This week’s Scripture dealt with the hope we all have in God through Christ. There is nothing beyond God’s reach. In any situation and any circumstance God can effect change through those who love God. Jeremiah gave hope to the people in Jerusalem in Jeremiah 32 when he purchased a track of land from his cousin Hanamel. In this purchase Jeremiah is telling the people that one day God will return land and we will once again enjoy this land that we own.
The Psalmist in Psalm 91 gives praise to God who lets us live in the shelter of the Most High, saying that no matter what destruction awaits us God is faithful and trustworthy and will be there to rescue and save us.
In 1 Timothy 6 Paul is telling Timothy that no matter what happens to remain focused and take hold of the gift of eternal life. That we are to always have faith on Jesus’ gift that there is no end to life but only a newness in life with Christ. Paul goes further to say that doing good work in Christ is like building a foundation for our eternal home.
Then, as if those who chose the Lectionary readings needed to remind us, there is one way, and only one way, that hope is lost. In Luke 16 Jesus tells a parable about two people on either side of eternity. A rich man in torture and a poor man named Lazarus in the arms of Abraham. Hope does end if we live a whole life and never use the gifts that Christ has given us to love and help another person. Can a person live a whole life in selfishness without ever loving and helping another person? Yes. Jesus could not be more clear, that once these bodies give out, a line is cast.
The sermon focused on Paul’s expectations of Timothy in making him the Overseer or Bishop of the church in Ephesus. Timothy felt inadequate. He was scared of the responsibility, and he was not sure he could live up to Paul’s expectation. If we are honest with ourselves we must say that every time we are asked to do something we have not done before for the Lord, that there is an initial feeling of inadequacy. But like Jeremiah and the Psalmist, let us remember who is there to help us, God.
We are being called by God to bring the message of hope to a younger group of people. We have never had a great deal of success at doing just what God is asking us to do. God will never reveal the outcome of our hard work. God requires, demands, expects, us to have faith that our hard work will be for good. God expects us to call upon the power of God through the Holy Spirit to help. God will never ask us to do anything that does not require the help of a divine power. God is already bringing people and circumstances in our life to help.
As the people of God, the question is, “Can we see providence when it is occurring?” Will we let our fears of inadequacy cause our destruction? With all the sincerity in us, let us be united and remain steadfast in our knowledge that God is with us and is moving mountains to help bring about change. Amen.
