Week commencing Sunday 30th January 2022

Devotional Materials. Week Commencing Sunday 30^th January 2022

Call to Worship

‘Since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.’ (Hebrews 10:22).

Jesus says ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ (Matthew 11:28, 29).

The Old Testament priests could not enter the ‘holy of holies’- the inner room of the temple. This is where God chose to manifest His presence. Such is His holiness and purity, not even the priests could enter that inner room. Only the High Priest could go there, and that just once a year.

Jesus is described in the book of Hebrews as our Great High Priest, By His death- His perfect sacrifice- we have continual access to God. We are invited to draw near into God’s presence without fear, with confidence and with full assurance of faith.

Hymns

‘There is a place of quiet rest’ MP 942, piano

Clebland B McAfee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx381l8rOOc

‘To be in your presence’ MP 951, piano

Noel Richards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=typ7cueKdT4

Prayer

‘Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ (Romans 8:33, 34).

These verses are such an encouragement to us Lord. Sometimes we feel burdened, weighed down by our own sense of inadequacy and failure. We are conscious of the evil we have done and the good we have not done. Lord you would have every right to condemn us, but we rejoice the opposite is the case! Lord Jesus, thank you that as our great High Priest you intercede for us. You forgive and sanctify our lives. You use even our failures to refine us and make us more dependent and reliant on God. You do not give up on us but continue your work in us, ‘for those he predestined he also called, those he called he also justified, those he justified he also glorified.’

You have started this saving work in us Lord that will go on into eternity.

It is in this assurance of sins forgiven that we make our confession to you….

We thank you for your wonderful promise that ‘if we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness.’ (1 John 1:9)

Hymn

‘Light of the world’ MP 1086, guitar, violin

Tim Hughes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_KNvkk2G-Y

Reading. Genesis 14:13-24

14¹³ A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother^[a] of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. ¹⁴ When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. ¹⁵ During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶ He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

¹⁷ After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
²⁰ And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ²⁴ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Prayers

Thank you Lord you care enough about us that you as High Priest pray for our ongoing sanctification of life. Such is your love you continually pray for us about our trials and the needs we have in this life. Those things that so easily burden us; work difficulties, family problems, sickness, financial problems, relational difficulties, bereavement. At those times we feel overwhelmed, but we know as we look to you in these things, dependent on your strength- your divine power gives us peace. Though the problem often remains- you give us your strength and presence within, and the guidance of your Word, to persevere through.

You say ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ (Matthew 11:28, 29).

 

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Please heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Use us as your instruments. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1979 Book of Common Prayer, Protestant Episcopal Church, USA)

Reading Hebrews 7:1-10

¹This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, ²and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace’. ³Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for ever. ⁴Just think how great he was: even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ⁵Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people – that is, from their fellow Israelites – even though they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ⁷And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. ⁹One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Hymn

‘I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus’ MP 258,

Francis Ridley Havergal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3_Xba6PNGg

Sermon. ‘Melchi-who?’ Genesis 14:13-24

Previously we saw how Abraham and Lot parted company. Abraham gave Lot the choice of where to live. Lot chose for himself the verdant plain of the Jordan and settled near Sodom. Abraham, by faith, trusted God for the provision of the land the Lord had earlier promised to him.

Abraham lived in quiet and security in Mamre for several years after Lot’s departure. But in Chapter 14 we read of a great invasion by a confederation of kings sweeping in from the Northeast. Humanly speaking this event could easily have destroyed Abraham and left God’s promise broken. But God’s promises are not breakable. And we shall see that rather than panic and compromise as he did in Egypt, Abraham passed the test and gained victory.

Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, was the leader of this invasion. He was the Napoleon or Hitler of his Age. Although we should remember that kingdoms were still small at that time, probably not much more than cities in size; their armies also relatively small- but they were cruel and ruthless. The reason for the invasion, the Bible tells us, is that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and others in the region already paid tribute to Kedorlaomer, however after 12 years of this they decided to rebel and stop paying. Kedorlaomer with the aid of other kings sought to crush the revolt.

[Interestingly this event has been confirmed by Archaeology. Dr Nelson Gluek, a leading Palestinian archaeologist has written “Centuries earlier, another civilization of high achievement had flourished between the 21^st and 19^th centuries B.C, till it was savagely liquidated by the Kings of the East. According to the Biblical statements, which have been borne out by archaeological evidence, they gutted every city and village at the end of that period from Astaroth-Karnaim in southern Syria through all Trans-Jordan and the Negev to Kadesh-Barnea in Sinai (Genesis 14:1-7). (“Rivers of the Desert”)

So the four invading kings and their armies from the North East soundly defeated the five kings representing the cities of the Jordan.

On returning from their victory the invading force also carried off Lot into slavery and took his possessions.

Abraham watched all this from a distance but acted when Lot was taken captive.

Abraham had separated himself from the evil around him, he knew he was set apart for God. He was separate –but he was not isolated. He was independent but not indifferent. So too we believers must be separate in the sense we should not compromise when it comes to conviction and Christian behaviour. We must not become worldly and merely live for that which is seen and temporary, our devotion is to the unseen and eternal. Our priority is seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. At the same time we are not to be hard hearted- detached and aloof from the plight of others. The Lord has shown mercy to us, and we must reflect that same love in our society. We do this most effectively by bringing the good news of the Gospel to those taken captive by sin. Only the Gospel of Christ’s love has the power to free them.

It is right that we be concerned with Holiness of life and a desire for purity, but these must never become an excuse to stand unconcerned while there is such a need for immediate and unselfish action on our part to reach those who are lost without Christ.

A baby camel asked his mother, “Mum, why do I have these huge three-toed feet?”

His mother replied, “Well, son, your toes help you stay on top of the soft sand when we trek across the desert.”

A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mum, why do I have these large eyelids?”

His mother replied “Well, son, your eyelashes help keep the sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”

A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mum, why do I have these great big humps on my back?”

His mother, who was getting a little impatient with her son, replied, “Well son, your humps store water for our long treks across the desert, so you can go without drinking for long periods of time.”

“That’s great mum,” the baby camel said. “We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water. But mum…?

“Yes son?”

“Why are we in the zoo?”

God has given us a mission to carry out. He has provided you and I with gifts and talents so that we can serve Him in reaching out to those who need to know Christ’s love and in serving fellow believers. Are you carrying out the mission God has given you? Maybe you feel like that camel in the zoo. Life is easy, things are going along smoothly but you know underneath you could be making a greater difference. Do you care enough to get involved? Have you the courage to venture out of your comfort zone and love with Christ’s love in these ways?

Abraham treated his nephew with love, both when he gave Lot first choice of the land and he shows this same love when he risks his own life to save him. Lot had not been kind to Abraham, and Abraham had every excuse to let his nephew suffer the painful consequences of his own actions. However, Abraham practised brotherly love and overcame evil with good. (Rom 12:17-21; Gal 6:1, 2)

Abraham by this time was practically a king and was able to gather 318 men, pursue the Eastern kings and rescue Lot. A number of Amorites probably went with him. You’d have thought this would be too small a match against the invading armies who had already defeated much larger armies than Abraham’s forces. The odds were no doubt comparable to Gideon’s 300 battling against 135,000 Midianites but God was with Abraham, as He was with Gideon; and that was more than enough.

Abraham had the element of surprise and while the invading forces were relaxing and enjoying the spoils of war, he initiated a night time attack which left his enemy demoralised. Abraham further pursued the enemy and finally brought back his brother Lot, his family and possessions.

Bera, the King of Sodom was very impressed when he learned of Abraham’s victory and met with him at the valley of Shaveh. He made Abraham a very generous offer. Abraham could keep all the goods he had gained and return those who had been held captive back to their homes. Even though Abraham seemed to have some claim on the plunder, he would not agree. His faith in God meant he was able to turn down the offer. He had already thought about it because he says (22) “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich”.

Well why did Abraham turn down this generous offer?

We need to understand that Abraham had a choice to make. He had to choose between two kings who represented 2 opposite ways of life:

 Bera, King of Sodom represents Worldliness, the appeal to our old, greedy sinful nature. The world bargains for our allegiance.

This episode reminds us of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, when Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world for one act of submission to him. We too are tempted in this way. An act of moral compromise, the pursuit to find life in material things rather than live on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The temptation to make idols of created things and devote yourself to these rather than “worship the Lord your God and serve Him only”.

In a previous church where I was Pastor I worked with a young man by the name of Martin. Before he became a Christian, Martin’s aim in life was to make money. His desire was to appear on The Apprentice, television programme. There Alan Sugar, multi-millionaire, has a place for a young man or woman in his company to be an apprentice and so potentially earn a 6 figure salary. He invites a number of young people to carry out business ventures, divides them into 2 teams and then judges how well or badly they have performed as a team and as individuals. The losing team is summoned back into the board room. It’s interesting to see the power Sugar and his money has over these young people. He is rude and abusive towards them, he cares nothing for them, he knows he has power over them and they are brainwashed into thinking they really will find life being employed by him. At the same time they are encouraged to blame one another for where they have gone wrong as a team, and all the unpleasantness of strife, pride and ambition are shown for what they are in the board room. None of them are really living. I remember Martin and me talking of the irony that he would be an “apprentice” in the Church, and the Church operates according to different principles. The world could not understand his choice, but Martin’s decision was truly rich in the eyes of God as he embarked on the godly ambition to promote love of God and love of neighbour which are the essence of real life.

Martin has rejected the devil’s temptation in this decision and chosen Christ instead. Just as Abraham rejected Bera- King of Sodom but accepted Melchizedek, which means “king of righteousness”.

Melchizedeck had already come to Abraham, before Abraham met with the King of Sodom, and it’s clear this previous encounter with Melchizedeck had already prepared Abraham to overcome the temptation set by Bera.

It’s important to see that Melchizedeck was not only a King but he was priest of God. He made a thank offering of bread and wine. He praised God for Abraham’s victory and blessed Abraham. He also used a new name for God- “God most high, Creator” (or Possessor) of heaven and earth” (19). This revelation of God had made a deep impression on Abraham. So much so that it stayed in his mind. We know this because he uses the same phrase- “God most high Creator of heaven and earth” in resisting the temptation posed by Bera. Why should he need to take anything from Bera when the Possessor of heaven and earth owns everything and will provide Abraham with all he needs according to His good will. So we see Melchizedeck’s words heartened Abraham and strengthened him to overcome temptation

All these things Melchizedeck did are what the Old Testament priests were appointed to do. They were to make sacrifices on behalf of the people. They offered prayer and praise to God on behalf of the people. In God’s name they blessed the people. They encouraged with insight from Scripture so that the people might be strengthened by renewed faith in God and so ready to overcome temptation

But Melchizedeck was no ordinary priest. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament mentions his name 9 times. There he is described in exalted language. Hebrews 7 tells us his name means not only king of righteousness but also king of “Salem” which means king of peace.

Further Melchizedeck is the first priest mentioned in the Bible and his order is seen as superior to all human orders of priests. The priests from Aaron’s line were seen as very important, but as the writer to the Hebrews in chapter 7 explains, even the Aaronic priesthood must yield to the Melchizedeck priesthood. Abraham and Levi were the source of the later Aaronic priesthood but Abraham brought tithes to Melchizedeck and accepted his blessing. (And the writer argues even Levi metaphorically yielded superiority to Melchizedeck since he was a seed in Abraham’s body when Abraham did this.)

Supremely however, Hebrews 7 sees Melchizedeck as a type of Christ. He is described in Chapt 7:3 as “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest for ever” Such is the greatness attributed to Melchizedeck here that some scholars not only see him as an ordinary man who is merely a type of Christ- a foreshadowing of Christ to come but they think this kind of language suggests Melchizedeck was actually Christ Himself. The eternal Word of God, in one of His pre incarnate appearances. Just as in Daniel 3 when Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo, were thrown into the fiery furnace, there appeared one with them whose form was “also like the Son of God” There are detailed arguments for both positions and I haven’t got time to go into these here. But whether we see Melchizedeck as a type of Christ or a pre- incarnate visitation of Christ Himself, this has encouraging implications for us as Christian believers.

For just as Melchizedeck came to Abraham with God’s word to encourage him to be faithful and so withstand the coming temptation. So too Christ is our Great High Priest, and when you face temptation He is continually praying for you so that you might remain strong and overcome. He draws your mind to His Word and His presence:

• When you are disillusioned and feel life has got so bad it must be God’s fault. When you are tempted to feel walking with Christ only leads to oppression and pain. When you think you have let Christ down too badly to ever be given another chance. Jesus prays for you. Jesus prays that you will not be separated from him. Just as he said to his disciples and Simon Peter in particular: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”. (Luke 22:31-34)
• When you are tempted to worry about what other people think of you. Jesus prays for you. He says: “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests- look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true not popular” (Luke 6:26 ‘The Message’)
• When you feel lonely and insecure about the future Christ prays for you. He says to you as He said to his disciples: “Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” And he says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (Luke 12:24-28)
• When you feel hurt by someone and you are tempted to hold on to resentment, Jesus is praying for you that you will overcome. He says to you “Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticise their faults- unless of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that harness can boomerang. Be easy on people you’ll find life a lot easier” and he says “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part” (Luke 6:35-36, Matthew 6:14-15 ‘The Message’)
• When you feel terribly lonely. Jesus is praying for you. He says “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door , I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20)
• When you are afraid to die, Jesus prays for you. He says “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26)
• When you worry about money and material things, Jesus prays for you. He prays you will overcome this temptation and reminds you “Seek first the Kingdom of God and these other things (material necessities) will be given to you as well. He reminds you of the Scripture: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:19).

Jesus is your great High Priest. He is continually praying for you. He encourages you to remain strong as you face temptation. He encourages you with the words of God; a revelation from Scripture, an insight into His character, some holy thought. These He gives you to fill your heart and memory against the attack of your spiritual enemy. He prays for you that you might be victorious and overcome temptation just as Abraham did. He encouraged Abraham with the words “Blessed be Abraham by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” In all your temptations He prays for you and says to you “Blessed be Wendy, Kevin, Gerald, Margaret, Elizabeth, Anne, Polly, Alan- you put your name there . “Blessed are you by God most High, Creator of heaven and earth”……………………………………..

Hymn

‘Before the throne of God above’

Charitie Bancroft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50pFs0hRpg

Blessing

May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being- spirit, soul and body- free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus.
David Barnes 26/1/22