First Sunday after Trinity – Sermon 267
10.00am Service of Word.
All Saints Thelwall
29th May 2016
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
Some years ago – my wife Pauline and I were fortunate enough to go on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
And one of the sites we visited was Mount Carmel – where the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal took place –
In ancient times it was covered in vineyards and was famous for the fertility of its soil – and it had views over the Jezreel valley –which because of –its strategic position was one of the most famous battlefields in the ancient world –
Point 1 Elijah Amazing Faith
Elijah was one of the greatest of the OT prophets – he came from Gilead – at the edge of the desert in the east of the country – his clothes were rough – and he preferred the desert life-style – he was symbolised by many as Moses’ successor – but unlike Moses who interceded on the peoples behalf – Elijah’s calling was to act as a covenant prosecutor – to accuse the people of breaking God’s covenant
Elijah was at the peak of his activity – when the kingdom of Israel was in sad decline – He was called by God to speak out – about the spiritual condition of his people – and although his miracles produced the desired response from them – his main message was directed firmly towards King
Ahab – for abandoning the Lords commands
A hundred years previous the Jews had experienced a golden age of peace and prosperity – but since then the peoples focus moved away from God – towards the king – and when he went into decline – so did the people – civil war followed and the country was split in two –
In the northern kingdom – an all-time low was reached during the 22 year reign of King Ahab – no king of Israel had received so many warnings – and yet no King fell so deeply into sin –
his crimes were not political – but – influenced by his Tyrian wife Jezebel – he lived a life of compromise with the Canaanite culture around him – and he failed to stop the worshipping of Baal – a Canaanite weather God – who was supposed to ensure a constant supply of rain.
After 3 years in which Jezebel had done her best to eliminate the worship of God in Israel – Elijah faced Ahab and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel – he convinced them – that if Baal was a God he should be able to produce fire as readily as rain –
He gave out a challenge to the people –
“How long will you sit on the fence? – if the Lord is God follow Him – if Baal is God follow Him” –
the issue placed before them was ” who is the God who lives?”
As we see in our reading – the fanatical ravings of the Baal worshippers were all to no avail –and Elijah eventually won them over when he asked them to help him construct an altar – and to soak it with water – They expected him to fail – so that when the fire did fall from heaven – the people realized who the true God is – and responded positively with a confession of faith –
“The Lord indeed is God – The Lord indeed is God ”
God’s effectiveness was not hindered by the uneven sides – in fact this all the more – dramatically displayed God’s power and Elijah’s faith at work
The miracles of Elijah called many in Israel back to faith in God – he showed them that the God of Israel is not a God of the past – but a God that is present with them and who cares for and has an understanding of what was important in their lives
Elijah’s call to confront wickedness was an example of a lone minister standing against the power of hundreds of opponents supported by the state – and how the public faithfulness of one man can be a catalyst to enable others to make their faith public
Point 2 Paul – an unchanging message for an ever changing world –
We move forward now to our NT reading – and Paul’s battle with the people of Galatia –
Paul’s letters usually begin with greetings and words of thankfulness – but this time – Paul gets Straight to the point –
The people were being persuaded to turn away from God by counterfeits – alternative theologies that had grown up around the truth message
Also Paul’s opponents had persuaded the Galatians that because he was only an Apostle – and not a disciple – his message was second hand – and not from Jesus Himself – and that he was tailoring it to please people –
Not so replies Paul –
His commission has come from God Himself – and from Jesus – Paul’s vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus – was central for him and for his message –
And so too is the Gospel – Jesus the crucified Messiah is Lord of the world – and God has extended His grace and salvation to us all through His Son –
Jesus’ actions of bringing together His worldwide family – through His death and resurrection is a truth that cannot be defeated – It has God’s approval and cannot be changed –
Paul knew that the truth of the Gospel was at stake – and He warned them not to mess with the message –
The age of freedom and forgiveness long promised by God had come through Jesus – only the gospel saves and produces real change –
Point 3 what about us today?
It likely that if we go to Mount Carmel or Galatia today we will see quite different communities dependent on farming and tourism –
to some what happened thousands of years before is a matter of history – but to the Christian – reading and learning about giants such as Elijah and Paul is a glimpse into a living faith that is still growing
God’s aim is to build a single Jesus- based family – full of God’s love and truth – that challenge for us continues today –
Trying to convince governments and communities of the importance and life changing value of the Gospel message –
Coping with diverse and ethnic rivalry and hostility – corruption and distortion of the Gospel message in the internet and news media –
As we have learned from our two readings – when God takes action to change the world He starts with individuals – He starts with us – His church –
Each one of us is called to be a prophet of our time – to proclaim the Gospel message – to those around us whether by word or deed – and by the way we live our lives –
What we believe about God is the most important thing about us – affects our every actions –
determines the overall direction and future of our lives – and our faith
like Elijah – like Paul – we need to confront wickedness – be strong in God’s truth – encourage others to make that important step towards Jesus –
and pray that the Holy Spirit to fill us all with His power and strength –
Conclusion
With Jesus and the Holy Spirit – we too will succeed – and be a catalyst to enable others to make their faith public – and follow God’s call –
Let’s finish with a prayer:
Lord God eternal creator of light and darkness – we pray that you will reveal to all the splendour of your Glory made visible in Jesus Christ your only Son – Through the Messengers of the past – you teach us to hope for His reign of peace – Through the outpouring of your Spirit you open our blindness to the Glory of His presence – Help us to be your prophets of today – to share with those around us the good news of your power and love – through Jesus Christ our Lord
AMEN