Sermon Transcript

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sermon Transcript “Sex Mystery” // First Love 6 (NEW: Season Finale) // Ephesians 5:21–32 Happy Mother’s Day, Summit Church. My friend David Nasser (the Iranian who spoke here last year), gave me this: • To those who gave birth this year to their first child, we celebrate with you. • To those who lost a child this year, we mourn with you. • To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains, we appreciate you. • To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or a child that ran away, we grieve with you. • To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment, we walk with you. (Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don't mean to make this harder than it is.) • To foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms, we need you. • To those who have warm and close relationships with your children, we celebrate with you. • To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance from your children, we wait with you. • To those who lost their mothers this year, we grieve with you. • To those who were encouraged to have an abortion, we cry with you. • To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood, thank you. • To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year, we rejoice and grieve with you. • And to those who are pregnant with new life, we anticipate with you. • We have in our midst perhaps the greatest warriors in our culture—women in whom God has placed the spirit of motherhood. To all of you, we honor you. Elyse Fitzpatrick says, “Many women feel like this is the one day when they are forced to look at either their own shortcomings (resulting in guilt) or the shortcomings of others who fail to appreciate them properly (resulting in discontent). It’s the one day you're told over and over that our identity as women is not rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but in your ability to be the source of life and goodness for all.” But the gospel is not about your accomplishments as a mother; it’s about your position as God’s daughter. You are honored and received not because of what you have or haven’t done as a mother, but because of what God did to make you his own. His commendation and presence is better than 1000 beautiful children or a million bouquets of flowers. Veronica reads: 21 …submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her bythe washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same wayhusbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. The main point Paul makes in this passage is that marriage is a divine mystery, pointing us beyond itself to Christ and the church. • Most people get fixated on the sign. Do I have the perfect marriage? Did I marry the right person? Am I ever going to get married and find true love? • They end up putting a weight on marriage it was not designed to hold. The first week I compared it to one of those old bridges… most people put the weight of their soul on marriage. Getting married, or being the right marriage, is the essential key to happiness and a good life. But that’s because you are confusing the sign with the thing the sign points to. • Imagine you were on your way to hike and camp out in the Grand Canyon and about 200 miles from the Grand Canyon you saw a sign that said, “Grand Canyon, 200 miles” that way and you said, “Oh great, there it is.” And you camped out underneath the sign! • You’ve got to look past the sign to the thing the sign points to. Marriage and family are echoes of something greater; something more eternal and ultimate. • Marriage is gospel reenactment. We are learning about the love of God and learning to love like God. That’s Paul’s main point in Eph 5:21–32, and we’ve been considering that point from 6 different angles in this series. • On the first week we talked about what God was doing in your marriage or singleness in light of that. • The second week I gave you a question based off that principle that you could ask in your marriage that, if you did, would change everything. That question: “How can I serve you?” If marriage is gospel re-enactment, that’s the most fundamental thing we can ask in our decisions. • The third week we saw that based on what Paul is saying in Eph 5, friendship is the core of marriage. Marriage is not romance spiced with a little friendship; I told you, it is friendship spiced with a little romance. • The fourth week we considered how this new understanding of marriage should change how we respond in conflict. • The fifth week we talked about the roles we each play in marriage, and how we put the gospel on display in marriage. • This week, our final week, we are going to bring all these things together and think about intimacy and sex in light of this central truth—that the primary point of marriage is to point beyond itself to something eternal. The word ‘sex’ is not in Ephesians 5, but Paul is talking about coming together in one flesh in marriage, the ultimate expression of which is sex. So I am going to give you 3 principles about sex gleaned from this passage. And I was in a particularly Southern Baptist mood this week, so they all start with “S”… 1. Sex is… Symbolic • A signpost, pointing beyond itself, Paul says, to Christ and the church. • The relationship between husband and wife, Paul has said, is like the relationship between Christ and church. A couple of ways: • Genesis 2 says that the man and woman in marriage see each other naked, and they are not ashamed… Known and loved. o The ecstasy and joy of sex was invented by God to give us a foretaste of the intimacy and closeness we will experience when we finally see God face to face and enter into full union with him, and into union with everyone else that loves him. Tim Keller • “Fruit” is brought into the world through intimacy (The woman puts herself in the arms of the husband and fruit (children) are born through her body; when you put yourself in arms of Christ, fruit is born into your body and into the world through you from that intimacy.) • Sex is only able to partially show us what we are really after. o McDowell: sex is not the answer, it’s is the question. o Chesterton: every man that knocks on door of brothel is seeking God! • CS Lewis did a series of radio talks in the 1940’s on sexuality: o Imagine visiting a country where when the young men go off to college and get out of home for the first time, they put up life size big colored posters, full-color vivid pictures of… food. Hamburgers, bacon, ice cream sundaes. And all the guys go around to each other’s room and say oh, wow! o Guys go off on the weekend to a club with low lights and bumpin’ and grindin’ music and everyone is drooling over something on stage that is covered and slowly the cover is pulled off, bit by bit, in rhythm with the music, and as it is pulled off you see a bloomin’ onion. Everyone screams and starts to tuck dollar bills around the plate. o Late at night, men search the internet for pictures of food and then they just stare at them and as soon as someone walks in they flip off the screen… o What do you conclude? Lewis said. They must be starving, right? Then you find out that that’s not true. For last 40 years, he said, people have been glutted with food. They have been eating like crazy. The only conclusion would be that there is something deeply disordered about this people’s appetite for food. o There is a reason for that. The deeper something goes in us, the greater the chance to mess things up.1 Myth: “Sex is just physical.” We all intuitively know that sex is not merely physical. Andy Stanley asks the following questions to prove that:2 • Why is it that when a child is sexually abused, when they are an adult and connect the dots, it is so difficult to shake off? o It’s not Just that “an authority figure betrayed them.” No, it’s deeper than that.
Recommended publications
  • Updates on IUOE 302 Concrete Pumpers Negotiations
    Updates on IUOE 302 concrete pumpers negotiations DECEMBER 30, 2007 401(k)s vs. Defined-Benefit Pensions Summary on the membership’s vote on the contract pro- (Dec. 21 entry from Local 302’s Blog at www.iuoe302.org) posal from Brundage Bone, Pacific and Ralph’s: Last week, the U.S. Government Accountability Of- The voice of our membership was heard today. The em- fice released a report explaining how grim the retire- ployers’ proposal was seen by the membership for what it is ment outlook is for today’s teenagers. More than one -- a clear attempt to further degrade out of three American workers born in 1990 will have those working in the pumping in- zero dollars in a 401(k)-style savings plan when they dustry for another six years. reach retirement age, the report said. Why? When you’re young, you aren’t thinking The vote against the proposal about retirement. You’re thinking about what you’re was nearly unanimous among the doing that weekend – or who you’re doing it with. pumpers at two companies, and it That explains why, as the GAO report points out, many was rejected 2-to-1 by pumpers at young people don’t contribute to employer-matched 401(k)s when they have the opportunity. It comes out the third. of their paychecks, and that means less this weekend. We remind all members that Even those who do contribute to 401(k) savings plans if anyone who is management attends your Union meeting often pay the tax penalty and take that money out at and then threatens your job based on your comments or your some point, the GAO report says.
    [Show full text]
  • Basic Training for Those Guiding Children Around the World to Follow Jesus Like the Twelve Disciples
    Basic training for those guiding children around the world to follow Jesus like the twelve disciples Part of the 1 for 50 family of training resources Table of Contents CORE LESSON OPTIONS (1 hour each) 1-0 Jesus’ Heart for Children 2-0 Jesus and the Children’s Leader 3-0 Characteristics of Children 4-0 Building Relationships with Children 5-0 Preparing to Teach Children 6-0 Building Bridges of Holistic Outreach to Children 7-0 Presenting the Gospel to Children 8-0 Talking with Children about Following Christ 9-0 Helping Children Grow as Disciples 10-0 Helping Children Experience God’s Word 11-0 Engaging Families 12-0 Building the Kingdom Together (networking/partnership) ENRICHMENT/EXTRA LESSONS (30 minutes each) 3-1 Needs of A Child 3-2 Understanding Our Children’s World 3-3 Considering children in Crisis 4-1 Communicating with Children 4-2 Building Relationships with Children through Play 4-3 Conversation Starters 5-1 Managing Classroom Behavior 6-1 Outreach Ideas 6-2 Overcoming Outreach Obstacles 7-1 More Gospel Tools 8-1 Answering Children’s Difficult Questions 9-1 Prayer Experiences for Children 9-2 Worship Experiences for Children 9-3 Helping Children Share Jesus with others 9-4 Growing Attitudes of the Disciples 9-5 Involving Children in God’s Big Story 10-1 Object Lessons-Demonstrations 10-2 Preparing and Presenting a Bible Story 10-3 More Bible Verse Ideas 10-4 Drama Experiences 10-5 Classroom Games 11-1 Spiritual Growth for Families 11-2 Outreach Ideas for Families 12-1 Connecting with the Church in Your Community 12-2 Involving Children in the church Instructor’s Guide LESSON 1-0 Jesus’ Heart for Children Objectives Participants will need: ñ To discover what scripture says about Jesus’ heart for children and the ñ Bibles world.
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome to the Office!
    OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP Established 1973 Volume JJ, Number 18 September 3, 2015 Welcome to the Office! By Lily Rothman an upbeat, “Hello, Park Slope the office can’t make individual hen Coop members enter Food Coop.” exceptions to Coop-wide poli- Wthe PSFC office, though “Everyone’s really nice in cies, often the office can help. their reasons to visit may dif- the office. That’s the best thing For example, that common fer, one particular sentiment about this shift,” says Diana problems—absences and is often on their minds: I’m in Griffin, who was marking her suspensions—have plenty of trouble. Or at least, according two-year anniversary on the solutions. The office can con- to General Coordinator Jess office squad that day. “Most of nect members with their squad Robinson, who supervises the the time we can help people.” leaders (whose phone numbers staffers who work in the office, The most common reason are available in the office). The that’s the sense those on the people call, observes member office can enroll members in other side of the desk have. Debra Lowe, who has done the one-for-one program (an Many members approach the office shifts for about five years, option for people who owe second-floor sanctum as if they is to find out whether they’re makeups for more than six had been summoned to the eligible to shop. And, as Grif- work cycles in a row). The office ILLUSTRATION BY CATY BARTHOLOMEW principal’s office. fin says, despite the fact that CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 But, office workers agree, Coop Manners: Members Dish on those who shuffle up the stairs with fear in their hearts How to Have the Best Shopping shouldn’t stress out.
    [Show full text]
  • Malachi #2 - Learn to Honor
    Malachi #2 - Learn to Honor - Alrighty. If you've got a Bible go to the book of Malachi, it is actually in the Bible. It's the last book of the Old Testament. Little book we're gonna spend about six weeks studying, and it is God's final written word to his people. It's-- it's the last thing that he has to say, preparing them for the first Christmas, and the coming of Jesus, which would occur 400 years later. And so, it is kind of like an audit, it's an examination, it's an investigation. And it's one of the three major themes of scripture. So, as you read the Bible, and we'd encourage you to be reading the Bible, there are three major themes. One is sin and how God forgives sin. One is suffering, and that's how God helps those who are hurting. And one is stewardship, and that's really the theme that we'll be studying today. It's a theme that Jesus spent 25% of his teaching on, and that is stewardship. And that is that our lives belong to God, our money belongs to God. Our company belongs to God. Our house belongs to God. Our car belongs to God, everything that we are, everything that we have, everything that we do, every word that we say ultimately belongs to God. That God is the owner, and that we are the manager, the manager. Meaning we need to invest the resources that God gives in a way that God decrees.
    [Show full text]
  • Nativity Celebration
    465 Saints Peter & Paul UOC 8410 West 131st St. Palos Park, IL 60464 V. Rev. Vasyl Sendeha — Rector www.sspeterandpauluoc.net [email protected] 708-361-5165 Nativity celebration Parish Council Blessed Nativity season to all of you! President Christ is Born! Sandra Hladky Sisterhood of St. What a beautiful celebration of the Nativity Anne of Our Lord and God Jesus Christ our parish Andrea Manson family had this past week. Church School Director On the Eve of the Nativity, we had our An- Pat Wolsko nual traditional Holy Supper at the church hall. Two long table for family style meal Ukrainian were set up as usually we do not get a very Saturday School large crowd for the evening. As people were Director arriving at the church hall, we had to keep PM Olenka adding table after table with chairs to ac- Church Choir commodate all of those who have come for Director the Holy Supper. What a beautiful way to George Cepynsky start the celebration of the Nativity. The ta- bles for the potluck Lenten dinner were Seraphim Group heavily laden. The Nativity Eve service was President extra special. It started with low lights and a Debbie Pierog joyful singing of “God is with us.” bBessing 50/50 Club of bread, wheat , wine and oil was a break- President ing point between the Vespers and Matins of Michael Gbur the Nativity Eve vigil. Towards the end of Jr. UOL the Service we had an opportunity to wel- President come into the Orthodox Faith Stanley Antony Sendeha Jakubczak, who received the sacrament of Holy Chrismation.
    [Show full text]
  • War Room Movie Event Fight for Us, but Is Waiting Until We Are Tired of Fighting on Our Own
    April 2016 ! "#$$%&'!($)%&*!+,-./,! ! "#$%&'#()*!+',-$).-*)#$! 0012!3#4),)$)!().5!"6! /0!&#1*-,2!&345! 7)&8*9%$$8:!;<!=0>2?! 6-$217)882!+9!:;<=>! .#$$%&'@$)%&*-A/B/#A! &2'?)*!"#@!::<! ! "8C-.&!D8.9%/8!"8E-8*C86! ! ! Dear Sisters & Brothers, rd On Sunday, April 3 at 6:00 PM, we will be showing the movie War Room here at Rolling Plains Church. The story line of the movie is of a couple struggling in their marriage and careers and how the power of prayer totally changes their lives in miraculous ways. Many of you have seen this movie and have been blessed by the strong reminder of the power and effectiveness of a prayerful life. After seeing War Room with my family just over a month ago, I have felt a fresh power, passion, and sense of effectiveness in my prayer life. In fact, we have rearranged three rooms in our house: Elizabeth has started a prayer list on the wall in her closet, Tawna has completely reorganized her closet as a prayer room, and I have started a personal prayer wall in our bedroom closet. Some of those prayers are already being To receive our newsletter by email instead, simply send an email to answered. Praise God! [email protected] If we are honest with ourselves, many of us will admit we struggle with prayer. Some of us find ourselves too busy to with “e-newsletter” and your first and last name in the subject line. pray and it never really becomes a priority in our lives. We believe in God and know He wants to hear from us, but we get so easily discouraged when it feels like our prayers go unanswered.
    [Show full text]
  • Petting Away a Ruff Week UMD's
    A1 Sports Can Wojo go pro? The Story on B1 Statesman Opinion Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Words matter: the THEUMDSTATESMAN.COM UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH stigma of mental health on page A5 UMD Dance heads to Nationals BY APRILL EMIG the same title the pre- vious year. Senior Cap- The UMD Dance tain Lexi Crowell hopes Team (UMDDT) is off to bring that back. to nationals for the sev- “Hopefully we’ll get enth year in a row. another natty champ,” After months of Crowell said, crossing rehearsing, choreo- her fingers. “But just graphing and perform- being there is so much ing, the UMDDT is fun and I can’t wait.” ready to hit the stage in The team hosted the Daytona Beach, Flori- 2016 Dance Show at da, in April. UMD on Saturday, “I’m so excited to be as both a fundrais- dancing in front of that ing opportunity and huge crowd and feeling a chance to showcase that rush,” sophomore local dancers. Ileana Howe said. Local studios such as The UMDDT is a Elite Dance Productions club sport that has been and Dreamdance Acad- competing as an NDA The UMD Dance Team has been going to the national competition since 2003. APRILL EMIG/STATESMAN emy performed at the Division II Team since event. the team relies heavily out the year. DT brought home a tro- national champions in 2003. With little fund- see DANCE A3 ing provided by UMD, on fundraising through- The last time UMD- phy was in 2014 as the their division. They won Petting away a ruff week UMD’s Pet Away Worry and Stress with UMD PAWS $4.6 BY EMILY NESS environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Lexmark Optra T420
    Lexmark™ T420(n) Laser 4048–00x • Table of Contents •Start Diagnostics • Safety and Notices • Trademarks •Index Lexmark and Lexmark with diamond design are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. 4048–00x Edition: February 2004 The following paragraph does not apply to any country where such provisions are inconsistent with local law: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Some states do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions; therefore, this statement may not apply to you. This publication could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in later editions. Improvements or changes in the products or the programs described may be made at any time. Comments may be addressed to Lexmark International, Inc., Department D22A/032-2, 740 West New Circle Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40550, U.S.A or e-mail at [email protected]. Lexmark may use or distribute any of the information you supply in any way it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you. You can purchase additional copies of publications related to this product by calling 1-800-553-9727. In other countries, contact your point of purchase. Lexmark, Lexmark with diamond design, MarkNet, MarkVision, Optra, and Prebate are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. Optra Forms and PictureGrade are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Mayoral Inauguration
    Volume 48, No. 9 “And Ye Shall Know The Truth...” January 31, 2018 Mayoral Inauguration The city’s new chief of staff, Katy Crosby - far right - and her family members Salvation Army In This Issue... Soulcial Scene Page 12 Book Review Fros & Fashions Rogers Hall Lanaya’s 45th In This Issue... Page 13 Perryman Ashford Award Pages 6-7 of Fame Page 16 BlackMarket- Page 2 Page 4 Inauguration Page 9 Alphas’ MLK Place Page 8 Lust for LC Police Tactics Day Page 14 I Dream Opera Life Commissioners Announced Page 16 Classifeds Page 8 Page 10 Page 3 Page 5 Page 15 Page 2 The Sojourner’s Truth January 31, 2018 Water: Full and Complete By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, D.Min. The Truth Contributor Where do we go from here? - Martin Luther King Jr. It happened in Flint, Michigan where thousands of children and pregnant capital projects and optimization of infrastructure investments by collabo- women were exposed to lead poisoning after a series of questionable deci- rating, Toledo residents should benefit disproportionately compared to oth- sions by various government entities caused lead to seep into their drinking ers with the inclusion of the following in the MOU: water. • Water Affordability Plan – while Percentage of Income Payments (PIP) It happened in Detroit, where, in the past 10 years the water rate doubled, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) have been available for and during the summer of 2014 the city was performing 3,000 water shut- other utilities, this low- income assistance plan has not been available in offs per week with children, elderly or those with a disability accounting the past for water service.
    [Show full text]
  • View / Open TM Database Composite.Pdf
    • • • • TRANSPORTATION-MARKINGS • DATABASE • COMPOSITE CATEGORIES • CLASSIFICATION & INDEX • • • -­ • III III • 1 TRANSPORTATION-MARKINGS: A STUDY IN CO.MMUNICATION MONOGRAPH SERIES Alternate Series Title: An Inter-modal Study of Safety Aids Transportatiol1-Markings Database Alternate T-M Titles: Transport [ation] Mark [ing]s / Transport Marks / Waymarks T-MFoundations, 4th edition, 2005 (Part A, Volume I, First Studies in T-M) (3rd edition, 1999; 2nd edition, 1991) Composite Categories A First Study in T-M: The US, 2nd edition, 1993 (Part B, Vol I) Classification & Index International Marine Aids to Navigation, 2nd edition, 1988 (parts C & D, Vol I) [Unified First Edition ofParts A-D, University Press ofAmerica, 1981] International Traffic Control Devices, 2nd edition, 2004 (Part E, Volume II, Further Studies in T-M) (lst edition, 1984) Part Iv Volume III, Additional Studies, International Railway Signals, 1991 (Part F, Vol II) International Aero Navigation Aids, 1994 (Part G, Vol II) Transportation-Markil1gs: A Study il1 T-M General Classification with Index, 2nd edition, 2004 (Part H, Vol II) (1st edition, 1994) Commllnication Monograph Series Transportation-Markings Database: Marine Aids to Navigation, 1st edition, 1997 (I'art Ii, Volume III, Additional Studies in T-M) TCDs, 1st edition, 1998 (Part Iii, Vol III) Railway Signals. 1st edition, 2000 (part Iiii, Vol III) Aero Nav Aids, 1st edition, 2001 (Part Iiv, Vol III) Composite Categories Classification & Index, 1st edition, 2006 (part Iv, Vol III) (2nd edition ofDatabase, Parts Ii-v,
    [Show full text]
  • Life Group Playbook
    LIFE GROUP Live Connected (5 months) 1) Next Steps – 2-6 weeks 2) Starting Point Series – 7 weeks 3) Trust Christ Outcome – 3 weeks 4) Soul Revolution – 6 weeks * Grow Pastor visit to do Ask & Close * Overnight or a Saturday to share stories Additional Resources: http://www.gatewaychurch.com/lifegroupleader Be Transformed (19 months) 5) Start the 10 remaining Selected Outcomes 6) Complete 6 Group Selected Outcomes * Reflect, Celebrate, Anticipate after each set of 3 or 4 Outcomes LIFE GROUP Life Groups are at the very heart of Gateway and speak to the value we call “Be Transformed.” Nobody stumbles into spiritual maturity. It’s the fruit of God's’ work, our choices, and trusted community. The aim of a Life Group is to intentionally pursue spiritual maturity through a deepening relationship with Jesus that results in a multiplying effect of sending others to do the same. Life Groups are not for the spiritually elite; it doesn’t matter how much or how little of the Bible you know. Life Groups are for anyone who chooses to do the work that growing and maturing require. DISCOVER In the discover season, we work toward a single spiritual outcome: Trust Christ* DEVELOP Love God: Love God: Surrender Relate to God Self-Feeding Trust God Build Character: Obey God* Wisdom Worship God Steadiness and Perseverance Study God* Love People: Build Character: Sacrifice Stay Connected to God's Spirit* Faithfulness New Creation* Be the Body: Spiritual Disciplines Ministry Confession Multiplication* Freedom* Love People: Relationally Engaged *= Selected Outcome Peacemaker* Build Others Humility* Self-Awareness* Be the Body: Serve Spiritual Gifts Financial Generosity* Outreach Intercession DEEPEN LIFE GROUP Spiritual Maturity is the Point Colossians 1:28-29 “He (Christ) is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
    [Show full text]
  • UNARMED Written by Chris Shalom Integral Artists
    UNARMED Written by Chris Shalom Integral Artists ATTN: Doreen Holmes #102, 196 West 3rd Avenue Vancouver, BC 604-620-6001 ext. 230 FADE IN: EXT. WALKER HOUSE - REAR BALCONY - DAY A SPARKLER LIGHTS UP, burning bright. Dying quick. REVEALED behind the spitting sparks, SYDNEY WALKER (50), her delicate brown fingers cradling the sparkler. SYDNEY These things are made cheaper than they used to be. Across from her in a matching chair, JEREMIAH WALKER (53), tall, broad, old-fashioned dignity, sees nothing but her. JEREMIAH I just like looking at you. His speech is unhurried, sincere. Like it always is. SYDNEY Got something on your mind, Jeremiah? JEREMIAH Sure, but nothing civilized. SYDNEY You better watch it, you’re at a family barbecue. Jeremiah looks out at the scene below. A PICTURESQUE 4TH OF JULY BBQ IN THE BACK YARD -- cozy and friendly. Jeremiah and Sydney’s son Joseph, his Caucasian wife Abigail, and her grandfather, parents, sister, brother- in-law, nephew, and niece -- all Caucasian. Jeremiah stands to kiss Syd as a KITCHEN TIMER sounds inside. JEREMIAH You get the vegetables and I’ll get the movies going. SYDNEY You’re not even gonna give the poor in-laws a break, huh? JEREMIAH Family tradition, Syd. Nothing more civilized than that. 2. EXT. WALKER HOUSE - BACK YARD - DAY A PROJECTOR SCREEN rests in the shade of a tree. MUSIC AND LAUGHTER in the background as the projector plays HOME VIDEOS OF A MIDDLE-CLASS AFRICAN-AMERICAN UPBRINGING. Young Joseph ages from a toddler in a small apartment, to a child in a first family home, to a surly pre-teen.
    [Show full text]