Still Called Today - Sermon 3 Series

The Great Adventure Series

Sermon 3

Title: Still Called Today

Based on the Lyrics by Steve Curtis Chapman

1. Introduction

We continue today with a sermon series based on Steve Curtis Chapman’s musical CD called “The Great Adventure”.

The seventh song that we are going to be looking at is the song which is called “Still called today”. (I know, we are jumping ahead)

The lyrics go as follows:

There is a hole the size of a cruel word

In a wounded heart somewhere that’s learning to hide the pain

There’s a thorn stuck in the conscience of someone who spoke a word in anger

And they can’t wash away the stain

Sorry’s such a hard word to say

CHORUS

But while it’s still called today, won’t somebody make it right

Before the day slips into night and the moments waste away

While it is still called today, we’ve got to say the words

That is longing to be heard

Cause tomorrow may be too late

Go on and say what you need to say while it is still called today

There is a girl waiting day after day

To hear her father say “I love you”

Now the days have turned to years

There’s a wall that silence has turned to stone

Between a man and a woman, she’s holding back the tears

And he’s holding on to his fears

BRIDGE

Cause there’s a time when the sun goes down, and the flowers are laid on the grave. Will the tears that fall to the ground, be the tears of regret for the words someone didn’t say

Steve Curtis Chapman

2. Anger and bitterness

Chapman’s lyrics drive’s home one of the saddest realities of today – there is so much anger and bitterness that people allow to control them which results in un-resolved strife and bitterness to occupy their lives. Chapman refers to:

- girl who is waiting day after day to hear her daddy say “I love you”

- there is a hole the size of a cruel word in the wounded heart of someone who is learning to hide the pain

- sorry is such a hard word to say

The world is becoming filled with more and more angry people. So many people today function with a short fuse.

Proverbs 19: 11 says “sensible people control their temper, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs”

3. Don’t let the sun go down

Anger is an emotion that we will experience many times in life. But Jesus said not to let the sun go down on our anger. The longer we keep anger, the more opportunity it has to take toot in our lives and drain the life out of us.

Our text verse comes from Ephesians 4: 26 – “And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil”(NLT)

William Barclay in his commentary on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians tells how Ephesians 4: 26 says that a Christian must never let the sun set upon his anger. Plutarch tells us that the disciples of Pythagoras had a rule of their society that if, during the day, anger had made them speak insultingly to each other, before the sun set they shook hands and kissed each other and were reconciled. There was a Jewish Rabbi whose prayer it was that he might never go to sleep with any bitter thought against a brother man within his mind.

Paul’s advice is sound, because the longer we postpone amending a quarrel the less likely we are ever to mend it. If trouble exists between us and anyone else, the only way to deal with it is at once. The longer it is left to flourish, the more bitter it will grow. If we have been in the wrong, we must ask God to give us the grace to admit it, and even if we were right, we must ask God to give us the graciousness which will enable us to take the first steps to put matters right.

Joel Osteen goes on to say that “bitterness is an extremely destructive force. It seeps into the depths of our hearts when we choose not to forgive someone. When we harbour unforgiveness, it closes the door to Gods working in our lives”.

We fail to resolve trouble before the sun goes down because we fail to forgive. Thank the Lord that he has given us the power to forgive and release anger and bitterness. If we would just choose to forgive and resolve all trouble while it is still called today we can experience the great adventure of life which brings great peace and joy that flows from our Lord Jesus.

4. Forgiveness

At the heart of my message I want to focus on forgiveness.