And here is the sermon I'll be preaching. . .
SERMON: INTRODUCTION
Last week we talked about Augustine and his fascination with the body, particularly the strange things that some people can DO with their bodies. His fascination with the body fills this whole big book.
And I thought it was rather providential that 1 Corinthians 15 was on our “Year of the Bible” reading schedule this week because that is Paul’s masterpiece about the body, specifically what our bodies might be like in heaven or what Augustine would call our “resurrected bodies.”
I wish I could read to you the whole chapter, but it’s too long. So I’m going to break it down into three parts. Hear this first reading from God’s holy word:
#1
1 Corinthians 15:35-40 35 But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.
Some things never change. During time that Paul and Augustine were writing, people wondered what our bodies will look like in heaven. And today, people are still fixated on that very same thing.
Jesus said that not one hair on our heads would perish when we die. And Augustine took that literally when it came to our heavenly bodies: if you were someone who had lost a hand or a foot, Augustine was sure you would be re-united with it. Your heavenly body would have all its limbs intact. If you were blind on earth, you would have sight in heaven. So that led him to wonder about haircuts and fingernails. Would we be re-united with each strand of hair we ever cut off or every fingernail we ever trimmed?
Eventually, Augustine realized we would all look pretty funky so he decided that probably wasn’t right. So he decided that he hoped, because we can’t know for sure, our resurrected bodies would be a snapshot of ourselves in our prime—when we looked our best and when we felt our best. So everyone will be as thin as we once were, and we’ll all have good hair days for eternity, according to Augustine.
#2
But there was a big problem with this whole resurrection of the body idea. Some of the Christians in Paul and Augustine’s time—remember they lived just a couple hundred years from each other—didn’t believe in the resurrection of the body. They thought the body was bad. The flesh was weak and prone to sin; but the soul was good and didn’t want to sin. So they believed that the soul would go to heaven but that the body would stay dead in the ground. Paul points out the flaws in their thinking in the second reading from 1 Corinthians 15:
1 Corinthians 15:13-17
13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Remember all those people Jesus appears to after his resurrection? They see his body, they touch his wounds, and they watch him eat. They see his soul AND his body which have been made whole again together. Paul says, if people do not believe in the resurrection of the body—not just Jesus’ body but for ALL bodies—then Jesus is still dead in the ground. If Jesus is still dead in the ground, then those who proclaim his resurrection are liars. . . our faith is futile and we are still in our sins.
Paul and Augustine tell their readers “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Either the body and the soul are resurrected together, or there’s no resurrection at all. Needless to say, this was not a terribly popular position for either of them to take. It was a hard line stance about something no one had ever experienced before. And because no one had experienced resurrection, except those who saw Jesus after he had been resurrected, the resurrection of the dead remained a rather mysterious idea which Paul addresses in our final reading from1 Corinthians:
#3
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“We will all be changed. . . in the twinkle of an eye.” Paul says that these physical bodies we have now will pass away and we will inherit a spiritual, imperishable, immortal body but it will still be a body. But you can see that Paul’s main point isn’t so much about what our bodies will look like. It’s that we will HAVE bodies.
And more than that, Paul is saying that we will have LIFE—that we also can say, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” God has given us victory over death in Jesus Christ—we will be resurrected to new life just like Jesus was, body AND soul. For Christian believers, death is not just an end, but it is the beginning of something wonderful—eternal life.
CONCLUSION
We all have our own ideas of what heaven will be like. And we probably all a particular picture in mind of what we hope our resurrected body looks like. But we don’t know for sure; we can’t know for sure.
Resurrection and heaven are part of God’s mysteries. I’m glad we don’t know what heaven will be like because I like to think about it—I like to read what other people think about it too. Imagine, Augustine would have only had a couple of pages of stuff to write instead of 1000s if he knew what the answers were.
But I have a theory about what heaven is going to be like, and I’m not sure you’re going to like my picture of heaven, but I’m going to give you my two cents anyway.
Augustine tells us that God created us to want the very best for ourselves—goodness and happiness and peace. And God is what’s best for us. And since we will be changed and restored to the way God originally created us to be, I think that heaven will be filled with God, which is perhaps rather obvious. But that means it’s not about finding long lost loved ones, it’s not about having dinner with famous people, and it’s not about asking God our long list of questions we want answers to.
I can only imagine that heaven is about worshiping God forever. That seems to be the picture that Revelation paints—the angels and archangels gathered around the Lamb of God who is sitting on the throne, singing and worshiping with the saints of the church from every age.
Revelation tells us this: "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" (Rev 21:3-5).
Thanks be to the God who is making everything new, who gives us new bodies, and who raises us to new life, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Showing posts with label kingdom of heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kingdom of heaven. Show all posts
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends
Well, my heart rate has finally returned to normal after a GREAT football game last night. You know who won and how happy that made me, but that's all I'll say about it, just in case we have some anti-Steeler fans among us. But I know it's back to business today for most of us, so let's get to the task at hand.
Many thanks to Lori Schultz for reading ahead and providing the questions and answers for the month of February!!!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Feb. 1- What did the Israelites call “the bread from heaven?”
Exodus 16:31 “The people called the bread manna.”
And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Feb. 2- What did Moses strike to get water for the people?
And here's the reflection of the day:
I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends
If you've been reading this blog for very long, you've probably noticed that I frequently reference music. I just can't help it--I read something, and a song pops into my head. I will also burst out in song in the middle of the conversation, though I try to keep that to a minimum. So, as I was reading the Exodus passages, the Beatles' "I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends" is running through my head. (Here's the song and a little collage of pictures someone put together with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmOtWyjs8iU)
And it struck me how apropos that Exodus 17 and 18 is the reading for today! If you read my sermon from yesterday, you know that at Frankfort Church we ordained and installed elders yesterday during church. Perhaps your church has recently installed new officers as well.
These two passages are excellent examples of the cooperation of leadership that is necessary in the church (and also in life in general). In the Presbyterian world, we call it "parity"--when ministers and elders share in leadership, government, discipline, and worship in a particular church. (G6.0302 in the Presbyterian Book of Order.)
Churches (and ministers!) don't last too long with a "Lone Ranger" mentality. Moses couldn't hold the staff up the whole time; he needed a little help from his friends. And God bless Jethro for telling Moses he can't do it by himself and suggested collecting the 70 elders. (Every pastor needs a Jethro to remind that he/she is only human!) He needed a little help from his friends there too.
Frankfort Church is probably tired of hearing me talk about this--it's been my theme of late--but ministers and church folks need to work side by side together in God's fields. There aren't enough harvesters to go around anyway; the ones who are called need to be working together.
What can you do for God's kingdom in your local church? How can you help to hold up Moses' arm? Is God calling you to be one of the 70 elders called to watch over His people? God has a task in mind for you--let go of your fear and hold on to God.
Go Steelers!
Allison
Many thanks to Lori Schultz for reading ahead and providing the questions and answers for the month of February!!!
Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sun, Feb. 1- What did the Israelites call “the bread from heaven?”
Exodus 16:31 “The people called the bread manna.”
And here's the question of the day:
Mon, Feb. 2- What did Moses strike to get water for the people?
And here's the reflection of the day:
I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends
If you've been reading this blog for very long, you've probably noticed that I frequently reference music. I just can't help it--I read something, and a song pops into my head. I will also burst out in song in the middle of the conversation, though I try to keep that to a minimum. So, as I was reading the Exodus passages, the Beatles' "I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends" is running through my head. (Here's the song and a little collage of pictures someone put together with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmOtWyjs8iU)
And it struck me how apropos that Exodus 17 and 18 is the reading for today! If you read my sermon from yesterday, you know that at Frankfort Church we ordained and installed elders yesterday during church. Perhaps your church has recently installed new officers as well.
These two passages are excellent examples of the cooperation of leadership that is necessary in the church (and also in life in general). In the Presbyterian world, we call it "parity"--when ministers and elders share in leadership, government, discipline, and worship in a particular church. (G6.0302 in the Presbyterian Book of Order.)
Churches (and ministers!) don't last too long with a "Lone Ranger" mentality. Moses couldn't hold the staff up the whole time; he needed a little help from his friends. And God bless Jethro for telling Moses he can't do it by himself and suggested collecting the 70 elders. (Every pastor needs a Jethro to remind that he/she is only human!) He needed a little help from his friends there too.
Frankfort Church is probably tired of hearing me talk about this--it's been my theme of late--but ministers and church folks need to work side by side together in God's fields. There aren't enough harvesters to go around anyway; the ones who are called need to be working together.
What can you do for God's kingdom in your local church? How can you help to hold up Moses' arm? Is God calling you to be one of the 70 elders called to watch over His people? God has a task in mind for you--let go of your fear and hold on to God.
Go Steelers!
Allison
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Oops! (Again.)
Oh dear. Things have gotten away from me again! Got a little carried away with visiting, then I almost forgot about a Presbytery meeting and was in the emergency room with a family from the church.
And when things get busy, you have to go into triage mode, so I'm afraid the blog ended up being a low priority in the last day or two.
And since I'm still running around getting ready for Sunday School and church and our annual (luncheon!) and meeting, I'm just going to post this morning's sermon as a reflection. (And I'm going to hope that Monday is much more calm! This is one of those weeks I really need my day off!)
So, let's get down to business:
Here are the last couple questions and answers:
Fri, Jan. 23: What did Joseph try to do as Israel was blessing his sons Ephraim and Manasseh? (Gen 48)
Genesis 48:17 17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.
Sat, Jan. 24: How old was Joseph when he died? What did he make his brothers promise to do for him? (Gen 50)
Genesis 50:25 25 And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." 26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Sun, Jan. 25: When the new king (who didn’t know Joseph) comes into power in Egypt, what does he decide about the Israelites and their pro-creation rate? (How else can I say that?!) (Ex 1)
And here's today's sermon:
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Still our minds and quiet our worries; open our ears and hearts so that we might truly hear your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
INTRODUCTION
Usually, when I write a sermon, I write it mostly with my head. I use my head when I’m writing a sermon because I am trying to make it make sense—I’m trying to be clear and logical in what I saw. I try not to let my train of thought wander so far off the track that we ALL get lost in what I’m saying. And a little bit of heart goes into every sermon too, but for the most part, I write sermons with my head.
But the sermon this morning is coming from my heart. Someone asked me a question this week that got me thinking—thinking not so much with my head but thinking with my heart, if that makes sense. Someone asked me, “Are you happy here?” And I quickly said, “Yes” because I am. But at that moment, I couldn’t say WHY I was happy here.
So that got me to thinking about why I am happy here. And after thinking about it for a while, I decided the main reason is because you have been so welcoming to me for the last three years. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was an outsider and you brought me inside. I couldn’t force my way in as a part of the congregation—you invited me in, you made a place for me among you, and you accepted me as one of your own.
MOVE #1
And the reason I’m bringing all this up is because you have done for me what Jesus did in our text this morning. Jesus welcomed into the kingdom of God a stranger, a foreigner, someone different from the normal circle of people he hung around with. The Canaanite woman from our Scripture passage this morning was an outsider—she was considered to be a pagan by the Jews; she was an outcast woman loudly chasing Jesus and the disciples through town, begging for them to heal her daughter.
Even though Jesus came first minister to the “lost sheep of Israel,” this Canaanite woman—a Gentile—is knocking on the door of the kingdom of heaven, asking to be let in. And though the disciples would prefer to ignore her knocking at the door, she will not be denied.
Despite all the strikes against her according to society’s rules, she knows God has different rules. She knows that God has enough love and grace to go around. She knows that there are always leftovers of God’s love and grace. So even though right now Jesus is only ministering to the Jews, she knows there’s enough love and grace for her and her daughter. She knows that there’s always more than enough bread for the children to share with the dogs. God has plenty of love and grace to go around.
And because of her persistence, she wears them down. Jesus brings her in to the kingdom, recognizing her great faith. Jesus invites her in and welcomes her as a part of God’s family.
I was an outsider. I was new; I was different. I was someone you weren’t sure you could trust, but just like Jesus, you invited me in.
MOVE #2
I know you took a leap of faith calling me as a full-time pastor three years ago and I know not everyone thought it was a good idea. And frankly, I don’t blame you at all. But you called me here to help this church grow. And for Frankfort Church to grow—or maybe we should say for God’s kingdom to grow—we need to continue to invite people in and welcome them into his family, just like Jesus did with the Canaanite woman.
It’s not easy to be a part of a small church. Everybody has known everybody else for so long that, when you’re new, it’s hard to figure out where you fit in. So we have to work extra, extra hard on welcoming people when they come through our doors.
You called me here to help the church grow, but I can’t do it all on my own. I need your help. I am looking for a DREAM TEAM. I’m looking for a group of people who are dreamers and idea people. I’m looking for people who are creative and people who aren’t afraid to really ask God for what their heart desires. I’m looking for people who love the church of Jesus Christ, and love their neighbors, and who want to do all they can to make sure that their neighbors know the love of Jesus Christ. I’m looking for people who want to bring outsiders into the kingdom of God.
There are all kinds of plans and ideas swirling around in my head but I can’t do it alone. I need your help. If you would like to be a part of the “Dream Team,” tell me—tell me after church, over lunch, send me an email or a text message or a paper airplane—I don’t care how, just tell me you’re willing to help bring outsiders into the kingdom of God.
CONCLUSION
Not every outsider is going to be as persistent as that Canaanite woman from Matthew’s gospel. Not everyone outside of the kingdom of heaven is so persistent; not everyone has such great faith.
That is why we need to go to where the outsiders are and bring the church to them. In case you haven’t noticed, not too many churches have lines of people in the parking lot waiting to get in on a Sunday morning. But remember the crowd we had at the ice cream social and the messy games? Remember all the cars parked in Ruth’s yard for Safety Day? Remember how many dogs were running around in the yard during the rabies clinic?
That’s how we bring church to people—we do things a little differently, a little unexpectedly. And we need a “Dream Team” to help us imagine all the things we can do.
I know not everyone is a dreamer. We need the “details people” to make the dreams happen just as much as we need the “ideas people” who think them up. It’s going to be a group effort; for God’s kingdom to grow, everyone in the Body of Christ has a part to play.
Somehow this sermon turned into a “State of the Union” address. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but in light of the congregational meeting after church, it somehow seems fitting. 2009 is an important year for Frankfort Church, for those of us who dream and for those of us who can make dreams happen.
So, I guess the only thing left to do is ask a question: where do YOU fit into God’s plan for his kingdom and for this church?
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
And when things get busy, you have to go into triage mode, so I'm afraid the blog ended up being a low priority in the last day or two.
And since I'm still running around getting ready for Sunday School and church and our annual (luncheon!) and meeting, I'm just going to post this morning's sermon as a reflection. (And I'm going to hope that Monday is much more calm! This is one of those weeks I really need my day off!)
So, let's get down to business:
Here are the last couple questions and answers:
Fri, Jan. 23: What did Joseph try to do as Israel was blessing his sons Ephraim and Manasseh? (Gen 48)
Genesis 48:17 17 When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim's head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head.
Sat, Jan. 24: How old was Joseph when he died? What did he make his brothers promise to do for him? (Gen 50)
Genesis 50:25 25 And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." 26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Sun, Jan. 25: When the new king (who didn’t know Joseph) comes into power in Egypt, what does he decide about the Israelites and their pro-creation rate? (How else can I say that?!) (Ex 1)
And here's today's sermon:
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, Still our minds and quiet our worries; open our ears and hearts so that we might truly hear your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 15:21-28
21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
INTRODUCTION
Usually, when I write a sermon, I write it mostly with my head. I use my head when I’m writing a sermon because I am trying to make it make sense—I’m trying to be clear and logical in what I saw. I try not to let my train of thought wander so far off the track that we ALL get lost in what I’m saying. And a little bit of heart goes into every sermon too, but for the most part, I write sermons with my head.
But the sermon this morning is coming from my heart. Someone asked me a question this week that got me thinking—thinking not so much with my head but thinking with my heart, if that makes sense. Someone asked me, “Are you happy here?” And I quickly said, “Yes” because I am. But at that moment, I couldn’t say WHY I was happy here.
So that got me to thinking about why I am happy here. And after thinking about it for a while, I decided the main reason is because you have been so welcoming to me for the last three years. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was an outsider and you brought me inside. I couldn’t force my way in as a part of the congregation—you invited me in, you made a place for me among you, and you accepted me as one of your own.
MOVE #1
And the reason I’m bringing all this up is because you have done for me what Jesus did in our text this morning. Jesus welcomed into the kingdom of God a stranger, a foreigner, someone different from the normal circle of people he hung around with. The Canaanite woman from our Scripture passage this morning was an outsider—she was considered to be a pagan by the Jews; she was an outcast woman loudly chasing Jesus and the disciples through town, begging for them to heal her daughter.
Even though Jesus came first minister to the “lost sheep of Israel,” this Canaanite woman—a Gentile—is knocking on the door of the kingdom of heaven, asking to be let in. And though the disciples would prefer to ignore her knocking at the door, she will not be denied.
Despite all the strikes against her according to society’s rules, she knows God has different rules. She knows that God has enough love and grace to go around. She knows that there are always leftovers of God’s love and grace. So even though right now Jesus is only ministering to the Jews, she knows there’s enough love and grace for her and her daughter. She knows that there’s always more than enough bread for the children to share with the dogs. God has plenty of love and grace to go around.
And because of her persistence, she wears them down. Jesus brings her in to the kingdom, recognizing her great faith. Jesus invites her in and welcomes her as a part of God’s family.
I was an outsider. I was new; I was different. I was someone you weren’t sure you could trust, but just like Jesus, you invited me in.
MOVE #2
I know you took a leap of faith calling me as a full-time pastor three years ago and I know not everyone thought it was a good idea. And frankly, I don’t blame you at all. But you called me here to help this church grow. And for Frankfort Church to grow—or maybe we should say for God’s kingdom to grow—we need to continue to invite people in and welcome them into his family, just like Jesus did with the Canaanite woman.
It’s not easy to be a part of a small church. Everybody has known everybody else for so long that, when you’re new, it’s hard to figure out where you fit in. So we have to work extra, extra hard on welcoming people when they come through our doors.
You called me here to help the church grow, but I can’t do it all on my own. I need your help. I am looking for a DREAM TEAM. I’m looking for a group of people who are dreamers and idea people. I’m looking for people who are creative and people who aren’t afraid to really ask God for what their heart desires. I’m looking for people who love the church of Jesus Christ, and love their neighbors, and who want to do all they can to make sure that their neighbors know the love of Jesus Christ. I’m looking for people who want to bring outsiders into the kingdom of God.
There are all kinds of plans and ideas swirling around in my head but I can’t do it alone. I need your help. If you would like to be a part of the “Dream Team,” tell me—tell me after church, over lunch, send me an email or a text message or a paper airplane—I don’t care how, just tell me you’re willing to help bring outsiders into the kingdom of God.
CONCLUSION
Not every outsider is going to be as persistent as that Canaanite woman from Matthew’s gospel. Not everyone outside of the kingdom of heaven is so persistent; not everyone has such great faith.
That is why we need to go to where the outsiders are and bring the church to them. In case you haven’t noticed, not too many churches have lines of people in the parking lot waiting to get in on a Sunday morning. But remember the crowd we had at the ice cream social and the messy games? Remember all the cars parked in Ruth’s yard for Safety Day? Remember how many dogs were running around in the yard during the rabies clinic?
That’s how we bring church to people—we do things a little differently, a little unexpectedly. And we need a “Dream Team” to help us imagine all the things we can do.
I know not everyone is a dreamer. We need the “details people” to make the dreams happen just as much as we need the “ideas people” who think them up. It’s going to be a group effort; for God’s kingdom to grow, everyone in the Body of Christ has a part to play.
Somehow this sermon turned into a “State of the Union” address. I didn’t mean for that to happen, but in light of the congregational meeting after church, it somehow seems fitting. 2009 is an important year for Frankfort Church, for those of us who dream and for those of us who can make dreams happen.
So, I guess the only thing left to do is ask a question: where do YOU fit into God’s plan for his kingdom and for this church?
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Providential Typos?
Just thought I'd post my sermon from this morning for those reading this who didn't hear it. I'd love comments on it!
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
INTRODUCTION
I don’t know if you know this, but I’m kind of a spelling and grammar fanatic. I’m the kind of person who cringes at the sight of a misplaced apostrophe or a misspelled word on a sign. No matter what book I’m reading, if I see a typo, I am quick to circle it and correct it in the margin.
And if I ever get tired of being a pastor, I’ve found a company I can work for. The Peachtree Editorial and Proofreading Service spends their days proof reading the Bible in all its versions and translations.[i] Believe it or not, but the Bible has been printed with a few typos here and there.
For example, one Bible was actually printed saying, “Thou shalt commit adultery.” Think of what would have happened if no one caught that one! In another typo, Jesus says, “Go and sin on more.” That’s a Bible that maybe more people would want to read. There’s even one Bible that accidentally said, “Let the children first be killed” instead of “Let the children first be FILLED.” Most typos you can write off as being harmless, but some typos need to be corrected immediately! God bless Peachtree Proofreading for catching the important typos.
Now, as I was reading our Scripture passage from Matthew this morning, you may have been thinking that it seems full of typos because, at first, it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Blessed are the poor in spirit? Blessed are those who mourn? Blessed are those who are persecuted? What kind of nonsense is that?
MOVE #1
Now, in the children’s sermon I talked about how the Bible tells us how to be “happy.” When you teach kids, you start out simple, right? You start with what they understand. But now that we’re all grown up, we need to dig down deeper. Remember how last week Lori talked about being like a tree with roots that sink deep into the ground? Well, trying to understand a passage like these “Beatitudes” is one way to get your roots to grow deeper.
What does it mean to be blessed? Anybody have any suggestions? What does it feel like to be blessed? According to one book I read, to be blessed is “to be made privileged or fortunate,” not because of something we do, but because of something God has done.[ii] We don’t EARN blessings—we receive them!
There are a lot of synonyms you can use for the word “blessed.” If you wanted to re-write the Beatitudes, you could say, “How fortunate are the poor in spirit. . .” Another author I read said it could even be translated, “Congratulations to the pure in heart because they will see God.”[iii] Whichever word you like best, to be blessed is to be GIVEN the gift of divine favor—something I think we ALL are hungry for.
So the blessing in the Beatitudes is not about how we feel. Blessing is all about what God has done for his people. And not just what God has done for his people but God WILL do for his people.
MOVE #2
If you look at verses 3 and 10, you will see that they end with the same phrase, kind of like bookends holding a hold stacks of books together. Both verses end with the phrase “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” So if this phrase is at the beginning of the section and the end of the section, it seems like maybe this phrase is also tied in with all the other verses too.
So, it would seem that the next logical question is “What is the kingdom of heaven?” So I looked in my dictionary of fancy theological words, and I found that the “kingdom of heaven” is “God’s ultimate Lordship”—a time when there will be no more poverty or injustice or sin. With the birth of Jesus Christ, the “kingdom of heaven” broke through into life on earth. So the kingdom of God—his ultimate Lordship—is here with us now.
And yet, it’s not totally here. You know what I mean? I mean there’s still sin and brokenness all around us, but every once in a while we see the kingdom of heaven break through—some little miracle moment just for us from God. But the kingdom of heaven isn’t here yet. And it won’t be until Jesus comes again. We live in this odd tension of the kingdom being here but not completely.
So the blessings in these Beatitudes do 2 things. First, they are an assurance to those who find themselves “poor in spirit” and persecuted and meek that they belong to the kingdom of heaven despite what their current circumstances are. And second, the Beatitudes tell us that the kingdom of heaven turns life upside down. It’s not “blessed are those with good jobs, a four car garage, and a big 401k.” It means blessed are those who live under the kingdom of heaven and allow it to shape how they live out their gratitude to God.
CONCLUSION
I started out talking about typos in the Bible. One of the other typos someone found in the Bible actually comes from these Beatitudes. Instead of “Blessed are the peacemakers,” it said, “Blessed are the place makers,” which is not to be confused with the line from Monty Python about “Blessed are the cheese-makers.”
And there might be something to that little typo. Blessed are those who make a place for the kingdom of God in their lives. What would that look like? What would it look like to live understanding and acknowledging God’s ultimate Lordship? Just how deep could our roots grow if we said yes to the radical way God wants us to live our lives?
We would make a place to be poor in spirit—finding our true identity and security in God. We would make a place to be meek—humble and yet firm. And we would make a place to mourn—to be grieved by the sin and suffering and brokenness in the world around us.
If we make a place for these things in our lives, we will be ready to receive the place that God is making for us in the kingdom of heaven.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
[i] Homiletics online, “Blessed are the Placemakers,” http://www.homileticsonline.com/subscriber/btl_display.asp?installment_id=93000045
[ii] Ibid.
[iii]Hare, Interpretation, Matthew, p. 35.
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:1-12
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
INTRODUCTION
I don’t know if you know this, but I’m kind of a spelling and grammar fanatic. I’m the kind of person who cringes at the sight of a misplaced apostrophe or a misspelled word on a sign. No matter what book I’m reading, if I see a typo, I am quick to circle it and correct it in the margin.
And if I ever get tired of being a pastor, I’ve found a company I can work for. The Peachtree Editorial and Proofreading Service spends their days proof reading the Bible in all its versions and translations.[i] Believe it or not, but the Bible has been printed with a few typos here and there.
For example, one Bible was actually printed saying, “Thou shalt commit adultery.” Think of what would have happened if no one caught that one! In another typo, Jesus says, “Go and sin on more.” That’s a Bible that maybe more people would want to read. There’s even one Bible that accidentally said, “Let the children first be killed” instead of “Let the children first be FILLED.” Most typos you can write off as being harmless, but some typos need to be corrected immediately! God bless Peachtree Proofreading for catching the important typos.
Now, as I was reading our Scripture passage from Matthew this morning, you may have been thinking that it seems full of typos because, at first, it doesn’t seem to make much sense. Blessed are the poor in spirit? Blessed are those who mourn? Blessed are those who are persecuted? What kind of nonsense is that?
MOVE #1
Now, in the children’s sermon I talked about how the Bible tells us how to be “happy.” When you teach kids, you start out simple, right? You start with what they understand. But now that we’re all grown up, we need to dig down deeper. Remember how last week Lori talked about being like a tree with roots that sink deep into the ground? Well, trying to understand a passage like these “Beatitudes” is one way to get your roots to grow deeper.
What does it mean to be blessed? Anybody have any suggestions? What does it feel like to be blessed? According to one book I read, to be blessed is “to be made privileged or fortunate,” not because of something we do, but because of something God has done.[ii] We don’t EARN blessings—we receive them!
There are a lot of synonyms you can use for the word “blessed.” If you wanted to re-write the Beatitudes, you could say, “How fortunate are the poor in spirit. . .” Another author I read said it could even be translated, “Congratulations to the pure in heart because they will see God.”[iii] Whichever word you like best, to be blessed is to be GIVEN the gift of divine favor—something I think we ALL are hungry for.
So the blessing in the Beatitudes is not about how we feel. Blessing is all about what God has done for his people. And not just what God has done for his people but God WILL do for his people.
MOVE #2
If you look at verses 3 and 10, you will see that they end with the same phrase, kind of like bookends holding a hold stacks of books together. Both verses end with the phrase “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” So if this phrase is at the beginning of the section and the end of the section, it seems like maybe this phrase is also tied in with all the other verses too.
So, it would seem that the next logical question is “What is the kingdom of heaven?” So I looked in my dictionary of fancy theological words, and I found that the “kingdom of heaven” is “God’s ultimate Lordship”—a time when there will be no more poverty or injustice or sin. With the birth of Jesus Christ, the “kingdom of heaven” broke through into life on earth. So the kingdom of God—his ultimate Lordship—is here with us now.
And yet, it’s not totally here. You know what I mean? I mean there’s still sin and brokenness all around us, but every once in a while we see the kingdom of heaven break through—some little miracle moment just for us from God. But the kingdom of heaven isn’t here yet. And it won’t be until Jesus comes again. We live in this odd tension of the kingdom being here but not completely.
So the blessings in these Beatitudes do 2 things. First, they are an assurance to those who find themselves “poor in spirit” and persecuted and meek that they belong to the kingdom of heaven despite what their current circumstances are. And second, the Beatitudes tell us that the kingdom of heaven turns life upside down. It’s not “blessed are those with good jobs, a four car garage, and a big 401k.” It means blessed are those who live under the kingdom of heaven and allow it to shape how they live out their gratitude to God.
CONCLUSION
I started out talking about typos in the Bible. One of the other typos someone found in the Bible actually comes from these Beatitudes. Instead of “Blessed are the peacemakers,” it said, “Blessed are the place makers,” which is not to be confused with the line from Monty Python about “Blessed are the cheese-makers.”
And there might be something to that little typo. Blessed are those who make a place for the kingdom of God in their lives. What would that look like? What would it look like to live understanding and acknowledging God’s ultimate Lordship? Just how deep could our roots grow if we said yes to the radical way God wants us to live our lives?
We would make a place to be poor in spirit—finding our true identity and security in God. We would make a place to be meek—humble and yet firm. And we would make a place to mourn—to be grieved by the sin and suffering and brokenness in the world around us.
If we make a place for these things in our lives, we will be ready to receive the place that God is making for us in the kingdom of heaven.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
[i] Homiletics online, “Blessed are the Placemakers,” http://www.homileticsonline.com/subscriber/btl_display.asp?installment_id=93000045
[ii] Ibid.
[iii]Hare, Interpretation, Matthew, p. 35.
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