January 16-18, 2021 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 “GOD’S STILL SPEAKING!”

 

EPIPHANY 2

January 16-18, 2021

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

 

“GOD’S STILL SPEAKING!”

1.     In the midst of a mess.

2.     Seeking those who are listening.

3.     Empowering those who will make a difference.

 

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (EHV) “The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days. Prophetic vision was not common. ²Now it happened that Eli’s eyes had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see. Once when Eli was lying down in his place ³and God’s lamp had not yet gone out, Samuel was lying down in the Lord’s temple, where God’s ark was. ⁴The Lord called Samuel, and Samuel said, “I am here.” ⁵He ran to Eli, and said, “I am here, sinc100e you called me.” Eli said, “I did not call. Lie down again.” So he went and lay down. ⁶Then the Lord called once more, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here, since you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son. Lie down again.” ⁷Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord’s presence, that is, the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. ⁸The Lord called Samuel for the third time. So he got up and went to Eli and said, “I am here, since you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the young man. ⁹So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and once again lay down in his place. ¹⁰The Lord came and stood there and called as he had the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

 

SILENCE! UNCOMFORTABLY LONG SILENCE!

 

          Silence can be deadly. School kids know that when they have angered their teacher to the point of silence it is not good. Silence can be uncomfortable. Were you wondering if I was OK? Did it scare you a bit? Those types of silences are not good. But there is a far worse one. Silence from God. Listen to this judgment that God pronounced on Old Testament Israel through the prophet Amos. “Look, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine into the land—not a famine of bread nor a thirst for water, but rather a famine of hearing the Words of the Lord. ¹² People will stumble from sea to sea and from north to east. They will roam back and forth seeking the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” (Amos 8:11-12 EHV) Why did that happen? The people of Israel consistently and persistently refused to listen to God’s Word. So He took it away. That’s a horrible judgment. No word. No faith. No faith. No salvation.

          But that is not the time we live in, is it? God’s still speaking. Just like He was still speaking at the time of Samuel even though it was a messy time for a believer to live. Samuel lived at the end of the time of the Judges. Do you remember how that was described? “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” There is some pretty nasty stuff described in the book of Judges. Idolatry. Adultery. Dismembering a body. Morally a mess. Spiritually too. At the beginning of 1 Samuel Eli the priest saw Samuel’s mother silently praying at the Tabernacle and thought she was drunk. From that reaction you get the idea that happened a lot. People showing up drunk for church. Eli’s two sons, also priests, stole people’s offerings and seduced or sexually assaulted women who came to church. I remind you of this telling description of the times. “The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days. Prophetic vision was not common.” The word was rare, but not gone. God was still speaking in those messy times.

          As He is still speaking in our messy times. Someone passed on to me the prayer that was used to open the brand new session of Congress this year. Here is how it ended. “And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore. We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman.” (Rep. Emanuel Cleaver D-MO). We should be so proud! You know what we got here? We got a stinkin’ spiritual pile o poo. What a mess! That got some negative publicity. More people loved it. It is representative of the spirit in our nation where many people are saying (and I hope this hurts your ears as much as it hurts my mouth to say it) “Shut up Lord. We’re talking now. We’ll tell you who you are and we make the rules of right and wrong.” How sad. And yet in our country, God’s still speaking!

          We might wonder why. Because He’s seeking those who are listening. At least one person was listening at the time of Samuel. Not the priests. Samuel. A boy, 10, 12, 14 years old. We’re not sure exactly. Remember his mom, Hannah, had prayed for him and promised that if the Lord would give her a son, she would dedicate him in service to the Lord. God did and she did and he did. When he was just a child, he began serving the priest Eli at the Tabernacle. He would serve God more. “Samuel!” he heard in the middle of the night. Samuel ran to serve Eli’s needs thinking he had called. But Eli hadn’t. A little later. “Samuel!” Up he went again to see what Eli needed. Again Eli had not called. And Samuel hadn’t yet had God communicate to him in this special way. A third time. God’s number. “Samuel!” Now Eli caught on. The LORD was talking. “Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the young man. ⁹So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” God was speaking seeking those who would listen and He found one in Samuel.

          God’s still speaking today. We have His word in book form, podcasts, devotions, services in person or online, Bible classes. He’s still speaking. And still seeking those who will listen. You are listening. First I have to urge you to take it to heart. God’s words are true. They will never lead you astray. Whatever He says, hard for you or easy, listen to it. And keep listening. You might feel like rolling your eyes and saying, “Pastor, we are not the ones you need to encourage to listen. It’s the ones who aren’t here, who aren’t watching online. They need to hear this.” True but you know I’ve seen some sad things. I’ve seen folks who at one time were listening just like you gradually become folks who stopped listening. It wasn’t that they got mad about something or liked some other church better. They aren’t listening anywhere. What happened? As far as I can tell when the Lord called, when the Lord invited the response was “Not now, Lord. I’m busy. I’ll listen later.” And then later never comes and if you and I think that same thing cannot happen to us we are fools. Today, God’s still speaking. So today is the day to be listening. That’s what God is seeking, those who will listen.

          And it is so important that we do because the Lord is seeking those who will make a difference. Samuel had a servant’s heart. But he was just a boy! Never say “just” when God is involved. God used Samuel to make a difference. He appointed kings and advised kings. This one little boy guided the course of the entire nation of Israel returning them to the Lord. He was directly involved in God’s plan to bring the Savior Jesus into the word. In God’s hands Samuel was a difference maker. That’s why God spoke to him.

          And why God’s still speaking to you. I know some of you are getting a little discouraged. You don’t like what you see happening in our country. Maybe you feel like giving up. Don’t listen. God is empowering you to make a difference. You make the difference simply by being a believer. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? For the sake of only 10 believers God would have spared those wicked cities. Kids, do you see what God did with Samuel? You are not too young. Your words matter. Who knows what God has planned for your future? And if we can make a difference in our country, make it a better place to live that’s great. But it’s not what’s most important. Everything on earth passes. Eternity remains. You are the ones God is using to make a difference in people’s eternities. You are proclaiming Jesus. You are doing that personally and through our work together. You are teaching little ones and adults. You are snatching souls from Hell. God’s word has made you a difference maker. You are not just an old lady or little girl, just high school kid or an electrician. You are feet and hands and voice of God.

It's no wonder the Devil does not want people listening. He has seen what God has done through His people. We have plenty of work to do and time to make a difference. So we won’t give up or give in to discouragement. You’ve heard it said, “It’s not over until the fat lady sings.” They get that from opera. Not true. It’s actually not over until God goes silent. But He isn’t. God’s still speaking. So we will keep listening and He will use us to make the differences that matter most. Amen.

December 31, 2020 Pastor Timothy J. Spaude Text: Job 1:20-2:10 2020: MAY THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED!

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE

December 31, 2020

Pastor Timothy J. Spaude

Text: Job 1:20-2:10

 

2020: MAY THE NAME OF THE LORD BE PRAISED!

 

Job 1:20-2:10 (NIV 1984) “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” ²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. 2 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. ² And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth, going back and forth in it.”

³ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” ⁴ “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. ⁵ But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” ⁶ The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” ⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ⁸ Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. ⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” ¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.”

 

          I’ve heard a lot of sentiment about 2020 expressed as we’ve gotten closer and closer to a new year. Some of the TV New Year’s Eve shows ask you to join them in saying “Good-bye and Good Riddance to 2020” or “Let’s close the door on 2020 and never look at it again!” It’s cliché but you have probably heard it too. “2020: Worst Year Ever!” or “I can’t wait for this year to over.” To be sure there were plenty of negative aspects to 2020 that people complained about, maybe we complained about as well. With the coming of the coronavirus we went through shutdowns of businesses, in person church and school. People lost jobs and their businesses. Students lost graduation ceremonies. Sporting events ended. Mask mandates became the norm. Mental health has taken a huge hit. Then there were the race issues and everything that accompanied them. Protests, some peaceful, some not. Friends becoming enemies as they became as polarized on issues as the rest of the country. And of course politics in America did not get any nicer or more civil. It’s no wonder folks want to close the book on 2020.

          But brothers and sisters, our purpose tonight is not to complain but rather to worship and praise God for 2020 and to look forward with confidence. As Paul reminded us “If God is for us, who can be against us?” As Jesus urged us, “Stop worrying about your life.” That gives us a different perspective on 2020 than most Americans. We say “2020 May the name of the Lord be praised.” To see why we look at the life of one our brothers in faith, our brother Job.

          When we first meet Job in the 1^st chapter of the book that bears his name “he had seven sons and three daughters, ³ and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants.” On one single day Job got the following news.  His oxen and donkeys were stolen and the servants guarding them killed, fire fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and killed the servants watching them, his camels were also stolen by raiders with more servants killed and then the worst news of all, his seven sons and three daughters were all killed when the house they were in collapsed. And we want to complain about a bad year?

Job’s response? “He fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” ²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” No way Job is going to get a newscasting or entertaining job in America today with an attitude like that! Where did that come from? Job is described as a man who feared God and shunned evil. Job respected God. He knew and trusted God’s wisdom and power. So when bad things by anyone’s standard happened to him he worshipped and praised God, trusting that everything God did or allowed had not just a reason but a good reason.

His troubles continued. Some things we don’t know a lot about. Angels presenting themselves before God. Satan also allowed. Satan given permission to try Job’s faith some more. “So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ⁸ Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. ⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” You all know how it is. It is easier to deal with setback and hard times when you are rested and feel good. But when your health is bad, and you can’t sleep…How do you sleep with sores all over your body? And then your closest companion encourages you to turn on God. Job’s response. “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” What no “Good riddance 2020 BC!?

          Now there are some truths here we can take directly over into our own lives. We know where Job’s troubles came from, Satan. At the time Job didn’t. And yet they were allowed by God. And that gives us an insight into what was really going on here. This is a battle between God and the Devil. The Devil trying to make God look bad. The Devil trying to get God’s people to turn on Him and turn away from Him. God defeating the Devil’s plots and working good.

          I’ve heard the theories on coronavirus. No dispute it came from China. Was it by worker accident or a part of a much bigger sinister Chinese government plot? I don’t know. Maybe we’ll find out some day. You can pretty easily identify the nastiness in America over elections and race issues as stemming from people’s sinful natures, no doubt egged on by bad old Satan. But can you see the bigger picture, brothers and sisters? Did Satan present himself before God talking about you and me. “You’ve made their life so easy, no wonder they follow you. But take those things away and you will find out who their real god is. Will they be more upset over cancelled sporting events than worship services? Will their eyes be glued to their screens when sports return but not to their screens for online worship? Watch them turn on each other instead of showing love for one another.”

          Troubles are a test and a chance for us to show the Devil and others we trust what God sends our way because He’s already sent His Son our way. Just look at all the good God brought out of the troubles of 2020. Many churches, ours included, got a whole lot better at getting God’s word out through technology. Many Christians, us included, got better at devoting ourselves daily to God’s word  and taking the time to pray. Many Christians, including many Jacobians found extra ways to show love to others and help in time of need. I have never seen the level of donation to our Almoners Fund which helps members in need. People stepped up at church and school to keep the mission going online. People spent more time with family. Kids learned to appreciate school. Parents learned to appreciate teachers. We also were taught that box office hits and professional sports really aren’t essential. You can come up with many more. What do we say to that? 2020 May the name of the Lord be praised.

          And 2021 too. The difference between one year and the next temporally is really just one second. Some of you will be awake when that happens, some not. But while we sleep or countdown God will continue to be where He has always been and doing what He always does. He will watch over us and protect us. He will only allow what He knows and plans to work for good. He will continue to pour out on us His love. He will continue to thwart the Devil’s plans. And because, like Job, we respect God and his goodness and trust His wisdom and power, our view of years old and new is the same: May the name of the Lord be praised. Amen.