10th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 304

22nd December 2019 Off By Derek
  • 10th Sunday after Trinity
  • 10.00 am CW
  • 25th August 2019

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 sort of comments did you get on your school reports?

For me there was one remark that seem to reappear again and again – ‘persevere’

Or maybe you received comments like – ‘tries hard – but could do better’-

Many of us I’m sure wish we had been better at school – made more of the opportunities we were given –

What about our Christian opportunities?  Are we making the most of these?  Are we responding to God’s call – fulfilling our potential in the service of Christ?

Point 1                  Jeremiah’s Call

Moses said he wasn’t a speaker – Isaiah said his lips were tainted – Ezekiel fell on his face – and Jeremiah says he’s too young –

I guess if someone volunteered outright – and said yes – I’ll do it – we might be a bit suspicious –

But it was not lack of willingness – or humility – that made these prophets think twice – about responding to God’s call – but shear scale –

The tasks God had set before them was huge –

For Jeremiah, he was to ‘pluck up and pull down’, ‘destroy and overthrow’ – to ‘build and to plant’.  His prophetic commission began with Judah and Jerusalem, but was extended to “all the families of the house of Israel”

God Commissioned him to root out and destroy the false Idolatry that was prolific within the nation, and to bring the people back to God.   If Jeremiah’s word could penetrate the people, then the nations could be spared the Lord’s wrath.

We might wonder what Jeremiah might be thinking having heard all this – how can I speak into this situation? –  whose authority do I have?  Will people listen? Will I find the words?

The same fears that we all might have –

Its not easy when you have to speak out about a principle – propose the unpopular – bring the truth forward – when you are questioned or contradicted – and you find yourself a lone voice –  

Jeremiah’s commission to be a prophet to the Nations – also came with a warning – ‘They will fight against you….’

We are not all called to be Jeremiah’s – but every so often – our response to the truth – really matters – and requires us to speak out regardless of the consequences –

Claiming that we are too young – too old – too slow of speech – and slow of tongue – our lips are tainted – just won’t wash –

Jeremiah is a story of how God can use anyone and everyone to do his work in the world.  Jeremiah accepted God’s plan for his life.

As Christians we are all called to bring God’s message to others the best way we can – and God will do all He can to show us how and encourage us forward –

And in order to help ourselves we need to be looking and listening – reading God’s word – relying on prayer – seek guidance from the Holy Spirit – and of course trust – that what we say or do – God will use His way –

As Jesus said to his disciples:

‘Do not worry about how you are to speak – or what you have to say; for what you have to say will be given to you at that time, for it is not you who speak but the spirit of your Father, speaking through you.’

Point 2        Jesus teachings

In our Gospel reading – Jesus is speaking out about a truth that needs to be said –

Jesus is preaching in the Synagogue – and this is the last time we read about Him doing this – before His death –

The authorities were watching His every move – waiting to pounce whenever they get the chance –

A woman crippled for 18 years – approaches and Jesus and He heals her – and she gives thanks and praises God –

But the president of the Synagogue who doesn’t have the courage to confront Jesus directly – protests to the crowd – accusing Jesus of breaking the Commandments 

As far as the Jewish Authorities were concerned – because the woman’s afflictions were not life threatening – Jesus’ act of healing was classed as ‘working’ – on the Sabbath –

It may sound silly to us today – but in Jesus’ time – it was a real issue –

To avoid breaking the commandments – the Pharisees had fenced around them – more severe rules – a sort of belt and brazes approach – so that in their view – it was impossible for the people to commit a sin –

It must have sounded like a good idea at first – but over a period of time – they had lost sight of God’s original intentions – and substituted their – own

Jesus seized on one particular example –

The Rabbis hated – cruelty to dumb – animals – and in order to avoid hardship on the animals on the Sabbath – they made it legal to free animals from their stalls – and to water them – but no such concession was given to the people –

Jesus accused them – of double standards – abiding by the spirit of the law for animals but by the letter of the law for people –

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness – and self-control – against such things there is no law – and – these should take priority –

Instead of reacting as he did the leader should have rejoiced in the woman’s good fortune –

the basis of our Christian experience is love – and we must not set up our own prejudices – to smother it –

The love that Jesus demonstrates – is the love that makes a difference – the love that heals – and has the power to change and transform people’s lives –

The woman’s physical condition – is a graphic reminder of our own spiritual condition – like her – we are bent over with sin – and we are – in need of straightening – And Jesus has brought a special healing from God to make us whole again –

Our response should be to receive all that He has to give – to praise God – and enjoy a fullness of life that only He can offer –

point 3        Hebrews – What does it mean for us?

And so to our NT reading –

The Book of Hebrews is perhaps the only book in the New Testament – that provides us with an answer – to the question – why go to church?

The truth is – we go to church for all sorts of reasons – and they are not always the right ones –

Listen to this short poem –

Some go the church for a walk-

Some go there for a laugh and talk-

Some go to gain a lover –

Some go – their faults to cover –

Some go for observation –

Some go for speculation

Some go to sleep and nod –

Some (a few) go there to worship God –

But as the writer of the Hebrews tells us – when we do go – for whatever reason – we open ourselves up to a fantastic opportunity –

Because – through our worship we get to meet and speak and sing – with God – and His heavenly Hosts – and with others who also love Him.

‘It’s not to the tangible blazing fire of Sinai – the mountain of fear – that we have come – but to mount Zion – the mountain of grace – the city of the living god’ –

The early Israelites had to go – through a tremendous ordeal – just to get close to God – but because of what Jesus has done for us – we can – communicate with Him directly – here in this church – in this service – through our prayers and our praise – in fellowship with others – knowing that He with us –

We come as sinners failing to live up to God’s standard – but we know – that Jesus ‘blood has washed our sins away – that His death and resurrection is all we need for salvation-

Someone once compared our lives to living – in a narrow road – lined with high buildings – with only a strip of blue sky above – the blue sky is our link with God – and amid the activity – and distractions of everyday living  – we sometimes  – see it for only a few moments –  each day –  each week –

But that time looking up is important – We need our time of worship together – without it – we can lose touch with the great shepherd –

without it – we can begin to doubt that the blue sky- exits at all –

The church is a heavenly Jerusalem – a city of the living God – alive with His presence – and a gate way that others can pass through –

God has given us a great example in Jesus Christ – 

And through Jesus – has built a kingdom – that cannot be shaken – because of Jesus – our future is secure – because of Jesus – our fears are taken away – we have a great – stability and security – that is not available anywhere else –

Ending

So as Christians when we are all called to speak out about God and His truths – and to encourage others to come to know Him and Love Him as we do – we need to remember that God is right there with us –

God is providing His help and guidance – every day – every second that we need it – through Jesus Christ – who provides us with a love that heals – and transforms – and has the power to change lives – and make us all whole again –

Jesus shows us that people in need – matter- that the ministry of the church – is not to conform but to become salt and light – bringing new life – new hope and salvation for all.

So what might God write on our reports for today? Tries hard? – can do better? –  yes – probably – but also – hopefully – Thankyou – and well done! Good and faithful servant. –

Prayer                 

AMEN.