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And God begins by putting Job in his place by truly asking him: 4“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5Who determined its measurements—surely you know!” And God continues on and on after even these first few words… After all that poor Job’s been through, doesn’t it seem like God’s the one giving him a hard time? I’m sure we don’t think too much of it today or even wonder if God questions our commitment and sincerity yet alone challenges us to do the seemingly impossible.
Continuing
on, with the things we don’t think about, too much at all, brings me to reflect
upon a profound movie Phil and I saw last Saturday called ‘the Dark Tower.’ I don’t know how many of you, here,
appreciate Stephen King, but this movie was fascinating to say the least, on
many levels. The greatest element of
intrigue for me, was the thought of a force or “line” holding the delicate
balance of the universe in place. Of
course, it immediately appealed to my former philosophical interests in the
perspective of the world according to Carl Jung. At the center, holding all of the universes
in check, was this lone dark tower holding within it some unknown force that
ultimately held complete sovereignty over the macrocosm “container” of the many
microcosms within it. Can you hear the
Christian similarities? The larger world
we live in and ourselves as those “mini” worlds existing within?
The
entire movie contained of two heroes, who basically were trying to fight off
the evil that was just outside of this sphere of protection that the dark tower
provided… There’s a little-known fact
about the early questioning and understanding of the universe in regards to
what lies beyond. Ancient peoples,
actually believed, that chaos and destruction existed just outside of the known
universe and that it was a turbulent sea containing death and monsters. Stephen King must have researched that as
well as perhaps unknowingly struck a profound chord on our Christian understanding
of the universe and beyond being delineated more or less, by good or evil. Truly a fine line, truly a fine spiritual spark
to affect us down to our very soul!
The
one thing about the Holy Spirit that is amazing, in regards to, preaching on
the Word, is how it helps you to see and connect to your every day life. Today’s scriptures are classic stories of
faith and being challenged by such faith.
If anyone saw the art work I made for this morning’s message, it
contains Jesus reaching down through the waters to grab and pull up poor Peter
who was trying his best to be completely faithful. Now, you just have to imagine, the scene
before Peter leaps out of the boat and starts walking towards Jesus like a
child coming to his father. The poor
disciples were utterly terrified at seeing Jesus, quite literally, walking
towards them upon something they were taught to fear, the sea. Beyond the human logic of it—“walking on
water,” as being impossible, unless you have jet skis or something…. Which of
course they didn’t have back then… Jesus,
just like God’s debate in Job, is letting His actions show that nothing is
impossible yet alone to fear—for He has complete control over everything, over
all of creation. This is why, we hear both the joy and awe of the disciples at
the close of the Gospel worship and exclaim—truly, you are the Son of God!
The
Psalmist lays it right out before us how God is our rock, fortress, deliverer
that reached down from on high and rescued him out of the mighty waters. The waters of chaos and turmoil were
spiritually within the Psalmist, but God was that cornerstone, foundation to
which he could cling to and know that he was truly safe as well as saved. We know God’s steadfast love turned his heart
to realize righteousness and peace together as the harmonious fruit of faith.
The prophet Elijah mirrored Peter’s obedience when God told him to go out and
stand on the mountain, and wait for Him…
We’ve heard that statement before—harboring a faith that could move
mountains, obviously briefly, for Peter, he was able to walk on the water out
to Jesus.
One
of the disturbing but intriguing elements in the movie, the Dark Tower, was how
the one lone gun fighter or “gun-slinger” as he was called, and this small
young boy continually met up with the devil or this very evil sorcerer. The battle scenes of course, were
gratuitously violent, but near to the close of the film were the devil, evil
sorcerer was defeated, the gun slinger recited a “creed,” which basically said
that his heart was in control and that was what perfected his aim to finally
slay the evil sorcerer. Obviously, not
just with Hollywood, but in actual real life, we know that there will be a
sequel or that evil is an ongoing threat to that very fine line within
us—Christ at the center. The Holy Spirit
is our “gun-slinger” in the sense of how it guides our hearts to take the right
action with our voices, hands and feet.
As
Christians, we hold claim to Christ being at the center of our lives,
encouraging us to stay on the path, that He has laid down His life for us, in
order for us to truly LIVE. The movie,
in essence, looked purely at the power of the mind to create change or effect
the universe. In some senses, that is
true, but we must not forget, that we are truly children of God’s Grace and
promise. You have heard that in many of
my messages, but just like that golden rule of Love God and neighbor, it is a
profound truth. It was God’s Grace through Christ Jesus’ sacrifice that got us
all, here and now. And perhaps like the
voice of God in Job sounding kind of harsh, Jesus scolding Peter in saying:
“You, of little faith, why do you doubt!?” Is something we need to hear
spiritually as a reminder to stay on the right path. We’re always going to battle evil, and be
challenged by seeking the good, there is no way around that or easy
solution. This is not something we
should lament, but be hopeful and live towards the promise of blessed to be a
blessing. We are blessed by God to go
out and be a blessing to others.
God’s
scolding reminder to Job needs to be a reminder to all of us on life’s journey
towards true Kingdom thinking, living.
We weren’t there at the beginning of time, we DON’T truly know, yet
alone understand the mind of God… but why can’t we just live graciously with that
mystery and know true joy in simply loving God and neighbor as we are truly
called to do? It doesn’t make sense,
that we fail in this area… But then, it didn’t make a whole lotta sense that
this evil sorcerer was trying diligently to destroy the balance of the
universe, the Dark Tower. If everything
was destroyed, and here’s that Existentialist in me speaking… what is
left? The unbeliever would say nothing,
the Christian KNOWS that it is Christ.
So once again, evil would have no victory! For God is always with us and
loves us.
This
is the voice of faith built upon that solid cornerstone, rock of my salvation,
Christ. He has built a mighty fortress
in my heart to KNOW the truth as well as be like Peter and take those scary steps
forward onto an unknown future path. He
is the fine line, “tower of enlightenment” to my soul’s journey to realize and
grow my faith, hope in the world… to see evil finally destroyed. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, if evil would,
someday, be completely destroyed? Or
even if that fallen “angel” the devil, would convert and be utterly defeated
and resurrected into a New person for God’s glory? The Gospel teaches and preaches to us that we
have the capacity for an amazing faith because of amazing Grace!
Starting
school again, literally next Monday afternoon reminds me of when I first
started seminary almost ten years ago!
Before that time, I hadn’t been in school for something like 15
years. Talk about feeling trepidation
taking those brave steps forward, and yes, it was a challenge, but then, look
what blessings it has led me to! I didn’t know where God would be leading me
nearly ten years ago, I don’t know completely where my new studies will lead me
now, this isn’t something to fear, but have faith and trust in God’s leading
here. God’s mission throughout the
Gospel, informs us all. It is that plumb
line that all builders need to create that firm foundation. Christ is the plumb line to guide our
spiritual gardening to bear fruit! Christ is the tower of light within us to hold
our inner turmoil between good and evil at bay, and to strive towards reaping
the good or New Nature that He gave us, that saved us.
The
first course, in this three-year program of study, will be around ministering
to the secular world. The secular world
could sound like that ancient view of the turbulent sea beyond our faith’s
“universe” of Christ and the lifestyle of Grace, or it could become those
fantastic steps upon the waters!
Fantastic steps upon the waters with a faith that could move mountains
if encouraged and enlightened by God’s loving reign. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
the Good News! Aren’t those wonderfully encouraging words from St. Paul? The
moment we believe, receive God’s Word, incorporate it truthfully and fully into
who we are… Space, doesn’t need to be the final frontier as we hear from that
ancient Star Trek dialogue … We can, and are called to share it with the
greater world around us, beyond us!
Thanks be to God.
Let
us Pray—
Gracious and Loving Lord Jesus,
May we truly know you are that firm foundation holding us
together at the center of our hearts
The first church Your Holy Spirit erected within us as a
saving Grace, saving faith
May we face our fears and the challenges that evil
battles and batters our conscience with
May we be empowered and encouraged to build
Towards a faith that could move mountains,
And walk upon the troubled waters of the unknown
May we do all of these things in light of that Grace that
saved us all
Jesus Christ our Lord—
AMEN
August 13th, 2017; Tenth Sunday
after Pentecost; Year A; Proper 14; SOLA Lectionary
Sermon by: Reverend Nicole A.M.
Collins
Psalm 18:1-16; Job 38:4-18;
Romans 10:5-17; Matthew 14:22-33
The link below is to this sermon's delivery at First Congregational Church at 9:30am
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