3rd Sunday in Lent – Sermon 141

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

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

So – its week three of Lent –

how are we getting on with our ‘Love Life – Live Lent Booklets’?

Managed to do a few things yet?

(I think most of us did – last weeks’ – during the peace – ‘talk to someone new in church’)

This Sundays Action – is all about listening – to and
‘watching- the news and praying about what we see and hear ’

Sometimes the news is pretty shocking – and there’s a lot to pray about – (example?)


First Point  

 

In our Gospel reading the people around Jesus had heard some shocking news – too

The Roman Governor Pontius Pilate – had murdered a group of Galilean worshippers – as they offered sacrifices – in the Temple – and another group had been killed – by a falling tower – at the water pool at Siloam –

In Jesus’ time – news of such tragedies – produced – great fear – among the common people –

They thought it was all to do with God’s punishment for their sins –

For those around Jesus – there – was – the added concern – for Jesus’ safety –they knew He would soon be going to Jerusalem at the head of a group of Galilean Pilgrims –

Whenever bad things happen – we all try to make sense of it –
A death in the family –
A sudden illness- that seems to come from nowhere
A car crash or accident involving someone we know –

But Jesus reminds us – that such calamities can happen to anyone – saint or sinner – and we shouldn’t really try to make sense of the senseless –

but instead let them be a reminder of our own mortality – and that there are important things that we need to do – for our own salvation – while we still have time –

If we believe half of what we see or hear on our televisions – one of the most difficult problems a parent faces today – is getting their children to eat properly –

Offer them a plate full of chips – or a bar of chocolate – and there’s no problem –

Give them a balanced meal – and they’ll start picking at it – as if you are trying to poison them –
Sometimes we just don’t know what’s good for us

Its not only true of our children – but of us as well – when it comes to nourishing ourselves – our spiritual diet contains so much junk food – that it really doesn’t really satisfy us –

We are hopelessly addicted to the instant satisfaction – (that new TV or sound system – that new coat or shoes) things that might appeal to our senses but not meet our inner needs –

In our OT lesson – we hear God’s call to come and receive the food and drink that really does satisfy –

By feeding on Him through coming to faith – we can begin something that not even death can destroy –

By drinking the water that He provides – He will not only quench the thirst of the present – but become a constant source of refreshment throughout the whole of our lives –

God – will nourish us with His word – Feed us with His Spirit – fill us with His love –

We need to – leave – space in our lives for Him –for prayer – reflection – for absorbing His spiritual sustenance –

He calls us all to His presence – saints and sinners
We need to empty ourselves – to allow God to fill us – Open our eyes a fresh – to His greatness – and sovereignty –

We have a God who is beyond expression – yet who delights to hear our prayers – wants to be our intimate friend – involved in every aspect of our lives- and is waiting for us to approach Him with our hopes and fears

We might fill our stomachs to overflowing – but if we don’t feed our souls – we will all – slowly starve to death

 
Point 2  

 

The Christians at Corinth – thought they were getting enough of the right food –too –

because they had been baptized – attended a Eucharist regularly – they thought that – that was enough –
But Paul tells them – that’s exactly what the Israelites in the Wilderness thought – too –

Paul doesn’t mean that our baptism and regularly attending at a Eucharist – are not important – they are – but they don’t exempt us from our moral and spiritual duties –

For the Israelites – despite good intentions – temptation got the better of them

They worshiped idols –
Succumbed to sexual immorality –
Put God to the test
And grumbled at Him – instead of offering their praise

they missed God’s opportunities – and didn’t make it to the promised land –

Paul’s message is that we need to learn the lessons from the past – from our Bibles – We need to keep constantly on the alert – depend on God who will provide us with a way out – He will not let us be tested – beyond our strength to endure

  

Point 3

 

A 4-year old boy was helping his dad sweep up the leaves from off his driveway – when a flock of ducks flew over their heads –

His father pointed out to him – that they were flying – in formation – in the shape of a ‘Vee’

The boy watched patiently as the birds disappeared into the distance – then he turned to his father and asked – ‘Do they know any other letters?’

For some of us – learning can be quite difficult –
One of the most common phases used by teachers in school reports – is:
‘shows promise – but could do better’

Most of us – wished we’d worked that bit harder at school – we had the chance –

We’ve all thought it haven’t we – ‘If we knew then – what we know now – How much more we could have achieved – how different things could have been’

Unfortunately most of us – don’t get a second chance – to make up for past mistakes –

but when it comes to what matters most of all – thankfully its another story

In Jesus’ parable of the Fig Tree – He gives everyone a stark reminder of what will happen if we don’t heed His advice –

We can read His story in one of two ways –
With – Jesus as the vineyard owner – coming to receive the fruit of repentance – but finding none – not even in the cities – where His miracles have been performed –

He is prepared to give Israel – and particularly Jerusalem and the ruling priests – a second chance – but – if they still refuse – their fate is sealed

The other way is to consider God coming to the tree – seeking fruit – and Jesus as the gardener – as the owners patience wears thin – Jesus digs around it – adds some manure – to inject some life – and pleads for another year – in the hope that the fig tree might bear fruit –

The fruits God wants us to bear – are the fruits of the Spirit – love – joy – peace – patience – kindness – generosity – faithfulness – gentleness – self control He wants to nurture the seed of faith within us – Help us to grow closer to Him –

But in truth – Jesus goes further than the vinedresser – asking the Father not to give us one more chance – but as many as it takes – even though we let Him down – He never gives up believing that our harvest may yet come –

Jesus warns us about our coming judgment – repentance doesn’t just mean giving up – our private sins – it means turning back – towards God – and the important thing – is to do it- while there is still time – because the time might come when we wish we had –

The fig tree is good for the grapes good for the harvest – that’s why its planted in vineyards – we too need to be good for the harvest – the harvest that fills God’s kingdom –

 
 

Ending

 

Do you hunger and thirst to know God better? –
Its time to act – time to change – while there’s still time – let us pray

 
Prayer to Finish

Heavenly Father – we pray for all people and their families caught up in senseless tragedies – those killed on the roads and highways – those who fall victim to crippling diseases and conditions – Help us to be especially sensitive to their needs – help us too to consider our own mortality – to use the time you have given us – to take action – to make sure our lives today – are as we and you truly want them to be –

AMEN