Overview
We are caught in a liminal space. Liminality means “a threshold of consciousness.” Theologically speaking, liminal space refers to the moment we become conscious of a transition. Like standing in a doorway, we are between one space and another but not fully in either. Becoming conscious of this in-between can significantly enhance what happens next. Stepping forward is an act of faith. Stepping back is an act of fear.
The coronavirus is liminal space. We aren’t going to stay like this. The church isn’t always going to remain virtual. We will eventually get through this together; but, right now, we’re in an in-between. What we choose from here matters, especially when it comes to matters of faith and church.
And scripture can help. This new sermon series looks at seven stories about biblical characters and situations of where people are faced with or thrust into, liminal spaces. With the help of Jonah and Martha, the Lepers who are healed, the woman at the well, the feeding of the 5000, the disciples when Jesus walks on water, and the great moment between Cornelius and Peter can all help us make sense of and make choices in this global pandemic.
These biblical characters and situations reveal real trauma and real despair, and we witness these biblical characters start out as one thing but are then forced to awaken and change into something new. The same is true for us.
For the last three months, we have had to shift and reorient expectations causing trauma and despair for ourselves and family. In the midst of this pain, one thing that’s become obvious to me is we’re not static beings. We’re dynamic. Our lives change. Circumstances happen. How we deal with and adapt to meet these changes is a matter of faith, and our church must be willing to meet us in these liminal spaces too.
What we need now is hope and the strength to admit we’re caught in a liminal space that requires a choice. Will we step forward in faith or back in fear? It’s up to us to decide.
This sermon series will give us the resolve we need to get through this difficult season together. We look forward to worshipping with you at First Baptist.
June 7 | Jonah 3:10-4:5 | Liminality and the Belly of the Beast
Jonah is the archetypal story of liminality. He literally gets swallowed up in one place and thrust out onto the shores of another. His story gives power to ours. How we choose to handle this in-between matters.
June 14 | John 11:17-27 | Liminality and Lazarus
Lazarus dies. His sister Martha is beside herself. She wanted Jesus to save him, but it didn’t work out that way. Four days after Lazarus’ death, though, Jesus shows up and resurrects him. The conversation between Martha and Jesus is something we all need to be reminded of because it can shape how we rely on God in this time.
June 21 | Luke 17:11-19 | Liminality and the Leper
Ten lepers are miraculously healed by Jesus. One returns to say thanks. This simple, yet profound, story reminds us that gratitude is a key ingredient for stepping forward in faith.
June 28 | John 4:1-32 | Liminality and the Woman at the Well
Another archetypal scene in scripture is the well. There are several stories of significant change that happens at them. The most famous is when the Samaritan woman meets Jesus. Who she is before meeting Jesus and who she is after is something we all need to see.
July 5 | Matthew 14:13-21 | Liminality and the Feeding the 5000
Thousands meet Jesus on the countryside. As the day goes forward people get hungry. They should have been sent away, but Jesus decides to feed them. How this story unfolds is liminal ground for us all. How everyone gets fed is a true matter of faith that still applies today.
July 12 | Matthew 14:22-43 | Liminality and the Walking on Water
The disciples leave the feeding of the 5000 by boat. A storm comes. Jesus walks through the storm and calms it. This story is unbelievable yet also poignant for where we find ourselves today. Even in the midst of the storm, Jesus walks to us.
July 19 | Acts 10:24-43 | Liminality with Cornelius and Peter
The story of Cornelius and Peter is a true liminal space. What happens before this story and what happens after is game changing for the entire narrative of scripture. We can never go back to the world before this story, for it rises to point us towards God’s new future that we are still stepping into together.