"In Joy
Disbelieving"
The text of the partially
unscripted version of the sermon delivered by Rev.
Kirk Moore on Sunday,
April 26, 2009 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.
PODCAST of "In Joy Disbelieving"
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The story
It was too soon for these early followers of Jesus to grasp the resurrection. Forget whether they would believe it actually happened at some time in the future or whether Bible scholars would debate it's validity a couple thousand years later. These followers were still reeling from the death of their leader -- and now there were reports that he was back! This week's Bible reading is from Luke 24:36b-48.
I can imagine feelings of sadness, anguish, fear, helplessness and hopelessness from these followers. And then Jesus was with them and said, 'Peace be with you." I think it's the kind of statement that in this case diffused all the fear and sadness and uneasiness around -- or at least most of it.
Jesus still had some convincing to do. He showed them his hands and feet. He ate broiled fish (hopefully with some good spices) in front of them to prove that he was flesh and blood and not some kind of ghost. And this week's reading says that he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
It must've been quite a rush. I don't know what they experienced, but I imagine something like a long-closed door opening to an undiscovered room in a house -- or maybe a fresh breeze blowing into a long-sealed cave.
Then Jesus gave them a job. "You are witnesses of these things." They were to go and tell the story.
If you’d experienced all that – how would you describe that story?
There was Jesus. We thought he was a ghost. He told us he was real – he showed us! Then he ate some fish and told us to go and tell the story.
After some time, I’m sure folks got things together to tell the story more coherently and more completely.
But at first?
Maybe all they could do is look at each other and be in joy disbelieving.
Not - "I don’t believe this – and no way can you prove it to me."
Not – "There’s got to be a logical explanation for this – no sense thinking it’s something extraordinary."
But "What just happened?!?!"
What just happened?
What just happened moments are those that don’t have an explanation or easy description. Sometimes folks call them "You had to be there" moments.
What just happened moments are often game changers.
Jesus resurrection was a game changer. Jesus appearance to folks after he had been dead and was now resurrected was a game changer.
What just happened moments aren’t really something you can plan. But it doesn’t mean that this morning I’m not going to try.
It’s time for a game changer. It’s time for a "What just happened?" moment.
Immerse yourself
The United Church of Christ’s 2009 General Synod theme is "Immerse Yourself"
Get soaking wet. Immerse yourself in loving God and each other fully and authentically. Immerse yourself in a life that encourages others to do the same.
And part of the Immerse yourself plan is creating a photo mosaic – one filled with pictures of people getting soaking wet – immersing themselves in what God inspires.
We’re going to take some pictures TODAY for that mosaic – and for our own photo montage –
I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to think about how that’s going to work this morning with what I call a ‘sort of subterranean’ music video for "Immerse Yourself."
Mention Bob Dylan – His "Subterranean Homesick Blues" provides inspiration for this brief music video. Mr. Dylan has a new record (Together through life) coming out this week!
After video take several "Immerse yourself" photos with various immerse yourself cards.
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At the end:
These are pictures – and may we be inspired by what we’ve experienced here today to tell the story – to live the story -- to share a "what just happened" experience as we live authentically and completely God’s love—and be in joy disbelieving.
Close with prayer.
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