Genesis 12:1-4(a), John 3:1-17

Genesis 12:1-4(a)

John 3:1-17

Jesus Means We Can Change

February 17, 2008

Lent 2

We are beginning the second week of Lent — the six week season of the Church year before Easter when we spend time reflecting on the death of Christ for our sins – what that means for us – and how we can respond to it and live our lives differently because of what God has done for us through the life – death – and yes – resurrection of Christ.

            We noted last week that Lent is observed in many ways by Christians.

            For some it’s a time to give up things they are doing that they know is wrong or not good for them.

            For others it as a time of increased attention to the spiritual disciplines of study of scripture, prayer, worship, service, and even fasting.

            The six weeks before Easter have traditionally been used as a time for teaching those who will join the church on Easter Sunday. 

            Now — all these things are good.

            But — we can always give up things that are wrong or not good for us – and we should do this.  God can even strengthen us to do this.  But – you know what? We don’t have to wait until Lent to do it!

            And – we can always pay more attention to our spiritual disciplines of study of scripture, prayer, worship, and service.  God can even give us strength to do this.  But — again — we don’t have to wait until Lent to do it!

            And – yes –  Season of Lent is a good time for what we in the Presbyterian tradition call Confirmation Classes for young people who are ready to join the Church.  We had 12 of our young people go through Confirmation Classes and join the Church last year – and next year it may be time to do that again.

            But – for this year – for this Lent — I want us to take a look at some things that I believe Jesus means for us as Christians.

            What are some things that Jesus means to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean for how you live your life?

            These are some of the questions we are going to be considering as we go through this season of Lent.

            What are some things that Jesus means to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean for how you live your life?

            Last week we looked at one of the most fundamental things that Jesus means to us as we looked Genesis 2: 15-17, 25-3:7, Romans 5:12-18, and  Matthew 4:1-11. – and saw how Jesus means we are given another chance. 

            Today we’re going to look at Genesis 12:1-4 (a) and one of the best loved passages in scripture – John 3:1-17.  As we look at these 2 passages, we’re going to see another important thing Jesus can mean for us — Jesus means that we can change.  

Read Scripture

                The Lord said to Abram:

“Leave your country, you people, an your Father’s household,

and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)

 

“So Abram left as the Lord told him  …”  (Genesis 12:4(a) )

 

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God

unless he is born again”  (John 3:3)

       These 2 passages may seem to have nothing to do with each other — but actually they have a lot to with each other.

       They both are about God’s call – and our response.

       The Genesis passage may not seem to be really noteworthy — a nomad packs up his tent – his possessions – his family – and moves on. 

       It happens all the time.

        I mean – that’s what nomads do – is it not?

       What’s the big deal?

       It seems that nothing newsworthy or dramatic is happening here. 

       Abram hears God’s call and moves on.

So what?

            Indeed – it may seem like not much is going on here.

            But there is truly a lot going on.

            And in the John passage — Jesus is giving an invitation to “move” from one way of life to another to Nicodemus.

            These 2  passages may seem to have little to do with each other – or with us — but they do. 

            They have a lot to do with each other – and a lot to do with us. 

            Jesus is calling on Nicodemus to live a new life –

 a life that can be given to him by God. 

He is calling Nicodemus to a new way of life – a new way of living.  

            Quite literally, He is calling on Nicodemus to change.

            And Abram?

He is being called to a new way of living, too.

            Quite literally, Abram is being called to change.

Both are being called to a way of that is filled with the promise of God –

a way of life filled with new life –

a way of life filled with commitment and promise –

a way of life filled with faith.

In calling Abam God is changing the history of the world.  Until this time human history had not had much to be proud of or excited about.  Sin – killing – a devastating flood – an attempt to reach heaven that ended in division and misunderstanding – - not much room for God and God’s will in the world. 

            Then – God – who spoke in creation – speaks in a new way – and calls Abraham to go. 

Abram is called to step out in faith. 

To go. 

To leave what is comfortable and familiar to him and accept that somewhere in the uncomfortable and unfamiliar there will be God – there will be God’s will for his life. 

            And — you know what?

            He goes.

            Abram goes.

            God calls upon Abram to change – and he changes.

            He leaves what is safe and familiar for what may be dangerous and unfamiliar. 

He leaves what is comfortable for what is uncomfortable. 

            He leaves what is well-known to him and moves into the unknown.

            He changes.

            God’s call was a call with a promise – a promise of new life – a life of commitment – a life of promise – and a life of faith. 

            Abram could not be sure of God’s promises. 

He could not be sure – but he stepped out in faith.  He was willing to trade what he was sure of to follow God – no matter how uncertain that might be.

            God calls upon Abram to change – and he changes.

            God says:

            Change!

            And Abram obeys!

            But – what about Nicodemus?

            Nicodemus – a leader of the Jewish people – came to Jesus with questions.

            He came away with an answer.

            Change!

            Let God change you

            No one can know God and God’s will for their lives – without being “born again” as Jesus says. 

            In other words –

            No one can know God and God’s will without change.

            Change!

No one can know God and God’s will without being changed.

Change!

No one can know God and God’s will without letting God change them.

This change – Jesus seems to be saying – involves following God no matter what – giving up what is familiar – as Abram did – for what God intends – which may not be  familiar at all.

Jesus gives the invitation to change to Nicodemus.

Change!

Jesus tells Nicodemus —

And what did he do?

We don’t know!

We don’t know!

Maybe he changed – but we don’t know!

It doesn’t say!

It’s as if “the jury is still out” so to speak.

Change!

God calls Abram to change – and he changes.

Jesus calls Nicodemus to change – and who knows what he does?

Friends – this is not just about Abram and Nicodemus – is it?

No – it’s about us.

It’s about you.

It’s about me.

It’s about God’s call to each of us to change.

One of the wonderful things that the life – death – and resurrection of Christ means for us is that we can take God at His word – accept His call – and be changed.

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

Change!

Change!

God calls us to change.

God still calls us to follow.

God still calls us to go where He leads us.

God still calls us to live in His ways of right relationships with Him and others.

Change  – God said to Abram.

Change — Jesus says to Nicodemus.

Change – God says to us.

Change!

And – friends – as difficult as it might be – as hard as changing might be – as hard as it may be for us to be the new people God has called us to be —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

Abram heard the call of God – and responded with a resounding yes.

Nicodemus hear the call of God – – and responded with a resounding “maybe”!

So — what’s your response?

God is calling us to change.

To live in God’s ways.

To serve God.

To follow God.

            God still calls us to change – to quit living in old ways that may be familiar to us and to live in God’s new ways.

Change!

And – friends – as difficult as it might be – as hard as changing might be – as hard as it may be for us to be the new people God has called us to be —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            God still calls us to change.

            God still calls us to be new people.

            God still calls us to live in new ways.

            God still calls us to repent.

            God still calls us to move from our old, sinful ways into His new, promise-filled ways. 

            God still calls us to new life.

            God still calls us to repentance.

            God still calls us to change.

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            So – the question before you is  – Are you changed by God’s love?

            God’s love made a difference in Abram’s life.

Does it in yours?

            Do you say new things because God has called you to say new things?

            Do you act in new ways because God has called you to act in new ways?

            Are you a new person — a changed person — because God has called you to be a new person?

            The amazing truth is that – as difficult as it may be for us to change – to live a new life – to say new things – to act in new ways –

            Jesus means that we can.

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            There is a story of a sergeant in Napoleon’s army who took Napoleon at his word — and lived the life Napoleon called him to live. 

            In the midst of battle Napoleon noticed that this sergeant was performing with unusual bravery under fire.  His efforts not only helped win the battle — but saved many lives in the process.  After the battle Napoleon wished to express his gratitude to this sergeant.  He walked up to him and said:

            “Well done, captain.”

            On the following day, this man took his place among the officers, just like he belonged there.  One of the officers demanded an explanation. 

            He replied:

            “Yesterday, Napoleon himself praised my actions by calling me captain.  I take him at his word that I am now a captain — and will act like one”

            Change!

            God has called us.

            God has called us to new life.

            God has called us to live in new ways.

            God has called us to act in new ways.

            God has called us to act differently.

And – friends – as difficult as it might be – as hard as changing might be – as hard as it may be for us to be the new people God has called us to be —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

Change!

And – friends – as difficult as it might be – as hard as changing might be – as hard as it may be for us to be the new people God has called us to be —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            God has called you.

            God has called you to new life.

            God has called you to live in new ways.

            God has called you to act in new ways.

            God has called you to act differently.

            Do we?

            Do you?

Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            Do you live this changed life God calls you to live?

            Do we live this in this new way God has called us to live?

            Are our lives changed?

            Is your life changed?

Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            Abraham heard God’s call to move from one way of life to another — and he answered by moving out in faith.

            Have you heard God’s call — and answered?

            God calls us —

            God calls you –

            to a new way to live. 

A life of commitment to Him — faith in Him — love for Him and others — service to Him and others.

            Change!  God says.

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            So —

            Is your life new?

Is it different?

Have you let Christ change your life — and begun a new way for you to live? 

A way of different thoughts — different words — different actions — all these things different because God has called you to a new life –

and you have committed yourself to respond to His call?

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            If you have — you are living — like Abram — and like so many more — a new life of promise.

            If not – maybe you’re like Nicodemus – not sure how to respond.

Change!

And – friends – as difficult as it might be – as hard as changing might be – as hard as it may be for us to be the new people God has called us to be —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change.

Now — you may be wondering

            “How do I live this changed life?”

            “How do I let Jesus change me?”

            Well – it is God who calls us to new life.

            It is God calls us change.

            An d – it is who God strengthens us to live this new, changed  life of love — of new words — new thoughts — new actions. 

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change. 

            How do we live this changed life?

            Well – let’s look again at Abram.

            What strengthened Abraham for his journey – his new life with God?

            God did.

            God called Abram to this changed life.

            God strengthened Abram for this changed life.

            For us —

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change.

One of the secrets of his change – one of the ways God was able to effect a change in Abram’s life –  is that wherever Abram went – - he worshipped.

            Wherever he went — he nurtured his relationship with God – who had called him to live a changed life.

            Worship is what gives us the strength for the new, changed  life – the new, changed relationship with God and others – that God calls us to live. 

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change.

But — worship is not restricted to 11:00 Sunday morning here in this Sanctuary.  It has to be a daily experience of coming to God – meditating on God’s word – praying to God and listening to God.  We have to have this daily, personal, life changing time with God so that God can change us.

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change.

Yesterday several members of the Session and I spent some time with Danny Murphy – Staff Associate for Evangelism and Church Transformation for Trinity Presbytery and a Filed Representative of the Congregational Transformation Office of the Presbyterian Church, USA.  Danny shared with us the 5 essential things for Congregational Transformation – and the first is a dynamic relationship with God. For a Church to change, to be transformed, it’s members have to have a dynamic relationship with God – a relationship where God changes them and truly makes a difference in their lives.

If we as a Church are going to be transformed into the dynamic Church God has in mind for us to be,  we each – as individuals – are going to have to develop a dynamic, life changing relationship with God.

Let God speak to you — strengthen you – - and sustain you.

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change     

To live this new life — you need God.

            You need discipline — just as a soldier or athlete needs discipline to do their best — you need discipline to do your best.

            You need what we call the spiritual disciplines of worship and — Bible study — and prayer.

            We are in the second week of Lent — the 7 weeks before Easter where we as Christians reflect upon the death of Christ for our sins.  As we reflect upon Christ, we also need to reflect upon our lives and how we live as God’s ways. 

            You can repent of our sins – which is what we talked about last Sunday — and cling to the new ways of life God gives us.

            You can let God change you!

            You can recommit yourself to the Spiritual disciplines of worship – - Bible study — and prayer.

            You can be changed – and live a changed life!  

            Change!

Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change     

            Let Jesus lead you on a journey – like God lead Abram — away from your old ways and into His new life. 

You won’t be perfect – Abraham wasn’t – but he followed – and so can we. 

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change     

            The invitation is before you.

            Like it was to Abram.

            Like it was to Nicodemus.

            We know Abram accepted the invitation.

            We don’t know if Nicodemus did or not.

            Will people know whether or not you have accepted God’s invitation? 

            Change!

            Change!

Jesus means that we can change.

Jesus means that we can change     

            Amen.

 

 

 

           

Genesis 2:15-17,25-3:1, Romans 5:12-18, Matthew 4:1-11

Genesis 2:15-17, 25-3:7

Romans 5:12-18

 Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus Means We Have Another Chance

Lent 1

February 10, 2008

            Today is the first Sunday in Lent – the six week season of the Church year before Easter when we spend time reflecting on the death of Christ for our sins – what that means for us – and how we can respond to it and live our lives differently because of what God has done for us through the life – death – and yes – resurrection of Christ.

            Lent is observed in many ways by Christians.

            Some use it as a time to give up things they are doing that they know is wrong or not good for them.

            Others like to use it as a time of increased attention to the spiritual disciplines of study of scripture, prayer, worship, service, and even fasting.

            The six weeks before Easter were traditionally used as a time for teaching those who would join the church on Easter Sunday. 

            All these things are good.

            We can always give up things that are wrong or not good for us – and we should do this.  God can even strengthen us to do this.  And – you know what? We don’t have to wait until Lent to do it!

            We can always pay more attention to our spiritual disciplines of study of scripture, prayer, worship, and service.  God can even give us strength to do this.  And again — we don’t have to wait until Lent to do it!

            The Season of Lent is a good time for what we in the Presbyterian tradition call Confirmation Classes for young people who are ready to join the Church.  We had 12 of our young people go through Confirmation Classes and join the Church last year – and next year it may be time to do that again.

            But – for this year – I want us to take a look at some things that I believe Jesus means for us as Christians.

            What are some things that Jesus means to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean for how you live your life?

            These are some of the questions we are going to be considering as we go through this season of Lent.

            What are some things that Jesus means to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean to you?

            What are some things that Jesus can mean for how you live your life?

            Today I want us to look at one of the most fundamental things that Jesus means to us – one of the most life changing things that Jesus can mean for us – one of the most fundamental ways that Jesus can change how live our lives.

            We’re going to be looking today at 3 passages of scripture – Genesis 2: 15-17, 25-3:7, Romans 5:12-18, and  Matthew 4:1-11. As we look at these passages, we will see that Jesus means we have another chance.

            Read Scripture

At the convent of San Bernadino in Ivea, Italy there is a a startling fresco entitled “The Expulsion From The Garden” — a powerful portrayal of the event of Genesis 3 — what we have come to know as “The Fall.” It depicts Adam and Eve walking away from the gate to the garden that is being guarded by an angel with a sword. Behind the gate is a beautiful light and lush greenery – but Adam and Eve are now and walking towards an area of darkness – rocky soil – and sinister looking creatures.  They can no longer go back through the gate to Eden – the angel will not let them pass back through the gate.

Adam is covering his face with his hands — unable to bear the pain of the expulsion from the Garden of Eden — while Eve openly expresses her anguish — all the while trying to cover her nakedness with her hands. 

This fresco gives a powerful image of sin and it’s consequences. 

            Adam and Eve — created for relationships with God — each other — and all of God’s creation — have chosen to disobey God.

Instead of living in a loving relationship with God they have chosen to not live in relationship with God. 

Instead of living in God’s ways they have chosen to live in their own ways.

Instead of living in relationship to God they have chosen to try to live independently from God.

Instead of choosing to live in loving relationships with each other and all creation they have chosen to try to live independently from each other — and even from creation itself. 

And now — they must live with the consequences of their decision –

shame

anguish

covered nakedness

hiding

and all that goes along with what we call sin.

            The story in Genesis 2 and 3 is not so much concerned with how sin — death — evil — and all that comes with it came into the world — but the story is more about how our relationships with God — with ourselves — with each other — and for that matter with all creation got away from how God willed for them to be.

Genesis 2 tells — in beautiful and even mythic language — of the creation – and of Adam and Eve who were created to live in relationship with God — each other — and with all creation.  They are placed in the Garden and given all that they will ever need — and creation is in harmony with itself and with its creator.  There is no reason to hide — no reason for shame — only open and loving relationships exist between Adam and Eve — Adam and Eve and God – and Adam and Eve and all creation.

            Genesis 2:25 gives a powerful ending to this beautiful chapter:

 

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

 

            But — do Adam and Eve stay in these loving — open relationships with God — each other — and all of creation?

            No.

            What happens next?

            The Genesis 3 story is filled with doubt and rebellion. Adam and Eve — created for loving relationships with God — each other — and all creation — choose otherwise.

            They choose to doubt instead of trust God –

            They choose to rebel against God’s ways rather than live in God’s ways —

            They choose to go independent ways instead of the way of relationships —

even though they were created to live in relationships.

            And what happens?

            Well — the phrase “all hell breaks loose” pretty much describes the situation. 

            Things get completely out of sync. Adam and Eve no longer live in open, honest, loving relationships — with God — with each other — and with all creation.  They now cover themselves. They hide. They are ashamed.

            The beautiful relationship between Adam — Eve — God – each other — and all creation is completely shattered — and as the fresco so graphically depicts — they leave the Garden — the place of full relationship with God and others — in shame and anguish. 

            You can imagine the anguish of Adam.

            You can almost hear the pleadings of Eve as you look at the fesco:

“Please, Lord!

Give us another chance!

We are sorry.

It isn’t fair.

Give us another chance!

Give us another chance!”

You know — it’s not hard for us to identify with Adam and Eve. 

            We all can identify with them.

            We all know what it’s like.

            We all know what it’s like to live in broken relationships.

            We all know what it’s like to live with shattered dreams.

            We all know what it’s like to want to beg for another chance — and to beg for another chance.

            Another chance to set our lives straight.

            Another chance to make relationships better.

            Another chance to experience the loving — caring relationships we yearn for with God — each other — and all creation — and share that experience of God’s love with others. 

            How wonderful it would be if we truly had another chance.

            A chance to truly live as God originally intended for us to live — in loving relationships with God — each other — and all creation. 

            A chance to  make things right.

            Please — Lord – give us another chance!

            Give us another chance!

            Please, Lord!

            Give us another chance!

            The Apostle Paul understood this need to be given another chance just as much as any person.

            Like us — and all people — he understood this pleading.

            But — Paul also understood the glorious truth.

            Paul understood the glorious truth that God is gracious.

            Paul understood the glorious truth that God still yearns for relationships between Him and all creation — the relationships God created us for.

            Paul understood the glorious truth that God gives us another chance.

            The glorious truth that we are given another chance — through Christ.

            As Paul points out in our passage from Romans 5 — we all live in broken relationships with God — with each other — with all creation.  We all live in broken relationships and a distorted world of sin.

            We all know that.

            But — Paul also points out the glorious truth that God gives us another chance. 

            We are given another chance — through Christ.

            Christ is the only one who can bring us out of our state of sin — rebellion — and broken relationships — and bring us back into a state of God’s will — a state of relationships with God — with others — with ourselves — and with all creation.

            Jesus gives us another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            Jesus — who in our Gospel passage for today resisted temptation but chose to live in relationship with God — can give us the forgiveness we need to live our lives differently — and the spiritual strength we need to make the choices He made.

            Through the death of Jesus and His resurrection — we are all given another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            Another chance to make our relationships with God and others — our relationships with all creation — better. 

            Another chance to live in loving — caring — relationships —

            Another chance to truly live as God intended for us to live.

            Another chance to make things right.

            That’s what the season of Lent is all about.

            Lent is a time for us all to realize that we need another chance.  Another chance to make our lives — our relationships — better and more the way God created us for them to be.

            Lent is also a time to realize that — in Jesus Christ — we have that “other chance” we so desperately need — and the only “other chance” we can ever have.

Friends – we all need another chance for our lives. But — by the blood of Jesus on the cross we have that other chance we so desperately need. By the blood of Christ every sin can be forgiven — and every relationship — whether it be our relationship with God – or our relationships with others – or our relationship with creation — can be repaired.

            It’s all about being given another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            Jesus means we have another chance.

            This “other chance” that God gives us through Christ can be illustrated in an experience I had at a Spirituality conference I attended several years ago.

                        The speaker at the conference made the point that we can live every day of our lives under the forgiving grace of God. It’s not that we can live every day perfectly — but it is that we can live every day forgiven. We can live every day with another chance to be the people God created us to be and live in the ways God created us to live.

How can we do this?

            The secret is to realize our sins – and — as soon as we can after we commit them — give them to God and ask for forgiveness — then accept the forgiveness God gives us. 

            God knows that we are going to “blow it” — the speaker continued.

            I do it — you do it — everyone does.

            Every day.

            Numerous times every day.

            We all “blow it”.

            We all need to be given another chance.  

            The thing is –God continues to give us another chance by His forgiving love.

            The speaker at the conference I was attending asked each of us to write on a piece of paper every sin we can remember that we had not confessed to God.

I thought this would be easy — but the more I got into it — the longer the list got.  Finally I had a page — front and back — and could have added more. 

            The speaker then invited us to write over our list I John 1:9:

If we confess our sins,

he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins

and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

            The speaker then instructed us to tear up the list — and praise God for forgiving us.

            What a graphic illustration that — through Christ — we are given another chance.

            What a graphic illustration of the fact that:

Jesus means we have another chance.

Jesus means we have another chance.

            I am going to invite you to do this today – and give you a chance to do it right now.

            Maybe you wondered what the blank piece of paper in your bulletin is for.

            Well – it’s for you.

            It’s for you to use it – and to use it now — to write down your sins that you have not confessed to God — whatever they may be.  Write down what may be blocking your relationship with God and others. 

I’ll give you a few minutes for this.

Now — write I John 1:9

 

If we confess our sins,

he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins

and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

over your list — confess it to God — then tear it up and throw it away — knowing that in Jesus you are given another chance.

 Jesus means we have another chance.

Jesus means we have another chance.

            Make it a daily practice of yours to realize you sins –

confess your sins –

then celebrate the forgiveness –

the “other chance” we are always given — through Jesus Christ.

            God is indeed a God of grace.

            God is indeed a God of “another chance” — regardless of how many “other chances” we may need.

            Through Jesus – we are always given another chance. Amen.

           

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exodus 24:12-18, Matthew 17:1-9

Exodus 24:12-18

Matthew 17:1-9

February 3, 2008

Transfiguration of Lord (also Super Bowl Sunday)

Super Sunday!

Read Scripture

You may not have taken the time to look at your newspaper before coming to Church this morning or turned on your TV this morning or turned on your radio while driving here this morning – so I’m going to help you out by telling you about a couple of things that are happening this week.

A couple of super things, no less.

One is occurring in Phoenix, Arizona in just a few hours.

It’s the Super Bowl!

That’s the annual National Football League championship game.

Maybe you’ve heard about it.

Can you tell me what teams are playing?

Yea – it’s the New England Patriots and the American Football Conference vs. the New York Giants of the National Football Conference.

The 42^nd edition of the Super Bowl!

Can you tell me records of the 2 teams this year?

You may have heard that the Patriots are 18-0 – or you may have heard that they are undefeated even if you don’t know they’ve played 18 games so far this year. You may not know that the Giants are 12-6 – with one of those 6 defeats coming at the hands of the Patriots – 38-35.

So – who are the quarterbacks that will be playing in a few hours?

You may be able to name them both – it will be Tom Brady for the Patriots going for his ^4th Super Bowl victory in as many appearances — and Eli Manning in his first Super Bowl appearance. Eli’s brother, Peyton, won it last year when he quarterbacked the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears.

It seems that everywhere you go the Super Bowl is being talked about. .

Being the football fan that I am – and growing up with my Dad being a big football fan also – I can remember some to the more notable games – with Bart Starr leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in the first 2 Super Bowls – and “Broadway Joe” Namath delivering on his promise that the New York Jets from what most folks considered “the weaker” AFL would beat Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts from the “stronger” NFL in Super Bowl 3.

The Super Bowl has become a cultural phenomenon!

The sale of big screen TV s – this year with High Def capability – spikes this weekend.

Of course, the Super Bowl has really become a media event. The commercials are many times more memorable than the games. Just ask the folks at Annheiser – Bush if the money they spent on commercials with croaking frogs, Clydesdale horses, and – last year – mud covered dogs was money well spent – they’ll tell you!

Ok – so today is Super Bowl Sunday – or – as many have called it – Super Sunday!

That’s the first super thing that you might be in your papers this morning.

The other will occur in a few days,.

Tuesday of this week is what has been termed “Super Tuesday” – when millions of Americans will go to the polls in primaries throughout the country to vote for their choice of the person to be the presidential candidate for either the Democratic or Republican parties. A great number of delegates will be at stake in each party — and with essentially a 2 person race now on each side – Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama for Democrats and John McCain and Mitt Romney for the Republicans – although Mike Huckabee still has a chance in the Republican primaries – there is the potential that one of these on each side can really be a front runner by Wednesday morning. You can tell the political campaign is heating up as you watch the candidates go after each other in the debates!

So – Super Sunday with the Super Bowl!

Super Tuesday with the political primaries on Tuesday! ‘

American football and American politics — two things that grab our attention this week!

They are headline news!

But – there is another super thing we are celebrating today.

You mean you don’t know – you haven’t heard?

Today is Transfiguration Sunday!

You mean you’ve forgotten?

Some of you have blank looks on your faces – like “What’s transfiguration?”,

Transfiguration Sunday – when we celebrate the event that occurred before Jesus began his journey to Jerusalem to face His death on the cross.

Transfiguration Sunday – when the disciples had the supernatural experience of seeing Jesus in all His glory – seeing Him as He really was – seeing Him as the Son of God – and hearing God tell them that He is well pleased with Jesus.

The Transfiguration.

A supernatural event.

Transfiguration Sunday.

A Super Sunday.

Can you imagine what the Transfiguration must have been like for Peter – James – and John – the disciples who witnessed it?

For almost 3 years they had followed Jesus – heard Him teach – seen Him work miracles. They may have begun to entertain the idea that Jesus was the long – awaited Messiah. But – then Jesus began talking about leaving them – about dieing and rising again. Peter had tried to tell Jesus that that would never happen – only to have Jesus rebuke him.

Peter – James – and John must have wondered what was really going on – and who Jesus really was.

It did not take long for them to see who Jesus really was!

The next week Jesus takes them on a hike.

A hike up a high mountain.

We can imagine that they follow Jesus up the steep mountain trail until their knees ache and their backs hurt and they are breathing in short gasps.

If it were me it would not take very much of a hike for these things to happen!

As they reach the summit, they pause to fill their lungs with air, and gaze around at the awesome beauty that surrounds them on four sides.

Then — they see something else.

Suddenly Jesus — their Lord — is “transfigured” before them.

The word Matthew uses is metamorphosis – or total change. The face of their beloved teacher shines like the sun, and his garments have become dazzling white. Beside him appear two visitors — none other than Moses and Elijah, the greatest prophets of Israel. A bright cloud overshadows all three of them – it’s the shekinah of the book of Exodus, the same glowing cloud that Moses entered on Mount Sinai. The — from out of this cloud there thunders a voice: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

It is a vision of power, and surely an impressive experience for those disciples.

Peter – James – and John had an experience with Christ – an experience where they saw Christ as He really was – and their lives were changed.

A super day.

Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Tuesday.

The Transfiguration.

A Super Sunday!

But – what makes this Transfiguration such a super event – for us?

What makes it super for us is that it reminds us that God still comes to us – and we can still experience God as He is – be blessed by a vision of God – and be strengthened for who God calls us to be.

Yes – it is a Super Sunday!

Peter – James – and John truly had a “mountaintop experience” – and their lives were truly changed.

Many of us have had “mountaintop experiences” at times in our lives — times when we have felt so strong and so emotionally charged that we have felt that nothing that could stop us from doing what we set our minds to do.

These can be exhilarating experiences – even life changing experiences.

One man who truly had a “mountaintop experience” was Sir Edmund Hillary – who died a few weeks ago. He is remembered for as being the adventurer who, in 1953, was the first to stand atop the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Most people are inclined to imagine Hillary and his guide ascending the summit as a lonely duo, but in fact that was anything but the case. The first ascent of Everest was more like a military campaign than a feat of individual courage. The New York Times account of his death recalls that the expedition included “a dozen climbers, 35 guides and 350 porters carrying 18 tons of food and equipment. But – he is remembered as the one who ascended Everest. This experience changed his life as he was knighted and hailed as a conquering hero. He almost became something of a super hero.

A super day.

Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Tuesday.

The Transfiguration.

A Super Sunday!

The things is – we all can have “mountaintop experiences” like Peter – James – and John – like Edmund Hillary.

We all can have times when God comes to us – we see God for who God really is – and our lives are changed.

We all can have super days – super moments – super Sundays — or Mondays – or Tuesdays — or Wednesdays — or Thursdays — or Fridays — or Saturdays – super days when God comes to us and empowers us to be His people.

The problem, however, for many of us is that we do not notice God.

We can go through our lives – day in and day out – and everything seems to run together and nothing seems special. We can become so caught up in the every day that we fail to see the special days – the super days – the special events – the super events – where God can come to us – make Himself known to us – touch our lives and make a difference.

We can become so caught up in the ordinary that we fail to see the extraordinary.

We can become so caught up in the sub par that we fail to see the super.

We can become so caught up in our agendas that we fail to see God.

Rusty Schweickart was an astronaut who flew the lunar module for the Apollo 9 mission. Like d many of his fellow astronauts, his life was changed by the experience of looking down at the Earth from outer space. Here’s what he said about it:
“Up there you go around every hour and a half; time after time, after time, and you wake up in the morning over the mid-East, and over North Africa. You look out of your window as you’re eating breakfast — and there’s the whole Mediterranean area, and Greece and Rome, and the Sinai and Israel. And you realize that what you’re seeing in one glance was the whole history of [humanity] for centuries; the cradle of civilization. You go across the Atlantic Ocean, back across North Africa. You do it again and again. You identify with Houston, and then with Los Angeles, and Phoenix and New Orleans. The next thing you know, you are starting to identify with North Africa. You look forward to it. You anticipate it. And the whole process of what you identify with begins to shift. When you go around it every hour and a half, you begin to recognize that your identity is with that whole thing. And that makes a very powerful change inside of you. As you look down you can’t imagine how many borders and boundaries you cross — again and again. And you can’t even see them. Still, you know there are thousands of people fighting over some imaginary lines down there that you can’t even see, and you wish you could say, ‘Look at that! Look at that! What’s important?’ “

Indeed — what’s important?

Is it the many duties, the chores and errands and assignments that fill our days with low-level noise?

Or is it those “big-picture” kinds of moments, the rich intervals of stillness and of calm — the times of “being still and knowing that the Lord is God,” of sensing the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts?

What’s important?

It is – truly – those times when God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us do great things for Him.

These are the truly important – truly special – and indeed truly super times of our lives!

But – we have to recognize them for what they are and not try to “explain them away” or try to make them less that what they really are.

We are pretty good at coming up with all kinds of explanations for things and all kinds of reasons for things that leave God out of the picture – and when we do – we miss the real reason behind things and the real super nature of things.

When Sally and I lived along the North Carolina / Virginia border about once a winter we would get an ice storm. The temperature would around freezing — not quite cold enough for snow, and not quite warm enough for the rain to keep from freezing. The precipitation that fell would hit the slightly colder tree branches and the surface of roads, instantly transforming them into a coating of ice. Soon we would have a vision of gleaming, shimmering crystal out our windows – the tree between the Manse and the Church covered with crystals of ice – the sun glistening on the branches and on the Church steeple. Every part of every tree — every branch – every twig — would glow with the sun. It would seem that the artists at Waterford Crystal had crafted a huge, crystal sculpture of unbelievable intricacy and placed it out our window for us to enjoy. If our power lines had not snapped we could cut on the TV and hear the newscasters talk about the falling rain and freezing temperatures that had painted this beautiful picture out our window. And we could believe them. Or – we could believe that it was God.

The times that seem the most normal and have the most natural explanations can be the times when God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us do great things for Him. These can truly be the super times of our lives – if we will let them be.

But – we have to see them for what they are – and not for what they can be explained as being. We have to see them as times when God is coming to us – blessing us with the vision of who He is and who we can be in His name – and what we can do for Him.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday.

Some of you may know it is also Souper Bowl Sunday – a day when churches from many denominations around the world work together to do something about poverty in their own areas.

It all started when Brad Smith, now a Presbyterian minister, was a student intern at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC in the 1980’s. Brad got this crazy notion – or I believe the truth is that God gave Brad this crazy notion — that his Church’s youth group could do something about ending poverty in their area.

Imagine that! Kids from a Church not much larger than Hopewell doing something to help fight poverty!

It was a crazy notion – but a God given crazy notion!

Brad decided that they would ask everyone at church on Super Bowl Sunday to give $1.00 that would go to a local food bank. Before long members of their youth group were telling members of other church’s youth groups – and the next year several more churches joined in – until by 1997 one million dollars was raised by churches of many different denominations – and last year more than 14,000 churches and organizations raised over 8 million dollars that was given to local organizations that helped those in need.

Now that’s super!

And it all came about because God gave Brad Smith the crazy idea – but the super idea – that he and his young people could actually do something!

We’re going to take part in this Souper Bowl of Caring today. As you leave the Church this morning the young people are going to be standing at the doors with bowls. Be sure to make a contribution as you leave.

Our offering this year is not going to help the needy is our area – but it is going to another dream – another vision – another idea that some may say is crazy but I think is super!

Dylan Bryant is going on a Mission Trip this spring from his school – The King’s Academy – to Los Angeles to work in the inner city area. He will be telling folks in the LA Inner City about Christ.

Imagine that!

A teenager from little Hopewell Presbyterian in Florence, SC thinking he can go out to Los Angeles and make a difference from Christ!

Some may call it crazy.

I call it super.

God comes us – blesses us with a vision of who He is and who we are – and calls us to do great things for Him. These can truly be the super times of our lives – if we will let them be.

But – we have to see them for what they are – and not for what they can be explained as being. We have to see them as times when God is coming to us – blessing us with the vision of who He is and who we can be in His name – and what we can do for Him.

It’s these times – these visions – these ideas – that are important to God – and should be important to us.

It’s these times – these visions – these ideas – that can change our lives and change the world as God works through us – His super people!

The Super Bowl?

It’s fun – it’s entertaining – I’ll probably watch at least part of it tonight.

Super Tuesday – it’s important as many people help decide who our next President will be.

The Transfiguration?

It’s important because it help us remember that God gives us visions of who He is and who we can be for His glory and with His love.

And that – my friends – is truly super!

Amen

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