Sunday Sermon: LIBERATION FROM SINKING POINT

LIBERATION FROM SINKING POINT

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation.      What a powerful prayer! O Lord, let us see Your Mercy and grant us Your Salvation!

Where then can we see God’s Mercy? Where can we find God’s Salvation?

In 1 Kings 19:9-13 the Prophet Elijah sought the presence of God. He could only find God in a gentle breeze. “In those days: When Elijah came to [Horeb the mount of God,] he lodged in a cave; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him. And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.”

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”

Many people often think they could find God in a noisy environment. Some people even go as far as shouting at God. As we can see in the above passage, we cannot find God in earthquake and other noisy environment. God can only be found in a gentle breeze. In today’s Gospel after dismissing the people our Lord Jesus Christ spent some time with God in a lonely place. The best place to find God is the lonely place. Visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament or the Altar of Divine Mercy.

In the gospel of Matthew 6:6 our Lord Jesus Christ taught His followers how to pray in solitude “When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Remember, you are the temple of the Most High God. If you want your prayer to be answered then you have to pray to God in the secret of your heart. 

The message our want to share with you today is Liberation from Sinking Point.

Have you ever found yourself in danger? Have you ever experienced any sinking point? By sinking point I mean, a point where you are in danger of losing everything you acquired or even your life. What is that sinking point in your life? What is that thing that is threatening your life? Today our Lord Jesus Christ has come to deliver you from your sinking point. He has come to set you free from every form of danger.

In the gospel of Matthew 14:22-33,  “after Jesus had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.    After praying, “When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. ”Take note, as at the time when the wind was against them Jesus was not yet inside the boat. This is what the absence of Christ can cause? The absence of Christ can only lead to crisis!

In the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. By walking on the sea our Lord Jesus was literally walking on top of his enemies. He was walking on top of marine spirits, marine kingdom and other forces of darkness. Child of God, with Jesus Christ today you are going to walk on top of your enemies.

“When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “it is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.” The disciples have every reason to be afraid because in the history of humanity nobody has ever succeeded in walking on top of the Sea. By walking on top of the sea Jesus proved to the world that He is indeed the Master of the sea. With him all things are possible!

Jesus spoke to them, saying “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” Child of God, can you hear Jesus saying to you, take heart? You that depressed Jesus is telling you take heart! To those that are bereaved Jesus is saying, Take heart! To those whose hearts are pierced with the lance of suffering Jesus is saying take heart! To those who are feeling rejected and dejected, Jesus is saying, take heart! It is I; do not be afraid! You are hereby declared free from every spirit of fear in Jesus name – Amen!

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and he came to Jesus.” Is this not amazing? Jesus transferred the authority to Peter and Peter was able to walk on water. But unfortunately when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” What a wise and a quick decision! Peter cried out immediately Lord, save me!

Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” When Peter cried out Jesus saved him from his sinking point. Child of God, whenever you find yourself in a sinking point all you need to do is to cry out: Lord, save me! And Jesus will surely come to your rescue.

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Child of God, I command every storm in your life and in your family to cease in Jesus name! Celebrate for you are free!

Happy Sunday from Rev. Fr. John Damian Adizie