ST TIMOTHY'S CHURCH - SERMON NOTES + GROUP NOTES
DATE / SUBJECT (also at StTims.org.uk) / TEXTS03/01/16 / Prayer perspective / 2 Kings 6.8ff , Luke 11.1-13 etc
We went to see the new Star Wars film yesterday. Great! Allegedly a story that happened a long long time ago in a galaxy far away… One of the themes that permeates all the now seven films in that series is the idea that behind apparent power of the material world. There is some kind of force, a spiritual power that is an ultimate control, and which exists in every living thing. And there some people have a deep knowledge of that power, and can utilise that power to overcome materialistic forces.
Despite the fact that we live in a very secular culture, it is remarkable that a story with such a strong spiritual perspective should be such a commercial success, watched by hundreds of millions of people.
Not really surprising… Because that story is pointing to a reality which our materialist world has suppressed – that behind this material world, which we can see feel and touch, is indeed the spiritual force of God which is an ultimate control, and in which all the material forces are subservient to the spiritual realm, and ultimately to God.
This morning we read of another wonderful (but this time true) story which takes place a long long time ago - about 3000 yrs, in a place far away - the ancient kingdom of Israel! Now Israel was often at war with the Kingdom of Aram (geographically north-east of Israel, in an area which is roughly like Syria is today…)
Elisha was the hero - the successor to the prophet Elijah, and worked many miracles, including healing the army general Naaman of leprosy, Praying for a widow who lived in Shunem to have a son, and restoring him to life when he was ill, and many others. He had a close association with the rulers of Israel at that time for about 60 years.
In this particular story we see the annoyance of the neighbouring King of Aram, because all his plans to attack Israel were frustrated because everything that he spoke about with his army officers, God revealed to Elisha, who then revealed this to the King of Israel. So the King of Aram decides to do a surprise attack on Elisha. Quite amusing that the King of Aram thinks that he can sneak up on the prophet Elisha - who has a hotline to God - and capture him unawares… Doooh!
Anyway the King of Aram is told that Elisha was staying in the city of Dothan, which is situated about 45 miles north of Jerusalem, going towards Galilee. The King of Aram’s army surrounded the city, and early in the morning Elisha’s servant went out and saw the surrounding army, and paniced! no hope! No doubt this was a very natural reaction, and most people would feel the same!
But Elisha is not bothered at all. He asks God to open his servant’s eyes, and then his servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha - chariots presumably driven by angelic beings.
As the enemy advanced, Elisha simply prayed to the Lord to strike the army with blindness. Which God duly did. And a blind army is pretty useless for battle! And then he led the blinded army right slap bang in the centre of Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, into the hands of the King. The King was keen to finish them off, but Elisha showed them mercy. Elisha was not afraid of them at all. His God is much stronger.
One of the important features of this story is that it reveals the incredible difference that happens when you see this world from God’s perspective, just as Elisha did. Elisha was not phased by the surrounding army, unlike his servant. Not only was Elisha not afraid, but knew the power that was available to him to overcome these human enemies. He knew the immense resources that were available to him as a man of God.
Not the contrasting reactions: Elisha was a man of God, but his servant was a man of the world.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could see the world like Elisha did. To be conscious of the limitless power of God available so us, to see how weak this material world is by comparison to such awesome, godly power.
But that is, in fact just the way that God wants all Christians to see the world. God wants to open our eyes, just as he did the servant of Elisha, to see the awesome spiritual power available to us. So that we can be fearless, but also use that power to overcome the forces of darkness, and build his kingdom.
Eg…
St John tells us, in his first letter that “he who is in us is stronger than he who is in the world”. (1 John 4.4)
Saint Paul says if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8.31)
also in Ephesians 1, St Paul praised that God would open the eyes of our heart: (Eph 1.18)
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened [ opened ] in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Part of growing at a Christian is to change our perspective from a materialist perspective trusting in what we can see feel and touch, to a godly perspective, seeing the world as created and governed entirely by God, in which all the materialist forces of government military power, and material wealth are totally subservient to the great plan of God.
And directly connected that is a fact that part of growing as a Christian is to learn to utilise all the spiritual powers available to us. Which is what prayer is all about, and again the Bible encourages us to use the spiritual weapons available to us. Again this is something that St Paul is very keen to communicate, eg 2 Cor 10
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ
Eph 6.10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
What a difference this makes as we grow in our understanding of the Spiritual realm / the power available to us!
Imagine if you had the perspective and power of Elisha. What God could do through you. What God could do through St Tims. What joy, adventure, privilege, excitement, fulfilment,
Are you growing as a Christian still? Do you expect to have grown, by this time next month / next year?
How can we? Become a Jedi knight!!? More realistically…
1… Look at the Bible… eg 2 Kings 6 Eph 1.18 ff 1 Jn 4.4 etc (as above)
But also look at the teaching of Jesus…
We are children of God on earth to work with him to build his Kingdom – and prayer is the means he has given to us. “Your will be done (on earth as it is in heaven etc. (Mt 6)) – we are his agents to call down his power into our world
2… DO IT!
The more we do this, the more real it becomes, and the more God inspires and answers our prayer. The more we begin to think his way – have his perspective. Eg the 72 returning in Luke 10.17f (sent out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick) – rejoicing they had power over demons
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’
Jesus replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
3. PROBLEM…!
But we find this difficult as Prayer exposes our immaturity –
Prayer is about being channels to do his will, his way, and in his time. Learning to pray like this is a long and sometimes painful process! – are we up for this? Its impossible!
4. But YES – by his grace and his Spirit. Jesus says as we persevere, as we ask seek knock and.. He is our Father and will surely bless us.
Starter Questions:
1. Elisha and his servant had vastly different reactions on seeing the enemy army - Elisha’s servant had a materialist perspective, but Elisha had a Godly, spiritual perspective. Why did this make such a difference to their reaction?
2. Which perspective would be more fun, fulfilling, fruitful and pleasing to God - and why?
3. In a spectrum ranging from 1 to 10 between materialist and Spiritual, where would you place your own perspective – and what difference does this make in your life, and your prayer-life, and your ability to Serve God?
4. How might God help you to change your perspecive for the better (more like Elisha)? Why would he want to?
5. Do you want to grow in your faith and discipleship this year? Is this your No 1 ambition? Why should it be?
6. What are you going to do about this in 2016. How might your group help you in this resolve?