Cain's And Einstein's Theory Of Relativity
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: To show there are spiritual laws of the universe that are just as real as the physical laws and must be kept inviolate.
Actually Einstein and I did not collaborate. In fact, we did not know each other well. As a matter of fact, we didn't know each other at all. In reality, when it comes down to it, I don't even understand the theory of relativity! I have no idea what Einstein was talking about. However, that does not invalidate my theory. And if you like, you may substitute your name in place of mine (Cain) above. You probably had the theory before I did anyway.
a. There are spiritual laws of the universe that parallel the physical laws. There has been a move afoot for a long time that doesn't like laws. It leads to legalism, creates rigidity, eliminates flexibility, and misses the "spirit" of the discipline. Thus, it is fashionable to eschew "laws" and "rules" in favor of "positive attitudes." "Thou shalt nots" are not as motivating as an idea Jesus once shared, "Love God and your neighbor as you do yourself (Matthew 22:34-40)." And I agree. Nevertheless, there are indisputable physical laws in our universe, and I contend there are equal and parallel spiritual laws we must reckon with.
b. Those spiritual laws are part of a "unified theory." Astrophysicists have been trying to unite all the physical laws of the universe into one neat package called the "unified theory." This unified theory seeks to pull into one theory the four or five all-embracing laws of the whole universe: nuclear, electro-magnetic, gravity, motion, and light and radiation. Where Einstein and his successors fail to pull it all together, I have succeeded in fashioning a "unified spiritual theory." The individual spiritual laws governing the universe include: honesty, faithfulness, sensitivity, kindness, and compassion. (You may have a different way of organizing virtues and values to encompass the broad spectrum.) These five laws are coalesced into a unified theory of "love." 1 John 4:7-13 states this theory nicely and says that God is love. Jesus summarized the spiritual laws into one (or two, he said they were the same one): Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). It is a beautiful parallel of the physical laws of the universe.
c. The laws are polarized and balanced. There is a polarization in some physical laws such as the electro-magnetic where there are negatives and positives, opposites. We have the same properties in the spiritual laws such as the positive of love and its opposite, the negative, hate. There is a balance in physical laws. Gravity attracts the moon to the earth and keeps it from flying off into space. The laws of motion counteract the gravity and keep the moon from being pulled down and crashing into the earth. A delicate balance is maintained. In the spiritual realm we have similar balances. You love a child, but you also discipline a child. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us of both the polarization and the balance.
d. The spiritual laws cannot be violated without automatic repercussions. Jump out of an airplane without your parachute and you will not successfully defeat the law of gravity. Spiritual laws are equally demanding. Violate the law of love by hating someone and you suffer. You may not always know it, but the consequences are real. By hating, a part of your soul is diminished. They say what you don't know won't hurt you -- they're wrong. When we are selfish, dishonest, or unkind, we are punished by becoming a lesser human being. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7) is a law that cannot be beaten.
Actually Einstein and I did not collaborate. In fact, we did not know each other well. As a matter of fact, we didn't know each other at all. In reality, when it comes down to it, I don't even understand the theory of relativity! I have no idea what Einstein was talking about. However, that does not invalidate my theory. And if you like, you may substitute your name in place of mine (Cain) above. You probably had the theory before I did anyway.
a. There are spiritual laws of the universe that parallel the physical laws. There has been a move afoot for a long time that doesn't like laws. It leads to legalism, creates rigidity, eliminates flexibility, and misses the "spirit" of the discipline. Thus, it is fashionable to eschew "laws" and "rules" in favor of "positive attitudes." "Thou shalt nots" are not as motivating as an idea Jesus once shared, "Love God and your neighbor as you do yourself (Matthew 22:34-40)." And I agree. Nevertheless, there are indisputable physical laws in our universe, and I contend there are equal and parallel spiritual laws we must reckon with.
b. Those spiritual laws are part of a "unified theory." Astrophysicists have been trying to unite all the physical laws of the universe into one neat package called the "unified theory." This unified theory seeks to pull into one theory the four or five all-embracing laws of the whole universe: nuclear, electro-magnetic, gravity, motion, and light and radiation. Where Einstein and his successors fail to pull it all together, I have succeeded in fashioning a "unified spiritual theory." The individual spiritual laws governing the universe include: honesty, faithfulness, sensitivity, kindness, and compassion. (You may have a different way of organizing virtues and values to encompass the broad spectrum.) These five laws are coalesced into a unified theory of "love." 1 John 4:7-13 states this theory nicely and says that God is love. Jesus summarized the spiritual laws into one (or two, he said they were the same one): Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). It is a beautiful parallel of the physical laws of the universe.
c. The laws are polarized and balanced. There is a polarization in some physical laws such as the electro-magnetic where there are negatives and positives, opposites. We have the same properties in the spiritual laws such as the positive of love and its opposite, the negative, hate. There is a balance in physical laws. Gravity attracts the moon to the earth and keeps it from flying off into space. The laws of motion counteract the gravity and keep the moon from being pulled down and crashing into the earth. A delicate balance is maintained. In the spiritual realm we have similar balances. You love a child, but you also discipline a child. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us of both the polarization and the balance.
d. The spiritual laws cannot be violated without automatic repercussions. Jump out of an airplane without your parachute and you will not successfully defeat the law of gravity. Spiritual laws are equally demanding. Violate the law of love by hating someone and you suffer. You may not always know it, but the consequences are real. By hating, a part of your soul is diminished. They say what you don't know won't hurt you -- they're wrong. When we are selfish, dishonest, or unkind, we are punished by becoming a lesser human being. You reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7) is a law that cannot be beaten.
