In these posts I will submit some of my sermon notes to Chat GPT for a blog post. I want to review some of my sermon content for these past couple years through a blog post summary, podcast conversation, and reflections.
Because this sermon happened to be a “New Years” message on New Years eve I have started with it. But throughout January I will be exploring some of my prior content on New Years resolutions and what I hope to focus on this year.
Harrisburg Christian Church Sermon Recording
Authored by Chat GPT:
Title: Mercy in Anticipation: A Reflection on Expectations and Waiting
Introduction:
As we embark on this Advent series contemplating expectations and waiting, our focus today delves into the profound promise of mercy, echoing the sentiments of Mary and Zachariah in the opening chapter of Luke. Much like the prophets of Israel who anticipated God’s merciful remembrance, we find solace in the Psalms, repeatedly invoking the divine plea for mercy.
Anticipating 2024:
Before we explore the depth of mercy, let’s ponder our personal expectations for the upcoming year. Whether it’s eagerly awaiting blockbuster movies, significant events, or the 2024 US Presidential Election, we all harbor hopes and dreams. From travel and career advancements to building a family or achieving personal goals, our expectations vary. But what if, in 2024, our focus shifted from self-centric desires to embodying mercy and forgiveness?
The Challenge of Perfection:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us with a high standard – “be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.” Perfection seems unattainable, especially in a world where we often fall short of our own resolutions. Yet, Jesus unveils God’s standard, surpassing our human ideals. The Apostle Paul emphasizes our universal imperfection, acknowledging our collective need for mercy.
The Jesus Prayer and the Cross:
The centuries-old tradition of the “Jesus Prayer” encapsulates a simple yet profound plea: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.” Brian Zahnd reflects on the cross not as a divine demand for sacrifice but as a revelation of a merciful God. The Lord’s Prayer, a communal confession of sins, reinforces the essence of mercy – forgiving others as we seek forgiveness.
The Unmerciful Servant:
In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the parable of the unmerciful servant, emphasizing the Kingdom of God through tangible acts of forgiveness. The cross, Zahnd contends, is a symbol of God’s enduring love, absorbing sin and transforming it into forgiveness.
Love and Beauty Winning in 2024:
Imagine a year where love and beauty triumph in your life. The Gospel of Luke introduces a twist to loving your enemies, urging us to let mercy flow through our actions, a sentiment echoed in the beautiful lyrics of Porters Gate’s song.
Conclusion:
As we approach the anticipation of Christmas and the dawning of a new year, let’s shift our focus. In 2024, let mercy and forgiveness be the guiding lights in our lives. Resist the cultural temptation of self-centeredness and, instead, embrace a year where love and beauty prevail. Close your reflections with the poignant poem, “Incarnation,” acknowledging the predestined grace and prior mercy that await us, reminding us that, in the grand tapestry of existence, we are already loved.
Incarnation
I arrived to find myself already loved.
A forgiveness preceding, exceeding
my first crime and my last.
A prior mercy,
a predestined grace.
Anticipating my shame
a welcome offered,
a healing before the pain.I had imagined it to be my task
to close the distance between us,
to cross the chasm,
scale the height.
My fault dictating my duty,
though futile and impossible.But I looked up
Sent to me by Richard Beck on his Substack “Experimental Theology”
hearing the angels sing
to find you already here.
Acknowledgements: