May 25th, 2025 

6th Sunday of Easter 

Lighting the Christ Candle 

 

Welcome and Announcements  

Call to Worship  

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
    Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.                                              Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;                                                             let them say among the nations,                                                                                       “The Lord reigns!” 

 

Hymn:  255 Now let the vault of heaven resound  

 

Prayers of Adoration and Confession 

 

God of promise and purpose,  

we greet you this day with thankful hearts.  

As flowers unfurl and buds open,  

the beauty of your world lifts our spirits in praise.  

As grandchildren and children grow and students prepare to graduate,  

their energy and enthusiasm encourages us toward your future.  

Your world is full of such variety and detail, 

we stand in awe of your creative imagination. 

Draw close to us in this hour of worship, bless the meditations of our hearts as we come before you in prayer and praise. 

Show us your promise and purpose for our lives through the written and spoken Word.  

May we mature with your gift of new life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and move into the future, renewed by the energy of your Holy Spirit.  Hear us now as we together bring our confession to you saying. 

 

God of wonder, God of grace, 

We stand in awe of your creation. 

Yet we confess we often fail to recognize its beauty and variety as a gift from you. Forgive us when we take our world and you for granted, help us to be ever present as you are ever present. 

When voices differ in opinion, we listen to those we agree with. We fail to honour any experience different than our own, often we want to divide like jew and gentile, saved and unsaved, righteous and unrighteous. We resist your calls to honour and love as you have loved, for in Christ alone, the dividing wall of hostility, the barrier, has been destroyed. 

Forgive our narrow perspectives. Open our eyes and our hearts to the pain and perspectives of others that we may understand, and be renewed with your forgiving, healing grace, found at the foot of the cross. In Jesus name Amen. 

 

Assurance of Pardon  

 

Jesus said, “My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Let his forgiveness set you at peace with God, yourself, and with one another. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  

 

Passing of the Peace of God 

 

Hymn: 485 Saviour, like a shepherd lead us 

 

 

Scripture: 

Ephesians 2:11-22                

2 Samuel 7: 1-17

Prayer for Understanding

 O God, your Word brings light to your people now, just as it did long ago.  

Fill us with your Spirit as we listen for your Word.  

Open our minds and hearts to receive light to guide us and truth to change us  

in the name of Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen. 

  

Sermon: “I will build you a house”  

  “I will build you a house”; that’s the title of my sermon today. If you have ever built a house, you will know that saying it and doing it are two different things. There is a lot of preparation and planning required to build a house especially one that is going to stand the test of time. You need to have the land to build on and the plans that suit your land or vice versa. You need to prepare the land for the foundation to ensure that it is solid; then you need to lay the foundation and build upon it. Then comes those thousands of details required to finish the house, things like plumbing, wiring, insulation, drywall, paint, and oh my gosh the paint colours, carpets, flooring, trim, cabinetry, counter tops, and on and on until you finally end up with a finished house, a home.  

A few years ago, I helped a friend who was building a new home. I was reminded of how much work and effort is required to build a house and as if the work and effort are not bad enough, there’s those countless number of decisions that need to be made all the time. If you are anything like me when it comes to making decisions, that would be enough to put you off ever attempting it. 

When it is all said and done however most of us would have to say we do love to build despite all the frustrations, the deadlines, and the countless decisions. Most of us like to see the results of our labours, a dream become a reality; we truly do have some of the creator in us. 

In 2 Samuel we read about David taking a notion to build a house or temple for God, a place for the Arc of the covenant to reside. David for the moment anyway was at rest in his palace of cedar. He was very pleased and satisfied that the Arc of God was in Jerusalem with him. 

As David enjoyed his respite from the battlefield he meditated on the law of God, he wrote psalms and prayed. David’s thoughts were with the Lord and as he meditated, the joy of having the arc of God home waned, because he knew that while he meditated comfortably in his palace of cedar, the arc of God was in a tent, and this troubled David. 

David had built a palace for himself and a city for his servants so why should he not build a dwelling place for God? This idea he suggests to Nathan the prophet and Nathan encourages him saying: “Whatever you have in mind go ahead and do it for the Lord is with you.” My study bible says that “Nathan boldly voiced his approval of David’s plans, in the Lord’s name, before he had received a revelation from the Lord.” Mathew Henry says that “Nathan was speaking from his heart and not as a prophet, he was speaking as a wise and good man”.  

We too should be ready to encourage and promote good deeds and works that fellow brothers and sisters may be endeavoring to do. We like Nathan should be encouragers trusting in the Lord. As we all know it was not God’s will that David should build the temple. God shows the depth of his love and concern for David and Nathan because not even a night goes by before Nathan receives the word of the Lord, telling him to go to David and let him know that he is not the one who will build a house for God to dwell in. 

Actually, God was not that blunt instead, he lovingly reminds David that he has not dwelt in a house of Cedar from the day he brought the Israelites up out of Egypt. God says he has been moving from place to place with a tent as his dwelling and never once has he ever asked any of the rulers who he commanded to shepherd his people, “why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 

God the Lord almighty reminds David that it was God who took David from the pasture and flocks to be ruler over God’s people Israel. God tells David; “I have been with you wherever you have gone, I have cut off your enemies from before you.” God then goes on to Promise David that he will make David’s name great like the names of the greatest men on earth; and not only that, but God also promises he will provide a place for his people Israel; He will provide them a home of their own where they will no longer be disturbed. God further promises David rest from all his enemies. 

God said all these things to David through his prophet Nathan because Nathan had been the one to encourage David to go ahead and build a temple. God did not want David to receive this revelation from anyone else lest Nathan would be despised or insulted, and David would be left wondering who he should believe. God does all things rightly and in order so that no one would lose creditability and stray from the will of God in such an important matter. 

How often do we remember what God has done for us? It is very easy at times to be so caught up, in what we are doing, where we work, or where we play, that we forget about God. At times we can get so busy doing God’s work that we just leave God behind. I wonder if this is what happened to Nathan and David, in their zeal they momentarily forgot to consult God. It is easy to be sidetracked at times unless we like David, meditate on the Lord both day and night. 

Ah, you may ask, was not David’s purpose to fight the Lord’s battles until Israel was securely at rest in the promised land? Was it not David’s purpose to write and prepare the Psalms for the use of the temple when it is built? Was it not David who got sidetracked while he was meditating on the Lord? 

Yes, to all the above but look how swiftly God responded to David and Nathan, that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan. It was not just a rebuke or a correction but a blessing and an encouragement as well. In 1 kings chapter 8 verse 18 it says, “But the Lord said to my father David, ‘because it was in your heart to build a temple for my name, You did well to have this in your heart’.”  

David desired to build God a temple to dwell in, God said no, instead the Lord himself says he will establish a house for David. This is not just a house but a royal dynasty that will last forever. Verse 16 says, “your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”  

My study bible notes that, “God has been building Israel ever since the times of Abraham, and now he commits himself to David’s royal house so that the promise to build Israel may be fulfilled – rest in the promised land. It is God’s building that effects his kingdom. This covenant with David is unconditional, like those with Noah, Abram, and Phinehas, grounded only in God’s firm and gracious purpose. It finds it’s ultimate fulfillment in the kingship of Christ, who was born of the tribe of Judah, and the house of David.” These promises to David are not for David’s sake alone; they are for all of God’s people, not just those living, but David’s descendants as well. 

I believe that God acts in our lives the same way today. The blessings that God brings to our lives are not just for us alone but for the whole family of God, even for those who are not yet aware they are his, those who haven’t yet answered the call. I think that one area in which many of us fail (I know I do for sure) is in extoling to others what God has done for us.  

Is it a joy to know the Lord? Do you find peace knowing that God has established your house on a firm foundation? May it be that peace and joy that we share with others. Forgive us Lord when we fear embarrassment; when we fear we might offend, when we fail to speak out joyfully of your blessings both great and small. May we never feel uncomfortable sharing stories of hope. 

Speaking of David’s descendants, particularly Jesus, God says, “I will be his father, and he will be my son.” God assumes the role of father; indeed, God is the Father, and he accepts all the responsibility that a father should. God does not turn away or shrug off his responsibilities; he seeks no rest from it, he does not weary from his role, there is no shadow of turning with him. We address God as “our Father in heaven” and Jesus, God’s son, is not ashamed to call us his brother or sister, what does that mean for us; it is good news, right?  

God speaking of his role as father in verses 14 & 15 says; “When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men, but my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.” 

Matthew Henry says, “We need no more to make us and ours happy, then to have God be a father to us and them.” 

We should long for God’s correction, it will come whether we long for it or not. God our Father through scripture will teach us, rebuke us, correct us, and train us in righteousness so that we may be men and women of God, thoroughly equipped for every good work. What he won’t do is cut us off, destroy us, and utterly forsake us, his love will never be taken away. 

David’s throne and kingdom has long past, yet it lives on in Christ the son of God, Christ the descendant of David. The promise was true, Christ’s kingdom is eternal, such is the house that God built! 

Paul tells us that we are the temple of the living God. Paul tells us our bodies are God’s temple. In the passage we read from Ephesians this morning Paul says, “and in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Paul was speaking to fellow Christians living in Ephesus; these were a people who were formerly gentiles not of the Jewish faith. He tells them “In Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” 

Most of us were gentiles as well, now we like the Ephesians are members of God’s family with all the rights and privileges of any other member. God’s family is a family where unity abounds, a family of equality and justice for all. Hmm, wait a minute, are some of you thinking what planet are you living on John? The world is full of people who feel hurt by the Church, and we do have to do better. What God requires from you, and I, is to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. 

I read a story of redemption, the book was called “The Chamber” it’s a story about a man who was convicted of murder and is on death row. In the final days before his scheduled execution, he demonstrates repentance. He writes letters to all- the victim’s families and hopes they can forgive him for all the pain, suffering and loss he has caused them. He speaks to the Chaplain and prays confessing his sins and seeks God’s forgiveness and peace.  

As I read this, I thought praise the Lord I could accept that man as a brother in Christ, because he has become a new creation, no longer is he the killer; now because of Christ’s cleansing and forgiveness he is a son of God just as you and I are sons and daughters of God. There is unity in Christ’s church because it is Christ’s church. Jesus is the Chief cornerstone and the gospel, which the apostles taught and the prophets foretold, is the foundation on which Christ’s Church is built.  

Paul tells us that “In Jesus the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” What a beautiful picture that is; a solid foundation Christ Jesus and the rest of the house built from recaptured souls being made whole, new creations, unique in every way, all the latest innovations, being joined through the blood of Jesus to make a holy temple fit for the King of Glory, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. 

Next time you have an idle moment, a respite from the battle, have it in your heart to build a house, a temple for the Lord.  

Take a lesson from David and meditate on the Word both day and night, soak it in, allow yourself to be taught, corrected, rebuked, encouraged, and equipped for every good work. Make Christ the cornerstone of your life and be full of the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, against such things there is no law. 

We are the house that God has built, a holy temple in which the Spirit of God dwells. May he dwell richly indeed, in each of us. Amen.   

 

Hymn:  472 We are God’s people

 

Invitation to the Offering  

God has created a world of great diversity, full of wonder and potential. Let us honour God’s gifts to us in Christ and in each other as we present our offering in support of God’s purposes in the world. 

 

Offering and Doxology 830 

Offertory Prayer  

Generous God, we thank you for your gift of new life in Christ Jesus. Receive our gifts this day and bless each gift and each giver. Use each one to witness to your purposes through our congregation and throughout the world you love, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

  

Gathering Prayer Requests  

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession 

Lord, our God, 

The earth and all its peoples belong to you. 

As we come before you in prayer,  

we are painfully aware that the earth itself is at risk, 

from the ways your people live on it, 

and the conflicts we provoke among each other. 

We seek your healing and hope this day 

for the earth and all its creatures, 

and for your people of every nation. 

 

God of healing and hope, 

we pray for peace with justice to emerge in war torn lands, 

and in every place of conflict where power struggles put innocents at risk. 

We bring before you the people and places on our hearts today: 

The Ukraine and Russia, India and Pakistan, Israel and Gaza 

 

 

 

Send your Spirit of wisdom and compassion 

to break open the hearts of leaders to work with each other 

to protect the innocent and restore order for the wellbeing of all.  

May your ways of truth and justice prevail 

In every heart and in every land.    

God of mercy, 

Hear our cry. 

 

God of healing and hope, 

We pray for all groups offering aid and renewal in places  

where disaster and conflict have left people at risk. 

Support those who have lost homes, families and livelihoods help them to find courage to go on and open the hearts of those in safety to share with those in need. 

God of mercy, 

Hear our cry. 

 

God of healing and hope, 

We pray for those who know sickness or pain,  

for all who live in grief, loneliness or anxiety, 

and all who find these uncertain times overwhelming in any way. 

We remember before you those for whom we have special concern this day: Michael as he bicycles back to Ontario 

 

 

 

By your Spirit, surround each one with strength and love, 

and equip us to offer support for those whose lives are woven into ours. 

God of mercy, 

Hear our cry. 

 

God of healing and hope, 

Jesus walks with us day by day to see us through every challenge, so we claim the healing and hope he offers in the words he taught us to pray: 

 

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. 

Amen. 

 

 

Hymn:  468 Lord, dismiss us with your blessing

Benediction:  

Now may the holy and pure love of God, the saving and forgiving grace of Jesus the Christ and the building and empowering power of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with each of us now and forever more. Amen  

Blessing Song:  252 He is Lord v1

He is Lord, he is Lord, he is risen from the dead and he is Lord.  Every knee shall bow
every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord  

3-Fold Amen