4th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 87

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

Prayer to start

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

Introduction

What’s God’s will for my life?

You’ve asked it – I’ve asked it! –we’ve all asked it!
Its a question that either bothers us or blesses us.

As Christians – we know God has a plan for us – but we don’t always know what it is?

We know we‘re going to heaven – but we don’t know the route or the stops God will take us on to get there –

How are we going to find out? Is there anything we can do to improve the lines of communication?

Our readings this evening present us with two people of faith – Paul who was clear about his mission for God – and Job who wasn’t – We also have some examples of good advice and not so good advice –

We are going to look at what was said – to see if it helps our understand what we should be doing to increase God’s involvement in our lives

Point 1   Job

For Job everything started well – he had status – a happy family – a good livelihood – a big house – and lived “a blameless and upright life” – and then it all went pear- shaped – he lost the lot – and to top it all he contracted – a terrible and painful disease –

What did I do to deserve all this !
What happened to God’s plan for my life?

The book introduces three of Job’s friends – Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophur – who come to comfort him – in his sufferings –

Eliphaz was the first and oldest of the three and its his advice we hear in our reading –

He tries to explain Job’s situation – with some orthodox theology – but in fact ends up criticizing him –

He tells him – he is sick because he’s a sinner –and his problems are a result of God correcting him – because of his sin – If I were you I would make my appeal to God – and throw Himself on His mercy – says Eliphaz –

Not what Job wanted to hear

You can imagine his response –
“With a friend like this who needs enemies!”

Eliphaz’s words were really about boosting his own ego – by making Job feel guilty – and at the same time – claiming that he’s pointing him towards God –

Job is hurt – and his only hope is to turn to God – but more in spite of his friend than because of him

One thing we can rely on is that life will be full of problems – becoming a Christian – doesn’t deliver us from them – we still get sick – lose our jobs – worry about our children – struggle with loneliness –

But sometimes the problems that should draw us closer to God – seem to push us away – like Job – we get led down a dark valley – without seeing the way out – and wonder why we feel like this – does God have a redeeming purpose for us? How are we to respond? – Are we expected to take it on the chin?

What we need at such times is a friend who is willing to listen – and talk through these hard moments – who will point us to God without judging our spirituality – today we have that friend in Jesus Christ – who will mediate for us –and guide our way forward –

Unlike his churchgoing friends – Job persevered – and spoke to God personally about his problems – and eventually found an answer-

If Job could speak to us today – he’d remind us that all through the storms – sorrows and situations – that for him seemed impossible – God never failed him –

there will always be questions and problems – its who we give them to that counts –

Point 2   Paul’s letter to the Romans

Paul’s understanding of God’s intervention in His life – was completely different –-

God had a plan for Paul – and Paul knew it – He heard God’s voice – and was willing to obey

Paul saw himself as an Apostle to the gentiles – taking the gospel to new frontiers – preaching where the message had not been heard –building new foundations for Jesus –

He writes to the church at Rome about coming to visit them – he’d wanted to come before – but his ministry commitments had prevented him –

Through his letter – he speaks to them honestly about his travel plans and why he’s coming – he doesn’t tell them what to do – but reminds them of what they already know – assuring them that he appreciates their qualities – and abilities – Paul’s concern was not for what they are now – but what they might become in Christ –

Paul trusted them to minister to each other – he knew that if he didn’t – they would only grow to a Paul sized church – and not a God sized church

The only glory Paul claimed was that he was the servant of Jesus Christ – he saw himself as an instrument in the hands of Jesus – his letter wasn’t about how good Paul was or what Paul had achieved – but what Jesus had done with him –

As Paul says in vs 17 – its not by our strength – but by the power of God – that we go forward –

Rome was the greatest city in the Gentile world – and capital of the greatest Empire – and although he was a Roman citizen – he had never been there –and he longed to help them in their faith –

But first he – had to fulfill a debt – and a duty – it was so important – that he was prepared to make 2000 mile detour to see it through –

He’d arranged for a collection to be taken from his young Gentile churches to be given to the church at Jerusalem –-
This was a practical way in which the Gentile churches could help the Jewish Christians – who were in need of food and support – it was also
a way of showing gratitiude for the Spiritual gifts they have received – putting Christian love into practical action –and turning Christian words into Christian deeds –

Paul was a pioneer for the Gentiles – he was also a pioneer for Christian love in action – his whole life was about giving and helping others – and helping bring people to Jesus –

Throughout his life – Paul remained true to what the Lord had called him to do – “to carry His name before the nations and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9;15)

Paul had his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus – the task was hard – but he stuck to it – he may not have been aware that he was changing the world – but he was certainly aware of God’s presence with him

 

Point 3   What about us

So we’ve looked at Job and Paul – what about us?

How involved is God in our lives?

How good are we at recognizing and responding to His will?

What can we do to increase our awaremness?

For Job and Paul – their most important help – came when they brought their problems and questions directly to God – in other words prayer –

For us therefore – Prayer is essential – Paul didn’t hesitate to put himself on as many prayer lists as possible – he knew that prayer would bring joy to his journey – and rest in his fellowship – we too must ask people to pray for us – and with us – as we move forward on our journey – God will always be there to advise us when we need Him –

Paul demonstrates incredible confidence in his calling – and it’s a confidence that comes from knowing Jesus

So like Paul – our journey must be built on a relationship with Jesus Christ – we must look to Him always – and ask Him to fulfill His promise of bringing the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 16:13)
Jesus and the Holy Spirit together provide us with the power and the gifts we will need to carry out His message of love to others –

Throughout the Bible – gifts and abilities are used as a guide to spiritual direction – They are all we need to get the job done – they also help us to see where our ministry lies –its no good being a teacher – for example – if we find it difficult to study – sometimes we have gifts – and never realized it – If God has called us for a purpose -He will provide us with the means to carry it out –

If like Job we are unsure about – what God has in store or us – we shouldn’t wait for a heavenly vision or message before we do anything about it – but use our time to prepare and develop –

We should give ourselves to God – we could make that commitment today in this service

ask God through prayer to speak to us and show us His will –

begin serving Him – in someway in His church -– its easier to steer a moving ship – than a stationery one – God will want us to do something for Him – and the earlier we get involved the better – and the more easily we will hear from Him.

If God has a plan for our lives – then so does the devil – He will try to nudge us off course – either by pushing us beyond what God is wanting us to do – or more likely – diverting us away from it – with concerns about money – security – our families – our responsibilities –

we have to stick at it like Job and Paul – and not get – pulled off course –

God works through individuals and through the church – Paul was a tremendous preacher – and a dynamic witness for Jesus – He was also a great team member – the ministry we do in the church is a team ministry – it depends on God and it depends on each one of us playing our part –

Conclusions   

Paul –considered himself to be a pioneer and an instrument of Christ – guided by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit –

we too are pioneers and instruments for Christ here in Lymm – we must allow ourselves to be used to bring others to the Christian faith – greet people on equal terms – give people practical information of what it means to be a Christian –

For Paul there was only one purpose in life – and that was to go forward for Christ –

So like Paul – we too should follow the lead of Jesus – and share with others the greatest gift of love that mankind can ever recieve –

Prayer to finish

Lets pray that God will strengthen each one of us for the tasks He has set for us – and for sharing the Gospel – so that we might come to know Jesus – and His grace and mercy through our ministry –

AMEN

Video of Sermon 87 on You Tube