Something from nothing
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Clark Kent was sent to Earth as a baby by his parents on the planet Krypton just before its destruction. He was found and raised by the Kents, and discovered he had superhuman powers as he grew up. Harry Potter learned he was a wizard on his 11th birthday and was sent to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, eventually learning he was the chosen one. Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and gained spider-like abilities, becoming Spider-Man.
Something from nothing
- 1. Knowing that their planet krypton is about to destruct two desperate parents build a spacecraft and put their child in it. The spacecraft lands and the baby is found by the Kents , who raise him. As he grows up on Earth, they discover that he has superhuman powers. The Kents teach Clark to use these powers responsibly to help others and fight crime. This is the origin of Superman
- 2. When he was one year old, the most evil wizard for hundreds and hundreds of years attempted to kill this young man. As a result, Harry is orphaned and sent to live with his only remaining family, the Dursleys. On his eleventh birthday, Harry learns he is a wizard when Hagrid arrives to tell him that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He eventually learns that he is chosen one.
- 3. Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive Spider And becomes Spider Man
- 4. Luke lived a normal life on Tatooine until he realizes that he is a Jedi. He eventually discovers that he has a twin sister (Leah) and that Darth Vader is HIS FATHER.
- 5. Steve Austin, astronaut: a man barely alive Gentlemen we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before Better, Stronger, Faster (Oscar Goldman)
- 6. Our significant heroes – real or otherwise- have an origin story that is some how fantastic . This was not invented by comic books or authors , or movie writers – but by ancient story tellers.
- 7. Back stories are invented when somebody does something great to proclaim their birth as great. Thus linking them to the divine.
- 8. Which is why it is so odd that for ancient Israel, new hope comes to be through desperate prayer of a powerless Woman.
- 9. Hannah, asks God for help and is given the child Samuel. Here the way of the divine triumphs over the social circumstances that marginalize women.
- 10. Important to note – what this story is not about - it is not about God letting you have kids – nor about God letting you have two wives. What does this text say about God? God does not give everybody what they want if they ask enough
- 11. God does not meet the expectations of the norm but lifts up the lowly. God Meets people in their suffering – It is the dark Knight of our soul. Think of our heroes- torment is part as much a part of their reality – as are superpowers
- 12. So it is with each of us and our own unfulfilled hope – that where we bear scorn, and are marginalized – when what you want more than anything else – Is the very thing that can not be. That still we find hope, identity purpose.
- 13. In faith we say…. God enters and turns the world upside down ‘God raises up the poor from the dust; God lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour.’
- 14. This is who you can expect God to be and how you can expect God to find you. Obvious question – will God do this for me? - God will not act in the same way - this is not a cookies cutter… God will do this…if you do this…that’s the part of religion we have messed up .
- 15. This ancient song of Hannah tells the story of how they see God working in ordinary people in everyday things. God works with nothing. Brings something out of it. The Bible starts by saying… In the beginning there was nothing …and God created. Which again is not our proof against evolution… but rather our understanding that God creates …
- 16. Danger lurks all around not the Valdemort, Empire, Kryptonite, but the soul crushing – and far more frightening danger of everyday reality in which we think that world can not change – that we can not help our kids – that violence – hatred and bullying wins.
- 17. When you feel this way – remember not only does God reach out to the powerless, but God elevates them to strength. This is God's business it is what God does. Nothing turns into something. Barrenness turns to fruitfulness. Hopelessness transforms into hopefulness. Regret from the past moves to joy over the future. So walk in hope, walk in faith, walk in the knowledge that you can make a difference and challenge yourself to see how God is working in the everyday reality that is the miracle of life.
- 18. When the world says, “Give Up” Hope Whispers, “Try it one more time.”