Transformative Journeys: Fairy Tales and the Gospel

 

Summary

In our exploration today, we delved into the profound nature of stories, particularly fairy tales, and their connection to the gospel. Fairy tales, as Fred Beer suggests, are universal across cultures and time, offering us glimpses into another world—a realm that is both perilous and transcendent. This other world is not defined by mythical creatures but by its very existence beyond the seen, echoing the biblical truth that what is unseen is eternal and foundational to our reality. We are reminded that our world, often disenchanted, is not the full picture. There is a narrative that holds everything together, a story that is closer than we might think.

The ordinary can become extraordinary, as seen in tales like Narnia or the biblical story of Jacob, where everyday settings become gateways to divine encounters. This mirrors our spiritual journey, where the mundane can suddenly reveal the presence of God. The world of fairy tales, much like our spiritual walk, is fraught with choices that can lead to transformation or disaster. Our lives are filled with moments where we wish we could turn back time, yet these moments are part of the journey towards transformation.

Transformation is a central theme in both fairy tales and the gospel. Just as characters in fairy tales are revealed in their true forms, we too are being transformed into the image of God. This transformation is ongoing, a process of unveiling our true selves in Christ. The gospel, as J.R.R. Tolkien eloquently puts it, is the ultimate fairy tale, offering a glimpse of joy beyond the world's sorrows and failures. It denies universal defeat and promises deliverance, echoing the joy and hope found in fairy tales.

In Revelation, John’s vision of Christ is a powerful reminder of the unseen reality that governs our lives. The imagery of Christ, with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like a double-edged sword, speaks to the power and majesty of the unseen world. Yet, in this awe-inspiring vision, Christ reassures John, much like a familiar face behind a Santa Claus mask, saying, "Do not be afraid." This is the story God is writing—a story of redemption, transformation, and hope that is closer than we realize.

Key Takeaways:

- Fairy tales remind us of the existence of another world, a transcendent realm that parallels the biblical truth of the unseen being eternal. This unseen world is foundational to our reality, urging us to fix our eyes on what truly matters: love, character, and God. [02:24]

- The ordinary can become extraordinary, as seen in stories like Narnia or Jacob's ladder. These tales remind us that divine encounters can happen in the most mundane settings, transforming our perception of reality. [04:01]

- Life is filled with choices that can lead to transformation or disaster. Our spiritual journey mirrors fairy tales, where the right path leads to growth and the wrong path to regret. Yet, even in our mistakes, there is hope for redemption. [06:21]

- Transformation is a central theme in both fairy tales and the gospel. We are being transformed into the image of God, unveiling our true selves in Christ. This ongoing process is a testament to the power of the gospel. [08:43]

- The gospel is the ultimate fairy tale, offering joy and hope beyond the world's sorrows. It denies universal defeat and promises deliverance, echoing the transformative power of fairy tales. [09:27]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:47] - Introduction to Fairy Tales
[01:22] - The Transcendent World
[02:07] - Seen and Unseen Realities
[03:10] - Ordinary to Extraordinary
[04:01] - Divine Encounters in the Mundane
[05:02] - Defamiliarization and New Perspectives
[06:04] - The Perilous Nature of Choices
[07:07] - Transformation and True Identity
[08:20] - The Power of Transformation
[09:15] - Joy Beyond Sorrow
[10:22] - The Gospel as the Ultimate Fairy Tale
[11:07] - Vision of Christ in Revelation
[12:25] - Reassurance in the Divine
[13:02] - The Ongoing Story of Redemption

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 4:18 - "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2. Genesis 28:16-17 - "When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.' He was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.'"
3. Revelation 1:12-18 - John's vision of Christ with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like a double-edged sword.

Observation Questions:
1. What are some examples of ordinary settings in the Bible that became extraordinary through divine encounters? (Genesis 28:16-17)
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the seen and unseen realities? [02:07]
3. What imagery is used in Revelation to describe the vision of Christ, and what does it signify? [11:07]
4. How do fairy tales and the gospel both address the theme of transformation? [08:05]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our world is "disenchanted," and how does this affect our perception of reality? [02:56]
2. How does the concept of transformation in fairy tales relate to the Christian journey of being transformed into the image of God? [08:43]
3. What does the sermon imply about the choices we make in life and their potential for leading to transformation or disaster? [06:21]
4. How does the vision of Christ in Revelation provide reassurance to believers, according to the sermon? [12:25]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when an ordinary moment in your life became extraordinary. How did it change your perception of God's presence? [04:01]
2. How can you become more aware of the unseen realities in your daily life, and what practical steps can you take to focus on what truly matters? [02:24]
3. Think about a choice you are currently facing. How can you ensure that it leads to growth and transformation rather than regret? [06:21]
4. In what ways can you actively participate in your own spiritual transformation, unveiling your true self in Christ? [08:43]
5. How can the hope and joy found in the gospel help you navigate the sorrows and failures of the world? [09:27]
6. Consider a situation where you felt afraid or uncertain. How can the reassurance found in the vision of Christ in Revelation encourage you in similar situations? [12:25]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel "disenchanted." What steps can you take to rediscover the wonder and presence of God in that area? [02:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unseen World is Foundational to Reality
Fairy tales remind us of the existence of another world, a transcendent realm that parallels the biblical truth of the unseen being eternal. This unseen world is foundational to our reality, urging us to fix our eyes on what truly matters: love, character, and God. In a world that often feels disenchanted, fairy tales offer a glimpse into a reality that is more profound and enduring than what we can see. They echo the biblical truth that the unseen is eternal, encouraging us to focus on the things that truly matter. This perspective invites us to live with an awareness of the spiritual dimensions of our lives, recognizing that our actions and choices have eternal significance. [02:24]

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one unseen aspect of your life that you can focus on today to align more closely with God's eternal perspective?


Day 2: Divine Encounters in the Mundane
The ordinary can become extraordinary, as seen in stories like Narnia or Jacob's ladder. These tales remind us that divine encounters can happen in the most mundane settings, transforming our perception of reality. In our daily lives, we often overlook the potential for divine encounters in the ordinary. Yet, just as in fairy tales, the mundane can become a gateway to the divine. This perspective encourages us to be open to God's presence in our everyday experiences, transforming our understanding of what is possible. By recognizing the potential for divine encounters in the ordinary, we can live with a sense of wonder and expectation, knowing that God is always at work in our lives. [04:01]

"Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.'" (Genesis 28:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your daily routine today, even in the most mundane tasks?


Day 3: Choices Lead to Transformation or Regret
Life is filled with choices that can lead to transformation or disaster. Our spiritual journey mirrors fairy tales, where the right path leads to growth and the wrong path to regret. Yet, even in our mistakes, there is hope for redemption. The choices we make each day have the power to shape our lives and our spiritual journey. Like the characters in fairy tales, we face decisions that can lead to transformation or disaster. However, even when we make mistakes, there is always hope for redemption. This perspective encourages us to approach our choices with wisdom and discernment, trusting in God's grace to guide us on the right path. [06:21]

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil." (Deuteronomy 30:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing today where you need God's wisdom to choose the path of transformation and growth?


Day 4: Transformation into the Image of God
Transformation is a central theme in both fairy tales and the gospel. We are being transformed into the image of God, unveiling our true selves in Christ. This ongoing process is a testament to the power of the gospel. Just as characters in fairy tales are revealed in their true forms, we too are being transformed into the image of God. This transformation is an ongoing process, a journey of unveiling our true selves in Christ. It is a testament to the power of the gospel, which offers us the hope of becoming more like Christ each day. This perspective invites us to embrace the process of transformation, trusting in God's work in our lives to bring about lasting change. [08:43]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God is calling you to embrace transformation today, and how can you actively participate in this process?


Day 5: The Gospel as the Ultimate Fairy Tale
The gospel is the ultimate fairy tale, offering joy and hope beyond the world's sorrows. It denies universal defeat and promises deliverance, echoing the transformative power of fairy tales. The gospel story is the ultimate fairy tale, offering a vision of joy and hope that transcends the sorrows and failures of the world. It promises deliverance and transformation, echoing the themes of fairy tales that captivate our imaginations. This perspective invites us to see the gospel as a story of redemption and hope, one that offers us the promise of a future filled with joy and peace. By embracing the gospel story, we can live with confidence and hope, knowing that God's promises are true. [09:27]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live today in a way that reflects the joy and hope of the gospel, even in the midst of life's challenges?

Quotes

"Fred says that as far as he knows there is no time no culture which has not produced fairy tales and they have certain things in common that have something to teach us that we'll think about for a few moments as you reflect on your life in that greater story that you might be a part of one of them is in fairy tales there's always another world and the primary characteristic is not um that it contains particular beings elves or trolls or ogres or fairies or anything else." [00:01:22]

"Therefore we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen for what is seen how your body looks who's got the money who's got the power who's got the fame for what is seen is temporary but what is unseen what matters most love character values God is unseen and fairy stories remind us in a powerful way and so we say tell us a story that things hold together that there is a narrative that there is another world that our world has been in uh the words of one writer Charles Taylor disenchanted but that's not the way that things really are." [00:02:24]

"To the house where the children are playing hide-and-seek is just an ordinary house house in the story of Narnia little children go through a wardrobe they've been through it a 100 times before but all of a sudden for some reason this time it leads them into another realm just as the tent where Abraham and Sarah Laughed Until the tears ran down their cheeks was an ordinary tent Alice goes down a rabbit hole but this time she ends up in Wonderland Jacob the Grabber the deceiver goes to sleep in a certain place we don't know where maybe he'd been there a thousand times before with a stone for a pillow only this time there is a latter only this time there are beings that are descending and ascending from heaven and Jacob wakes up and says surely the Lord was in this place and I was not aware of it." [00:03:10]

"One of the marks of this world is that is quite a dangerous place in fairy tales you choose the wrong path you go through the wrong door you say the wrong words uh you make the wrong decision and disaster can result and of course our life is that way I think about times in my life as a dad where I did things or said things or didn't do things or didn't say things and I would give now anything in the world to have that moment back and so often when that happens it's not clear to us we just blunder into it the world is that way our world is that way and that element of Disguise of not being able to recognize clearly as part of our world." [00:06:04]

"Above all there are tales about transformation where all the creatures are revealed in the end as what they truly are the ugly duckling becomes a gray white swan the frog is revealed to be a prince the beautiful but Wicked Queen is unmasked in all her ugliness and Paul says and we who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's Glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing Glory which comes from the Lord who is the spirit that is the Unseen one and this is the great story this is what God is doing this is what's happening this is why your life matters more than you can imagine." [00:07:07]

"The fairy tale does not deny the existence of sorrow and failure the possibility of these is necessary to the joy of the Deliverance it denies in the face of much evidence if you will Universal final defeat giving a fleeting glimpse of joy joy beyond the walls of the world poignant as grief it is the mark of the good farer story or the higher more complete kind that however wild its events however fantastic or terrible the adventures it can give to child or man that hears it when the turn comes a catch of the breath a beat and a lifting of the heart near to or indeed accompanied by Tears as Keen as that given by any form of literary art." [00:09:15]

"Tolken goes on to write that the gospel itself contains a fair fairy story or perhaps the essence of all fairy stories except that in this case it is entered into history one last note on this story Rich Mau would sometimes read a little passage from The Book of Revelation and then tell a story from his Boyhood about the recognition of the Unseen the passage is revelation one where John writes that he sees someone like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to the feet to his feet the hair on his head was white like wool as white as snow this imagery would be familiar in that day white hair was associated with wisdom it was to be revered and honored and his eyes were like blazing fire his feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace furnace in his right hand he held Seven Stars coming out of his mouth with a sharp double-edged sword his words had great power and so his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." [00:10:22]

"When I saw him when I saw him when I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead then he placed his right hand on me and said do not be afraid I am the first and the last I am the living one I was dead and now look I'm alive forever and ever and I hold the keys of death and Hades Rich talked about a time when he was a little boy growing up a a Little Dutch town in Michigan and and one day when he was at school I think maybe in kindergarten so like 5 years old Santa Claus came and uh wanted one of the kids to come and sit in his lap and they were all sore afraid and he finally called up rich and Rich went to sit there and he was scared to death he was trembling and then Santa Claus pulled his beard away for just a moment and it was Mr Groot a kindly kindly man that rich knew from church and he said hey Rich don't be afraid." [00:11:07]

"John sees a vision of a being so powerful and glorious and holy that he faints dead away like somebody who had lost his life and then Jesus pulls him near and says hey hey John buddy don't be afraid it's me I was dead but now I'm alive and the keys the access to all good got him from my dad that is the story that God has written the God is writing that God will write better everything in the world on that story and the my in many ways wonderful in many ways so joyful in many ways so deeply broken story will be healed by being part of that story and it's closer than we." [00:12:25]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 12, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?