FOG Window Sermon (Notes)

Palm Sunday window – people waving the palms, Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, Start of Holy Week 

10 Commandments – 2 tablets of the 10 commandments, numbers written in Hebrew, Moses went up Mount Sinai to get them, it took many days, the people made a golden calf…. 

Hand of the Almighty/ God - creation – first article of the creed - For about 1000 years, no attempt was made to portray the 1st Person of the Trinity in human form. Early Christians believed that the words of the LORD in Exodus 33:20--You cannot see My face, for [humankind] shall not see me and live—and John 1:18--No one has ever seen God ... the universal symbol for the Father was a hand emerging from a mass of bright clouds. Psalm 145:16 says the LORD opens His hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing.  

Bethlehem and Star – “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” - Christmas and Epiphany (separate holidays) different gospels: Luke and Matthew. Star – wise men came later, Jesus might have been as old as 2

Manger – Christmas, Jesus born in a manger, probably in a cave, probably not a stable. “Away in a Manger” 

Empty Tomb/ Easter – Jesus BURSTING from the tomb! EXPLOSIONS!

Alpha and Omega & Lamp from Revelation - the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the Alpha and the Omega. These are our Savior's designation of Himself in Revelation 1:8 and 22;13: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Lampstands are mentioned in the book of Revelation. In the Psalms – Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Jesus says, you are the light of the worlds…. You don’t put a lamp under a bowl, instead you make it visible

Cross and Lilly and Rainbow – Cross is good Friday, Lilly represents Easter and New Life (looks like a trumpet), Rainbow is the sign from Noah and the ark and the Flood – that never again would God destroy creation with a flood. Symbol of Hope. 

Wheat and Grapes –Instituted Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday. Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in Me and I in them bear much fruit… " (John 15:5, N.R.S.V.) Jesus broke the bread on the Road to Emmaus in Luke  

Tongue of Flame – Pentecost – which is coming up. Disciples were in a locked room praying, then a loud wind came upon them and it looked like there were tongues of fame on their foreheads, and they could speak different languages. 

Crown of Thorns – Rose (Not pictured) – represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore as he was being humiliated and hung on the cross – Jesus is not your typical king. His crown and thrown are not made of gold or precious stones, but of thorns and his throne is a cross, because he defeated death.