Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Light of Christ Anglican Church
The Rev. Michael Moffitt September 7th, 2025
Sermon: “The Very Stones Will Cry Out” Luke 19:37-40
One of the great challenges of being a parent or grandparent is be careful to know who is having influence in the lives of your children or grandchildren. Nowadays that especially includes who is having influence on children on the internet. I know that this is likely a concern for each of us and can appear to be overwhelming. Of course, as Christians it’s always of great comfort that we can ask the Lord to guide us and direct our thinking as to what we can do to help. Sometimes it doesn’t take long before an answer can be found in God’s word. In other words, He’s already told us.
Lately I’ve been concerned about this issue. I believe that one of the most effective ways of dealing with this is by teaching children the word of God and the stories of the men and women in the Bible. This gives the opportunity to explain why they chose to follow God and what was their reward. Hopefully they will be influenced by those who were servants of God instead of those who were the enemies of God. This enables us to begin early on teaching our children the Gospel story presented to us in God’s word. Always a credible source. When kids can remember how and why God’s people were obedient to His word they have an example that they can use as a point of reference. Conversely, when they read the outcome for those who were God’s enemies they’ll see that as the opposite of what they should do. Of course, I didn’t just come up with that solution. As a matter-of-fact God came up with this solution thousands of years ago.
In Deuteronomy 5 Moses gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments given to him by God Himself. The people rejoiced after hearing the Word of the Lord for them and they solemnly promised to obey it. God hears all that the people have said and promised but He speaks to Moses in Deut. 5: 28-30,
“I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!”
This is followed in the next chapter, Deuteronomy 6 with a powerful exhortation from what is called the Shema. Listen to Deut. 6: 4-7,
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
That sounds pretty straight forward doesn’t it. So what’s the problem? The problem begins when you’re not intentional about it and then it becomes something that we meant to do but for the most part didn’t.
Of course as you likely remember the people of Israel, even after seeing all that God had done for them, including His presence everyday in the pillar of cloud and at night in the pillar of fire. Before long they turned and followed after the gods of the pagan nations. They had seen the powerful presence of God on Mt. Sinai where thunder and lighting revealed His presence. They heard His voice out of the fire and smoke and they were terrified. But somehow over time they forgot. From the time that Moses came to Egypt demanding that Pharoah let God’s people go they had witnessed God moving in fearsome power time and again. Still they eventually returned to the pagan idols of other nations.
After settling in the Promise Land the generation that entered with Joshua had a period of faithfulness to God. Listen to Judges 2:10-14. “And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.”
Of course the question arises, why didn’t the next generation know the Lord? Obviously, it was because Israel didn’t teach Gods word to their children and their children. This led to God allowing the Israelites to be oppressed by these nations. So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and He came to their rescue and raised up Judges to deliver them. Unfortunately, this cycle of worshipping foreign gods, experiencing oppression, crying out to God and then being delivered continued throughout their history.
The time period between the people of God entering the Promised land to the writing of 1 Chronicles is around 400 years. The Chronicler (story teller) was likely writing to many who remembered the stories of their ancestors living in exile in Babylon. They were sent into exile because they continued to turn from God and worship the idols of the pagan nations around them.
By not reading the law of God to their children, revealing the God of love, mercy, power and might they too would be unaware and be hardened. The God who delivered Israel time and again, who defeated their enemies and provided His people with great blessings. They didn’t remember the history of their nation so it’s no wonder that they weren’t aware of the God of their people.
In our Old Testament reading from 1 Chronicles 16, we read that King David, the Levites, and the people are celebrating the Ark of the Covenant returning to Jerusalem. There is singing praises to God in great celebration. Listen to 1 Chronicles 16: 2-4,
“And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord and distributed to all Israel, both men and women, to each a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.”
Clearly this was a time period where Israel was faithful to God under the rule of David. In our reading this morning the Chronicler includes Psalm 105, a Psalm of David that he sang in praise and celebration of the Ark of the Covenant returning. It’s a powerful example of praise lifting up the peoples focus as they worship from a heart of praise and thanksgiving. Listen to verses 7-11,
“ Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers. Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” The same problems of forgetting God’s words of covenant promises or curses was still of primary concern. Even though God’s people were back in the Promised Land and the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem, if they expected God’s blessings they would need to return to obedience to the Law of God which included teaching the law to their children and children’s children. I think for the most part we need to remember what happens when God’s people fail to teach God’s word and to model what it means to pursue God out of love and gratefulness.
I was blessed that as a kid I loved to read and still do. I really love history but in growing up I had a passion for reading biographies of famous historical figures. I loved to read about what life was like for people raised in other times, cultures, and places. When I was six years old we moved into a new subdivision that had been recently developed. Behind our street there were 3 other streets and then a very large, wooded area where over the years I often went to explore what was there and sometimes pretend that I was a famous pioneer, explorer, or a brave soldier like those I read about. Reading biographies taught me that there were people who were willing to risk all that they had, including their lives for something or someone they felt was more important than themselves. Often they took the risk hoping that their efforts would be rewarded, and the goal achieved would prove better for everyone. I loved to read stories of the beginning of our country and of those who gave of their lives so that we could live in freedom. Unfortunately, today many schools leave much of that out of educational curriculums in favor of a reinterpreted version of American history.
My heroes were Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Explorers Meriweather Lewis and William Clark, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln. Their stories framed my view of honor and self-sacrifice. In those earlier years of reading about those who I viewed as heroes I would pretend that I was like them as I played in the woods.
After I became a Christian I started reading biographies of famous men and women who lived their lives to glorify the God who had not only saved them from their sins but introduced them to what life really was intended to be. It also gave them the hope that one day all would be made right again when Jesus returned. A life where through Christ they could develop an intimate relationship with God that changed their focus from themselves to God and their neighbor. To this day I still love to read or listen to stories about famous Christians who laid down their lives that others might know and understand God’s holy word and Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Two weeks ago we finished an 8-week series on the “Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. One of the questions that we discussed was how we know when we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. I pointed out that the Holy Spirit always indwells true believers. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:16-17,
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a tangible thing where we are aware of His presence in our lives. From time to time he fills us and influences us more powerfully than at other times.
In Colossians 3:15-16 Paul shared a way to invite the Holy Spirits presence to be manifested in our lives. I believe this to be a tangible way for us to reveal the power of the Gospel witness in our lives.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Sometimes we find God’s Spirit leading us into situations or even life changes that are way outside of our comfort zone. This is where the gifts of the Holy Spirit allows believers to do things and experience God’s presence like never before.
In last week’s sermon we considered the profound changes that happened to 4 different people from the stories in God’s word. The changes drastically and completely altered the direction of their lives forever, literally. We considered Moses, David, the Apostles Paul, and then Peter. Though they lived a long time ago they each represent what can happen when God’s glory was the most important part of their lives and the role that the Holy Spirit played in their transformation.
I want to take a moment to broaden our understanding concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit in every believer. Paul was very clear that the Holy Spirit gives to every believer a gift that is to be used for the good of the Body of Christ. There is a variety of gifts as there are a variety of needs within the local body. So everyone should be seeking to live into the gifts (s) that are manifested through the witness of the Spirit in their lives.
What I want to suggest today is the common trait that every true believer in the Lordship of Jesus Christ shares. This common gift is the desire and ability within every Christian to praise and worship the Lord. One of the promises that we saw when discussing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the lives of every true believer was found in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
For those of you who use the Book of Common Prayer for Daily Morning Prayer and Daily Evening there is a section after The Confession of Sin entitled Invitatory.
Officiant: O Lord, open our lips
People: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us
People: O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; People: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Officiant Praise the Lord.
People: The Lord’s Name be praised
This is an invitation that the Holy Spirit open our lips that we might sing praises to the Lord. Because we so desperately need the Lord and praise and adoration is the best way to connect with Him.
I chose today’s Scripture readings because each one gives us examples of the praise and adoration of God’s people. As I pointed out earlier in 1 Chronicles 16 the writer quotes from a Psalm written by David (Ps. 105) where through praise and adoration David reminds those who are the people of God to offer God the praise that He is due. He calls on all creation who reflects His mighty power to praise Him. He invites the heavens and the earth to rejoice and be glad for the love and beauty of God, their creator.
Can you picture yourself reading this to your children or grandchild, the children of your neighbors pointing them to the glory of the Lord of all creation? Psalm 148 that we read in unison this morning is a beautiful summons to all of creation to praise and worship the Lord. I love what Charles Spurgeon wrote as just the introduction to Psalm 148.
“The song is one and indivisible. It seems almost impossible to expound it in detail, for a living poem is not to be dissected verse by verse. It is a song of nature and of grace. As a flash of lightning flames through space and enwraps both heaven and earth in one vestment of glory, so doth the adoration of the Lord in this Psalm light up all the universe and cause it to glow with a radiance of praise. The song begins in the heavens, sweeps downward to dragons and all deeps, and then ascends again, till the people near unto Jehovah take up the strain. For its exposition the chief requisite is a heart on fire with reverent love to the Lord over all, who is to be blessed forever.” Amen and Amen!
Romans 15:8-13, is a wonderful example of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit changing the heart of a zealous Pharisee to a servant of those who would have once been considered natural enemies.
Part of the spiritual blindness that had fallen upon the Jews in the ancient world is that they had forgotten the real promise that God made to their forefather, Abraham. God made a covenant with Abraham that through his descendants all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This promise is found in Genesis 12:3, 18:18, and 22:18. It unveils the universal scope of God’s plan for redemption, that was fulfilled through Jesus Christ and extends to all who come to him by faith and repentance of sin. Paul points out that Jesus came to be a servant of the circumcised (Jews) to show that the Father remembered his promise to the patriarchs that through them the Gentiles would also bring praise, honor, and glory to God. It doesn’t matter what nationality, or who you have been in the past, or how messed up your life is. The promise is to all that come to Christ inviting Him to be their Savior and Lord. The goal is that they will all lift up their arms in praise to the God of mercy and grace. Paul points to the blessing that follows those who bow down to God in faithful submission to His will. Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
In our Gospel reading from Luke 19:37-40 Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem in what has been called “His Triumphal Entry”. The people were lined up to praise and give glory to God because their Messiah was about to enter the Holy city. Of course they misunderstood why he was there thinking he had come to be seated on the throne of David now. Listen to Luke 19:38-40, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
We have got to embrace the call of God in our lives and we have got to make effort that to see to it that our children and other people’s children are told the story of the Lord God Creator and King of the universe and His amazing love. But you know what? We won’t do it unless we invite Him to change us into what He wants us to be.
I want to leave you with two questions to ponder.
Do you find yourself regularly in awe of God?
Do you ask the Holy Spirit to renew your hunger for more of God?
Let’s pray. “The Valley of Vision” The Trinity
