The saints of God, past, present and future
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle A
Lesson 1: Revelation 7:9-17 (C); Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 (RC)
This is an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The saints are marked with the seal of God which affords protection from the plagues and coming judgment. During this period of great persecution under the Roman Emperor, Domitian, about 96 A.D., John encourages the struggling church with a heavenly vision of light and glory. A great throng of believers are gathered around the throne of God for worship and praise. They are clothed in white and are waving palm branches, symbolizing righteousness and victory. The heavenly vision of the victorious Lamb of God and the host arrayed in white gives the persecuted church the courage to risk death by offering up their lives to God. God will comfort and sustain his own.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21 (L)
The lesson is a processional Psalm of triumph as the people of God enter the city of Jerusalem to celebrate in the temple God's victory over the powers of evil. God will preserve those who trust in him. Even the dead will share in the bountiful era of peace with righteousness (v. 14).
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3 (C, RC)
God reveals his love for us by making us his children. The non-believing world does not recognize our status because it does not know the Lord. The future remains a mystery, but Christians know that they are God's children, who will be transformed into Christ's likeness at his return.
Lesson 2: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 (E)
See Lesson 1 (C, RC) above.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 (22:1-5) (L)
This is a vision of the heavenly Jerusalem coming down from heaven, like a brilliant jewel. Through the city flows a crystal clear water of life, sustaining the tree of life, which yields fruit in all seasons. Since God is the city's eternal presence, there is no more night, pain or evil.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (C, RC, E, L)
This text is also featured in Epiphany 4, where the emphasis was more on the present state of blessedness. For All Saints' the accent is on the blessedness of those who die in the Lord. The reward of the blessed dead is summarized in the first beatitude: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'' (v. 3). Furthermore, they will be comforted, they will inherit the earth, they will be filled, they will receive mercy, they will see God, and they will be called children of God. The future hope gives strength in the present moment to live joyous lives.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 34:1-10 (C, L) -- ''O fear the Lord, you his holy ones ...'' (v. 9).
Psalm 24 (RC) -- ''Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts ...'' (vv. 3-4).
Psalm 149 (E) -- ''Let the faithful exalt in glory ...'' (v. 5).
Prayer Of The Day
Holy God, we give you thanks for the blessed dead, whose lives have borne witness to your love and grace. As your living saints, give us strength to hold to our confession of the true faith, until you receive us into your kingdom of light and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Suggested Hymn For All Saints' Sunday
''For All The Saints Who From Their Labor Rest''
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17
United Nations. In his heavenly vision, John sees people from every language, tribe or nation composing the redeemed, who surround the throne of God (v. 9). John sees the nations united in the common worship of the Lord God. The League Of Nations, which eventually evolved into the United Nations, has attempted to bring the peoples of the earth together in the pursuit of peace and justice. This is something of a secularized version of the kingdom of God here on earth, where every nation has a voice. The United Nations organization may help contain some hostilities, but the nations will never truly be united until we bow down in worship to the same Lord and God.
Tribulation. As the vision unfolds before John, he sees the host clothed in white and is asked to identify them. He throws the question back to the heavenly speaker, who responds: ''These are they who have come out of the great ordeal'' (v. 14). In older versions, the word translated ''ordeal'' is ''tribulation.'' John penned his book in an era of intense persecution, toward the end of the first century A.D. Persecution and suffering for the faith was normative and expected. The reward of eternal life is offered to those who endure in their confession of Christ. The faithful have always had to endure periods of persecution by a hostile world, something which modern Americans have lost sight of. As the forces of secularism increase their onslaught on Christian values, a period of intense persecution for Christians is predictable.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21
A strong and secure city (v. 1). The people of America are increasingly of the opinion that our cities are not secure, as residents are assaulted by the forces of violence and moral decay. For Isaiah, police or army forces do not bring about a strong and secure city. Rather, God's salvation is the source of security.
Perfect peace (v. 3). The Revised Standard Version speaks of perfect peace in this verse. I like that notion because what the world views as peace is so incomplete and tentative. Peace is often enforced by the barrel of a gun and is usually understood as a cessation of open hostilities. The peace of God comes from within, when our minds and hearts are focused on God.
Yearning for God (v. 9). The Psalmist expresses a deep yearning for God. For many people, they want to keep the Lord at a distance but the saints of God have a deep desire for intimate sharing of their life with the Lord. They have tasted of the goodness of the Lord and know that he can be trusted.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Seeing God real (v. 2). None of us sees God as he really is. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: ''Now we see through a dark glass ...'' John speaks of the kingdom of heaven as the time when we will begin to see God as he really is, unobscured by human limitations.
Family resemblance. People seem to take delight in discerning family resemblance. ''Oh, you look just like your father.'' John exalts in our status as children of God and concludes that when the kingdom comes in glory, we will look like God because we will see him as he really is (v. 2).
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 (22:1-5)
Up and away. All of the lessons make reference to a high place. In Isaiah, it is the new Jerusalem, which in Revelation comes down from heaven. John, the seer, is taken in the spirit to a high place where he views the descent of the heavenly Jerusalem (v. 10), in the Gospel, Jesus delivers his Beatitudes from a mountain. When a person gets in tune with the Spirit of God, he is able to see existence from an elevated perspective.
The death of religion. Karl Marx and other atheists have predicted the death of religion, as a relic of ancient superstitions. That has not come about and never will, on this side of eternity. However, in the kingdom of heaven, religion, human efforts to get in contact with God and understand existence, will cease. John foresees a heavenly Jerusalem without a temple (v. 22). There will be no need for sacrifices or priests. We will all see God face to face.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed. The word makarios, translated ''blessed'' is used often in the New Testament. Jesus never tires in lifting up the joy that comes to God's children, frequently attributing spiritual blessedness to those with earthly limitations, weaknesses and sorrows, as in this familiar passage. He contrasts God's attitude with that of the world. Frequently, they are at opposite poles. Those whom Jesus claims as the blessed are cursed in the eyes of the world and vice versa.
Spirit of poverty (v. 3). In Luke's beatitudes Jesus states simply, ''Blessed are the poor.'' Some suggest that Matthew has spiritualized Jesus' message to make it more palatable to the wealthy. I don't think so. A person of little means can let material things occupy the prime spot in his life. A person of many possessions can relegate these things to a subsidiary role in his life. Such a person does not use wealth to assess his own worth or that of others.
Meek, not weak. The word ''meek'' has often been understood to mean weak. Actually, the concept signifies controlled and disciplined strength. Brute strength is common in our world. Truly, this is not strength but force. When someone hits or hurts you, and you have the power to strike back, but refrain from doing so, this is real meekness.
Full is not the same as satisfied. In the NRSV, fullness is the blessed state of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6). The older RSV employs the word 'satisfied.'' The old translation is superior. One can be full and yet not be satisfied. There are countless examples of those whose lives are filled with pleasure and all the good things of life, and yet, they are not satisfied. They have an emptiness within. Those to whom Jesus refers in this beatitude are certainly not full, but they are already satisfied.
Blessedness in the present tense. In all of the beatitudes, the disciples are deemed blessed at the present time, even though their award awaits the future kingdom. The exceptions are verses 3 and 10, where even the award is put into the present tense. For the believer, the future blessings have already commended. The kingdom has already come, though is not fully come.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17
Sermon Title: From Little Band To Great Throng
Sermon Angle: In John's vision, he sees a vast heavenly throng bowing in worship to the Lord, around his heavenly throne. Jesus had gathered just a little band of believers. By the time of the persecutions at the end of the first century, the church had established a beachhead in the region of the Mediterranean but the numbers were not huge. This was a vision of hope which told him that the kingdom would thrive and grow in spite of the onslaughts of Caesar and Satan. The little flock or band would grow into an innumerable throng.
Sermon Title: Role Reversal
Sermon Angle: The Lamb at the center of the throne becomes the shepherd (v. 17). The victim becomes the victor. A kind of role reversal. In the Gospel, we also see role reversal. Those cursed by the standards of this world become those blessed by God. Those who are victimized because of their allegiance to Christ become the victors. They inherit the kingdom. The tables are turned; the roles reversed.
Outline:
1. Role reversal -- the Lamb becomes the Shepherd
2. Role reversal -- the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom and so forth
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21
Sermon Title: Peace Prescription
Sermon Angle: Those who trust in the Lord will know the peace of God, the peace that comes from accepting God's love (v. 3). To have peace with God is to know peace within our own souls. This internal peace is a prerequisite for the attainment of peace in the world.
Outline:
1. What is peace and how do we find it?
2. Some say we must change conditions in the world -- eliminate poverty, education for all, disarmament
3. The Bible begins with our relationship with God
-- those who trust in God will know peace (v. 3)
-- those who trust in God will be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
Sermon Title: Saints Alive
Sermon Angle: The prophet Isaiah takes a great leap of faith when he exalts: ''Your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise'' (v. 19). God's old covenant people had a very hazy view of the afterlife. Sheol was thought of as a pit, a hazy nether world of shadows. God's people, his holy ones, his saints, will rise from their graves. Some see in this passage only a national revival, while others see here a brilliant new hope of personal resurrection, later realized in Christ.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Sermon Title: What Do You Know?
Sermon Angle: My dad would often use this phrase as a greeting. I wonder what he would have done if someone had really attempted to tell him what they knew? This is a question we should not throw out flippantly, but what do you know? What do you know about who you are? What do you know of God and his ways? One thing we know for sure: In Christ we are God's children, who are dearly loved.
Outline:
1. What do we know for sure?
2. We know we are God's beloved children (v. 1)
3. We know Christ will return (v. 2: ''When he is revealed ...'')
4. We know that we will be recreated in his image (v. 2)
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Title: Becoming Saints
Sermon Angle: Sainthood is both a divine act and a process of becoming. In baptism, God declares that we are his holy ones, his saints. This is an accomplished fact by the action of God. However, sainthood is also a process of becoming. Theologians refer to it as sanctification. They are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. If they had a lock on righteousness and goodness, they wouldn't hunger and thirst for it. A saint is one who is humble enough to plead: ''Please be patient with me; God isn't through with me yet.''
Outline:
1. Saints are not perfect, just holy
2. Luther stressed that we are saint and sinner at the same time
3. In baptism, we are made God's saints
4. As we grow in grace, we come to realize that identity
5. Sainthood is a process of becoming
I grew up in a largely Roman Catholic neighborhood in south Omaha and was secretly envious of my friends in Catholic school. No, it's not that I felt that the education they were receiving was superior to mine. That wasn't even an issue. But the Catholics had a host of saints, whom they would honor on the anniversary of the saint's death by dismissing school. They were out free and having fun when I was locked away in a classroom. It just wasn't fair! Of course, at that time, I didn't know a saint from a Saint Bernard, but they had to be quite powerful and wonderful if they could free kids from school.
George Gallup and Timothy Jones wrote a book titled Uncovering America's Hidden Saints. From surveys, they discovered a subgroup of Christians whom they defined as deeply religious. They dubbed these the hidden saints. The most outstanding quality these saints possessed was a personal relationship with the Lord. They didn't just know about the Lord, they knew the Lord through their own experience. These people revealed that they have had times of powerful spiritual awakening or insight, which profoundly influenced their lives and service.
Jesus preached that those who know and love God are the blessed ones, the happy ones. This is contrary to the popular image of deeply religious people as lemon-sucking killjoys. The survey referred to above revealed that 93 percent of the deeply committed were very happy and contented with their lives. Like the song says, ''I've got a joy, joy ... down in my heart ... I've got the love of Jesus ... I've got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart.'' This, in spite of sorrow, pain, and adversity, because the joy of the believer is not based on having things go her way but on the unshakable conviction that God is with us in all the chances and changes of life. That's why Jesus could make the paradoxical statement: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are those who mourn ... Blessed are the meek ... Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake ...'' Do you get it? Our joy is in the Lord!
This is an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The saints are marked with the seal of God which affords protection from the plagues and coming judgment. During this period of great persecution under the Roman Emperor, Domitian, about 96 A.D., John encourages the struggling church with a heavenly vision of light and glory. A great throng of believers are gathered around the throne of God for worship and praise. They are clothed in white and are waving palm branches, symbolizing righteousness and victory. The heavenly vision of the victorious Lamb of God and the host arrayed in white gives the persecuted church the courage to risk death by offering up their lives to God. God will comfort and sustain his own.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21 (L)
The lesson is a processional Psalm of triumph as the people of God enter the city of Jerusalem to celebrate in the temple God's victory over the powers of evil. God will preserve those who trust in him. Even the dead will share in the bountiful era of peace with righteousness (v. 14).
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3 (C, RC)
God reveals his love for us by making us his children. The non-believing world does not recognize our status because it does not know the Lord. The future remains a mystery, but Christians know that they are God's children, who will be transformed into Christ's likeness at his return.
Lesson 2: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17 (E)
See Lesson 1 (C, RC) above.
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 (22:1-5) (L)
This is a vision of the heavenly Jerusalem coming down from heaven, like a brilliant jewel. Through the city flows a crystal clear water of life, sustaining the tree of life, which yields fruit in all seasons. Since God is the city's eternal presence, there is no more night, pain or evil.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 (C, RC, E, L)
This text is also featured in Epiphany 4, where the emphasis was more on the present state of blessedness. For All Saints' the accent is on the blessedness of those who die in the Lord. The reward of the blessed dead is summarized in the first beatitude: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven'' (v. 3). Furthermore, they will be comforted, they will inherit the earth, they will be filled, they will receive mercy, they will see God, and they will be called children of God. The future hope gives strength in the present moment to live joyous lives.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 34:1-10 (C, L) -- ''O fear the Lord, you his holy ones ...'' (v. 9).
Psalm 24 (RC) -- ''Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts ...'' (vv. 3-4).
Psalm 149 (E) -- ''Let the faithful exalt in glory ...'' (v. 5).
Prayer Of The Day
Holy God, we give you thanks for the blessed dead, whose lives have borne witness to your love and grace. As your living saints, give us strength to hold to our confession of the true faith, until you receive us into your kingdom of light and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Suggested Hymn For All Saints' Sunday
''For All The Saints Who From Their Labor Rest''
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17
United Nations. In his heavenly vision, John sees people from every language, tribe or nation composing the redeemed, who surround the throne of God (v. 9). John sees the nations united in the common worship of the Lord God. The League Of Nations, which eventually evolved into the United Nations, has attempted to bring the peoples of the earth together in the pursuit of peace and justice. This is something of a secularized version of the kingdom of God here on earth, where every nation has a voice. The United Nations organization may help contain some hostilities, but the nations will never truly be united until we bow down in worship to the same Lord and God.
Tribulation. As the vision unfolds before John, he sees the host clothed in white and is asked to identify them. He throws the question back to the heavenly speaker, who responds: ''These are they who have come out of the great ordeal'' (v. 14). In older versions, the word translated ''ordeal'' is ''tribulation.'' John penned his book in an era of intense persecution, toward the end of the first century A.D. Persecution and suffering for the faith was normative and expected. The reward of eternal life is offered to those who endure in their confession of Christ. The faithful have always had to endure periods of persecution by a hostile world, something which modern Americans have lost sight of. As the forces of secularism increase their onslaught on Christian values, a period of intense persecution for Christians is predictable.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21
A strong and secure city (v. 1). The people of America are increasingly of the opinion that our cities are not secure, as residents are assaulted by the forces of violence and moral decay. For Isaiah, police or army forces do not bring about a strong and secure city. Rather, God's salvation is the source of security.
Perfect peace (v. 3). The Revised Standard Version speaks of perfect peace in this verse. I like that notion because what the world views as peace is so incomplete and tentative. Peace is often enforced by the barrel of a gun and is usually understood as a cessation of open hostilities. The peace of God comes from within, when our minds and hearts are focused on God.
Yearning for God (v. 9). The Psalmist expresses a deep yearning for God. For many people, they want to keep the Lord at a distance but the saints of God have a deep desire for intimate sharing of their life with the Lord. They have tasted of the goodness of the Lord and know that he can be trusted.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Seeing God real (v. 2). None of us sees God as he really is. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13: ''Now we see through a dark glass ...'' John speaks of the kingdom of heaven as the time when we will begin to see God as he really is, unobscured by human limitations.
Family resemblance. People seem to take delight in discerning family resemblance. ''Oh, you look just like your father.'' John exalts in our status as children of God and concludes that when the kingdom comes in glory, we will look like God because we will see him as he really is (v. 2).
Lesson 2: Revelation 21:9-11, 22-27 (22:1-5)
Up and away. All of the lessons make reference to a high place. In Isaiah, it is the new Jerusalem, which in Revelation comes down from heaven. John, the seer, is taken in the spirit to a high place where he views the descent of the heavenly Jerusalem (v. 10), in the Gospel, Jesus delivers his Beatitudes from a mountain. When a person gets in tune with the Spirit of God, he is able to see existence from an elevated perspective.
The death of religion. Karl Marx and other atheists have predicted the death of religion, as a relic of ancient superstitions. That has not come about and never will, on this side of eternity. However, in the kingdom of heaven, religion, human efforts to get in contact with God and understand existence, will cease. John foresees a heavenly Jerusalem without a temple (v. 22). There will be no need for sacrifices or priests. We will all see God face to face.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed. The word makarios, translated ''blessed'' is used often in the New Testament. Jesus never tires in lifting up the joy that comes to God's children, frequently attributing spiritual blessedness to those with earthly limitations, weaknesses and sorrows, as in this familiar passage. He contrasts God's attitude with that of the world. Frequently, they are at opposite poles. Those whom Jesus claims as the blessed are cursed in the eyes of the world and vice versa.
Spirit of poverty (v. 3). In Luke's beatitudes Jesus states simply, ''Blessed are the poor.'' Some suggest that Matthew has spiritualized Jesus' message to make it more palatable to the wealthy. I don't think so. A person of little means can let material things occupy the prime spot in his life. A person of many possessions can relegate these things to a subsidiary role in his life. Such a person does not use wealth to assess his own worth or that of others.
Meek, not weak. The word ''meek'' has often been understood to mean weak. Actually, the concept signifies controlled and disciplined strength. Brute strength is common in our world. Truly, this is not strength but force. When someone hits or hurts you, and you have the power to strike back, but refrain from doing so, this is real meekness.
Full is not the same as satisfied. In the NRSV, fullness is the blessed state of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6). The older RSV employs the word 'satisfied.'' The old translation is superior. One can be full and yet not be satisfied. There are countless examples of those whose lives are filled with pleasure and all the good things of life, and yet, they are not satisfied. They have an emptiness within. Those to whom Jesus refers in this beatitude are certainly not full, but they are already satisfied.
Blessedness in the present tense. In all of the beatitudes, the disciples are deemed blessed at the present time, even though their award awaits the future kingdom. The exceptions are verses 3 and 10, where even the award is put into the present tense. For the believer, the future blessings have already commended. The kingdom has already come, though is not fully come.
PREACHING APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-17
Sermon Title: From Little Band To Great Throng
Sermon Angle: In John's vision, he sees a vast heavenly throng bowing in worship to the Lord, around his heavenly throne. Jesus had gathered just a little band of believers. By the time of the persecutions at the end of the first century, the church had established a beachhead in the region of the Mediterranean but the numbers were not huge. This was a vision of hope which told him that the kingdom would thrive and grow in spite of the onslaughts of Caesar and Satan. The little flock or band would grow into an innumerable throng.
Sermon Title: Role Reversal
Sermon Angle: The Lamb at the center of the throne becomes the shepherd (v. 17). The victim becomes the victor. A kind of role reversal. In the Gospel, we also see role reversal. Those cursed by the standards of this world become those blessed by God. Those who are victimized because of their allegiance to Christ become the victors. They inherit the kingdom. The tables are turned; the roles reversed.
Outline:
1. Role reversal -- the Lamb becomes the Shepherd
2. Role reversal -- the poor in spirit inherit the kingdom and so forth
Lesson 1: Isaiah 26:1-4, 8-9, 12-13, 19-21
Sermon Title: Peace Prescription
Sermon Angle: Those who trust in the Lord will know the peace of God, the peace that comes from accepting God's love (v. 3). To have peace with God is to know peace within our own souls. This internal peace is a prerequisite for the attainment of peace in the world.
Outline:
1. What is peace and how do we find it?
2. Some say we must change conditions in the world -- eliminate poverty, education for all, disarmament
3. The Bible begins with our relationship with God
-- those who trust in God will know peace (v. 3)
-- those who trust in God will be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
Sermon Title: Saints Alive
Sermon Angle: The prophet Isaiah takes a great leap of faith when he exalts: ''Your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise'' (v. 19). God's old covenant people had a very hazy view of the afterlife. Sheol was thought of as a pit, a hazy nether world of shadows. God's people, his holy ones, his saints, will rise from their graves. Some see in this passage only a national revival, while others see here a brilliant new hope of personal resurrection, later realized in Christ.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Sermon Title: What Do You Know?
Sermon Angle: My dad would often use this phrase as a greeting. I wonder what he would have done if someone had really attempted to tell him what they knew? This is a question we should not throw out flippantly, but what do you know? What do you know about who you are? What do you know of God and his ways? One thing we know for sure: In Christ we are God's children, who are dearly loved.
Outline:
1. What do we know for sure?
2. We know we are God's beloved children (v. 1)
3. We know Christ will return (v. 2: ''When he is revealed ...'')
4. We know that we will be recreated in his image (v. 2)
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
Sermon Title: Becoming Saints
Sermon Angle: Sainthood is both a divine act and a process of becoming. In baptism, God declares that we are his holy ones, his saints. This is an accomplished fact by the action of God. However, sainthood is also a process of becoming. Theologians refer to it as sanctification. They are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. If they had a lock on righteousness and goodness, they wouldn't hunger and thirst for it. A saint is one who is humble enough to plead: ''Please be patient with me; God isn't through with me yet.''
Outline:
1. Saints are not perfect, just holy
2. Luther stressed that we are saint and sinner at the same time
3. In baptism, we are made God's saints
4. As we grow in grace, we come to realize that identity
5. Sainthood is a process of becoming
I grew up in a largely Roman Catholic neighborhood in south Omaha and was secretly envious of my friends in Catholic school. No, it's not that I felt that the education they were receiving was superior to mine. That wasn't even an issue. But the Catholics had a host of saints, whom they would honor on the anniversary of the saint's death by dismissing school. They were out free and having fun when I was locked away in a classroom. It just wasn't fair! Of course, at that time, I didn't know a saint from a Saint Bernard, but they had to be quite powerful and wonderful if they could free kids from school.
George Gallup and Timothy Jones wrote a book titled Uncovering America's Hidden Saints. From surveys, they discovered a subgroup of Christians whom they defined as deeply religious. They dubbed these the hidden saints. The most outstanding quality these saints possessed was a personal relationship with the Lord. They didn't just know about the Lord, they knew the Lord through their own experience. These people revealed that they have had times of powerful spiritual awakening or insight, which profoundly influenced their lives and service.
Jesus preached that those who know and love God are the blessed ones, the happy ones. This is contrary to the popular image of deeply religious people as lemon-sucking killjoys. The survey referred to above revealed that 93 percent of the deeply committed were very happy and contented with their lives. Like the song says, ''I've got a joy, joy ... down in my heart ... I've got the love of Jesus ... I've got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart.'' This, in spite of sorrow, pain, and adversity, because the joy of the believer is not based on having things go her way but on the unshakable conviction that God is with us in all the chances and changes of life. That's why Jesus could make the paradoxical statement: ''Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are those who mourn ... Blessed are the meek ... Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake ...'' Do you get it? Our joy is in the Lord!
