Sunday next before Lent – Sermon 38

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

“Almighty God…….give us grace to percieve His Glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with Him and be changed into His likeness”

words from our collect this evening
– but – how do we perceive God’s Glory ? –

How do we – encounter God’s presence in the world today?

How are we strengthened by Him – and changed into His likeness?
Encounters between God and His people can be found throughout the whole of Scripture – and often they take place on mountains – The readings this evening refer to the experiences of Elijah and Peter who went on a journey up a mountain to witness God’s Glory. The experience dramatically changed their lives and spurred them on to do even greater things for Him

We are going to look at these readings to see if it helps us answer these questions and helps our understanding of how God’s Grace works in us today


First Point

Our OT lesson records the continuing struugle of Elijah and the prophets against King Ahab – after the victory over Baal at Mount Carmel Elijah is forced to run for his life from Queen Jezebel –

The once confident prophet who stopped and started the rain and brought fire from the heavens – who showed that God’s effectiveness was not hindered by uneven sides – had lost his focus – on God’s promises – God’s presence and God’s love – in his mind -things had got out of proportion –

“It is enough now Lord, take away my life, for I’m no better than my fathers before me ”

– Somewhere between Mout Carmel and that broom tree he’d reached rock bottom – and shifted his focus from God – to self.

But this reading is not about Elijah’s battle with dejection – but about how God handles the deteriorating situation –
He sent an angel to feed him – not once but twice –
To try to snap him out of it – and raise him into action

Although it was probably only a few days journey – God sent Elijah on a 40 day trek though the wilderness to Mount Horeb – an experience that he needed to help him regain his senses –

When God spoke to Elijah in the cave Elijah accused God’s people of infidelity –

“they had rejected God’s covenant –
broken down His altars
put the prophets to death with the sword”

In response God told Elijah to stand on the mountain – so he could see the Lord pass by – Elijah experienced a terrific wind – that tore the mountain apart and sent rocks flying – if you’ve seen the films called twister – then you’ll know how powerful the wind can be – but God was not in the wind – then the ground began to heave and shake – destroying everything around – enough to turn anyone to God – but God was not in the earthquake. Then there was a great fire – full of destruction and danger – and intense heat – but God was not in the fire –

– and finally there came “a gentle whisper” – and this terrified Elijah – he pulled his coat over his face – and knew he met the living God –

Elijah was running away from Jezebel because he doubted God – and now God was saying to him – have you forgotten? – I am the God of wind and earthquake and fire – I rule not Jezebel
God sent Elijah into the wilderness to prepare him – so that he could feel open again to God’s presence with him –so that he could be strengthened, trusting God more deeply – fearing no enemy –

Until now Elijah was used to expressing God’s presence through the use of “special effects” miracles – God however showed Elijah that His presence is not in such demonstrations of power – but in the weakness of the softly spoken word –
Elijah was sent back to stir up the politics in Syria and Israel – and to anoint three people – among them Elisha – who would eventually replace him

The prophets after Moses and Samuel spoke God’s word with little apparent result – and Israel adopted the worship of many Gods – but when Elijah came down from his meeting with God at Mount Sinai it marked the beginning of a new era – from now on God’s emphasis would be on purification and cleansing of His people through His word

Elijah was the beginning of a long line of prophets who charged Israel with breaking the covenant and who promised God’s judgment on them – though he carried this message to the king – Elijah’s ministry extended beyond Ahab to all Israel – he was God’s first covenant prosecutor who stood between the Lord and the people –

Point 2

 

In our NT reading we have the recording of another eye-witness to the Glory of God –

The reading from 2 Peter which focuses on Jesus’ trasfiguration witnessed by Peter, James and John

this event signified God’s approval of Jesus – and the way taught by Jesus –

“This is my Son, my beloved on whom my favour rests”

Here the transfiguration is used as eye-witness proof of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and a glimpse of what Christ would be like when He comes again – Peter compares this hope to a lamp shining in the darkness

– we were there – he says – we heard the voice – we saw the glory – we know that Jesus will return

In the final 2 verses Peter reminds us that Scripture is God’s revelation to us – through the Holy Spirit

Just as Peter had been an eye-witness – so the prophets too were eye-witnesses – they could not have deceived – their interaction with God was too intimate – and when interpreting the scriptures – He tells us – we need to be guided by that same Spirit – which operates in His church –

2 Peter was written to combat the beliefs of people who were threatening the church – and speaks of the dangers from within – it calls for a return to the true Gospel – reminding those who had the “precious faith” – what they should believe – and how they should behave –

Peter reminds us that God has given us power through His promises – which are there for all to see in Scripture – and by keeping our hearts content in God’s promises – we are guarded from sin and drawn on a path of righteousness to eternal life –

Point 3

 

So what about us

Where and when can we witness God’s Glory today –

Do we have to climb a mountain before we can see the presence and worth of God –

Do we look for God in crash bang wallop of the spectacular – or in the quietness of the softly spoke word –

As Elijah realised – identifying God’s voice is not as difficult – as we sometimes make out – the problem is we pretend not to hear it – even to ourselves – because we don’t want to do what He asks –

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit – through the Scriptures – through prayer – through the way and life taught by and lived by Jesus – the word made flesh for our purification and salvation –

We all need to listen and respond to God in confession – and humility. We have a loving Father who sent His Son -to die on the cross so that we can be cleansed from sin and find a right relationship with Him –

To many the word “God “ represents someone unknown – to some its a word to be feared –but to those who know God intimately – the name brings to mind thoughts of love – goodness, mercy and an ever present friend –

The word Glory means value or worth – to perceive the Glory of God means to know and accept the reality of who He is – God is greater than anything we can imagine – He cannot be boxed into the narrow confines of our own expectations and limitations

What Elijah and Peter saw and experienced was something so extraordinary – that they too were transfigured – Elijah’s experience strengthened him at a time of great personal weakness– He was revitalised and renewed to achieve even greater things for God –

For Peter it sustained him and became a reassuring and directing light in His life –

Just as the likeness of the Father shone through the humanity of Jesus – and transformed Him – so through the Holy Spirit who lives and works in us – we too can be changed –

as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians – “All of us who are Christians reflect like mirrors – the Glory of God – Christ lights the dark corners of our lives – and we become new and changed people –

Conclusion

Encounters between individuals and God in Scripture – always mark a significant point in the relationship between God and His people – and have a profound effect on those who witness them

Today we encounter the Glory of God through the Holy Spirit – through Scripture – through prayer – and through the people we see transformed by God’s presence within and around them – and through the nature and love of Jesus Christ

We no longer have to climb a mountain to perceive His glory – the presence of God is here for all of us to see and to meet personally in Jesus Christ – we just have to listen for His call- like Elijah and Peter we have to allow God to be God in our Lives – so that He can change us – and use us to achieve great things for His Glory –

This month during Lent we have different opportunities of exploring ways of finding God in our own story – through the Lent groups and through our special “Finding God” day on the 19th March.

I hope many of us will take up these opportunities – it could lead to an encounter that will change the rest of our lives

Prayer

 

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN