Wonder, Access, Purpose

Psalm 8, Romans 5:1-5, John 16: 12-15, plus echoes of Aldersgate

Gay Street United Methodist Church – May 26, 2013 – Trinity Sunday

Today is “Trinity Sunday” on the church year’s calendar, a day in which we ponder the great mystery that is our Triune God. ( … ) Our scripture lessons for today suggest three words to ponder: ( Psalm 8 is a great place to begin that pondering. )

Wonder

Psalm 8:1 “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!”

The first word today is “Wonder!” or maybe “Thankfulness.” We do NOT begin with “explanations” or speculation. But beyond all understanding, yet somehow reaching into our very souls—comes to those who will seek—who look for Him—an awareness of GOD!

I especially like that word “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings You have ordained strength…” Especially right here in Gay Street how many times have the babes and little children ministered to us and blessed our hearts.

The first word is “WONDER!” HOW EXCELLENT IS YOUR NAME IN ALL THE EARTH!

And Jesus taught us to begin our prayers by saying ”Hallowed be thy NAME…”

But our morning lessons lead us on—we are not simply left with awe and wonder and a general uplifting sense of worship. The epistle lesson speaks to us about the Trinity if we will listen:

Access

Romans 5:1, 2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have ACCESS BY FAITH into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God!”

The second word this morning is “ACCESS!” Access into grace. The Second Person of the Trinity is this great God’s gift to a world he so loved that…well, you know John 3:16. ( … ) As the great Methodist missionary E. Stanley Jones said, “We have a Christ-like God!”

[John Wesley specialized in this second word! A priest in the Church of England for 13 years, “Methodist” holy club … but 275 years ago last Friday something changed: I “discovered” Wesley through his Journal . . and by serendipity…. J City Road, etc…1982?? (From Wesley’s Journal, 5/24/1738:)

“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

After that day Wesley began to tell people that they could have this assurance… this access to God by faith! ( … ) It was the secret of a powerful moving of the Spirit that changed the course of history!!

We have access day by day through Jesus into knowing this great and Holy God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! And Jesus taught us to continue our prayers by saying:

“Give us THIS DAY our DAILY BREAD!” Maybe in a deep and profound way we are praying, asking, receiving DAY BY DAY THE BREAD OF LIFE! Jesus said “I am the BREAD!”

But there is a third word. We are not given this great gift of access to grace simply to establish a mutual admiration society and sit in the corner (like little Jack Horner!) The Gospel lesson introduces the Third Person of the Trinity, the gift of the Father, promised by the Son.

Purpose

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

The last word this morning is “PURPOSE!” Because we are loved by the Father, and brought into fellowship with God through what Jesus has done and is doing for us in Session, we are privileged to be part of God’s on-going Creation! Every child of God has significance!

If God the Father loved us so much that he gave us his son, it is also true that the Father and the Son have given to us the Holy Spirit! The Spirit, living in us and through us leads us and guides us into Life with a capital “L”! Abundant life! (John 10:10)

And Jesus taught us to pray: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil!” LEAD US! DELIVER US!

• Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
• Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
• John 15:8 "This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Focus!!

The Lord’s Prayer . . . (Matthew 6:9-13)

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

Wonder! Access! And Purpose! It is there every time we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us! Amen!