You Tube Theology

A service of worship in Duke University Chapel. The Reverend Dr Samuel Wells delivers a sermon entitled "It's a Secret." Opening excerpt from the sermon: (30:26) "I once had a male colleague who was kind, thoughtful, reliable and generous. His girlfriend was stylish, classy, flamboyant and talented. There was always a slight suspicion she was out of his league. When the day of their wedding came, everyone had a great time, until the meal was over, the tables were cleared, the band struck up, the couple stood face to face, and it was time for that special moment: their first dance as husband and wife. The bridegroom for an instant took his eyes off his lovely bride, looked over to the band leader, and winked. The rhythm of the music suddenly changed, from a slow, romantic waltz to a throbbing salsa, and the new husband stepped and strode around the dance floor with a grace and ease that no one at the reception had ever seen from him before. The bride was astonished, dumbfounded, and delighted: she'd not seen this side of him, or ever had any idea there was this side of him. In that moment she realized there might be a whole lot more to her new husband than the kind, thoughtful, reliable and generous gentleman she thought she'd married." Closing excerpt from the sermon: (49:05) "At Christmas God gives us a choice: to continue to see truth as a secret, or to allow ourselves to enter with Jesus the realm of mystery, what we call the kingdom of God. Which will it be for you this Christmas? Will you see God as a secret, evoking suspicion, resentment, and exasperation? Or will you open your eyes to see the kingdom? God has come downstairs. God is waiting patiently beside your bed for years, decades, your whole life, as long as it takes, till you wake up. Jesus turns the secret into a mystery. Will you let yourself be engulfed by that mystery, and be absorbed by that awesome presence -- and be lost in the dance of love with God forever?" Sermon begins at 30:26. Romans 16:25-27. Bulletin: http://bit.ly/sF0Qnz