Thursday, 23 May 2019

4th Sunday after Easter 19 May 2018 Sermon


4th Sunday after Easter 19.5.19 Obedience

The world usually thinks it can do without God and generation after generation falls into the same traps, committing sins and creating disorder.

If we would simply follow the way God sets down it would go much better for us.

The Israelites took forty years to cross the desert because of their sins, and very few made it across.

If they had obeyed from the start and been humble and compliant they would have shot across that desert, but they had to make it hard for themselves. And we have been doing the same ever since.

We do this when we turn God's commands on their head and declare they no longer apply, refusing to bow down before any authority higher than ourselves.

For all this God does not turn away. He still extends Mercy even though we have done  everything possible to remove Him.

He give us the chance to regroup. If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts (Ps 94(95) – a psalm that begins every Lauds, a daily reminder that this day is a new start.

This can apply to a nation as well as individuals.

We have just had an election (in Australia). We pray for good government. People elected to govern should first honour God. This has not been the case in the last few centuries. Man has decided he can rule himself. We can see from history how successful this has been!!

We must let God be Lord; it is His world after all. Everything comes from Him and is under His authority. He is literally the Author.

The Holy Spirit will make all necessary things clear. His light will penetrate the spiritual fog and some at least will see. In the light from Heaven we can see the clear path again, the path across the desert.

We look forward to the time when Brother has no need to teach brother, Learn to know the Lord. (Jer 31,34)

If we cannot heal the world we can at least heal the Church

If we cannot heal the Church we can at least heal ourselves.

God will work through certain individuals to achieve certain effects, as with salvation history – people such as Abraham, Moses, David, St Joseph…

We put our bit into the mix and trust the God will multiply our efforts, like the boy who brought the five loaves.

The solution is not difficult - at least to understand; it may be difficult to reverse all our sins, but at least we know which way we are pointing.

It is Back to Basics. Behold your God. Here He is and here you are. Obey is the key word.

Whatever He says, just do it.

If we do obey then all else falls into place; if not, read today’s News! The News is what we get if we do not obey.

Christian beliefs are being attacked at present, re-named as hate speech.

And it might get worse.

We must not dilute our beliefs to fit in with others.

Not only will we not change but we will seek to change those who would change us.

And the many who have lost faith or hope through being confused or demoralized - to them we offer the sure path to happiness. Obedience to the Lord.

A few can help many.  We can help bring order where there has been chaos.

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