2nd Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 178

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 

‘My God is so big – so strong and so mighty – there’s nothing that He cannot do!’

Words from No. 865 in our hymn books – and a frequent favourite of the Sunday School children – at our morning communion service

It describes God as our creator and Saviour – and bigger than anything we could ever imagine – and most of us would probably agree that the children have got it right –

We adults – on the other hand are sometimes guilty of cutting God down to size – only accepting Him – in small manageable pieces –

We like to be in control – like things organised –
and we create boxes in our minds of what we think God can and can’t do –

With the help of our readings we are going to explore our own image of God – to see if we can bring Him out of our boxes and into our hearts and lives –    

Point 1           Jeremiah’s image of God

In our reading from Jeremiah – we have what is considered to be a scathing attack on idolatry – and the depraved practices of Canaanite worship –

It was during the reign of Josiah – that Jeremiah warned against false security – and that Judah and Jerusalem would be destroyed for their sins –

He says some straightforward things about worshiping idols and worshiping God-

Jeremiah attacks the temptation to fall in with the majority – of interpreting natural events in the skies as some sort of warning for the future –

Carved images are carved images and nothing more – there is nothing spiritual about them –

they may look important with their decoration of silver and gold – but they have no power – no mobility – ‘they are as dumb as scarecrows in a field of cucumbers’

God cannot be manufactured by human hands – we may put our images on our altars – and in our churches – to remind us of His presence – but God is not in them – He is much bigger than that –

He is our creator – the world’s creator – He can change things on a much bigger scale than anything we can ever imagine –

Can God heal? – Can God save? – He created us – gave us life – in the first place – so why not?

Is God’s advice the best advice? – His wisdom is far greater than any human understanding – after all – He created human understanding –

Is God the only one we should worship? – He lives among us as our everlasting king – and everything around us is fashioned by his hand – so who else is there to worship?

Jeremiah’s poem – reminds us that God is in charge – and we are to put Him first – anything we do or put – ahead of God – is wrong –

We may no longer worship figurines or perform ritual sacrifices – but there are still plenty of present day idols that we have to be weary of –

wealth – and greed’ – ‘ power and prejudice’ – ‘ arrogance and self-gratification’ –

We haven’t got to fall into the trap of thinking that today’s generation are any less idol worshipers – that those of Jeremiah’s time –

Because Jeremiah lived in one of the most violent and dramatic times in Israel’s history – he was sometimes called – the prophet of doom – and gloom – though his preaching was never popular – and he had deep inner struggles – he was devoted to God – and spoke out boldly about the people’s sins

It was Jeremiah’s later message of restoration and hope – that was especially important for the faithful – that they would eventually be rewarded – and God would intervene and bring forth a redeemer – who would prove to be the Saviour of mankind –  

Point 2         Paul’s image of God

So from Jeremiah’s image of someone in charge – we turn to Paul’s image – a God of wonder, knowledge and mercy –

In this part of Romans, Paul talks about – a divine secret – or God’ s plan – to save His whole people – Jew and Gentile alike –

He explains it like this:

For centuries Israel longed for the coming of the Messiah – but when Jesus came – many Jews did not accept him – such that Christianity effectively became a Gentile religion –

Paul tells us that this was anticipated by God and in fact the Jews have not been forgotten – or disregarded –

God’s approach through Jesus – was therefore to first create a level playing field for all –

He knew that Israel – would expect salvation by right – and so would be hardened against Jesus at first – and it was this first reaction – that would bring the Jews – for the sake of the Gentiles- to the same level of disobedience – after which both Jews and Gentiles could then be treated equally –

with all human pride humbled – His grace could then be seen as grace – rather than a reward – and the rescue of both Jews and Gentiles – an act of mercy

If the Jews – had come first – says Paul – they would have thought they would have been entitled to a private path to salvation irrespective of whether they were sinners – or not – and for God there is no such thing as second class citizens – all are invited equally –

instead they will come after the Gentiles have been admitted in full strength – and although unbelieving at present – and opposing the Gospel – in time the Jews would see Gentiles receiving mercy – and this would encourage them to seek mercy – and in the fullness of time – finally be restored to God –

Paul’s vision of God – is one who cares and forgives all –
A God of infinite wisdom and grace
A God who has our greater good at the heart of his actions and influence –

However established our faith – however rich our experience – we are all involved in an exploration of God – and there is always more to learn – and discover –

like any good explorer – we should be constantly moving forward into unchartered territory – discovering new experiences of God’s love – fresh insights into His grace – developing new and innovative paths for service

Paul reminds us that whatever joys we have known – whatever truths we have grasped – there are still inexhaustable riches to be unearthed –

Throughout scripture God has a habit of springing surprises – working in ways that defy our expectation or understanding –

Although there may be situations that appear to be beyond hope – people that appear to be beyond redemption – a problem beyond solution – we should never underestimate God’s capacity – to put things right – what may seem impossible to us – is always possible for Him – 

 

Ending       Our image of God

 

So are we open to God – overturning our expectations? – is our image of God too big for us to imagine?

Are we ready to accept His will for our lives and to explore and discover new influences of his love?

He wants to change our lives now – are we big enough to let him. 
 

Prayer to finish

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN

Video of Sermon 178 on You Tube