6th Sunday of Easter – Sermon 177
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
How passionate are we about our Faith?
Does the thought of knowing Jesus excite and inspire us into action?
In the words of our OT reading – is our love for Jesus like a blazing fire, fiercer than any flame –
or do we take a bit to get going – is our love more like a spark – and in need of a bit of a boost –
In our readings this evening we have a passage of poetry that’s hot with passion and a message to a church that’s cooled to inaction –
We are going to examine them both to see if they can help us decide how we can rekindle our love for God –
Point 1 Song of Songs
Turn on the radio – and listen to any music station and the most likely song we will hear is a love song
Songs about new love – disappointed love – crazy love –
Times change but throughout history – the flow of love songs has been constant –
Many people are shocked – however – to find – an explicit love song in the Bible – complete with erotic lyrics – but Song of Songs is exactly that –
It shows no embarrassment about lovers expressing their love through their bodies – and talking about it –
There have been many attempts to rule ‘Song of Songs’ out of the Bible – or to make it for ‘Adults only’.
In Spain for instance in the 16th century, a professor was dragged out of his college and imprisoned for four years – for translating ‘Song of Songs’ into Spanish.
There have also been other translations and interpretations – some having nothing to do with lovers at all –
Some have interpreted the story in the book as an allegory between God and his people – some even translating the poetic detail – into different facets of our relationship with God –
But today most scholars believe that the poem was intended to celebrate love between a betrothed couple – and its quite likely that it may have first been sung at a wedding –
The story is about a beautiful virgin in love with a shepherd – who is brought from her home against her will to the court of King Solomon – to become one of his wives
Despite the king’s declaration of affection for her – and the benefits of being a part of the blood line of King David – she stays true to her betrothed – and when the kings advances are shunned – she is brought back to her home – and is able to renew her vows to her beloved – near the sweet smelling mountains –
‘Awake north wind, and come south wind,
Blow upon my garden to spread its spices abroad,
that my beloved may come to his garden and enjoy the choice fruits’
Arranged in scenes like a drama – its a song that criticizes the lustful advances of a king – and encourages the passion and intimacy between the bride and her groom –
In our final two verses – she alludes to an ancient custom of carrying a seal around her neck – the seal – is a plea for faithfulness – to their relationship – ‘ love is as strong as death’ – or – more commonly translated – ’till death us do part’ – true love is possessive – and permanent – and powerful –
true love cannot be extinguished – or quenched – it cannot be bought – it is precious – more costly than anything we could ever own – yet can only be given
The greatest picture of true love is that of Jesus on the cross – who died for His church –
Such love – cannot be bought – and more precious than anything we can ever own – yet given freely to His own –
As each one of us grows closer to Jesus – we discover a love that is possessive – powerful – preserving and permanent – and a love that is ours by invitation – and ours to enjoy
Point 2 Message to the Churches
Which brings us on to our second lesson and the message to the Church at Laodicea –
Over the last few weeks – our NT readings have been focusing on the ways that Jesus has been getting His message across – to the seven churches
– Each one has been compromised morally and spiritually – and He gives each one – special instructions – according to their individual needs – and problems
He confronts them – He encourages them – but –
In this last letter – He has nothing complimentary to say – they have become a church in name only –
their Christian faith has been muted – they were ‘neither hot nor cold’
Laodicea was – a rich city – situated on one of the great trade routes of Asia – with – theaters, a large stadium, lavish public baths- shopping centers – It was famous for banking – manufacture of clothing and woolen carpets – for cloth produced from black sheep – and for – eye ointment – manufactured locally and developed at its medical school
it was so rich that when an earthquake almost destroyed it in 60AD – its wealthy citizens refused help from Rome to rebuild it – a great place to live –
But there was one major drawback – the city’s water supply –
It had to be piped in from 6 miles outside the city – along an aquaduct – and by the time it reached the people – the water was lukewarm –
The condition of the church – too – was “Lukewarm”
Like the city it had become – infected with the love of material things – so “caught up” in its own wealth – that – its congregation – had stopped actively serving God –
Like the water – they were just – so far off the boil – that it made Jesus sick –
‘Because you are neither one nor the other’ – says Jesus – ‘ but just lukewarm – I will spit you out of my mouth’
Like the name – which means “The people rule” – the Laodiceans believed their church belonged to them – and not to Jesus –
The result was – there was no power – no passion – no presence of Jesus in their lives – and in their services
A lukewarm church is a church that believes in comfortable Christianity – fits in with what the world wants – living and serving God – whenever it suits them –
and what was really hard to swallow – they – managed to convince themselves – that God was pleased with what they were doing –
Ending What about us?
So what about us? – Is our church lukewarm – or are we passionate about our Lord and His ministry and His mission for us?
Jesus’ cure for lukewarmness – is discipline – through love
“All whom I love – I reprove and discipline”
Jesus gave us a new commandment –
‘You are to love one another – as I have loved you there is no greater love than this’
‘and through this love’ – said Jesus, ‘people will know you are my disciples’
Jesus came into our hearts – to fill us with His love and blessings –
But He also said that passion by itself is not enough – we need to show love in action
The story of the Shuamite woman is about love in action
The story of Jesus is about love in action
The story about us – needs to be love in action
Jesus proved His love for us – by dying for us on the cross – His sacrifice – gave us forgiveness – made us right with the Father – and brought us – everlasting life – He showed us how to live in love – and how to share it –
Jesus knows what we are doing – as a church – and as individuals – He seeks us out – in the hope we’ll take the initiative and respond to His call –
So – when He comes knocking on our door – does he find us – lukewarm or red hot?
Is out compassion for Him burning bright or flickering out?
Accepting and returning – Jesus’ Love – can transform our relationship with Him – and with others – Jesus can help us grow stronger –
and so change our faith – from a spark to a flame –
Closing prayer
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN