28th March 2024

28th March 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 9v7-10)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Simon the Stylite was born in the year 390 and lived over half of his life on a small platform at the top of a column. He chose this path in order to devote himself to an austere yet God-centred life. He had essentials passed up the column regularly but he was so committed to his simple life that he refused to see his mother. Instead he told her that if they were worthy they would see each other in the next life.


Some might see Simon as a true Christian man who took seriously a life devoted to God whilst others might consider him an extremist. I’m not going to mock Simon nor will I condemn him. The evidence suggests he was a man utterly committed to Christ and many were deeply challenged by his devotion. But is Simon’s example one that we should follow?


I don’t think so. What does the Christian life ordinarily look like? May I describe it as extraordinarily ordinary? What do I mean? Solomon painted a wonderful yet ordinary picture of a joyous life. He urges us to eat and drink with joy and a merry heart (v7). We are to wear white garments with oil upon our heads which symbolise one’s happiness (v8). We are to delight in our husband or wife (v9) and we are to work as hard as we possibly can (v10). He makes no mention of austerity or life on top of a column.


But my description of the Christian life was that it is “extraordinarily ordinary” There’s nothing desperately extraordinary about eating our dinner with joy and working hard. So perhaps a Christian’s deeds should be extraordinary? Should we travel the earth preaching the Gospel? Should we swap our homes for a column in the wilderness? Maybe but not usually. The Christian life is extraordinary because it is a life that has been transformed by Christ.


Jesus has taken us from spiritual death to life. He has caused us to be born again and with new hearts we freely and willingly choose Christ. Jesus no longer counts our sins against us and His righteousness has been credited to our account. Furthermore, He has given us a place in His church where we experience the extraordinary yet ordinary means of grace. As the Word is preached, as God’s people pray and as we enjoy the sacraments - we grow.


The Christian life is extraordinarily ordinary. Brothers and sisters, rejoice in the magnitude of the glorious Gospel of Jesus and in response eat your dinner with joy, love your partner and work as hard as you can.     


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q105 What do we pray for in the fifth petition? In the fifth petition, which is, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray, that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.
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