism is “post” because it is denies the existence of any ultimate principles, and it lacks the optimism of there being a scientific, philosophical, or religious truth which will explain everything for everybody –

And it looks like this:

• From Christianity to Secularism
• From Form to Diversity
• From opposition to syncretism – the amalgamation of schools of thought.

 

1 Chronicles 12 speaks of a little known people call the sons of ISSACHAR.
“AND OF THE SONS OF ISSACHAR, MEN WHO UNDERSTOOD THE TIMES, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT ISRAEL SHOULD DO. “

It’s a knowing that is able to perceive, discern to have the ability to announce and to reveal. It is a knowing accompanied by and understanding; (an insight) of what is imperative to do

So why are we talking about Uber?
Because it is upsetting the Applecart/ Change upsets the Applecart

Upsetting the apple cart can be very upsetting – especially to the apples in the cart. That’s why we like the status quo. Check any standard dictionary and you will find that status quo is defined as “the existing state of affairs.” To upset the apple cart is to seek to change the existing state of affairs or the long-observed way of doing things that has led to that state of affairs. It doesn’t matter to some people if the apples are rotting -just don’t upset the apple cart. Leave things the way they are, thank you ma’am – even if the way things are is rotten to the core and the apples stink. 

Upset the apple cart:

• To spoil a plan or disturb the status quo
• Something attractive that causes envy and quarrels among people who think they deserve it.
• Status Quo – literally “the state in which” –to keep the things the way they presently are.
• Status quo means the norm, the current state of affairs.
• So to challenge the status quo means to do something unexpected, out of the norm. To go against the grain. To rebel against the system.
• The impact of status quo is a stagnant culture that pushes away great people who are driven by the need to do something great.
• When they run into obstacles that don’t make any sense to them, they start thinking about greener pastures.
• Of course, the opposite is true of your bureaucrats, religious leaders and your go-along-to-get-along people whose goal is to milk the status quo for as long as possible. They hate change.Linguist and literary critic Roger Fowler discussed the concept of status quo as being the common sense of a period of time. Common sense becomes habitualized when ideas of a given time are firmly established in the people’s conscience. He warns that this habitualization can lead to a collective social thought that increasingly becomes uncritical.

Sort of reminds me of a movie I enjoyed Chocolate , and I didn’t enjoy just because it featured Johny Depp

And this rebel upstart Uber is upsetting the Apple cart; they are disturbing the status quo

But they are in good company.

• Mother Theresa, Joan of arc, Right brothers, Steve jobs, Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth caddy Stanton,  Richard Branscombe, King David, the early disciples

Just as Kalanick is seen as an innovator of change today I want to talk about a real innovator of change.

I want to speak to the fact that Jesus is an Uber- a superlative example of an agent of change…He UBER UPSET THE APPLECART!

It took the rebel upstart Jesus who time had pulled out of eternity and he upset the applecart, the status quo of his day, ushering a new kingdom with a new commandment and a new way of doing life.

To borrow from Veronica Roth Jesus was divergent, insurgent and allegiant

• Divergent in that he was a departure from the norm, departing from convention
• Insurgent in that he rose up in forcible opposition to the political elite of his day and he revolted against the policies of the reigning religious party.
• Allegiant in that unlike the power elite he upset he was steadfast in his devotion to his Father and the sons of man and his message of grace and love.

And unlike the iconic rebels idolized by film and pop culture none holds a candle to the greatest rebel the world has ever seen in Jesus Christ.

And unlike the James Dean’s of pop culture Jesus was not a rebel without a cause… he had a cause… the liberation of mankind.

” How did Jesus Upset the Apple Cart Challenge the Status Quo”

• Jesus made troubling statements such as “I came to bring peace and not a sword.”
• Jesus stirred up trouble by healing on the Sabbath day and not keeping the traditions of the Pharisees such as hand washing.
• He made a point of exposing the hypocrisy and self-serving behavior of the Pharisees and warned his disciples not to follow their example.
• During the Passover festival, Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers and drove them out of the temple with a whip.

He literally shocked the system

• Upset the guardians of Judaism, and called into question the traditions of man
  Mathew 15:3-12, “He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! …Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But Jesus didn’t stop there: 

  Matthew 23English Standard

Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ² “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, ^… but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. ⁴ .

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.^{[d] 15} 

 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell^[e] as yourselves.

¹⁶ “Woe to you, blind guides 

²³ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.

²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

²⁷ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 

²⁹ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, ³⁰ saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ ^…You serpents, you brood of vipers

• He put people before rules; he let his disciples break off the heads of grain so they could eat on the Sabbath, he said the Sabbath is for people not people for the Sabbath

• He put economic and social justice issues at the center of his ministry when he proclaimed in Luke chapter 4:18-19 that he is anointed to bring good news to the poor, release to prisoners and slaves, freedom for the oppressed, and the year of our Lord when all debts are forgiven and slaves set free.

• He touched the unclean- the lepers, the blind, the bleeding women, the prostitutes, the demon possessed, and even the tax collectors…. Luke 5:30 “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?’

• He confronts entitlement and patriarchy- John 8: 39 “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. You are imitating your real father…” They said to him, “we are not illegitimate, we have one Father—even God…”You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. The were so mad The Jews answered him in verse 48 and said , “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”

• He introduces a new style of leading- not as one who Lords it over his followers but Jesus was an UBER servant leader…

• He obliterates boundaries of class and gender

• He challenges the style of discourse by speaking in simple parables

• He challenges the teaching of the day with freshness and authority ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ^{Teaching in the Synagogue and he cast out a devil…}The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

• He challenged traditional ideals for discipleship

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely has radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

• Mark 2:13-17, “jesus call Levi sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. They went to dinner…And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

• He challenged their sense of propriety when it came to origins and this is so telling when we read Luke 4:21-30 (ESV)

²¹Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” ²²All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

• Their initial reaction.  Is it true amazement and respect?  It appears that He had been widely praised.
• Then the story takes a sharp turn.  Jesus suddenly begins to attack them.
• Were they amazed at the audacity of his claim?   Was it-amazed disbelief? But then a question betrays their hearts when they ask, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 
• They imply by their question that Jesus is an illegitimate child who cannot lead the people of Israel.
• The Law precludes those of illegitimate birth from taking any leadership position in the synagogue or in the nation.  [Deuteronomy 23:2]  By questioning Jesus’ parentage, they are questioning his authority to teach and speak and lead the people of Israel.
• Who is this person that would lecture us…

• Jesus’ new way of doing kingdom created a large following threatening Judaism and the very lively hood of the religious elite Judaism. Everywhere he went people clamored to touch Him.
• Jesus was a political problem for the Pharisees because He made them look bad.
• He refused to play by their rules

Luke 23:5 ”But they were vehement. “He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and now all through Judea. He’s a dangerous man, endangering the peace.” they-council of elders, chief priests, teachers of law…VEHEMENT 

What were they vehement about, Jesus was confronting the status quo with almost every action and every speech, he was subverting their authority. Not necessarily the authority of the Romans which they accused him of but he was subverting, confronting the status quo of the religious leaders.  

They may not have like their Roman oppressors but they were safe and could peaceably continue as elders, chief priests and Pharisees maintain their status and recognition all the while keeping the masses in bondage.

However, had they listened, they would have learned they didn’t have to be the religious police, they too could have been freed, God had it covered.

They could have learned that all their efforts were worthless; but if they were attuned to God’s voice and program, they too could have done great things.

But being preoccupied with controlling what little time they thought they had; they failed to see there were no limits on their lives.

Their constant near sightedness left them oblivious to a monumental change that was taking place right before their eyes.

They looked for God in the minutiae of the scripture and their religious practice, when God in Christ Jesus was disclosing himself right before their eyes in the presence of His people and His creation.

They totally missed the point.  They failed to see the inauguration of a new kingdom.

They did not have eyes to see or ears to hear.

Jesus came to seek and save all, even the power hungry religious elites…

HE is UBER- a superlative example of an applecart upsetter…

• Jesus approached people, ministry, and life differently.
• He wasn’t a yes man – motivated by the fear of man- he said what he came to say without fear of consequences
• He was a contrarian- He was an impediment to the coalescence of ideas, strategies, and plans. Jesus was a thorn in the side of the ruling religious class

He was motivated by his total and absolute devotion to God; this makes Jesus a true nonconformist.

Christians spread throughout the ancient world, upsetting the applecart wherever they went because of their refusal to worship idols and engage in immorality. This “rebellion” has now infiltrated every country in the world. It has lasted for 2,000 years and shows no signs of diminishing.

The problem with other icons of nonconformity is that they eventually become just as fashionable and acceptable as the groups they are rebelling against.

In his book The Rebel Sell; Why Culture Cant Be Jammed Joseph Heath asserts that countercultural is a myth and that sooner or later the psychology of the masses imposes conformity. 

Such is the case of the powerless religious system of Jesus day it required total and absolute conformity, but the kingdom instituted by Jesus and its culture cannot be quenched… Bur Jesus is UBER culture jammer…

He is the true nonconformist. He rebelled against the status quo by his unwavering commitment loving people and preaching a message of hope and healing for all those who would listen.

So what does it mean when Jesus breaks the rules? Is this a clarion cry for all women and men of faith to engage in ecclesiastical disobedience?

It’s not a justification or a blank check to justify whatever view we wish to espouse or action we wish to pursue.

When Jesus broke the rules, upset the applecart challenged the status quo he did so in order to illustrate God’s priorities.

The religious elite of his day where masters of marginalization, discrimination, violence, hatred, often dressed up in the sheep’s clothing of legal righteousness and religious zeal.

However one has only look to Jesus, the fullness of God’s self-disclosure and the very explication of God, to find example after example of what Divine priority really looks like.

When Jesus broke the rules, he always did so for the sake of those he came to save and set at liberty and never for his own personal gain.

Like Jesus we can be rebel’s with a cause. Okay but He was Jesus He can do those kinds of things…

We can respond and adapt to the needs of a new generation… we can do all things to win some…

And we can upset the applecart from a place of confidence…. Like Jesus.

In John 8:verses 12-19 again we find Jesus being questioned about the validity of his claims, and Jesus responds by simply stating:

I know who I am – verse 12 – the light of the world
I know where I came from- verse 12
I know where I am going- verse 12
I know my Father- verse 18
Know what you are called to do- verse 28

I want to conclude with these words by Nicole Nordeman -“Brave”

So long, status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave

We need to be UBER Brave…

Brave enough to perceive that the times are changing

Brave enough to ask ourselves are my structures flexible, do they encourage life

Brave enough to say we may need to change and adapt in order to capture this generation 60 million strong.

Brave enough to ride the wave of change no matter how scary.

Brave enough that if the time requires we are willing to upset the applecart.

He makes us UBER Brave

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