Conversational Worship

February 10, 2010

Invocation

Dinner Is Served

The Gift of Word—Family Style Conversation

Looking Back: 

Luke 5: 1-11         The Carpenter Goes Fishing

1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

It made no sense to let down the nets when Jesus said to do it: --fishing isn’t good there during the day, --they had been fishing all night already, --the nets were cleaned and ready for the next night’s fishing and they needed to rest during the day

BESIDES, JESUS WAS A CARPENTER, NO EXPERTISE IN FISHING. WHY SHOULD THEY DO WHAT HE SAYS???

A couple of things to note: Simon Peter wasn’t even a disciple yet when he was told by Jesus to let down his nets… he was just there, a “man whose boat Jesus made use of.” After he was obedient, then Jesus invited him to be a “fisher of people.” Also, the disciples were probably only basically educated young men, mostly under 20 years of age, so not groomed for leadership or religious responsibility.

Peter’s line “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man” reflects the notion that if you have a divine encounter, you will die. Peter knew there was something “extra” going on with Jesus, and was afraid.

What Is Your Experience?

Pastor Luther entitled his sermon last Sunday “Changing the Bait.” What is the bait used to catch humans?

What “caught” you to get you into the church? What “caught” you to be active?

Which character, if any, do you identify with in this story?

Was there a time you were obedient to someone you looked up to even if you didn’t think any good could come of what they suggested? Describe it. What was it like for you?

Why do you think Americans have such a hard time with obedience?

Looking Forward:

Luke 9:28-36      The Transfiguration

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Incarnation:  Heavenly being (Jesus) having a human encounter/experience (life on earth)

Transfiguration: Human beings having a heavenly experience (seeing the dead: Moses and Elijah and hearing prediction of Jesus’ and their future)

These are book-ends that say there is nothing impossible with God

They shatter our expectations about what God AND HUMANS can/can’t/will/won’t do

Consider what is veiled – especially that we think we see clearly – and what is unveiled, that we can  never hoped to understand. WE MAY NOT KNOW WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW AND WE MAY “KNOW” IN FAITH WHAT IS REALLY UNKNOWABLE.

Prayer

The Gift of Sacrament—Family Style Communion

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.