sermon notesA collection of resources, background information, and periodic reflections on the scripture readings in worship from Pr Josh Ehrler. Archives
July 2018
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Notes for Revelation 225/24/2017 Our text for worship this weekend, May 28, is Revelation 21.22-22.5.
It is not uncommon to hear portions of this reading at a funeral service. John the Revelator offers a grandiose, hope filled description of a new city in the midst of a "new heaven and new earth" (21.1) that bears every promise God has given since the first Creation story. John even notes that the trees will bear fruit that sustain life and none of them will be toxic to humans (Genesis 2.9ff). Hearing this text during a funeral wraps it in the enduring expectation of God's fulfillment as we face our own mortality and reminds us that nothing, not one thing, will stand between us and God. There will be no gates to unlock or break through, no shortage of food or water, no need for electricity and rent, no expensive medical bills. Nothing will remain except God's love lived through Christ, who stands at the center of our lives and receives us as God's people. In True to our Native Land, scholar Brian K Blount reminds us that this promise of access is not just for those of us who are easily recognized as disciples, earthly kings will be welcome to stand upright in the presence of Christ. Throughout Revelation, earthly kings are described as power hungry oppressors who will stop at nothing to use and abuse God's people for their gain. Christ, however, offers forgiveness to all of God's children, and that means forgiveness to those who have wielded their earthly power against others. Blount is quick to note that this is the depth to which God's Grace extends, far beyond what we humans can comprehend (or possibly even accept). Justice and liberation is a promise from God that we long for as it will transform every person and corner of Creation. Pablo Richard, author of A People's Commentary on the Book of Revelation, takes the opportunity in these final verses of Revelation to help us with the natural problem of what to do with this profound vision. Richard observes, through John's letter, that the lived time is where we can act on God's behalf shaped by "a plan of hope and utopia" (p.171). In essence, knowing that God will fulfill every promise is meant to be our encouragement to live expecting these promises. We know what God has done by glancing over human history and our own guideposts of faith. We also know where God is leading us by reading and internalizing this hopeful vision in Revelation. Our call becomes one of moving forward, trusting that we have been forgiven and capable of more than our destructive habits. Our lives can be a reflection of what God's Word will be by striving for access to basic needs, working toward justice and peace, speaking out against hateful words and biased assumptions that only build barriers between God's people. In the new heaven and new earth, there is nothing between us and God. This doesn't mean we have to wait until we're taken home through the grave to witness a glimpse of this promise here and now. Our question remains, then, how will we live in our hope today? How will we reflect our forgiveness and resist our temptations to continue unchanged by Grace? A few Biblical connections to the text: Isaiah 65.17-25 seems to be a strong visionary reference for this reading Verse 21.23 finds parallels in Isaiah 60.19-20 Verse 22.1, "river of life," can be found in Ezekiel 47.1-12 and Zechariah 14.8 Verse 22.4, "they will see God's face," is a positive contradiction to the historic accounts that no one can see the face of God, Exodus 33.20, Deuteronomy 4.12, John 1.18
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Notes for Revelation 21.1-75/17/2017 Our sermon text for the weekend of May 22 is Revelation 21.1-7.
John is bringing his long and winding letter to a close with a vision of a "new heaven and new earth." Immediately we might ask, 'What will happen to this one?' This is one of the significant challenges to reading John's revelation, acknowledging that everything we know about this world will come to an end. For some, this is desperate relief. For others, this is pure anxiety, since this is literally the only existence that we know. It is impossible to fully understand what it means to have our lives transformed completely. The good news, though, is that Christ was there before Creation and He will be there in the end. inf fact, Eugene Boring, in his commentary on Revelation, notes that the "end" will not be an event, it will be an encounter with Christ. This new heaven and earth is not about what we'll lose but who Creation will be joined to and be enlivened by forever and ever, Amen. For Pablo Richard, author of A People's Commentary on the Book of Revelation, the good news is found in the free gift of Grace that God offers. For instance, the water of life in verse 6. God calls this a gift and it is for anyone who is thirsty. Many of us have to pay for our water, even if its a surcharge from the city. Our people in Flint, Michigan, are paying mightily to have clean water. There seems to be a cost for everything in this world. In God's heaven, which will be here on earth, there is no cost, no charge, no debt. All that we need will be free and available and within reach. How might we live now knowing this promise is coming? How can we share this vision without telling people they have to wait for it? What would it be like to give away everything we have, as if it were a gift for others? Are we ready to lose everything? A few more brief notes: Verse 1 may be a reference to Isaiah 65.17-19 Verse 5 is similar to Isaiah 43.19 Verse 7 is covenant language found throughout the Hebrew Writings ex: Exodus 3.12; 2 Samuel 7.14; Psalm 2.17; Jeremiah 3.19 Verse 6 - Jesus describes himself as Alpha and Omega in the beginning of Revelation 1.8 |