Sunday Sermon 9.26.20
I had gone into the kitchen from the patio, where I had just lit the grill, and after a moment of preparing the meat, my ears were being pierced by the sounding of our smoke alarm. The first to sound was the one in the hall, then harmony was added when the bedroom alarm joined in. As I turned in response, all I could see was smoke.
What ensued next was a series of activities meant to reduce the smoke and have the alarm stop. We succeeded and without the fire department’s assistance, I’m happy to say.
Our alarm works. We now know because it forced us to take action.
Alarms sound for different reasons. It could be the smoke alarm signifying you are about to be overcome by carbon monoxide; the beep, beep, beep, notifying you that the batteries in your device are low; or the high sounding whoop, whoop telling you it is time to evacuate.
Oh, and lets not forget those alarm lights too, you know, like the ones on the dashboard of our car. (The one’s I often ignore)
The purpose of alarms are to alert people to potential danger. So it is important to know two things when they sound or light up.
- What does it mean?
- What should I do?
I spend a good amount of time at our harbor and often hear the fog horn. If I am in the slip and hear it, I look around to see where the fog is and decide what my next steps are. Am I gonna stay or is it time to head home.
If I am on the water, in the harbor, on the SUP, dinghy, or Lady Debra and hear the alarm, I do the same. But now I have to maneuver both me, those with me and the vessel safely back to the slip.
If I’m out on the ocean and I hear the alarm, I am probably not surprised because I have already seen and been in the fog. However, I am very “concerned” now because my visibility is impaired and we have to get back into port – safely. Truthfully, I am very stressed.
Realizing what it means and what to do are vital when the alarm sounds.
In the world today, there is a spiritual alarm sounding, who’s purpose is to alert people to potential danger. It is sounding on every continent and in every country.
It is calling all to return to the Lord. Turn away from sin and turn back to Jehovah and His ways.
- Joel 2:1 – Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm. Let all the inhabitants tremble.
- Isaiah 58:1 – Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression.
- Hosea 5:8 – Blow the horn , sound the alarm…
- Jeremiah 6:17 – I set watchmen over you, saying, “Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!”
From voices all over America (and other nations) we are hearing the sound of the trumpet, the alarm. We are hearing the call to assemble, to pray, to march, to lift up a standard, to raise our voices, to praise – for the returning of our nation to God.
Today, even as I write, there is a gathering in Washington DC, on the Mall – the call, RETURN to the Lord. Right about now too, Franklin Graham and thousands of others are gathering to march through the streets of DC, sounding the alarm to return.
The alarms are sounding folks. Look up, see the smoke.
What does it mean for you? What is the alarm notifying YOU of? What import does it have to you right now. Ask yourself. What do these alarms mean to me?
What follows then, is what do I need to do? What action do I need to take before I am dead, having succumbed to the coming danger?
What does it mean to return to the Lord?
God created me and you for relationship. When we turn to him we enjoy the over – the – top abundance that life in him provides. John 10:10 In his presence we experience fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
He leads us, teaches us and stores up goodness for us. Isaiah 48:17; Psalm 31:19
Because to those who receive him, he gives the right to be called the children of God, we operate in His authority and peace. John 1:12
He provides everything we need. Psalm 23; And he will do even beyond what we can imagine, if we trust in Him. Ephesians 3:20
He preserves our life and keeps our feet from slipping. Psalm 66:8-12
In the presence of our enemies, he provides what we need. Psalm 23:5
These few ideas barely scratch the surface of what life in Him is like. Living a dedicated life to Jesus and yielding to His ways brings life. Choosing to follow Him is life. Danger averted. Life in progress.
Will you return?
Do you hear the sounding alarm?
What does it mean to you? How will you respond?
Go with God.
Under Debra’s Palm 