Reflections on "Sharing a Vision" Ezra 5: 6-11; Revelation 9:13-19

I loved the Kodak Theater illustration.  My only concern was not saving it for a sermon down the road.  I think a whole sermon could be constructed around that illustration.

I'm not sure how well the sermon worked.  I really liked the Ezra passage, but the Revelation passage ended up just being included because it had been advertised as the text for the week.  I think the challenge for me was that when I did some biblical work on "vision," the stories related to it seemed to dwarf my use of the word when thinking about a sanctuary renovation.  One of the ongoing challenges for me and the congregation is to lay claim to this project while the world is in the midst of economic upheaval, war, etc.  I think the Ezra passage helped in that regard.

The conclusion didn't work too well for me either.

This is one of those Monday mornings when I wish I had another shot at Sunday's sermon!

“Sharing a Vision” FPC, Troy; October 9, 2011 Ezra 5: 6-11; Revelation 9: 13-19

Introduction: Kodak Theater in LA where Academy Awards are held each year has a place where stars can gather --  a "star bar," if you will, as part of the lobby.  The glass is designed so that as you look at it from across the lobby, you can easily see someone like Tom Hanks having a drink.  But, as you get closer, the images get fuzzy.  From a distance, you can see the stars, but if you get to close, you cannot see them. I suppose it blends the excitement of seeing the stars with the crowd control of keeping people from getting to close to the stars.

The vision is clear from the distance, but gets fuzzy as you get closer.

Over the last few months, I know many of you have heard about the different projects that are to be funded by our “shining the Light” capital campaign.

There have been questions and conversations around the different aspects of those projects.

Many of us have been taking a close look at the details of the project.

This morning I want us to step back a bit and reflect on the vision from more of a distance and be reminded of how this vision came into focus.

Move 1: Use the Ezra passage

a. As you may recall, the book of Ezra, and its sister book Nehemiah, tell the story of the exiles returning to Jerusalem.

1. When Babylon conquered Jerusalem, many Israelites were sent into captivity.
2. They literally were moved away from Jerusalem.
3. Now after generations in exile, some Israelites have received permission from King Darius of Persia, the exiles have been allowed to return home to Jerusalem.
4. And for some of them even more importantly, they are returning to Jerusalem with a vision to rebuild the Temple, the house of God that has been the center of their worship.
5. The projects associated with our “shining our Light” campaign pale in comparison to the project confronting the returning exiles who have to rebuild the crumbling Temple that has been in disrepair for years.

b. Not everyone is happy about their return and their vision for a rebuilt Temple.

1. The Ezra passage we read this morning is a portion of a letter that is considered to be a progress report, although it sounds a bit like a tattle-tale letter to the king to me.
2. Tattenai, who opposes the rebuilding of the temple tries to get the Israelites in trouble by sharing what the Israelites said when he asked who gave them permission to build and what their name is.
3. Apparently, when confronted the Israelites begin their explanation by announcing,"We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished."

5. That is the mandate they follow as they live out the vision of a rebuilt Temple – we are continuing in what our leaders have started and we are servants of God.

Move 2: Our vision grows out of our past.

a. In 1865 this sanctuary held the community wide service to mourn the death of President Abraham Lincoln.

1. At his death, the city leaders of Troy gather to decide how to respond.
2. Something like the religious and city leaders who gathered after 9/11 to determine a way for the community to respond.
3. The civic leader asked every congregation to have a memorial service as part of their regularly scheduled Sunday worship.
4. And, they decided to gather at the Presbyterian Church on Franklin street for a city wide memorial service.
5. Here in this sanctuary.
   b. Why this place?

1. For starters, it was a newly new beautiful sanctuary designed to worship God. Where better to hold a community service.
2. Our sanctuary was Big enough to get everyone in the worship service.
3. Presbyterians were part of the civic leadership, as we still are today.
4. I find it no surprise that the Presbyterians either volunteered this sanctuary or agreed to use it when asked.
5. That's how we do things.

b. In our time now, we are continuing in the tradition of those faithful Presbyterians from the 19^th century who built this sanctuary and then used it to worship God.

1. In fact, decisions have been made through the last 150+ years since this sanctuary was built that lead to our decision now.
   2. In the mid-20^th century, the chapel was built and more Church school space was added.
   3.Through the last few decades of the 20^th century property was purchased across Franklin St. and toward Main St. so that future expansion could take place.
   4. In the first decade of the 21^st century, this congregation added a new Social Hall and renovated its offices and classrooms.
   5. At any of those junctures, the decision could have been made to leave downtown and go to another part of town.
   6. Other churches have made that decision.
   7. But, the Presbyterians have continually chosen to be a downtown presence where we God's people can gather to worship God; learn about God's Word; and minister to God's people in the world.
   8. The “Shining Our Light” capital campaign is about continuing that tradition.

Move 3: Vision grounded in our calling as God's people.

a. Visions in the biblical texts involve God speaking through the visions.

b. Peter and Cornelius in Acts

1. Two men who have visions that draw them together.
2. Visions that lead to a radical change in how the early church operates.
   b. the passage we read from Revelation shares a radical vision, as does much of the Book of Revelation.
   1. God has revealed to John a strange vision about how the early church must understand itself in a time of persecution.
   2. The specifics of the vision do not fit our situation, but it serves as a reminder that when we speak about vision, we invite God to share with us a plan for how to live as God's people in the world.

b. Exiles in Ezra were grounded in who they were as God's people.

1. When asked by Tattenai their names, they decide that their personal names were not important.
2. what was important is that they were servants of God.

c. Foundation for our capital campaign is our calling as God's people.

1. This morning when you leave worship you will be given a packet that has tools to help you in this regard.
2. A devotional guide

2. Personal commitment guide.
3. Prayer bookmark
4. What we are doing collectively as a congregation and individually must grow out of our faith.
5. We are each invited to make the “Shining Our Light” capital campaign a part of our faith journey.
Conclusion: the hope, of course, is as we reflect on the foundations of our vision for this project, we will discover a vision that is different than the vision found at the star bar at Kodak Theater.

A vision that so grows out of our past commitment to serving God and so links to our calling as God's people in theIntroduction: Kodak Theater in LA where Academy Awards are held each year has a place where stars can gather. The glass is designed so that as you get closer, it is harder to see. From a distance, you can see the stars, but if you get to close, you cannot see them.

The vision is clear from the distance, but gets fuzzy as you get closer.

Over the last few months, I know many of you have herd about the different projects that are to be funded by our “shining the Light” capital campaign.

There have been questions and conversations around the different aspects of those projects.

Many of us have been taking a close look at the details of the project.

This morning I want us to step back a bit and reflect on the vision from more of a distance and be reminded of how this vision came into focus.

Move 1: Use the Ezra passage

a. As you may recall, the book of Ezra, and its sister book Nehemiah, tell the story of the exiles returning to Jerusalem.

1. When Babylon conquered Jerusalem, many Israelites were sent into captivity.
2. They literally were moved away from Jerusalem.
3. Now after generations in exile, some Israelites have received permission from King Darius of Persia, the exiles have been allowed to return home to Jerusalem.
4. And for some of them even more importantly, they are returning to Jerusalem with a vision to rebuild the Temple, the house of God that has been the center of their worship.
5. The projects associated with our “shining our Light” campaign pale in comparison to the project confronting the returning exiles who have to rebuild the crumbling Temple that has been in disrepair for years.

b. Not everyone is happy about their return and their vision for a rebuilt Temple.

1. The Ezra passage we read this morning is a portion of a letter that is considered to be a progress report, although it sounds a bit like a tattle-tale letter to the king to me.
2. Tattenai, who opposes the rebuilding of the temple tries to get the Israelites in trouble by sharing what the Israelites said when he asked who gave them permission to build and what their name is.
3. Apparently, when confronted the Israelites begin their explanation by announcing,"We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished."

5. That is the mandate they follow as they live out the vision of a rebuilt Temple – we are continuing in what our leaders have started and we are servants of God.

Move 2: Our vision grows out of our past.

a. In 1865 this sanctuary held the community wide service to mourn the death of President Abraham Lincoln.

1. At his death, the city leaders of Troy gather to decide how to respond.
2. Something like the religious and city leaders who gathered after 9/11 to determine a way for the community to respond.
3. The civic leader asked every congregation to have a memorial service as part of their regularly scheduled Sunday worship.
4. And, they decided to gather at the Presbyterian Church on Franklin street for a city wide memorial service.
5. Here in this sanctuary.
   b. Why this place?

1. For starters, it was a newly new beautiful sanctuary designed to worship God. Where better to hold a community service.
2. Our sanctuary was Big enough to get everyone in the worship service.
3. Presbyterians were part of the civic leadership, as we still are today.
4. I find it no surprise that the Presbyterians either volunteered this sanctuary or agreed to use it when asked.
5. That's how we do things.

b. In our time now, we are continuing in the tradition of those faithful Presbyterians from the 19^th century who built this sanctuary and then used it to worship God.

1. In fact, decisions have been made through the last 150+ years since this sanctuary was built that lead to our decision now.
   2. In the mid-20^th century, the chapel was built and more Church school space was added.
   3.Through the last few decades of the 20^th century property was purchased across Franklin St. and toward Main St. so that future expansion could take place.
   4. In the first decade of the 21^st century, this congregation added a new Social Hall and renovated its offices and classrooms.
   5. At any of those junctures, the decision could have been made to leave downtown and go to another part of town.
   6. Other churches have made that decision.
   7. But, the Presbyterians have continually chosen to be a downtown presence where we God's people can gather to worship God; learn about God's Word; and minister to God's people in the world.
   8. The “Shining Our Light” capital campaign is about continuing that tradition.

Move 3: Vision grounded in our calling as God's people.

a. Visions in the biblical texts involve God speaking through the visions.

b. Peter and Cornelius in Acts

1. Two men who have visions that draw them together.
2. Visions that lead to a radical change in how the early church operates.
   b. the passage we read from Revelation shares a radical vision, as does much of the Book of Revelation.
   1. God has revealed to John a strange vision about how the early church must understand itself in a time of persecution.
   2. The specifics of the vision do not fit our situation, but it serves as a reminder that when we speak about vision, we invite God to share with us a plan for how to live as God's people in the world.

b. Exiles in Ezra were grounded in who they were as God's people.

1. When asked by Tattenai their names, they decide that their personal names were not important.
2. what was important is that they were servants of God.

c. Foundation for our capital campaign is our calling as God's people.

1. This morning when you leave worship you will be given a packet that has tools to help you in this regard.
2. A devotional guide

2. Personal commitment guide.
3. Prayer bookmark
4. What we are doing collectively as a congregation and individually must grow out of our faith.
5. We are each invited to make the “Shining Our Light” capital campaign a part of our faith journey.
Conclusion: the hope, of course, is as we reflect on the foundations of our vision for this project, we will discover a vision that is different than the vision found at the star bar at Kodak Theater.

A vision that so grows out of our past commitment to serving God and so links to our calling as God's people in the present that it becomes crystal clear as we move closer toward that vision.