The reading this morning from Isaiah reminds us again of the one in whom we rest all our hope.
Jesus christ.
Strangely after 21 centuries many in the world put their hope in anything or anyone but Jesus Christ,
Why else do you think everyone blames the Government for everything?
There is a fascinating story in Alice in wonderland that illustrates this point:-
However, the egg only got larger and larger, and more and more human: when she had come within a few yards of it, she saw that it had eyes and a nose and mouth; and when she had come close to it, she saw clearly that it was HUMPTY DUMPTY himself. `It can’t be anybody else!’ she said to herself. `I’m as certain of it, as if his name were written all over his face.’
It might have been written a hundred times, easily, on that enormous face. Humpty Dumpty was sitting with his legs crossed, like a Turk, on the top of a high wall -- such a narrow one that Alice quite wondered how he could keep his balance -- and, as his eyes were steadily fixed in the opposite direction, and he didn’t take the least notice of her, she thought he must be a stuffed figure after all.
`And how exactly like an egg he is!’ she said aloud, standing with her hands ready to catch him, for she was every moment expecting him to fall.
`It’s very provoking,’ Humpty Dumpty said after a long silence, looking away from Alice as he spoke, `to be called an egg -- very!’
`I said you looked like an egg, Sir,’ Alice gently explained. `And some eggs are very pretty, you know, she added, hoping to turn her remark into a sort of a compliment.
`Some people,’ said Humpty Dumpty, looking away from her as usual, `have no more sense than a baby!’
Alice didn’t know what to say to this: it wasn’t at all like conversation, she thought, as he never said anything to her; in fact, his last remark was evidently addressed to a tree -- so she stood and softly repeated to herself: --
`Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall:
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty in his place again.’
`That last line is much too long for the poetry,’ she added, almost out loud, forgetting that Humpty Dumpty would hear her.
`Don’t stand there chattering to yourself like that,’ Humpty Dumpty said, looking at her for the first time,’ but tell me your name and your business.’
`My name is Alice, but -- ’
`It’s a stupid name enough!’ Humpty Dumpty interrupted impatiently. `What does it mean?’
`must a name mean something?’ Alice asked doubtfully.
`Of course it must,’ Humpty Dumpty said with a sort laugh: `my name means the shape I am -- and a good handsome shape it is, too. With a name like your, you might be any shape, almost.’
`Why do you sit out here all alone?’ said Alice, not wishing to begin an argument.
`Why, because there’s nobody with me!’ cried Humpty Dumpty. `Did you think I didn’t know the answer to that? Ask another.’
`Don’t you think you’d be safer down on the ground?’ Alice went on, not with any idea of making another riddle, but simply in her good-natured anxiety for the queer creature. `That wall is so very narrow!’
`What tremendously easy riddles you ask!’ Humpty Dumpty growled out. `Of course I don’t think so! Why, if ever I did fall off - - which there’s no chance of -- but if I did -- ’ Here he pursed his lips and looked so solemn and grand that Alice could hardly help laughing. `If I did fall,’ he went on, `The King has promised me -- ah, you may turn pale, if you like! You didn’t think I was going to say that, did you? The King has promised me -- with his very own mouth -- to -- to -- ’
`To send all his horses and all his men,’ Alice interrupted, rather unwisely.
`Now I declare that’s too bad!’ Humpty Dumpty cried, breaking into a sudden passion. `You’ve been listening at doors -- and behind trees -- and sown chimneys -- or you couldn’t have known it!’
`I haven’t, indeed!’ Alice said very gently. `It’s in a book.’
`Ah, well! They may write such things in a book,’ Humpty Dumpty said in a calmer tone. `That’s what you call a History of England, that is. Now, take a good look at me! I’m one that has spoken to a King, I am: mayhap you’ll never see such another: and to show you I’m not proud, you may shake hands with me!’ And he grinned almost from ear to ear, as he leant forwards (and as nearly as possible fell of the wall in doing so) and offered Alice his hand. She watched him a little anxiously as she took it. `If he smiled much more, the ends of his mouth might meet behind,’ she thought: `and then I don’t know what would happen to his head! I’m afraid it would come off!’
`Yes, all his horses and all his men,’ Humpty Dumpty went on. `They’d pick me up again in a minute, they would! However, this conversation is going on a little too fast: let’s go back to the last remark but one.’
`I’m afraid I can’t quite remember it,’ Alice said very politely.
Humptey Dumptey lived under a silly dream that somehow the government of the day could take care of him no matter what happens.
Today many people old people and young people live in a very similar way.
They believe that no matter what happens they will be all right.
The Government is to be the answer to everything.
But as we have seen this year the government can’t do everything.
There is a big inquiry at Wellington hospital because all the Kings horses and all the Kings men and woman are having a lot of trouble putting people together again and doing it quite badly sometimes.
The world is currently facing as many problems as it has ever faced buit appears powerless to solve any of them.
An article in the New Zealand herald in 2006 said this"_
The world’s problems and how to solve them
12:00AM Tuesday January 31, 2006
By Philip Thornton
SWITZERLAND - The most potent threats to life on Earth - global warming, health pandemics, mass poverty and armed conflict - could be ended by moves to unlock US$7.24 trillion ($10.6 trillion) of previously untapped wealth, the United Nations claims.
The price? An admission that the nation-state is an old-fashioned concept that has no role to play in a modern globalised world, where financial markets have to be harnessed rather than simply condemned.
The problems in the world are by and large caused by sin - we no more have the answers to the world’s problems, in ourselves, than a man stuck in a swamp has of pulling himself out by his own bootlaces
Neither governments, money or power will ultimately solve the worlds problems.
In fact they may in fact despite all their efforts make them worse.
But the Advent of Jesus christ that we are celbrating today will.
The world has in many ways marginalised Jesus - not only from every day life but also, ironically enough from his own celebrations namely Easter and christmas.
Yet there are historic facts that we can look at that should persuade us that Jesus Christ has not only solved many of the worlds problems when he has been allowed to change hearts and nations. But also has fulfilled in these many actions the prophicies utterred about him hundreds of years before his birth.
900 years before his birth the Prophet Isaiah said this:-
ISA 52:13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
ISA 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him--
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness--
ISA 52:15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
ISA 53:1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
ISA 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
ISA 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
ISA 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
ISA 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
ISA 53:6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
ISA 53:7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
ISA 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
ISA 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
ISA 53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
ISA 53:11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
We can not possibly cover everything Jesus has done here in the service this morning but we can learn these following facts:_
He transformed the very way we measure time. He turned aside the river of the ages out of its course and lifted the centuries off their hinges. His birthday, His Incarnation, touched and transformed time. Now the whole world counts time as Before Christ (BC) and AD (Anno Domoni - in the year of our Lord). Jesus Christ is the central figure of history. More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other person in history.
The world before Christ was a world without hospitals, a world without charity, a world without respect for the sanctity of life. Hospitals were an innovation of Christianity. Hence the healing symbol of a cross represents hospitals. The nursing profession was founded by Christians such as Florence Nightingale out of devotion for Christ. One of history’s greatest humanitarian movements, the International Red Cross, was founded by Christians in response to the Scriptural injunctions to care for the sick and the suffering. Christians such as Dr. Louis Pasteur have fuelled some of the greatest practical advances in medicine. Pasteur has probably saved more lives than any other individual in history through his inventions.
The whole concept of charity was a Christian innovation. Benevolence to strangers was unknown before Christ. The teachings and example of Jesus Christ have inspired the greatest acts of generosity, hospitality, self-sacrifice and service for the poor, sick and needy over two thousand years.
Before the advent of Christianity every culture-practised slavery and human sacrifice - even the highly esteemed Greek and Roman civilisations. Child sacrifice was common among the pagan religions. The Aztec Empire in Mexico and Inca Empire in Peru engaged in slavery, and mass human sacrifice. Suttee, the burning of widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands, was common practice in Hindu India before the missionary William Carey arrived.
Slavery was eradicated as a result of the tireless efforts of Christians such as William Wilberforce and David Livingstone. Respect for life and liberty is a fruit of Christianity. Those promoting abortion, euthanasia and pornography are not offering us progress, but only a return to pre-Christian paganism.
The positive impact of Jesus Christ on the world cannot be overstated. Everything from education to human rights, from public health to economic liberty - the things we cherish most and many of the blessings we take for granted - all can be traced to the spiritual and the cultural revolution begun by Jesus Christ.
The irrefutable fact is that Christianity gave birth to modern science. The scientific revolution began with the Protestant Reformation and the Bible played a vital part in the development of scientific discovery. Every major branch of science was developed by a Bible believing Christian. The Bible essentially created science. When we get into a car, start the engine, turn on the lights, drive to a hospital, receive an anaesthetic before an operation, and have an effective operation done in a germ-free environment, we need to remember that we owe it all to Jesus Christ.
“Every school you see - public or private, religious or secular - is a visible reminder of the religion of Jesus Christ. So is every college and university.”
Dr. James Kennedy.
The first book in most languages of the world has been the Bible.
The Christian missionary movement in the 19th Century pioneered tens of thousands of schools throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands providing education for countless millions, even in the remotest jungles, giving the gift of literacy to tribes which had never before had a written language.
There is no doubt that Jesus Christ was the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. When He spoke, “They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority…” Mark 1:22. The life, teachings and example of Jesus Christ have profoundly influenced the whole development of education worldwide. The Great Commission of our Lord Jesus was to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them…” Matthew 28:19-20.
From the very beginning Christians were establishing schools.
revolutionised education by making it available to all classes and both genders.
Saint Augustine observed that Christian women were better educated than the pagan male philosophers.
Every branch and level of education was pioneered by Bible believing Christians. The concept of graded levels of education was first introduced by a German Lutheran, Johan Sturm in the 16th Century. Another Lutheran, Frederick Froebel introduced kindergartens. Education for the deaf was also pioneered by Christians.
Before Jesus Christ, human life in the Greek and Roman world was extremely cheap. Infants born with physical defects such as blindness, were commonly abandoned to die in the wilderness.
However, Jesus Christ showed particular compassion for the blind, healing many blind individuals during His ministry on earth. When the Roman persecution of the Church ended, in the 4th Century, Christians established asylums for the blind. In the 19th Century, Louis Braille, a dedicated Christian who lost his eyesight at age three, developed the worlds first alphabet that enabled blind people to read with their fingers.
Sunday schools were begun by Robert Raikes in 1780 to provide boys and girls from the poorest homes with the gift of literacy and the riches of the Scriptures.. Most universities began as Christian schools, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge, Heidelberg and Basel.
The greatest invention in the field of learning, the printing press, by Johannes Gutenberg, was also a fruit of the Christian faith. The first book to be printed was the Bible.
The very name “university” testifies to its Christian origins. University means “One Truth”. Isn’t it time that teachers, lecturers and professors took an in depth look at the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, the greatest Book ever produced and the Faith which inspired and pioneered every major branch of education and science?.
Just consider some of the every-day things, which have been inspired by the Bible. The word “breakfast” comes from the concept of breaking the fast.
The word “restaurant” comes from Jesus’ promise in Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” The first restaurant founded in Paris in 1766 placed that verse from Matthew 11:28 in bold letters outside this first public establishment dedicated to providing meals in a pleasant atmosphere.
The fact that our week consists of seven days is a testimony to the fact of God creating the world in six days, resting on the seventh.
Every time a newspaper publishes the date, it is a testimony to the centrality of Christ. When we call this the year 2005, we are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the central focus of history. This is the year 2005 AD, ’in the year of our Lord’.
The very word “goodbye” comes from a parting prayer: God be with ye.
The word “holiday” comes from holy day.
The Bible, particularly the Ten Commandments, laid the framework and legal foundations of Western civilisation. The very first statute, the first written restriction on the powers of government was the Magna Carta of 1215. It was written by a pastor and thoroughly saturated with Scriptural principles.
The Bible has inspired the greatest literature, the greatest art, the greatest examples of architecture, the age of exploration, world missions, the rule of law, the separation of powers, checks and balances, representative government, the sanctity of life, and so much more that we take for granted.
Christianity introduced a respect for life and liberty that was completely unknown before the coming of Jesus Christ.
In the ancient world, the teachings of Jesus Christ halted infanticide, liberated women, abolished slavery, inspired the first charities and religious organisations, created hospitals, established orphanages and founded schools.
In the medieval times, Christianity built libraries, invented colleges and universities, dignified labour and converted the barbarians.
In the modern era, Christian teaching has advanced science, inspired political, social and economic freedom, promoted justice and provided the greatest inspiration for the most magnificent achievements in art, architecture, music and literature.
Christianity has been the most powerful agent in transforming society for the better across 2000 years. No other religion, philosophy, teaching, nation or movement has changed the world for the better as Christianity has done.
Jesus Christ is the greatest Man who has ever lived, and the Bible is the greatest Book ever written.
The Bible is the number one best selling book in all of history. It is estimated that well over 30 million Bibles and 100 million New Testaments are printed every year. The Bible has also been translated into more languages than any other book in history.
He became like us - that we might become like Him.
Humptey Dumptey and all those who depend on World governments can not be put together again.
Only God can do that we see how in the reading prophesiying the work of jesus this morning.
ISA 52:15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
The truth is Jesus was:-
rejected - that we might be accepted.
condemned - that we might be forgiven.
punished - that we might be pardoned.
suffered - that we might be strengthened.
whipped - that we might be healed.
hated - that we might be loved.
crucified - that we might be justified.
tortured - that we might be comforted.
killed - that we might live.
descended to hell - that we might go to Heaven.
able to endure what we deserve - that we might enjoy what only He deserves.
There are three things that this message asks of us.
One recognise that the answer to the worlds problems are fully answeered in Jesus and that those answers are demonstrated in our history.
Two turn to him and recive him afresh as your saviour and Lord recognising that what he has done for others He will do for you.
Three Receive - the Holy spirit afresh into your life that you might not only believe in Him in your minds and heart but also be empowered to follow him all the days of your life.
Can i share with you my own experience of receiving the Holy Spirit.
In my twenties in Mosgiel I went forward for prayer at a Life in the spirit seminar and received prayer for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
That night nothing particular seemed to happen but afterwards i noticed that there were some differences.
some of them were - On one occasion an amazing new peace filled me and I received an assurance that things in my life would be all right from now on.
Secondly God began to guide me with clear guidance and impressions on my soul.
Thirdly some things began to happen that were quite miraculous - God was clearly working in my life in remarkable ways.
Fourthly I began to serve God in ways that were, I think, quite effective something I had always dreamed of.
Perhasps this morning you have come with a need for god to change and fill you afresh.
If so i want to encourage you to simply slip to the front of the church during the singing of this last hymn and someone will pray for you.
