July 24 / Reason Together / Elegant Weapon week 1 of 6: A New Trope

A trope is a story-telling device.

The trope of the ancient weapon which allows the hero to fulfill destiny can be viewed as a parable of fasting, which is an ancient weapon in our spiritual warfare that we wield far too infrequently.

The reason for the Star Wars theme is that we are viewing fasting as a weapon in our spiritual warfare, a weapon that we don't take up often enough in our modern American church. There is a theme in many of the great epics of literature that the hero on his/her quest will be given a special weapon that helps to fulfill prophecy and defeat evil. Beowulf had a sword forged by giants that helped him defeat the mother of the demon he had previously killed. The children in Narnia are given weapons by Father Christmas which are instrumental in their defense against the White Witch. Bilbo finds an Elfin blade which he uses in Tolkien's The Hobbit. Other examples abound. In Star Wars, Luke is given a light saber, described as his father's, which helps him in becoming all that he is destined to be. We as Christians are called to take the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the globe, to do greater works than Jesus did, to walk in the power and presence of Christ. Yet much of the church is apathetic, listless, powerless. I believe taking up the spiritual weapon of fasting can help us to fulfill our destiny (calling) as the Church of the Living God! So that's the connection for the theme. We're not teaching "from" Star Wars, just sprinkling on a little bit of the flavor, but teaching from Scripture, and from the life and history of the people of God.

So, what are some of the prophecies that we want to see fulfilled in our midst?

John 14:12 I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

Acts 2:17-18 And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

I will even pour out My Spirit
on My male and female slaves in those days,
and they will prophesy.

What are some others?

Leslie:

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

- Isaiah 44:3

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

- Isaiah 49:25

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers...

- Malachi 4:6

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

- Galatians 6:9

Worship Leader:  Allison Slocum

Call to Worship:  Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying

Prayer Response:  Spirit of the Living God #330

My Response to God:  Seek Ye First #524

Worship 1:  Open the Eyes of My Heart #66

Worship 2:  Speak to My Heart #428

Worship 3:  Open Our Eyes Lord #426

Benediction:  O How He Loves You and Me #170