Sunday next before Lent – Sermon 172

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

From time to time – whether through our own actions – or through the actions of others – we can find ourselves in difficult circumstances-

It might be through family arguments or misunderstandings

or because of some former event that has later had a bearing on our present situation

knowing what to do – and how to overcome our problems – can be a frustrating and heartbreaking experience.

We can feel isolated – lost – even to the point of despair –

Yet even in such circumstances – when God appears to be too distant – to help – He is actually surprisingly close – sharing our sorrows- and guiding us through them –

First Point       Elijah

The story of Elijah’s encounter with God on the slopes of Mount Horeb – has inspired countless sermons and prayers – not to mention the celebrated Hymn – ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind – forgive our foolish ways’ –

But in fact there is a very serious message to this story –

Having just experienced one of the high spots in His ministry – when the prophets of Baal – were humiliated on Mount Carmel – we now find him fleeing into the desert – to escape the clutches of Queen Jezebel –

after a day’s journey into the wilderness – Elijah finds himself under a broom tree – and here – his depression – leads him to despair –

“It is enough now Lord, take away my life, for I’m no better than my fathers before me ”

Elijah had reached rock bottom – But this reading is not only about Elijah’s burnout – its also about how – God handles the deteriorating situation –

God gives him three important prescriptions –
the first is rest and nourishment – not once but twice – He knows – they are important if we are going to pace ourselves – and stay for the distance

The Christian faith is like a long journey – at times exciting and rewarding – and sometimes wearing and discouraging – and its during the low moments – we need to stop at an oasis – and take the rest and food God provides – to take stock and recharge our batteries

When things go according to plan – its easy to trust and live in God’s Kingdom – but when things go wrong – and our faith is really tested – then that’s when God makes sure our needs are cared for –

The next part of God’s prescription is reassurance –

Elijah’s journey – involves a cave – followed by a mountain top experience –

‘Why are you here Elijah?’ asks God –

‘Because of my great zeal for the Lord of Hosts’ – he replied – ‘The people of Israel have forsaken your Covenant, torn down your altars – and put your prophets to the sword – I alone am left – and they seek to take my life’

Elijah was clearly searching for some answers – and on the mountain – he experiences a terrific wind – then an earthquake – and then a great fire –
all great signs of God’s majesty and power – and he was expecting to find God in these great events as his forefathers had done –

But Elijah found no one – until finally came “the gentle whisper” – and – Elijah – knew he had met the living God –

this experience was enough to reassure him – that God was still in control –

It was what Elijah needed – no fireworks – but stillness and gentleness – God reminded Elijah – that in his search for answers – he doesn’t need to look to the sensational – or the unusual – but simply to listen for and obey His word –

And – with a proper perspective of things – God gives him the third part of His prescription – and re-assigned him – with a task he can handle – and a friend – Elisha – who could share and eventually – carry on His ministry –

Elijah was the beginning of a long line of prophets who charged Israel with breaking the covenant and who promised God’s judgment on them – his message reached beyond the ears of kings – to all Israel – and it was through prophets such as Elijah – that God was able to reach out to His people and turn them once again – back to Him –

We all need to listen and respond to God in confession – and humility. We have a loving Father who sent His Son -to die on the cross so that we can be cleansed from sin and find a right relationship with Him –

The important thing for Elijah – was not to be closed to God’s voice – and the same applies to us today – we need to let God’s gentle whisper change our feelings – soften our attitudes – and transform our priorities

  
Point 2      

 

So, if we wanted to find God’s gentle whisper today – where would we look? – what are the ways in which God offers His voice today?

Well our readings give us a clue-

1. First there’s prayer – Elijah prayed – and His prayer was answered – he was shown guidance on how to deal with his despair – to overcome his fears and misunderstandings – and given a new direction –

Prayer is our most powerful weapon against uncertainty and anxiety – through prayer we get the reassurance of contact and openness – we can tell God everything – and know that His response will always be to bless us

2. Then there’s the Angels – God sends helpers – to us – to provide us with support – and refreshment when we need it – it might be a family member or friend – or a stranger who happens to be in the right place at the right time –

Someone who will be there no matter how inconvenient – and put our interests before their own –

3. Next there’s our Bibles – discerned through the Holy Spirit –
Peter calls the words from the prophets – ‘ a shining lamp in a murky place’ – The past experiences of God’s people whether before Christ’s appearance on earth – or after it – are an important source of guidance – to help us work and respond as Christians –

it’s a valuable support in troublesome times – not only do we have the experiences of prophets like Elijah – we also have the words from Jesus Himself – as relayed through His disciples – guiding and helping us forward –

4. The Holy Spirit – Our understanding of the word – whether it comes through our bibles- or prayer or Angels – must – always be interpreted through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit – He is the means – through which God speaks to us today – the still small voice within – which we must listen for and respond to – if we are to properly helped by Him

5. And finally our own experience of Jesus with us – today – as Peter reminds us – such experiences cement and reinforce our belief and trust that we are not alone – and that God will transform things – through the presence of His Son –
Both Elijah and Peter were able to say – ‘My Lord is with me’ – and so can we 

 
Conclusion

 

Struggles – difficulties – persecution and trials – come whether we are a Christian or not – but when we allow our faith in Jesus to surface in them – He will not only help us through – but we will be strengthened by them –

God is here for us all – to meet personally in Jesus Christ – we just have to listen for His call – and allow God to be God in our Lives – so that He can change us – and use us to achieve great things for His Glory –

Again this year –through the Lent courses we have an opportunity to explore ways of finding God in our own story – ‘In Faith Hope and Love’ –

I do hope we can attend – it could lead to an encounter that can change our situation – and transform the rest of our lives 
 

 
Prayer

 

In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN