What strikes me about this week's commandment is that as Christians, we carry the name of Christ. As a result, it's our responsibility not to take the Lord's name in vain, not only in how we speak, but in how we live. It's our joy to allow others to see the Christ clearly in us.
This series on the 10 Commandments that Andrew's been leading us through has been quite amazing. I expected 10 weeks of constrictive Thou Shalt Nots, and what I'm realising is that we have 10 weeks (an entire lifetime!) of freedom giving You Get Tos.
UPDATE: A short summary of this morning's sermon is available to listen to in mp3 format. Click here to download the file.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 19
Graven images: what is seen
Imagery is powerful. When I've studied ancient Christian thinkers who argued against the use of images in worship, I've been able to understand why they wrote so strongly against graven images. We know that we are flawed and fallen people, we know that we are weak of will and changeable in spirit. As we read from Exodus this morning, we know the temptation to clasp to what is seen in our moments of weakness and trouble. There is a risk to the use of imagery, the risk of clinging to the image and refusing to see past it.
But there is great potential, too. There is the possibility of new thoughts, new feelings, new expressions of faith. An idea, a concept, depicted through art, may be presented in a new and compelling way, compelling our thoughts, compelling us to new understanding. Because imagery can be so powerful, it can challenge us. It can force us to envision things in a new way.
We must not grave an image and then view the image as truth, as the totality of God. As Andrew noted during the sermon this morning, reducing our vision of God to a physical depiction is the problem. But using images to challenge our concept of God - such as not merely depicting Jesus as a blond-haired, blue eyed, fair skinned man, or imaging God the Father as a Mother - not only keeps us from the sin of worshipping the image, but it broadens our understanding of the Divine. It propels us into a more dynamic relationship with the LORD. I had the privilege of sharing my thoughts on how our understanding of God's identity informs our relationship with Her during a sermon this summer up at Gracefield.
As Paul wrote to the Christians of Corinth, "So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Approaching our images as a momentary impression of the Almighty, as a tiny glimpse of Her Great Infinity can be beautiful, powerful, and helpful. But there is the risk of sin: we proceed with caution.
:: Darlene
Imagery is powerful. When I've studied ancient Christian thinkers who argued against the use of images in worship, I've been able to understand why they wrote so strongly against graven images. We know that we are flawed and fallen people, we know that we are weak of will and changeable in spirit. As we read from Exodus this morning, we know the temptation to clasp to what is seen in our moments of weakness and trouble. There is a risk to the use of imagery, the risk of clinging to the image and refusing to see past it.
But there is great potential, too. There is the possibility of new thoughts, new feelings, new expressions of faith. An idea, a concept, depicted through art, may be presented in a new and compelling way, compelling our thoughts, compelling us to new understanding. Because imagery can be so powerful, it can challenge us. It can force us to envision things in a new way.
We must not grave an image and then view the image as truth, as the totality of God. As Andrew noted during the sermon this morning, reducing our vision of God to a physical depiction is the problem. But using images to challenge our concept of God - such as not merely depicting Jesus as a blond-haired, blue eyed, fair skinned man, or imaging God the Father as a Mother - not only keeps us from the sin of worshipping the image, but it broadens our understanding of the Divine. It propels us into a more dynamic relationship with the LORD. I had the privilege of sharing my thoughts on how our understanding of God's identity informs our relationship with Her during a sermon this summer up at Gracefield.
As Paul wrote to the Christians of Corinth, "So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Approaching our images as a momentary impression of the Almighty, as a tiny glimpse of Her Great Infinity can be beautiful, powerful, and helpful. But there is the risk of sin: we proceed with caution.
:: Darlene
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday, September 12
I'm a little late getting this up, but there was so much to think about from this morning's service - so many images as well - the warning buoys, and my favourite - has anyone ever thought about God being the top button before??
As we start a new congregational year, a new year in the Jewish calendar, a new season after the Feast of Eid in the Muslim faith, and a new academic year for some of us, it was indeed good to be guided back to the Word of God through the commandments. I am intrigued to follow the next sermons to see how we can discern the Speaker (God) from, by and through His Ten Words (the commandments)and how that Word will be revealed as Flesh (Jesus Christ).
Today's intro focused on the preamble that was read about God introducing himself and I think here it's good to think of all meanings of "introduce" - God inserted himself into the lives of the Hebrew slaves and presented Himself to them - "I am God, your God, who brought you out of the and of Egypt, out of a life of slavery."
This is an active God, clearly. Our minister paused on this point for a bit, and it made me wonder - how well do we hear God's Word or words to us today? Rarely do people claim to have heard or spoken with God, and even if they did, they may not be fully believed. "How is God active in our lives?", our minister asked the congregation. "How are we active in God's Word?" is another question that we may benefit from pondering. I know I will.
As we continue through a discussion of the Commandments, I want to keep an open mind - the laws are here to set us free from distractions that distance us from God. This afternoon, I went to the Pop Art show at the National Gallery and saw a T-Shirt by Keith Haring that said something like "Save Me From the Things I Like" superimposed over a cross. This is not meant irreverently, and I hope not to offend, but I found it a good companion piece to the sermon. The commandments really are the bobbing buoys on the water - marking dangers that are unseen as we start out in our ship this first Sunday of a new year.
As we start a new congregational year, a new year in the Jewish calendar, a new season after the Feast of Eid in the Muslim faith, and a new academic year for some of us, it was indeed good to be guided back to the Word of God through the commandments. I am intrigued to follow the next sermons to see how we can discern the Speaker (God) from, by and through His Ten Words (the commandments)and how that Word will be revealed as Flesh (Jesus Christ).
Today's intro focused on the preamble that was read about God introducing himself and I think here it's good to think of all meanings of "introduce" - God inserted himself into the lives of the Hebrew slaves and presented Himself to them - "I am God, your God, who brought you out of the and of Egypt, out of a life of slavery."
This is an active God, clearly. Our minister paused on this point for a bit, and it made me wonder - how well do we hear God's Word or words to us today? Rarely do people claim to have heard or spoken with God, and even if they did, they may not be fully believed. "How is God active in our lives?", our minister asked the congregation. "How are we active in God's Word?" is another question that we may benefit from pondering. I know I will.
As we continue through a discussion of the Commandments, I want to keep an open mind - the laws are here to set us free from distractions that distance us from God. This afternoon, I went to the Pop Art show at the National Gallery and saw a T-Shirt by Keith Haring that said something like "Save Me From the Things I Like" superimposed over a cross. This is not meant irreverently, and I hope not to offend, but I found it a good companion piece to the sermon. The commandments really are the bobbing buoys on the water - marking dangers that are unseen as we start out in our ship this first Sunday of a new year.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, September 5
Paul, ten-thousand hours and The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit
Listening to today's sermon reminded me of The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, which explored the search for contentment in the emerging materialism of the 1950s. It struck a cord at the time because the consumerism of the post-war boom, which held such promise for a generation that endured the Depression and the war, was beginning to wear thin. As Andrew pointed out today, Paul promise is that we can learn contentment through our faith.
Learning takes effort and more effort than we often realize. No matter the level of talent, the rule-of-thumb is that it takes ten-thousand hours to truly master a skill, be it a musical instrument or trade. It should come as no surprise then that contentment is so illusive. But at least in Christ we have a great teacher.
-Mark
Listening to today's sermon reminded me of The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, which explored the search for contentment in the emerging materialism of the 1950s. It struck a cord at the time because the consumerism of the post-war boom, which held such promise for a generation that endured the Depression and the war, was beginning to wear thin. As Andrew pointed out today, Paul promise is that we can learn contentment through our faith.
Learning takes effort and more effort than we often realize. No matter the level of talent, the rule-of-thumb is that it takes ten-thousand hours to truly master a skill, be it a musical instrument or trade. It should come as no surprise then that contentment is so illusive. But at least in Christ we have a great teacher.
-Mark
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 29
Writing about a church service at St. Andrew’s can be a difficult exercise. It’s hard to know what to emphasize. Some might focus on the storied history of the church, or the famous persons that worshiped there in the past. Others might notice the striking architecture or the beautiful music, or perhaps the diversity of the congregation, which provides a good cross-section of Ottawa as a whole.
All these elements demand the observer’s attention, but when I attend St. Andrew’s the Bible reading and sermon capture my attention the most. I think this is because the word of God provides me with both comfort and challenge for my everyday life: comfort because I am forced to recognize God’s love, and challenge because I am often called to change the ways in which I have misunderstood God and His creation.
Pastor Andrew’s sermon of 29/08/2010 offered both challenge and comfort, with three simple (but important) truths. First, God is near. Second, because God is near we can rejoice, even in suffering. Third, in spite of suffering, there is much good in the world and we should learn to appreciate it.
The idea that God is near some times seems a bit foreign to me. As a Christian I’ve been conditioned to treat God with great reverence and to think of Him as concerned with heavenly things. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds me, however, that God is deeply concerned about my life and about His church. It is a thought that is humbling and empowering at the same time. In addition, the idea that we can rejoice in suffering seems strange. Like most people I tend to rejoice (if that’s the right word) only in times of peace and plenty. Paul tells his readers to rejoice even in suffering, because God remains close to all believers in all circumstances. Finally, like many Christians I am intimidated by the rapid secularization of our country (of the entire Western world it seems), and I have great apprehension for the future, but Paul does not allow Christians to give up on the world. Instead, he insists that we find (and celebrate) everything that is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
While these concepts are challenging to me and disrupt many of my assumptions about the world, they also offer a great deal of comfort. God is near; He isn’t distant or detached. I can rejoice in suffering, because God has not abandoned me; He will heal my suffering in time. Finally, the world is not left to its own devices, rather God urges us (through His servant Paul) to find good in the world: to notice and enjoy it as God’s own creation.
I hope that you will find many messages that will both challenge and comfort you as you continue your journey through life with God at your side.
Harold
All these elements demand the observer’s attention, but when I attend St. Andrew’s the Bible reading and sermon capture my attention the most. I think this is because the word of God provides me with both comfort and challenge for my everyday life: comfort because I am forced to recognize God’s love, and challenge because I am often called to change the ways in which I have misunderstood God and His creation.
Pastor Andrew’s sermon of 29/08/2010 offered both challenge and comfort, with three simple (but important) truths. First, God is near. Second, because God is near we can rejoice, even in suffering. Third, in spite of suffering, there is much good in the world and we should learn to appreciate it.
The idea that God is near some times seems a bit foreign to me. As a Christian I’ve been conditioned to treat God with great reverence and to think of Him as concerned with heavenly things. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds me, however, that God is deeply concerned about my life and about His church. It is a thought that is humbling and empowering at the same time. In addition, the idea that we can rejoice in suffering seems strange. Like most people I tend to rejoice (if that’s the right word) only in times of peace and plenty. Paul tells his readers to rejoice even in suffering, because God remains close to all believers in all circumstances. Finally, like many Christians I am intimidated by the rapid secularization of our country (of the entire Western world it seems), and I have great apprehension for the future, but Paul does not allow Christians to give up on the world. Instead, he insists that we find (and celebrate) everything that is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
While these concepts are challenging to me and disrupt many of my assumptions about the world, they also offer a great deal of comfort. God is near; He isn’t distant or detached. I can rejoice in suffering, because God has not abandoned me; He will heal my suffering in time. Finally, the world is not left to its own devices, rather God urges us (through His servant Paul) to find good in the world: to notice and enjoy it as God’s own creation.
I hope that you will find many messages that will both challenge and comfort you as you continue your journey through life with God at your side.
Harold
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 22
A dark dreary morning>>> How do you feel on this kind of day? Are you discouraged and down heartened because it is not sunny and warm for that special Sunday event that you have waited for all week or did you rise and go to worship to give thanks to God for all he has given to us and to show love and encouragement to your neighbour? Well if you entered worship feeling the first, I am sure you would have left the sanctuary feeing the latter! To me the whole message this morning was,what a beautiful link between the world and it's creator.
Rev. Andrew had such a wonderful story for our children, "God has entrusted to our care one of his greatest treasures, The World". How wonderful to have a tangible example for the children, holding onto the ball/world as an example that we are all to be stewarts in common of God's precious gift to us.
As I ponder the scriptures, hymns and the sermon, I clearly see two ways of digesting the content of the main points that spoke most clearly to me.
"Press on"
"Fight the good fight"
"Forget what lies behind and strain forward"
Clearly , these can be looked at as out and out commands/orders from our Heavenly Father. What a challenge it would be if that was the only way these points could be taken. I know many times this is how I have looked at them. These to me are the times when one is trying to "go it on your own" not looking to God for guidance or seeking to do his will. But Alas!! as Andrew has illistrated to us this morning, these are far from commands but rather kind, warm and loving invitations from God to travel on the pathway with him toward our eternal reward, that ultimate reward of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Press on, the way is not always easy but neither was the way that Jesus trod, High King of heaven, when the battle is done, grant to us heaven's joy.
The energy that one needs to draw on to be able to "Press on",was exemplified in the postlude (Toccata) which Tom shared with us. What a challenging piece of music for the composer, the performer and yes, the listener, Thank you Tom for living the message and sharing your enthusiasim with us.
How do we as a church press on in unity?
How do we get off of the tread mill of life and take time to be with God?
These are my thoughts, please share yours! God Bless
Grant
Rev. Andrew had such a wonderful story for our children, "God has entrusted to our care one of his greatest treasures, The World". How wonderful to have a tangible example for the children, holding onto the ball/world as an example that we are all to be stewarts in common of God's precious gift to us.
As I ponder the scriptures, hymns and the sermon, I clearly see two ways of digesting the content of the main points that spoke most clearly to me.
"Press on"
"Fight the good fight"
"Forget what lies behind and strain forward"
Clearly , these can be looked at as out and out commands/orders from our Heavenly Father. What a challenge it would be if that was the only way these points could be taken. I know many times this is how I have looked at them. These to me are the times when one is trying to "go it on your own" not looking to God for guidance or seeking to do his will. But Alas!! as Andrew has illistrated to us this morning, these are far from commands but rather kind, warm and loving invitations from God to travel on the pathway with him toward our eternal reward, that ultimate reward of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Press on, the way is not always easy but neither was the way that Jesus trod, High King of heaven, when the battle is done, grant to us heaven's joy.
The energy that one needs to draw on to be able to "Press on",was exemplified in the postlude (Toccata) which Tom shared with us. What a challenging piece of music for the composer, the performer and yes, the listener, Thank you Tom for living the message and sharing your enthusiasim with us.
How do we as a church press on in unity?
How do we get off of the tread mill of life and take time to be with God?
These are my thoughts, please share yours! God Bless
Grant
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, August 15
Did you notice Hymn 635 this morning?
It's one thing to be a servant. But it's another thing to allow others to serve you, too.
What about you? Were you served by someone this morning? What did Rev. Williams' Forgiveness sermon teach you?
Brother, sister, let me serve you;
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
It's one thing to be a servant. But it's another thing to allow others to serve you, too.
What about you? Were you served by someone this morning? What did Rev. Williams' Forgiveness sermon teach you?
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