Psalm 37:4

9-13-20Sermon Notes
One of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride, was made back in 1987. It’s hard to describe…you will just have to see it for yourself if you haven’t already. I’ve seen it so many times, some lines from this movie are burned into my brain. Lines like, “As you wish.” Or what about, “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” I can see it in my mind right now – Mandy Patinkin saying those words… They have sort of become a part of Pop Culture.
Another quote from that movie centers around the character Vizzini, who keeps saying over and over again, “Inconceivable!” After Vizzini attempts to cut a rope that the Dread Pirate Roberts is climbing up, the pirate doesn’t fall to his death, and Vizzini yells again, “Inconceivable!” And Inigo Montoya says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
That’s the problem with “Pop Verses.” (verses that are lifted out of context so much they become a part of Pop Culture). These verses many times don’t mean what we think they mean. They get quoted anyway…or put on a refrigerator magnet.
An example of this phenomenon is the verse I will preach on this coming Sunday:
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37: 4 NRSV)
Beautiful verse, right? But all we seem to fixate on is the part where the Lord gives us the desires of our heart…suddenly we are 6 years old and it’s Christmas Eve, and we know Santa is going to give us that Red Rider BB Gun that is the desire of our heart!
Would it surprise you to learn that this verse has nothing to do with us getting a Red Rider BB Gun (or anything else like that)? Join us this Sunday IN PERSON OR ONLINE at 9:00 for Celebration, or 11:00 for Traditions. If you join us in person, please remember to wear your mask.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Sam