June 03, 2012
The Whole Earth
By Chris Peters
Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta
The Whole Earth
Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17
Morningside Presbyterian Church
Chris Peters
June 3, 2012
The Whole Earth
Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17
Morningside Presbyterian Church
Chris Peters
June 3, 2012
Last month I spent two weeks serving on staff for Qwest West, a “Spiritual Journey in the West for Young Adults.” Qwest West is whirlwind road trip through parts of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California. On nine of thirteen nights I slept out under the stars. And despite more than two thousand miles of traveling, I was able to find the Big Dipper each night. Whether the Big Dipper was part of a grand canopy of stars at Bryce Canyon in Utah or when the Big Dipper made up the majority of the stars in the sky in LA – it was a constant constellation. And in that constant constellation I was reminded that God’s glory was present wherever we went. I was reminded of God’s creative power and reality. In that constant constellation I encountered God.
Today’s scene from the book of the prophet Isaiah is a dramatic first-person portrayal of God’s glory from scripture. It reads like a grand, Hollywood worthy scene. It is Isaiah’s encounter with God.
At the start we find Isaiah encountering glimpses of God, high and lofty on a throne with just the hem of a seemingly enormous robe visible. God is present, but God is also above and beyond.
If that wasn’t strange enough, the narrative shifts to visions of supernatural beings, seraphs, who themselves cannot face God’s full glory – they cover their faces and feet. We aren’t given full disclosure about Isaiah’s reaction at this point, but I picture him speechless.
Have you ever had one of those speechless moments? Have you ever been humbled to the point of silence?
We often first think of moments of tragedy as ones which leave us speechless, but encounters with God, big and small, may leave us speechless as well. I am often rendered momentarily speechless when our youth reflect on scripture and when they connect it to their lives. When one of our youth connected God’s healing with a desire to support organizations that fight bullying in schools – I was left momentarily speechless in reflection.
Where Isaiah’s human speech fails, these seraphs cry out, “Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
At this proclamation it seems as if all heaven breaks loose – nothing short of a mild earthquake shakes the Temple and smoke fills the room. I wonder if in that moment, Isaiah’s view of God’s grandeur grew dimmer, obscured by the scene around him. And in this moment, as John Calvin wrote, Isaiah is “reduced to nothing.”
We are often reduced to nothing by tragedy, but again, I argue that encounters with God, big and small, may reduce us to nothing in a way that brings self-reflection and openness to renewal. When we find the time for group study of scripture we may often be reduced to nothing. I spent a year with a group of retirees in a Bible Study called Disciple and on many occasions my own assumptions were reduced as my study partners’ discussed their deep love for scripture and the ways it called them to serve others.
As Isaiah is reduced, he cries out, “Woe is me!” Isaiah recognizes his brokenness and lays it out for all to hear – “I am lost for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Like Isaiah, when we encounter God we are guaranteed one thing –that we will be astounded. That we will recognize our brokenness and sinfulness and that we will find ourselves crying out for renewal like Isaiah. “Woe is me!” And did you catch what happens next, the messengers of God bring a response of cleansing and wholeness. The hot coal upon Isaiah’s lips brings renewal. And renewal leads to transformation and transformation requires response.
Isaiah’s almost cinematic encounter with God is one that begins with a glimpse, moves through humility to transformation and from transformation to response to God’s call. It is a powerful encounter with God. The prophet’s response is to proclaim the message God will give even though many will not listen and many will not comprehend.
Isaiah encountered God in a grand way, but that’s not always how it happens. I believe we come to see that the whole Earth is full of God’s glory when we begin to intentionally examine the small moments and encounters in our lives. It may be God being revealed as present creator through the constant constellation, the Big Dipper. It may be God being encountered in the wisdom of a teenager, it may be in a small group Bible Study. And, it may be in the sanctuary, where we come to give thanks to God, and where we encounter God.
What we do in worship is intentional. What we do in worship can strengthens us. Worship provides opportunity for renewal through confession, transformation through an encounter with the Word of God, and response through the offering, through pray for others, and through the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.
We encounter God in all sorts of ways that transform us. As I enter the second week of my summer seminary internship and near the tenth month as Director of Youth Ministry here, I am continually humbled by the ways in which I have encountered God here and by the ways in which I’ve seen others encounter God and respond to God’s call.
I’ve seen it in the beginning of a vital youth ministry. I see it in our youth advisors – faithful adults who I have asked to throw around a rubber chicken at the bottom of the hill before us, risk getting hit with dodge balls on at least a monthly basis, and to stay up throughout the night eating junk food at our first lock-in in January.
I’ve seen it when serving with our youth, specifically at Journey shelter. I’ve seen it in the helpfulness and maturity of our youth and I’ve seen it in the residents who break bread together at Journey. I encountered God in a man, who like me, was new to Atlanta after coming from South Carolina. While I came with the guarantee of the comforts of academic life, he came with no guarantee and a simple hope that he might find a job. After some months he hadn’t found work, but during his time at Journey, Journey had become a place that might help him gain the skills necessary to get back on his feet. This resident was hopeful that things would get better. I encountered God in a resident of journey and in his words of hope.
I have encountered God through my time so far at Morningside. In the midst of those encounters I also see this community encountering God through worship and I see you responding to God by saying, “Here am I! Send me!”
I’ve seen it on Sunday nights when a number of you have shown up throughout the year to provide a meal for our youth and advisors. Whether we’re eating pizza or filet mignon – well, we haven’t had filet mignon yet, but if you’d like to provide some in the fall, please see me after the service or contact Tish Wooley.
I’ve seen it in many gracious and delicious meals. I’ve seen that Morningside is a “send me” congregation through the seemingly countless auction fundraiser items and bids – though I know where I lose track our Youth Committee could quickly give you the exact numbers of items donated and purchased.
I’ve seen that Morningside is a “send me” congregation through this spring’s Habitat build, last fall’s mission trip to Haiti, and through ongoing supply collections for places and people that many of us may never see.
I see people encountering God in this very sanctuary. I see you saying, “Here am I. Send me!” Morningside is a “send me” congregation.
Isaiah encountered God in a dramatic, smoke-filled temple and he was transformed. As Christians we encounter God as Creator, as redeemer in Jesus Christ and as sustainer in the Holy Spirit. In Romans, Paul recognizes the need for renewal – or as he calls it, “putting to death the deeds of the body.” Paul affirms us as well writing, “14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.
When we cry out to God, like Isaiah, the Spirit is moving. And, as we see from Isaiah, we cry out not just for renewal, but also in response to what God’s call.
Before coming to Columbia Seminary and to Morningside I worked with the Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. Ellen would send the congregation out by beginning her charge and benediction by saying, “now the service begins.”
Now the service begins. From encounter and worship we are sent out to proclaim in word and in service. What’s next for you? Where will you serve?
Where our worship ends, our service begins. When we go out we proclaim the good news that we have found at the table of the Lord’s Supper. Now as we consider what comes next in our response to God’s call, let us come to the table. When we join in this ancient meal we encounter God, and we are transformed.
We are strengthened when we come to this table. When we break bread and drink the fruit of the vine as Jesus did on the night of his arrest, three days before he rose again. This meal nourishes us unlike any other to go out and to serve. In this meal we are unified as believers. In this meal we remember the pain of Good Friday that moves us to the hope of Easter. When we come to the table, we encounter God. And when we encounter God we are transformed.
Children of God, let us worship as our response to our own encounter with God’s grace as revealed in Christ. Let us come to the table as our response to our own encounters with God’s grace as revealed in Christ. Let us come to the table to be nourished to respond to God’s call that cries out for grace, for justice, for inclusion, and for love! And from this table let us go out, living in response to God’s grace in Christ!
To God be the glory. Amen.
The Whole Earth
Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17
Morningside Presbyterian Church
Chris Peters
June 3, 2012
The Whole Earth
Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17
Morningside Presbyterian Church
Chris Peters
June 3, 2012
Last month I spent two weeks serving on staff for Qwest West, a “Spiritual Journey in the West for Young Adults.” Qwest West is whirlwind road trip through parts of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California. On nine of thirteen nights I slept out under the stars. And despite more than two thousand miles of traveling, I was able to find the Big Dipper each night. Whether the Big Dipper was part of a grand canopy of stars at Bryce Canyon in Utah or when the Big Dipper made up the majority of the stars in the sky in LA – it was a constant constellation. And in that constant constellation I was reminded that God’s glory was present wherever we went. I was reminded of God’s creative power and reality. In that constant constellation I encountered God.
Today’s scene from the book of the prophet Isaiah is a dramatic first-person portrayal of God’s glory from scripture. It reads like a grand, Hollywood worthy scene. It is Isaiah’s encounter with God.
At the start we find Isaiah encountering glimpses of God, high and lofty on a throne with just the hem of a seemingly enormous robe visible. God is present, but God is also above and beyond.
If that wasn’t strange enough, the narrative shifts to visions of supernatural beings, seraphs, who themselves cannot face God’s full glory – they cover their faces and feet. We aren’t given full disclosure about Isaiah’s reaction at this point, but I picture him speechless.
Have you ever had one of those speechless moments? Have you ever been humbled to the point of silence?
We often first think of moments of tragedy as ones which leave us speechless, but encounters with God, big and small, may leave us speechless as well. I am often rendered momentarily speechless when our youth reflect on scripture and when they connect it to their lives. When one of our youth connected God’s healing with a desire to support organizations that fight bullying in schools – I was left momentarily speechless in reflection.
Where Isaiah’s human speech fails, these seraphs cry out, “Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
At this proclamation it seems as if all heaven breaks loose – nothing short of a mild earthquake shakes the Temple and smoke fills the room. I wonder if in that moment, Isaiah’s view of God’s grandeur grew dimmer, obscured by the scene around him. And in this moment, as John Calvin wrote, Isaiah is “reduced to nothing.”
We are often reduced to nothing by tragedy, but again, I argue that encounters with God, big and small, may reduce us to nothing in a way that brings self-reflection and openness to renewal. When we find the time for group study of scripture we may often be reduced to nothing. I spent a year with a group of retirees in a Bible Study called Disciple and on many occasions my own assumptions were reduced as my study partners’ discussed their deep love for scripture and the ways it called them to serve others.
As Isaiah is reduced, he cries out, “Woe is me!” Isaiah recognizes his brokenness and lays it out for all to hear – “I am lost for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Like Isaiah, when we encounter God we are guaranteed one thing –that we will be astounded. That we will recognize our brokenness and sinfulness and that we will find ourselves crying out for renewal like Isaiah. “Woe is me!” And did you catch what happens next, the messengers of God bring a response of cleansing and wholeness. The hot coal upon Isaiah’s lips brings renewal. And renewal leads to transformation and transformation requires response.
Isaiah’s almost cinematic encounter with God is one that begins with a glimpse, moves through humility to transformation and from transformation to response to God’s call. It is a powerful encounter with God. The prophet’s response is to proclaim the message God will give even though many will not listen and many will not comprehend.
Isaiah encountered God in a grand way, but that’s not always how it happens. I believe we come to see that the whole Earth is full of God’s glory when we begin to intentionally examine the small moments and encounters in our lives. It may be God being revealed as present creator through the constant constellation, the Big Dipper. It may be God being encountered in the wisdom of a teenager, it may be in a small group Bible Study. And, it may be in the sanctuary, where we come to give thanks to God, and where we encounter God.
What we do in worship is intentional. What we do in worship can strengthens us. Worship provides opportunity for renewal through confession, transformation through an encounter with the Word of God, and response through the offering, through pray for others, and through the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.
We encounter God in all sorts of ways that transform us. As I enter the second week of my summer seminary internship and near the tenth month as Director of Youth Ministry here, I am continually humbled by the ways in which I have encountered God here and by the ways in which I’ve seen others encounter God and respond to God’s call.
I’ve seen it in the beginning of a vital youth ministry. I see it in our youth advisors – faithful adults who I have asked to throw around a rubber chicken at the bottom of the hill before us, risk getting hit with dodge balls on at least a monthly basis, and to stay up throughout the night eating junk food at our first lock-in in January.
I’ve seen it when serving with our youth, specifically at Journey shelter. I’ve seen it in the helpfulness and maturity of our youth and I’ve seen it in the residents who break bread together at Journey. I encountered God in a man, who like me, was new to Atlanta after coming from South Carolina. While I came with the guarantee of the comforts of academic life, he came with no guarantee and a simple hope that he might find a job. After some months he hadn’t found work, but during his time at Journey, Journey had become a place that might help him gain the skills necessary to get back on his feet. This resident was hopeful that things would get better. I encountered God in a resident of journey and in his words of hope.
I have encountered God through my time so far at Morningside. In the midst of those encounters I also see this community encountering God through worship and I see you responding to God by saying, “Here am I! Send me!”
I’ve seen it on Sunday nights when a number of you have shown up throughout the year to provide a meal for our youth and advisors. Whether we’re eating pizza or filet mignon – well, we haven’t had filet mignon yet, but if you’d like to provide some in the fall, please see me after the service or contact Tish Wooley.
I’ve seen it in many gracious and delicious meals. I’ve seen that Morningside is a “send me” congregation through the seemingly countless auction fundraiser items and bids – though I know where I lose track our Youth Committee could quickly give you the exact numbers of items donated and purchased.
I’ve seen that Morningside is a “send me” congregation through this spring’s Habitat build, last fall’s mission trip to Haiti, and through ongoing supply collections for places and people that many of us may never see.
I see people encountering God in this very sanctuary. I see you saying, “Here am I. Send me!” Morningside is a “send me” congregation.
Isaiah encountered God in a dramatic, smoke-filled temple and he was transformed. As Christians we encounter God as Creator, as redeemer in Jesus Christ and as sustainer in the Holy Spirit. In Romans, Paul recognizes the need for renewal – or as he calls it, “putting to death the deeds of the body.” Paul affirms us as well writing, “14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.
When we cry out to God, like Isaiah, the Spirit is moving. And, as we see from Isaiah, we cry out not just for renewal, but also in response to what God’s call.
Before coming to Columbia Seminary and to Morningside I worked with the Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. Ellen would send the congregation out by beginning her charge and benediction by saying, “now the service begins.”
Now the service begins. From encounter and worship we are sent out to proclaim in word and in service. What’s next for you? Where will you serve?
Where our worship ends, our service begins. When we go out we proclaim the good news that we have found at the table of the Lord’s Supper. Now as we consider what comes next in our response to God’s call, let us come to the table. When we join in this ancient meal we encounter God, and we are transformed.
We are strengthened when we come to this table. When we break bread and drink the fruit of the vine as Jesus did on the night of his arrest, three days before he rose again. This meal nourishes us unlike any other to go out and to serve. In this meal we are unified as believers. In this meal we remember the pain of Good Friday that moves us to the hope of Easter. When we come to the table, we encounter God. And when we encounter God we are transformed.
Children of God, let us worship as our response to our own encounter with God’s grace as revealed in Christ. Let us come to the table as our response to our own encounters with God’s grace as revealed in Christ. Let us come to the table to be nourished to respond to God’s call that cries out for grace, for justice, for inclusion, and for love! And from this table let us go out, living in response to God’s grace in Christ!
To God be the glory. Amen.
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