St. James Presbyterian Church,Dawson Creek, B.C, 1501-108 Ave
Box 838, V1G 4H8
(250) 782-4616,
Cell 403-835-7235
June 6, 2021
Pastor Terry Hagen
Scripture Psalm 130, Genesis 3:8-15, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, The Gospel of John 3:1-21
Sermon Renewal – Day by Day
How wonderful to be able to meet again after such a long period of time apart. Covid 19 has been an experience that is unlike anything that we have seen in our lives. It has certainly been a trying time. We do give thanks that case numbers have begun to drop and that we have begun to see a return to the near normal. Some things that have changed may remain that way. I think that is especially true of a new way of communicating through technology as in virtual services. That may continue even with a return to in-church services. Through these times, as difficult as they may have been, perhaps they have been a refining of us, as silver. Just as a reminder Zechariah said according to the word given to him by the Lord in chapter 9:13: This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ ” I am sure that through this time we have all called on our Heavenly Father many times.
Today our focus can be for the present and for the future. Our sermon title is Renewal – Day by Day. I was encouraged to share a message on this as I used it as a topic for last week’s radio devotional. There are so many biblical references to renewal, that I was able to find enough material to last the whole week.
Our first reading today is from Psalm 130; a favourite of mine and I was pleased to see that it was included in this today’s lectionary. We are reminded in this Psalm that in heart felt repentance our sins are forgiven. More than that we are given and even clearer understanding of forgiveness as it is revealed here as redemption. It has been revealed to us that by the crucifixion we have been redeemed through Chris’s atoning death on the cross.
Here are verses 3-5 from that Psalm that I believe we can find renewal in: If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
Verses 7&8 – speak of redemption:
Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Our second reading comes from Genesis 3: 8-15. This passage we are very familiar with and we would not likely see any sense of renewal here but there is hope; and it is expressed particularly in verse 15:
Reformed Theologian Boice interprets the crushing of the head as our death in Adam but renewal is reference in the words and “you shall bruise his heel is a reference to our need of a Savior which we see evident so early in Scripture the first book of the Bible . We recall the verse 1 Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. In the Genesis passage we find hope and renewal when we understand the whole passage of the fall. The recognition of our need for a Savior and this was God’s redemptive plan from the beginning.
Our Third Reading comes from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. I am going to share this passage in its entirety because it is filled with such hope and in hope we know that we find renewal. We are blessed in many ways and we see an important reference to grace in verse 15. Those that have come to understand the glorious grace of God will understand the significance of this verse: All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Because of God’s great grace we “overflow” with gratitude and joy.
“Joy” is another understanding of God’s grace since it is one of the Fruits of the Spirit. It is the expectation then of God, that by His grace we will be so joyful in thanksgiving as to glorify Him in our lives continually.
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Our Fourth and Final Reading is from The Gospel of John 3:1-21
And it is the ultimate in renewal for it is by the Holy Spirit that we are truly born again. Some of these matters were discussed at our last Zoom Bible Study this week. Those that are of faith will understand what it means to be born again. Not all experience this as Saul did on the road to Damascus. For some the work of the Holy Spirit is a more gradual process; never the less those of faith will know in their hearts that the Spirit dwells within them – even though we are not yet perfected. Do not be concerned for your salvation if you believe that you have had the experience of being born again. You may recall a verse from the Book of Jeremiah as he speaks to those going into exile in Babylon. Jeremiah 29:13 – You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. That verse along is worth meditating on. If you have a desire to find the Lord then you can be assured that the Spirit is at work within you. When we have sought the Lord with our whole heart and by the power of the Holy Spirit He will be revealed to us.
Once you have received the Holy Spirit you will never lose that gift. Once you have been chosen, once you are of the elect ,you will never lose that and you are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit which guarantees your salvation.
The passage from the Gospel of John then:
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
All Glory be to Thee O Lord. Amen.
.