5th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 115
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
There was a time in May this year when we lost all communication with Clare
As you probably know our daughter Clare – is currently – enjoying an experience of a lifetime -backpacking – around Australia –
she has been keeping in touch with us – either once a week – or once a fortnight – via her mobile phone – (its much cheaper to ring from Australia) – or by e-mail through internet cafes –
On this occasion though – she told us she was going – into the outback – to work in a small hotel – in an isolated gold mining town – north-east of Perth – and she would be there for several weeks –
Before she left Perth – on her 11 hour coach journey – we received an e-mail – telling us – that she would ring – to let us know – she arrived safely
but – there was no phone call – no e-mail message – nothing – for nearly four weeks – we weren’t sure if she was OK – or how to contact her –
It was a difficult time – we had to trust and wait –
The silence was broken – when we received a message – from her uncle – who lives in Sydney – telling us – that she hadn’t settled in the first hotel – it was a bit rough – but moved on to another – she was still in the outback – but now felt much safer –
Eventually we received – a rather muffled message on our answer phone – and a contact phone number – and we were able to talk to her direct –
her problem was – there was no radio masts for miles – so her phone was useless – and they hadn’t heard of internet cafes out there – and being a new employee – she didn’t like to ask to use the hotel phone to ring someone on the other side of the world –
Point 1 Times of silence –
There are times when silence is not golden –
When we need reassurance – that things are well – from others – and from God – but somehow we don’t seem to be able – to tune into the right wavelength –
That was certainly the case with Saul –
He was in deep trouble – surrounded by his enemies – who threatened to destroy him and his army –
God appointed Saul – as the first king of Israel – to lead His people – out of their problems – He was told that – as long as He turned to God for help – through Samuel – God would honour and support him –
But now – Samuel was dead – and there was no one to turn to for guidance – He desperately needed to hear from God – but found himself totally isolated
when Samuel was alive – Saul took little notice of what He told him – his personal ambitions were more important – now he was dead – Saul was willing to risk everything – to seek his advice –
He tried everything he could think of – to re-establish contact – he even wrongly resorted to
fortune telling stones – dreams – even a psychic medium – the likes of whom he had earlier banished from practicing in his kingdom –
Saul was desperate for someone to tell him what God wanted him to do –
During his rule – Saul had turned to God – only when it suited him – because of the lack of obedience – God would not speak him – his past sins – had – become a barrier that prevented communication –
Like Saul – we often – fail to get through because of our unwillingness to acknowledge – that we failed to listen and act – when it was our turn to respond –
when Saul – finally did – received an answer – it was not the one he wanted to hear –
his desperate plea produced no good result – he was told – his situation was irreversible – that within a day he and his sons would be dead – and the kingdom will be transferred to David –
Judgment can come swiftly – and take us by surprise –as Jesus reminds us in our NT lesson
Point 2 Follow His ways not ours
The Pharisees question to Jesus – too – was a request for a sign from heaven –
Jesus had already preached – about the coming of the kingdom of God – and – they were wanting to know about the timing –
You cannot say “look here it is” or “There it is “ says Jesus, – “You cannot tell by observation when the kingdom of Heaven comes”
“For the kingdom of God is among you”
In other words – It will not come with any observable physical discrimination – but with a spiritual one –
The Pharisees were expecting something visible – and earthly – that would free Israel from the Romans – but Jesus tells them that the Kingdom of Heaven is within their grasp –
Its not a future event – at some date that we cannot – and would not need to know – but here – now – in Jesus –
To be part of the kingdom – we have to have – to acknowledge Jesus – for who He is – have a sense of His presence – with us – and do what we can to bring Him close to us –
In other words – we have to – sign on – by helping to build the Kingdom with Him – we all have a role in His purpose – and – a part to play in bringing the kingdom – to its fullness –
God’s kingdom today – continues through us – through the service we offer – and the life we live in His name
Jesus also warns us – about being unprepared – and uses two examples from the OT – to show what happens – to those who do not heed the signs
one will be taken – one will be left – says Jesus – we cannot discharge our relationship with God – as a matter of proxy or association –
It will be a shock – like lightening – for those who are not switched on to His presence –
Jesus encourages us – to be like vultures – who are quick in anticipating and recognizing – when food is available for their survival – – to be as prepared as they are whenever God calls –
Unlike Saul – today – through Jesus – we have the opportunity – of renewing our relationship with God – despite our past faults – Jesus died for our sins – so they can be forgiven – and through Jesus – the lines of communication – with God – can be fully – restored
God’s Sovereign Rule of the world – is here – in Jesus Christ – And if we are prepared to make a total commitment to Him – his healing love is available to us always –
Point 3 What does it mean for us
So if we want to call on God’s help today – what do we do?
We know God speaks to us in many ways – but – how do we get in to a place of hearing His voice
After all if God’s gives us guidance – and we don’t hear it – then we are still not helped –
Paul Miller in His book – “Knowing God’s will” suggests seven steps –
Confess our sins – this was one of Saul’s main difficulties – we must get our past disobedience straightened out – by confession and repentence
Submit to God – understanding starts with an attitude of submission – after all it would be pointless for God to reveal Himself – to any one except thos who want to obey Him
Trust in Him – totally – we mustn’t
lean on our own strength and understanding – despite the wisdom – and gifts – that God has given us – we need to acknowledge that we need Him –
Resist the devil – Our goal is to hear God’s voice – and not mistake it – we must use our authority as a believer – to keep the devil away –
Expect an answer – expect Him to guide and speak to us – on the basis of the clear promises He has made through Scripture – and don’t be thrown off course- have the courage to follow His guidance to its end –
Give God chance to speak – wait on Him in silence – we mustn’t spend twenty minutes unloading our burdens – and two minutes waiting for answers – we might miss His response – prayer is not only about getting things off our chest – its also a time for listening and receiving From God –
And finally ask God for confirmation – If we think God has spoken to us – don’t be afraid to ask Him to repeat it – so we can be sure its from God – the more important the message – the more we need confirmation –
And if not answer seems to come – wait on Him – maintain our trust – there is a reason – He may want to guide us in another way –
Conclusions God in us
The lines of communication to God – are now open through Jesus Christ –
We just have to get tuned in properly – get switched on to the right wavelength – so the signal can get through –
Saul struggled – the Pharisees struggled – lets make sure we don’t struggle –
There’s only one way to receive the message of a lifetime – and that’s to – get alone with God – accept the love of His presence – and commit ourselves totally to His will –
Closing Prayer
AMEN