Worship Preview 8.25.24 "Let the Reader Understand... or not?"
First United Methodist Church
8.25.24 This Sunday: 10:30am – “Let the Reader Understand – or not?” Pastor Christopher Eshelman Preaching. Scriptures: Exodus 3-12 (reading Chapter 10), Mark 13, Revelation 8-11.
Last week we focused on chapters 4 and 5 - John of Patmos hearing the assurance that the “Lion of Judah” had conquered and was therefore worthy to open the scroll – and emphasized that when John looked – what he sees is a Lamb, sacrificed and yet living! It is both a reassuring and disturbing image. The lamb is described as having seven eyes and seven horns, symbols of knowledge, awareness, and power. We are reminded that John is “in the Spirit” and having visions. This is a symbolic world he is recounting. His is a call to repentance and faithfulness in his time and ours, not a report of fixed future events.
We talked about the famous 4 horsemen and emphasized how sparsely they are presented – conquest, war, famine and death each just have a couple sentences. And I suggested that represents the realities of the ways of human empire then and now. This week we encounter another level. After the 7th seal is opened, there are a series of trumpet blasts. Here John depicts the destruction as coming specifically from God. Creation and humanity are devastated. At each blast of the trumpet, as much as 1/3 of land, sea, sky and, yes, people are destroyed. We will see this pattern repeated with 7 bowls later in the text. How do we understand these destructive images? We’ll note, that in an early scene “all” grass is destroyed, but a few scenes later, locust are prohibited from harming the grass and trees. What grass? Is this an error? No… Again – these are not jigsaw puzzle pieces revealing a single, fixed image, they are chaotic cut scenes, showing different viewpoints and timeframes. They echo and amplify the warnings of the Old Testament prophets. They are designed to shock us out of complacency and assure us of God’s power over evil. And what of the 7 Thunders which John is told to “seal up” and not write down, and then a scroll which will be sweet, and then bitter? And two mysterious witnesses in Chapter 11?We are reminded even in Revelation; we do not yet see fully and that God is willing to relent and make a way when it seems there is no way.
As we unpack all this, I will have us begin by looking at the familiar story of Moses and Pharoah. How is it that the trumpets and bowls of wrath shown in Revelation disturb us so, while the story of the plagues against Egypt don’t seem to? I think much of it is who we identify with – in the Exodus story, we identify with the Hebrew slaves as we are reading. Why is it we don’t identify with those who have been “sealed” in Revelation (and note again – God’s faithful have been sealed and protected – but NOT whisked away). We will also consider creation – how we understand volcanos, hurricanes, earthquakes and eclipses now is quite different that the way a pre-scientific society would have – yet we are still called to wrestle with how we understand God and the wrath of God against evil. For all his emphasis on God’s grace, Wesley’s organizing cry was to those who wished “to flee from the wrath to come.”. In the Exodus story, it is often said that God is hardening Pharoh’s heart – which would undercut his freewill? Along with all this, we will encounter what is called the “mini apocalypse” with Jesus words from the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. Our emphasis will be on the opportunity for repentance – and how we understand God as revealed in Jesus, the Christ. We want Jesus to walk with us – even as we understand that walk is one of change and repentance!
These are difficult texts – and life is often difficult. It often seems that the wicked have the upper hand – yet God liberates his people, and we are reminded again that the battle has already been won, and that Christ is with us, even as we are still in the midst of struggle. You are invited to join in worship filled with sacred imagination and hopeful assurance, as we gather at 10:30am each Sunday at 301 S National, 10:30am. Blessings on your journey.Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, August 28th 5:30–6:30pm: Feeding Families in His Name resumes after a week of rest – this free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at:
Aging Forward, Friday, September 27th – Aging Forward exists to encourage fellowship and lifelong learning for retired adults, our programs are on the 4th Friday from April to September and are free and open to anyone who would like to attend.
For more info visit: www.firstumcfortscott.org/AgingForward
And look for our Friendship Soup Luncheons to resume at 11:30am on the 4th Friday of October! These meals serve to raise funds for various missions and ministries while encouraging fellowship.
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