August 24, 2008 Sermon
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Proper 16 - A
August 24, 2008 Emmanuel, San Angelo
I. Scientists who study the solar system tell us that at some point in the distant future the sun will use up the last of its hydrogen core and begin to burn out.
a. Like other stars it will put on one final thrilling show, sending out an explosion as far as Jupiter.
b. Then it will crush back in on itself leaving a black hole of negative energy.
c. By that time life as we know it on this planet will be long gone, either having evolved to new and different forms, or having become extinct.
d. I thought about this as I heard Isaiah. Isaiah was no scientist but his words underscore what the scientists say about the future:
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats."
e. But not to worry! You and I will be long gone before that!
II. Today by our Gospel accounts we are midway through the earthly life of Jesus.
a. Behind him is his baptism in the river Jordan.
b. Before him is his glory at the Cross.
c. Jesus and his followers arrived at Caesarea Philippi, just a few miles south of current day Lebanon.
d. He turns to his friends and asks them, "Who do people say the son of man is?"
e. Then comes his halting question “But who do you say that I am?”
III. What makes this reading important is how little we have changed over thousands of years.
a. We still find ourselves at turning points in our faith.
b. Joan Chittester says "Motives for the spiritual life change as we change, grow as we grow."
c. That is true.
d. Everyone has their own story to tell.
1. When I was a child I went to church because my parents made me.
2. In college it was a "conversion experience" coming at the end of an "agnostic" phase.
3. Later on it was the loss of parents.
4. Eyes are opened to suffering and injustice in the world,
IV. The point in all of this, is to keep before us that challenging question, "Who do you say I am?"
a. As Christians we profess that only in a significant relationship with God in Jesus Christ does life ultimately make any sense.
b. It is the Christ of Faith asking you and me today to consider: what we hold important.
c. Oh, yes, we can know about the historical Jesus
d. But everything we do here calls us deeper.
e. To make the connection...
f. To put our trust in the one who is all, and is beyond all, and for all.
"Look to the rock..." says Isaiah, "...to the quarry from which you were dug." "The heavens will vanish...the earth will wear out like a garment...but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended."
V. These are not just pious words. This is the hardest "creed" we will ever follow.
a. Peter’s was sincere but he denied Jesus three times.
b. The restructuring of our lives is not done with words, but with hard work and constant assessment.
c. There is no standing still with our faith!
d. Just when we think we have the answers, a crisis will come to blow down our house of cards,
VI. Yet even in the midst of challenges the Spirit of the Risen Lord is here for you and for me:
a. God the Creator meets us in new ways,
b. God the Son meets us in the breaking of the bread and in our prayers.
c. God the Holy Spirit meets us in the smile of a child and the touch of a hand.
VII. Today we are literally right in the middle of things.
a. Are we on board as we make the journey of faith?
b. Who do you say that he is?
"O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen."
(Romans 11:33-36)
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Revised: 08/31/08