Have you ever had a dream that felt so real, so vivid, that it changed the way you saw the world? Or perhaps you've experienced a moment of clarity that shifted your entire perspective on life? As I stood before the congregation at Guilford Park, I found myself reflecting on the power of dreams and visions – not just in our personal lives, but in the very fabric of our faith.
When Dreams Become Divine Inspiration
I began my sermon with an apology for a mistake I had made in a report. I had attributed a Star Wars-themed Youth Sunday to the wrong church, and despite my efforts to correct it, I couldn't find the source of this information. But then, a thought struck me:
"Perhaps I dreamed the whole thing up, but then again, dreams are powerful things and maybe my mistake was not a mistake at all, but instead meant to communicate something other than a band of youth having fun with a cinematic craze. Maybe, maybe, just maybe, I was divinely inspired."
This seemingly small error led me to contemplate the significant role that dreams and visions have played in shaping our faith. It reminded me of a pivotal moment in the early church, recounted in Acts 11:1-18.
Peter's Vision: Breaking Down Barriers
The Apostle Peter faced criticism for associating with Gentiles, a practice that went against the Jewish customs of the time. In response, Peter shared a powerful vision he had received:
"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners, and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely, I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me Get up, Peter, kill and eat." (Acts 11:5-7)
This vision challenged Peter's understanding of what was clean and unclean, ultimately leading to a profound realization: God's love and salvation were meant for all people, not just the Jews. Peter concluded, "If, then, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" (Acts 11:17)
The Impact of Expanding Our Faith
This expansion of faith beyond Jewish-identified believers had far-reaching consequences. As I explained in my sermon:
"Were it not for Peter's dream that allowed Christian witness to expand beyond the meeting point of Asia and Africa, Europe would probably still be drinking blood out of the skulls of the vanquished. The expansion of our faith to the Gentiles allowed most of us to be here today proclaiming Jesus, who lived as a Jewish man in Roman-occupied Palestine, who conquered death, as a living Christ to save the entire world."
Envisioning a New Heaven and Earth
Just as Peter's vision changed the course of early Christianity, the Apostle John's vision in Revelation 21:1-6 offers hope and inspiration for believers facing persecution and hardship. John's powerful words paint a picture of a future where God's presence is fully realized among His people:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:1-2)
Living Out God's Vision Today
As Presbyterians, we are called to live out this vision of a new heaven and earth in our daily lives and in our mission work. Our faith compels us to maintain a balance between loving God and loving our neighbors. This commitment to mission is a core part of our Presbyterian identity.
In the face of changing realities, our mission must evolve to meet new needs. I commended the congregation at Guilford Park for their summer sheltering program, saying:
"You are living into the call to bring about the day when no one knows the suffering of being without basic shelter, being in a place to experience belonging. I have learned that homelessness represents first and foremost a failure of community, the fraying of ties to family and friends, to the point where the most basic safety net is lost."
Putting It Into Practice
As we reflect on the power of dreams and visions in our faith, let's consider how we can apply these lessons to our own lives and communities:
In conclusion, let us be inspired by the dreams and visions that have shaped our faith throughout history. May we, like Peter and John, be open to God's guidance as we work to bring about His kingdom on earth. As I said in my sermon, "You are offering and proclaiming by your new mission commitment what the movie and our scriptures foretold: a new hope. May it be so. Amen."
When Dreams Become Divine Inspiration
I began my sermon with an apology for a mistake I had made in a report. I had attributed a Star Wars-themed Youth Sunday to the wrong church, and despite my efforts to correct it, I couldn't find the source of this information. But then, a thought struck me:
"Perhaps I dreamed the whole thing up, but then again, dreams are powerful things and maybe my mistake was not a mistake at all, but instead meant to communicate something other than a band of youth having fun with a cinematic craze. Maybe, maybe, just maybe, I was divinely inspired."
This seemingly small error led me to contemplate the significant role that dreams and visions have played in shaping our faith. It reminded me of a pivotal moment in the early church, recounted in Acts 11:1-18.
Peter's Vision: Breaking Down Barriers
The Apostle Peter faced criticism for associating with Gentiles, a practice that went against the Jewish customs of the time. In response, Peter shared a powerful vision he had received:
"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners, and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely, I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me Get up, Peter, kill and eat." (Acts 11:5-7)
This vision challenged Peter's understanding of what was clean and unclean, ultimately leading to a profound realization: God's love and salvation were meant for all people, not just the Jews. Peter concluded, "If, then, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" (Acts 11:17)
The Impact of Expanding Our Faith
This expansion of faith beyond Jewish-identified believers had far-reaching consequences. As I explained in my sermon:
"Were it not for Peter's dream that allowed Christian witness to expand beyond the meeting point of Asia and Africa, Europe would probably still be drinking blood out of the skulls of the vanquished. The expansion of our faith to the Gentiles allowed most of us to be here today proclaiming Jesus, who lived as a Jewish man in Roman-occupied Palestine, who conquered death, as a living Christ to save the entire world."
Envisioning a New Heaven and Earth
Just as Peter's vision changed the course of early Christianity, the Apostle John's vision in Revelation 21:1-6 offers hope and inspiration for believers facing persecution and hardship. John's powerful words paint a picture of a future where God's presence is fully realized among His people:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:1-2)
Living Out God's Vision Today
As Presbyterians, we are called to live out this vision of a new heaven and earth in our daily lives and in our mission work. Our faith compels us to maintain a balance between loving God and loving our neighbors. This commitment to mission is a core part of our Presbyterian identity.
In the face of changing realities, our mission must evolve to meet new needs. I commended the congregation at Guilford Park for their summer sheltering program, saying:
"You are living into the call to bring about the day when no one knows the suffering of being without basic shelter, being in a place to experience belonging. I have learned that homelessness represents first and foremost a failure of community, the fraying of ties to family and friends, to the point where the most basic safety net is lost."
Putting It Into Practice
As we reflect on the power of dreams and visions in our faith, let's consider how we can apply these lessons to our own lives and communities:
- Be open to new perspectives: Just as Peter's vision challenged his understanding, be willing to let God challenge your preconceptions about who is included in His love and grace.
- Envision a better world: Like John in Revelation, dare to dream of a world where God's presence is fully realized. Let this vision inspire your actions and choices.
- Adapt your mission: As circumstances change, be willing to adapt your approach to serving others. What new needs in your community is God calling you to address?
- Build community: Recognize that many social issues, like homelessness, stem from a lack of community. How can you help create a sense of belonging for those who feel isolated or marginalized?
- Embrace hope: Remember that, like the early Christians who faced persecution, our faith offers hope in the face of adversity. Trust in God's promise of a new heaven and earth.
In conclusion, let us be inspired by the dreams and visions that have shaped our faith throughout history. May we, like Peter and John, be open to God's guidance as we work to bring about His kingdom on earth. As I said in my sermon, "You are offering and proclaiming by your new mission commitment what the movie and our scriptures foretold: a new hope. May it be so. Amen."
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