Sunday Service - N.D

After their return from captivity in Babylon the Jews started to rebuild the temple of Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel , their Governor. It was by no means an easy task and they had innumerable difficulties. The Jews who returned from Babylon were half-hearted and they lacked sufficient enthusiasm for the work. The inhabitants were opposed to the rebuilding of the temple and they obstructed the work. When Zerubbabel the Governor was very much discouraged and disheartened, God’s message came to him that he should rely on spiritual resources rather than material resources for the rebuilding of the temple. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit.’ It was God’s temple and it was He who should build it. The leader must look to God for strength and support. If he relied on God, he had no reason to be disheartened. There are two thoughts uppermost in our minds at this time. First, it is the rebuilding of the world. The war and all the cruelties associated with it have made us all to realise that the economic, social and political structure of the world has to be rebuilt. For some time we have tried to do patch work, but now we realise that the whole structure has to be rebuilt on a sure foundation if we are to enjoy lasting peace and order in the world. At the moment we are puzzled and perplexed as to how we may set about to rebuild the world and who is able to do it. This brings us to the second thought that is in the minds of all the Christians at this time. It is the rebuilding of the Christian church. There is lack of unity, goodwill and oneness of heart and mind among those who call themselves disciples of Jesus. When I say that the Church has been torn asunder, I am not thinking merely of the many divisions, sects and denominations in the Church. I am thinking more of the lack of brotherly feeling and cooperation among those who call on the same Lord. It is this lack of unity which is a stumbling block to many rather than the existence of the various divisions and the variety of forms of worship. The Church of Christ has to be rebuilt so that it might become one Fellowship. Then and then only can it effectively witness for Christ and become a power in the world. Earlier on I said that the people in the world are perplexed as to how we might bring peace and order to the world and who would do it. I believe that the Church is the only organisation in the world that has the power to undertake this stupendous task. The Church can be a unifying force in the world in a way that no other organisation can. The Church has a great responsibility in the matter of bringing a new world order. But the Church must speak with one voice if it is to be heard. It must be united and work with one heart and mind if its influence and power. So we realise how urgent and important it is that we should work and pray for a united Church. When we face the task that is before us it is natural for us to be discouraged and disheartened. There are enormous difficulties ahead of us. We wonder whether a united Church is ever possible. No doubt if we rely on committees and conferences and the ingenuity of man to solve our problems there is room for despair.

But God’s Holy Temple must be built by Him and Him only. We are but agents in his hands. If we rely on the power of the Spirit we can look forward with confidence to the day when we will have a united Church. ‘Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit,’ saith the Lord of Hosts.

1. We notice that this message to Zerubbabel was meant to hearten him in [poverty] of his material resources. How can such weak and half-hearted Jews who had no enthusiasm for their work succeed in the rebuilding of the temple? How can these Christians, weak as they are in their faith, and lacking in enthusiasm for Christ and His Mission am many are, have sufficient courage to build up a united Church. How can these Christians with all their prejudices, and all the bitterness they have towards one another build up a united Church? How can these Christians who blindly follow custom and tradition and who are loyal more to their particular denomination than to Christ, build up a united Church? Yes, when we look at Christians, their denominational loyalties exceeding their loyalty to Christ, their refusal to understand the points of view of those who differ from them and their lack of zeal for the extension of Christ’s kingdom on earth, and their desire to uphold their position, status and point of view at all costs, we have reasons to be disheartened. But God’s message is that we should rely on our spiritual resources. It is the Spirit of God that can give us a united Church in spite of the weakness and the failings of the Christians. If the Spirit of God takes possession of our hearts and minds He will surely accomplish things that look impossible to us.
2. Secondly, we notice that the message was meant to give courage to Zerubbabel in the face of stupendous difficulties. ‘Who art thou O Great Mountain, before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.’ The opposition of the inhabitants seemed insurmountable. The poverty and inertia of the Jews were a drag on the enterprise. Like a huge, unscalable, impassable mountain these fronted the dispirited leader. But he is reminded that the combined array is not invincible. No obstacle however great it might be can permanently obstruct the work of God. Those who have studied Church Union schemes know that there are many difficulties in the matter of Church union which look so stupendous. Every denomination has its particular teachings which distinguish it from others, and which are held to be essential for its life. The members of one denomination will naturally regard the particular teachings of others as huge mountains standing in the way of union. The free church men will regard the doctrine of the Apostolic Succession as taught by some Anglicans as an unscalable mountain before them. The Anglicans regard the practice of lay celebration as a huge mountain standing in the way of Church Union. There are many other difficulties which I need not mention now. ‘Who art thou O great mountain before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.’ Conferences, committees and discussions have no doubt their place in bringing about union. But what is more important is that Christians, especially the leaders who are taking part in the negotiations, must yield themselves to the influence of the Holy Spirit of God. We must surrender ourselves completely to Him and be prepared to let go of our pet theories and our habits and customs. If we are filled with the Spirit of God He will give us a sense of proportion which we all lack. We will be able to look at our own teachings as well as those of other denominations through the eyes of God with love and understanding. All that appeared to be mountains shall become a plain.

Discussions and study are very necessary for a proper understanding of each other’s point of view. In addition to these we want a change of heart and a change of attitude towards our fellow Christians. We want a new love and a new vision. It is love for our fellowmen and love for Christ that will enable us to overcome difficulties. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit may be poured into the hearts of all Christians and that we may see a united Church in our own day and generation