Bible SUNDAY

Bible Sunday. 2nd Sunday in Advent Romans 15

   I like what a friend sent me the other day that describes how we sometimes feel by ST Augustine: "

God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless , the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with saints and heroes of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honour and glory. "

    Certainly all of us have felt this way from time to time.  We need encouragement from others.  God has not left us alone in these times.  Whatever we in the way of hope is found in His Word which is " a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105  Today's prayer from the pen of Cranmer who wrote most of the BCP also echoes this theme of hope from God. " Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning...."  One of the worst things that could happen to us in this life is to go blind.  Without light we cannot find our way.  The Scriptures are such a light and hope.

     1.  God who is the author of Holy Scripture comforts us through His eternal and unchangeable Word.  He has allowed the written Word to be our guide in this life so that in the life to come we may go to heaven.  2 Peter 1:21 reminds us that " prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  People were asked if the Ten Commandments were valid and 84% of americans believed they were,  but more than half of them could not id even five of them. ( sermonillustrations)

        God is the author of the Scripture and He is also the Creator and Sustainer of all things.  In this world we are here only for a short time.  When loved ones go on before us we weep but in Christ who is the "Resurrection and the Life" we know they and we have everlasting life.  The Scripture reminds us of this. " Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep , but we shal lall be changed....Death is swallowed up in victory." I Cor 15

        2.  " Blessed Lord who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read them, mark them, learn them, and inwardly digest them."  The Apostle says the same thing .   " whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning , that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4   As Augustine said the burdens we carry weigh us down & the road seems dreary and endless .  The word encouragement lit. means to be " called by the side".  We are called to be near God through His Word and near to His side.  This is our comfort and encouragement. Unfortunately the stats are not very good at our frequency in reading the Bible. The Barna group has found that in a typical week that not including the day at Church or days at Church that only 13% read it daily,3 times a week 32% and 43% not at all.

            Some of us find encouragement in talking with those who have gone through things that others may need help with.  That is what the Apostle talks about in this chapter of Romans. " We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves....for even Christ pleased not Himself."  A friend, a family member, a trusted mentor or teacher. ....you can add to this list have all gone before us and shown us the way so to speak. 

           3. Lastly the word of God , inspired and without error leads us into the hope of everlasting life which we " may embrace, and ever hold fast...which thou O God has given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."  We feel this most deeply at the passing and memorial of family and friends who die unexpectedly or when we do not understand. Why we ask do some live long lives and others are taken from us .  We cry over that.  We yield them into God's hands for he is doing better things for them we can desire or  pray for ( as the Prayer says in our PB reminds us ,p. 597 " For Those We Love") But eternal life does not begin at death.  It begins at the moment of faith .  That is our hope.  That is our prayer.  That is our Blessed Assurance.

Thank God that He has not left us alone but in He provides manna from heaven in Heavenly food, the Holy Scriptures.  May we read, mark and learn them that we have hope and draw near to the eternal life that He has given us in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.