James  Chapter 2

The Epistle from the Letter of James, has always seemed to me to be a very practical Letter, from which we can take a relevant lesson. This passage , the first thirteen verses from Chapter 2, relate to actions of favouritism and forming quick judgements, which can be contrary to Christian teaching.

There is a story of a man appearing before a Court for jury service who asked to be excused on the grounds that he had already formed an opinion that the accused was guilty from his appearance. The judge asked how he could have done so when the accused had not been brought before the Court.  When the man pointed to someone sitting in the Court the judge scowled, ‘that man is not the accused he is a barrister’.   (From my previous life I have sympathy with the juror; I often thought some lawyers were as bad as those people they were defending)

 

But we all have our prejudices, and for many years it was on the subject of colour.  In fact, I read that a well-known black politician was at one time flying to Kenya from South Africa, and was uneasy when he saw the pilot was black. For a white girl to be seen with a black man, was at one time considered to be shocking, but now of course we have become more civilised and realised that it is quite wrong to judge on colour; although in some cases we have inverted prejudice against white people by other white people, who want to show how perfectly politically correct they can be.

We are often guilty of trying to stereotype people, on the basis of imagined as well as real differences, and we assign certain characteristics to those people. We also judge people on appearance, and it is this that James is concerned about as he opens this passage.

There is a scene in the movie ‘Pretty Woman’ in which Julia Roberts went into a very select shop in Beverley Hills dressed very poorly, and the staff showed their disapproval of her.  Later she returns with Richard Gere a wealthy business man, and the staff are falling over themselves to serve. 

The Bible calls on us to love one another, and James points out that what can be a hindrance to doing so, is prejudice and favouritism in an unfavourable way.  Billy Graham on so many occasions said, the problem with so many people is that their heart is not right and they suffer with a heart problem.

As Christians in a secular world, we are like ambassadors in a foreign land; we represent our Sovereign the king of all kings, Jesus Christ, so we must act like Him.  The aim of all Christians should behave in a way we think Jesus would have acted.

James was concerned that snobbery may enter the Church, and  draws a comparison of a situation in which a rich man enters Church and is fussed over, whilst a poor man is virtually cast aside. We see this in practice often. It always annoyed me, and still does, to look at civil services in which the first set of rows in a Church are set aside for ‘dignataries’.  I accept that a Mayor, or head of an authority representing that authority, should be catered for at a special civil service, but for the rest, who are often pompously strutting up to be noticed, when they would never otherwise go to Church, and thereby deprive others who of a place, is quite wrong.

Pandering to one class of people is wrong, and that applies to both rich and poor; we can have inverted snobbery.  The Apostle Peter learned that God has no favourites when he was called to meet Cornelius. There is unfortunately at times an eagerness to fuss over someone who thinks he is an important person, and to be influenced by social status, and this was prevalent in James’ time when a landowner would be in Church with his servants present. People should be welcomed as people, and never because of who they are. Jesus was never a respecter of people.  The whole Bible unites in condemning favouritism which gives credence to a person’s social standThe Church must always be a place where distinctions are not tolerated as we meet in the presence of God. It is both a tragedy and a disgrace that there are Churches were people attend, and frown on others from a less advantaged background, or even because one is not part of a ‘set’.

Abraham Lincoln once stated, ‘God must have loved the poor because He made so many of them’, and Jesus said He came to preach to the poor. Indeed the Gospel offered so much to the poor. 

A truly well-mannered person will respect others no matter who they are.  There is the story relating to the late Queen Mother, sitting next to man at a banquet who picked up the bowl meant for finger dipping and drank from it.  To avoid him being embarrassed the Queen did the same.

James tells that it is our duty to love one another which is the royal law, for if one keeps it one becomes a king of oneself and a king among men.  A fact is that if you break one part of the law, you are considered to have broken the whole of the law.  It is like a chain, if you break one link the chain becomes useless for it loses its power. 

There is a practical truth which one can apply to life.   A person may be a prominent person in Church life with a moral reputation and recognised as being a devout Christian, all of which appears to have been displayed by that person.  But there can be one aspect of life which has been secretly guarded which could destroy that image, however small, and all that public persona would be for nothing worth.

James ends the passage by teaching that the Christian lives a life of tolerance and concern for others, and does so not for fear of punishment, but because they are trying to emulate Christ and for love of Him.  There are times when we are justified in getting angry and perhaps even being aggressive, but that should be the exception and not the rule.  We should be eager to forgive as well as being eager to be forgiven. 

                                   

 Mark 7 v1/13         Sunday 29 August. 13th Sunday after Trinity

 

The Gospel reading depicts how we can become capable of ill treating worship.  The religious leaders were more concerned over proper traditional rituals being carried out, and external practices observed.  It was so in Jesus day when a conflict arose between Jesus and the Pharisees over moral purity, and a similar situation still arises in the Churches of today..

     This gospel passage is about what Jesus thought about such practices. The religious leaders  were often teaching and practising tradition rather than Scripture, and so were leading people astray. They had the practice of teaching the Jewish law, which was accompanied by the ceremony of washing to display ceremonial cleanliness, which had to be performed in a strict order, and if you did not follow that way you were deemed to be unclean. Jesus said, they were laying aside the commands of God for the tradition of men.

     There was a popularity in favour of Jesus which the Scribes went to investigate.  The Pharisees and Scribes wanted to convict Jesus of breaking the law of Moses, which had been amplified by a tradition of the elders, and in so doing, would lessen the authority of Jesus. The actions of the Pharisees was hypocritical for their actions did not come from their hearts, which were too far from God.   

     God had laid down a procedure for the priests to do a washing ceremony before they worked in the temple. The Pharisees then made up their own rule, which said all people had to do all sorts of ceremonial washing all the time, so creating tradition before Scripture.

Not only are human traditions ineffective for cleansing the heart, they actually lead to disregard for God’s Word.

     People can attend Church without the right intention and expect a certain routine and order when they get there, and woe betide any Minister who makes any alteration.  There is nothing amiss with order, but something can become so ingrained it becomes almost sacred to people.

     When I was ordained I was posted to a High Church, and found that some members there were more concerned as to how the ceremonial procedure was performed than anything else.  The sermon was viewed as a necessary extra.  Such was the experience Jesus was having with the religious leaders.

     People are creatures of habit accustomed to doing things in the same way without giving any thought as to why they are doing so.

     Over the last 10 years I have spent most of that time in Methodist ministry, but still retain a concern for the Anglican Church, even though it has cast aside the Bible for its own obsession to please society. I also think there is too fixed a programme of worship, in having the same liturgy week after week, whereby members are saying and hearing words which have lost their impact through routine use. 

     There should be the freedom to move from fixed Lectionaries to enable crucial moral and social issues to be considered in the light of Biblical teaching.

     There is much in today’s reading for us to take note of. We all have our own little preferences. 

     Jesus was prepared to ignore their tradition and follow that given by God. It is essential for every Church to agree on the supreme authority of the Bible, otherwise you will have the chaotic and confused situation of the present, in which the Church finds itself on the subject of morality.

     We have to contend for the whole faith and see beyond the visible. Think of the two principal sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion, for example.  For most people, in the baptism service it is the physical acts of the priest and the sentimental display of the baby which commands the most attention, but baptism points to the reality of a commitment to Jesus Christ, a symbol of what God has done in the life of a believer.  In the Communion service, we need to think of the love of God in sending Jesus to shed His blood on the Cross to redeem us, rather than the way the physical actions are performed

     The Bible shows that Jesus had a liberty of spirit and did not stick to an established routine, and He condemned practices which were man made and became more important than what was really meant to be.  When we start introducing unnecessary practices into services we invariably introduce false doctrine.  Scripture is rarely preached in some Churches, and sound doctrine is not given in many others as it contravenes the moral belief of many Ministers and members.

     The focal point of one’s faith is the heart.  We have to contend for the whole faith and not just pay lip service.  The heart is what God is concerned about and what He notices.  All the posturing and exaggerated motions and actions avail nothing; we take our hearts to Church as well as our bodies.  So many people can talk the faith without ever practising it.  Heart and lips must go together.

     When the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not observe the strict cleaning practice, Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy.  Correct words can produce wrong attitudes, to appear to be doing something, but have no attitude inwardly.  Worship must be genuine, something you do which is deep and real, it must be given with heart and mind.

     Jesus says, that's how these Pharisees and teachers were treating God. God says, "These people honour me with their lips" - they sound keen to please me – "but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." That is, they don't actually do what God asks them. They have their own idea of what'll please God, and they do that instead.

     In verses 9-10, Jesus taught that the words of the Bible writers were the words of God. We call that the 'inspiration' of the Bible. God took 40 men of different characters and occupations, most not knowing the others or what they were writing, and by his Spirit God worked in those writers so what they wrote was precisely what he wanted them to write.

     Jesus taught that the whole Bible is from God. He also taught the supreme authority of the whole Bible; this indicates that the Bible should be the supreme authority in the church, and in our lives. Jesus criticised these people for making their teaching-traditions supreme instead

     Jesus taught the divine origin of the Bible with its supreme authority above all practices, observances and institutions.  This is why unity between the Churches can be difficult to achieve, as some Churches are not prepared to put Scripture above practice and preference.  We see today how religious leaders here are eager, and wanting to override the Bible and endorse sexual practices to accommodate modern morality.

     In verse 13 Jesus said, you cancel the Word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. This has an application for us now.

     No one would contravene any of the Ten Commandments; disregarding was punishable by death in Israel. Honouring father and mother was  to care for them financially and personally, but in Jewish tradition funds were allowed to be declared as ‘Corban’. This meant there was no cause to give to parents, but the money could be diverted to the Temple.  Such tradition allows for the depravity of the heart, which opposes the law of Moses which has care for the weak and helpless.

     Earlier I drew your attention to some practical failings in Anglican worship, but whilst I like the Free Church ability to be inspirational, it can also be very confusing.

     Preachers cannot be trusted in the way that the words of the Bible can be. For example, on the subjects of relationships, marriage and divorce, there are wide differences in what is preached. 

     I, and others like me, who hold a strong  traditional and conservative belief, and however much may fail to do so, try to be faithful to the Bible.  The following week there could be someone with a totally different and liberal attitude, who is prepared to teach the release of the commands of God, to hold onto the traditions of men and society.

      What kind of impression does that give to anyone seeking spiritual guidance or hope?  This should emphatically enforce the point that Jesus is giving throughout this passage, that the Bible is from God and therefore supreme authority, and there should be no deviation from its teaching.

     Martin Luther stood almost alone against the false teaching and traditions of the church of his day, and by doing so sparked off a world spiritual revolution in which the Bible triumphed over man made rules. Luther said, ‘my conscience is captive to the word of God; here I stand’ Are we standing for the word of God?  Many are not.

     This passage has an important message, that Jesus is the supreme interpreter of the Bible, and we must never let human interpreters overrule Him.  Our salvation depends on our belief in Jesus Christ, not by observing man made rules and practices.  Never let us hear being said to us the words that Jesus used to the Pharisees, that we held on to the traditions of men rather than the commands of God. We must accept that nothing needs to be added or taken away from the words of Scripture.  The true treasure of the Church is the most holy gospel of the glory and  grace of God.

   The Church which Jesus created is being invaded by false teachers, with the Bible ignored. Jesus warned that a little leaven would be sufficient for the whole Church to fall, and we are seeing this actually happen. 

     The main theme of the gospel reading is that traditions of men can override the teachings of Holy Scripture.  Each one of us here this morning has witnessed such being committed. The Methodist Conference a few weeks past, overwhelmingly passed a motion to approve services for two people of the same sex to have a marriage service .in addition, it was done in a most desultory way.

     Two years ago members of the Church nationally were asked to vote as to whether such services should be approved, and it was rejected.  In a way which the European Union excel, the Church decided to try again this year, but I have not met any Church member who was asked to vote; it was decided by committees.

     Hence after 283 years of doctrine formulated by the Church’s founder John Wesley, and in direct violation of the Word of God, the leaders got their way in following human tradition.

You will see how faithful members will respond. This will be my last official service, as I cannot betray the vows I made to always remain faithful to the teachings of the Bible.

     I am going to close this sermon with the direct words of John Wesley when preaching a sermon on the first Chapter of Romans

 

      God made man male and female is more distinctly related here

  Verse 23. And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones - Probably it was revealed to Adam in a vision, when he was asleep, that this lovely creature, now presented to him, was a piece of himself and was to be his companion, and the wife of his covenant - In token of his acceptance of her, he gave her a name, not peculiar to her, but common to her sex; she shall be called woman, Isha, a She- man, differing from man in sex only, not in nature; made of man, and joined to man.

  Verse 24. The sabbath and marriage were two ordinances instituted in innocence, the former for the preservation of the church, the latter for the preservation of mankind.

 The Methodist Worship Book in its introduction to marriage states, ‘ a marriage service is a formal occasion when a solemn, legal contract is made between a man and a woman.  "Making an open stand against all the ungodliness and unrighteousness which overspreads our land as a flood, is one of the noblest ways of confessing Christ in the face of His enemies." ~

I sincerely wish you well on your Christian journey, May God bless and the love and grace of the Lord Jesus guide you.

Matthew 16

I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. These are the words of Jesus as He makes His way to the Cross. He has met with His Apostles and asks them who they say He is. They tell Him various names but Peter responded by saying ‘you are the Christ, the Son of the living God’. Jesus is thrilled by this answer and said on that statement, He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Various people and bodies were trying hard to prevail against it, so now let us consider how the Church can respond.

When Jesus used the word ‘Church’, He was referring to an assembly of believers meeting together in worship. The Church has a special place in the plan of God, and we have to know how we are to live and function within that plan. Having delegated first to Peter and the Apostles the task to continue the work He had begun, Jesus now passes the responsibility down to us in our age to continue to preach the gospel, and every Christian has the duty to play their part in the spread of the gospel.

Every Christian who values and loves their Church, must at times feel depressed at the level of attendances at Church, unless of course a baptism or wedding is desired when people feel the Church can be useful and offer them something. I accept that numbers are not the be all and end all of Church worship, or a verdict on any particular Church, but there must always be a need for every Church to consider whether the worship offered is as worthy as it ought to be. In many cases I do not think it is.

There is much that can and should be done to make a Church appeal to non-members. The building itself should look smart and be clean looking, which is not always so. Selected men and women, recognised for their engaging personalities, need to be appointed to greet people attending so that visitors feel we are glad to see them, and make them feel welcome. Regular members too need to be encouraged to speak and be friendly with visitors, rather than look at them as if intruders.

In Anglican Churches the services can be confusing to strangers as there are so many alternatives offered. I have officiated at numerous Churches, and not found the same service exactly at any two Churches, so an offer to help and guide may be appreciated. Having changed the worship of the Prayer Book to the Alternative service Book, which had meaningful forms of service, we now have Common Worship, in which the formulators couldn’t make their minds up as to which Eucharistic prayer should be used.

I used to advise my Church stewards to try and introduce a stranger to someone of like age and sex, to make them feel more comfortable. When leaving after the service, the Minister(s) should always be at the exit to meet people.

However the most important part is that between the coming and leaving. Services should be bright with tuneful hymns, perhaps altering tunes to hymns that are felt necessary if the set one is of the mournful type. I was at a service where for ten minutes a choral rendition of Purcell’s ‘Rejoice in the Lord’ was sung, followed later by Stanford’s ‘Te deum’, which is fine for the right place, but an ordinary parish Communion is not my idea of the right place.

I don’t think it is generally recognised how important music is in a service. Music stirs the mind and moves the heart. In every Crusade, from Sankey and Moody, the Welsh revival and most notably the great Billy Graham Crusades, the singing of hymns and spiritual songs has been a dominant feature to complement the inspirational preaching. The Evangelical Churches mostly pursue this format, which needs to be introduced into more Churches, and dispense with the philosophy that seems to pervade that as long we put something on it will suffice.

The sermon has been relegated in importance where once it was a central feature. Sermons are there for a purpose, namely to tell the good news about Jesus Christ. How can people be taught to believe the good news of the gospel if the Church fails to tell? This is our business first and foremost. The pulpit is there for the declaration of the gospel, and any Church which fails to respond cannot justify its reason for being there. Ministers are to be messengers from God, bringing God message to congregations.

Sermons often lack sound teaching however, with preachers watering down the message to provide spiritual potions which will make people feel happy and guiltless. One Vicar tells me regularly, sermons need to be nice and friendly so people won’t be upset. This always amuses me, for Billy Graham used to preach to audiences of up to 80 thousands and beyond regularly, and tell them they were all a lot of sinners who would go to hell if they didn’t repent, and people flocked to hear him.

In the Church of England we have softened our messages, had all sorts of changes, introduced women priests and women bishops, and all sorts of gimmicks, and we are still losing members. One Vicar was quoted in the (London) Daily Mail as telling people on Easter Sunday to stay in bed, eat chocolate and have sex. Don’t bother attending a stuffy building it’s not cool or funky. When you have men like that who needs the devil. In any well organised institution that man would be looking for alternative employment. The statement was not only spiritually irresponsible; it was morally irresponsible for it was directed to people generally.

Surely we need to rationalise our number of Churches. At one time every village and neighbourhood had its own parish Church (in addition to Catholic and Free Churches) and congregations were strong enough to maintain them. This is no longer the case, yet we are still trying to keep that system going. To do so we have Vicars fleeing from one Church to another, offering a token service which does no one any good; or a local preacher who however well intentioned, often has not been properly trained and rides his/her own hobby horse, rather than preaching the Bible. It would be far more sensible and realistic to prune the number of Churches.

We have seen evangelical Churches drawing people from a wide area and offering inspiring worship, and similarly High Churches offering beautifully conducted and meaningful worship. People find no difficulty travelling to Tesco or Sainsbury’s, which are not on their doorstep, and with some innovative transport offers the Church could be in a like position. The Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast had a bus which picked people up, and whilst most Churches could not afford this, alternative arrangements could surely be made

Attending Church is not optional. The Bible assumes people who are believers are connected to a local Church, where they live out their faith. Individual or independent Christianity cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. Whilst Jesus is present bodily in heaven with believers, He is also present on earth by His Spirit so that when people are gathered, Jesus is amongst us just as surely as when He was present with His Apostles.

The Bible uses several terms to describe the Church, the most powerful being a family, consisting of people of different backgrounds, experiences, class, ages and gender. This family extends right across the world, so that wherever you go you can have fellowship with other believers. I lived in Mombasa for two years, into which port sailed missionaries of different denominations from various countries, yet we could meet and enjoy each other’s company in a way no other group of people could. There is a uniqueness about the Church, was we are separated(or should be) from the world’s standards, and from the others of society.

But of course the Church does not exactly encourage people when it is seen to be unable to resolve theological and procedural problems quickly and quietly. For a long period the Labour party was unable to attain office because the public saw them squabbling and unable to determine what they stood for. Then the Conservative party followed the same path, and they remained unpopular with the public. So indicating clearly that people have no respect for those which cannot state positively what it believes in and stands for.

This is the situation relating to (at least) the Anglican Church, dominated by people with personal ambitions and desires, which they are intent on pursuing, irrespective of what damage is done to the Church at large. It has to be faced there are men (and women) with a personal agenda who seem determined to undermine the Church. The Leaders of the Church have firmly opposed ‘gay marriage’, yet, what is loosely called senior clergy, are challenging in a disloyal, irresponsible and shameful way with no respect for unity within the Church or for Bible teaching. This and other issues are liable to split the Church of England within, but separate it from the universal Church which includes Catholic and Orthodox Churches. It would be less damaging if we followed the example of the Anglican Church of North America and formed a new Anglican Church of Great Britain based on the same foundations as of our American friends

Each Church should strive to be true to its calling, with vows honoured, and work independently of the national scene. I firmly believe that if a Church is a welcoming one, offers a well constructed service, with tuneful hymns and an inspiring message, it will surely attract members..

  Ephesus  6 v 10/20

 

Paul has been visiting Ephesus, and as he prepares to leave his people, he is aware of the struggle which they face.  In that time people firmly believed in devils and demons, and evil spirits which filled the air.  Paul realised the world offered not a playground but battle field in which there was strong opposition.  Because Christians cannot stand on their own against superhuman powers, they had to rely on the power of God.  Those men and women had a faith and a belief, and carried out the fight, now we Christians have to take over that fight.

When you become a Christian you effectively become like a soldier, there is warfare between what the world wants and what God has laid down, and we enter a battlefield. The Bible calls on us to stand firm and not yield.

When the Romans invaded a country they would burn their boats so there could be no means of retreat, hence the saying burning our boats. God is telling us He will give us all the power we need and the Bible calls on us to put on the whole armour of God, and fight not yield.

In today’s passage Paul is giving guidance and draws on the imagery taken from a Roman soldier’s uniform with a portrayal of Christian life as a warfare, using spiritual metaphors for

Paul looks at the uniform of a soldier, and describes the belt which holds the uniform together with the ability to hold a sword.;  a breastplate to defend his heart; sandals specially made with spikes in the soles, to enable to get a good foothold on the ground to dig his feet in,  and a helmet to protect his head. A shield protects him from the darts of the enemy, and he has a sword to go on the attack.

Applying them to the Christian, Paul is referring to the belt of truth which is the gospel, which holds our faith, and we must have a pure heart to live according to that truth, and then stand firm and not let our head be turned by false teaching. We have to fight harder than many generations before us, as strong attacks are coming from within the Church, which are causing more harm than from people outside the Church.

Applying the breastplate image, righteousness is a breastplate and when a man/woman is clothed in righteousness is impregnable. The way to fight accusations against Christians is to be seen as good.

Sandals were viewed as a sign of being able to move quickly. And Christians should always be ready to preach the gospel, and share with others who have not learned it.

A shield was a large one, oblong in shape and was needed to protect from fiery darts often tarred with pitch. Faith can deal with the darts of temptation, which means having a personal relationship with Christ.

The helmet represented Salvation, which not only saves us from sins of the past, but strength to face the future and resist sinning.

Every army needs to attack, and we should be promoting Christianity as vigorously, as other faiths push their faith, armed with the two edged sword of truth. Our faith is not someone has made up; it is based on the historical and divine Jesus Christ, who calls for people to turn back to God.

Never let us be ashamed to tell the story of a Saviour who gave His life on the Cross, so that all we unworthy people may have our sins forgiven because He died that we may be made righteous for heaven when our life on this earth is over.  Jesus Christ, by His death, enables us to be in God’s favour, and calls for people to turn back to God.

All who treasure the Christian faith, and the memory of those who gave their lives to preserve a Christian heritage, must work and pray for a spiritual revival of the Christian Church.

Paul has three things to say about what was a great weapon—prayer. This should be constant in all our living, and not just when a problem arises.  It should be intense and concentrated. And it must be unselfish.

Finally Paul asks for prayer for himself, and if ever anyone deserved prayer it was this great Apostle who gave all he had for the service of his God and Saviour.  He was not seeking to be comforted or for peace; he was seeking to be able to go on telling God’s love for all people in all the world We should remember no Christian leader can go on without his people praying for him.

We must be aware of the traitors of our faith within the Church who are calling on clergy to abandon bible teaching when it offends other people.  Such is being done by leaders of the Church;  we saw last week how the once great Methodist Church has ‘overwhelmingly’ approved to have two persons of the same sex to go through  a form of marriage in Churches. This is unequivocally contrary to Scripture, and if any clergyman/woman does not know or believe it, they should be the ones leaving the Church, and not the  faithful members who cannot accept such a deplorable decision.

The world has largely rejected Christianity, without having anything to put in its place to combat the evils of the world. All we hear today is about ‘human rights,’ yet in all walks of public life, even to the highest level of government; we have flagrant deceit, corruption, being economical with the truth and unrestricted immorality, the sort of behaviour which sends out the wrong message to the young and gullible.

Under the guise of equality, all manner of restrictions are being enacted to restrain freedom of speech and religious faith. People can be perfectly equal without being the same. Until recently we had a Prime Minister who by his intransigence made freedom of religious expression a legal offence, and so a greater penalty could be given than if convicted for burglary or physical assault.

Christian principles and values were the foundation of this nation’s base, as were many of the social institutions and the legal system of the country. Our nation’s future depends on the acceptance of the standards of the Bible.
Not all who condemn the moral slide are bigoted and narrow minded. Those who fought for their country, all those veterans knew what counted in life as they fought for a safer world.

We have a society which is encouraged to forsake a Christian consensus and live, not by Christian principles, but by substituting other principles. We are submerged in a world that is committed to falsehood, which is why we are called to proclaim the truth.

But there is a spiritual content in many lives. Indeed, almost all people have some spiritual longing; there are so many of these people who would be of enormous value to the Church and who in turn could add so much to their lives.

Within each one of us there is a need for things which money can’t buy, and desires which we cannot express. Whilst the majority may not be willing to accept it, we all need a spiritual life. We need God and the forgiveness, which He offers in Jesus Christ. Without this our souls are restless. The only obstacle is a lack of motivation.

Many people are like the two British soldiers who found themselveslost in the deserts of Iraq. They eventually came across an American Officer in his jeep. As they approached him they didn’t even bother to salute and simply blurted out ‘excuse me mate, can you tell us where we are?’ The General took umbrage at their casual attitude and sternly replied, ‘Do you know who I am?’ at which one of the soldiers turned to the other and said, ‘Now we are in real trouble, we don’t know where we are and he doesn’t know who he is!’

Neither do we know who we are and why we are here, so we just live for today and who cares about tomorrow. And that is how we will remain unless there is some communication from the outside, from the One who has made us. A godless self-centred life is a fruitless and empty one.

We need a daring programme of revival, which God is challenging us to make. We within the Church need to ensure our services are always meaningful and encouraging; more care is definitely needed in many services. Too often incidentals in ceremony, a concentration on uninspiring music, and a meaningless ramble for a sermon meant to take up ten minutes of the service, are turn-offs for people. Such casualness would not be carried out in secular business, so why when in the Lord’s business.

There is reluctance within some Churches to preach a vibrant Biblical message for fear of being criticised as being offensive to other faiths, or more insidiously the absurd ‘woke’ culture, which with feeble and false emotional nonsense is causing young minds to be encouraged to look for things which in reality do not exist.

Whilst Christianity has been the faith of this country for centuries, in recent times our Churches have retreated and allowed a secular agenda to exercise undue influence on both society and the Church. People, I believe, are longing for and wanting spiritual leadership. Our strength is limited only by our faith. Will that faith let us move mountains or stumble over mole hills?

Luke 1 v 37/55

The Gospel reading for Sunday is the story of a young Jewish girl named Mary, who walked many miles to visit her older cousin Elizabeth. The reason she went was because an angel had told her she was going to have a baby even though she had never been with a man. The angel had also told her if she wanted proof she should visit her cousin who in her older age was to have a baby also.

When they meet they greeted each other and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out how blessed she was for Mary. Until that moment she had no idea what exactly was happening to Mary, but made statement congratulating her.

The Old Testament had for centuries told how God would one day send a Messiah,Saviour, a deliverer, who would fulfil the dreams of his people. Every Jewish girl had the hope it would be her who was the mother of the Messiah. hundred years before,God said through the last prophet that not only would he send a Messiah, but would also send someone to prepare the way ahead of him. Now Elizabeth knew in her womb was that messenger. Perhaps she was a little disappointed it was not theMessiah, but she knows it is her cousin Mary who is to be that mother. She statedhow bless you are and how blessed your baby will be. Remember Mary was not yetpregnant.

Then we see a word of consternation when Elizabeth thinks she should be the one visiting Mary; you are to be the mother of my Lord. The Bible tells that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth, and as Elizabeth spoke to Mary she felt her own child moving. Mary’s faith then became real, having faith in the Word of God as she saw it coming true what the angel had said. Now that Mary knows it is all true she is thrilled. We should all be thrilled that everything God says will come true. Elizabeth’s prophecy is over, and now Mary speaks

Imagine you hear some wonderful news you never expected, how excited you would be. Now think of Mary who is to be the mother of the Saviour of the world, God’s only Son. She spontaneously praises God with what has been for centuries sung in Churches all over the world, the Magnificat. This means magnify the Lord, get a bigger vision of God. It is steeped in Scripture, and remember every Jewish boy and girl knows the history of their people and Bible. It is all about God, who is mentioned sixteen times in this psalm.

Mary expresses generosity, for God is her Saviour. The Roman Catholic Church has perhaps made too much of Mary, and the Protestant Churches too little. We don’t need fancy titles and names for her. The Bible has a balanced view, she is the mother of our Lord and we must respect her for being that. We should call her the Blessed Virgin Mary, but no more. She herself stated she needs a Saviour, and only a sinner needs a Saviour. Grace is used to enable a sinner to be the mother of our Lord. God used a sinner saved by grace to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Mary says she is a servant, a maid servant, and puts herself not at the front of the Church, but as we see in Acts amongst the congregation.

Mary said all generations will call her blessed. She did what many millions of women have done through the ages, had a baby, cared and worried over the child. God did the wonderful part. She praised the integrity of God. We often take a sentimental view of God, seeing Him as always and ever as only a God of love, which of course He is, but you have to go a long way into the Bible before he is stated to be love.

When men and women followed traditional Biblical lines, men were viewed as the stronger sex, who would take the father’s part to provide for the family, and take responsibility for exercising discipline. How many mothers have said to an erring child, wait until your father comes home and I tell him about you. Mothers have always been viewed as the caring and more tender sex; how all has changed. We must all be the same. Men and women alike, all equal under God, when in fact we were meant to have different roles and characters.

Mary told of her fear of God. Holiness and fear of God is where she begins, and when you begin there you see His mercy and goodness. Few people will say of God, holy is His name and His mercy is on them that fear Him. Most people only see God as a God of love, and want to ignore all other aspects of Him. The Old Testament speaks of Him as a God of wrath. For God is a God justice and this requires Him to be angry with sin, but in His mercy is ready to forgive those who truly repent. God is a Father who cares for His children and wants them to follow a right path in life.

Mary has a balanced view of God as she sees Him upsetting all our values of status and importance. God will pull down the mighty and proud and lift up the humble and poor. How did Mary get this revelation? Why me, she asks?

God chooses people not for what they have got, but for what they have not got. This is why He chose Mary, and He gives everything to glorify His Holy Name. Mary realized she was an ordinary village girl who God had uniquely and highly honoured. No human would have chosen such a person.

She ends by praising God’s fidelity. She refers to God’s promise to Abraham and how He has been faithful to His promise and His people. God had not forgotten them. We may forget about God, but He will not forget about us, leave or forsake us He will wait for us to come back to Him

Mary left Elizabeth to have her baby, and by this time Mary would be pregnant herself. She had to return to face her fiancée and friends, She did not try to explain, for who would have believed or understood her. Consider how we have the difficulty of even getting our Church leaders to understand or believe in the Virgin Birth when there is so much evidence.

Mary left it for God to explain. These two women who influenced the world never met again, but their two sons changed history and the course of the world. God comes down and chooses ordinary people to do His work. May be He has a task for you. Remember the words of Mary, for nothing is impossible with God

As we reflect on this story. We may ponder on how people’s minds reason. Millions will say they will not believe what they cannot see proven, or which they do not understand how it could happen.

If I should pick up a small box without any cords and just numbers 1 to 9 on, and then tap in a combination of say twelve numbers, I will be able to speak to someone on the opposite side of the world within seconds, when it would take me fourteen hours to get there by plane, and I could have a personal conversation. Millions of other people across the world will be doing similar action at the same time, yet none would clash or be interrupted. Very few people would be able to explain how this happens, yet they make use of the system. If human men/women can create such wonders, why is it impossible for God to do wonders?

Our minds are not meant to understand all the miracles and mighty deeds of the Lord; the Cross and atonement; the resurrection; the power of the Holy Spirit. We may not understand the virginal conception, but we accept all these by faith.

Mary did not doubt what the angel told her, she was just puzzled, as she might be, as to how this would happen. It was as if the angel was saying ‘Mary you are thinking as a human being and humanly you are right, but this is God at work and He shall come upon you with the power of the Holy Spirit, for nothing is impossible for God’.

We have 580 members in General Synod, costing the Church far too much money, debating issues for which Scripture has already given answers, rather than trying to devise means of halting the exodus of people. It is like arguing which is the best room in the house when the whole house is on fire. The primary aim is to put the fire out never mind the furniture.

We all have a choice. We can refuse to believe, or react like Mary who although she could not understand when told of God’s purpose for her replied, ‘behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to your Word’. That is the question for you to-day; to accept, and yield yourself.

This is why we should have concern for the nation of Israel from which all our teaching emanates. We worship the God of Israel; we worship a Jewish Saviour; born of a Jewish woman; and are taught from a book written (under the inspiration of God) by Jewish writers. One day Jesus will return to there.

It was |God who sent His Son to prepare the great salvation after His prophets were rejected; it was God who raised His Son from the dead; God who gave teaching on how we should live and respond to Him. If our Lord was to return now would He be happy about the religious teaching. Would He wonder why we Christians treat our faith in such casual manner rather than the aggressive evangelism of other faiths?

 

EPHESIANS 5 V15.21
Paul in this passage is drawing a contrast between a pagan gathering and a Christian one, which we can associate with our world. He calls on Christians to walk wisely living different lives from the unbelievers. We are light and they are darkness therefore we must live as children of light, therefore live wisely. A worldly gathering can fail to recognise God and Jesus, but the Church must have Christ at the heart of all worship

If we are going to profess ourselves as Christians then there is a certain lifestyle that we must adopt. If we really believe the great doctrines and commands contained in the Bible, then let us allow them to shape our lives so that we will live, as we ought to live.

Paul has been contrasting light with darkness, he here contrasts wisdom with folly. We are to be accurate in our lifestyle so that our manner of life clearly proclaims accurately the Christian message. In other words, we are to live in such a way that there are no clear inconsistencies so that the unbelieving world are clear concerning how Christians should live. This involves two things.

We should not give the impression that being a Christian means giving up things, unless the bible commands doing so. There are Christians who say we should not drink alcohol, or go to the cinema, or dancing; if a Christian truly believes such activities are wrong, then it is perfectly acceptable for them to abstain, but they should not try to force their feelings on to others. This can do more harm than may be intended, and give cause to criticise our faith as intrusive.

The alternative course is for Christians to feel, if the majority behave in a certain way, it is fair for them to do so, and then say God will understand and so they fail to live the Christian life as it should be lived according to, the teaching we are given in Scripture. It is however totally unacceptable for Christians to think we can be casual in our lifestyle, indulging especially in moral conduct that gives an impression we are hypocrites, yet it is a sad fact that there are those who shamelessly parade their hedonistic lifestyle. If we are not ruthless with sin in our lives then what impression is that giving to our world?

The world is shutting God out of their lives and many are suffering the consequences. Let us provide the evidence that living according to that which God and Jesus laid down adds to a better and worthy life, and not subscribe to all the whims and fancies of society; people should be able to distinguish the nonbeliever from the true believer.

As Christians we maintain our life style into our workplace, in our homes, and essentially in our worship place, so that wherever we are we representing the Lord, we do so with credit and not shame.

Paul states, making the best use of time for the days are evil. I remember in my training, an elderly Minister telling the class I was in that we have to value every minute, for once it is passed it is gone forever and is one less period of time we have here on earth. As Christians we need to plan our time so that we do not use it wastefully.

Paul told Timothy to use every opportunity to spread the gospel and we have to practise that advice wisely. This does not mean constantly harassing people with Scripture, but when there will be opportunities to do so which will fit in with the situation, we should be ready to encourage them to turn to the Lord. We all have limited time, so let's make sure that we do not waste the time God has given to us and let us look for those God given opportunities

It is so easy for the church to be so taken up with our own existence that we can become so indifferent to our evil world, so that we miss those God given opportunities and appointments to influence others for Christ.

The Bible reminds us we live in an evil world, and as you read the newspapers or listen to radio and television there is no room for doubting the extent. Listening to some programmes on television it seems as if the producers are competing with each other to spread evil. I saw one programme where literally hardly more than a few words were spoken without a four-letter word being inserted, which added nothing to the meaning of what was going on. When we realise people today are following a ‘me too’ way of life. If someone on television is seen doing something, then me too must be in the fashion, for there is a fear of being different.

If the Church is to make a difference, it has to be making its influence felt, instead of being fearful of upsetting the activists in society. A lifeboat is of no use standing polished and shiny in a station when people are in peril on the seas, it has to be out rescuing those facing being drowned; and that as Christians and the Christian Church is what we must be doing.

If the church is disunited and fighting within itself, then is that living out our faith accurately? Perhaps the church today is in great danger of failing to live out real Christianity, and it is giving the wrong impression about matters of conscience. When churches are loveless places, and when they are hypocritical places, then is it any wonder that people today have no idea what the Christian faith is all about.

. If someone asked me what the Church stands for, I would not be able to answer. I could of course tell what the Church should and was meant to stand for, which is now rather different.

So let us not contribute to the confusion of the unbelieving world; let us be a church and a people that live out the Christian faith accurately. There is no point professing to be children of the light unless we live accurately as children of the light

We are called to not act thoughtlessly, but to understand what God wants you to do; meaning following the guidelines for life found in the Bible.

In v 18 the Bible states do not get drunk with wine, be filled with the Spirit. Wine was the staple drink in Paul’s time and was fermented to preserve it from turning into vinegar. Whereas wine can control the mind and impair one’s judgement and lead to debauchery, in contrast being filled with the Spirit leads to self-control along with the fruits of love, joy, kindness patience and gentleness, and gives a regular pattern or life.

The early Church was a singing Church which came from being filled with the Spirit, joining in singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and making music to the Lord. Psalms were canticles, and were separated from general music of praise.

Make music in our hearts to God (v 19) – Not only do we express out joy with audible singing of praise to our God, but we are to do so from our hearts. Our praise to God is not a case of singing audible hymns, but our hearts need to go out to God in joyful worship as well. This will mean that our thoughts about God will be so great, that we cannot help but sing praise to our great God in our hearts if not in audible voices. So true worship is not just singing a hymn or a modern song, but it involves engaging our hearts in joyful worship, and adoration of God through Jesus Christ God's Son, is what every sincere Christian desires to do. Even if our audible voices are not tuneful, it is what is in our hearts that counts, it might not sound pleasant to others, but if our heart is in it is extremely tuneful to our God

The early Church was a thankful Church, giving thanks to God for all things which happened in their lives, and doing so in the name of Jesus thereby trusting him as a mediator with God the Father.

The early Church also was one where people honoured one another, and that was because they revered Jesus Christ,   and recognised the dignity of each person so mutual respect became easy.

Remember how God so richly blessed that early Church. The Bible states they devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles

 

Ephesians 4 v 25/end.

This morning I want to turn with you to the reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4.  Paul was talking about the importance of unity and maturity as two aims of the Church and now moves on to show purity is necessary for those who belong to the Church. 

     He is writing to new Christians who have converted from paganism, so is anxious to show they have to behave and live in a totally different way from the past.  They have to leave their old way and turn to Christ’s way. 

     In this passage, Paul gives practical examples of how Church members build up Christ’s body based on what is true of them as Christians. This is a continuation from previous verses dealing with Christian living. He contrasts the heathen way with the Christian one. He writes, ‘I INSIST you no longer live as non believers’.

     They were separated from God, their lives were dark, they had hard hearts,  they were insensitive and they were concerned with empty things.. 

    The word Paul uses is likened to a stone harder than marble, meaning they were so insensitive, so hard,  they could not feel goodness.  They sinned at will. 

     The process of sin is gradual.  No person becomes a great sinner all at once. At first it is regarded with fear and horror.  Some regret and remorse enters the heart, but as this continues there comes a time when it loses all sensation, and shameful things are done without any feeling.  The conscience which once found such things unacceptable, now finds them acceptable.

     People abandon themselves to every kind of unclean conduct; the lust of desires and shameless wantonness.  Like a drug it can get so much a hold on a person that they lose all sense of decency and shame.  That sort of life can be dominated by sin so that people become like beasts. 

     There is a desire to possess, a desire for things which others have, and if they can’t buy then steal.  They will be ready to sacrifice others for themselves, don’t get in my way.  Desire to have what there is no right to have, and are not prepared to legitimately earn.  People don’t care who gets hurt in the process   Paul saw hearts which did not recognise any wrong in their actions.

     People do not see themselves as doing anything wrong or shameful today.  We see vast sums of money being wrongly taken from employers, justifying it on the grounds of wanting pleasures they see others having. 

     Drunken youths making fools of themselves.  Women shedding their dignity and inhibitions to be doing what men do, and to the worst excesses of their male counterparts.      

   Men dressing and acting as women and parading in city streets.        

     Not everyone lives a decadent life in the non Christian world, but there is a direction in which every life can head without God in their life.  All life has to progress.  There has to be a sense of purpose and truth, a sense of decency and modesty. 

     Becoming a Christian is a radical life change.  A Christian must live their life as required by Christ, so we put off the old ways and put on the righteousness God gives us. 

     Paul says put off your old way of life as you would put off old clothes.  He sets before them the highest standard in the world.  He is warning of what Christians can slide into if they don’t change.

     Paul spells out the things which must be banished from the Christian life.  The   followers of Jesus Christ must stand out in life and be known for being truthful and having integrity.  No lying, yet we see from the highest public offices of government, blatant lying and deceit. Sometime by men and women who like to inform us of their Christian credentials.         

     You can lie deliberately, or without intention, through carelessness or exaggeration.  Truth demands a deliberate effort.  It is so easy and tempting for people to elaborate a story to create a greater effect. 

     Sometimes of course we tend to tell in an exaggerated way out of kindness.  I recall often being asked if I liked the cakes  a particular lady made, and like a good Vicar said they were lovely.  It would have been totally ungracious of me to say they tasted like sawdust.  Imagine what domestic disturbance could be caused if a man told his wife what he really thought of her new dress. 

     There is the lie of silence.  Keeping silent when we should speak out, so giving the impression that by our silence we approved some action which one actually knew was wrong; or failing to rebuke when it was necessary to do so. 

     Then Paul gives the reason for being truthful.  A body can only be healthy if all senses are working properly.  If the brain tells the hand something is cool when it is hot, pain will be caused.  If we as Christians are one body, all must be true and faithful to each other; deception impairs the work of Christ.    

     Paul talks of anger.  There is however, a right and wrong anger.  To be angry as part of a fractious nature, or to get upset at trivialities, is wrong.  Some anger is not only right, but essential.

   The anger of William Wilberforce led to the end of slavery.    

      The anger of Lord Shaftesbury led to the end of inhumane working conditions. 

     Jesus got very angry at the moneychangers in the Temple and went about with a whip. 

     There is a need for greater anger among Christians.  We compromise sin in a way God never does.  God hates sin and  so should we, and we should speak out.  I get angry when I see clergymen/and now women, speaking on radio or television, stating we must reinterpret the Bible to meet current attitudes to morality.  We owe it to our Lord, as our duty, to challenge these liberals for trying to set their own agenda on the Church, by changing Scripture to their thinking. 

     No amount of reinterpretation would ever convince me it was acceptable for a Bishop to divorce his wife, abandon his family, so as to go and live in a relationship with another man, and in so doing knowingly and willingly cause a whole disruption and schism in the worldwide Anglican communion without any regret whatsoever. Indeed, he expected everyone to accept and support him.

      There was an exhibition in Glasgow, where the Bible was put on display and people were invited to write comments on the Bible, defacing it where condemnation was made of homosexual practice.  Despite protest, the organisers refused to withdraw. Although ultimately they were forced to cover the Bible in a glass case and let people write their comments on paper to be attached to the Bible. Noticeably they refused to put the Koran on display. 

     Now compare our response to that of Muslims in Pakistan, who burned Churches and attacked Christians when it was falsely alleged by militants that the Koran had been CRITICISED by Christians. 

     Equally important however is the situation when two people in a Church don’t get on.  It must be dealt with at once.  The longer it is left the more bitter it becomes.  All need to have the grace to say sorry and be forgiving.  Don’t give the devil the opportunity.  An unhealed breach causes dissension and strife, for two people at odds can cause a war to develop.  Remember too, reputations can be murdered over cups of tea or coffee.

     Be honest. That means no stealing, but also give a fair return for what you are given.

     No evil talk; that means no foul language.  Today on our television, foul language of the worst kind is commonplace.  The comedian who won the award several years in succession for favourite comedian trophy, relies on foul language and content.  What a verdict on society. 

     Two of the greatest comedians ever, were Bob Hope and Jack Benny, neither of whom ever made a rude joke.  Ricky Tomlinson, himself an actor and comedian, once stated  that our greatest comedians of the past would be a failure today, for they were always clean in language. 

     So Christians should speak in a manner which will help others, and not degrade them or themselves.  Don’t be insulting either, use words wisely.  Dennis Thatcher once commented,’ better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt’   It is so easy to have an outbreak of passion, revealing anger which flames like straw.    

     Paul sums it all up in a few words, be kind, be concerned with the feelings of others, don’t show bitterness in your heart or nurse grievance.  Pray God will teach you to forgive and forget.  Love your enemies.  As one cynic remarked, ‘love and be kind to you enemy, it will make him mad’.  Have love and care for others. 

     There is much good in this country, but there are things which desperately need to be put right.  The Church is the only body which can do that.  You are  the Church.  Speak out and speak up for your Church…  Let it be known what a glorious body it is, and we have a glorious Saviour to follow.  It may be polluted by a few members but the vast number are good people who love the Lord.

       The Feast of the Transfiguration is held on Friday 6th August 2021   

                     The story of the Transfiguration of Jesus

This is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. It comes just after Jesus had been asking his Apostles who they thought he was, and received Peter’s great confession and after he had told them he was on the way to the Cross to die and then be raised.

 Jesus’ transfiguration gives a glimpse into his divine nature, and it is followed by a continual struggle against evil.  We are told of the radiant and divine glory of Jesus as the Son of God.  He is greater than Moses who represented the Jewish Law, and also greater than Elijah who represented the prophets.  Whereas Moses radiance reflects God’s glory, Jesus radiates the light from heaven.  Moses and Elijah are not reincarnations, but come from being in the presence of God.

Jesus wanted to be alone on the mountain top and took with Him on the journey three Apostles with whom He appeared to have a special relationship, namely Peter, James and John; these three Apostles were also with Jesus when He raised Jairus’ daughter, and in His agony in the garden. The mountain was thought to be Mount Hermon, one so high it could be seen from many miles away. The climb must have been strenuous for Luke tells us they were feeling sleepy and tired.

Jesus was going up the mountain that He might receive God’s confirmation that it was the intention for Him to go to the Cross. Jesus we find always was anxious to consult with God at His every step. Here is a lesson and good advice for us.

For many years I went to Scotland, and up in the Highlands you can go up the Cairngorms on the mountain railway, and whilst there is the obligatory shop and café, there is also a balcony. You can there gaze down on scenery unsurpassed in any other country, and see one of God’s most glorious creations. You can feel close to God on a mountain top, away from the ordinary things of life.

 Mountains figure conspicuously in the Bible.  It was on Mount Sinai that Moses received the Commandments; Mount Horeb that God soke to Elijah. Jesus we are told was transfigured on this mountain, meaning his appearance changed.  There he met two of Israel’s great names, Moses who brought the law from God and Elijah the supreme prophet through whom God spoke, and they discussed the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem

Many people are puzzled as to how God speaks to men and they scoff at such talk.  I believe some of  what is claimed to be from God is self-manipulated.  I once visited a Theological College where ordinands were completing their training and I was surprised to learn how God had told so many were to go to the South of England to minister.  I began to wonder why God wasn’t interested in the North of the country.!

 God speaks to us in several ways.  Sometimes it is through a preacher. I had a lady in my parish who came to Church infrequently, and one time she told me I always seemed to be getting at her. I told here that as I prepared beforehand and never knew when she was coming, it may be that someone higher than me was getting at her.

 A lot of people were converted by one of the posters containing Scriptural messages placed by the London City Mission in Tube Stations. Sometimes God speaks through our consciences when we pray about something. And an answer comes into our minds, not always perhaps the answer we want to hear. Although probably for our ultimate good.

When Peter realised what was happening he offered to build three tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. He was struck with awe and wanted to prolong the experience, and offered to build three tabernacles. Jesus rebuked him for he was in error in that he was equating Jesus with Moses and Elijah.  

 Peter and his companions did not grasp the greatness of the Messiah, and Peter saw Jesus as someone similar to Moses and Elijah, and by wanting to build tents, was wanting to prolong this experience without realising what he is saying, for he was probably overcome. We all like to feel we are on top of the world both figuratively and actually, but most of us live their lives more realistically on the level or down in a valley.

Jesus commanded that they tell no one in order to stop a popular movement that would make him into a political freedom fighter, so blocking his path to suffering and dying to save his people. The disciples did not then understand what was meant by the term ‘rising from the dead’, but they expected the resurrection of all mankind at the end of the age after the coming of Elijah as told in the Old Testament. 

The passage ends telling John the Baptist restored all things preparing the  coming of Jesus the ultimate restorer.  Both Jesus and John the Baptist suffered contempt for the prophets Isaiah and  Malachi had forecast the coming of Elijah as preparing the way for Jesus.  Many people thought John was Elijah by the misunderstanding of the people, but it was not intended Elijah would personally appear. 

The lesson of the Transfiguration is that we must always let God speak to us and follow His Word; He has a plan for all our lives. When we turn to Him we too can reach a mountain top, but also we can close our minds to Him and lie in the valley.

 The lesson of the Transfiguration is that we must always let God speak to us and follow His Word; He has a plan for all our lives. When we turn to Him we too can reach a mountain top, but also we can close our minds to Him and lie in the valley.

This passage tells of Moses who hd died many years before, as did Elijah, yet they are alive but in glory.  This tells us that when our last breath is breathed in this life, there is another world beyond the grave where Jesus will be with us.