Our current sermon series is entitled “Words to Live By.” Last week, we talked about “Help.” Today, we’re going to look at the word, “Wow.” We’re going to look at how God acts in our lives and leaves us saying, “Wow!”
I was once told a story about a boy that was drawing a picture. When his father asked what he was drawing, he answered, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The father told him, “But nobody knows what God looks like.” The boy smiled and responded, “They will when I get done!”
With that in mind, I came across these pictures that children have drawn in their efforts to describe God. (pic 1) God is a superhero for the world. (pic 2) I wish God would give radioactive powers. (pic 3) God’s got an invisible head & he floats in the garden. One side is night and the other side is day & God sees the owls & bunnies & butterflies. God also rides a motorcycle but he’s playing hockey in Pasadena right now. He can do everything! (pic 4) God has giant ears so he can hear everything we are saying. (pic 5) God doesn’t sleep because he watches over us all the time. (pic 6) God at his desk cloud. (pic 7) I included this one so I could check with Dr. Short if this is true. God lives inside every living thing. So my doctor has seen God when he cuts people open!
This sermon is going to be different from what we normally do. It’s going to be heavy on Scripture, light on explanation. The idea began as our ministers group met to plan sermon series and decided on these words to live by. Originally, today’s message was intended to be based on Revelation 4, but when Jeff and I sat down to adjust the schedule, we noticed the other words all were based on passages in Luke, so we decided to move to Luke 9. As I sat down to begin preparations, it caught my attention that both wow moments being described were witnessed by the apostle John. It got me wondering what other events may have left John going wow and I found several. When I put them in chronological order, I noticed they were lumped into three categories as John matured in his faith. God really got my attention, God really got me thinking, God really is worthy of my praise. Here we go!
The wow moments began with God really got my attention. Read Luke 5:4-7. Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John had spent all night fishing and caught nothing. Jesus convinced Peter to take Him out in the boat so he could teach, then told him where to put down the nets to catch fish. Peter tried to tell Him they’d had no luck, but decided to humor Jesus and let down the nets. The net filled with fish and he had to call the others to come help. Their ships almost sank there were so many fish. When they got to shore, Jesus told them to follow Him and He’d make them fishers of men. Wow!
Read Luke 8:40-42,49-56. Jesus was asked by Jairus to come heal his sick daughter. Jesus and the apostles went with him, but they received news that the girl had died before they could arrive. Jesus continued and took her parents, Peter, James, and John into the room and raised her from the dead. Wow!
Read Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray, when Jesus’ appearance took on a heavenly form. Moses, representing the law, and Elijah, representing the prophets, appeared and began to talk with Jesus. Peter got all excited and offered to make three tents so they could house these representatives of the law, the prophets, and the messiah and remain to worship. That’s when they heard the voice of God Himself telling them to listen to Jesus, His Son. Wow!
The wow moments continued with God really got me thinking. Read Matthew 20:20-28. James’ and John’s mother approached Jesus and asked that He allow her sons to sit at his right hand and left hand as Jesus sits on his throne overseeing His kingdom. Jesus warns them that they don’t understand what they’re asking for and later tells the disciples that if they want to be great in the kingdom, they need to be servants of all. Wow!
Read Luke 9:49-50. Right after being told about this upside down kingdom, John informs Jesus that he tried to stop a man from casting out demons because he wasn’t following them. I think he expected an atta-boy and instead was told the one who is not against you is for you. Leave the man be. Wow!
Read Luke 9:52-55. Next Jesus sends messengers ahead to prepare the villages for His arrival as He travels to Jerusalem. Knowing His destination, one of the Samaritan villages refused to receive Him. James and John, maybe because this angered them, maybe because they’re still reveling in this idea of having power, offer to call down fire from heaven to destroy this village. That will show them! Jesus rebukes them for this attitude. Wow!
Read Mark 13:1-3. They reached Jerusalem and worshiped at the temple. As they came out, one of the disciples marveled at what a beautiful place to come and worship God. Jesus responds by pointing out that it won’t be long before there’s not even one brick left on top of another. It’s not about the house of worship, it’s about the people who worship. Wow!
Next, John learned that God really is worthy of my praise. Read Mark 14:32-42. Jesus took Peter, James, and John off by themselves to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and further retreated by Himself. They fell asleep, not once, not twice, but three times! The last time Jesus wakes them up and tells them to get ready because the time has come. Wow!
Read John 19:25-27. Jesus has suffered and is hanging on the cross, about to die. He looks down and sees His mother and John. He says, “Woman, behold your son,” and, “Behold your mother,” effectively taking care of these people He loves even in His dying moments. Wow!
Read Revelation 4:1-11. The list concludes with John receiving a vision of worship in heaven from Jesus. He sees a throne that shined with the brilliance of gemstones. There were 24 elders surrounding the throne seated in their own thrones. Lightning and thunder came from the throne and there were seven torches of fire representing the spirits of God. There were four living creatures- a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle- each with 6 wings covered with eyes. They sang, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come. At this point, the elders bow down and declare, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power.” Wow!
What about you? What makes you go wow? I asked that very question on Facebook and here are some of the responses. Seeing things like rainbows or fireworks. Our kids- sometimes because they’ve done something amazing, other times because all you can do is stand there and shake your head. On a side note, Elizabeth saw that one and told me I also need to mention fathers who keep finding a new audience for their jokes.
Several people mentioned sports achievements- like the Dolphins scoring 70 points, the Packers coming back to win in the fourth quarter, or the Cowboys losing (yes, someone actually mentioned it). One friend answered he goes wow at how Novak Djokovic is dominating tennis with athleticism, flexibility, and shotmaking- and he’s 36 years old.
A friend from St. Louis brought up a meal that turns out just right. For example, a slow cooker full of beef, potatoes, onions, carrots, tomatoes, and perfectly seasoned pot liquor (a St. Louis term for the juices that remain in the slow cooker and are used for gravy).
Others brought up things that have to do with our faith. God’s grace and redirection, His love and forgiveness were both mentioned. Hearing or seeing kindness or wisdom in unexpected places. Another faith category was events they participated in, such as Great Banquet. One even mentioned that KidsFest is next week and there is a lot to be done to get ready.
So how do you respond to those moments? One thing I suggest is writing them down so you can look back and marvel at what God has done. Use them as motivation to praise God from whom all blessings flow. I believe David did just that as he wrote many of his psalms. I especially think that Psalm 8 was David’s response to a wow moment from God. Michael W. Smith based a very popular song on this psalm, which we’ll sing in a bit as our closing song. For now, as I read this psalm, watch the screens for some wow moments these words bring to mind. Read Psalm 8.
We’re going to do something different for our invitation time this morning. We’ve been looking at some of John’s wow moments, I want us to think about some of our own. I am going to invite you ALL to respond to the invitation this morning. Here’s how it’s going to work. We’re going to sing How Great Is Our God for our invitation song. Before we do, Hannah is going to come up and teach us the sign language for the chorus. (Hannah teaches sign language)
Now, we’re ready to stand and sing our song of invitation. As we sing, lift your voices to God in praise for all the wow moments He’s given you. When we get to the chorus, follow Hannah and add the sign language in your worship.
Maybe today is the first time you’ve recognized a wow moment from God. Maybe the time has come for you to recognize His calling on your life. As we sing, come forward so you can repent and be baptized for forgiveness of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
