Reflections on "What a God!' Trinity Sunday John 3: 1-17; Psalm 29

Not sure how well the sermon worked, but it went like I had it planned.   I had a very different approach to Trinity Sunday than I have tried in the past.  

 “What a  God”  May 30, 2021; Trinity Sunday; SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; Psalm 29; John 3: 1-17

John 3: 1-17:  Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”[b] 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born from above.’[e] 8 The wind[f] blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you[g] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[h] 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[i]

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Introduction:   On this Trinity Sunday, i am not going to try and explain or make sense of the Trinity, God in three persons.  Some years, maybe even once or twice here, I have stood in the pulpit and announced that I had an idea of how to understand the Trinity.  Not this year!

I’m not going to not explain the Trinity!  I’ve done that before, too.  Explain that we cannot explain the Trinity and the shift to the mystery of God.

No explanation; no mystery; just two passages from the lectionary that we heard read, and now I 

Instead, I want us to look at the two passages we read and follow their lead in what I hope is Trinitarian fashion.

Move 1:  Psalm 29 shows us how to ascribe.

a.  Ascribe - no a word we use very often (or at least I do not)

1. Ascribe is to lift up our praises.

2.  Distinction between ascription and description. 

3.  We can describe something without being invested in it, giving a disinterested, objective account.

4.   To “ascribe to the Lord,” however, as Psalm 29  does is to offer to God “praises and thanksgiving because the Lord is worthy of such honor “

b.  To understand the high praise the psalmist offers, we look to the illustration of the cedar trees

1.  The cedar tree in the ancient Near East was both a source of pride for the tribes in the region as well as a symbol of wealth and power.

2.  It would not be uncommon to refer to kings and other powerful people in that time as “cedar trees.”

3.  the psalmist uses the image of the cedar trees in singing praise to God by noting that God can break the cedar trees.

4.  “The ascription is a declaration that the human sources of power and wealth are mere kindling and splinters before God.” By Michael Fitzpatrick. Posted 23 May 2021. JOURNEY WITH JESUS

A WEEKLY WEBZINE FOR THE GLOBAL CHURCH, SINCE 2004; https://www.journeywithjesus.net/lectionary-essays/current-essay

 

5. We might also note that this praise not only describe God’s glories, but points out the relationship between humanity and God.

7.  We are the ones who are claimed by God almighty and praise God in response.

b. This  is the time of year when praise is lifted 

1.   Memorial day - stories are told; tributes are paid to those who have died in the service to our country.

2.  Graduation time - not just describing the things the graduate has done over the last 12 years, but giving voice to our praises about the graduate.

3.  Wedding time - best men and maids (or matrons) of honor  are lifting a glass as they sing the praises (maybe a funny story too) about the bride and groom.

part of what we are doing today is ascribing to God’s glory.

Move 2:  Move to the story of Nicodemus we encounter in the Gsopel of John and the way it describes God.

a. do not get lost in Nicodemus’ questions, or even Jesus’ cryptic answer, but  back and forth banter Jesus has with Nicodemus, but instead notice how Jesus describes God at work.

b.  .  God is the one whom we meet as the Spirit of God.

1.  How can a person be born from above?  or born again as our evangelical friends translate that passage?

2.  Only by the power of Holy Spirit.

3.  Unless Nicodemus allows God to change his whole way of being in the world, he will not be able to perceive God at work. (The Word Disclosed, [St. Louis, Missouri: CBP Press, 1987], p. 27). [https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-2/commentary-on-john-31-17-8; 

Judith Jones, Vicar, St. Stephen & St. Luke by the Sea Episcopal Churches Waldport, Ore., United States; May 27, 2018]

4.  The power to make us into the new creations God calls us to be comes by the Holy Spirit.

5. God the Holy Spirit at work in our lives and our world..

c.   Nicodemus already knows Jesus, who is standing there before him.

1.  But he does not fully understand that Jesus is God’s very own flesh who has come into the world.

2. The God who chooses to comes again us, does so in Christ.  If it were not so, Jesus would not be standing there having this conversation with Nicodemus.

3. Jesus also points out that he will be lifted up and ascend to heaven - living for and dying for all of humanity, and being resurrected to bring an end to sin and death’s reign in the world.

4. We may not be able to determine completely who Jesus is, but who we are is determined by Jesus. (Gail O’Day, as quoted by (The Word Disclosed, [St. Louis, Missouri: CBP Press, 1987], p. 27). [https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/the-holy-trinity-2/commentary-on-john-31-17-8; 

Judith Jones, Vicar, St. Stephen & St. Luke by the Sea Episcopal Churches Waldport, Ore., United States; May 27, 2018]

4. God the Son at work in our lives and our world.

d.  Jesus also speaks of God as the Father, the one who sent his son to save the world.

1. That not only speaks to the relatinoship between God and Jesus, but points out God’s desire - to save.

3. We remember John 3: 16:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

4.  but do not forget what follows in 3:17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

5.  God the creator intends to redeem and save the world.

God Almighty at work in our lives and our world.

move 3:  Now we tie the two readings together - ascribe, or sing praises to the God we know in Trinitarian fashion - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

a.  What praises might you sing out for how you known God the Almighty?

1.  Look back over your life, when have you felt God’s love and grace?

2.  what does it mean to you that you are in relationship with the one who created you?

3.  if you were the psalmist, how would you give voice to that praise?

b.  What praises would you lift up for the way you have experienced Jesus Christ in your life?

1.  In what ways has being invited into a relationship with Christ impacted your life?

2.  Christ has called you to follow him - how has that changed how you live your life.

3.  What praises would you sing?

c.  Holy Spirit

1. How have you been changed by the power of the Holy Spirit?

2.  What examples of being new creations can you see in your life?

3.  Sing praises to God for how God’s power to transform has been experienced in your life.

Conclusion:  Finish with a homework assignment - go and share with others this afternoon, 

or go off and reflect on your own

and lift your praises to God the Father, 

God the Son, 

and God the Holy Spirit.

The Trinitarian God who called you into being, who offers you and all the world salvation, who continues to transform your life.  

What a God!  Amen.

Reflections on "Disrupted by the Spirit" Pentecost Sunday

We added a few elements in worship for Pentecost.  An introit of bells and singing to the first hymn; our younger kids doing motions on video as the Pentecost story was read;  and for the sermon, we had four different people disrupt the sermon! it worked pretty well to illustrate disruptions.  Not sure the sermon's content worked as well as the disruptions!  I find it interesting to think about the power of the Holy Spirit as displayed in Acts 2 and the Comforter image of the Holy Spirit as talked about by Jesus in John 16.

 “Disrupted by the Spirit”  May 23, 2021; Pentecost; SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; John 16:4b-15

John 16: 4b-15  “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate[a] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about[b] sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Introduction:   It is Pentecost  Sunday.  We wear red and speak of blowing winds and tongues of flame.

We have heard the familiar story from Acts.  

Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the church.  I have never found that image particularly appealing - the blowing out of candles hardly seems like the blowing of the Holy Spirit.

this week, how I read an author describing the similarity between the birth narrative in Luke to the Pentecost story in Acts.   (Ian Paul blog, Psephizo: scholarship. serving. ministry; 5/18/2021; https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/the-spirit-of-life-forming-the-people-of-god-at-pentecost/)

The author pointed out that 

the “Pentecost narrative occupies the same place in Acts as the birth narrative occupies in Luke’s gospel.  Luke begins with a few stories building to the birth of Christ;  Acts begins with a few stories building to the birth of the church

We also see a similarity in the language spoken between the angel Gabriel and mary and the words of Jesus to the disciples.

Gabriel tells Mary:   “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1.35).

Jesus tells the disciples:  ’But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…’ (Acts 1.8)

Thus we are left with these two, parallel images - Jesus’ being filled, being fueled, with the Holy Spirit at his birth, 

the church being filled, being fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Jackson (running down the center aisle waving streamers - you can sing it if you want!):  Happy Birthday to the church.  happy Birthday to the church.  Happy Birthday to the church.  happy birthday to the church!

richard:  Hey, Jackson - I’m in the middle of the sermon.  What are you doing?

Jackson:  (from in front of lectern, facing Richard and congregation)  

Don’t you feel it?  

Richard:  Feel what?

Jackson:  (facing congregation): 

The Holy Spirit.  

Don’t blame me.  The spirit made me do it. 

(Jackson runs up the left outside aisle waving his streamers)

Richard:  where was I?  Oh yeah. The Pentecost story.  

Not just a birthday celebration, but a powerful story about the Holy Spirit.

A story with tongues of flames and blowing winds.  it is hard to imagine the power of the moment, the arrival fo the Holy Spirit.

karen (walking quickly down the center aisle waving her streamers):   

Excuse me, excuse me.  I’m so sorry to interrupt, but there is something I have to say.

Richard:  you have to say it now, Karen? it can’t wait until after I’m done with the sermon.  

Karen (standing in front of steps looks at Richard and at congregation)   

yes.  I have to say it now. 

the Holy Spirit is blowing among us.

Richard:  Really?

Karen (facing congregation):  The Spirit made me do it.

(Karen walks back up the center aisle waving her streamers).

Richard:  Anyone else out there need to say anything?  no. good.  

Besides the power of the Holy Spirit, we see that the people are given the gift of languages.  They are sent into the world to tell people about Jesus Christ, and the Spirit gives them ability to do speak the languages so they can actually share the good news of Jesus Christ.

The Spirit gives us gifts….

James (Running down the center aisle waving streamers): 

 here comes the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is calling you.

Richard:  Apparently the college students are back in town.  Hey, james.  what’s going on?

James:  (standing outside the piano looking at Richard and congregation) 

The Holy Spirit is going on.  Can’t you feel it.

Richard:  Well,…

James:  facing congregation) 

The  Spirit made me do it.

(James leaves up the outside right aisle waving his streamers) 

The Pentecost story reveals the power of the Spirit, the gifts the Spirit gives to us,  but we are also reminded of how our lives can be disrupted by the Spirit!

Move 1:  Not just little hiccups, but big, life-changing  disruptions

a.  the Holy Spirit does not arrive as a little blip on the screen.

1.  As Ian Paul notes, Luke describes the Pentecost moment as “neither an incidental consequence of Jesus’ death and resurrection nor a temporary thing for a limited period of time.”

2.   Rather, “the gift of the Spirit is not a flash in the pan, but the coming of the new age—a first fruits of the new reality, poured out at the Festival of First Fruits at Pentecost.” (Ian Paul blog, Psephizo: scholarship. serving. ministry; 5/18/2021; https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/the-spirit-of-life-forming-the-people-of-god-at-pentecost/)

b. In the text we read from the Gospel of John this morning, we hear Jesus telling his disciples that the coming of the Spirit in the Gospel of John as an expected happening.

1.  Pentecost is not some strange anomaly, but part of God’s plan to guide and direct the followers as they, as we engage the world around us.

2. Big disruption, but it sets the stage for God to continue to be at work,

to continue to disrupt, 

to continue to engage the world, 

to continue to send people like us to do what needs to be done to proclaim and live out the life-saving, life-giving gospel.

The Holy Spirit is around for good;  so are the disruptions the Spirit causes.

move 2: Maybe disruptions are good for us.  Can you imagine some good disruptions?

a.  Disruptions that teach us how to be disciples of Christ. 

1.  Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation:  “for if we depend on our own ideas, our own judgments and our own efforts to reproduce the life of Christ, we will only act out some kind of pious charade which will ultimately scare everybody we meet because it will be so stiff and artificial and so dead.  It is the Spirit of God that must teach us who Christ is and from Christ in us and transform us in other Christs.”

2. Jesus calls out, “follow me,” and even when we want to follow we need guidance and direction.

3. the holy Spirit arrives to teach us and send us.

b.  we need disruptions when we are headed in the wrong direction or miss the point.

1.   In his essay The Present Age, Soren Kierkegaard describes a jewel being placed in the middle of a frozen lake on the thinnest ice. While retrieving the jewel is enticing, no one is courageous enough to skate on the thinnest ice. So they learn to skate in intricate ways on the think ice. The skaters develop great skills and those watching applaud the daring skaters who show their skills, but never venture onto the thin ice to retrieve the jewel. Eventually, everyone forgets the jewel. Kierkegaard wonders if the church is like that. So focused on its activities that it misses the jewel. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B458F3TQxB4qMmkzb3JFRTBvZ1k/edit)

2.  sometimes we get busy doing, but lose sight of what God is calling us to do.

3. The Holy Spirit disrupts to make sure our focus is on engaging the world as Christ would.

c. We need disruptions when we are stagnant

  1.  Tom Long story: confirmation class in which he tried to explain Pentecost.  He told them about the tongues of fire, the rushing wind and the many languages.  Everyone seemed to remember it, but one girl who said, “My family must have missed church that Sunday.”

2. The Holy Spirit arrives to call us to task, to engage us and invite us into new life and new ways of being the church in the world.

The Holy Spirit disrupts and gives us the tools to live out our calling as the disciples of Christ.

Move 3: As disruptive as the Holy Spirit might be, there are advantages to having the Holy Spriti moving among us.

a.  How do we know this?

1. Because Jesus tells us

2. He tells the disciples that even though they might feel sorrow when they think of him leaving, he has to leave so they can have the advantage of the Holy Spirit coming to be wiht them

b.  Jesus uses the Greek word paraclete to describe the Holy Spirit (if you misspell it, spell check will suggest parakeet – not quite the same image)

1. Paraclete literally means “one called to the side of another”

2. the word carries a secondary notion concerning the purpose of the calling alongside: to counsel or support the one who needs it.

3. Can be translated as “comforter” or “advocate.” Eugene Peterson in The Messenger translates it as “friend.”

4.  . This image of the Spirit fits as the answer to Jesus' promise when he tells the disciples, 'I will not leave you orphaned”

5.  Orphan – no parents; in first century world, not status, no safety net, no security.

c.  the disrupting Spirit not only guides and directs us, not only gives us gifts to do what God calls us to do, but the Spirit joins with us.  

Sounds a lot like God at work to me.

 

Conclusion:  So we gather here on Pentecost Sunday, remembering the ways in which the Spirit disrupts our lives….

Soren (running down the center aisle waving streamer):  Richard, Richard, Richard.  hey, Richard.

Richard:  Soren, why are you interrupting me? You are disrupting my sermon.

Soren (turning and looking at congregation):  The Holy Spirit made me do it.

Richard: May that be true for all of us.  Amen.

(Soren can leave up the center aisle now)