Sermon 5.8.2018
Focus Scripture 2 Sam: 11.26 – 12. 13a. Eph 4. 1-16. Jn 6.24-25
Today’s first reading is a continuation of last Sundays reading from the 2nd Book of Samuel where we read a vivid account of the depth and degradation to which David fell in his selfish pursuit of another man’s wife. We witness how David, a man after God’s own heart, could scheme, plot and destroy the life of an innocent person. How he abused his royal authority to get his way.
We read how David hatched a three-step scheme to solve the serious problem of Bathsheba’s pregnancy, each phase of the cover up more calculating than the preceding one.
We read of David’s devious efforts to cover up the consequences of his actions;
1.a “clean” one (vv.6-11),…with suggestions
2. a “dirty” one (vv.12-13), …..with drink
3. a “criminal” one (vv.14-17)..a murder..leading to the death of the faithful, trusted loyal husband of Bathsheba. Uriah the Hittite.
No one knew anything except God and God, in no uncertain terms blew David’s cover. through Nathan the prophet, God outed David’s sin.
”Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be your wife…
And David cries out “I have sinned against the LORD.”
David is forgiven his sin …..but though forgiven… he is left with the consequences of his sin.
Now….the sword shall never depart from your house, for you have despised me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.
I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house;… For you did it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel.”
Do read these chapters with great attentiveness there is much to be gleaned.
Though David suffers grave consequences for his actions, it is reassuring to see shots of sustaining mercies shine through.
Though the baby that Bathsheba dies soon after birth…she will be the mother of the greatest king of Israel and Judah..King Solomon.
Also, like us, people ,almost beyond number have been sustained through the darkest of times by the psalms drawn out of David’s broken + repentant heart…especially the one born out of this period.(Ps 51)
51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest….
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise…
So say all of us.
Let us always be careful about pointing accusatory fingers at others…just because their sins are different from ours. Remember the salutary words of Augustine on seeing a debauched person in the gutter; ”There go I but for the grace of God.
Ephesian was our 2nd reading and an important one in that St Paul identifies what must be our focus as a congregation and it’s no mean task .
We are:
” to equip the saints for the work of ministry,…..1.
for building up the body of Christ, ………………2.
until …….all of us come to …
the unity of the faith …………………………………..3.
until …….all of us come to …
the knowledge of the Son of God,…………………4.
until …….all of us come to …
maturity,
until …….all of us come to …
to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
While here Paul speaks of the gift of pastors, prophets, teachers and apostles. In other letters he lists many gifts which enrich the congregational life . He encourages us to reawaken neglected gifts,and especially to strive and excel in gifts that build us up in faith and serve to one another.
For it is a truism….that in blessing others we bless ourselves….
Think of how a forgotten gift ,a neglected talent, an underused skill, an ability, a quality of personality, that lives in us …or even sleeps in us…could be a much needed blessing among us.
Do we have the gift of time, the gift of listening, the gift of praying, the gift of organising, the gift of a smile, the gift of a welcoming word, the gift of encouragement, the gift of discernment and discretion, the gift of patience, and the gift of speaking ..the list is endless?
This congregation is a growing congregation growing together under the Lordship of Christ’s Holy Spirit . We need each other.
Paul’s letter also puts great responsibility on those who lead, preach and teach within the congregation. On them is the responsibility to nurture ‘the cure of souls’ with solid teaching so that we all grow ”in the faith…and ”the knowledge of the Son of God’ ….Our leaders must point us ,at all times ,in faith ,hope and love… to Jesus, the author and finisher of our salvation.
This is achieved, through teaching the Word of God, preaching the Word of God, studying and listening to the Word of God. Then the fruits of the of God’s seeded word in us grows and begins to manifest in the outworkings of our lives…. in our choices, our activities ,our loves and our prayer-life.
At the root of all is our motivation….What motivates our actions? For the spring-source of our motivation says a lot about where we are at in our maturing-into-Christ.
Our gospel reading touches on motivation. What might our comeback be to Jesus’ when he says to the crowd?
“Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Hence the need, in each of our lives for the illuminating interior light of the Holy Spirit. Constantly, in all humility, asking God to scan and search out the motivations’ of our hearts. So that we can seek and serve Him, His people and His kingdom on earth. God’s people do not retire.
In the service of the people of God, we begin to grow and glimpse illuminating realisations of faith… that the foundational motivational principle underpinning everything to do with our God, is His Unconditional, Free and Eternal Love for us ….
All of which is made accessible through faith in His Son, Jesus the Christ….our Lord to whom be glory for ever. Amen.