Sermon for March 10th, 2013

Hebrews 11:1-3

1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Psalm 32

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah.

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
   and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

6 Therefore let all who are faithful
   offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
   shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding-place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   else it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Psalm 32: Let All Who Are Faithful

I'm going to try something. I'm about to take us on a convoluted journey that will reveal to you all just how nerdy your pastor is. That's not really the main point, of course. And yes, there actually will be a main point to this journey, but I wanted to give you fair warning. Some of you know this about me already, but I love etymology--the study of the history of words, their origins, and particularly (for me) the point at which ancient words from other cultures *first* collided with the English language and culture...and especially if all that happened before the year 1066.