Feast: Fresh Creation

September 7 2014 - Rally Day - A Feast: Fresh Creation Matthew 18.15-20, Genesis 1.1-2, 2.5-10 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

The Creation stories of Genesis have inspired many songs. One favorite is Hymn [slide #1 of the hymn ]    92 For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. [slide #2  nature scene]

So many times we have jubilantly praised God for God’s wondrous creation.  [slide nature scene #3] Every season brings its special beauty.   [slide #4 nature scene ]  What is your favorite season? Is it spring with its bursts of color and freedom to roam? Is it winter with its frost and early sun downs that put us in hibernation mode? Is your favorite season fall with its reminder and readiness for constant change? Or is it summer when you run to your favorite beach? God creates seasons and each one has its beauty for all to enjoy.

Praising God for God’s creation shows that we understand that there is a power higher than us. [slide #5 mountains]  You remember the story of the genius inventor who studied the human body in detail. So excited about the gifts he had been given, he said to God, I can create a man just like you. So, God said, “O.K. Go ahead. Let me see you do it.” So the man gathered a pile of dirt. Then God said, “Uh uh. Get your own dirt!”   [slide # #6  dirt and shovel]  A creating God is far beyond our understanding. We take pleasure in simply standing in awe and giving praise.

As human beings, we are creators, too. We are made in God’s image, so we create in the same way that God creates. God starts us off with nothing, nothing but at least 6 things as chapter 2 of Genesis tells us - #1 emptiness, #2 darkness, #3 chaos, #4 wind, #5 dust, and #6 water.

Wherever there is emptiness in our lives God wants to create fullness. Wherever there is darkness in our lives God wants to create light. Wherever there is chaos, God wants to create order. Wherever the Spirit blows like a wind, God wants to create a heart that goes with its flow. Wherever there is dust, God wants to create priceless, beautiful diamonds. Wherever God’s word springs up, God wants to refresh and enliven!

God is ALWAYS creating, and because we are children of God, we too are always creating. God #1 fills our empty lives with good things, [slide #7 gas tank being filled]  and we fill the lives of others. We serve, and even sacrifice day and night to bless our families, our friends, our neighbors near and far.   [slide #8 ]  Of the last 365 days all of us have experienced at least one day when it seemed we did not even see one ray of sunshine. There are days when the grey clouds linger all day long. Those are the days God CREATES, #2 light. [slide # 9 light shimmering through trees]  A card of encouragement comes in the mail and brightens our day. A text comes through that leaves us beaming. A door of opportunity opens, illuminating God’s goodness. A window of doubt closes, encapsulating us in shimmering truths.

#3 God creates order where there is chaos. When our life is like a rubrick’s cube, [slide #10n rubrik's cube made in human form] [slide # 11 rubriks's cube pattern on nailpolish] God creates a path for each piece of our life.  [slides # 12 rubrik's cube pattern ] when we are at our lowest, God creates power and protection that pulls us to a place of peace. [slide #13 rubrik's cube pattern of sneaker]

#4 When the Spirit blows a gentle wind like a baby’s breath, [slide # 14 laughing baby] we are inspired and inspired to follow where love leads us. We are quickly aware and confident that the path will be rich and wonderful. [slide # 15 babies on roller skates]

#5 It is the nature of our life her on earth that dust is never permanently eliminated. No matter how many times we dust our homes, our cars, ourselves, dust always seems to reappear. Dust seems to be a nuisance, but when we consider the definition of dust, we are enlightened.   [slide #16] In the Hebrew, the word for dust is “aphar” and it is defined as dry, loose earth or rubbish. It is also defined as “ore,” “a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be profitably extracted.”

Iron ore can be processed until it produces iron. Gold ore can be processed until it produces gold. [ slide # 17 golden eggs]Since dust is defined as ore in the book of Genesis, we know that the dust of our lives when put in God’s hands produces a precious life we could not create on our own. [slide # 18  person standing in vicotious stance]

Finally, #6. Throughout the bible, water is a symbol for life. Life without water is a threat to life. Water is also a symbol of God’s word throughout the bible. It is a known fact that people of faith have rivers of water flowing through them to bring life and refreshment to a thirsty world. [slide # 19 thirsty elephant approaching a swimming pool with people in it]

One of the most memorized verses is Psalm 1. It reflects a refreshed life. “Blessed is that person who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly,          [slide # 20 good and evil direction sign] and does not even stand in the path of sinners, [slides #21] nor sits in the seat of the scornful; [slide # 22]

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates                       day and night.3 He shall be like a tree, [slide # 23  tree near water] planted by the rivers of water,  [slide #24] that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

Life happens with God’s word.   [Slide # 25] Whether we read God’s word, listen to God’s word on internet, radio, or television, sing God’s word, preach God’s word, testify to God’s word, debate God’s word, and study God’s word, our life is refreshed, revived, and enlivened [slide #26 nature scene, tree and waterfall] beyond what we could ever imagine. Amen. [slide # 27 amen in script].