2nd Sunday in Lent – Sermon 156

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

Introduction

What must I do to inherit eternal life?

How can a man be born again when he is old?

Who then can be saved?

Questions from people in the gospels seeking assurance from Jesus about salvation and eternal life

Questions that we too have asked at one time or another-

Well in our NT reading this evening we have some straight answers-

Jesus reminds us of the important qualities needed – to be one of His disciples – a cross bearer – a finisher – and having total commitment to one we’re following-

We’re going to look at our readings – to see if they help us understand the price we are being asked to pay to be a follower of Jesus Christ

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First Point     The snake and the cross 

 

‘No one who does not carry his cross can be a disciple of mine’ –

Cross bearing – is something we are – not very good at – (except perhaps on Sunday mornings)

We start out in good faith – but often fall by the wayside when the real test comes-

Like the Israelites in our OT reading – we lose faith in God’s promises and then start blaming Him for our situation and the mess we have put ourselves in

The Israelites were traveling from Mount Hor – where Aaron had died – in a direction – through a rough terrain – away from the promised land – in order to get round Edom – who had refused to let them pass –

they grew impatient of the situation they were in – started complaining about the food and the drink –

They had crossed the sea when God parted it – accepted a covenant with God at Mount Sinai – witnessed God’s power over and over again – yet still were not ready to fully trust Him –

And then things got worst – an infestation of snakes – that bit some of the people and they died –

Realising what they had done – they asked Moses to intercede for them – to get – God – to take the snakes away –

But He didn’t – instead – God told – Moses to make a bronze serpent – and put it up on a pole – so that anyone who had been bitten could look up at it and recover –

God left the consequences of their sin with them – and through the serpent – perhaps reminding them what happened in the garden of Eden – He showed them – the real problem – their need to confess their sins – if they were willing to do that – then He would provide salvation –

The serpent on a stick – which started out as a symbol of their failure and sins – became the symbol of God’s mercy and love –

Today – the cross does the same for us –

Jesus confirmed – as much – In St. John’s Gospel –

‘Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness- so the Son of Man must be lifted up – in order that through Him – the world might be saved’

Jesus took the weight of our sins on His shoulders and died once and for all – on the cross as an atonement for those sins – and so that our relationship with God can be made right again –

The greatest event in the life of the people of the OT was their deliverance from slavery in Egypt

The greatest event in the life of the people of the New Testament is also deliverance – a deliverance form the slavery of sin – through Jesus Christ-

Just as the serpent that Moses lifted up represented the sin of the people – Jesus hanging on the cross represents our sin – and its only by looking to Him that we live –

and like the Israelites – we too need to have that symbol of God’s grace and mercy – ever in our midst – to remind us of our need for forgiveness – and the salvation – offered to us by God –  

 

Point 2    the cost of involvement

 

Recognising and repenting of our sins is not enough- we also have to do better next time – and try to follow God’s ways more closely – which means there’s a cost – to us and those around us-

In our NT reading – Jesus tells the story of a man who started – to – build his tower – without first – calculating what it would cost him – and when he found out he couldn’t complete it – it turned out to be – a disaster – in more ways than one –

The unfinished tower not only failed to fulfill its function – it also stood out like a sore thumb – in the end he lost all he put into it – and it was no use to anyone –

Jesus came into the world – to build a kingdom – not with wood and stone – but – with love – here in our hearts – the difference between Jesus and the man in His story – is that Jesus paid the price – on the cross – and finished – the job

Jesus is inviting us to come with Him and be part of His kingdom – to join His banquet of salvation – but saying yes to God – will be no picnic – as Jesus reminds us in our next story – its nothing less than an invitation to spiritual warfare –

What king would march into battle against another king – without first sitting down – and considering whether with 10000 men – he can face up to an enemy of 20,000 – If he cannot – then he sends an envoy – and asks for terms –

Like the king – we can’t fight the Christian battle – unless we have the right resources to fight with – we have to be realistic about the task ahead –

We can’t fight a spiritual battle – without a spiritual ally – without Jesus on our side –

Jesus needs people who are prepared to let Him run the show – to surrender to Him fully – and unconditionally – willing to give Him love – loyalty – their whole lives – He needs people who realize that without Him – all their efforts – will come to nothing –

The rich young man of Mark 10: 17-22 was asked to sell all he owned and give to the poor – but he couldn’t be separated from his possessions –

  

Point 3         being a follower of Jesus

 

Being a disciple of Jesus – means imitating Him and living His way of life – being prepared to give up the things that are in the way of our relationship with God –

Many people think Jesus’ command to take up the cross – is the same as bearing the sufferings – and burdens of this world – its not true – its not the way put up with our aches and pains – that measures our commitment to Jesus

Its the way we show – our love – our compassion – our forgiveness and reconciliation – to others – in difficult circumstances –

It’s the way we reach out to others – in His name – knowing that Jesus has come – died and risen – for us – and for every friend and stranger we meet –

The Israelites who looked up at the serpent – lived – but only for a few more years – When we look up at Jesus – we are not only delivered from sin – but also have eternal life – a life spent with Him and the Father –

and just as each individual Israelite who had been bitten – had to look up at the serpent to live – so each one of us has to individually look to Christ for our salvation –  

Ending

 

Lent is a time for each one of us – to re-examine our commitment to Jesus – a time for us to look again – at what our relationship with Jesus – is all about – and to make a step – from where – we are to where God – wants us to be

God is making something new from us – and to realize – and respond to it – takes great effort on our part – and we have to count the cost – before committing ourselves to Him

What our two readings tell us – is that – God has shown us a history of faithfulness – and despite our disobedience – ready to show us the way forward –

He doesn’t promise to provide everything we want – but does promise to provide everything we need – and what we need to do most – is to realise that its only by looking to Jesus – that we will live –  

 
Prayer to Finish

 In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN