Iona Evening Prayer – Sermon 316

• Iona Evening Prayer
• 6.30pm
• 3^rd November 2019

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

Our theme for our service is ‘The Saints’ –

‘All the Saints’ – people who have done or are doing extraordinary things – in the name of Jesus Christ –

The word ‘Saint’ when used in the Bible signifies those who are ‘in Christ’ – and fortunately for us – being dead is not necessarily part of the equation –

Not me – we might say! – I’ve never done anything that – might warrant me being called anything special – 

But we are all called by Jesus – to be His Saints – and it will not be our good deeds that sets us apart – but Jesus’ presence within us – and the difference that – He makes to our lives –

Point 1        Gods faithfulness transforms the most difficult of situations

Imagine – a harsh drab housing estate – or a situation involving war – oppression or persecution – where people have their backs to the wall – and are not sure which way to turn –

For the moment – the ruthless forces seem to have the upper hand – there seems little chance of rescue – but as every Christian knows – God will not let things go – and even in such circumstances – the oppressors defeat is certain –

In our OT reading – we have words from the book of Lamentations – written by Jeremiah – on what he sees in Jerusalem – after the city had been overrun by the Babylonian Army –

The Babylonians had burned and destroyed most of the buildings – and carried off nearly all the surviving inhabitants into exile –

A whole city had been – destroyed – parents – brothers – sisters – friends – all gone – and the bodies that were left – barely recognizable –

Yet although – astonished and grief stricken – Jeremiah never doubts God’s justice – and – within the lines of our passage he expresses a quiet hope

Jeremiah speaks of the hope – and liberation – that God brings – to those who are exploited and oppressed – He speaks of the trustworthiness – of God – and of His strong saving hand –

‘The Lord’s love is surely not exhausted – nor His compassion failed – they are new every morning – so great is His constancy’

‘The Lord may punish yet He will have compassion – in the fullness of His unfailing love – He does not willingly afflict or punish anyone’

Jeremiah realizes that – Jerusalem’s present sufferings will pass away – that – they do not represent God’s final purpose – that His people will be freed from their – present bondage – they just need to trust in God’s mercy – to help see them through

And its the same for us –

We will experience many things in life – and some will be worst than others – but trusting in God will enable us to – emerge – with a faithful friend by our side –

In a small French village – the local doctor – who had spent all his life helping the people – had decided to retire – and the mayor suggested that the people should say thank you in a special way.

He proposed to place an empty keg in the village square so that each household could bring a pitcher of wine to pour into the keg – which when full – could be presented – to the doctor –

On the appointed day – there was a steady stream of villagers bringing their full pitchers to put in the keg – and in the evening a full keg was presented to the doctor – who took it home.

The next night sitting around his fireplace the doctor poured himself a glass – he took a sip – He couldn’t believe it! – he poured himself another glass – it was the same!

The keg was full of water!  When the mayor heard he called a meeting – to see what went wrong – and – much to the village’s embarrassment – it seems that every person had brought water to pour into the keg – thinking it would never be noticed  -because everyone else was bringing wine!

Fortunately for us – God doesn’t give like we give 

God’s faithfulness is at the very core of His nature – His steadfast love never ceases – His mercy is limitless – and His compassion knows no bounds –

God sent His only Son Jesus Christ so that we could understand – what it means to love and give to one another – and to live in a way that enables His presence to transform our lives –

God gives us much more than we can ever imagine – and His blessings – through His Son Jesus – can bring us a new life – and a new future –

Point 2        Lazarus – Jesus brings life –

Which brings us on to our gospel reading – and the practical demonstration of that promise of a new life and a new future through Jesus –

Here Jesus – literally brings His friend Lazarus – back to life –

John’s Gospel is the only book to record this miracle  – The others tell of events where Jesus healed and brought people back – after they had just died  – but here – Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and his body had started to decay – his bones were well and truly  – lifeless – there was no doubt that he was dead  –

Jesus – is told of Lazarus’ illness through a letter – from Mary and Martha – but waits and leaves after a further two days – 

He could have healed him at a distance – but doesn’t – because He knows that “through it God’s glory is to be revealed”

It was also a test for those closest to Lazarus – and Jesus – when He finally meets Martha & Mary – instead of looking back – at what has been – He invites them to look forward – to what will be –

‘Your brother will rise again’ – he said to Martha – which she interprets as – a happening on the last day –

But Jesus stuns her- and those around her –

‘I am the resurrection and the life’ – said Jesus ‘those who believe in me – even though they die – will live – and everyone who lives and believes in me – will never die -‘

Jesus has moved the events of the last day – forward to the present –

Those who put their belief and trust in Jesus – will receive the gift of eternal life – today – and live as people who know they will live forever –

even though our bodies die – we ourselves – will live on – and experience eternal life in all its fullness.

Jesus tells us that the Resurrection isn’t just a Christian doctrine – its a person – its Jesus Himself – and He stands before us encouraging us to believe it – and to make that huge jump of faith and hope in Him –

When Jesus is led to the tomb – He openly weeps at the sight of all the pain and despair around Him – and calls for the stone to be taken away –

From  here on the fate of Lazarus and Jesus become connected – and as Jesus prays for Lazarus and then raises Him to life – He knows He will soon be walking towards His own death – on a cross – and be dependent on the Father’s will – for His own resurrection –

In Jesus we have the promise of a life – beyond death –

For Lazarus – his release from death was only  temporary –  but Jesus would soon complete His resurrection for real – making the journey through death and out the other side – to show His disciples and the world – what is really on offer – for the Christian way of life –

Freedom is something we all want – freedom from pain – freedom from debt – freedom from death – freedom from– the things that hold us back – that prevent us from being the people God wants us to be – and – like Lazarus we can’t free ourselves – We need rescuing – and its Jesus who has been sent to rescue us and provided us with a way to forgiveness – and a fresh start with God –

Point 3        Jesus provides us with a fresh start

Today – God is calling us out of our tomb – of darkness – into His Sons-light – to begin again and live a life with His presence –

Listen to this story from an unknown monk:

When I was young – I wanted to change the world – but found it too difficult – so I tried to change my nation – and when I couldn’t change that – I tried to change my town –  and when I couldn’t change that – my family – Now as an older man I realize that the only thing I can really change is myself – If I’d done that long ago – with  God’s help – I could have had an impact on my family – and my family and I could have had an impact on my town – and their impact could have changed a nation  – and I could have indeed – changed the world –

It’s time to make a fresh start today – to live with Jesus in our lives – and see the difference He can make – to us and to those around us –

Ending

God is calling us to come out – and show the way for others – to show what can be done in His name

All Saints day celebrates those whose Christian discipleship inspires generations – whose lives serve extraordinary examples – of Christian love and obedience-

At this Iona Service – we are being offered a new hope – a new way to live – through Jesus Christ –

Do we trust God enough – to follow in the footsteps of the greatest Saint of them all – 

AMEN