Beginning and Ending
Cornwall/Montreal
May 28, 2005
The wise Solomon declared that the end of a matter is better than the beginning (Eccl.7.8). We might agree, we might disagree. Solomon’s statements are general statements expressing what he considered to be true, or are about the way things are seen to be generally true. I know that it can be exciting to begin something- a project, around the house, for instance- but it’s wonderful when it’s finished well. On the other hand, sometimes, when something drags on, the beginning seems to have been the best part; this is true, too, when something doesn’t turn out as hoped for, at the beginning. However, when it comes to judgment of something, it is the end that matters- it is the fruit that tells.
Let’s look at a story that illustrates this, and brings some lessons for our consideration.
2 Chron. 26- in the midst of the good king/bad king saga of the ancient nation of Judah, we come to a second good king in a row- a rarity, when you look at the history. Let’s read the story, to verse 21.
What do we see in this story? We see a king who reigned a long time- a little longer than our current Queen, at this point. We see a king who came to the throne young. We see a king who did some things right- v.4, 5. In these verses, though, we get an idea that things might not continue as they were at the beginning. There is the use of the phrase “as long as” which seems to give an idea that something else might be coming.
What else do we learn about Uzziah? What are some of the other points to note about him?
- war against Philistines
- built towns in conquered territory (v.6)
- received tribute from conquered lands
- built defenses of Jerusalem
- built defenses in isolated areas
- dug cisterns to provide for animals
- he loved the soil (v.10)
- had a well-trained army
- invented armaments
We see that he was ‘greatly helped until he became powerful’- v.15. Oh, oh, I sense something else coming, don’t you?
v.16- pride got in the way, and he became unfaithful to God. He became arrogant and self-confident about his relationship with God and his position- he felt invincible and did what the king was not to do, in the sacrificing in the temple. Ministers who understood their place, role, and responsibility confronted him.
We see the king angry because he was told he was wrong, and he raged, feeling that he could set the rules, essentially. However, God was stronger, wasn’t he?
v. 20, 21- he had to live with leprosy for the rest of his life- we’re not sure how long this was- the record is not clear on that.
What is the big lesson? The very clear lesson is that the end was not as good as the beginning, and the story is clear about this. Yes, the beginning was terrific, but, in the end, Uzziah lived an isolated life and wasn’t buried where a king ought to have been buried, but was buried ‘near’ that area because of his affliction. And why did his affliction come? It came because of his attitude- because of his pride. What we see is that as long as he sought God, he was given success, but after he had success, he began to discount God and thought he was the originator or activity. And the consequences, for him, were catastrophic. To be a leper in ancient Judah was, even as king, to be separate and excluded.
Let’s think about ourselves. The Bible is full of lessons for us- we’re told this, if you’ll remember, in 2 Ti.3.16, 17- please turn there and let’s confirm this matter.
Let’s go back to the story and think about our journey. We, like Uzziah, began well, in most cases. We began with great devotion to the great God who lives (but doesn’t live, as we understand that word). If we look back, we knew our task, and it involved preaching the gospel. We did that, in a support function, as Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong preached, and traveled with the gospel message, and as the Plain Truth became the largest circulation Christian magazine of its time, reaching to millions around the world each month. We supported that effort through our prayers and tithes- we knew about areas of the world that no one else did, because of understanding needs for prayer there. We gave generously in order to enable reaching one more person.
In addition, we understood the need to feed the flock. As God brought people to himself and churches were established, as here, ministers were entrusted with feeding those, weekly and annually, in all the celebrations. We had good relationships with one another, within the church, knowing that these were God’s people, as people of the church are, and we warmly welcomed those who were new with us. We cared about people. Again, we prayed for one another; we prayed for our leaders. We entertained one another, with meals, and had socials of an incredible variety, in the church context.
There’s a lot more involved that we won’t talk of, but the reality is that our church was known for its activity- for its pro-activity. Our church was known for the devotion of the saints, in attending weekly services- we had 90%+ attendance week after week- churches looked with a jealous eye at that, as well as at the giving patterns, which were stellar. Our devotion and commitment were genuine.
But, as Uzziah learned the hard way, there is no room for pride about what we have done, and there is no room for deciding to rest on our laurels from the past. We dare not do that. Maybe we won’t become leprous, but we can become spiritually leprous, and I’m sure that would not be a good situation to be in.
We have begun well and we have to press forward to conclude well, too, as individuals and congregations.
Read from “Men of Integrity”, May 19-
“Hernando Cortes had a plan. He wanted to lead an expedition into Mexico to capture its vast treasures. When he told the Spanish governor of Cuba his strategy, the governor got so excited that he gave him 11 ships and 700 men. Little did the governor know that Cortes had failed to tell him the entire plan.
“After months of sailing, the 11 ships landed at Veracruz in the spring of 1519. As soon as the men unloaded the ships, Cortes instituted the rest of his plan. He ran the ships aground and dismantled them!
“Like it or not, they were now committed. By disassembling the ships, Cortes eliminated the options. He didn’t know what he’d encounter on his expeditions to the interior. He didn’t know the strength of the people he’d be fighting. But he did know this: There were no escape routes for his men. If the fighting got too fierce, or the expedition got too exhausting, there’s be no talk of going back to Veracruz and sailing home. In one fell swoop Cortes had eliminated their options and created an intensely powerful motivation to succeed.”
This speaks to us, and who we are. Going back cannot be an option. Leaving, in the midst, cannot be an option. Sometimes, as we go forward, we might think it easy to leave, or others might have left. That’s a mistake. We must not do that. God has called us for the long haul and to go from the beginning to the end. He hasn’t called us to exalt our opinions, and ourselves either, but to be part of an organism- his church- and to work, even when we don’t understand or wholeheartedly agree- even when we might, personally, disagree- within the body. What we’re doing is not about us- you/me- but, ultimately, about ‘them’.
Ezek.18.1-4, 5-9, 24- this is a very clear lesson. God will do business with us, if we do not live parallel with what we believe. We must keep going on the path.
Are we to preach the gospel and feed the flock any less today? No! Are we to preach the gospel and feed the flock differently today than when we began? Without question! We are in a different time and age. We are in a different understanding of how scripture is put together. We have left a former way of thinking and are to be embracing a new, more correct way of thinking. The journey toward Christ has not been an easy one, but there is no way we’ll go back to the way of the past. We used to stand with our feet between the testaments, essentially, feeling that the NC would not be enacted until Jesus actually returned and we were resurrected. Now, we know that the NC was enacted when Jesus declared, ‘It is finished.’ So, we’re living in the NC, and the OC has passed away- it is done- it is completed, in Jesus. The age of prophets is past and we are in the age of the church and the Spirit, so we are drawn to do things differently. We are not in the time of confrontation but in the age of reconciliation and drawing to God. The prophets used to confront people with reality of sin. Jesus did things rather differently, if you’ll notice.
This is why we see the need to preach the gospel as relevant not through giant media operations, through which our church was built. That’s why many of us drive distances to be part of congregations in various centres. This is our church home, without question, even though we might drive by several others en route here- churches have personalities and we have ours and it’s right for us. However, we have to learn how to be good evangelists, personally. That same passion we used to apply to what was done ‘out there’ now must be brought to ‘near me’. Each one of you is important- you have made the journey and you are here. I applaud and appreciate you. You are the ones left to do the task before us. We used to be able to have others do the work and, now, it falls on each one of us, and the church is here to support and help you in the task. Individual people become more important now.
(Cornwall- turn to Matt.25 and read about the importance of people- individuals- it’s important, for us, that we not forget this, as we wrestle with the responsibility of having a building. We are here to serve people, not a building. If we forget this, we will gain a certain amount of spiritual leprosy, which will prevent our being successful. Then turn to Phil.2.1-4, which speaks of our need for heart and a people-centred approach, rather than a stuff or physical-centred approach.)
(Montreal- where are these people? They are right near each one of you. But how do we focus, as a congregation? Montreal is a huge place, isn’t it? How do we reach people? God cares deeply about people of our area, and we need to follow God. It appears to several of us that there is a ‘next step’ and here is why. There is a large group of our church focused in one geographic area of this city, and it appears that we all ought to enter into a more active supporting of God’s desire to reach a particular area of the city. That area is on the southshore, as many of you have heard. We need to do personal evangelism, through action and prayer support. We need, as a church, to be visible somewhere; it appears that God is drawing us to the Southshore to become more visible and to have an impact, for the Kingdom of God. We can’t make a final decision, yet, for a number of reasons. We know that the very idea can be unnerving, to say the least, and to follow through will involve some sacrifice for some of us, for whom meeting there might be farther. However, we have been praying, for nearly six years, for God to show us the next step, and I believe, as do some others, that He has done this. I see the potential for us to have a great church in a different area of the city, with a clear sense of ministry to families of all compositions, in a growing area of the greater city of Montreal. I know there will be questions and thoughts and I’d like you to think and pray and in two weeks, when I’m back from the Conference, we’ll have some open forum time after the main service.)
It’s important for us to have begun well and to end well, too. If we began poorly and ended well, that’s fine, but since we’ve begun well, we need to finish well. That same devotion needs to be brought to the present. The same commitment to preaching the gospel, and to, even, sacrificing for it, needs to be brought. That same energy to feed the flock needs to be brought to here, when it becomes more of a task for all of us, rather than for just one or two ordained ministers. We offer care to one another, welcoming one another warmly, and welcoming those who are new who will be in our midst.
Solomon spoke of ending and beginning. Both need to be well. Considering our story, we must continue well. Each of us needs to end well- as each of us will end this physical life. And our church needs to continue well. I’m committed to this- and Lynn and I have made decisions to continue with this journey. How about you? Take a few moments to renew your commitment to the journey- to the whole journey. God isn’t finished with us, yet- we’re still here and willing to struggle to thrive. Great! Let’s get going!
