{"id":3552,"date":"2014-09-12T16:18:02","date_gmt":"2014-09-12T20:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=3552"},"modified":"2014-09-15T15:20:09","modified_gmt":"2014-09-15T19:20:09","slug":"e-t-meets-michelangelo-9714-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=3552","title":{"rendered":"E.T. Meets Michelangelo (9\/7\/14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rev<\/a><\/p>\n

Pastor Jim’s sermon on September 7, 2014 had the strange title of “ET Meets Michelangelo.” It was based on Exodus 33:7-11a. Click the “Play” button below to start listening to the recording, scroll down and follow along.
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Click the “down” button below to open up the scripture…<\/p>\n

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Scripture<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

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Exodus 33:7-11<\/p>\n

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. <\/span><\/p>\n

8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. <\/span><\/p>\n

9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. <\/span><\/p>\n

10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. <\/span><\/p>\n

11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. <\/span> NIV<\/p>\n

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God Speaks to Moses as a Man Speaks with His Friend…<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n

How do we show affirmations of love today? Hold hands? Shake hands? Fist bump? There’s something wonderful about the human touch. Not the wimpy “fish handshake,” but a warm hug or firm hand shape. The Gospels constantly relate how Jesus touched people. But in the community of faith, it seems we’ve lost our sense of touch.<\/p>\n

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E.T….<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n

\"ET-Touch<\/a>At the end of the movie, there is a very tearful moment when Elliot says his last goodbye and the little creature takes his little finger and touches Elliot’s forehead. It’s as if his little companion from beyond is restoring life to him.It’s as if he’s saying, don’t forget. Always remember the relationship we had and the relationship we will always continue to have. Always remember how our lives kept interacting with each other. It’s as if this touch sealed the deal.<\/p>\n

God can use anything to communicate a message to us; if we let the Holy Spirit talk to us. God can use a touch. Or even a movie. Or art…<\/p>\n

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…Meets Michelangelo…<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n

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\"Sistine<\/a>\"Sistine<\/a><\/p>\n

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Michelangelo’s frescoes on the on the ceiling (and walls) of Vatican’s Sistine Chapel<\/a><\/span> depicts another interaction of fingers. It took Michelangelo about 4 years of lying on his back to complete the paintings. Imagine the love that went into that… imagine the touch of God that he must have experienced while doing that.<\/p>\n

God is always perusing us. His love will not allow him to do anything but to be constantly coming at us. Ephesians 5:14<\/a> says “sleeper- rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.” The light and love of God is always ready to shine on us if we are open to Him.<\/p>\n

In the center of the ceiling is the famous image of God giving life to Adam. There are several things to notice about this image…<\/p>\n

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1: God’s Right Arm<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Sistine<\/a>God’s right arm is outstretched to Adam. The right arm symbolizes power, authority, someone in control. God’s muscles are straining to reach out to Adam. There are many verses in scripture that speak about God’s mighty arm of protection…<\/p>\n