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Back to Sermons Index Back to Home Page 2nd December 2007 AMGOD IS IN CHARGE! Pastor Colin Meadows Revelation 8:6-13, 11:15-19, Ezekiel 33:1-6
Ø Of this we can be certain! Benjamin Franklin commented that ‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes’. Other people have added to this list, depending of what was happening at the time. A newspaper heading recently I saw said ‘Three things are certain – death, taxes and the price of oil reaching $100 per barrel.’ There are however many other things that one may be certain of in life, and this morning I want to affirm something else we can be certain of – God is in charge and there is coming a time when Jesus will return and everyone on this planet will be called to give an account of their lives before God. In chapters 4-5 of the book of Revelation, we see the Lamb of God initiating the final great conflict on earth, the end of which will see him triumphant and the devil consigned to the lake of fire. The Lamb alone is the only one worthy to open the seals that reveal what is about to happen. In the following chapters we see unfolding what I feel are three parallel descriptions of the coming judgment. The images used include seven seals, followed by seven trumpets and then seven bowls. Each of these sets of sevens speaks of the final judgment about to fall on the earth. They are displayed in groups of seven for this is biblical language that speaks of completeness. The judgment picture is repeated three times to remind us of the seriousness, the certainty, the severity and the finality of what lies ahead. The final judgment is described in language of increasing intensity to reinforce the terror of what will take place, beginning with the seals, then the trumpets and finally the bowls. God is saying to us all, ‘Sit up and listen very carefully!! What you are about to hear is of utmost importance and must be heeded.’ Today we will focus on just one picture of the final judgment sequence, that being a slice through the trumpet passages. What we learn here has the potential to shape our lives and prepare us for what lies ahead. Remember, God is in charge! Firstly we will explore why God uses the image of a trumpet. Ø Trumpets announce important events: In earlier days, in order to announce a coming event or important occasion, trumpeters would move through the villages, heralding that a special announcement was about to be made or a special event was beginning. Num 10:10 “Also at your times of rejoicing – your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals – you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.” After the trumpet had sounded the people gathered to listen. In the Revelation passages, an incredibly important message is being revealed. The trumpets are calling us seven times to listen very carefully and to take note what we are hearing. Yes, trumpets announce the important news that God is in charge. Another function that trumpets perform is this… Ø Trumpets warn of danger: Long ago God appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman for the people of Israel. What was he to do as a watchman? He was to blow the trumpet when danger came near his people. Ez 33:3 “…he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people..” We too as God’s people have all been given the responsibility to share the Good News and to warn of the danger of rejecting this news. This task is not just for the church leaders but for all of us. We hear what lies ahead and we blow the trumpet of warning: Ez 33:7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” It is not always easy to give the warning of what lies ahead. Many people today don’t want to listen to such news. It was the same in Biblical days. The people wanted to hear stories of peace and prosperity, even when they were walking away from God. False prophets in those days were giving a false message of hope. God warned against such words… Ez 13:10 “Because they lead my people astray, saying ‘Peace’, when there is no peace…” We can only find peace when we submit to God’s rule in our lives. Let us thus blow the trumpet of truth today, sharing the Good News of Christ, sharing how in giving our lives to Jesus we will escape from the coming judgment. We are to call on people to repent and submit to Jesus’ rule in their lives. Yes, God is in charge. There is something else very important about the trumpet call… Ø Trumpets must give a clear call In Old Testament times, there were different trumpet calls for different occasions. When the people heard a certain sound they knew what it meant. In the army, there were different calls from the bugle that gave clear direction to the troops. The call had to be clear so that the troops knew what to do. As we share the good news of Christ, we too must present a clear message, one that is true to God’s Word and that can be understood by the hearer. 1 Cor 14:8 “Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” It was not just a matter of making any old noise. The message we send out must be clear and understandable. Otherwise people will be confused. What we say with our lips must match up with what we are doing in our lives. Otherwise people become confused, not sure what to believe. As the proverb goes, ‘actions speak louder than words’. St Francis of Assisi commented, ‘Preach the gospel, and if you have to, use words’. Live out the good news of Christ! Allow people to see your life being transformed by the presence of Christ. Then when you fail, be honest and share your failings with others. Don’t try to cover up. Be authentic, explaining that you are a disciple on a journey. Each day you are seeking to learn more about what it means to follow Christ. But there are times when your life needs to be explained with words. 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” I suggest the following points to be born in mind as we share the good news of Jesus… ü In prayer, submit to Jesus in all things. To set apart Christ as Lord means to submit to his authority in all things. This will lead you to pray for people around you. ü Tell your own story, not that of someone else. One suggestion is to outline your journey with God in this way: Acknowledge - admit that God is holy and we are not; we cannot make ourselves holy and desperately need his help Believe - in faith ask for Christ’s forgiveness and help Confess - tell God you wish to go with Him & share this with others Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” ü Speak with gentleness and respect as you take the opportunities as they come to share with others. Speak to people with whom you are in relationship – family, neighbors, etc. ü Be clear and avoid jargon – don’t confuse people! ü Be honest – admit your own failings, your doubts, your struggles. Explain the gospel through your own life, telling of the journey you have been on. Step out in faith and tell the Good News of Jesus. God is preparing people – he wants us to be his mouth piece. People are spiritually hungry but perhaps they have been looking for bread in the wrong places. Many spiritually hungry people are coming to churches these days and we may not be aware of this. Man recently who came to faith in Christ – he has been in churches for years. Talk with people you meet at church. Ask them how things are going in their spiritual lives. Perhaps you were born into a Christian family. That doesn’t make you a Christian. You need personally to submit to Jesus as Lord. Yes, let the call from the trumpet be clear. There is now one final truth we need to remember. Ø The battle is God’s, not ours: As we seek to share the Good News of Christ, warning of the coming judgment, let us always remember that it is God’s battle, not ours. He is the one who changes people’s lives, not us. He is in charge, not us. Long ago when the people of Israel went into battle they were reminded of this vital truth. Num 10:8-9 “The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. When you go into battle in the own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies.” The battle is God’s, not ours. We do not have the strength but God does. Allow the Holy Spirit to take control in this great spiritual battle. As we enter this conflict, we by faith take our place, seated with Christ, trusting in the victory he has already accomplished when he died on the cross and rose again. In prayer submit to Jesus. Blow the trumpet of the Good News and trust God to act. God is in charge. Soon there will come the time of the final trumpet call. Let us be people who are ready… Matt 24:31 “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” At that time, Christ’s kingdom will come on earth, as it is in heaven… Rev 11:15 “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” God is in charge. He is rolling out his plans for what is to come. Have you submitted your life into his hands? Have you stepped over the line to follow Christ? Have you asked him to forgive your sins and empower you to live a life that honors him? Why not do so today.
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