The Gospel of Animation Pt. 1: Popeye the Sailor Man; I Am What I Am

Introduction

Growing up I can remember watching Popeye the Sailor Man at least twice a day. I would watch before I went to school and when I got home from school. To me Popeye was the kind of guy who was somewhat easy going until you did something that he did not like. It just seemed like Brutus was always bullying Popeye, or would do things that would get under his skin. The one thing that Popeye did not like was when Brutus tried to take his girl Olive Oil. Seeming Olive was the apple of Popeye's eye.

Whenever Popeye found himself in a bind, he would open his can of spinach and he would get stronger just by eating his spinach. I don’t know about you, but I love me some spinach, and I don’t know if it was because of Popeye eating it and getting stronger or my mother making me eat it when it was cooked. Somewhere along this journey I have come to understand and know that spinach gives you strength.

Our Scripture for the morning comes from . This particular scripture deals with our ability to be humble while we worship God through the gifts that God has given us. The purpose of the book of Romans is to introduce Paul to the Romans and to give a sample of his message before he arrives in Rome. The author of the Book of Romans is the Apostle Paul. This book was written the Christians in Rome, and believers everywhere. Romans was written around 57 A.D. from Corinth as Paul was preparing for his visit to Jerusalem.

The reason for choosing this text is to let the congregation know that no matter how much we want to be like superheroes, we must be what God has called us to be. We must use the gifts that God has blessed us with to bless others. The thing that jumps out at me initially is that we are not to be conformed to the things of this world. The main idea of the passage is to use the gifts that God has given you to better serve the world and the community with humbleness. We are one body with many members in the body, but we do not all have the same functions in the body. However, we are being called to serve all of humanity with our gifts.

The human condition that makes it necessary for the Holy Spirit to be included in the Scripture is the fact that as human beings we are prone to pattern our lives after the world. We are always looking for the superhero aspect of life and we allow the materialistic and social cares of the world to dictate where we should live our lives.

The problem or concern that the text addresses in its context is that we are falling creatures and we have the propensity to follow what the world is doing. The passage helps us to understand that we will not fall into the world's trap if we humble ourselves and pattern our lives after God. The solution is to make sure that we are all included in the Kingdom building process of God and that our gifts are important to the body.

Don’t Conform

One of the things in life that we cannot continue to do is to conform ourselves to the things of the world. There are too many people who are bullying others on this journey called life, and we who are disciples of Jesus Christ cannot be on the bandwagon with them. We must someway, somehow find the inner strength to be the head and not the tail. When Popeye found himself in a way, and it looked like the world had gotten the best of him, he would pop open the can of spinach and renew his strength. We may not have a can of spinach, but we do have the Word of God to stand on and the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the strength that we need.

The New International Version Chapter 12

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—

Supplied this is

b Characterization your true and proper worship.

2 a Command Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

b Command but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Supplied Then

c Purpose you will be able to test and approve what God’s will

Supplied is—

d Characterization his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Verses 1 and 2 of this 12th chapter of Romans from the New International Version states “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The words that appear to be contextually important are reasonable and service. The significance of reasonable is that our service or worship if you will must be authentic and true.

We must understand that there are some sacrifices that have to be made so that we can be where God wants us to be. If we are looking to be transformed by God, then we will have to begin with our minds. We must renew our minds from that which the world wants us to be, to the level of humility, love and joy that God wants us to have. Popeye could sing his song about being who he was by the mere fact that he was willing to turn that which was bad into something good. From the White House to the Church House, we have begun to conform ourselves to the standards of the world. God is not pleased with how we are treating each other or showing the lack of love one to the other.

Humble Yourself

Use Your Gifts

The cross reference in speaks to the fact that all of us have been given gifts and no matter how big or small we might think they are, we must use them to the best of our abilities. The cross reference that is most important to my passage is . it is here that Peter helps us to understand that all of our gifts are important to the body of Christ. The uniqueness of our gifts helps us to be who we are in God. None of the gifts and abilities that we have are for our own personal consumption.

Conclusion

The thing that we share in common with the ancient audience is that much like them we are prone to wander. We are chasers after those things that will not satisfy. The difference that the passage should make in the lives of the congregation is that we will see that we are one body and within that body we are capable of doing all things because God has equipped us to do so.