Rev. Jim Robinson and I came up with this sermon series idea while we were on a recent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky. The genesis was the old road trip movies featuring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, like "Road to Zanzibar" and "Road to Morocco." The only thing the series has in common, however, with these films is the idea of a road trip and the name "Road." Although we worked on the original idea together, each of us has taken it in a little different direction.
Every person takes a different journey to discovering Jesus. The journey of curiosity is, like the shepherds of the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, a road of wondering if what you've heard about Jesus is true. People who have heard from friends that Jesus is the hope of the world and want to find out more are the spiritually curious. They come to Jesus wanting to see for themselves. They are traveling the Road of Curiosity.
The Road of Obedience is the road taken by the angels. They were God's messengers, doing the bidding of God. People who grow up with a church background often come to Jesus on the road of obedience because they have a religious upbringing. There is both baggage and luggage on this road. Baggage represents some of the negative stuff we carry with us that we might want to leave behind, while luggage is some of the good things we learned along the way that will continue to serve us well in the future.
The Road of Intellect was traveled by the Magi, the wise men from the East. They were scholars and they came by way of asking questions. We see the star, but what does it mean? Who is this king? Why is he king? The intellectual journey of the Magi ultimately led them to a posture of worship. Jesus definitely does not ask you to check your brain at the door of the church. If you're traveling the road of intellect, bring your questions.
Joseph and Mary were traveling the Road of Desperation. They were homeless, had an "unplanned" pregnancy, were heavily taxed by the government, and most certainly were shunned by others due to their non-traditional arrangement. People on the road of desperation come to Jesus when they hit rock bottom. When the only way to look is up, oftentimes people see Jesus.
Jesus himself was journeying by way of the Road of Sacrifice. The sacrifice he offered was the sacrifice of God becoming human, the Incarnation, and the sacrifice of his life for the sins of the world. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world by the greatest sacrifice of all times.
Christmas Road Trip is going to be an exciting journey as we explore the Christmas story from a little different perspective. Check it out at www.christchurchlex.com.
Every person takes a different journey to discovering Jesus. The journey of curiosity is, like the shepherds of the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, a road of wondering if what you've heard about Jesus is true. People who have heard from friends that Jesus is the hope of the world and want to find out more are the spiritually curious. They come to Jesus wanting to see for themselves. They are traveling the Road of Curiosity.
The Road of Obedience is the road taken by the angels. They were God's messengers, doing the bidding of God. People who grow up with a church background often come to Jesus on the road of obedience because they have a religious upbringing. There is both baggage and luggage on this road. Baggage represents some of the negative stuff we carry with us that we might want to leave behind, while luggage is some of the good things we learned along the way that will continue to serve us well in the future.
The Road of Intellect was traveled by the Magi, the wise men from the East. They were scholars and they came by way of asking questions. We see the star, but what does it mean? Who is this king? Why is he king? The intellectual journey of the Magi ultimately led them to a posture of worship. Jesus definitely does not ask you to check your brain at the door of the church. If you're traveling the road of intellect, bring your questions.
Joseph and Mary were traveling the Road of Desperation. They were homeless, had an "unplanned" pregnancy, were heavily taxed by the government, and most certainly were shunned by others due to their non-traditional arrangement. People on the road of desperation come to Jesus when they hit rock bottom. When the only way to look is up, oftentimes people see Jesus.
Jesus himself was journeying by way of the Road of Sacrifice. The sacrifice he offered was the sacrifice of God becoming human, the Incarnation, and the sacrifice of his life for the sins of the world. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world by the greatest sacrifice of all times.
Christmas Road Trip is going to be an exciting journey as we explore the Christmas story from a little different perspective. Check it out at www.christchurchlex.com.
Great metaphor Chris! Look forward to "borrowing" it!
Posted by: Marcus | December 11, 2009 at 05:23 PM