Rocket Man by Elton John.   Most of us know this song, though the lyrics may be a little hard to understand at times.  I don’t know the story behind the song.  But I just realized the other day that the song is a metaphor.  I don’t think the narrator is actually an astronaut.  Growing up, hearing the song, singing along in the car- I just took it for granted, he’s an astronaut.

I was puzzled by the line, “In fact, it’s ‘cold as hell.’”  I have been told that Hell is un-cold.  I understand that Hell is quite hot, with the flames and all.  ‘Cold as hell’ is an expression, a simile.

Then just last week, I thought about another line in that song, “Gonna be high as a kite.”  Again, another common expression.  However, in a literal sense, I believe that an astronaut, or rocketman would actually be much higher than any kite I have ever flown or witnessed.

Then it hit me.  This is a metaphor.  “Cold as hell” is not meant to be understood literally.  If Hell is not a literal place, but rather an understanding of being separated from God, or separated from others, alienated and alone- then hell is a cold place, and a metaphor.

Rocket Man is a metaphor.  Rocket Man is a wisdom song.  Proverbs are wisdom literature.

Hard to take that some biblical passages literally, but of course you are welcome to. The book of Proverbs personifies Wisdom.  I think the author is saying that is “wisdom is a beautiful thing, and that wisdom is essential in living a blessed life.’

Wisdom was essential in the ancient world- and it is much needed today.  Wisdom is not a high aptitude, or an even higher IQ.  Wisdom can’t be scored on the SATs and certainly colleges are seeking strong candidates in the wisdom department.  You can’t put wisdom on a resume, and you can’t buy it in a store.  So, what is wisdom?  It comes from you.  We are all capable of being wise.  Wisdom once an ancient attribute is coming back. Wisdom is authentic.

Wisdom is crucial to Church 3.0 (the emerging church).  I believe that Church 3.0 is the church for the post-modern.  The Post-modern mindset is one that is willing to accept ambiguity.  Post-moderns grew up in a world where we were encouraged to see both sides of an argument.  Therefore, we don’t have as much of a struggle with the lines being moved.  Wisdom appeals to the Post Modern because it is truth beyond the hard facts.  It is open to an individual understanding.  It is wishy-washy.  But it is vital to understanding and appreciating personal truth.

The First Congregational Church of Lebanon is not Church 3.0—and there is a strong possibility that we will never be Church 3.0.  We are unashamedly and unapologetically Church 2.0 (traditional Protestant church).  However, I would like to try something this morning, that will ring of Church 3.0.

The next part of the sermon:  I am going to give each of you a biblical Proverb.  That’s right, a passage from the book of Proverbs, which is categorized as a piece of wisdom literature. I am going to ask you to reflect on that single piece of scripture.  After a couple of minutes I am going to ask you…

to share your passage…what it means to you…how do you think God is speaking to you through that passage…

some examples…

13:4- The appetite of the lazy craves and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied

3:3- Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

3:30- Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you.