Outer Rim Territories

Sermon: Homiletics I : Text John 8:12

Okay, folks. The time has come. I'm in Homiletics, better known as "The Art of the Sermon." You knew this day would come... eventually. Well here's the first, a simple 5 minute job. The class appreciated the craft of the writing but my presentation came up short. I was nervous and intimidated. I think its natural. Unfortunately my classmates had a better go of it, painting me in a lesser light. Criticisms heard primarily were lack of explicit textual references, a bit abstract, and they wanted more of the Gospel, at least in weighty presentation. All in all I intentionally took a less typical approach, emulating a more lyrical or poetic style. The next one will undoubtedly be more "by-the-book". Without further ado, here we are... Homiletics I Christopher Gillespie 1.16.06 Text: John 8:12 In the beginning God saw his created heavens and earth and saw they were in darkness. The darkness prevailed… And so he created light. God saw that the light was good. So he separated this light from darkness forever. God intended this light just as he intended man. The light of the sun bathes creation with life giving rays. It provides for man by nurturing the plants and animals, the sustenance of man. The light gifts man with life through creation’s means. Indeed the darkness could not comprehend it. How could that which is created later overcome it that exists first in creation? It fails to comprehend because it uses reason, logic. It seeks an answer to a question shrouded in mystery. The darkness seeks answers. It is compelled to know, to understand. But it cannot. It merely points us to the need for light. God did not shackle the darkness of creation. Every sunset and sunrise you are reminded that light and darkness are at odds. Neither can coexist, both can dominate. Indeed the darkness is always there, just under the surface of the light. It is as if you are blind, neglecting to notice it could reappear. As time passes this inevitable future event of darkness draws closer. It pulls at you, pulling you towards its coming. Gradually you are thrown under this cover of darkness with no means to stop it. Hanging there, you grasp to prevent this lawful darkness from overtaking you, seeking shelter under the artificial light of man. This fake light is lacking the life force, pale imitations of the real. It always flickers and fades, unable to persist forever. You are plunged into a death-like blackness unable to fight the lack of light. Finally the shroud covers you. You wish to God for morning. But you realize you are powerless. The light will not come by your choice. You lie impatient in your dark tomb waiting for a gracious hand. Will the day ever come? In despair you cry out to God “have mercy on my soul.” On the horizon the first ray peaks through. It grows, pushing away the stone curtains, forcing open the tomb of black. Your eyes open… surprised to still be alive. Slowly you realize the tomb is no tomb at all but that you are free, surrounded by nothing but white like lilies. The light grows in blinding intensity and you bathe in it. You feel down through your bones and all the way into the core of your heart… the light recreating, renewing, and restoring life. The warmth is deep as it speaks to you words of absolution. You realize the light was always there. Its purpose is now made manifest in Christ, the son of God, the true light of the world. It was always meant for you. It is a gift for those without merit. You bathe in it as you bathe in the waters of your baptism. Christ took on the shroud of death. He overcame the darkness in your stead. No longer is the conviction for your sin eternal damnation. Christ took this sentence on himself, bearing yours and all of mankind’s sin on the cross. Like the adulteress in our Gospel you are guilty of breaking the law. You are sentenced to stoning. It is unavoidable by your own work of will. Yet through his Word and Spirit, God daily breathes faith into you… His son, the Christ is the light of life. He sets you set free from the penalty of death. You are forgiven! “Go and sin no more!” By the his Holy Spirit given in your baptism you are enabled to live in this Light. “He who follows me shall not walk in darkness.” The light of the world cured all sin and sadness and leaves you to live in the peace that surpasses all understanding. Christ, the light has come!