Pastor T.C. Arnold
Trinity Sunday
Matthew 28:16-20
June 7^th, 2009

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go… Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.

            There are many beautiful places in God’s magnificent creation.  One such place – one of my favorites – is Sedona, Arizona.  I like rocky, mountainous regions.  And Sedona has these beautiful red, vertical rock formations that, to me, are just stunning.  It’s unique and maybe that’s the reason I like it so much.

            Some believe that the uniqueness of Sedona makes it exceptional in comparison to other places. According to Sakina Blue Star, a local woman who is part Sioux, Cherokee and Scottish heritage, the area in and around Sedona was known as an inter-dimensional portal.  Star People were said to have touched down in this place in ancient times. It was easier for them to come and go here because of the special energies and frequencies. Native Americans kept their contact with other Galactic peoples secret for centuries but now some of them have begun to share their knowledge.

            So today, if you were to get the airport quickly after church, you can still make it to the 6 P.M. Psychic Circle in Sedona.  Or, if that doesn’t work, then you can probably get there by the middle of the week and take in the Lemuria Hula Healing or the Finding the Shaman Within gatherings.  We may chuckle at such things but millions in this country believe these are sources of strength and truth.  Many desire what such gatherings offer. They wish to discover (and I quote) a “vision of what the great spirit wanted for our lives” (The History of the New Age Sedona).

            But the “New Age” movement is not as unique as the red rock cliffs of Sedona, Ariz ona.  In false religions and in true religion – there is a certain “power” and “energy” that rocks and mountains portray.  We see it in the false religions like the New Age Movement and we see it in the Word of God itself.  But there’s a difference.   In the Bible the rocks aren’t powerful and energetic – the Lord is the one full of power and energy.

            In the sermon text we hear how Jesus and the eleven went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  Mountains were significant places in the Bible – in both the Old in New Testaments.

            For example, in the Old Testament, at Mount Moriah, God tested His beloved servant Abraham.  He told him to take his only son Isaac and sacrifice him to demonstrate his undying faith.  Abraham’s unwavering devotion to the Lord led God to display His devotion and faithfulness to the Children of Abraham.  This faithful display would be the commitment that God would have to you and me – the power of God to remain faithful to us even in our “lack of” faith and devotion.  There was nothing significant or powerful in Mt. Moriah itself – except that it would now be called the Mount of “The Lord Will Provide” because God provided for Abraham – and for us.  That’s powerful.      

Instead of being a “portal” to a new dimension, Mt. Sinai was the place were God spoke to Moses and gave Him the Law.  This Law was the Word of God for the sake of the people.  God was giving His powerful Word and not making the mountain powerful.

And who could forget Mt. Carmel?  It was there that Elijah met the challenge of the prophets of the false god Baal.  It was there that God would issue a challenge through His servant.  There was nothing powerful about this mountain and God would prove it.  The prophets of Baal were challenged to build an altar, put a bull on it, and call upon their god to set that bull on fire.  Did it happen?  Of course not.  There is no power in what does not exist.  There is no power or energy in the place where they stood.

            But Elijah had God on his side.  When it was his turn he had the altar drenched with water three times and called out to God and the Lord set the bull and the entire altar ablaze.  The power was in the Word.  The power was in the Lord.

            The Lord uses high places.  Look at the life and times of Jesus.  He preached the great Beatitudes on a mountain.  He chose the twelve on a mountain.  All of you know about the Mt. of Transfiguration and the Mt. of Olives where the Ascension took place.  The Lord uses mountains.

            But so does the devil.  Don’t forget the devil took Jesus up to a high place and showed him the kingdoms that could be His and also the cross and suffering of death that He could avoid if He would just bow down and worship the devil.

            You see, mountains give us a vantage point that is breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and “energizing”.  If you have ever been at the top of a mountain and looked out – it really does seem like you are on top of the world – strong – powerful – like there is nothing you can’t do.  Looking down is a powerful feeling – and whenever possible – we covet that feeling.

            Looking down from the top of the world – the power of being on top is what we like.  It consumes us and it drives us.  To look down means to have control.  To be on top means to be in the better position.  And there may have been something to Jesus teaching on a mountain in that way.  There might have been something to Jesus gathering His faithful on a mountain.  But today, too many of us see “being on top” as not being closer to God, but rather being head and shoulders above everyone else.

            Now there’s nothing wrong with “getting ahead.”  There’s nothing wrong with being the best you can be – but doing it in a dishonest way or for selfish reasons is the stumbling block that causes us grief and discontent.  Don’t forget Jesus used mountains – but so does the devil.  And the devil’s mountain looks so tantalizing because he can show all the things you have ever dreamed of and make you believe that those things are going to make you happy.  It never works that way.  The devil loves to play on your desires.  He loves to try to convince you that your success can come at the expense of doing the right thing, being kind to others, and faithfulness.  He wants you to believe that you are the only one that matters and it only matters if you get everything you ever wanted.  Wrong!

            Jesus used the top of a mountain many times in His ministry – but never to promote what earthly possessions you could attain.  No, rather, He took the disciples to the place where they could see the kingdoms of this world after the cross has been borne.  As he talks to the disciples on the top of a mountain, He has them looking UP rather than DOWN.  He says, “All Authority has been given unto me… go and make disciples…baptizing and teaching in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”  He has them look up at the Savior.  He has them look up at the cross.

            Beloved in the Lord, look up.  Look up at the cross of Christ the symbol of our faith.  It’s a symbol for us – but it was a reality for our Lord.  It was on His back for our life up on a hill.  Think about our Savior bleeding and dying on top of that hill called Calvary.  Think about the suffering and pain He endured.  You see, beloved in the Lord, Calvary was one hill none of us, not even His disciples had to climb.  He did the climbing up Calvary.  He did the bleeding and the dying – for you.

            Today is Trinity Sunday.  We confessed responsively that long Athanasian Creed which repeats again and again what our Lord, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is all about.  Today is a unique day.  Like the uniqueness of a beautiful landscape such as Sedona, Arizona, this day is unique because we celebrate the “facts” of God rather than the “acts” of God.  These facts are confessed by the Christian Church.  These facts of God – He is three persons in one God – attest to the “acts” of God.  Because He is God – He can do mighty and marvelous things.  And He has.  He has done things like climb a hill or a mountain.  He has done things like having us to look down on all that He has made and done for us – while we look up at the cross.  Today, beloved in the Lord, as you look down don’t forget to look up.  Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.