Iona Evening Prayer – Sermon 317

• Iona Evening Prayer
• 6.30pm ‘All Saints’
• 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        Run the race that God has set us-

“With the great cloud of witnesses around us – Therefore – we too must throw off every encumbrance and the sin – that all too readily restricts us – and run with resolution the race which lies ahead of us – our eyes fixed on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith “

Whether we like it or not we are all involved in a race – the human race through life – a journey through time that involves a start and a finish – for some that journey leads from birth to death and no further – but for those who come to know God – the race through life is seen as so much more –  and an anticipation of something more marvelous yet to come –

The author of the Hebrews likens the Christian faith to being in a race – with the competing athletes having to be disciplined and committed to see it through – in other words become Spiritually fit for God.

Athletes don’t win races on their own – they have help and support – the crowd cheering them on – a strict training program to prepare for their race – and a coach to tell them the best way to win. 

In the Christian race we too have help and support – other Christians cheering us on – a personal training programme from the Holy Spirit – and – Jesus Christ – to tell us how to win – to provide us with all we need to help us get Spiritually fit for God –

With Jesus – our life is transformed into a joyful journey of faith, – commitment – and service – and to help us run the race we have our supporters club – the church – those who are running the race with us –and those who have run the race before us.

Faith is a key issue in the letter to the Hebrews.  Some of the Jewish Christians who had moved away from Jerusalem to coastal towns like Ceasarea or Antioch were getting discouraged and losing enthusiasm for Jesus – effectively at risk of coming to a dead stop. 

They needed some compelling reasons to stick with the race they had started and in our reading the writer to the Hebrews tells them about past heroes such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, David – Samuel and the prophets.  Through their faith they overcame Kingdoms – established justice – saw God’s promises fulfilled – They are an inspiration and an example for them and for us to follow.  And as disciples of Christ – he urges that our commitment and the teaching we receive from God – should not be taken lightly – 

God’s motivation for His people is love – love for His church – love for His kingdom – He gave His only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins – so we can establish a new relationship with Him and be with Him –

God is our Father – we are His children – and our motivation to run His race should be our love for Him –

Faith and belief that God is with us and that He has been with those who have gone before us – reminds us that we are not running this race alone – that we have past and present supporters cheering us on – urging us towards the winning post –

but enthusiasm is not enough – we need training and preparation if we are to succeed –

Point 2         Throw off all restrictions

And our training programme is the life we live on this earth – our race is our preparation for what is to come after –

Running the Christian race is not easy – at times it can be painful and discouraging – as Jesus told His disciples many times – to follow Him they too must take up the cross – The writer of Hebrews tells us we must – “throw off every encumbrance and the sin that all too readily restricts us” –

the Greek word for sin means – “missing the mark” or “falling short” – we withdraw our love from God in order to love something else – our Spiritual preparation and commitment to excellence for Christ suffers – and we fail to show the world a redeeming and caring life modeled by Jesus Christ

Jesus requires everything we have and everything we are – we must channel all towards His race – anything less – and we will fall behind in the race and the intentions He has for us.  The Greek word for race is argon from which we get the word agony – the race that we run must have endurance and commitment and overcome the aching desire to quit.

The trials that we face during life are part of our Spiritual discipline and education – there can be no short cuts – discipline implies learning of skills – preparation for what is ahead – and the results depend on the way we respond – and to help us reach that goal we have our coach – Jesus Christ –

Point 3         Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus

For the Christian disciple – the Cristian Saint  – there is only one way to run the race – and that is to look to Jesus Christ – to be guided by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus not only designed the race – but He was the first to complete it – He is the only one who can show us the way – as He has shown generations before us –

Martin Luther once wrote “I don’t know the road I take – but I know my guide”  –

Jesus set the standard by which we can win – He showed us how to care for one another – He walked among the sinful, the sick and those excluded from society setting an example for His followers – Jesus said that His own life is essential for life itself.  The Father had given Him life and He has the authority to give life to others.

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

‘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.

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 –

The only way we as his followers can ever hope to run and complete the race is to be connected with Jesus – allow His life-giving love to flow into our lives and transform and feed us as we grow and encourage others to come to the Father –

Jesus pioneered love as the way of breaking down hostilities and laying foundations of trust.  We have to follow His lead and – patiently and carefully rebuild relationships to bring about change and healing –

He accepted social outcasts and ministered to them – recognised that a person’s inner concerns need to be met – before they can change their outward patterns.  Like Jesus we too must be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others – and love others as He loves us –

Jesus set us an example of servant Lordship – of encouraging and developing ourselves and others within the body of the Church – Jesus gave us a new forgiveness – a new beginning – and the opportunity to make it to the winning post

Conclusion

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

God is calling us to come out – to run the great race of Christian Faith – to show the way for others – to show what can be done in His name –

In Athletics there can only be one winner of the race – In the Christian race every child of God can win – as the author of Hebrews reminds us – we must be spiritually fit for God – aim for a Holy life – and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

For us there can only be one purpose in life – and that’s to go forward for Jesus   – and win – the greatest prize of them all.   

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