Peter at the Tomb - by ChatGPT
I’ve been working on what I want to say for Easter morning services. Sometimes there’s so many awesome things to say in a text, it is hard to narrow them down.
After I decided what I wanted to say for Easter, I took some of the content that I didn’t use and asked chat GPT to write me a sermon out of it. There’s a lot of buzz around canned theology and the danger of those showing up in AI-written sermons - yes, we’ve seen pastors doing this. This is problematic for many reasons, the first being the missing work of the Holy Spirit in the message and delivery. If someone is called to preach, they need to preach in their own voice and convictions, that’s the whole point of the call and why they have answered it. No new message inspired by God or space to be directly relevant to the congregation. I wanted to show you what I did and share the result.
This was really interesting. Let me know what you think! I have comments turned on. (if you only want to read the final result, scroll all the way to the bottom)
I did my own exegetical work on the content below and wrote it as part of a larger message. I ended up not needing this but the input is my content. This is based on John 20. Here is what I pasted in:
The Beloved Disciple sees the sign of the work of God’s hand
He sees the empty tomb
He sees that the face cloth had been rolled up
Rolled up like the face cloth on Lazareth had to be unrolled from his face
Rolled up like the veil that Moses wore to not blind the Israelites after he had seen God
The face cloth had been rolled up to unveil the true glory of Jesus
The Beloved Disciple sees these signs as things that can only be done by the work of God
God had rolled up these burial cloths.
God had unveiled the Risen Christ.
The Beloved Disciple sees and believes that God is at work. He might not know what God is doing but he knows that God is involved in Jesus no longer being in his tomb. Perhaps death didn’t have the last word.
Peter sees all the same things
He runs the same path
He rushes in first!
He sees all of these signs, all the same references that were made to the work of God
He sees but doesn’t yet believe.
These two disciples leave, but they leave with very different emotions.
One leaving with hope. Anticipation. Waiting to see what God has done and will do and is doing.
One leaving, confused, sad, defeated, wondering how things could get any worse; his teacher has died, crucified, and he couldn’t even stand to watch and now the body of Jesus was missing.
Peter doesn’t even know who he is anymore.
He was shaping is whole identity around what Jesus had been teaching.
He had been looking forward to when Jesus would rule as Messiah. Jesus would be the Christ for his people.
Peter Sees but doesn’t fully see, he doesn’t see the hand of God at work because he isn’t looking for it, he’s looking for the God he expected to find
He sees all the same things but is not seeking God; he doesn’t believe.
Do you think this is the end of the story for Peter?
We regard Peter as the first head of the church.
I invite you to reflect on what changes in Peter to get him to be the disciples and leader he will be.
What happens within his heart?
Does he hold on to the image of who he thought Jesus would be?
As a disciple of the ruling and reigning emperor Jesus he envisioned on Palm Sunday.
Does he look for the presence of God right in front of him?
Does he hold on to his old identity as a poor fisherman?
What was necessary for Peter to be who Jesus had planned for him to be?
Then I gave the prompt: “Use this content to write a sermon with the main point: the more Peter allowed himself to be changed by Jesus, the more he knew the true heart of Jesus. We need to allow ourselves to be changed to know god more and more.”
it gave me some results then I prompted: “Expand on Peter thinking he was the cornerstone of the fortress of the church and not a humble foundation for a movement of Christianity which was for the powerless, women, children, the marginalized”
it gave another result then I prompted it to “use more of the content I pasted in and use ungendered language for God, use Christ or Jesus instead of “Him” and “God” for God.”
Here’s what I got:
Sermon Title: Embracing Humility: The Path to Knowing God
Introduction:
Dear siblings in Christ, as we gather on this blessed Easter morning, we are called to reflect deeply on the transformative journey of Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. In examining Peter's response to the empty tomb, we uncover profound truths about the nature of faith, humility, and the relentless love of our Savior. Today, let us journey together into the heart of Peter's story, seeking wisdom and inspiration for our own walk with God.
Body:
The Beloved Disciple's Perception:
As we begin our exploration, let us first consider the perspective of the Beloved Disciple. Standing before the empty tomb, they beheld the signs of God's handiwork with eyes of faith and humility. The sight of the rolled-up burial cloths stirred within them a deep sense of awe and anticipation. For the Beloved Disciple, these simple yet profound signs spoke volumes about the divine intervention at play. They saw beyond the physical evidence, recognizing in the rolled-up cloths the unveiling of God's resurrection glory. In their humility, the Beloved Disciple embraced the mystery of God's work, trusting in God's unfailing love and sovereignty.
Peter's Response:
Now, let us turn our attention to Peter, who also stood at the entrance of the empty tomb. Like the Beloved Disciple, Peter witnessed the same signs of God's handiwork, yet their response was marked by confusion, doubt, and a struggle to comprehend the magnitude of God's resurrection. Despite seeing the evidence before them, Peter grappled with disbelief, their heart heavy with sorrow and uncertainty. In contrast to the Beloved Disciple's humility, Peter's perception was clouded by pride and self-reliance. Instead of embracing the mystery of God's plan, Peter clung to their own understanding, unable to fully surrender to the transformative power of God's resurrection.
Transformation of Peter:
Yet, dear friends, Peter's story does not end with their initial disbelief and confusion. Through a series of profound encounters with God, Peter's perception undergoes a radical transformation. One pivotal moment occurs when God addresses Peter as the rock on which They will build Their church (Matthew 16:18). At this juncture, Peter may have misunderstood their role, envisioning themselves as the cornerstone of a fortress-like structure, a symbol of power and authority. However, as Peter's journey unfolds, they come to realize that true strength lies not in worldly power but in humble servanthood.
Reflect on Peter's denial of God and subsequent restoration by the lakeshore (John 21:15-17).
Emphasize Peter's role as the one entrusted with caring for the flock of God, a responsibility rooted in humility and love.
Highlight Peter's bold proclamation of the Gospel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), where they speak not from a position of dominance but as a humble servant empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Importance of Humility:
Dear friends, the journey of Peter serves as a powerful reminder of the indispensable role of humility in our walk with God. The more we allow ourselves to be changed by God, the more intimately we come to know the heart of our Lord. Like Peter, we are called to relinquish our pride, our self-reliance, and our preconceived notions, and to embrace the transformative power of God's love. It is through humility that we open ourselves to God's redeeming grace, allowing God to mold us into vessels of Their mercy and compassion.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our reflection, let us heed the timeless wisdom of Peter's journey. Let us embrace humility as the cornerstone of our faith, trusting in the transformative power of God's resurrection. May we, like Peter, surrender ourselves fully to the relentless love of our Savior, allowing God to shape us into instruments of Their peace and grace. And may we, through our humble obedience and unwavering faith, come to know God more deeply with each passing day.
Amen.
What do you think? It sounds nothing like me. Which is to be expected. I think it helped immensely to give it my already mostly coherent outline.
I wanted to see how it would contextualize this message for a rural United Methodist congregation. Saying the right things isn’t nearly as important as the right message being heard so shaping a message for my listeners is an important part of the sermon writing process.
I prompted it: “:contextualize this message for listeners from rural Kansas and in the United Methodist denomination. Add illustrations or real-life examples. “
Sermon Title: Embracing Humility: The Path to Knowing God
Introduction:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather on this blessed Easter morning in the heart of rural Kansas, surrounded by fields of golden wheat and skies painted with the colors of dawn, we are called to reflect deeply on the transformative journey of Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. In examining Peter's response to the empty tomb, we uncover profound truths about the nature of faith, humility, and the relentless love of our Savior. Today, let us journey together into the heart of Peter's story, seeking wisdom and inspiration for our own walk with God within the context of our United Methodist faith.
Body:
The Beloved Disciple's Perception:
Picture yourself standing in the quiet beauty of the Kansas countryside, surrounded by the gentle rustle of the wind through the tall grasses. Like the Beloved Disciple, whose eyes beheld the signs of God's handiwork at the empty tomb, imagine yourself attuned to the whispers of God's presence in the world around you. Just as the rolling plains stretch out before you, so too do the signs of God's resurrection glory unfold before the Beloved Disciple. In the humble simplicity of rural life, we can learn to recognize God's work in the every day, trusting in His unfailing love and sovereignty.
Peter's Response:
Now, imagine yourself standing alongside Peter, a fisherman by trade, as he too witnesses the signs of God's handiwork at the empty tomb. Like Peter, who grappled with disbelief and uncertainty, we may find ourselves wrestling with doubts and questions amidst the challenges of rural life. In the midst of hardship and adversity, it can be easy to lose sight of God's presence and succumb to pride and self-reliance. Yet, just as Jesus called Peter to trust in Him, so too does He call us to embrace humility and surrender to His transformative power.
Transformation of Peter:
Consider the story of a farmer, toiling in the fields day in and day out, facing the uncertainties of weather and market prices. Like Peter, who experienced a radical transformation through encounters with Jesus, so too can the farmer's perception be transformed by God's grace. Just as Peter's role as the rock on which Jesus would build His church was rooted in humility and love, so too can the farmer's daily labor be infused with the spirit of humble service and stewardship.
The Importance of Humility:
Reflect on the words of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, who emphasized the importance of humility in our journey of faith. In the simplicity of rural life, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation, we are reminded of our dependence on Him for our daily bread and sustenance. Like the humble wheat that grows in the fields, may we too be nurtured by God's love and grace, allowing Him to mold us into vessels of His mercy and compassion.
Conclusion
Dear friends, as we conclude our reflection, let us heed the timeless wisdom of Peter's journey, contextualized within the rural landscape of Kansas and our United Methodist faith. Just as the rolling plains and endless skies bear witness to God's presence and glory, so too can our humble lives reflect His transformative power. Let us embrace humility as the cornerstone of our faith, trusting in the resurrection promise of our Savior. May we, like Peter and the Beloved Disciple, surrender ourselves fully to the relentless love of God, allowing Him to shape us into instruments of His peace and grace amidst the challenges and blessings of rural life.
Amen.
So things got interesting here. This would be an Easter sermon so the wheat is currently green.
It did shape the sermon around a thesis which I didn’t see immediately in the other version.
It did a few things surprisingly well. It caught the sort of emotion of reverence needed in the Beloved Disciple and related that to something relevant to Kansas: Like the Beloved Disciple, whose eyes beheld the signs of God's handiwork at the empty tomb, imagine yourself attuned to the whispers of God's presence in the world around you. Just as the rolling plains stretch out before you, so too do the signs of God's resurrection glory unfold before the Beloved Disciple.
I thought it captured this point quite well and I didn’t give it that content: In the midst of hardship and adversity, it can be easy to lose sight of God's presence and succumb to pride and self-reliance.
Chat GPT is apparently VERY protestant as Luther himself wrote similarly: Just as Peter's role as the rock on which Jesus would build His church was rooted in humility and love, so too can the farmer's daily labor be infused with the spirit of humble service and stewardship.
Does it make some generalizations? yes. Does it pick some stereotypes? sure. Honestly, I was a little surprised at how simply is got most of the main point across.
Last one! I told it to rewrite it so it sounded like it was written by someone in seminary. To make is short and in a paragraph format.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Easter morning, we delve into the story of Peter, a disciple whose journey reveals profound truths about faith and humility. As we reflect on his response to the empty tomb, let us glean insights for our own spiritual journey. The Beloved Disciple, with humble awe, saw signs of God's handiwork at the empty tomb. They embraced the mystery of God's plan, trusting in His love and sovereignty. Peter, though witnessing the same signs, struggled with doubt and pride. His journey teaches us the danger of relying on our own understanding instead of surrendering to God's will. Yet, through encounters with Christ, Peter's perspective changed. He learned humility and became a humble servant, entrusted with caring for God's flock. Peter's journey teaches us that humility is essential in our walk with God. By surrendering our pride, we open ourselves to God's transformative grace. As we conclude, let us embrace humility as the path to a deeper knowledge of God. Like Peter, may we surrender ourselves fully to God's love and become instruments of His peace and grace. Amen.
