A Portrait of God
Commentary
I suppose that most readers have heard the story of a little girl who was busy finger painting and was asked what she was painting. Her reply: "God." "But," said the questioner, "nobody knows what God looks like." She replied, "They will when I finish this picture."
No doubt most of us, like Moses, would like to see the face of God. Alas there are no pictures. Or, are there?
There are, I believe, many portraits of God, word portraits in the Scriptures. And if you are careful to listen to what is written you will discover that these pictures tell us not what God looks like, or is like, but what he does.
All portraits of God are action portraits. In the Scriptures one learns what God does. Whether what is said is said of God himself, the Holy Spirit, or the Christ, what we see is what is happening.
It is there in Psalm 36. We are told what God does.
In the Corinthian letter it is the same but attributed to the Holy Spirit.
And in John Jesus acts out the Gospel. The new wine is the new life.
No portraits? It depends upon where you are looking and listening.
OUTLINE I
The Three Ps of Poetry
Psalm 36:1-10
Introduction: Psalm 36 is interesting in that it consists of an introduction (verses 1-4), a central section (our selection for today), and a conclusion. (vv. 11 and 12) We focus attention on the middle section which presents the three Ps of our faith.
A. Praise. Hebrew poetry is always consistent in lifting the voice of praise before it recounts the reasons for such praise. Love, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgment characterize this God to whom praise belongs. Note that when the poet of Israel describes God he describes active attributes. Israel's God and ours is one who is known by what he does.
B. Providence. Verses 7-10 furnish only a symbolic sampling of the works of God on behalf of his people. Protection, provisions, and life are his gifts. With these gifts as a foundation one can confidently live life from day to day.
C. Prayer. Now that praise and thanksgiving have been sounded one can ask that they continue. No need to add to the list. What is here is enough.
Conclusion: Offer this poem to your hearers for what it is, an outline for an appropriate prayer. Praise, thanksgiving, and then petition can compose a worthy prayer. And suggest that these ought to be kept in order. The poet knows what he is doing.
OUTLINE II
A Rebuke to Pride
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Introduction: One does not need to read the Corinthian correspondence very long to begin to understand that one of the great problems present there was inordinate pride. Many boasted of their gifts and graces as if they were self-gotten, self-gained. I am convinced that this long liturgy of gifts of the spirit is intended to leave little out. Paul leaves no room for pride. If anyone has any gifts and graces, they are gifts of the spirit and there is no room for boasting.
A. One can turn this passage into a rebuke for the improper pride that sooner or later rears its head in every congregation. These gifts come from God through the presence of his spirit.
B. Of course the text remains applicable even if there is not improper and inordinate pride in the congregation. Here is a cataloging of good things that should be coveted in any congregation. One can encourage a congregation to covet such gifts and to be humbled as receivers in the knowledge that these are gifts.
C. Note the ease with which Paul uses the terms Spirit, Lord, and God interchangeably. Paul is no tritheist. His monotheistic Hebrew heritage stands him in good stead at this point. Make sure that when you deal with this subject you do not fall victim to dealing with the Spirit as if it were one of three entities in heaven.
Conclusion: Help the congregation to discern the difference between the pride of the self-made and the humility of those endowed by the Spirit.
OUTLINE III
Listening for the real miracle
John 2:1-11
Introduction: Those who have studied the Gospel of John carefully know that one has to listen on two levels to hear the messages the author intends. First of all there is the story which in itself is interesting enough. But John is more than a story teller. Remember, he writes to an early Second Century church and seeks by his stories to bring special messages to those who will hear.
A. The story. Jesus comes to a wedding which is apparently being catered by his mother and discovers them short of wine and near embarrassment. Orders are given, new wine is had, the host is congratulated, and the day is saved.
But who cares about that? After all, most of the time it is made clear that Jesus is not trying to prove who he is through his miracles. There must be more here.
B. The real miracle. Can you doubt that the message to the early church has to do with the new and better wine? In this event the message is clear: Jesus adds zest and meaning to life. He adds a special dimension. The new wine is what is at center stage and it is symbolic of new life. The early church heard.
Conclusion: Help your hearers to stop combing the pages of the Bible for miracles. Suggest that they listen for the message. That message is the greatest miracle of all because it tells is something about what God does for us and offers to us.
No doubt most of us, like Moses, would like to see the face of God. Alas there are no pictures. Or, are there?
There are, I believe, many portraits of God, word portraits in the Scriptures. And if you are careful to listen to what is written you will discover that these pictures tell us not what God looks like, or is like, but what he does.
All portraits of God are action portraits. In the Scriptures one learns what God does. Whether what is said is said of God himself, the Holy Spirit, or the Christ, what we see is what is happening.
It is there in Psalm 36. We are told what God does.
In the Corinthian letter it is the same but attributed to the Holy Spirit.
And in John Jesus acts out the Gospel. The new wine is the new life.
No portraits? It depends upon where you are looking and listening.
OUTLINE I
The Three Ps of Poetry
Psalm 36:1-10
Introduction: Psalm 36 is interesting in that it consists of an introduction (verses 1-4), a central section (our selection for today), and a conclusion. (vv. 11 and 12) We focus attention on the middle section which presents the three Ps of our faith.
A. Praise. Hebrew poetry is always consistent in lifting the voice of praise before it recounts the reasons for such praise. Love, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgment characterize this God to whom praise belongs. Note that when the poet of Israel describes God he describes active attributes. Israel's God and ours is one who is known by what he does.
B. Providence. Verses 7-10 furnish only a symbolic sampling of the works of God on behalf of his people. Protection, provisions, and life are his gifts. With these gifts as a foundation one can confidently live life from day to day.
C. Prayer. Now that praise and thanksgiving have been sounded one can ask that they continue. No need to add to the list. What is here is enough.
Conclusion: Offer this poem to your hearers for what it is, an outline for an appropriate prayer. Praise, thanksgiving, and then petition can compose a worthy prayer. And suggest that these ought to be kept in order. The poet knows what he is doing.
OUTLINE II
A Rebuke to Pride
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Introduction: One does not need to read the Corinthian correspondence very long to begin to understand that one of the great problems present there was inordinate pride. Many boasted of their gifts and graces as if they were self-gotten, self-gained. I am convinced that this long liturgy of gifts of the spirit is intended to leave little out. Paul leaves no room for pride. If anyone has any gifts and graces, they are gifts of the spirit and there is no room for boasting.
A. One can turn this passage into a rebuke for the improper pride that sooner or later rears its head in every congregation. These gifts come from God through the presence of his spirit.
B. Of course the text remains applicable even if there is not improper and inordinate pride in the congregation. Here is a cataloging of good things that should be coveted in any congregation. One can encourage a congregation to covet such gifts and to be humbled as receivers in the knowledge that these are gifts.
C. Note the ease with which Paul uses the terms Spirit, Lord, and God interchangeably. Paul is no tritheist. His monotheistic Hebrew heritage stands him in good stead at this point. Make sure that when you deal with this subject you do not fall victim to dealing with the Spirit as if it were one of three entities in heaven.
Conclusion: Help the congregation to discern the difference between the pride of the self-made and the humility of those endowed by the Spirit.
OUTLINE III
Listening for the real miracle
John 2:1-11
Introduction: Those who have studied the Gospel of John carefully know that one has to listen on two levels to hear the messages the author intends. First of all there is the story which in itself is interesting enough. But John is more than a story teller. Remember, he writes to an early Second Century church and seeks by his stories to bring special messages to those who will hear.
A. The story. Jesus comes to a wedding which is apparently being catered by his mother and discovers them short of wine and near embarrassment. Orders are given, new wine is had, the host is congratulated, and the day is saved.
But who cares about that? After all, most of the time it is made clear that Jesus is not trying to prove who he is through his miracles. There must be more here.
B. The real miracle. Can you doubt that the message to the early church has to do with the new and better wine? In this event the message is clear: Jesus adds zest and meaning to life. He adds a special dimension. The new wine is what is at center stage and it is symbolic of new life. The early church heard.
Conclusion: Help your hearers to stop combing the pages of the Bible for miracles. Suggest that they listen for the message. That message is the greatest miracle of all because it tells is something about what God does for us and offers to us.
