James 3 v1/12

This morning I ask you to turn with me to the 3rd Chapter of James’ Epistle. It is a very practical letter, and this passage is all about the use/misuse of the tongue.
We all know how destructive the tongue can be, and I am sure we all have regrets over things we have said, whether cruel or just embarrassing. Most human sin is facilitated by speech of one sort or another, anger, seduction; the tongue is the wind that whips up the embers into a fierce blaze. So, James wants to guide us to let the influence of Christ be uppermost in our minds. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying ‘I would rather be thought a fool for not speaking than to speak and prove it.’

James begins by referring to teachers (or preachers) who held a prestigious position within the Church, and were directly responsible for instructing new converts. This enabled them to use the tongue to promote their own ideas and opinions, with false teaching. This is still a concern today, when those privileged to lead services find the Bible, does not match up with their belief, that we should adapt to the culture of 21st century society’s ways.

When the first Christian Church gathered after Pentecost, the role of teacher or preacher was highly rated, subordinate only to an Apostle. For many years, probably until the late twentieth century, the position of a Minister was much respected and he was treated as an important member of society.

This lessened as the Church became less important to the lives of a lot of people. Whole families being in employment during the week, and wanting to go travelling in cars, shops opening as never before on Sundays, all proved to be a more acceptable choice to a large size of the community, and even in villages, the importance of the Church lay in it adding a nice addition for the village scene.

From an early stage, some people positioned themselves as teachers, who were not suitable due to lack of commitment and knowledge, and there were then as now, some who wanted to further a spread of immorality, and encourage behaviour which was non-Scriptural. Indeed, now there appears to be more engaged in teaching the adopting of non-Scriptural conduct.

I imagine very shortly only the Independent, Pentecostal and black Churches remaining faithful to the Bible, as the main denominations are supporting marriage ceremonies for two people of the same sex, and other actions which are contrary to the teaching of Scripture.

Jude, in his Letter to the Churches warned of people who were creeping into Churches, for the purpose of falsely teaching immoral conduct. Paul, writing to Timothy warned those given the privilege of preaching the Word would be held in greater judgement for any false teaching, and this what James has in mind in his opening verses.

Teaching is done primarily by use of the tongue, and secondly by words which the tongue has committed to paper. If we realize the power of the tongue, we should also realize the great damage it can cause. From false teaching, which will lead people astray and lead away from the true faith, to normal every day speaking.

James points out, a person makes his own choice to be a teacher, and by doing so places a great responsibility upon him /herself, and if they fail, are under condemnation.

When teaching in a Church, consideration has to be given by the teacher to the type of congregation, as for instance young or old, male or female, and adjust to each type, Older people for example, are much more sensitive and care is therefore necessary. In every case, the teaching must be as laid down in the Bible, and not be a collection of the speaker’s own opinions and preferences. This is now less observed than what was once the practice.

When people gather together for worship, they should hear what God has said and wants to be, not what any man or woman thinks should appertain. Some of the men (only in those days) were not truly qualified, either by learning or faith to be teachers, and there is at the present time a tendency in all denominations, to be too ready to appoint preachers just to be able to have someone available. This can do more damage and irreparable harm to the Christian faith as agitators for a particular cause have free rein.

It was therefore with amazement, that an appeal for people to volunteer to become Methodist Church leaders, once appeared on Facebook. This was an open invitation for activists being given the opportunity to have a free platform for all their agenda to be preached. The Bible leads us to believe when God sees someone worthy to be a preacher, He calls them.

 I have read the testimonies of numerous Methodist lay preachers, all of which tell how God dramatically prevailed upon them to become preachers. I am sure God would not choose an Internet site to call people.

The problem is exacerbated, when the position in society of clergy is considered. In the Church of England, perhaps more so than in the Free Churches, a Vicar carries considerable respect, so his words can materially influence a person’s mind.

There is little more dangerous in the general run of life than public speaking. Speakers will not often set out to offend, but on other occasions a slip of the tongue, or words delivered in a wrong manner, can even without intention, upset someone. Teaching in Church nowadays is filled with peril, for a Bible teacher, for so many listeners have adopted a free style of life, and don’t like being reminded of their own guilt. Consequently if a speaker is complained about, it is almost like receiving a badge of honour.

In verse 2, James points out how easy it is to offend with the tongue as well as doing good. Two examples are Hitler, who could mesmerise a nation with his oratory and spread evil, and on the other hand Winston Churchill who could inspire and motivate his country to greatness.

We can all slip up, a term James infers, quite easily and unintentionally. Words more than anything else form impressions that stick, especially are they damaging when bitterly criticising. James wants us to grasp this, so that we may control ourselves, and uses two examples to demonstrate how powerful the tongue is. Once words are used they can never be fully retracted, even with apologies the words remain in the memory of the one used against. However much we are warned, we never completely avoid hurt.

When a bit is put into a horse’s mouth we can control the whole body, and make it do what we wish. When the tongue is controlled, the whole body feels the blessings.

Secondly, a ship is large and heavy and can be driven by strong winds, yet a very small rudder can divert whichever way a pilot wants to go. So when applied to the tongue, it may help the whole person control the pressures which threaten to drive us off course, and a gentle word may turn off anger.

Nothing warms our hearts more than sincere expressions of love and esteem, and nothing hurts as much as hard words of bitter criticism or reproach. Christians must learn and accept, that there can be difference of opinion and belief between us, which must be respected and discussed in a civilised and above all Christian way.

In verse 5, playing with fire is a menacing figure of speech. A great forest fire as we now often see in the United States, is set off by a small spark, sometimes deliberately used; words too can spread like wildfire and cause much harm.

In to-day’s world with computer, mobile phones, texts and emails, rumour and gossip can be sent around the world, as numerous people have found to their embarrassment, not knowing if what was sent was true or not.

Reputations are destroyed over coffee, or more so with alcohol in the equation. Tongues rattle away and slanderous remarks fly freely.

Verse 6 refers to the tongue set on fire by hell. In ancient times,  there was a place called Gehenna on the outskirts of Jerusalem, seen as hell on earth. This was where children were sacrificed in burning furnaces to the god Moloch. Later, in Jesus time it was the city rubbish dump, where all refuse was taken. It was dark, smelly hellish place and seen as a picture of hell. Sometimes lips are unclean and the fuel for the tongue is said to come from hell in those cases.

Humanists think because God allowed us to have dominion over all other creatures, and to a great extent mankind has been successful in taming most animals, he is invincible. But what we ought to recognise, is that the ability to tame animals was not made possible by our powers alone, it was a gift from God. Our achievements are ultimately received from God, so there should be no boasting in our way of self-sufficiency or ingenuity.
So the reality of our untameable tongue, and the problem of human wickedness, should leave us in no doubt that there is need of a Saviour, because we are helpless in our own strength.

People generally are not all bad, we have lapses, but most people are relatively restrained. James defends his criticism by the inconsistency of our speaking. It is in those times of stress and anger that the viciousness of the tongue is revealed. It is not only in bad language, or unguarded remarks spoken in the heat of the moment, it is the fact that good and pious words come from the same lips. We sing prise to the Lord, and then go out into the worlds to curse our fellowmen, and spread poisonous words.

The Christian who speaks to God in exalted tones, but speaks ridicule to everyone who upsets them, is a contradiction in terms. This was true of Peter when he cursed and swore, and denied the Lord on the night Jesus was arrested.

In verse 10 James states ‘my brothers this should not be’. He is highlighting the abnormality of double speak. We have politicians anxious at time to state their Christian credentials, and then create legislation which penalises Christians who try to exercise their beliefs. Those who love the Lord cannot afford to speak out of both sides of their mouth.

James closes this section with two illustrations. He speaks of a spring, which cannot produce both clear and salt water, nor can a tree provide two kinds of fruit.

He takes his readers to the words of our Lord, and to the very heart of the gospel of saving grace, which is able to transform the whole person. Jesus said ‘if anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink; whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within’. Christ is the living water who gives to all who come to Him in faith, that water which will become within a spring of water rising up to heaven and eternal life.

It is one of life’s hardest duties, yet also the plainest, to ensure our tongues only ever speak such words as we would wish God to hear.

 

May God’s Holy Name be  Praised, and may God be glorified

 

 2 Timothy 4

The New Methodist year opens in this month of September, a rather appropriate date as holidays come to be reduced.  Members will be returning to Church and there will be friends meeting after holidays, but there will also be some sadness in places where the member with whom you shared Christian joy, is not for a variety of reasons no longer there, due to having moved home, or gone home to be with the Lord. To all, I wish every blessing for the coming year.

I want to open my talk this morning with the words of John Wesley. ‘I want to know one thing; the way to heaven, how to land on that happy shore.  God Himself has condescended to teach the way; He hath written it down in a book.  Give me that book, at any price give me that book’

This morning, I want to speak on why the Bible is so important in the life of the Church, and the need to call people back to it.   

There are times, when we need to seriously consider the position of the Church in this country. Irrespective of denomination, there is a falling away to dwindling congregations, predominantly now filled by people of older years and female. The state we find ourselves in, is due the departure from the Word of God.

We have to be honest and search ourselves when times are so evil, all Christians should be concerned that less than 2% of the population attend Church regularly, but it has not always been so, and there is good cause to believe this is due to the fact we are not accepting the authority of the Bible.

It is suggested that there are so many other attractions, but there have always been other attractions.  It is also stated times have changed, but has that been for the better?

If the Church is not performing the purpose it was created for, then it has no appeal or reason to exist. 

Turning then to the Bible passage, which was from Paul’s 2^nd Letter to Timothy, we find a Letter which might well have been written to us today. 

This has always been my favourite book of the Bible, and am impressed by the words of John Stott, the noted evangelical bible preacher, who wrote, ‘during the last five years I seem to have lived inside the second letter of Paul to Timothy. I have sat down beside Timothy in my imagination and been impressed afresh by the timeliness for today of what the Apostle writes. For our era is one of theological and moral confusion, even of apostasy and the Apostle summons us, as he summoned Timothy, to be brave, strong and steadfast.

Paul is in prison, and nearing the end of his life and wants the gospel to be continued to be taken out into the world.  He is writing to Timothy, who he has chosen to continue his ministry, and this Chapter 4 contains the last words spoken or written by Paul. For 30 years, he has faithfully worked as an Apostle, fought the good fight, kept the faith and now faces martyrdom by a cruel death.

We are reminded, that ALL Scripture was written under the direct inspiration of God, and we are to accept it as written without being selective in any way.  The Bible stands approved and needs no additions, deletions or corrections. It teaches us right from wrong as we live our lives, and to pass judgement on it, is to pass judgement on God.  We do not follow cleverly invented myths.

We have men and now women in places of influence in the Church, suggesting alternative interpretations can be offered to make the Bible acceptable to modern society’s ways of life, adopted by many within the Church;  human reason undermining people’s faith as the true Word of God.  

How God must weep, when he sees men and women singing His praise and hearing His Word on Sunday, and living in direct contrast the rest of the week.

He calls on Timothy to take every opportunity to ‘preach the Word’, which means the Word God had given.  He had also to guard it from any falsification; this applies equally valid now and in all ages.   

We do live in an evil world, where there does not seem to be any limit to which people are prepared to go to cheat, lie, and be corrupt, even to the highest level of public service.  Added to this is the widespread breakdown of family life, crime (despite the massaging of figures) and crudeness of life. This country, as many others are, in such a state because they have turned backs on the Bible.  God has said you have turned your back on me, so get on with things.

Trouble will always abound, when God is rejected. Like Timothy, we live in a time where there is a lack of restraint, it is rather like a car parked on a hill, without the handbrake being applied.

 We are to learn that every preacher has the responsibility to preach the same message. Our message, is that we are all under the judgement of God, and salvation can only be obtained by accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour, who was sent by God, born of a woman by the Holy Spirit.  By His ultimate death on the Cross, to pay the penalty and atone for our sins, all who believe it was for us He suffered, and gave His life, can be forgiven and accepted by God.  The Bible states, that salvation can be found in no other name under heaven given to man.  Jesus Himself stated, no one can come to the Father except by me, and whilst some may be reluctant to state this, it must be said.

We often hear it claimed, that all religions are the same and all lead to God.  This is unequivocally discredited by the Bible.  Further, Islam for instance worships Allah, maintains that God has no Son, denies the divinity of Jesus, and disfavours Jews.  We accept Jesus as the Son of God, worship the God of Israel and a Jewish Saviour, and teach from a book written, (with one exception) by Jewish men.

 In our preaching, we are called upon to convince those who doubt, rebuke those who fall into sin, by failing to live lives according to that laid down by God in the Bible, to encourage all troubled by fear.  We can only do that if we truly believe, and accept in the heart what God has spoken.  We are not to give personal opinions, just tell what the book states.

We have to present the Bible as truly the Word of God as if He was speaking it Himself, and do so with assurance and certainty.  Tell how the Bible was written over many years by forty different men of various occupations and characters, but with only one message, that of eternal salvation, and it all fits together perfectly. All the writers were humbled, by the task God had given them under His inspiration.  Prophecies given by the Old Testament came to fulfilment years after being prophesied.

Paul also emphasises, we carry out our preaching in the presence of God and Jesus Christ, and whilst we have a tremendous privilege in being able to speak in God’s name, we bear an awesome responsibility, for we will be judged as to how faithfully we do so, and will have to account before the Lord one day.

Paul then warns Timothy, that most people cannot bear the truth,  and will not endure sound teaching, and will instead seek preachers who will speak to their likings.  He calls on Timothy not to give in to the prevailing fashions of the day, but to keep steadfast in the faith and speak boldly without anger or fear of casing offence. 

A preacher has to teach what people need to hear, rather than what they want to hear, and do so without fear or favour, and as long as we do strictly according to the Bible, if we do offend anyone it must be asked why they are so offended.  We are not to act like a spiritual dispensary, offering soothing words, but to tell what God has commissioned us to say.

There is a growing tendency in the Church, even at the highest level to keep silent on those controversies of life which give most offence. The reason of course is that Church members want to be free to live as their compatriots do, but that embarrasses their conscience when they are fully aware that some of that modern living is not approved by Scripture.

What hope then is there for the future of Christianity?  This depends on how the Church at large, ordained and lay responds; our services in many cases need to be upgraded.  Like much of our national life, we our constricted by political correctness, and are frightened that if we are too faithful to the Bible we will upset some minority faction, so we modify our words.

It is not a case, as some Commissions try, to introduce novelty services with clowns and animals and other diversions; this only survives as a one off. When people come to Church with a desire to seek spiritual refreshment, they want and need to hear what the Bible offers in plain English without modification.

For over forty years Billy Graham preached to 220millions of people in 185 countries, and told them how their lives needed to be corrected, for they were all sinners, in danger of spending an eternity in hell, and they flocked to hear him in tens of thousands, because he also told them there was hope, and who that hope was.

If you study the tremendous success of his Crusades you will notice that inspired preaching was accompanied by equally inspired music with tunes people could adapt to.  There are Churches which still can attract good congregations by their devotional application of similar style, rather than just putting something on.

The purpose of coming to Church, should be to join with other Christians in singing praise to God, listening to His Word, having it fearless and boldly preached, so there is spiritual nourishment for the week ahead, and to join in  prayer for the needs of the world and ourselves.    Ideally, the Methodist form of service allows for these necessities, with its freedom to present a coherent and meaningful form of worship.  .  I have to admit having a different preacher each week is not always helpful, as each could take a different approach to Scripture.

We have to accept that if you state you believe in the full authority of the Bible, you will find many will oppose you, and even those close to you will challenge you , perhaps within your own family. You will be called narrow minded, bigoted or of having some kind of phobia.

The time has come, when those of us who stand firmly on the Bible will be frozen out, and attempts will be made to silence us.

The Bible is all about salvation and there is spiritual blindness,  refusing salvation, and it is a grave sin to keep others from believing.  If a person wishes to go to hell that is a matter for them, but they have no mandate to take others with them.  There are surely such people within the Church as well as those outside.

We must not be ashamed of the gospel.  It often appears that those in high Office of the Churches, on whom the public mistakenly grant superior Christian knowledge, and whose duty it is therefore to give guidance, are afraid to speak out on moral and ethical issues, for fear of upsetting politicians or damaging their career prospects. But too many in high places don’t truly believe in the Bible, academics who delight in debating what alternative interpretations can be placed on parts of Scripture; careerists rather than having a vocation.

When we appear before the Lord, He will not be interested in how wealthy or important we were in life. He will look at how we lived up to His stated Word.

We are often told God is a God love, and He certainly is, but He is also a God of wrath, and you have to go far into this book before you get to His love. He is a merciful and patient God, but has limits and no nation or person can act with total disregard of His will.  Judgement will come, but people don’t like to talk or think of it.

 All Christians, at this perilous time need to think of what we can offer to God.  To paraphrase a famous saying, ‘think not what God can do for me, but what can I do for God’.

The greatest revival in this country’s history took place under the ministries of Charles and John Wesley, and their legacy has been passed down through the ages to the Church they founded.  This should not be betrayed. Charles was one who wrote as he thought, and he saw the importance of conversion and a personal relationship to Jesus Christ.   He became vividly convinced of the message of salvation, and saw clearer than ever before how faith in Jesus Christ could change a person’s life.  This was the message he would take to as many people as he could, particularly to the poorer classes.  He preached that the value of a person’s life was to be measured by their faith.

Come to Church prepared to feast on sound teaching’ do not let anyone tell you that your life as a Christian does not count, it counts tremendously.  Glory in what God has called you to do

May God’s Holy Name be Praised and may God be Glorified

n 3 v 14-16

 

In these verses, the continuation of the conversation, between Jesus and Nicodemus is stated. Having been told of rebirth, Jesus goes on to talk about justification. We have words which have brought eternal life to many people.

The verses show what ignorance here can be in the minds of men in high Offices. Here is a master of Israel, knowing nothing about salvation.  This exposed darkness in Jewish faith, and how much Jesus was needed.

Ignorance like that of Nicodemus, is unhappily far too common in the Church of Christ. We must not be surprised if we find ourselves in places where we might expect knowledge,  learning, rank and  high Church office. is no proof of someone taught by the Holy Spirit. The successors of Nicodemus, are far more numerous than the successors of Peter.’

On no point is religion so common as in the work of the Holy Spirit. The stumble of Nicodemus is as much to thousands in the present day as it was in the days of Christ.

The natural man or woman, know nothing about the Spirit of God.

John begins these verses, with a story from the  twenty first Chapter of Numbers in the Old Testament.  The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness complaining and regretting having left Egypt.  To punish them, God sent a plague of serpents. The people pleaded for mercy, so God told Moses their leader, to make an image of a serpent, and hold it up in the midst of the camp, and all who looked at it would be healed and saved.

The Israelites were much impressed, and in the following times the brazen serpent became an image and an idol, but the King of that time was Hezekiah, who made them destroy it as it was being worshipped, and it was forbidden to worship any brazen images. The Rabbis said, it was not the serpent that killed and gave life. Israel looked, and so long as Moses lifted up the serpents, they believed on Him who had commanded Moses to so act. It was God who healed them.

Secondly, we see the same source from which salvation springs; that source is the Father. Jesus said to Nicodemus, God so loved the world he gave  His only Son and whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.

This wonderful verse has been called by Martin Luther, ‘the Bible in miniature’., and no other words are more important than those five words, so God loved the world. The love here spoken of is not that special love with which the Father regards His own chosen ones, but that mighty compassion which He regards the whole race of mankind. Its object is not merely the little flock which He gave to Christ from eternity, but the whole of sinners without exception.

There is a deep sense in which God loves the world. All He has created He regards with pity and compassion. Their sins He cannot love, nut He loves their souls. His tender mercy is over all His works.  Christ is God’s gracious gift to the world. 

We should  take heed, that even views of the love of God are Scriptural. God hates wickedness and anyone who persists wickedness will end in destruction. His love is offered to all people freely, fully, honestly, and unreservedly, but only through Christ’s redemption.

God has planned for salvation for sinners.  Jesus told Nicodemus, that as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that all who believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  It was the payment by an Almighty Savior,, and representative of man’s enormous debt to God.  His death purchased pardon and redemption for sinners.  The brazen serpent lifted up the camp of Israel and brought health to all who were bitten by serpents.

The truth before us, is the foundation stone of Christianity. The death of Christ is the Christian’s life.  The Cross of Christ is the title to heaven. Christ lifted up to shame at Calvary  is the ladder by which Christians are lifted up, into the holiest and landed in glory. It is true whatsoever beside this faith is necessary  to our complete justification, but nothing beside faith will give an interest in Christ

We see  a suitable conclusion to the tidings which  have been considered.  They show in simple terms, that salvation is entirely of God. The doctrine laid down ought to be carefully remembered, it is an answer to enemies of the truth. God is ready to forgive any sinner. God has sent light into the world, and if anyone does not come to the light, the fault is on them.

The truths we have studied are solemn.  Do you believe them? Salvation by the death of we are guilty debtors, but Christ has died for us in His own blood.  This is the real gospel, this we lean on while we live in this world, this we cling to when we die

Faith in the Lord Jesus, is the very way to salvation. He that has it has salvation. Nothing

Christ is close to us, it must be embraced by faith and make it our own.  Let  no one rest until they have claimed to follow this Savior.  Keep on believing in Him bearing in mind He

who does has real life.  He who does not shall perish.

May God’s Holy Name be Praised and may He be Glorified

 Matthew 15 v 21 /28

Jesus has completed a very hectic ministry in the region of Galilee in the area of Capernaum. He knew He was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, and wanted to rest and teach His Apostles for the future work they would have to do. Jesus has left the area of Galilee completely, and withdrawn into the area of Tyre and Sidon, two places on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in what is now Lebanon. Tyre is about fifty miles south of modern Beirut, and Sidon was halfway between the two. He had gone there for peace and quiet whilst He taught His Apostles.

The cities were outside the boundaries of Israel, and the people were largely Gentiles, but there was a Jewish community. This was the only occasion when Jesus left Jewish territory, and had on His present journey crossed geographical, ethnic, gender and theological boundaries. Later it would mean removing barriers, to enable the gospel to be taken to the whole world.

I have found that quite a number of people found this story hard to understand, as Jesus appeared to be doing something which seems contrary to the image they have of Him, especially in the way He spoke to the woman.

Today many people are anti-Israel and wish to separate from the Jews, but forget the specialness of Israel in the purposes of God. Jesus never implied anything different, but Paul was specially commissioned to bring Gentile and Jews on equal terms. Many of the wonders of technology, which we all enjoy so much, were first discovered and developed in Israel, and given to the wider world in medicine, wireless communication, agriculture and more.

Never overlook the fact that we worship a Jewish Saviour, born into a Jewish family, and our God is the God Israel. We teach, (or are meant to) from a Holy Book written by 40 men, 39 of whom were Jews, under the divine inspiration of God. Our faith is not man-made, and is recorded in history by witnesses, which negates any justifiable call for joint worship with other faiths. We respect their right to hold their own beliefs, but they do not acknowledge the divinity of Jesus.

The story revolves around a "Canaanite" woman, turning from her idols to seek the help and mercy of Jesus to cure her daughter’s illness.This is a woman of Canaanite heritage, who were ancestral enemies of Israel, and thereby of Jesus. She has no understanding, or even knowing of the Old Testament. She is not even in a place where she would be in regular contact with those who did. It is likely that she had heard of Jesus as miracle worker in the land of Israel, from those who were now passing through her land, and now she finds that Jesus is in her area.

She went to Him and pleaded for His mercy, which is further evidence that she does understand something of who Jesus is, for by definition, a person who asks for mercy, asks for something that they know that they do not deserve. She turns her back on the idols of her own culture, and turned to Jesus.

She pleaded with Jesus to help her crying out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed." . Jesus turned His back on her, refusing to answer and His Apostles urged Jesus to chase her away. He then said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel’.

Whilst this was in contrast to Jesus’ last commission to His Apostles to go into the world and make disciples, at the time of this incident it was in the plan of God for Jesus to focus on the Jews, and their spiritual needs.

She then knelt before Jesus, and begged Him to help her. His reply was that it would not be right to take the children’s bread and give it to the dogs. She seems to accept the insult and Jesus’ judgement on her, but still pleaded and said even dogs eat the crumbs from the table In Palestine, dogs were wild scavengers, and Canaanites were referred to as such by the Jews who were ancestral enemies of each other.

The woman responded, that extended blessings were mentioned by Abraham to the promised Gentiles, that God’s plan was to bring salvation to His chosen people Israel, and then to Gentiles. The woman was showing an attitude of humble faith, which allowed Jesus to answer, for God responds to all who call on Him in true faith.
Jesus was testing her faith, for it was His way to help all people. The woman was displaying greater faith in Jesus than many of His own people, and Jesus responded by telling her faith was so great and granted her request with the result her daughter was healed.

She was persistent, and such perseverance should be the mark of every Christian, but sadly it is not. Too often we give up when we do not receive a quick reply to our requests. We may even get discouraged, thinking the Lord is no longer listening to us or is ignoring us as He was this woman.

What a beautiful example of the humility and faith, and what a contrast she was to the pride and unbelief of those Jesus had been with in Galilee. She responded in What a beautiful example of the humility and faith, and what a contrast she was to the pride and unbelief of those Jesus had been with in Galilee. She responded in complete humility, which is the way each of us should respond

What can we learn from this story.?

This is one of the miracles performed by Jesus, Let us look to see what we can learn from it.
We see first, that true faith may sometimes be found, where it was least expected. A Canaanitic woman cries out to our Lord for help, on behalf of, her daughter. ‘have mercy on me’, she says ‘O Lord, thou Son of David’. Such a prayer would have showed great faith, had she lived in Bethany, or Jerusalem. But when we find she came from the coasts of Tye and Sidon, such a prayer may well fill us with surprise. It ought to teach us, that it is truth we have in this passage.

The prayer of this afflicted mother, at first seemed entirely unnoticed. Jesus did not answer a word. Yet she prayed on, ‘Lord, help me’. The saying which fell from our Lord’s lips was discouraging saying,’ I am not sent, but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. Yet she prayed on.

The second saying of our Lord, was even less encouraging than the first: It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs’. Yet hope deferred did not make her heart sick. Even then she was not silenced. Then she finds a plea for ‘crumbs of mercy to be granted to her. And her pleas obtained at length a great reward ‘

O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt’. That promise was never yet broken, which stated. Seek and ye shall find.

There is a lesson for us when we pray for ourselves.

We are sometimes tempted to think we get no good for our prayers, and we may as well give up altogether. Let us resist the temptation from the devil, and pray on. For strength to do duty, for grace to bear our trials, for comfort in every trouble. Be sure that no time is so well spent in every day, as that which we spend in prayer. Jesus hears us and in his own good time, will give an answer.

When we pray for others, remember this history. We may have children whose conversion we desire. Relations and friends whose salvation we are concerned. We follow this Canaanite woman, and lay their souls before Christ. Name their names before Him until we have an answer, which might be a long time.

We may seem to pray in vain, and intercede without profit; but never give up. Believe that Jesus is not changed, and he who granted this woman’s request, will also hear us, and will one day give us an answer of peace.

May God’s Holy Name be Glorified.

.

 

 

2 Imothy 3

There is the choice from two collects today.  One prays that the Church will be steadfast in faith; the other prays that God will defend His Church from false teaching.  This morning I want to collate those prayers into words of St Paul when he wrote Timothy.

During the 1939 war there was a comedian named Rob Wilton who had a catch-phrase, ‘don’t you know there is a war on.’  Those words are what all Christians need to hear, and should remember and recognise, there is an intense anti=Christian attack, which we have to defend, from forces not only from the secular world with its actvists, but from within the Church, a false doctrine is being thrust on us which true Christians must be prepared to resist.

  There is now a spiritual war going on. We are living in a time when our faith is under sustained attack, so in the words of the collect, ‘we must be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel, and steadfast in faith and active service.’ And in the words of the other collect,’ Lord God defend your Church from false teaching.’

First then, the need for being steadfast in the faith.

I watch American news broadcasts, and see the American people are both stunned and amazed at how we in this country, have let our Christian faith be attacked and diminished.  Something many of us wonder at. 

On the main services in the United States, the Church services are all solidly biblical with the Pastors devoid of the robes our Ministers have.  A Bible is very apparent, often held in the hand. How wonderful to see the Bible given its due authority. What is the purpose of a Christian service, unless the Bible is given its true place.

One of the favourite pastimes of our entertainment industry is ridiculing Christians. On TV, Christians are portrayed as gullible, and somehow lacking in common sense. There has always been hostility toward Christians, but today it is open season.  TV ministers appear to be shallow and superficial. And this very perception, real or not, has given ample ammunition to the detractors of Christianity. It is most noticeable, that these people never have the courage to mock Islam.

Any expression of  Christianity, by word, deed or symbol can lead to suspension or dismissal from employment, again something which does not apply to other faiths.

 Far more serious, is the legislation that the government has introduced which is distinctly anti-Christian.  Churches and Church organisations no longer have freedom to act in accordance with their beliefs, but are forced to employ people who are clearly unsuitable, because their lifestyle is blatantly contradictory to Biblical teaching.

 In addition, we are not expected to suggest our belief and standard of morality are more worthy.  Indeed, some verses from the Bible could put us under threat of prosecution if forcibly preached upon.

 You can realise how the fundamental beliefs of Christianity are being eroded, and there are undisguised attempts to force our faith into a closed minority sect.  Every Christian is required to fight this spiritual attack on our faith.

 Paul was writing to Timothy, a young man who Paul hoped would take over from him and maintain the faith in those early days.  Timothy was a timid man, and like many in today’s world,was put under enormous pressure from non-believers.  We all have to keep on pursuing our faith, not content to think we are all safe and have all we need.  If you just coast along, and let down your guard, you may fall into their trap. 

 Secondly, let us look at false teaching.

In addition to these direct attacks from outside, we are facing problems from within the Church, from those who preach a different and false gospel from that laid down in Scripture.  There are those who have their own agenda, motivated by a desire to promote a moral lifestyle which is acceptable to modern society, but which does not accord with Scripture.

However convenient and popular same sex marriage is, to people and some of the bishops, it is not to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who have created marriage, the bedrock of society, to be only between a man and a woman.

 Sometimes we hear a suggestion, which I accept is made as an attempt to cause people to attend Church services, but unfortunately that put forward is as ridiculous as it is unsuitable.  For instance, have coffee services in which people sit at tables and have coffee as part of the service. The minute coffee is withdrawn, is when the people leave.

There are others it would be embarrassing to mention. 

It was a similar situation, as when the Pope condemned people living together outside marriage.  Whilst we recognise it is now a fact of life, any Church which preached that would soon empty.

Today, worship services do not always have the fervour and passion that once was held; people are drawn away from belief in judgement, such a major doctrine of the Bible.  We need to return to the Scripture, with eyes opened afresh, to learn the doctrine of eternal life and salvation. 

Paul, writing to Timothy, said, ‘ a time would come when people would not want to listen to sound teaching, but having itching ears, would find teachers ready to suit their own likings.

Surely that is descriptive of our own day. It indicates a time when people will forsake what is commonly called ‘a Christian consensus,’ an undergirding of the institutions of social life by Christian principles, and substitute others. This is the time in which we live.

Paul is referring to a godless world, a life centred on self and what’s in it for me approach.  As we see crime and lawlessness increase, rebellion against authority, many people wonder what is going wrong with our country.

Some of us would say when the liberal minded educators, were allowed unlimited freedom, to take Christianity out of education and supplant it with freedom of expression.

Sound teaching, is that which leads to health and wholeness of spirit, soul and body; teaching that permits human beings to live at peace, to develop themselves and enjoy their lives. But, Paul says, men and women will turn away from that and refuse to hear it.

They will do this, because truth requires people to abandon passions, which they do not like to do; and submit to the authority of God. They turn away from the truth, they will not even give it a hearing. It is not that they will listen to the truth and then decide whether it is right or wrong; no, they do not even want to hear it. They do not want you to say anything in this direction, and they resist, sometimes openly, sometimes with subtle influences, every attempt to introduce the truth into any situation.

Then, since they will not listen to teachers of truth, as the apostle says, they will look for others who will teach them what they want to hear. There is a disease, widespread in our day, called "itching ear disease," which Paul mentions. This is an ear that wants to hear a particular line of things, an ear that wants to be entertained, an ear that is always looking for something new, an ear that wants constant affirmation and does not want to hear anything negative or contradictory.

People who have this disease, look for teachers who will scratch that itch; and the result, the apostle says, is that they "wander into myths."

What do these teachers, which such people accumulate in great numbers teach? They cannot teach the truth because the truth is unacceptable, so they teach attractive lies, fantasies for the most part, speculative philosophies, that emerge from the minds of men which have no basis in fact or history.

A matter of greatest concern, is that our children are being denied Christian teaching.  All other faiths, educate their children in their own faith, only Christian children are missing out.  Children are a trust from God and belong to Him not the state. Yet the state interferes so much.  All of us, parents, grandparents, godparents have a responsibility for them. 

But, schoolteachers have a tremendous influence on them. And in consideration of the views of some teachers, parents need to be so watchful.  They need to examine the children’s work, and find out what is being taught. 

I understand, many teachers do not even believe in God, or have no Christian belief, and in some schools children are being taught that all religions are the same.  No longer are assemblies held, sometimes said to be because of shortage of time, yet there seems plenty of time for explicit sexual instruction.

Gone are the days, when parents as a matter of course, would send their children to Sunday school and/or read and tell them about Jesus and bible stories.  Consequently, the children are growing up without any Christian knowledge, and are then unable to pass it on to their children.

We have been saturated by a world that is committed to falsehood. That is why, as Paul sets forth here, we must increasingly proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus. I understand the feelings of frustration, that come when we see all that is dear and precious in humanity being destroyed by these lies. The apostle reminds us, that the most effective thing is, announce the truth, tell of reality, make it clear, spread the word. and declare that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

You and I are called to advance that work. Do not let anybody tell you that your life as a Christian does not count. It counts tremendously. It is the most significant thing taking place on this earth today, Glory in what God has called you to do, and be faithful to his command.

May God bless you and may God's Holy Name be forever glorified