The Sermon as “Super Moon”

Post author:David Ould
Post published:May 7, 2012
Post category:brief thoughts
Post comments:0 Comments

Bear with me while I fly a little kite…

Yesterday evening saw a Super Moon, a rare moment when the moon was about as close to the earth as it can get. It appeared 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a normal full moon. The proximity of the moon also brings about higher tides. I took Ouldlet #2 out into the chilly night air to have a good look and we stood momentarily still in wonder, until the cold got the better of us.

Same moon, same image, just momentarily brought into stark relief.

Now the kite-flying. It occurs to me that a good sermon is a little like the Super Moon. Quite often the congregation will not hear anything starkly new but those timeless familiar truths are presented boldly and clearly and closely so that one stops and considers them. Take for example our sermon this Sunday at church on Article XXXVIII of the 39 Articles, “On Christian Men’s Goods“. In one sense we heard nothing new but were reminded that

In an incredible act of generosity, Christ became poor for our sakes so that we might have the riches of God
That the Resurrection of Jesus forever changes our investment horizon so that we have an eternal perspective. This is turn leads us to not cling to the things of “this life”.
That the gospel of grace calls us and changes us so that we might ourselves be gracious.
That here in Sydney, particularly where we are in Neutral Bay, we are comparatively very wealthy.

Now, as already stated, none of these things were new but they were presented to us afresh and, if you like, more “in our face” than before. I do not think it presumptuous to claim that God was pleased to use this “Super Moon” to bring about a renewed desire amongst many to use their God-given wealth wisely, just as the Super Moon brings about a larger tide.

Same truths, freshly and closely presented. What do you think?

image: SuperMoon over Ayia Napa, smh