SERMON - WHAT'S IN A WORD?

 

What’s in a Word?

 

 

We see the word Holy used a lot. We hear, ‘holy man,’ ‘holy cow,’ ‘holy Moses,’ Most Holy,’ ‘Holy Spirit,’ ‘how holy she or he is,’ ‘holy terror,’ holy smokes,’ holy relic,’ ‘holy mess,’ and many other phrases using the word holy. We hear that word so often that we do not place proper weaning to what the ‘holy’ actually means.

 

Holy: Exalted or worthy of complete devotion. One perfect in goodness and righteousness. Having a divine quality.

 

What this boils down to is that the word ‘holy’ suggests that one who is worthy of that adjective is ‘spiritually sound.’

 

God is truly the only One that is truly spiritually sound in every way and is worthy of being declared Holy.

 

God Himself named Israel as His holy nation.

 

Exodus 19:6 “And you will be to Me as a kingdom of priests, Mt holy nation.”

 

Looking at Israel today and seeing rampant partying, carousing, x rated pornography and sinfulness, how can we wonder why there is so very much strife in that country? God named the Israelites as His people and now His people pray for His Divine intervention and for His protection as they continue in sin. Sinfulness demands repentance. God, the Most Holy, is to be held in fear. By that I mean that His powers are so awesome as to make any others pale in comparison.

 

Isaiah 8:13 Do not fear anything except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the Holy One. If fear Him you need fear nothing else.

 

Now let’s look at the word ‘faith.’ Christians know ‘faith’ and rely on God for all they receive and do. As a Christian I have been questioned as to ‘faith,’ and have been asked to prove the very existence of God.

 

Faith: Belief and trust. Firm belief in something for which there is no proof; belief in that which cannot be seen.

 

Just as many other Christians have done I have pointed out birds, flowers, trees, the beauty of all that God has created only to hear, “It was evolution,’ or some other lame excuse so as to claim the position that there is no need of faith.

 

To really teach another of faith I have seen this tactic used and these words said.

 

“If you want to know what faith is…sit in a chair. Now that you are sitting…raise both feet off the floor.” As the people did so the speaker said, "You do have faith. You had faith in whoever constructed that chair…if you did not have such faith you would have never raised a single foot!” Then he explained. “If your faith were in vain you would have known it…You would have fallen on your backsides and experienced real pain!”

 

Faith in God is like that. You must rely on His powers and His protection because if you don’t you are risking a bit more than a pain in the backside!

 

Psalm 116:6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith.

 

Mark 10:15 “I assure you, anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.

 

We spend so very many of our hours hoping for something. If we have an outdoor event planned, we hope it won’t rain. If we spend our money going to see a movie, we hope it will be as good as advertised. We hope for this and we hope for that. Let’s look at ‘hope’ in the spiritual sense of the word.

 

Hope: To desire with anticipation. To expect with confidence.

 

In the hymn, Shout to The Lord, the last words of the refrain are, ‘nothing compares to the promise I have in You.’ It could just a well could have been sung as, ‘nothing compares to the hope I have in You.’

 

Psalm 31:24 So be strong and take courage, all you who put hope in the Lord.

 

Psalm 62:5 I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.

 

As a Christian I eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus Christ and it is with the utmost of confidence that I expect His to return for His loved ones. That, my dear brothers and sisters is hope. Hope in salvation, hope in God’s declaring me, and all of you, worthy of Paradise with Him.

 

Now to the biggie and, .in the Word of God, the word with the most importance, ‘love.’ Not love of a dessert, not love of an action, not love of  a beautiful picture but real love; love that cannot fade, love that is real.

 

Love: Affection for another; admiration, benevolence, warm attraction. Brotherhood care and concern for others. 

 

The word love is probably the most used word in the Bible. However the Bible says, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” then says, “Love they enemy.” The meaning of each is simple if you apply thought and forget any thoughts of sex and kissing!

 

If you love God and fear Him, you can do so with affection, admiration and awe. That would be appropriate. To love thy enemy is different in that you are to have ‘brotherhood care and concern,’ not admiration and affection.

 

Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that the laws of Moses say ‘Love the neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.”    

 

 And, as Jesus said and repeated,

 

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind.”

 

In closing I shall say these words, I know God is Holy, I have placed my faith in Him with no reservation, I hope for His Salvation and I do love Him just as Jesus directed. With all of my heart, soul, mind and with all of my might.

 

(Closing prayer)

 

It is with a great joy in my heart that I set forth my praise for You My Lord. My happiness is in Your strength, love and Divine mercy. You are our God, there is no other. Please accept our worship and love for You.

 

As the Words You have revealed to us say, “Holy, Holy. Holy,” are you Lord. Holy are You.

 

Father, be with us in our times of need and deliver us from all evils and temptations. It is by You awesome powers that we are indeed, saved.

 

Please bless our sons and daughters in the military and send your angels to be with them in times of danger and strife. Keep them strong and under Your Mighty Wings of protection. Be with our elected officials and have them face the tasks before them with Your guidance and with wisdom that You provide.

 

Bless our many brothers and sisters throughout the world and have them know that we truly love them and pray for the best life for each. Keep them from harm.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, Who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.