Who is God?
Tony E Hansen
Sermon based upon Matthew 16:13-20; Romans 12:1-8; Psalm 138
Opening prayer
It is the last weekend of the state fair; get your corn dogs and turkey kegs while you can!
We are people that describe ourselves in many different ways. Usually attached to what we do, where we live, what tradition we learn or which side of the aisle we might land from one day to the next. We define ourselves based upon what we belief to be true because we have learned over time that somethings we were taught turn out to not be true.
Ever seen a bunny laying eggs?
We also define ourselves via our expectations - of others but more of ourselves - in terms of I am, do and have.
Nonetheless, I am Tony; I am a product of my parents and their heritage. I have sons (biological and foreign exchange). I do programming, writing, ministry, cycling, and many more. I have a home with pets and garden. I studied and believe plenty. I have been a trouble maker and I have healed people. My beliefs have changed over time and today, that is rooted in the Gospels’ message of love, forgiveness and even different gifts, (like Paul says in Romans.) I am no saint. I am…
We do this with God (some being with a beard in the clouds somewhere. Some say a figment of shared imagination. People do this with Jesus - even those who personally met him.
Who is God?
Peter is a guy that decides to follow Jesus along with a few others: the disciples. Like any of us, he is a fallible human being with questions.
Yet when posed the question from Jesus “who do you say I am?” The answer is remarkably forward thinking. It is a testimony of faith in the same.
Then Jesus offers a rock from which to build a church.
Many want to point to Peter as that foundation “rock”, and they could be correct.
Remember Peter the testifier becomes Peter the denier later - when it was less than convenient to know Jesus. Know anyone like this? Which one is Peter? He is both!
I ask us to stretch here and look at this picture even more.
Peter, the professor and denier, has been hanging out with Jesus for a while, as has the other disciples. They have gained personal experiences of and with Jesus. They certainly might have questions and in their faith, they have ideas of a what is a messiah - also who is Jesus.
That messiah could be a powerful king that wields a sword and knocks entires armies back. That messiah unleashes power of Elijah to subdue predators and evil-doers. That messiah does sorcery that dazzles and awes people. That image did not show up in the person of Jesus.
Yet that is what Peter says, or rather, confesses. Peter offers testimony from what he has witnessed and perhaps, from what he sees going forward.
Jesus has been getting more and more popular with this message of inclusiveness, welcoming, love and forgiveness for all. He hasn’t been playing the same tired rules of religious autocracy, exclusion or intolerance. Jesus has invited the sinners and cured the excluded. Jesus has done this without violence or threats while cautioning against false teaching. Could be anyone in the pulpit or anyone holding a bible in their hand - even me.
Peter, in this moment, recognizes that Jesus is not the tall character that people envision, but the physical one people need - the one who is there for us when we need - not just what we want, dream or fantasize.
Peter testifies. On this, Jesus builds a church. Not a church of one person, one tradition, or one idea, but a church that hears, listens, debates, invites expressions, and most importantly, embodying the love of God.
What is your testimony? How do you embody that love? Does your actions match your words, your faith? Does my idea of God match yours? Does it have to?
Again: Who is God to you? Who is God?
Jesus wants us to tell our story - our testimony. Jesus doesn’t force us into a version of God but invites us to see God the way God is.
What is that to you?
Besides, messiah has many different meanings from deliverer, anointed, or savior and in the Judaic tradition, specifically one from the Davidic line.
That is what Peter did here. Peter distills.
Despite how people try to design God as a sort of nationalistic conjuring, Peter declares the inclusive, nonviolent teachings and love as the messianic way - the way of deliverance.
Peter names Jesus -> the Messiah from the living God: incarnate, present and real.
From there we build a faith and communities based upon those teachings along with volumes of hymns.
We read about this today because people, then, learned and testified the truth and way of Jesus was for all of us - not just a few - not isolated - not violent - not armies - just peace, love, and grace.
Sounds a little “hippy”? Maybe we could all use a little hippy!
Because it is church when we testify our faith and our resolve to follow the present, living God that dwells among all of us. That living God teaches us to find the divine promise, eternal and steadfast love, in each of us - to embody that love. When we do that, we don’t need to find fault or accusations, because we see good inside people.
How do you embody that?
Yes I am Tony; you are you; and together, we are love - God's love. We are peace; we are forgiveness, we are church, we are community - each one with “gifts that differ according to the grace given to us …”
Paul invites you to be the teacher, the encourager, the giver, the compassionate.
Why ?
Because of Jesus; because of God; imagine well for “Great is the glory of the LORD.”
Enjoy your egg-on-a-stick and butter cow, testify your faith and love, and go with Christ.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
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