Sermons in Stained Glass

This past Sunday, Steve Wells began the fifth installment of a sermon series inspired by the stained glass windows in our sanctuary. While the room's upper windows tell the story of Christ's life, the lower windows on the south side concern the Old Testament, while the lower windows on the north side concern the New Testament. For one month each fall, Steve addresses a panel of four Old Testament windows, taking a week to review each. In the spring, he does the same for the New Testament windows.

This week's sermon addressed Job, the owner of the bleeding and burning heart depicted to the left. If you were unable to hear the sermon, check out the video from 08.30.09; I found the entire service particularly moving.

I have loved this sermon series ever since Steve began it in 2007. Perhaps this is because I grew up in a church that had a sanctuary lined with stained glass windows in simple geometric patterns with no particular meaning, and I am grateful to finally have an opportunity to let the space I am in guide my worship. Or perhaps it is because I am the daughter of a church architect who relishes in visual Christian symbolism and taught his daughter to do the same.

In either case, I think it is important for us to pay attention to what signs and symbols are around us--religious or secular. They are so prevalent that they influence us in hundreds of ways, without us even realizing it. But the act of seeking out Christian symbols and understanding their meaning. . . isn't that something like the act of seeking out Christ in the world around us? In my estimation, it is a useful and valuable exercise, and one Steve does well to teach us.

I encourage you to listen to the next three Sundays' sermons, whether in person or online. I know you'll be glad you did!

Say what???

Yesterday, Jim taught a Sunday School lesson from Ephesians 6:10-19:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

This led us into a discussion of the forces of evil that we actually face, methods of protecting ourselves against them, and good old hymns like "A Mighty Fortress is our God" and "Onward, Christian Soldiers."

Jim raised a question that I felt we didn't have sufficient time to address: what exactly is meant in verse 12 by "For our struggle is... against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms"? Sure, Satan originated in heaven, but is he really still there? Is there a satanic winged Agent 007 fluttering about somewhere, as someone jokingly suggested in class?

This isn't the first time we have seen language like this in the Bible. Look at Job 1:6-12.

6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to his face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Okay, the book of Job is already disturbing enough to me, but check out the Contemporary English Version translation of verse 7 (the version I happened to have in Sunday School yesterday): "the LORD asked, 'Satan, where have you been?'" What is that?? "Sup, Satan, where ya been? Off terrorizing the humans again? Silly kid." Then the two start a civil conversation about Job, as if they'd already broached the subject in the past. What is going on? Are God and Satan chess buddies or something?

Does anyone have any insight on this? I would love to hear your ideas, because I'm at a loss!