Bridging the Gap: The Art of Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound connection between faith and art, beginning with an overview of upcoming church events and announcements. We then delved into the summer sermon series, "The Art of Faith," inspired by my recent visit to art museums in Spain. Our focus was on Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, particularly the "Creation of Adam," which beautifully illustrates the gap between God and humanity. This gap, depicted as the small space between God's and Adam's fingers, symbolizes the distance that faith seeks to bridge.
We examined the stories of Abel, Enoch, and Noah from Hebrews, highlighting how their faith closed the gap between them and God. Abel's righteous sacrifice, Enoch's pleasing life, and Noah's obedient construction of the ark exemplify lives lived in close communion with God. These stories remind us that faith is about closing the gap between the divine and the human.
We also discussed John Morrow's "Leap of Faith," a modern artwork that emphasizes the act of leaping towards God, leaving behind the known for the unknown. This leap of faith is a recurring theme in our spiritual journey, requiring us to trust in God's presence and guidance even when we cannot see the full picture. Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy on the leap of faith further underscores the importance of embracing the mystery of God without needing to understand all the details.
In our daily lives, this leap of faith manifests in various ways, from answering God's call to ministry to initiating new ministries without knowing all the resources or outcomes. The essence of faith is taking that first step, trusting that God will provide and guide us through each subsequent step. This continuous journey of faith, filled with leaps and steps, strengthens our relationship with God and deepens our spiritual growth.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Gap Between God and Humanity: The "Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo highlights the small yet significant gap between God's and Adam's fingers, symbolizing the distance between the divine and the human. This gap is the focal point of the artwork, reminding us that faith is about bridging this distance and drawing closer to God. [50:13]
2. Faith Exemplified in Hebrews: The stories of Abel, Enoch, and Noah in Hebrews illustrate how faith can close the gap between humanity and God. Abel's righteous sacrifice, Enoch's pleasing life, and Noah's obedient actions demonstrate that faith brings us into closer communion with God, making us acceptable and righteous in His eyes. [53:38]
3. The Leap of Faith: John Morrow's "Leap of Faith" artwork emphasizes the act of leaping towards God, leaving behind the known for the unknown. This leap requires trust in God's presence and guidance, even when we cannot see the full picture. It is a powerful reminder that faith involves stepping out in trust and confidence in God's promises. [54:30]
4. Embracing the Mystery of God: Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy on the leap of faith teaches us that we do not need to understand all the details of how God works to believe in Him. Faith is about accepting the mystery of God and trusting in His reality and love, even when we cannot comprehend all aspects of His nature and actions. [57:07]
5. Faith in Action: Our spiritual journey involves continuous leaps of faith, whether answering God's call to ministry or initiating new ministries without knowing all the resources or outcomes. The essence of faith is taking that first step, trusting that God will provide and guide us through each subsequent step, leading us to a life filled with His blessings and purpose. [01:00:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:46] - Church Announcements
[08:15] - Father's Day Celebration
[20:22] - Prayer and Offering
[38:31] - Scripture Reading
[41:25] - Introduction to "The Art of Faith"
[42:13] - Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
[42:53] - The Creation of Adam
[44:21] - The Focal Point: The Gap
[50:13] - The Gap in Hebrews
[54:30] - John Morrow's "Leap of Faith"
[57:07] - Soren Kierkegaard and the Leap of Faith
[01:00:05] - Faith in Action
[01:07:21] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:4-7 (NIV)
- "By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: 'He could not be found, because God had taken him away.' For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith."
2. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
- "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
### Observation Questions
1. What does the small gap between God's and Adam's fingers in Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" symbolize? ([50:13])
2. How did Abel, Enoch, and Noah demonstrate their faith according to Hebrews 11:4-7? ([51:29])
3. What is the significance of John Morrow's "Leap of Faith" artwork as discussed in the sermon? ([54:30])
4. How does Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy on the leap of faith relate to our understanding of faith? ([57:07])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the gap between God's and Adam's fingers in the "Creation of Adam" reflect the distance between the divine and the human? ([50:13])
2. In what ways did Abel, Enoch, and Noah's actions close the gap between humanity and God? ([51:29])
3. What does the concept of a "leap of faith" mean in the context of our spiritual journey, and how does it challenge our need for certainty? ([54:30])
4. How can embracing the mystery of God, as suggested by Kierkegaard, deepen our faith even when we don't understand all the details? ([57:07])
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the gap between God's and Adam's fingers, what are some areas in your life where you feel distant from God? How can you take steps to bridge that gap? ([50:13])
2. Abel, Enoch, and Noah each demonstrated faith in different ways. Which of their examples resonates most with you, and how can you apply their faithfulness in your own life? ([51:29])
3. John Morrow's "Leap of Faith" emphasizes moving towards God despite uncertainties. Is there a situation in your life where you need to take a leap of faith? What is holding you back? ([54:30])
4. Kierkegaard's philosophy suggests that we don't need to understand all the details to have faith. Are there aspects of your faith journey where you struggle with needing to know all the answers? How can you learn to trust more in God's plan? ([57:07])
5. The sermon mentioned initiating new ministries without knowing all the resources or outcomes. Is there a ministry or project you feel called to start? What first step can you take this week to move forward in faith? ([01:00:05])
6. Think about a time when you had to trust in God's presence and guidance without seeing the full picture. How did that experience shape your faith, and what did you learn from it? ([54:30])
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to take their own leaps of faith? What support can you offer to help them trust in God's guidance? ([01:00:05])
Devotional
Day 1: Bridging the Divine-Human Gap
The "Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo is a powerful visual representation of the gap between God and humanity. The small space between God's and Adam's fingers symbolizes the distance that faith seeks to bridge. This gap is not just a physical space but a spiritual one, representing the separation caused by sin and the human condition. Faith is the means by which we draw closer to God, closing this gap and fostering a deeper relationship with Him. The artwork serves as a reminder that our spiritual journey is about reaching out to God, who is always reaching out to us.
[50:13]
Isaiah 59:2 (ESV): "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel a gap between you and God? How can you take a step of faith today to bridge that gap?
Day 2: Faith Exemplified in Hebrews
The stories of Abel, Enoch, and Noah in the book of Hebrews illustrate how faith can close the gap between humanity and God. Abel's righteous sacrifice, Enoch's pleasing life, and Noah's obedient actions demonstrate that faith brings us into closer communion with God. These individuals lived lives that were marked by their trust and obedience to God, making them examples of how faith can make us acceptable and righteous in His eyes. Their stories encourage us to live lives of faith, trusting that our actions, when aligned with God's will, bring us closer to Him.
[53:38]
Hebrews 11:4-7 (ESV): "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your faith led you to take an action that brought you closer to God. How can you apply that same faith to a current situation in your life?
Day 3: The Leap of Faith
John Morrow's "Leap of Faith" artwork emphasizes the act of leaping towards God, leaving behind the known for the unknown. This leap requires trust in God's presence and guidance, even when we cannot see the full picture. It is a powerful reminder that faith involves stepping out in trust and confidence in God's promises. The leap of faith is a recurring theme in our spiritual journey, requiring us to trust in God's presence and guidance even when we cannot see the full picture. This leap is not just a one-time event but a continuous act of trust and surrender to God's will.
[54:30]
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to take a leap of faith? What steps can you take today to trust Him more in that area?
Day 4: Embracing the Mystery of God
Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy on the leap of faith teaches us that we do not need to understand all the details of how God works to believe in Him. Faith is about accepting the mystery of God and trusting in His reality and love, even when we cannot comprehend all aspects of His nature and actions. This acceptance of mystery is a crucial part of our spiritual journey, as it allows us to trust in God's greater plan and purpose for our lives. Embracing the mystery of God means letting go of the need for complete understanding and instead, resting in the assurance of His love and sovereignty.
[57:07]
Job 11:7-9 (ESV): "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea."
Reflection: How do you respond to the mysteries of God in your life? Can you find peace in trusting God's plan even when you don't understand it fully?
Day 5: Faith in Action
Our spiritual journey involves continuous leaps of faith, whether answering God's call to ministry or initiating new ministries without knowing all the resources or outcomes. The essence of faith is taking that first step, trusting that God will provide and guide us through each subsequent step. This continuous journey of faith, filled with leaps and steps, strengthens our relationship with God and deepens our spiritual growth. By taking action in faith, we open ourselves to experiencing God's provision and guidance in ways we could never imagine.
[01:00:05]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to put your faith into practice? How can you trust God to guide you through this action?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Faith is knowing that God is real, that a life in God is one that's filled with blessings and that it's filled with a path that leads us to the life that God desires for each of God's children. I can know all of that and be assured of all of that through faith without seeing how that could happen." [57:55](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What matters is taking the leap, taking the first step, seeing if the resources don't appear, seeing if the people don't come, connecting with God in the moment, trusting that God will be there for the first time. And then the next step, and the next one, and the next one." [01:00:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Noah didn't have to see a long-range forecast before he began work on the boat. He began working simply because God was calling him to do that. I don't even know if Noah knew how to build a boat from the plans that God had given him. But it worked out because he took that first step." [01:00:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I can proclaim that God is real and that God's love is real. And it was a leap of faith to get to that point. In Hebrews, the author says, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." [57:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "To me, this highlights that gap and highlights what we are called to do. To leap. To move forward. To move toward God. And in taking that leap, leaving behind what we know to the God that we know lies ahead of us. To the God ahead who we know will catch us." [54:30](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I want to look today, what is the focus? What is the focal point of this piece of art? You can look at the eyes. You can look at the eyes of God and really all of these characters that are surrounding God. And you can look at the eyes of Adam there and where are they looking? They're looking to the same place they're pointing. To this little, this focal point right here. To the place, the gap that is in between Adam's hand and God's hand." [50:13](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the focal point of this painting, of this work of art is that space. It's not anything that's been painted. It's not anything there. But it's the space that's in between. On the actual painting, that space is about three quarters of an inch. So it's about the size of a nickel. But is it weird that that space is the focal point of this? Is this the most famous religious artwork that exists?" [50:13](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I had to know the details of all of the questions that I had before me. When I entered into and got serious about it, about my faith, I dove into the mystery of the Trinity and I had to try to figure that out. And I couldn't. It's a mystery. I couldn't figure out the details. I couldn't learn how God worked and all of the detail that God works in. It was beyond my knowledge." [55:54](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I hope you think about all of this the next time you see, the next time that you see the creation of Adam. I hope that you'll visit John Morrow's website there and be as inspired by this particular derivative piece of art as I have been. To me, it really gets to the point of the gap in our call to let God help us cross it in our life of faith, not just this year, this day, this week, but over and over again throughout our lifetime. One leap after another." [01:01:59](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And we'll be surprised that God is always there on the other side. Amen. Now let me invite any of you if you'd like to join the church, come forward, fill out the blue card that is there in your pew, come forward as we sing our final song together, let the praises ring. Would you please stand as you're able as we join together." [01:03:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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