Feb. 23rd, 2014

Lessons From Linus Van Pelt and the Peanuts Gang Theme: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 1:1

Biblical Focus: Hebrews 1:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Scripture Lesson: I Peter I:3-9 1PE 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Two videos will be shown for this sermon: 1. The great pumpkin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2H0TfvNU3w (from the beginning to 1:32 seconds.) 2. What is Christmas all about? (two minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5TF4U36GFg

Traditional Service: Hymn of Praise: # 600 Wonderful Words of Life Prayer Hymn: # 361 Rock of Ages: (Verse one)

Linus van Pelt is a major male character in the comic strip Peanuts. He is Lucy and Rerun’s brother. Linus always means well and tries to smooth over any storms that arise amongst the gang. He is truly a middle child. A source of frustration for him is his bossy big sister Lucy, who always belittles him, particularly over his blue security blanket. In spite of his insightful nature, he has a naive belief in the Great Pumpkin.

Linus is Charlie Brown’s best friend and many times they are seen together trying to figure out life’s difficulties. Linus is seen as the intellectual of the group and also a person of faith. He quoted the gospel of Luke 2 in the Christmas story program.

There are three things that define Linus’ character that I would like to talk about today. His Faith: Linus has a faith in God, but also a faith in the Great Pumpkin. (To me that is like the person who believes in God, but still takes a peak at the horoscope. Or the Christian who may go see a fortune teller. One is real and one is definitely not.) His Insecurities: Linus used a soft blue blanket and sucked his thumb as signs of his insecurities in life. He was an Intellectual Believer: All throughout the comic strip series, Linus was the intellectual person. His shinning moment was the speech he gave for the school Christmas program, where he quoted the second chapter of Luke to explain the real meaning of Christmas.

Let’s begin with his faith:

When I think of the child like faith of Linus, I am reminded of Jesus words to the disciples about the faith of a child. Mark 10:13-15 “MK 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom

of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Jesus warns us and encourages us to have a faith in the unseen in the same way that children do. When we become adults we become so skeptical and try to reason things out with sight, things we can touch, and facts that can only be understood under a scientific microscope.

The problem with that is: In this lifetime….: 1. God cannot be seen physically. 2. God cannot be touched physically. 3. God cannot be proven under a microscope.

It takes faith to believe in God. Once someone decides to believe in God: 1. That is when God can be seen through spiritual eyes. 2. That is when God can be touched by our soul. 3. That is when our life experiences and relationship with God, deepen our understanding of faith and we don’t need the microscope to prove God, we have experienced God in our life. You See: Believing is Seeing!!! The interesting thing about the Linus character in regard to the Great Pumpkin is Charles Schultz thinking and speaking through Linus. Remember that Charles Schultz is a Christian. Linus is talking to Charlie Brown and compares the Great Pumpkin with Santa Claus. He is basically saying, if you can believe in Santa Claus, then I can believe in the Great Pumpkin.

I think Charles Schultz is pointing out the oddness of believing or having a Child like faith in Santa Claus, in a family that also believes in the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus Christ 2,000 years earlier. But we will get to that a bit more in the sermon.

Let’s talk about the insecurity of Linus and his Blue Blanket.

I love the one liner by Linus about his blue blanket. “Happiness is a warm blanket.” For Linus the blanket holds a partnership of strength, comfort and fulfillment that is missing in his life. For some reason he is a bit afraid of life. Not that odd for a 6 – 8 year old. In time he will grow out of it. But for now, this security blanket is a part of his daily life.

Linus gets teased about his blue blanket he carries everywhere, but it does not seem to bother him all that much. (Unless someone tries to take it away from him.)

His sister Lucy tries in many different ways to take away his security blanket away from him. I remember reading one peanuts cartoon clip, where she took the blanket away from him and she took some scissors shredded it into a hundred pieces right before his eyes and asked him, Now what do you think about that?” Linus was so calm and told Lucy. “That’s alright, my blanket is in the washing machine, that was your blanket you just tore up.” I guess we all have insecurities in life, even as adults. There are things we are afraid of: (Paying our bills, our career, the raising of our children, our marriage, our long range goals and finances.) We have things that help us get through the day when times are stressful. What are some of your blue security blankets in life? What helps you cope with life? 1. Coffee in the morning? 2. Your cell phone and connecting with friends? 3. Facebook? 4. Hobbies? 5. Alcohol or other drugs? 6. Shopping and buying more stuff?

Where should we put our insecurities in life?

God:

I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Wonderful Simple Song: I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don’t know, what to do. I will cast all my cares upon you. Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." I am sure we can try to bottle up all of our insecurities and not share them with others. But in time, our insecurities will get the best of us.

Linus is an Intellectual Believer

Pretty Smart for a Kid.

Throughout the comic strip of Peanuts, Linus has been the intellectual or philosopher of the gang. He is insightful and thinks a bit deeper than the rest of the characters.

I think my favorite example of his intellectual thoughts as a young person was the scene where he gave the true meaning of Christmas at the School Christmas program. The rest of the peanuts gang are trying to figure out what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Linus steps into the center of the stage and begins to quote from the gospel of Luke chapter 2. Let’s watch it together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5TF4U36GFg

Linus did a great job telling the story. I believe he had a faith in God that directed his thoughts to tell the story.

In the last scene there is a subtle hint that for a brief time, Linus gave his insecurity to God. If you look closely at the picture on the screen, you may notice the kids singing Hark The Herald Angels sing. Underneath the Christmas tree is the blue security blanket belonging to Linus. Perhaps for a brief time he gave it as a gift to God under the Christmas tree. Perhaps there is a message to give over to God our insecurities whatever they may be. God can certainly handle our fears and insecurities if we hand them over to Him. He has very big shoulders. I love Jesus words in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." As we go into our time of Holy Communion today; 1. I would ask that you consider turning over to God something that is holding you back. 2. Something that you are afraid of. 3. Something that is stopping you from being all that you can be in God.

Closing Prayer: Lord may we truly believe in the words from the scripture: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." May we truly believe it. Amen. Words of Wisdom: St. Thomas Aquinas "To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." Benediction: “May you carry the light of peace with you this week. A strong and holy peace that strengthens the weak, feeds the hungry, exalts the poor, and guards the feet of the faithful. Amen.”

Bob’s Sermon Notes There are three things that define the character of Linus. His Faith: His Insecurities: He was an Intellectual Believer: