15th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 34

Prayer to start

May every thought and every word be graciously received for the Glory and honour of our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

Introduction

"I have kept back nothing………I have disclosed to you the whole purpose of God”

strong words from Paul in our NT reading this evening

How many of us – can say – that we have done all that God has asked us to do –

there are some strong words in our collect too – asking the Holy Spirit to raise and increase the intensity of our faith – encouraging us to be active and responsible Christians in God’s service

“that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the Gospel, that always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast in faith and active in service “

Our readings this evening feature two of God’s great servants – Ezekiel and Paul – although they lived centuries apart – both had life changing encounters with the living God – and both – displayed the qualities of service expressed in our collect – we are going to look at each one in turn to see if it helps us understand how we should respond when the Holy Spirit calls on us –

 
Point 1 

 

Ezekiel lived during one of the most difficult times in Judah’s history – thought to be taken captive during one of Nebuchadnezzar’s raids on Jerusalem – he was a young priest called by God to proclaim His message to the Israelites taken into exile – while the prophet Jerimiah was proclaiming God’s message in Jerusalem – an equally strong voice was warning them in Babylon

For many of us Ezekiel – is almost a closed book – we know little about Him except that he had a lot of mysterious visions and carried out some very strange and excentric actions –

Such as making a model of Jerusalem – and looking at it bound by ropes – spending 390 days lying down on his left side – then turning over to the right for another 40 days – or shaving off his hair – (although that’s so not unusual these days) and burning a third of it to the wind –

Ezekiel could see that his people – were compromising their faith and heading for disaster – he knew they had to change their ways – and quickly – or they would be destroyed – drastic situations needed drastic measures –

In the opening chapters of his book – Ezekiel tells of his experiences when he saw and heard God through a vision – he gives a stunning portrait of the Lord riding on His chariot throne – in all His glory – a God of grandeur – above and beyond our world yet inescapably near and real –

the experience left him feeling weak and inadequate totally drained – but God refilled him with His Spirit – and equiped him with all he needed to fulfil his task
– In Ezekiel’s words –
“ a Spirit lifted me and carried me along, and I went full of exultation, the power of the Lord strong upon me”

– Ezekiel’s actions and visions leave us in no doubt about the intensity of his faith – that he had an active and zealous commitment to fulfil the charge that he had been given –

but God told him he would need more than enthusiasm – that the Israelites wouldn’t listen – even from captivity – they preferred their idols to Him –

The Isrealites had been tempting fate for generations – the Nations long history of rebellion started shortly after the Exodus – and continued up to Ezekiel’s day – all the covenent requirements had been broken – and it was Ezekiel’s job to impress upon them the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of their sin – and for this he had to be steadfast in his faith and – relentless in condeming the nation of Israel for their infideleity to God

the elders who had come to enquire of the Lord – were told there would be no word for them – they had allowed themselves to become absorbed into the idol worship of the Babylonians –

God promised through Ezekiel – that the dispersion in exile will purge and cleanse Israel of its wickedness – just as the dispersion in the wilderness did which preceded their settlement in Canaan – each would be responsible for their own actions – and only a purified remnant would return –

– for those who believed and gave heed to His words there was life – but for others there was certain judgement –

Once Ezekiel had experienced his vision of God – confirming to him that the God of Jerusalem was alive and triumphant even in this heathen country – his consuming passion was to make sure -that everyone else knew it as well –

throughout his book one line is repeated 60 times –
“then they will know that I am the Lord”

For Ezekiel everything had a meaning – the actions he performed – the words he used – all directed towards one end – to disclose the whole purpose of God – to his people

 

Point 2

 

Next we have Paul – surely the greatest leader of the Christian faith after the Lord Jesus Himself – Called by God on the Damascus road – and led by the Spirit to take the Gospel to the Gentiles – he expounded the depths of the Christian fatih in a way that proved foundational for Christ’s church –

In our NT reading Luke tells us of a meeting between Paul and the elders of Ephesus at Milteus –

This in fact is the only one of Paul’s sermons delivered to Christians which is recorded

in it he demonstrates to them what the life of a true Christian should be like – using his own life as an example –

he makes his motives clear – to the elders – “I spent my whole time with you, serving the Lord in all humility”
“I delivered the message to you, and taught you in public and in your homes ………..I insisted on repentence before God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”

For Paul the Glory of God was his only interest and motivation – throughout his life he knew he would have to face hardships and suffering – He suffered from an incurable physical disease – from bodily abuse – and ridicule – all in the name of Christ – yet he did not turn away from His task –

“I do not know what will befall me …..except the Holy Spirit assures me that imprisonment and hardship await me … I set no store by life … all I want to do is to finish the race … and complete the task assigned to me”

His total committment to the Gospel of Christ crucified stands as an example to all believers – his desire to maintain the truth – against all heresy or anything that would diminish the truth of salvation by grace alone – comes through in all his teachings and actions –

in our lesson –
he warns the elders to “keep guard on their flock ……. savage wolves will come among you ……. even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth “

His deep passion for the application of the Gospel truth in the life of the believer led to pages of writings on how to lead a Christian life in the midst of a pagan world – All this could be achieved through God’s Spirit who is living within the believer and working out the purposes of the Father Himself –

Paul’s deep love for his christian brothers and sisters – and their’s for him is seen in the closing lines of our reading – his pain at their hurt and sadness at their sin – is seen as he wrote and spoke to them often with great tenderness and encouragement – but also with his repeated reference to his prayers for them

 

Point 3

 

-How do we measure up?
– How intense is our faith – how fervent are we at proclaiming the Gospel? –

Is God real to us – do we like Ezekiel – believe that the God who created the whole of our world and our unverse – is really here with us – and ready to develop a relationship with us – now

Do we allow ourselves to be filled with His Holy Spirit – and be guided by Him – and like Paul – are we prepared to follow the Spirits lead wherever it takes us? – and complete the race and the tasks which the Lord Jesus assigned to us –

Are we prepared to talk to the people we know – to help them find the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves – to tell them that Jesus has paid the price for their sins – and there is a way forward for forgiveness and salvation

If our attempts to bring others to faith are ignored do we give up – or do we work to uphold God’s name – and keep on trying relentlesly – like Ezekiel and Paul – and pray constantly for the Holy Spirit to guide and equip us – and to turn others away from their impending destruction –

 
Conclusion

There’s been a lot of strong words this evening – but behind them is something much more powerful – “love” – God’s love –
We see it in Ezekiel’s time – despite the rejection of His people – God still cared for them – and refused to abandon them

For Paul – God’s love is revealed in Christ – He was the power and focus of His life – and above all the one who had died so all who follow Him could be forgiven and find justification and eternal life on the last day –

Paul’s last words to the Ephesian elders was to remind them of something that Jesus said “happiness lies more in giving than receiving” –
that true rewards come from the satisying – self giving love that follows Christian living –

Have we kept nothing back – and disclosed all that we know of God to others ? –
Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can – and in the love of Christ we will succeed

Prayer to finish

May God’s grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.

AMEN