Some things are relatively easy to build, and there are plenty examples of just plain strange buildings, like the ossuary church mentioned in the beginning of the sermon. But there are also things that defy actual construction. The vision is too big and too bold, like Walt Disney's vision for a "community of tomorrow," never defined by him since he died even before Magic Kingdom was completed. His "Imagineers" compromised the design, never fully understanding what Walt aimed to build. We explore what we're building in Christian ministry.
The building motif is front and center in the 2 Samuel reading about David's ambition to build a place for God. The palace prophet Nathan gives the king a thumbs up, only to be countermanded in a dream that God wants no residence from David. As we hear all of the reasons, it includes references to what plans God has for David. These don't include such a building project.
The twin passages from Mark seem like two pieces of bread with the good sandwich stuff - the ham and cheese - removed form the middle. Between the selections are the great stories of the feeding of the five thousand and of Jesus walking on water to the disciples in the storm. Instead, the lectionary committee chose a couple of passages that seem life travelogue fluff.
However, if you ask the question of Jesus - you're building what? - you realize that he is building a ministry that makes no mention of any building. It is characterized in three expressions, teaching, showing compassion, and healing. They don't need a building, yet the vision that Jesus is building is bigger than any physical structure.
It seems odd that we have probably 600 physical houses of worship in Marion County alone, yet no where does really suggest building a single building. Instead, he portrays his vision of ministry, something to which God's people swarm. Indeed, God's people have no need at all for a physical building, but they're hungry for good, solid ministry. It helps explain why my own ministry is rather different, being as involved as I am in community issues.
Check it all out in the sermon video below, and note the downloads below the video panel.
The building motif is front and center in the 2 Samuel reading about David's ambition to build a place for God. The palace prophet Nathan gives the king a thumbs up, only to be countermanded in a dream that God wants no residence from David. As we hear all of the reasons, it includes references to what plans God has for David. These don't include such a building project.
The twin passages from Mark seem like two pieces of bread with the good sandwich stuff - the ham and cheese - removed form the middle. Between the selections are the great stories of the feeding of the five thousand and of Jesus walking on water to the disciples in the storm. Instead, the lectionary committee chose a couple of passages that seem life travelogue fluff.
However, if you ask the question of Jesus - you're building what? - you realize that he is building a ministry that makes no mention of any building. It is characterized in three expressions, teaching, showing compassion, and healing. They don't need a building, yet the vision that Jesus is building is bigger than any physical structure.
It seems odd that we have probably 600 physical houses of worship in Marion County alone, yet no where does really suggest building a single building. Instead, he portrays his vision of ministry, something to which God's people swarm. Indeed, God's people have no need at all for a physical building, but they're hungry for good, solid ministry. It helps explain why my own ministry is rather different, being as involved as I am in community issues.
Check it all out in the sermon video below, and note the downloads below the video panel.
| 07-19-15-ff-answers.pdf |
| 07-19-15-youre_building_what.pdf |