November 5, 2001
In this month of November, I am sharing a different kind of sermon. The last several months I have been sharing sermons that are different in delivery. Last month was a first person sermon, "The Street Sweeper" and it was suggested the pastor dress in costume. The month before was, September, was a sermon on the Psalm 23 where I shared the exegesis from the pulpit.
This month the sermon at the beginning is seen through the eyes of Peter as Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane. I would not dress up, but have the congregation imagine that you are Peter. Then you will proceed into the sermon and preach it as you would normally.
The sermon continues:
Jesus said, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."
"The Passover is now and Jesus will die soon." "How can the Messiah die, and die on a cross and still bring salvation to His people. How? How?"
"I think I nodded off again. Did Jesus come back and find me sleeping?? I hope not. I wanted to stay awake, but my mind is so full of questions, and doubts, and I can't explain this feeling of despair I have in the pit of my stomach."
"Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
"What!!! he wants us to follow him and he is going to be betrayed!! Who? What? Why? I feel sick!!
And Peter goes off to follow Jesus!!!
This contradiction that Peter has in his mind and soul about Jesus, Jesus being the savior of Israel and bringing glory to the land and driving out the Romans, a theology of glory, and Jesus dying on a cross, the theology of the cross, that through brokenness of the cross came the glory of the Easter resurrection, that contradiction is still with us today.
Some see in the theology of glory that if you have faith enough, if you believe enough, then all of life will be glorious. You will have health, wealth and happiness. God brings all glory to life.
For example. When Kurt Warner won the supper bowl, when everything was going well for him, leaving the Barnstormer, making if big in the NFL, he kept thanking God, giving God all the credit. And I asked myself, what happened if it didn't turn out so glorious, would he
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