Sunday Sermon Nov 15th 2020

Sunday 111520

Our Old Testament lesson begins with a word from God by the prophet Zephaniah. He prophesied over Judah and Jerusalem before the captivity. His job was to tell them that because of their indifference to God, things were not going to look good in the future. The day of the Lord was coming soon and it did come! As good people of the book, Israelites knew that this didn’t sound good at all. It was a warning about doom’ s day: The Chaldeans would eventually take over their lives. It might have scared the lights out of them. Paul talks about the day of the Lord as well, but this one is different: it is about the second coming of Christ. Paul says: It will be a source of great joy to those who are awake spiritually, prepared and busy in God’s Kingdom. But for those who are sleepy, complacent, indifferent to God’s word of grace and mercy, it will be a terrible day. When we least expect it, the master will come. In what condition will we be found? A worthy question! We are encouraged to watch ourselves carefully, to be sober and spiritually awake, fed by God’s word least the coming of Christ catches us unprepared and sleepy.

The prophet Zephaniah is talking to a crowd that has known peace and security over some period of time. Judah and Jerusalem are unsuspecting how bad things can happen quickly. Zephaniah’s words are sharp and piercing to them because they knew the prophet was no kidding when he said that God would punish those who are complacent and who tell themselves: “surely God cannot harm us, can he? Let us continue our fun”. History tells us that eventually the Chaldeans destroyed Judah and Jerusalem as the prophet had prophesied. What does this story teach us? It teaches us that listening to God’s words is of vital importance because, if we don’t pay attention, consequences may find us unaware.

Judah and Jerusalem were too preoccupied by their own opinions; caught up in their extravagance and amusements; sensory pleasures and downplaying the gravity of the prophet’s words. Therefore, they missed an important opportunity to repent and return to the Lord. Who know the Lord could have changed his mind and averted the calamity. You see some of us have a problem with due dates. We are told the day of the Lord is coming but we know not the day nor the hour. We should shape up now, not when the due date is approaching. Maybe God really wanted us to shape up now when we have no due date.

God does not want anyone to perish, that’s why this second coming of Christ will be about saving the day! However, it has a warning that is similar Zephaniah’s: “Watch out! the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say: There is peace and security, then suddenly destruction will come upon them. There will be no escape!” Paul told Thessalonians hinting that this is a season to work, there will be a season when all things will be changed. Are we prepared for that season? Paul says prepare now [in this season of work], by encouraging one another in faith, hope and love!

Jesus comes to this subject through another angle, saying: the day of the Lord will look like a Master returning to his property and inspecting his slaves’ work. For those who have worked well, the master will say to them: “Well done good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master!” For those who didn’t work the master will say… I don’t want to say it. All I can say is that it didn’t end well. Jesus is saying to us: we are in the season of work. Are you working in God’s Kingdom?

We all have been entrusted with priceless talents or gifts from God. We have a gift of love: Like telling our family members: I love you! Sow peace, mercy and forgiveness in abundance; give them out generously. Talent/Gifts? Use for the Kingdom of God, this is a season for work… Be awake spiritually, allow the scriptures to inspire you; encourage each other; sing psalms, praise God in the day and praise God in the night…

The Lord is coming soon!

Amen

 

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