"Imagine" a sermon

I am not accustomed to hearing John Lennon's "Imagine" being played at church, but that is what happened one beautiful Sunday morning. As the song played the famous peace symbol made of flowers from New York City was projected onto the wall. The pastor began his sermon calling Imagine a "secular humanist anthem." It was recently sung in the streets of Paris just after the terrorist attacks; and apparently it is sung annually in Times Square in New York.

Imagine is a beautiful song and I am a fan of John Lennon, but unfortunately this 'secular humanist anthem' is an utopian dream naive to spiritual conditions; not the least of which is the existence of both heaven and hell. The latter was not originally intended for man, it was created for a third of the angels-- led by Lucifer-- who rebelled against God.

The pastor in this sermon explains that a broken world is trying to imagine the biblical idea of Shalom, or, Peace. But the God of the Bible's idea of peace will be to "put the entire world back together again", including nature and all of creation ("let heaven and nature sing, heaven and nature sing").

Pastor Paul went on to talk about the rhetoric going on between the two extremes-- pacifism on the left, patriotic war on the right. He went on to juxtapose this with the two extremes of faith-- "reacting to and separating from the culture, or, complete integration with the world" with no thought of being a 'set-apart' people. Pastor Paul said "it's easy to be exteme, and the rhetoric is damaging." Words are powerful and the Bible says "The power of life and death are in the tongue-- proverbs 18:21."

This sermon that utilized John Lennons masterpiece Imagine as its centerpiece, was part of a larger series of sermons on how people develop their 'worldviews': Here is a list of 'summary questions' to ask: 1) what is the prime reality in the universe. 2) what is our nature as human beings. 3) what is the basis of morality. 4) what is the meaning of human history. And 5) what happens to humans at death." These questions get to the heart of how belief shapes peoples perceptions and so their actions. For Christians, there is a clear delineation in the Bible that "God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways-- Isaiah 55:8."

Bob Dylan Quotes

Here's an interesting quote from Bob Dylan in a recent interview: "People's lives today are filled on so many levels with vice and the trappings of it. Ambition, greed and selfishness all have to do with vice. Sooner or later, you have to see through it or you don't survive. We don't see the people that vice destroys. We just see the glamour of it on a daily basis; everywhere we look...we see the destruction of human life and the mockery of it."

I would add a quote from scripture-- “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to

judgment, but those of some men follow later—1^st Timothy 5:24.” What does this mean? That some people’s sins aren't seen in this life, but their sins will be revealed when Christ returns.

I like the second part of the verse as it pertains to those of us who are saved—“Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.” My NKJV Bible explains this by saying “Unnoticed good works will become evident, if not in this life then at the judgment seat of Christ.” God is declaring here that those of us whose works aren't given a platform, or are validated or appreciated by men, will still be rewarded in heaven! I point this truth out because I have stepped out in faith many times yet felt nothing came from my efforts. Nothing I could 'see' that is. This is why we walk by faith and not by sight.

Every time I minister the gospel to someone when I sense a spiritual opening; or share a scripture; or simply sing or hum a hymn in the presence of others; or the many thoughts and prayers I have for others in private. All of these are acts of faith. Not only this, but if I am simply working on transforming myself into the likeness of Christ, then this has an effect in the spiritual realm, which in turn affects this world.

This is great news for us who might feel unnoticed or even ignored at church. This all might seem obvious to some, but for me this scripture is a revelation. It's not easy for me to walk and be confident in what i cannot see. But this is part of my salvation that I have to 'work out' as it deals with my faith and belief. I walk through life sometimes feeling I have no role to play. Then when I feel empty I want to take matters into my own hands. This is reacting out of the flesh-- the old fallen nature which Christ defeated on the cross. So the struggle here is will I be obedient to God's Spirit, or react to life's challenges and frustrations out of the old man, who God's has done away with? We can't often trust our thoughts or feelings, when we put our souls before the Spirit. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak—Matt. 26:41.” I do the best I can with what I know and God is definitely the one carrying me and doing the 'work'. 

Dylan also quotes from the hymn Stand by Me "In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me. When I do the best I can, and my friends don't understand, thou who knowest all about me, stand by me." I Thank the Lord that when you belong to Him, He does not leave you or forsake you. Through all my failings He continues His work in me! And just because people might not acknowledge my spiritual fruit, or include me in their ministries, doesn't mean that God doesn't see my fruit and acknowledge them. This is good news for someone like me who has struggled with the tension between the flesh and the spirit. I've learned the hard way it's not good to have too many expectations, and to watch for selfish motives. So I trust God to make use of me the way He sees fit, and that our rewards come from God in the next world, not from pleasing men.

The Transcendent Game

It took a long time for the good stuff to happen—Pete Carroll

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen—Hebrews 11:1

This is the story of a game that for a moment in time was more than just a game. It was a game that became a divine experience felt by people throughout the Pacific Northwest. And during circumstances that appeared bleak, God chose to reveal something about faith, hope, and perseverance. But this went beyond mere metaphor or sports analogy cliché. This was a supernatural spiritual experience with God being directly involved.

I felt my character being tested during this championship game. The offense had dug an enormous hole for the team by giving up five turnovers to Green Bay. Suddenly a team that had brought so much excitement and unity to our region was losing badly, and in a highly uncharacteristic manner.  I had been to church that morning so I began to think about priorities and what was really important in life.  I told myself the excitement was over and now back to reality. But it was still tough because in a world that is so tainted this Seahawks team offers something different. Not just because they win at their sport but because they are a team made up of players not considered worthy by the system they are in. And these are exactly the types of people God likes to use for His purposes-- But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…--1 Cor.1:27.

For many of us the Seattle Seahawks are a temporary respite from an unjust world, where it’s hard to find unity or joy. But now their charm, magic, grit and resolve appeared to have left them. But this is where the story takes a peculiar turn and where God chose to intervene in a mere game to show us something of the nearly miraculous.

Both the Seahawks defense and running back Marshawn Lynch played like the warriors they are. It was the offensive side of the ball that dug an enormous hole for this team by giving up five turnovers. In particular the burden of this game was on the quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Jermaine Kearse because it was those two who were involved in 4 of the 5 turnovers for the Seahawks. So it became fitting that the two would be involved in the very last throw and catch dagger in overtime that would win the game.

This was a highly unlikely outcome according to statisticians, who gave the Seahawks about a 4% chance of winning the game under the circumstances.  And what amazes me is it wasn’t just the belief, faith, hope and tenacity of a few players. The team as a whole had to keep fighting through the adversity despite mounting evidence their season was coming to an end.  

As the game ended I began to feel something transcendent had occurred. Generally as a Christian we are wary not to understand things according to our feelings, but in this instance I was ‘feeling it’ on a profound level. And I knew Russell Wilson and Jermaine Kearse were feeling God’s faithfulness as well. I knew this by the way they were crying uncontrollably after the win; which was uncharacteristic for both of them. Kearse is typically stoic and tough, while Russell is always composed and likes to speak in clichés. But I also knew something extraordinary had occurred by the reaction of so many of the Seahawks players who were speechless not just after the game but the next day as they tried to process and  characterize what had transpired. I began to realize others were experiencing this as well when a Christian friend called me to talk about it afterward; and I got confirmation on the God inspired event from a few more Christians at my school.     

Why was God’s hand on this game? The player whom I’ve come to regard as the philosopher of the Seahawks—Earl Thomas—just a few weeks prior said that God’s hand was on this team. Many of the Seahawks players are people of real faith who regularly use their platform to give glory and praise to God. Jermaine Kearse, who caught the game winner, went to church after the game! While a lot of worldly success (even in ‘team’ sports) is driven by ego and selfishness; the head coach of the Seahawks Pete Carroll said the players learned this year what it truly means to be a team. And this is what the Body of Christ is: individual talents and distinctiveness used for the team. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

This championship win was more than a typical sports metaphor.  God chose to show up for this game and the Seahawks proved they are a team with mature character traits that bring good things for those who believe. And God showed Himself faithful to the faithful by transcending a bad circumstance and using unlikely people to accomplish this amazing, unlikely victory.  This was merely a moment in time; but it was also  a lesson in how to get transformed by a God that deeply loves and cares for us all. And even though It took a long time for the good stuff to happen we have hope and victory because of Him.