6th Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 88
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
Help! – we all need it –
We all need support – someone to hold on to
When our confidence fails – when we feel ourselves slipping –
We need to be sure – sure that we are doing the right thing – sure that God is on our side –
Sure that our sins really are forgiven – and they won’t come back to haunt us –
Sure that we will be with God when we die
We know God loves us – He loves everyone – even those who reject Him – but does He like us?
Does He approve of us? – do we please Him?
Point 1 Job – Faith
As Ian reminded us last week – the Book of Job – looks at some of life’s most difficult questions –
its written – almost like a court room drama –
The storyline is literally squeezed into the first two chapters and the last chapter – and in between – we have what amounts to – a series of – speeches – first from one side and then from the other –
For most of the book – Job sits in his defenders chair – listening to his friends explanation about what he should or shouldn’t do – to settle his problems –
But there are some key moments – when important truths are revealed – when Jesus’ light shines through – and the passage we heard this evening – is one of them –
So – the court is in session – God has taken His seat –
The prosecutor satan has inflicted his worst – the three witnesses for the defense – his friends – have changed sides – and are openly attacking Job – you must have done something wrong – just look at you!
Bildad has just had his second turn – and Job stands up to reply –
If I’ve sinned – he said – then surely its between me and God – why are you adding to my torture –
Job feels trapped – by them and by God – its like he’s been – entangled in a net –set upon – stripped – broken – uprooted – counted as an enemy under siege – with nothing more than a tent to protect him –
Even so – Job’s faith is still strong – but this adds to his suffering – because he sees God’s hand in it all – and he doesn’t know why –
In this lonely state he asks for pity –
If he can’t get a not guilty verdict – at least write his case down – so that others might appreciate his plight in the future –
And then – as he touches rock bottom – his faith leads him on to a new hope – and he reaches a turning point
in a moment of revelation -Job suddenly cries out
“But I know … my vindicator lives – and He will rise last to speak in court”
– as Martin Luthur King put it – “He’s climbed to the top of the mountain – and seen the other side”
Job realizes he has a vindicator – or redeemer – to champion his cause
He knows now that he cannot stand before God – in his own righteousness – blameless behaviour is not enough – a redeemer witness – is needed – to argue his case – and that witness is non other than God Himself –
“I shall discern my witness standing at my side – see my defending council – even God Himself –
whom I shall see with my own eyes – I myself and no other”
Job is certain of his innocence – he is also certain that – death is not the end – he will personally – see his redeemer – and His God –
The NIV translation for verse 26 uses the words – “After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God”
From here on this revelation will be his reference point – and he will keep coming back to it – when the pressure becomes unbearable –
What Job realized – was – that the most important question was not – “Is the universe friendly?”
But – “Is there a friend in the universe?”
But Job could never imagine – that God would provide – this kinsman from within His own Trinity – His only Son – Jesus Christ – who will be the means of reconciling generations to come – to God –
Which leads us on to our second lesson – where the court is in session again – but this time – its the role of the Jesus that’s under discussion
Point 2 Hebrews – Hope
He is our “High Priest – who has taken His seat at the throne of the Majesty in heaven – –
a minister in the real sanctuary – a tent set up by the Lord – not by man”
The author of Hebrews – uses all the familiar images from Jewish Theology – to explain that Jesus’ role in our redemption – is not man made –
the court room He mediates in is not an earthly one – but a heavenly one –
“If He were on earth – He would not be a priest – at all …..the ministry Jesus has been given is superior to theirs ……. He is the mediator of a better covenant ….. established on better promises”
The ways of the old covenant were not designed to last – animal sin-sacrifices and rituals are not the way to change self-lovers into God lovers –
Jesus Christ has replaced all the procedures and paraphernalia of the old with His own body –
If we are prepared to accept and respond to the sacrifice He’s made for us – we will be reconciled to God
Jesus died on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven – so we can be brought back to God –
Jesus gave His own – life and body – in one decisive act – which was accepted by God as eternally sufficient for us and for our sins –
Guilt causes half the troubles – in the world – denying it – or blaming others doesn’t work – but Jesus’ blood does – through Jesus God forgives and forgets –
through Jesus there is a better way
–
through Jesus God reaches into our hearts – and we will be accepted by Him –
Through Jesus we will come to know God personally – and receive forgiveness –
Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ means the rules are taken off the page and written – with God’s grace – on our hearts – through Jesus – we find ourselves delighting to please God – agreeing with His will – and growing in faith and love as a result
Point 3 Covenant of Grace – love
So what does all this mean for us?
Well as Job found out – in the war against satan – we are not alone –
We have a heavenly redeemer and Saviour – in Jesus Christ – who will defeat this prosecutor –
Through Jesus we are made worthy to stand in God’s presence – we are welcomed – we know can approach God with confidence – and that He wants our praise and our prayers –
God’s grace is wonderful – He has given us a new way – though His Son and His Spirit –
encouraging us to keep steadfast in our faith – the Christian life is a marathon – not a 100 meter dash – God is faithful for the long haul – and He wants us to stick with Him –
And helping us – to we encourage each other -our faith is about sharing – about stirring ourselves up – into acts of love and mercy –
Most of us at some time are tempted to quit – to ask the question – ‘what’s the use?” – As our problems mount – and doors seem to close – we need to remind ourselves that we have a super Saviour – and He loves us –
When we becomes lost – He comes like a father looking for us
When we are tired and heavy ladened – He refreshes us –
When we are bruised and suffering -He will heal and make us whole again –
No matter what problems we face – what setbacks we experience – we know our redeemer lives
Jesus is at God’s right hand – working for us – we must be patient – we must rust Him – In the end Job was blessed – with a new start – more than he had before – and so will we –
For the Christian disciple there is only one way to go forward – and that is to look to Jesus Christ – and to be guided by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit
Conclusions
In a few moments – we will be singing a hymn written by Charlotte Elliot – called “Just as I am”
Many people feel there is no way that God cannot possibly accept them as they are – they think they must somehow prove themselves first – live lives that are whiter than white – cleaner than clean – but they couldn’t be further from the truth – the message from God – is that through Jesus Christ – He will accept us as we are – with all our faults and failings – guilty secrets – fragile faith –and uncertain commitment –
God’s love will not be dependent on anything we do – but will be given freely – out of sheer grace –
if we wait till we think we are perfect – we will wait for ever – we can come to Jesus now – and find Him ready to welcome us with open arms –
and there can be nothing more re-assuring than that
Prayer to finish
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN