Rev. Dustin ParkerPrincess Bride Sermon..
Concordia Lutheran Church
7th Week of Easter, July 5th 2011
So What? We’ve Become One
I Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-8
† IN JESUS NAME †
My dear friends, God the Father has had His eye on each one of you, and has committed the work of the Holy Spirit to ensuring you hear and grasp the love revealed to you in the sacrifice of Christ. Knowing this, may you rejoice in His mercy, and be at peace!
Princess Bride - Duel to the Pain
What are you willing to endure pain for?
What are you that passionate about?
In all the movies I have seen, there is one duel that stands out. The hero, barely able to stand, just barely back from being “mostly dead”, is challenged by the conceited and evil Prince Humperdink.
The Prince challenges Wesley to a duel to the death, for that is how classic movies usually end. Wesley however, still lying down, weak and exhausted, indicates it will not be duel to the death, but to the pain. Westley then begins to describe how he will carve up the evil one, and here is the end of that dialog,
Humperdinck: [exasperated] And then my ears. I understand! Let's get on with it —
Westley: WRONG! Your ears you keep, and I'll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, "Dear God, what is that thing?" will echo in your perfect ears. That is what "to the pain" means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever.
Humperdinck: I think you're bluffing.
Westley: It's possible, Pig, I might be bluffing. It's conceivable, you miserable, vomitous mass, that I'm only lying here because I lack the strength to stand. But, then again... perhaps I have the strength after all.
And as he rises up, sword in hand outstretched in a classic dueling stance, the conceited and evil prince throws down his sword and runs into the bowels of the castle.
Classic movie!
But it brings out an interesting point. Many of us would claim, or would like to claim that we can do the honorable thing and suffer death for someone we love, and maybe even for our faith. Even so, would we endure suffering? Would we embrace it, and to what extent?
What in life are we so passionate about, that we would endure death, or even intense suffering and shame, and embrace it, consider the benefit so much greater than the cost?
Peter’s epistle tells us, that we, the beloved of God, actually do so, as we share in Christ’s passion, and endure for His sake. As we do, we realize the depth to which we are not just identified as His people, but that we are united with Him, in every way.
Fiery Trials aren’t Surprising?
How can it not be strange?
How can we be hospitable – how can we embrace the trials
How can we share/commune in His passion?
As we begin to read this section of Peter’s epistle, Peter’s words are troublesome. He indicates that we shouldn’t be surprised, that we should recognize burning trials as something which is not strange. The word for surprise is the same as strange, and comes from the same word as hospitable, and to welcome the object of the sentence, in this case the fiery tests.
There is a temptation to applying this passage to all of life, and sometimes, it seems that Siddharta was right when he said “all life is suffering”. But there is something specific to this passion, to this suffering. It is not just the complications and penalties for the sins we commit, but rather those things that happen because we live in relationship to God, and it shows.
I sometimes think we are cautious about talking about our relationship with God, because of such embarrassment. We don’t want people to think we blindly trust God, or don’t have all the answers. We are afraid of being marked as lunatics, like those who claim the sky is falling, or that we must fear the ever closer time of Christ’s return. Perhaps we are afraid of offending them, or being insulted ourselves. Maybe it isn’t sharing our faith, but reaching out to help someone, and we are afraid to risk? Or standing up for what is right by God’s standards, even if it means we go without, or don’t get as good of a situation. Even if we lose a friend, or a position, or a home. Such occurs in the kingdom of God, it is that simple, yet it becomes something profound.
What makes it challenging for us to embrace these things is our human nature. We want what we want, what we think is fair and reasonable. How can we do what Peter urges us toward, to humble ourselves, to realize that we are being guided and cared for under God’s hand, under His authority? Or do we, like so much of the world, determine that it is up to us, to set things the way they should be, the way we want? When we think that resisting Satan is about our strength of character, our faithfulness.
How can some neglect such a gospel
The issue isn’t obeying the gospel – you don’t obey news
a-peitheo – apathy – you just aren’t…. convinced.
Where do you see yourself?
It’s funny how translations can subtly shift our perspective. This epistle of Peter has frustrated me, as I look at it. In verse 17 it asks what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel. I hope that phrasing stands out, and makes you ask – “how do you “obey” good news?” For that is what it claims – the reason they will be punished is disobedience. It is not dis-obedience as much as apathy. The word is the negative of persuaded or convinced, that those who are ungodly and sinners are those who cannot bring themselves to trust, they are apathetic (which is the word’s root) to what God has promised, to the news that Jesus has saved and delivered us.
They don’t see this as the center of their life, they struggle with realizing that everything else they are, needs to be seen through God’s eyes, through the passion He has for them.
I should be the first to admit, that when I take my eyes off the cross, when I forget how central the fact that “He is Risen!”; it is then when I struggle just like those who do not trust, who cannot bring themselves to trust. They need to know the same thing we do when we encounter hard times. That it is not about us, that it is not about our entrusting ourselves to Christ.
It’s about knowing we have been entrusted to His care.
It is He who embraces you
When you endure for His sake
It proves His work successful
We aren’t just labeled His people
We are united with Him..
Therefore v. 10
Our response v.11
The “so what” to the resurrection is our being more than just identified with Christ. We become united with Him. Our ability to endure is really His obedience seen in our lives. That is how integrated we are, how united we are with Jesus, the effect of being crucified with Him, and being quickened to new life with God. That is why Paul writes to the church in Ephesus,
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
That we would have the same passion, the same ability to tolerate insults, comes not from our personal strength, but from the promise found in our Baptism – God is with us. We aren’t called Christians just because we like the philosophy and the teachings, or because we like ancient hymns and modern praise songs and liturgy. Everything about our faith points to our relationship with Him, our unity with Him.
From our baptism, to the feast that is a foretaste of the feast of the churches marriage to Christ – to the cleansing absolution – even to the Old Testament – it all screams this truth.
We are His, and we see His work in our lives, and look forward to its completion. Even as He has written,
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
The promise there is clear – we are called to share in His eternal glory with Him. The sins long washed away, the scars from them healed, the promise of His ministering to us and through us there all the time….as He restores and builds up, strengthens and sets us in place.
That is the result of the resurrection, our hope is secured, our lives lived in His peace, with the Holy Spirit’s continual prompting reminding us of His love,
Knowing that, knowing we are one with our Lord, yes, we can endure… knowing we are guarded, and promised His peace – rejoice and be glad! …. For we are in Christ, and He is our reigning and risen Lord.
To Him be the honor and glory and power and dominion forever!
AMEN?
7th Week of Easter, July 5th 2011
So What? We’ve Become One
I Peter 4:12-19, 5:6-8
† IN JESUS NAME †
My dear friends, God the Father has had His eye on each one of you, and has committed the work of the Holy Spirit to ensuring you hear and grasp the love revealed to you in the sacrifice of Christ. Knowing this, may you rejoice in His mercy, and be at peace!
Princess Bride - Duel to the Pain
What are you willing to endure pain for?
What are you that passionate about?
In all the movies I have seen, there is one duel that stands out. The hero, barely able to stand, just barely back from being “mostly dead”, is challenged by the conceited and evil Prince Humperdink.
The Prince challenges Wesley to a duel to the death, for that is how classic movies usually end. Wesley however, still lying down, weak and exhausted, indicates it will not be duel to the death, but to the pain. Westley then begins to describe how he will carve up the evil one, and here is the end of that dialog,
Humperdinck: [exasperated] And then my ears. I understand! Let's get on with it —
Westley: WRONG! Your ears you keep, and I'll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, "Dear God, what is that thing?" will echo in your perfect ears. That is what "to the pain" means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever.
Humperdinck: I think you're bluffing.
Westley: It's possible, Pig, I might be bluffing. It's conceivable, you miserable, vomitous mass, that I'm only lying here because I lack the strength to stand. But, then again... perhaps I have the strength after all.
And as he rises up, sword in hand outstretched in a classic dueling stance, the conceited and evil prince throws down his sword and runs into the bowels of the castle.
Classic movie!
But it brings out an interesting point. Many of us would claim, or would like to claim that we can do the honorable thing and suffer death for someone we love, and maybe even for our faith. Even so, would we endure suffering? Would we embrace it, and to what extent?
What in life are we so passionate about, that we would endure death, or even intense suffering and shame, and embrace it, consider the benefit so much greater than the cost?
Peter’s epistle tells us, that we, the beloved of God, actually do so, as we share in Christ’s passion, and endure for His sake. As we do, we realize the depth to which we are not just identified as His people, but that we are united with Him, in every way.
Fiery Trials aren’t Surprising?
How can it not be strange?
How can we be hospitable – how can we embrace the trials
How can we share/commune in His passion?
As we begin to read this section of Peter’s epistle, Peter’s words are troublesome. He indicates that we shouldn’t be surprised, that we should recognize burning trials as something which is not strange. The word for surprise is the same as strange, and comes from the same word as hospitable, and to welcome the object of the sentence, in this case the fiery tests.
There is a temptation to applying this passage to all of life, and sometimes, it seems that Siddharta was right when he said “all life is suffering”. But there is something specific to this passion, to this suffering. It is not just the complications and penalties for the sins we commit, but rather those things that happen because we live in relationship to God, and it shows.
I sometimes think we are cautious about talking about our relationship with God, because of such embarrassment. We don’t want people to think we blindly trust God, or don’t have all the answers. We are afraid of being marked as lunatics, like those who claim the sky is falling, or that we must fear the ever closer time of Christ’s return. Perhaps we are afraid of offending them, or being insulted ourselves. Maybe it isn’t sharing our faith, but reaching out to help someone, and we are afraid to risk? Or standing up for what is right by God’s standards, even if it means we go without, or don’t get as good of a situation. Even if we lose a friend, or a position, or a home. Such occurs in the kingdom of God, it is that simple, yet it becomes something profound.
What makes it challenging for us to embrace these things is our human nature. We want what we want, what we think is fair and reasonable. How can we do what Peter urges us toward, to humble ourselves, to realize that we are being guided and cared for under God’s hand, under His authority? Or do we, like so much of the world, determine that it is up to us, to set things the way they should be, the way we want? When we think that resisting Satan is about our strength of character, our faithfulness.
How can some neglect such a gospel
The issue isn’t obeying the gospel – you don’t obey news
a-peitheo – apathy – you just aren’t…. convinced.
Where do you see yourself?
It’s funny how translations can subtly shift our perspective. This epistle of Peter has frustrated me, as I look at it. In verse 17 it asks what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel. I hope that phrasing stands out, and makes you ask – “how do you “obey” good news?” For that is what it claims – the reason they will be punished is disobedience. It is not dis-obedience as much as apathy. The word is the negative of persuaded or convinced, that those who are ungodly and sinners are those who cannot bring themselves to trust, they are apathetic (which is the word’s root) to what God has promised, to the news that Jesus has saved and delivered us.
They don’t see this as the center of their life, they struggle with realizing that everything else they are, needs to be seen through God’s eyes, through the passion He has for them.
I should be the first to admit, that when I take my eyes off the cross, when I forget how central the fact that “He is Risen!”; it is then when I struggle just like those who do not trust, who cannot bring themselves to trust. They need to know the same thing we do when we encounter hard times. That it is not about us, that it is not about our entrusting ourselves to Christ.
It’s about knowing we have been entrusted to His care.
It is He who embraces you
When you endure for His sake
It proves His work successful
We aren’t just labeled His people
We are united with Him..
Therefore v. 10
Our response v.11
The “so what” to the resurrection is our being more than just identified with Christ. We become united with Him. Our ability to endure is really His obedience seen in our lives. That is how integrated we are, how united we are with Jesus, the effect of being crucified with Him, and being quickened to new life with God. That is why Paul writes to the church in Ephesus,
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
That we would have the same passion, the same ability to tolerate insults, comes not from our personal strength, but from the promise found in our Baptism – God is with us. We aren’t called Christians just because we like the philosophy and the teachings, or because we like ancient hymns and modern praise songs and liturgy. Everything about our faith points to our relationship with Him, our unity with Him.
From our baptism, to the feast that is a foretaste of the feast of the churches marriage to Christ – to the cleansing absolution – even to the Old Testament – it all screams this truth.
We are His, and we see His work in our lives, and look forward to its completion. Even as He has written,
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)
The promise there is clear – we are called to share in His eternal glory with Him. The sins long washed away, the scars from them healed, the promise of His ministering to us and through us there all the time….as He restores and builds up, strengthens and sets us in place.
That is the result of the resurrection, our hope is secured, our lives lived in His peace, with the Holy Spirit’s continual prompting reminding us of His love,
Knowing that, knowing we are one with our Lord, yes, we can endure… knowing we are guarded, and promised His peace – rejoice and be glad! …. For we are in Christ, and He is our reigning and risen Lord.
To Him be the honor and glory and power and dominion forever!
AMEN?
