So, in case you’re new here or weren’t here in the last couple weeks, we’re talking/preaching about Canada this morning in anticipation of Canada 150 this Saturday.
Ok, let’s start with a little fun….I’ve made a list of things that I love about Canada and I’ve got a slide for each one….
1. Natural beauty
2. Diversity
3. Bilingualism
4. First Nations and Inuit Culture
5. We are an accepting nation (i.e. different people, immigration)
6. Canadian musicians
7. Canadian comedians
8. Best looking prime minister in the world
9. Beer
10. Hockey
11. Unique Canadian foods (i.e. poutine, beaver tails, etc.)
12. Our money (i.e. loonie, toonie, colorful bills)
13. Canadian politeness
14. Medical system (we are NOT the U.S.)
15. A government that actually works
Indeed, there is a lot to celebrate and be thankful for in Canada. And, we’re going to be doing a lot of that in the coming week. But, we’re in church, and so I want to hook things up for you spiritually as well. Here’s my question this morning. On Canada’s 150th birthday, what is God’s word to this nation.
In fact, let me get at it this way. As many of you know, there is a particular speech given by the Governor General of Canada at the beginning of a new parliamentary session called, “The Speech From The Throne”. The purpose of this speech is to outline the government agenda for the coming session of parliament—what priorities they will have, what bills they want to pass, and so on.
Well, followers of Jesus Christ recognise another throne. A higher throne. In the book of Revelation, chapter 4, the apostle John who has been exiled to the island of Patmos has a vision. And this is what he writes,
"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the centre, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Whatever you may have heard friends. Whatever power the capitals and governments of this world may appear to hold. Whatever military might they possess. Whatever political sceptre they might be holding, there is no throne like this throne. There is no power like this power. This throne is the centre of everything. It is the fulcrum of human history, from it all things were created, because of it all things hold to together, without nothing that is would be. On it depends the existence of the universe, its redemption and its future. It will endure beyond anything this world knows, and sooner or later every knee in heaven and earth, willingly or unwillingly, will bow to it’s authority. Amen?
And I’m wondering this morning, if there was a speech from THAT throne, what would it sound like. More specifically, on Canada’s 150th birthday, what would the One who sits on that throne say to Canada, to us its citizens.
Well, we don’t have to imagine. We don’t have to make something up. Because God has spoken. In His Word. This morning, let me give you three words that I think God would say to Canada…the first is this…
A. From everyone who has been given much, much will be expected
Jesus tells an amazingly powerful parable in Luke 12. In it, he talks about not forgetting that we’re all stewards of what we have received. It’s a bit of a jarring parable and I encourage you to read it at home for yourself. But, I think, he uses very provocative language in this parable partly because he knows us as human beings. He knows that it so easy of us to forsake humility and let our pride run us.
The image he uses is that of a master who has entrusted a manager with his estate and has gone away on a trip without an end date. In other words, the manager doesn’t know when the master is going to return. And Jesus says….that entrustment can go one of two ways….the manager can do a good job and make sure that everything is well run….that the servants underneath him are well taken care of…that the bills are paid…that the books are in good order….OR….he can get complacent. He can start indulging himself at the expense of those in his care, he can start getting drunk and ignoring his responsibilities, he can let the estate go in terms of maintenance….you get the picture.
And here’s what Jesus says, “Woe to the manager who gets complacent….who forgets his place….who forget whose actually owns the place….” If the master comes back and finds that kind of manager…..well….let’s just say…bad things will happen.
And then Jesus uses a line that has haunted me throughout my career as a pastor…..”from everyone who has been given much, much will be expected.”
Friends, as Canadians, we have been given much. Wouldn’t you agree? I mean, didn’t we just rehearse that? A big, stunningly beautiful country. A rich heritage of peace keeping and diplomacy. An egalitarian society. A functional government. Wealth beyond imagining in terms of natural resources. An honourable military record….and I’m thinking specifically about the 1st and 2nd World Wars, Korea, Rwanda and Bosnia. A tenacity born of living in a climate that will test you…I mean, it will REALLY test you. I could go on.
But, we must never forget who owns the place, if you know what I mean. We are not masters of our own destiny. We are merely managers that owe our allegiance to our true master. And one day He will return and we must never forget that reality.
And so, can I encourage you….be so mindful of how blessed you actually are….be incredible generous with your money….be an advocate of the poor and disadvantaged….welcome the stranger….do what’s uncomfortable for Jesus sake….open your home…..go the extra mile….be a good manager of the bounty that we have been given as Canadians.
It’s what God would say to us…..He would say, “I love you Canadians…..you’re a little crazy sometimes, especially when it comes to hockey….but never stop being the nation that embodies inclusiveness and responsibility and above all GRACE….ok, the second word from the throne is a bit tougher….it’s is clarion call to….
B. Repent and Return
There’s a word that is written in Isaiah 38…..it’s originally written to the people of Israel, but it’s the closest thing I could find as to what God would say to us as Canadians…Listen to these words….
“Go now, write it on a tablet for them,
inscribe it on a scroll,
that for the days to come
it may be an everlasting witness.
For these are rebellious people, deceitful children,
children unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction.
They say to the seers,
“See no more visions!”
and to the prophets,
“Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.
Leave this way,
get off this path,
and stop confronting us
with the Holy One of Israel!”
Tough words. In the time that they were written, the nation of Israel had become a nation that had the veneer of faithfulness to God, but the heart of a nation serving itself and other gods. There were temples and religious sacrifices and the façade of a nation dedicated to the Lord, but in practice they were just like any other nation on earth. In the previous chapter to this one, God says of this people, “they serve me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” By the way, this is a verse that Jesus later quotes in speaking to the religious elite of his day.
You see, there was in Israel at this time a real sense of moral complacency. It’s not that people weren’t aware of God’s value system or the claims that he had on their lives, it’s just they didn’t care. How does Isaiah describe them? These are a rebellious people. These are deceitful children UNWILLING to listen to the instruction of the Lord. If you have a pen, underline that word UNWILLING in your Bible—that’s a key word.
In fact, there is this sense that they don’t even want to hear the truth anymore. Don’t give us any prophetic visions of what is right---whatever you do, please don’t preach at me—tell us, instead, pleasant things, prophesy illusions. We simply don’t want to be confronted with God truth, go away.
Anyone here see any parallels with what was going in that time and what’s happening today? This word from the throne in Isaiah’s time is certainly an enduring word for us today. After all, we live in a country in which there is a veneer of Christianity, but little more.
A few years ago, Sharon and I and the kids visited Ottawa. In taking the tour of the parliament buildings one of the thing that struck me was how much of our Christian heritage is built into that building.
For example, there are 3 peace tower windows. East window: He shall have dominion also from sea to sea (Psalm 72:8). South window: Give the king thy judgements, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. (Psalm 72:1). West window: Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18). Indeed, as Canadian we know how to speak the Christian language.
But in looking how we truly function, I think God might say of us, “But their hearts are far from me.” The truth is that for the most part as a nation, we don’t want to shaped by God’s truth anymore, we don’t want to submit to God’s dominion. We might sing, “God keep our land..”, but in truth, like the ancient Israelites, we say, “we don’t want any God shaped visions of what is right.” It’s not that we don’t know the truth (although that’s growing in this culture), but we are unwilling to be shaped by it, unwilling to submit to it.
Tell me, where did this sort of behaviour lead the ancient nation of Israel. Into judgement, into captivity, into the destruction of everything that was dear to them. Where do you suppose it will lead us?
Now, I want to be very clear here. It is not God’s desire to judge friends. A little later on in verse 18, it says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.” But, the sin of resisting God’s design, of thumbing our nose at His message, at living apart from his way inevitably brings God’s judgement. Why? Because God stands opposed to injustice. God stands opposed to deceit. God stands opposed to wanton greed. God stands opposed to human arrogance and pride. God stands opposed to anyone who would build a rival throne, a rival kingdom. He stands opposed creationally and He stands opposed personally. Rebellion, friends, invites the Lord’s judgement.
That’s why I fear sometimes for the future of this country. As we continually undermine the values on which it was built. As we chip away at the moral foundations of this country, as we decide that we’re smarter than God or that we just don’t need His wisdom in our lives, as we legislate Him out of all spheres of our society, as we built a society in which each one does what is right in his or her own eyes, we are provoking God’s judgement.
And it may fall on us more quickly and more suddenly than we realise. What is the image that Isaiah uses here? A high wall that suddenly falls. He writes, “this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found.” Pretty sobering image.
Perhaps some of you are thinking, wow, what an upbeat word, Pastor Bruce. Isn’t the gospel supposed to be good news. Yes it is friends, but what is the one thing necessary for the good news to really come alive in our lives? Or to come in the lives of this nation? Submission. Humility.
OK, final Word from the Lord….final aspect of the speech from the throne….
C. A Healing of the Land
Turn with me to 2 Chronicles 7:14….now before I read this verse, which is such a powerful word from the throne, I want to say this. Look up here for a moment. No matter where you are at in your life, no matter what’s been done, no matter how far sin has taken a hold of your heart, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, there is always a way back. Because of the work of Jesus on the cross, there is always a way back. There is hope for you and me and every single person you meet because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. You have access to the heart of the Father, his endless mercy and grace because of Jesus. Never, ever forget that.
Moreover, not only is that true individually, it’s true collectively. It’s true for us as a nation, as a country. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately on the great revivals that swept over the nation of England and the Americas at different junctures in history. What is striking about them is how they re-set the course of a nation. How they called a nation back from the brink toward a God shaped future.
But, it all starts with this verse. What this verse were about to read is talking about. Ok, let’s read it together. Let’s read it out loud this morning….”if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
(AV tech), just leave that up there for a moment. What strikes you about this verse? What is it that jumps out at you? Well, there are four actions that are required of us if we’re genuinely seeking the Lord’s healing of our land. Moreover, they all lead from one into the other. There is a kind of progression.
Where does it start? It start with humility….If my people will humble themselves. Someone asked me recently, what do you most look for in a leader…someone you’re about to hire or invest in…My answer was humility. I look for humility. Why? Because someone who is humble realises that they can’t do it by themselves; that no matter how gifted they are, they aren’t gifted enough. They need God and they need others. And so, and so inevitably if they are humble they will lead from their knees. They will lead by depending not solely on themselves and their own horse sense, but on the power of God through prayer.
As a nation, if we want God’s blessing, if we want God’s healing, it starts by humble enough to say simply, “we need God.” One of the curious things about us here in the West is that for the most part we are so self-sufficient and even anti-religious, but when tragedy or calamity strikes we suddenly flock back to church. When 9-11 happens or some other catastrophe happens, our politicians suddenly start talking about prayer and faith. Now, I’m not trying to be cynical, but what if instead of reaching back for our Christian heritage when we need it, what if we started there. What if we started with our weakness, what if we lived in humility, what if we embraced our dependence on God. “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves…and what….and pray.”
You see, prayer is the natural by product of humility. Why? Because in prayer we declare our dependence on God out loud. With our mouths we say God we are not in control, God You are. I remember a few years back, I was asked to pray at City Hall for city council. At that time they were facing a significant issue (I can’t remember all together what it was), but I remember getting up there and praying for wisdom…..for me it was just a natural thing to do….what was shocking to me was the reaction…I had several city councillors stop me to thank me for my prayer…. “praying for wisdom” they said, that’s a good idea. A guy from the Edmonton journal interviewed me to ask me about this praying for wisdom thing and it was his angle on the story he wrote the next day in the journal: “City council prays for wisdom…” It was a bit overwhelming.
What a novel concept. Prayer. Declaring dependence. Asking to be led. Inviting God’s guidance and grace. It’s a necessary step.
But a nation hasn’t come far enough if that’s all it does. Because then there has to be some turning from and some turning toward. Turning away from wickedness, from pride, from selfishness, from injustice, from oppression and greed and turning to the Lord.
You see you can’t just pray for the Lord’s wisdom. You have to be prepared to go where that wisdom leads. In other words, there has to be genuine repentance for what’s been done wrong. Remember repentance doesn’t just mean feeling bad about what’s been done wrong, but a resolving to do things different.
What are some of the things that as a nation we need to repent of right now? Just think about that. And then, more personally, what are some of the things you need to repent of? Because, you see, here’s the deal, often the sin of a nation often spills over into the lives of the Christ followers in it. For example, we live in a culture of idols. No, it’s not like it was in Israel’s day, when people actually bowed down to idols made of wood or stone or gold. Our idols are our pursuit of wealth or power or prestige. Our idols consist of giving ourselves over to pleasure or wanton consumerism. And if we’re honest, it’s pretty easy for those of us who call ourselves Christ followers to get caught up in all that.
What is that our nation needs to turn away from? What is it that you need to turn away from?
And then there is the “turning toward” part. Isaiah uses this phrase, and “seek God’s face”. What does that mean? What it means is that we aren’t just seeking God for what He can do for us, but we are seeking a relationship with him. We are seeking His presence in our lives. We are desiring God’s involvement in our day to day affairs.
When a nation does this it means we are asking God to shepherd us. We are asking Him to show us the way.
And so, if we do these things. If we humble ourselves, if we pray, if we turn away from wicked ways, if we turn to God and seek his face, what is the promise. That God will act. That God will hear. That God will heal. That God will restore. That God’s blessing will fall on the land. And isn’t that what we want?
Friends, let me say this as clearly as I can. I believe that part of the reason we are so blessed in the West is because our forefather’s and mothers did precisely this. They did what 2 Chronicles talked about and so we are enjoying a tremendous blessing. The question is what are we doing about this in our generation. Are we sowing a future blessing for our children and grand children right now. Or something different.
And so I want to end this sermon by practising what we preach. I want to pray for our nation. Let’s start today by humbling ourselves and praying for the nation we all love---Canada....(pray)...
AMEN
