Embracing the Sacred in Everyday Life
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of living a sacramental life, where every aspect of our existence is seen as sacred and imbued with divine grace. We began by examining the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 3, where Moses' curiosity led him to encounter God in an ordinary, mundane setting. This story serves as a powerful reminder that God can reveal Himself in the most unexpected places and moments, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
We discussed the false dichotomy between the sacred and the secular, a division that many of us grew up believing. This separation is not only unbiblical but also limits our ability to see God's presence in all aspects of life. The sacraments of communion and baptism in the United Methodist tradition serve as outward signs of inward and invisible grace, reminding us that God is always at work, even in the most ordinary elements of our lives.
The Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, was used as a metaphor to illustrate how God can make broken things beautiful. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, where God turns weapons into tools for harvest and transforms harmful intentions into opportunities for good. These examples remind us that everything has the potential to communicate divine grace.
We also touched on the importance of curiosity as a spiritual discipline. Moses' decision to turn aside and investigate the burning bush was a pivotal moment that led to his divine calling. Similarly, our willingness to be curious and open to God's presence in our daily lives can lead to profound spiritual experiences and callings.
Finally, we emphasized the need to balance our lives between being too busy and not busy enough. Both extremes can hinder our ability to recognize and respond to God's presence. A sacramental life invites us to find a middle ground where we can participate in meaningful activities while also having the space to ponder, reflect, and be curious.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Sacred-Secular Dichotomy is False: The belief that life is divided into sacred and secular parts is a misconception. God is present in all aspects of life, and everything has the potential to communicate divine grace. This understanding helps us see the world as a continuous space where God is always at work. [22:00]
2. Curiosity as a Spiritual Discipline: Moses' encounter with the burning bush teaches us the importance of curiosity. By turning aside to investigate, Moses opened himself to a divine encounter. Similarly, our willingness to be curious can lead us to profound spiritual experiences and callings. [31:08]
3. God Transforms the Ordinary into the Extraordinary: The sacraments of communion and baptism are outward signs of inward grace, reminding us that God can make ordinary things extraordinary. This theme is echoed in the Japanese art of kintsugi and throughout Scripture, where God turns brokenness into beauty. [25:25]
4. Balancing Busyness and Stillness: A sacramental life requires a balance between being too busy and not busy enough. Both extremes can hinder our ability to recognize and respond to God's presence. Finding a middle ground allows us to participate in meaningful activities while also having the space to ponder, reflect, and be curious. [47:44]
5. Every Encounter is Sacred: When we view everything and everyone as sacred, we begin to treat our interactions differently. Every person and every moment has the potential to be a burning bush, a divine encounter waiting to happen. This perspective encourages us to act with urgency and curiosity, recognizing the sacred in the mundane. [40:59]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[19:44] - Reading from Exodus 3:1-6
[20:49] - The Sacred-Secular Dichotomy
[22:00] - The Nonsense of Division
[22:42] - Art and the Sacred
[23:26] - AI's Depiction of Sacred and Secular
[24:18] - Understanding Sacraments
[25:25] - Kintsugi and Divine Grace
[26:12] - Scriptural Examples of Transformation
[27:08] - Sacraments as Outward Signs
[28:00] - Premarital Counseling and Sacramental Moments
[29:38] - Communion as a Sacrament
[30:25] - Moses and the Burning Bush
[31:08] - The Importance of Curiosity
[32:54] - Holy Ground and Divine Presence
[33:58] - God's Call to Moses
[34:56] - The First Step of Faith
[35:58] - Human Participation in Divine Plans
[37:46] - Living a Sacramental Life
[40:59] - Recognizing Burning Bushes
[44:10] - Personal Testimony and Missed Opportunities
[47:44] - The Dangers of Busyness
[50:00] - Embracing the Sacred in Everyday Life
[51:42] - Reflection on Last Week's Sermon
[52:26] - Communion Liturgy
[57:10] - Invitation to Communion
[58:49] - The Sacredness of Every Meal
[59:25] - Closing Song and Benediction
[01:07:13] - Acknowledging the Tech Team
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Exodus 3:1-6: "Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, 'I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.' When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am.' Then he said, 'Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.' He said further, 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Moses doing when he encountered the burning bush? ([19:44])
2. How did Moses react when he saw the burning bush? ([30:25])
3. What did God instruct Moses to do when he approached the burning bush? ([32:05])
4. What was the significance of the ground where Moses stood, according to God? ([32:54])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Moses' curiosity was important in his encounter with God? ([31:08])
2. How does the story of Moses and the burning bush challenge the idea of a sacred-secular divide? ([22:00])
3. In what ways does the concept of kintsugi illustrate God's ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary? ([25:25])
4. How can balancing busyness and stillness help us recognize and respond to God's presence in our lives? ([47:44])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in an ordinary moment. How did that experience change your perspective on the sacredness of everyday life? ([37:46])
2. How can you cultivate curiosity as a spiritual discipline in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to be more open to divine encounters? ([31:08])
3. Think about an area of your life that feels broken or mundane. How might God be working to transform that area into something beautiful? ([25:25])
4. Are there any "burning bushes" in your life that you might be ignoring? How can you turn aside and pay attention to what God might be saying to you through these moments? ([40:59])
5. How do you currently balance busyness and stillness in your life? What changes can you make to ensure you have enough space to recognize and respond to God's presence? ([47:44])
6. Identify one ordinary activity or object in your daily life. How can you view and treat it as sacred, recognizing its potential to communicate divine grace? ([38:38])
7. How can you act with urgency and curiosity in your interactions with others, treating every encounter as a potential divine moment? ([46:25])
Devotional
Day 1: God is Present in All Aspects of Life
Description: The belief that life is divided into sacred and secular parts is a misconception. God is present in all aspects of life, and everything has the potential to communicate divine grace. This understanding helps us see the world as a continuous space where God is always at work. By recognizing that there is no separation between the sacred and the secular, we can begin to see God's hand in every part of our lives, from the mundane to the extraordinary. This perspective allows us to live more fully in the presence of God, acknowledging His work in every moment and every interaction. [22:00]
Bible Passage: "For in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’" (Acts 17:28 ESV)
Reflection: Think about a routine part of your day where you often overlook God's presence. How can you begin to see this part of your life as sacred and filled with divine grace?
Day 2: Curiosity Leads to Divine Encounters
Description: Moses' encounter with the burning bush teaches us the importance of curiosity. By turning aside to investigate, Moses opened himself to a divine encounter. Similarly, our willingness to be curious can lead us to profound spiritual experiences and callings. Curiosity as a spiritual discipline invites us to explore and seek out God's presence in unexpected places and moments. It encourages us to ask questions, to wonder, and to be open to the mysteries of faith. By cultivating a curious heart, we can become more attuned to the ways God is speaking to us and guiding us in our daily lives. [31:08]
Bible Passage: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent moment when you felt a sense of curiosity or wonder. How can you nurture that curiosity to seek out God's presence in your daily life?
Day 3: God Transforms the Ordinary into the Extraordinary
Description: The sacraments of communion and baptism are outward signs of inward grace, reminding us that God can make ordinary things extraordinary. This theme is echoed in the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, and throughout Scripture, where God turns brokenness into beauty. These examples remind us that everything has the potential to communicate divine grace. By recognizing the sacredness in the ordinary, we can see how God is at work in the most unexpected ways, transforming our lives and the world around us. [25:25]
Bible Passage: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV)
Reflection: Think of an ordinary aspect of your life that you often take for granted. How can you begin to see it as an opportunity for God to work and transform it into something extraordinary?
Day 4: Balancing Busyness and Stillness
Description: A sacramental life requires a balance between being too busy and not busy enough. Both extremes can hinder our ability to recognize and respond to God's presence. Finding a middle ground allows us to participate in meaningful activities while also having the space to ponder, reflect, and be curious. This balance helps us to be more present and attentive to the ways God is working in our lives. By creating space for stillness and reflection, we can cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence and be more responsive to His guidance. [47:44]
Bible Passage: "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling." (Isaiah 30:15 ESV)
Reflection: Consider your current schedule and commitments. What is one practical step you can take to create more balance between busyness and stillness in your life?
Day 5: Every Encounter is Sacred
Description: When we view everything and everyone as sacred, we begin to treat our interactions differently. Every person and every moment has the potential to be a burning bush, a divine encounter waiting to happen. This perspective encourages us to act with urgency and curiosity, recognizing the sacred in the mundane. By seeing each encounter as an opportunity to experience God's presence, we can approach our relationships and daily activities with a greater sense of purpose and reverence. This mindset helps us to be more mindful and intentional in how we live out our faith. [40:59]
Bible Passage: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2 ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction with someone that you may have overlooked as ordinary. How can you approach your interactions today with the mindset that every encounter is sacred and filled with divine potential?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Curiosity is an undervalued spiritual discipline. Curiosity is powerful. And I think as children, they embrace curiosity better than the rest of us. As we get older, we become a little more curmudgeonary, and we think we've experienced enough. We think we've learned enough. We think we've seen enough. We think we've heard enough. We no longer have the drive to be curious and ask ourselves why." [31:08] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The point is that when the whole world is sacred, when everything has the capacity to communicate divine grace, you begin to treat everything and everyone differently. You begin to treat everyone and everything as a possibility that maybe, maybe I'm experiencing a sacramental moment here. Maybe this is a burning bush for me." [40:59] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Your value is not based on how busy you are. You are innate with the image of God. You are already worthy of being loved and belonging." [48:41] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Everyone, everything is sacred and good. May you participate in it. May you turn out of curiosity to every burning bush you can find. And there you will find how different life can be when God calls you to participate in it." [50:00] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In the sacramental life, God has the ability to use everything to communicate God's grace. I pray that you continue to find whatever it is that you are looking for." [52:26] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I don't think God created the world to be divided between secular and sacred. I think that division is nonsense. I don't think it makes any sense at all. But we do like our dichotomies. We like our divisions between right and wrong, in and out. Good and bad. We like that. It's, it's that fuzzy gray middle that we wrestle with." [22:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God's ability to make broken, run down, worn out things into extraordinary things. To communicate extravagant grace. In fact if you Google just the, the phrase turning, uh, uh, turning spears. Or weapons into pruning hooks. So turning things that are meant for destruction into harvesting tools." [25:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The sacraments are really just helping us to see the world as everything has the potential to communicate divine grace. And in the United Methodist tradition and most Protestant traditions, there are two sacraments. Communion and baptism. And really I think the sacraments, and we'll get more into them in a minute, are really designed to help us think. As Christian tradition people, the God has the ability to make ordinary things into extraordinary things." [24:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A sacramental life invites us to consider a couple of things. One is that everything is sacred. Everything, everyone, has the potential capacity to communicate God's grace. And the second is that because it does, we should be like Moses and turn to it in curiosity and act with urgency. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. You have no idea when that burning bush will come back and if you have the chance to act on it again." [46:25] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The point of this series. I want you to be able to have a sacramental life. And that doesn't mean that you just participate in the sacred side of things of life. It means that you're willing to let go of the dichotomy between secular and sacred entirely. And recognize that everything in your life, literally everything, is sacred." [38:38] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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