Describing The Indescribable
Preaching
Distinctively Different
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (v. 15).
How do you describe something that is indescribable? Have you ever tried to describe something which cannot be described?
In 1666 the great fire of London destroyed much of the city. Christopher Wren was chosen to serve as the major architect to rebuild the city from the rubbish. His greatest challenge was to be the architect for the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral, a task at which he spent 35 years of his life. When the project was completed, the reigning monarch of the day, Queen Ann, was given a guided tour of the edifice by Christopher Wren. When she viewed the structure upon which he had given the major effort of his life's work, her remarks were, "It is awful; it is artificial; it is amusing."
Now, what if someone had made those comments about a work upon which you had spent 35 years? You and I might be devastated. Christopher Wren gave a huge sight of relief, said, "Thank you, your Majesty," and bowed at her feet. Why? Because in seventeenth century England, those words had different meanings than they have today. In those days "awful" meant "awe--inspiring," "arti--ficial" meant "artistic," and "amusing" meant "amazing."1 No wonder Wren was pleased. Queen Ann was giving to him the highest compliment of his time. And there are those who have seen it who say that even her words did not do justice to the work of Sir Christopher Wren.
How does one describe that which cannot be described? Paul states that God's gift to us is indescribable. The word in the original language means "inexpressible," "unutterable" or "cannot be related." It literally is a gift beyond description.
Why is it that sometimes a thing is inexpressible or unutterable? It could be that we find it so difficult, if not impossible, to describe something because we lack the language, especially when words vary so in their connotation, as seen with Queen Ann's reaction. Take the word "bad." When I grew up the word "bad" meant "bad." When you called someone "bad" it meant that they were bad or unethical or not good. Today, "bad" does not mean "bad." Today "bad" means "good." If you say to someone, "Hey, that's a bad sweater!" that means that it is a good sweater or a stylish one. So, "bad" means "good" or "stylish."
Last week I was in a car rental office and the clerk was having a very difficult time checking in my car. He could not get the computer to print out my statement. Finally, another worker came over and said, "Man, you've got to click on it!" To which my clerk said, "Oh, no, I see! My 'bad.' "
Now, wait a minute! Did he mean that he was "bad" or "good" or "stylish"? No, he meant that he had made a mistake. So, bad can mean "bad" or "good" or "stylish" or "a mistake." I am confused! And, I am not even going to try to explain the title of Michael Jackson's musical album which is titled, you guessed it, "BAD!"
So, it is difficult to describe something because of the changing nature and context of language. Also, it can be a challenge to express something because it is so far beyond us or is even mysterious. I understand that Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity can be expressed by the formula e=mc2? I think that I remember that "e" stands for energy, "m" stands for mass and somehow "c" expressed the velocity of light squared. While I have a hint of the meaning of the various compounds, I am a great distance away from being able to describe the theory. It is a mystery beyond this very finite mind to understand or my limited language to describe.
Often something is impossible to describe because it is beyond words. How do you describe the Grand Canyon? "Well, there's some rocks, mountains, a little river, and vegetation. Oh, yes, there are many bright colors!" If you have ever stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon and beheld its splendor, you might say that my description falls woefully short. Or, how would you describe the face of a six--month--old baby? "Well, she has a cute button nose and huge brown eyes, her hair is swirled up into a pink ribbon, and she has cute chubby cheeks." Does that do it? Hardly! You have to see her or kiss those chubby cheeks! How does one explain the taste of vanilla ice cream to one who has never tasted ice cream, or creme brulee, or an Almond Joy, which is supposed to be "indescribably delicious?" You can't! The person must experience it! Some things are indescribable! They must be experienced in a firsthand, personal way!
In our text, Paul states that we can experience firsthand one of God's most essential characteristics if not the very essence of his nature. That is the characteristic of "generosity." God is generous! We can be generous as well, especially as we participate in his indescribable gift.
We begin to experience God's generosity when we realize and remember that God is a giver. "As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever" (v. 9). His gift of generosity begins to be ours when we realize that everything we have had, have, or ever hope to have or be are gracious gifts of God's bountiful, generous nature. We remember that these are gifts to be cherished and appreciated but never to be hoarded selfishly.
In the movie Wall Street, the Michael Douglas character tries to persuade a group of stockholders that his intended takeover is good, not bad, because "Greed is Good." He states that greed is so good it shall be the salvation of our troubled society. While few would express it so bluntly, there are those, legion in number, who live to acquire, amass, and accumulate. Tragically, too often, the world's economy states, "He who has the most toys wins!"
Paradoxically, God's economy states just the opposite!
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work ... Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:8, 10--11
Paul says that we can share in God's economy. He states that God generously supplies our needs in order that we can generously supply the needs of others. The more generous we are, the more generous we become. The more generous we become, the more thankful we are. The more thankful we are, the more joyful we are and the more glory God receives! God's economy is this ever--spiraling and expanding effect of generosity, gratitude, and joyfulness, which produces more generosity, gratitude, and joy.
It is also good theology. God's economy also produces the right kind of generous faith that is free to give today because it trusts God's provision for tomorrow.
It is similar to the experience of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7--24) who gave to the prophet Elijah all that she had only to find that our generous God supplied her needs in a never ending supply.
It is similar to the statement of English poet Rudyard Kipling to the graduating class of McGill University when he challenged them not to focus upon or care for money, power, or fame. "Someday you will meet someone who cares for none of these things ... then you will realize how poor you are."
It is similar to the statement of Saint Augustine, who once defined sin as "using what one ought to enjoy and enjoying what one ought to use."2 John Claypool here explains that Augustine is talking about the ends and means of life. To "use" has to do with means. I can "use" something beyond that for which it was intended. For example, "I used him to get the promotion I desired." To "enjoy" has to do with ends. To enjoy means to appreciate something for what it is and nothing more. I can enjoy God and give to him the glory that is his due.
In man's earliest efforts at religion, he sought to "buy off" God through gifts and sacrifice. He felt that if his sacrifices were big enough, his works of righteousness piled high enough, God would certainly be in his debt and he could "use" God to fulfill his selfish desires. I could hardly believe it when a church leader once said to me, "If I do such and such, then God has to do what I say!" Again while few of us would seek to express it so bluntly, we often operate under the assumption that God will reward our faithfulness with our idea of success, not necessarily his!
God's economy paradoxically promotes just the opposite. Generously, gratefully, joyfully, we give to God because he is generous, gracious, and joyful. We share in his nature and share in his glory. We don't seek to "use" God, we seek to enjoy him. We seek to share in the characteristic of his generosity as we become more and more like him. We seek to become distinctively different as he is "holy other" - distinctively different. As states the Westminster catechism, "The chief end of man is to love God and to enjoy him forever."
Perhaps we would do well to recall why Paul was writing this letter to the church at Corinth in the first place. Paul was encouraging the Gentile Christians at the church in Corinth to support the relief offering for the Jewish Christians at the church in Jerusalem. A rift had occurred! The division between Jewish and Gentile Christianity was widening. Paul felt that a genuine display of generosity on the part of Gentile Christianity would go a long way in helping to heal the growing separation. Paul was right. Nothing brings people together so much as a display of love and generosity. Defenses are melted. Offenses are forgotten. Camaraderie is recognized. It's somewhat like when different Christians gather around one table in gratitude for the generosity of God in sending his only Son to die for us undeserving sinners.
In a Sunday evening Chapel Eucharist Service two Christians were taking communion. One was James Mills, who is developmentally challenged. Another was Christine Boyd, who is blind. James escorted Christine into the service, guided her through the liturgy, and held the elements for her and assisted her as we recognized our common Savior. Two people, though different, were one - whole in God's generous, indescribable gift.
Several years ago a layman by the name of Steve Tondera led our Deacon's Retreat. Shortly after the retreat, he went to his high school reunion in Texas. Steve grew up in Waco. In high school, he hung around with five other boys who hung around six other girls. Just buddies. It was just natural that when the group divided up it seemed that Steve was always with Ina Blayne. Ina Blayne was not very pretty, a little overweight, and the daughter of blue--collar parents. They didn't have a lot, but life was good.
As the class members were congregating and talking at the reunion, there was almost a hush in the crowd as a beautiful lady walked in with diamonds and furs everywhere. Steve asked J. B. Hensley, one of his old high school buddies, "Wow, who is that?" He said, "Don't you know? That's Ina Blayne." "That's Ina Blayne?" "She's filthy rich."
Steve walked over, gave her a big hug and they began to get reacquainted. He said, "You look wonderful! Wow, what has happened to you?" She said, "You see that limousine out there and the chauffeur? That's mine. Everything my husband Harlan touches turns to money."
Then Steve said, "I don't know why I said it, but I just said, 'Ina Blayne, why don't you use some of your money to help others?' " She said, "What?" "Why don't you give some of your money away to people who are in need?" She said, "What do you mean?" "You could give it to a school or something. Why don't you give it to Baylor University right here in Waco?" She said, "I never went to college, much less Baylor." He said, "That doesn't matter. There's people at Baylor who could use some of that money." She said, "Oh, you're kidding. How would I do something like that?" He said, "Call up the president, Dr. Reynolds, and I promise you he'll meet with you if you tell him you want to give him some money." She asked, "Are you sure about this?" Steve replied, "Believe me, he will meet with you!" He continued, "You remember when we were in high school and you wanted to go to church camp but lacked the funds. You remember that our pastor, Brother Sutherland, gave you the six dollars to go?" She said, "You know, I do remember that." Steve said, "You could do the same with your money." "I'll think about that!" she said. Steve said that the whole conversation lasted less than ten minutes.
About eight weeks later Steve received a call from Ina Blayne. "Steve, we did it!" "Did what?" "We met with Dr. Reynolds and endowed a chair at Baylor University in the School of Religion." He said, "You're kidding." "No, I'm not kidding at all." "That's wonderful and I know that your husband is honored to have a chair endowed in his name." He said, "I've just got to ask you, how much did you give?" She said, "Well, you know Brother Sutherland gave me six dollars and I graduated in 1952 so my husband and I gave to Baylor University $652,000, but I did not endow that chair in the name of my husband. I endowed it in the name of Brother Sutherland."
You see the cycle, don't you? The ever--expanding cycle of God's economy? It goes from generosity to gratitude to joy to generosity to ...
Let me ask you, who was generous? Was it Steve who listened to God's Spirit to give less than ten minutes of his time? Was it Harlan who worked to earn and complied with his wife's wishes? Was it Ina Blayne who converted past generosity into a present and never--ending one? Was it Brother Sutherland who gave six dollars not knowing that God would expand it far beyond his wildest imagination? Was it God who was generous as he always is in an effort to help us experience his heavenly economy? And the answer would be, "Yes!"
____________
1. John R. Claypool, "God is an Amateur," an unpublished sermon preached at the Northminster Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, September 2, 1979.
2. John R. Claypool, "A Cheerful Giver," an unpublished sermon preached at the Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, October 15, 1967.
How do you describe something that is indescribable? Have you ever tried to describe something which cannot be described?
In 1666 the great fire of London destroyed much of the city. Christopher Wren was chosen to serve as the major architect to rebuild the city from the rubbish. His greatest challenge was to be the architect for the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral, a task at which he spent 35 years of his life. When the project was completed, the reigning monarch of the day, Queen Ann, was given a guided tour of the edifice by Christopher Wren. When she viewed the structure upon which he had given the major effort of his life's work, her remarks were, "It is awful; it is artificial; it is amusing."
Now, what if someone had made those comments about a work upon which you had spent 35 years? You and I might be devastated. Christopher Wren gave a huge sight of relief, said, "Thank you, your Majesty," and bowed at her feet. Why? Because in seventeenth century England, those words had different meanings than they have today. In those days "awful" meant "awe--inspiring," "arti--ficial" meant "artistic," and "amusing" meant "amazing."1 No wonder Wren was pleased. Queen Ann was giving to him the highest compliment of his time. And there are those who have seen it who say that even her words did not do justice to the work of Sir Christopher Wren.
How does one describe that which cannot be described? Paul states that God's gift to us is indescribable. The word in the original language means "inexpressible," "unutterable" or "cannot be related." It literally is a gift beyond description.
Why is it that sometimes a thing is inexpressible or unutterable? It could be that we find it so difficult, if not impossible, to describe something because we lack the language, especially when words vary so in their connotation, as seen with Queen Ann's reaction. Take the word "bad." When I grew up the word "bad" meant "bad." When you called someone "bad" it meant that they were bad or unethical or not good. Today, "bad" does not mean "bad." Today "bad" means "good." If you say to someone, "Hey, that's a bad sweater!" that means that it is a good sweater or a stylish one. So, "bad" means "good" or "stylish."
Last week I was in a car rental office and the clerk was having a very difficult time checking in my car. He could not get the computer to print out my statement. Finally, another worker came over and said, "Man, you've got to click on it!" To which my clerk said, "Oh, no, I see! My 'bad.' "
Now, wait a minute! Did he mean that he was "bad" or "good" or "stylish"? No, he meant that he had made a mistake. So, bad can mean "bad" or "good" or "stylish" or "a mistake." I am confused! And, I am not even going to try to explain the title of Michael Jackson's musical album which is titled, you guessed it, "BAD!"
So, it is difficult to describe something because of the changing nature and context of language. Also, it can be a challenge to express something because it is so far beyond us or is even mysterious. I understand that Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity can be expressed by the formula e=mc2? I think that I remember that "e" stands for energy, "m" stands for mass and somehow "c" expressed the velocity of light squared. While I have a hint of the meaning of the various compounds, I am a great distance away from being able to describe the theory. It is a mystery beyond this very finite mind to understand or my limited language to describe.
Often something is impossible to describe because it is beyond words. How do you describe the Grand Canyon? "Well, there's some rocks, mountains, a little river, and vegetation. Oh, yes, there are many bright colors!" If you have ever stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon and beheld its splendor, you might say that my description falls woefully short. Or, how would you describe the face of a six--month--old baby? "Well, she has a cute button nose and huge brown eyes, her hair is swirled up into a pink ribbon, and she has cute chubby cheeks." Does that do it? Hardly! You have to see her or kiss those chubby cheeks! How does one explain the taste of vanilla ice cream to one who has never tasted ice cream, or creme brulee, or an Almond Joy, which is supposed to be "indescribably delicious?" You can't! The person must experience it! Some things are indescribable! They must be experienced in a firsthand, personal way!
In our text, Paul states that we can experience firsthand one of God's most essential characteristics if not the very essence of his nature. That is the characteristic of "generosity." God is generous! We can be generous as well, especially as we participate in his indescribable gift.
We begin to experience God's generosity when we realize and remember that God is a giver. "As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever" (v. 9). His gift of generosity begins to be ours when we realize that everything we have had, have, or ever hope to have or be are gracious gifts of God's bountiful, generous nature. We remember that these are gifts to be cherished and appreciated but never to be hoarded selfishly.
In the movie Wall Street, the Michael Douglas character tries to persuade a group of stockholders that his intended takeover is good, not bad, because "Greed is Good." He states that greed is so good it shall be the salvation of our troubled society. While few would express it so bluntly, there are those, legion in number, who live to acquire, amass, and accumulate. Tragically, too often, the world's economy states, "He who has the most toys wins!"
Paradoxically, God's economy states just the opposite!
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work ... Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:8, 10--11
Paul says that we can share in God's economy. He states that God generously supplies our needs in order that we can generously supply the needs of others. The more generous we are, the more generous we become. The more generous we become, the more thankful we are. The more thankful we are, the more joyful we are and the more glory God receives! God's economy is this ever--spiraling and expanding effect of generosity, gratitude, and joyfulness, which produces more generosity, gratitude, and joy.
It is also good theology. God's economy also produces the right kind of generous faith that is free to give today because it trusts God's provision for tomorrow.
It is similar to the experience of the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7--24) who gave to the prophet Elijah all that she had only to find that our generous God supplied her needs in a never ending supply.
It is similar to the statement of English poet Rudyard Kipling to the graduating class of McGill University when he challenged them not to focus upon or care for money, power, or fame. "Someday you will meet someone who cares for none of these things ... then you will realize how poor you are."
It is similar to the statement of Saint Augustine, who once defined sin as "using what one ought to enjoy and enjoying what one ought to use."2 John Claypool here explains that Augustine is talking about the ends and means of life. To "use" has to do with means. I can "use" something beyond that for which it was intended. For example, "I used him to get the promotion I desired." To "enjoy" has to do with ends. To enjoy means to appreciate something for what it is and nothing more. I can enjoy God and give to him the glory that is his due.
In man's earliest efforts at religion, he sought to "buy off" God through gifts and sacrifice. He felt that if his sacrifices were big enough, his works of righteousness piled high enough, God would certainly be in his debt and he could "use" God to fulfill his selfish desires. I could hardly believe it when a church leader once said to me, "If I do such and such, then God has to do what I say!" Again while few of us would seek to express it so bluntly, we often operate under the assumption that God will reward our faithfulness with our idea of success, not necessarily his!
God's economy paradoxically promotes just the opposite. Generously, gratefully, joyfully, we give to God because he is generous, gracious, and joyful. We share in his nature and share in his glory. We don't seek to "use" God, we seek to enjoy him. We seek to share in the characteristic of his generosity as we become more and more like him. We seek to become distinctively different as he is "holy other" - distinctively different. As states the Westminster catechism, "The chief end of man is to love God and to enjoy him forever."
Perhaps we would do well to recall why Paul was writing this letter to the church at Corinth in the first place. Paul was encouraging the Gentile Christians at the church in Corinth to support the relief offering for the Jewish Christians at the church in Jerusalem. A rift had occurred! The division between Jewish and Gentile Christianity was widening. Paul felt that a genuine display of generosity on the part of Gentile Christianity would go a long way in helping to heal the growing separation. Paul was right. Nothing brings people together so much as a display of love and generosity. Defenses are melted. Offenses are forgotten. Camaraderie is recognized. It's somewhat like when different Christians gather around one table in gratitude for the generosity of God in sending his only Son to die for us undeserving sinners.
In a Sunday evening Chapel Eucharist Service two Christians were taking communion. One was James Mills, who is developmentally challenged. Another was Christine Boyd, who is blind. James escorted Christine into the service, guided her through the liturgy, and held the elements for her and assisted her as we recognized our common Savior. Two people, though different, were one - whole in God's generous, indescribable gift.
Several years ago a layman by the name of Steve Tondera led our Deacon's Retreat. Shortly after the retreat, he went to his high school reunion in Texas. Steve grew up in Waco. In high school, he hung around with five other boys who hung around six other girls. Just buddies. It was just natural that when the group divided up it seemed that Steve was always with Ina Blayne. Ina Blayne was not very pretty, a little overweight, and the daughter of blue--collar parents. They didn't have a lot, but life was good.
As the class members were congregating and talking at the reunion, there was almost a hush in the crowd as a beautiful lady walked in with diamonds and furs everywhere. Steve asked J. B. Hensley, one of his old high school buddies, "Wow, who is that?" He said, "Don't you know? That's Ina Blayne." "That's Ina Blayne?" "She's filthy rich."
Steve walked over, gave her a big hug and they began to get reacquainted. He said, "You look wonderful! Wow, what has happened to you?" She said, "You see that limousine out there and the chauffeur? That's mine. Everything my husband Harlan touches turns to money."
Then Steve said, "I don't know why I said it, but I just said, 'Ina Blayne, why don't you use some of your money to help others?' " She said, "What?" "Why don't you give some of your money away to people who are in need?" She said, "What do you mean?" "You could give it to a school or something. Why don't you give it to Baylor University right here in Waco?" She said, "I never went to college, much less Baylor." He said, "That doesn't matter. There's people at Baylor who could use some of that money." She said, "Oh, you're kidding. How would I do something like that?" He said, "Call up the president, Dr. Reynolds, and I promise you he'll meet with you if you tell him you want to give him some money." She asked, "Are you sure about this?" Steve replied, "Believe me, he will meet with you!" He continued, "You remember when we were in high school and you wanted to go to church camp but lacked the funds. You remember that our pastor, Brother Sutherland, gave you the six dollars to go?" She said, "You know, I do remember that." Steve said, "You could do the same with your money." "I'll think about that!" she said. Steve said that the whole conversation lasted less than ten minutes.
About eight weeks later Steve received a call from Ina Blayne. "Steve, we did it!" "Did what?" "We met with Dr. Reynolds and endowed a chair at Baylor University in the School of Religion." He said, "You're kidding." "No, I'm not kidding at all." "That's wonderful and I know that your husband is honored to have a chair endowed in his name." He said, "I've just got to ask you, how much did you give?" She said, "Well, you know Brother Sutherland gave me six dollars and I graduated in 1952 so my husband and I gave to Baylor University $652,000, but I did not endow that chair in the name of my husband. I endowed it in the name of Brother Sutherland."
You see the cycle, don't you? The ever--expanding cycle of God's economy? It goes from generosity to gratitude to joy to generosity to ...
Let me ask you, who was generous? Was it Steve who listened to God's Spirit to give less than ten minutes of his time? Was it Harlan who worked to earn and complied with his wife's wishes? Was it Ina Blayne who converted past generosity into a present and never--ending one? Was it Brother Sutherland who gave six dollars not knowing that God would expand it far beyond his wildest imagination? Was it God who was generous as he always is in an effort to help us experience his heavenly economy? And the answer would be, "Yes!"
____________
1. John R. Claypool, "God is an Amateur," an unpublished sermon preached at the Northminster Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, September 2, 1979.
2. John R. Claypool, "A Cheerful Giver," an unpublished sermon preached at the Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, October 15, 1967.
