Sermon: Wait on the Lord, 2 Peter 3:8-15
Sermon preached at a Lutheran congregation last week. I was guest preaching, so I had to make more general context assumptions than usual. I enjoyed exploring advent waiting in regards to Christ’s second coming, but continue to wonder how such ideas are best put into practice.
Wait on the Lord
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Advent means “coming.” I don’t need to tell good Lutherans that. This is a season of waiting, of expectation, for Christ’s coming on Christmas Day. So with the whole church, we wait: lighting candles, singing services, counting down each Sunday until, with Christmas joy, we celebrate God’s incarnation. Waiting, faithfully, for Christ’s coming at Christmas.
But there’s another side to Christ’s coming, one that, generally speaking, us mainline Christians get a bit nervous to discuss. It’s the reason, after Charles sent me today’s lections, that I had some second thoughts about preaching at tonight’s service. This reason gives some of us hope to get out of bed each morning, and for others, it’s the farthest thing from our minds, a scary and strange idea that we just rather not consider.
Advent means “coming” in another way: Christ’s “second coming.” Christ’s return. –and it’s not all elves and reindeers, and would you believe this: my Bible doesn’t have one mention of snow flakes falling while chestnuts roast over an open fire?!
Tonight’s lection from 2 Peter is all about Christ’s coming again, “The day of the Lord” Peter calls it, but that day isn’t December 25th at all. … Continue Reading
CTS Chapel Sermon: "Flood" from Genesis 6
When this post goes live I’ll be in Harrington Chapel preaching the sermon below. I would hesitate to preach a sermon with this sort of form in, well, most every congregation I know. But the Columbia community isn’t your average congregation. As I heard a student say one, “Chapel is difficult to lead because it’s a community of professional worshipers.” That’s about right so the sermon form and content reflects the context. It’s experimental, in a way. It plays with images and concepts without fully explaining. It assumes a congregation that really enjoys wrestling with tough theology. It connects things quickly, and without much explanation: flood, death, baptism, climate change, resurrection. It is what it is, but it was fun, at least, to write.
Depending when I get it, I may put up video later.
Genesis 6:5-22
The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out from the earth the human beings I have created–people together with animals and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord.
These are the descendants of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its heigh thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.
But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and yours sons’ wives with you. And of every living thing, of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female.
Of the birds according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, of every animal, two of every kind shall come in to you, to keep them alive. Also take with you every kind of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them.” Noah did this; he did all that God had commanded him.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Adam J. Copeland
September 30, 2008
Columbia Theological Seminary Chapel
Flood
[Refrain]
God said, For my part, I am going to bring a flood of waters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. (But…)
A second flood is coming. Just like the last, caused by human sin.. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a body made up of the world’s top scientists, reports the harrowing data. Around the world, snow cover is diminishing. Temperatures are increasing. And ocean levels are slowly and dangerously rising.
The IPCC, known for its accurate though conservative evaluations, estimates that average global temperatures will rise between 1 and 6 degrees centigrade (up to ten degrees Fahrenheit) in the next 90 years.
Models project extinctions of more than 50% of the earth’s species. As snow cover and ice caps melt, sea levels will rise, best estimated between 3 and 20 feet this century. Sea level rises affect the world’s poorest, as 50% of the earth’s population lives near rivers and oceans. Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest countries, is projected to lose 20% of its land if sea levels rise just 3 feet, displacing millions.
Islands will disappear. Animals, plants, and humans beings, will die. A second flood is coming. … Continue Reading
Sermon: Matthew 20, "Not Fair, Generous"
I supply preached in a small congregation in Jackson this morning, a very enjoyable experience. The manuscript is below. The actual sermon came out a bit different, as delivery without a mic in a sanctuary with five pews on each side calls for a different tone than in St. Columba which holds 800.
Matthew 20:1-16
Adam J. Copeland
Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Jackson GA
Not Fair, Generous
I.
The disciples were getting squirrely. After following this Jesus guy all over the countryside, dodging unruly crowds, meeting unclean uncouth strangers, and living with a ragtag bunch of Jesus-following misfits, the disciples wanted to see some dividends on their investment. They wanted to be sure their reward in heaven was guaranteed, that Jesus understood the severity of their sacrifice.
And surely the life of a disciple was no walk in the park. We can’t blame them for trying to confirm their future with Jesus wasn’t in Lehman Brothers or AIG stock, but first-rate government insured bonds.
So right before our parable for today, Peter asked, “Say Jesus, um, for those of us who have left everything and followed you. What will be our reward?” Fair question, don’t you think?
Jesus replied, “At the renewal of all things, you who have followed me will sit on twelve jeweled thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Don’t you worry one bit Peter, everyone who left their loved ones for me will receive one hundred fold, and will inherit eternal life.”
Whew! Peter thought, relieved and affirmed. Easy street for me.
“Oh, but there’s one thing I forgot to mention,” Jesus says. “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” … Continue Reading
Sermon: "One Body in Christ," Romans 12:1-8
Romans 12:1-8
August 24, 2008
First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee, Florida
One Body in Christ
Whatever happened to lazy August? You remember, back in the day when school started following Labor Day. When summer’s slower pace and relaxed attitude lasted clear to when you could turn the air conditioning off. August’s of old, without tropic storms and flood waters. August, when the news cycle slowed, and family vacations reigned. Oh, lazy August, where did you go?
Today, August 24th, public schools are back in session. Summer vacations are only a memory. The rain continues to fall, and have you been following the news? Newscasters in August 2008 have been busier than mice in a cheese factory.
The olympics have conducted a hostile takeover of NBC…and MSNBC, and USA, and CNBC, and some other networks I’d never even heard of.
Then there’s the far-too-real hostile takeover of Georgia by Russia.
And if you get tired of the Olympics coverage, or overwhelmed by war updates, just turn the channel to politics. You’d think the election was September 4th, not November 4th. The Democrats are scaling the Mile High City, while the Republicans are skiing over the frozen tundra to St. Paul.
And I’m afraid, in August 2008, if we look closely at our culture, amidst all the busyness we’ll see a deep brokenness. We sure are busy, but we’re also hiding many bruises.
Nations rise up against nations. Swords are drawn and wielded in the US political process. A root has risen up in Beijing amidst reports of closed door agreements over previously sacred human rights.
And then we read Paul. As usual, meddling with our worldview, transforming our all-to-conformed thoughts. Paul writes,
For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another.
I’m sorry, but Paul must be mistaken. I mean, he wasn’t writing in August of 2008. He didn’t know the issues we face today. We who are many, are one body in Christ?! Not with the Olympics playing, the US staring down China for the most medals. Not with party conventions designed to break the country into red states and blue states, values voters and working class Hillary supporters. Not when the Russian behemoth flexes it bear-like muscles.
We who are many, are one?! Paul is so yesterday. In August 2008, if you ask me, Paul is really showing his age. … Continue Reading
Sermon: Holy Hospitality, Matt 10, Deut 10
for audio, click above
Matthew 10:40-42
Deuteronomy 10:12-19
St. Columba Church
Evening Communion Service
Holy Hospitality
Adam J. Copeland
I haven’t really been counting, but I must have been welcomed into hundreds of homes this year, had thousands of conversations, and sipped millions of cups of tea.
In addition to homes and hospitals, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting our many members who stay in care homes throughout Ayr. I’ve only walked into a few wrong rooms, and I’ve now learned to strategically time my visits to particular care homes that serve afternoon sherry to residents (and visiting assistant ministers).
Perhaps because of these experiences, I was struck by a BBC story this week about the Martins Care home in Suffolk.
The story begins by quoting Jean Lavender, 88 years young, who last year could barely walk at all. This year, Jean goes on a walk most days, outside no less. Jean says she feels 20 years younger.
The article continues, many residents weigh in, testifying to their vastly improved health and energy level. The matron reports this year they’ve had–fever falls, fewer calls to the GP, cuts in required medications, better quality of sleep for residents, lower rates of agitation; just a generally more upbeat feel to the home’s atmosphere. … Continue Reading
Sermon: Singing the Commandments, Exodus 20 & Romans 6
photo by chapstickaddict
click above for audio
Whew, definitely not sure about this one, but I got more positive comments than usual (which probably just means people are happy to see me go next week;) ) Several interesting homiletical issues in the sermon. First, it deals with two texts which I always find so tricky because it’s easy to shortchange each or have them talk to each other in ways either too simple or too fake. Second, it’s a teaching sermon rather than a “go do this” sermon. The topic makes it such, but so also the theological content with which I bet most are unfamiliar. Apparently the ten commandments are rarely discussed at St. C, if at all. Third, one must be careful when dealing with OT Law and NT Gospel and not pulling the age-old heresy of a split between the God of the OT and Christ of the NT. Finally, it’s a Lutheran sermon format with a Presbyterian third use of the law ending (ok, I’m a huge nerd). The form is: 1) Law, 2) Gospel, 3) Law revisited in light of Gospel to find that the Law really is Gospel to begin with–and that’d be Calvin’s third and and primary use of the law. Whew…and it has jokes too:) and somebody yelled out when I mentioned Bush, hilarious.
Ayr: St. Columba Church
11:15 am Worship Service
Adam J. Copeland
Singing the Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17, Romans 6:1-11
After going-on ten months in Scotland, it’s an interesting practice to reflect back on life in the US. As happens when living abroad, my perspective of my own country has significantly changed.
For example, I will never look at an American nicely written, clearly displayed street sign the same way again. After ten months of driving all over Ayr, passing street after street, turning around, and then again, trying to find a street sign that might be a foot off the ground on a wall, or thirty feet up on a house, or hiding behind an overgrown hedge, or just not there at all, I have gained a new appreciation for America’s street signs and simple street numbering system.
I’ll miss many Scottish things, of course, like fish and chips, constant cups of tea, Scottish cheese (which I think is completely under-appreciated), folks actually driving the speed limit (thanks to speed cameras, mind you), fantastic golf courses, having four seasons in a day–ok, I won’t miss that, but Scotland’s weather does instill a certain go-with-the-flow approach to Scottish culture which I will miss. … Continue Reading
Sermon: Dr. Jesus, Matthew 9:9-13 & 18-26
for audio, click above
[A quick word about the context: two weeks ago at a church-wide supper, a guest speaker presented a case for his megachurch's healing ministry. The 30-minute talk included several stories of miraculous healings in his community, and afterward, those attending the supper shared with me their mixed--but strongly felt--reactions. So when the lectionary passage this week was about Jesus healing, I thought the opportunity to delve into Jesus' healing and its consequences just couldn't be passed up. My attempt follows.]
Ayr: St. Columba Church of Scotland
Adam J. Copeland
Dr. Jesus
Matthew 9:9-13 & 18-26
Megan not too long ago, returned from a beautiful week on Iona, staying in the Abbey and participating in the week’s activities arranged by the Iona Community. The various events organized by the leadership were intended to build Christian community, to enliven one’s faith, and to expand one’s understanding of God and neighbor.
One evening, Megan tells me, a group of about 20 gathered in a room in which every wall was plastered with different depictions of Jesus. There was certainly the old favorite portrait of Jesus by Warner Sallman, first drawn in charcoal in 1924. I’m sure you know it. Sallman later put his work in color, and that painting of an angelic-looking Jesus adorns thousands of church halls and living rooms today. In Sallman’s portrait, Jesus looks a bit like, well, a white guy with long hair and a beard. His blue eyes and long eye lashes remind me more of Hollywood than the dark-skinned Palestinian Jew Jesus actually was. But this painting of Christ has captured the eye of many a Western Christian, and that’s only expected, I guess: the portrayal of Jesus looking like the guy next door comforts us in a way.
But in this room at the Abbey, there were dozens of paintings of Jesus–an African Jesus with his disciples. An Irish-looking Jesus with red hair. Jesus in a Native American head dress. A Korean Jesus. Jesus being crucified. Jesus with a horribly angry face. And–well I’m not sure, about this one but I suppose it’s possible: Jesus in a kilt (I wonder which tartan he would wear?) … Continue Reading
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