SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). He is able.
(2). He is able to do.
(3). He is able to do immeasurably more.
(4). He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask.
(5). He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
(6). He is able to do this…according to his power that is at work within us.
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• The day was April 18th, 1930,
• The time was: 8.45pm.
• The Media was: The Radio.
• The programme was: The BBC News.
• This broadcast was made:
• “Good evening. Today is Good Friday. There is no news.”
• Now, can you imagine that,
• In our fast-paced, information-saturated world,
• It is hard to imagine a day when literally nothing made the news!
• But that actually happened on the 18th April 1930,
• According to the BBC nothing at all newsworthy occurred,
• So instead of news stories,
• The listeners were treated to 15 minutes of piano music,
Now, think about that for a moment.
• An entire global news agency,
• Tasked with informing the public, had nothing to report.
• No headlines. No drama. No crisis.
• Just ... silence and a little music.
• TRANSITION:
• There can be moments like that in the Christian life,
• When it seems as though nothing is happening.
• There are times when we feel that,
• Our spiritual life is suspended between routine and emptiness
• When nothing is broken,
• But it seems as though nothing was growing.
• i.e. We read our Bibles, we pray, we go to church,
• We do what we ought to be doing!
• But we don’t feel goosebumps,
• Or hear God speak loudly through the preacher or his word.
• TRANSITION:
• Now in those times, it is tempting to think,
• “God is absent or uncaring and not at work in our lives right now.”
• But remember this, silence doesn’t mean absence!
• Just because the headlines of our lives feel quiet,
• It doesn't mean God isn't at work behind the scenes.
• Some of God’s greatest work is done in the stillness.
Ill:
• i.e. Moses shepherded sheep in Midian for decades,
• Before leading God’s people.
• i.e. David tended flocks in obscurity,
• Long before he became king of the nation.
• i.e. Ruth collected wheat quietly in a field,
• Before her life would be transformed dramatically.
• i.e. And Jesus himself lived thirty years in hidden obedience,
• Before stepping into public ministry.
Ill:
• One of my favourite parables,
• Is the much-overlooked parable of a seed growing.
• (Mark chapter 4 verse 26–29),
• Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a seed,
• It is growing silently sprouting even when no one watches,
• It produces the full kernel in God’s perfect timing.
• The pace may be slow, but the promise remains sure.
• Sometimes we just have to be paaaaaaatient!
• To, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
I have entitled this benediction, “He cares!”
• And when you face difficult or barren times,
• Hold on to these words from Hebrews chapter 13,
• And remember, “He cares!”
Question: What is a benediction?
Answer:
• Our word ‘Benediction’ comes from two Latin words:
• ‘Bene’ which means ‘well’.
• And ‘Dicere’ which means ‘to speak.’
• A ‘benediction’ is simply ‘a short request to speak well’.
• A blessing is more than just a good wish,
• It is a request, a desire to God,
• To show favour and grace to an individual or a group of people.
(1). God of peace
“May the God of peace”
Ill;
• Years ago, while on holiday in France, Saint-Tropez.
• I wondered into an art gallery and purchased a Picasso!
• It hangs on the wall of my office.
• OK, you’ve figured out that it wasn’t a genuine painting,
• It’s just a print.
• But it always gives me a story to tell.
• TRANSITION:
• Here are two vastly different Picasso’ paintings.
• Pablo Picasso is normally known,
• For his bold, fragmented paintings,
• i.e. wild shapes, piercing eyes, and tormented faces.
• His art often carried the trauma of war,
• And the chaos of human suffering.
• As captured in his painting, “Guernica.”
• But after World War II,
• Picasso painted something different.
• A dove. It is simple. White & gentle.
• It was called “La Colombe” - The Dove,
• And it became a global symbol of peace.
• TRANSITION:
• It’s easy to create art that shows the brokenness of the world.
• It’s harder to paint a picture of peace.
• But that’s what the New Testament does.
• Its message is first and foremost, peace with God.
• Secondly, peace with others and ourselves.
Note: The writer of this letter (Hebrews).
• Uses this title, ‘God of peace’ six times in this letter.
• But the NT is also realistic about peace:
• Peace is a gift from God,
• But it is also a human task.
• We are called to be peacemakers,
• Although not everyone we encounter will collaborate with us.
• Peace requires cooperation, sacrifice, and effort,
• And does not come cheaply!
Ill:
• Peace with God cost the ultimate sacrifice,
• The very death of Jesus Christ!
• To reconcile sinful people to a holy God.
• The word ‘blood’ is mentioned twenty-one times in this letter.
• Our ‘eternal covenant’ with God,
• Was purchased at great expense ‘in his blood’.
• Peace with other people will likewise cost us,
• It may require an investment of time, effort, and sacrifice.
God is described in this benediction as “the God of peace.”
• God is the source of peace and tranquillity.
• This peace transcends circumstances,
• Providing a tranquillity of spirit,
• That is not dependent on external factors.
• Quote: Charles Swindoll:
• Suggests a practical paraphrase of this term ‘Peace of God’
• Would be the expression: ‘Mental health’.
• In other words, God desires that each Christian experience;
• A calm, a tranquil, a peace within their hearts,
• And not a panic or strife or discord.
• God’s peace encompasses not only the absence of conflict,
• But also, the presence of wholeness,
• Harmony, and spiritual well-being
So, when you find peace mentioned in the Bible it refers either to:
• The reconciliation of a Christian to God in salvation.
• Or to the mental mind-set that should be found in the believer.
Question: Why use this expression here?
Answer:
• Well, it might surprise you to know,
• (Probably not!)
• That Christians can and do fall out!
• That is not just a modern-day problem,
• It happened 2,000 years ago in this Church.
• If you read the whole letter,
• The writer deals with issues,
• That was causing disunity in the fellowship.
• And part of the solution,
• To bringing peace between the Christians in this Church.
• Was to get them to, ‘fix their eyes on Jesus,’
When we realise:
• That God who has given us peace,
• With himself through Jesus Christ!
• That ought to motivate us to experiencing peace,
• With other Christians.
• ill: Domino effect:
• God accepts us with our faults & failings – we should do likewise!
Ill:
• On articles of gold, silver, or platinum,
• Genuine articles are stamped by the British assay offices,
• To certify their standard of purity.
• The stamped mark is called, a hallmark.
• TRANSITION:
• Peace is the hallmark of a Christian!
• Pease with God (salvation)
• Peace of God (in our daily living).
(2). God of protection.
“That great Shepherd of the sheep”
Ill:
• I love this video of a shepherd and his sheep.
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/rLIQr910vfg
• TRANSITION: It is a reminder of how stupid sheep can be.
• And don’t forget the Bible describes us (Christians) as sheep!
Ill:
• Sheep facts/trivia.
• #1: There are over 1,000 different breeds of sheep worldwide,
• Each with unique characteristics.
• #2: Sheep have a wide field of vision:
• Of about 300 degrees (twice that of humans).
• This allows them to detect predators easily.
• #3: Sheep have rectangular pupils (humans have circular),
• This allows sheep to see motion without turning their heads.
• #4: Sheep are defenceless animals.
• i.e. Sheep do not have sharp teeth or razor sharp claws.
• i.e. They do not have a sting in their tails.
• i.e. They don’t have a potion to squirt over their attackers.
• Sheep are defenceless animals.
• Who without a shepherd to watch over them,
• Are at the mercy of their predators!
• TRANSITION: And that is why they need a shepherd.
• Someone to protect them.
Note: God’s protection does not mean a problem or trouble free life:
• i.e. The God rescued Daniel from the lion’s den!
• i.e. But he also allowed Stephen (the first Christian martyr),
• To be crushed to death by rocks being thrown at him.
• The term protection,
• Must mean more than being physically kept safe:
• Ill: Jesus in John chapter 15 promised,
• Those who follow him, will experience,
• “Hatred, persecution, being ostracized & even death.”
Ill:
• The original readers of this letter.
• Where experiencing hard times,
• The Church that received this letter,
• Was primarily made up of converted Jewish people.
• (Clue in the name of the book).
• These Jewish Christians were living in ‘no-man’s land’;
• They were rejected by their fellow Jews,
• For not practicing the old religion.
• They were rejected by Gentiles for being Jewish.
• Throw into the mix some persecution from the Roam authorities,
• And these Christians were very much, ‘under the cosh.’
Note: It is into this hard and complex situation.
• That the writer of this book pens his advice.
• The author of the letter reminds them,
• They are not forgotten; God is still on the job:
Ill:
• It is said that Native American Indians,
• Had a unique practice when training young braves.
• Boys were taught how to hunt, scout, and fish etc.
• Then on the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday,
• He was put to one final test.
• He was placed in a dense forest,
• He had to spend the entire night alone.
• Up until that night,
• He had never been away from his family and the tribe.
• But on this night,
• He was blindfolded and taken several miles away.
• When he took off the blindfold,
• He was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified!
• Every time a twig snapped,
• He visualized a wild animal ready to pounce on him.
• After what seemed like an eternity,
• Dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight,
• Entered the interior of the forest.
• Looking around, the boy could see flowers, trees,
• And to his utter astonishment,
• He beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away,
• Armed with a bow & arrow.
• It was the boy’s father.
• He had been there all night long, hidden but ready to help!
• TRANSITION: God himself is our Shepherd.
• He is one who cares and guides and protects.
• i.e. Psalm 23., he has a, “staff & a rod” to protect us with.
Note:
• I think when it comes to protection,
• Remember the point Jesus made (Matthew chapter 10 verse 28)
• “Men may harm the body, but they cannot destroy the soul”.
• Whatever happens to us in this life,
• We are ultimately safe!
• This book of Hebrews,
• Very much focuses our minds and hearts on the future.
• i.e. In chapter 2 verse 5: the writer informs us,
• That he is speaking about "the world to come";
• A time when believers will reign with Christ.
• i.e. In chapter 9 verse 15: We are informed that,
• We share a "promised eternal inheritance".
• i.e. In chapter 11,
• The greats from the Old Testament are mentioned.
• Like them, we too are looking for that future city of God.
• We are but "Aliens & strangers (pilgrims) on the earth”.
The writer is telling us that:
• Christians ought to "hang loose,"
• As far as this world is concerned,
• And start living for the eternal values of the world to come.
This book of Hebrews reminds us:
• That was helped to motivate so many greats.
• i.e. Abraham obeyed God because "he looked for a city."
• (chapter 11 verse 10).
• i.e. Moses forsook the treasures and the pleasures of Egypt because;
• "He was looking ahead to his reward."
• (chapter 11 verse 26).
• i.e. Even Jesus had this same attitude of faith!
• (Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2:
"Jesus who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame".
NLT:
“Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross,”
• TRANSITION:
• The emphasis in the book of Hebrews is:
• Don't live for what the world will promise you today!
• Live for what God bas promised you in the future!
• Ant the God who promises always keeps those promises!
• Our inheritance is protected in him!
Ill:
• Back home at 23 Abshot Road, Titchfield Common, Fareham.
• We have window locks, dead locks and an alarm system.
• Yet I know if a burglar wants to break in.
• If they are good enough or determined enough, they will!
• TRANSITION: Every Christian,
• Is protected by the most efficient security system available.
• The power of God!
• And nothing an no-one catches him by surprise.
(3). God of power.
“Who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus”.
• You might be surprised to know that.
• This is the only mention of the resurrection in the whole letter.
Ill:
• The Book of Acts contains around,
• 18-24 significant speeches or sermons,
• The one common theme in all of them is,
• The resurrection of Jesus.
• Obviously, the death & resurrection of Jesus,
• Is central to our preaching.
• TRANSITION: But in this letter,
• The resurrection of Jesus is missing!
• Actually it’s not missing, there is just a different emphasis.
• The emphasis here is on the exaltation of Jesus.
• The fact that he is seated at the right hand of God!
• ill: He is on the winning podium.
• The writer tells us by his power,
• God raised Jesus from the dead:
Ill:
• In the Old Testament the power of God,
• Is always linked to creation.
• In the New Testament the power of God,
• Is always linked to the resurrection.
Now because God raised Jesus from the dead and he is exalted:
• He is therefore able, to give new life to anyone!
• He can resurrect any hope.
• No matter how lifeless, how stiff, or how cold!
• Ill: Just ask Lazarus (John chapter 11)
Ill:
• The United Nations is a monument to man’s search for peace.
• But it is also a monument to impotence,
• It is powerless in being able to attain it.
• There are probably more wars going on today,
• Then at any other point in history!
• Mankind has the desire for peace,
• But does not have the ability to make it happen.
TRANSITION: By his power God raised Jesus from the dead.
• If God can give new life to the corpse of Jesus.
• i.e. the body of Jesus was physically & spiritually battered.
• He can also resurrect anyone of us as well,
• “With God NOTHING is impossible”.
This benediction gives us hope and help,
• Because we are not dead but alive,
• If God can work in the dead,
• Then he can certainly work with the living!
Ill:
• Psychologist, Charles Allen,
• Tells this story in one of his books:
• As World War II was ending,
• The Allied armies gathered up many hungry orphans.
• They placed them in camps,
• Where they were safe and well-fed.
• Yet despite the excellent care they received,
• The orphans slept badly.
• They seemed nervous and afraid.
• Finally, a psychologist came up with the solution.
• Each child was given a piece of bread to hold,
• And take to bed with them.
• This particular piece of bread,
• Was just to be held—not eaten.
Amazingly, this extra piece of bread produced wonderful results.
• The children started to sleep,
• They slept undisturbed and right throughout the night.
• The reason for the change in the children was,
• As they went to their beds,
• They instinctively knew,
• They would have food to eat the next day.
• TRANSITION:
• The fact God raised Jesus from the dead,
• Should likewise calm our fears,
• And bring assurance to each of us.
(4). God of Provision.
“Equip you with everything good for doing his will”
Ill:
• In New Testament times,
• The word translated ‘equip’ was used in a variety of ways:
• i.e To a sailor it meant; to rig a ship for a voyage.
• i.e To a physician it meant; to set a broken bone.
• i.e To a fisherman it meant; to mend the nets.
• i.e To a soldier it meant; to equip an army for battle.
Ill:
• A number of years ago (2003),
• Soldier Steve Roberts – a Sergeant was shot dead in Iraq.
• That was sad and tragic,
• But it was later revealed that three days before he was shot,
• He was ordered to hand over his protective body armour.
• To another soldier because of shortages.
• An officer from the 7th Armoured Brigade, the Desert Rats,
• Has disclosed that
• "None of us had body armour when we crossed into Iraq.”
• Scandalous that soldiers were sent to fight,
• Without the right equipment!
• TRANSITON:
• According to verse 21 God will never do that!
• God will never send us into action unequipped.
• “He equips us” with what we need!
Ill:
To name just a few things:
• e.g. Holy Spirit; his power & presence.
• e.g. Holy Spirit produces his fruit in our lives.
• e.g. He gives us spiritual gift(s) – tools for the job.
• e.g. Other believers (to strengthen & support).
Ill:
• This term ‘equip’ carries the idea of;
• ‘Restoring, helping along, encouraging’
• In other words; God is not sitting in heaven,
• Watching us struggle in the arena of life.
• Instead he is alongside us cheering us on.
• He has given us all we need to cope,
• With the situations we find ourselves in!
• Not only does the Lord equip us.
• But he is at work in us to do his will!
(5). God of Purpose.
“…and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Note:
• The verse does not say we are working for God.
• But rather that God is working in us!
Ill:
• John chapter 15 the key word is "Remain" or "Abide".
• It is used 10 times in the first 11 verses.
• It is emphasising union / being joined.
ill:
• A pair of scissors consists of two single blades,
• Yet the blades regardless of how sharp or shiny,
• Are useless without one essential element
• The small metal rivet that holds them together.
• Just try cutting a piece of paper or some material,
• Without that tiny rivet!
• It would be extremely difficult,
• The end result would not be very pleasing to the eye.
• But when that little rivet is connected between both blades:
• Suddenly the cutting becomes effortless,
• And the end result is pleasing to the eye.
• TRANSITION:
• Jesus is our link, the rivet, the link,
• The attachment in our relationship with God,
• He holds everything together,
• And makes us useful and pleasing to God.
• And without him we can do NOTHING”
Note:
• It is God who equips us – “with everything good”.
• It is God who works in us – “what is well pleasing in his sight.”
• It is God who does it through – “Jesus Christ.”
Ill:
• I read this week about 24 year old Danny Simpson;
• He was sentenced to 6 years in jail for robbing a bank.
• Danny got 6 years in the prison for stealing $6,000.
• What he did not know was that the gun he used in the robbery;
• Has now been put on display in a museum.
• The .45caliber Colt semi-automatic,
• Turned out to be an antique;
• It was made in 1918 by the Ross Rifle Company.
• At auction his pistol was worth up to $100,000,
• On the collectors market.
• If Danny Simpson had known what he had in his hands,
• He would not have ended up in jail.
• TRANSITION:
• As Christians we can live like Danny Simpson;
• Spending our lives searching for God’s power and presence,
• Not realizing it’s already in their hands.
• TRANSITION:
• Everything we need is to be found in God alone.
• We don’t need to look elsewhere!
• It is God who equips us – “with everything good”.
• God works in us – “what is well pleasing in his sight.”
• He does it through – “Jesus Christ.”
In conclusion:
• As the Good Shepherd (John chapter 10 verse 11):
• Jesus died for the sheep.
• As the Great Shepherd (Hebrews chapter 13 verse 20):
• Jesus lives and cares for the sheep in heaven today,
• Working on their behalf.
• As the chief Shepherd (1 Peter chapter 5 verse 4):
• He will come for the sheep at his return.
• Our Shepherd cares for his own,
• We see that in the past, present and future;
• He is the same yesterday, today and forever!
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/v8UjzyegcJg
