Wednesday 19 August 2020

Sermon 23rd August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 16:13-20 – The Jesus’ Quiz

 

Sermon 23rd August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 16:13-20 – The Jesus’ Quiz

 Our family enjoys doing the Herald Sun quiz during dinner. It feels really good when you get the answer right – but even better when no one else knows the answer and you get that smirk on your face and proudly say – I know the answer. I wonder if Peter, today, had that same sense of pride when he answers correctly the quiz Jesus gives to him which others had answered incorrectly. The quiz:  Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

 

So then Jesus puts the quiz to his own disciples: He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! It’s such an important question and brings so much hope to us all in these uncertain times. And Jesus shows us just how important that question is when he explains to Peter what his answer actually means: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

 

What rock is Jesus referring to? Some believe that the Rock is Peter because his name – Petros – means “rock” in Greek. But the rock is his confession of faith – that Jesus Christ is the Messiah – the Son of the living God. Jesus had earlier told a parable of a wise and foolish builder. The difference was not what they had built but the foundation on which they built. The foolish builder built on sand – the wise builder built on a rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against those houses. The house built on sand collapsed. But the house built on the rock did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

 

What comforting assurance Jesus’ message to Peter brings to us today as our churches here in Victoria continue to have their public gatherings banned. Jesus reminds us today that his church is built on a solid foundation that not even the gates of hell can defeat it. As I have reminded you throughout this lockdown that our church buildings have been closed but the church continues to remain open – because YOU are the church of God. And that’s what Paul refers to in our 2nd reading today when he says: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 

On several occasions Paul talks about the body of Christ being made up by the children of God and not bricks and mortar.

In fact he says that God has built his temple in us. He says: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Jesus even warned against a trust in the physical structure of the worship building over against the foundation upon which it is built: One day, as Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”  Jesus replied: Do you see all these great buildings?” “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” And then, towards his death when he knew that the disciples would be challenged by not seeing his physical body, he tells them: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”  The Pharisees replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”  But the temple Jesus had spoken of was his body. And now YOU are the body of Christ that Jesus himself has built.

 

These are really challenging times for the church here in Victoria. Our church buildings have been had their access removed from us. We cannot gather together to receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. But what cannot be taken away from us; What cannot be destroyed or even shaken – is the foundation upon which our faith stands. And that is Jesus Christ our Lord. And so the question that Jesus put to his disciples is put to us today. Who do you say I am? Jesus is not John the Baptist. No John himself said that – the one coming after me I am not even worthy to tie up his shoe laces. He is not Elijah or one of the prophets – no – none of them died for our sins. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. And not even the gates of hell, let alone Covid 19 or any Government lockdown can prevail against him.

 

The parable of the 2 builders – the wise and the foolish – can be seen in Peter’s example a couple weeks ago when he wanted to walk on the water along with Jesus. When he focused on Jesus he was able to walk on the water because Jesus was his foundation, not the water. Just like the wise builder who built his house on the rock. And even though the wind and the waves hit upon him, he was secure. But when he took his eyes of Jesus, the water became his foundation and he began to sink. Just like the foolish builder whose foundation was the sand.

 

At present the wind and the waves of Covid 19 – stage 4 restrictions – and a state of disaster are pounding against the church. The temptation is to look away from Jesus and begin to panic and fear. But Jesus reassures us today that his church is built upon the rock and not even the gates of hell can prevail against it. And as St Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians when reminding the Israelites that God was with them in their wilderness journey – a journey that lasted a lot longer than the 5 months journey we’ve been on: They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. And that rock continues to accompany us today.

 

So let us continue to keep our faith firmly set on the rock that is Christ. Let us continue to keep our focus on Jesus Christ who has promised to be with us always. And when you are tempted to look away and allow the world to tell you otherwise – answer that question put by Jesus Christ to you today and everyday: Who do you say that I am? And if you truly believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son – that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah – then not even the gates of hell can prevail.

They can shut our church buildings – they can even stop us from gathering around the table of the Lord – but no one – not even the gates of hell – can destroy the faith that is built upon the rock. And as Paul said to the Romans as Peter confessed today: If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Grant this Lord, to us all. Amen.

Tuesday 11 August 2020

Sermon 16th August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text Matthew 15: 21-28 – Irrevocable promises of God

 Sermon 16th August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost

Text Matthew 15: 21-28 – Irrevocable promises of God

 

In the past week I have been reflecting quite deeply about last week’s Gospel reading. If you recall it was the account of the disciples being in a boat that was being tossed about by the wind and the waves when a ferocious storm hit them.  They were fearing for their lives when a mysterious figure appears walking on the water. They presume it is a ghost that has come from the deep waters that were the home of the evil spirits.

Then comes the comforting words of Jesus – don’t be afraid – it is me – or as I explained – his actual words were - don’t be afraid – I AM God. Peter, seeing Jesus walking on the water asked for permission to do likewise. Jesus says “come” and he walks on the water until he sees again the wind and the waves and begins to sink. He cries out – Jesus save me – which of course he does. He extends his hands – places him back in the boat and says – you of little faith – why did you doubt?

 

And it’s that last phrase by Jesus that has been ringing in my ears all week – all month – almost all year – you of little faith – why are you doubting? I have to admit, doubt is my biggest concern. Because as soon as I doubt I fear – like Peter. Doubt can face even the strongest of Christians. I don’t believe doubt is a sin – no it’s more serious. Doubt is how Satan attacks our faith in God and it can affect anyone. Listen to what Matthew says about the 11 disciples- those closest to Jesus – the ones in the boat last week who said – truly this is the Son of God.  Matthew 28 says: the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

 

Satan’s weapon against Christians is to cause doubt in God’s ability to help them and directs them to their own strength. Think back to where our problems with God all started – in the Garden of Eden – when Satan cast doubts in the mind of Eve – did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden. And then when Eve responded that they would die if they did – Satan casts further doubt – surely you won’t die. It was similar doubt that he cast in Jesus mind when he tempted him in the wilderness – If you are the Son of God – turn these rocks into bread –if you are the Son of God “if” – doubts. Trying to turn Jesus to trust his own strength rather than trusting God – if you’re hungry, turn these rocks into bread. Feed yourself if you’re hungry.

 

So Jesus concern for Peter was that he could see Satan attacking Peter by creating doubt. And that for me becomes a stumbling block – doubting God in all this that we are going through. Is God really in control here?

And I began to doubt that he was and I began to fear for the future – the future of the church – my future as a Pastor – the future of people I love and their financial security. Those doubts create fear- fear creates further doubts in God and we are suddenly spiralling downward – sinking – and unable to regain our security and faith in God.

 

And that’s what we are seeing answered in our Bible readings today – particularly our 2 readings from the New Testament – Paul’s letter to the Romans and Matthews Gospel. Paul asks a question: I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! Paul never doubted God’s love for his people. And even though he is specifically referring to his Jewish brothers and sisters here we can confidently include all people because Jesus says that God loved the entire world so much that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life.

 

What a wonderful and comforting promise made to us all that we can cling to like a life preserver, which is what God’s promises are – life preservers. And then Paul speaks about God’s promises when he says -  the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. God cannot and will not revoke his promises to us.

 

Now let’s give Peter credit where credit is due. When he began to doubt and began to sink he immediately called out to Jesus – Lord, save me. He didn’t turn to his own strength and try to swim back to the boat or struggle against the wind and waves – he turned to Jesus again and cries out to him – Lord, save me. Doubts are going to happen. Storms are going to happen in our lives. It will feel like God is not in control, like it did to Peter. But that’s when we remember God’s promise to us – I am with you always – and we cry out to him – Lord, save me. And the promise – everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

Let’s now look at our Gospel reading where, again, we see faith at work in extraordinary circumstances. We have here a mother who is definitely not an Israelite. She is a Canaanite. Jesus himself acknowledges that: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs. So again, like Peter, almost identical words – Lord, help me – Lord, save me. And even though Jesus seemingly rejects her request because she was not of the Israelite children of God – she falls back, not onto a family heritage – but on the promise of God that is irrevocable. Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

 

The world is holding out for a vaccine to be produced by the scientific world for comfort. Until that day what do we do? Do we live in fear? What if a vaccine is years away? What if there’s not enough to go around?

Remember, it only took a perceived shortage of toilet paper to send people into a frenzy – even violence. But we as Christians have a far greater assurance – the promise of God who promised “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

 

Whether healing for our world, our nation, our state comes from a vaccine or from the miraculous healing of God’s hands – it is through prayer to our loving heavenly Father and his assurance that he will never leave us or forsake us because his promises are irrevocable. And that’s where we find our comfort. That means God can never go back on his promise to us. His promise to be with us always. His promise to assure our salvation.

His promise to love us unconditionally.

 

Yes there are times when I doubt this world and what is happening. That’s natural. But we must never doubt God’s almighty power and that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth. And that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Canaanite woman did not give up her faith in Jesus even though the disciples kept urging Jesus to “Send her away” And it was these same disciples that said the very same thing to Jesus about the hungry crowds when they felt that their worldly provisions were not enough to feed them – “send them away”. They kept looking to their own strength which was not enough for the problems they faced. But God sends no one away. And even though it might seem like we are in a hopeless situation, nothing is impossible with God because hope does not disappoint us when our hope is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So let us keep persevering like this Canaanite woman urging Jesus to help us and trust that he is in control and is always in control and if God is on our side, who can be against us.

Tuesday 4 August 2020

Sermon 9th August 2020 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 14:22-33 – Getting to the other side

Sermon 9th August 2020 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 14:22-33 – Getting to the other side

 

Fresh from their miraculous feeding of the 5,000, the disciples are about to encounter another miracle of Jesus but this one will be like none other. Jesus has decided to stay behind for some quiet meditative time in prayer while he sends the disciples of in a boat to sail to the other side of the sea. During the night, the disciples are tossed about by a storm at sea in what would seem to them to be stronger than their boat can handle.  They are frightened and exhausted by their struggle against the storm.

 

Matthew tells us that it is the “the fourth watch” -- well into the night, between 3 and 6am.  In the darkest hour when they should be tucked into bed to get their sleep – when any sound can start the heart thumping with fear, Jesus comes to the terrified disciples walking on the water.  What does this mean to walk on water? Jesus doesn’t do anything without there being a meaning or teaching behind. Surely Jesus could have just got the next available boat and made his way over.

But before Jesus can come to their rescue his appearance only adds to their fear.  Now there is even more to fear –is it a ghost?

 

Besides the fear of the storm, a new fear arises, fear of one who seems to be a ghost coming towards them. What on earth does it mean? To understand the significance of Jesus walking on the sea we need to understand firstly what does the sea represent. In Jesus’ time the sea was a place of chaos and evil. When Jesus healed the demon possessed man the demons didn’t want to be sent to the abyss which was a fearful place for them.  They asked to be sent into the pigs that were on the mountainside.  And as soon as they entered into the pigs they rushed into the sea because that was where they felt safe. In the book of Revelation, chapter 21, when St John sees the new Heaven the first thing that he tells us about that vision was that there was no more sea. No place for evil to dwell or hide.

 

And so Jesus walking on the water is to tell us that he has full authority over the world of evil. Even though evil was allowed to enter into the earthly realm, Jesus is still Lord. That’s what St Paul also said in Philippians 2: Therefore God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 

So what can we learn from today’s miracle, because miracles are not just given as evidence to prove Jesus is the Son of God – the Messiah. They all have teaching lessons. The first thing we see is that Jesus made them get into the boat while he went off to pray. For me this teaching moment shows that we have freedom in life as they sail off alone. And that means that sometimes, in our freedom, we are exposed to the elements. We are exposed to evil – to sickness – to crime. But what was Jesus doing? He was praying. And that’s what he continues to do for us now – he is praying for us. He is at the right hand of God interceding for us. And where was their journey? Interesting that Matthew doesn’t state their destination but calls it – to the other side.

 

That too is our journey – that too is our destination – to the other side. We are on a journey to our heavenly home in Heaven and until we are there safely Jesus is praying for us. Are you feeling overwhelmed, rocked, shaken – just remember, you are on a journey to heaven – Jesus has placed you in the boat – and he is praying for your safe arrival.

But as we see in our gospel reading – sometimes the wind and waves rock our lives and we panic and we fear.

We think we are going to drown. We think we are not going to make it. And suddenly help arrives. Here comes Jesus, unaffected by all the things that are attacking us and he calls out to us “don’t be afraid – here I am.

 

What’s interesting in the original reading from the Greek New Testament is that Jesus exact words are – don’t be afraid – I AM. I AM – the name God gave to Moses to free them from the evil of Egypt’s slavery – the Name God gave to bring freedom – I AM. The name above all names and given now to Jesus – remember the Philippians reading I mentioned earlier: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Jesus comes to you in the midst of all our fears and says – don’t be afraid – I AM God. And all the forces of evil must submit to me. They can rock you and attack you from every side – but I’m going to deliver you to the other side as I have promised. And I’m going to pray for you. And sometimes Jesus even calls us right into the eye of the storm – like Peter.

And as he encountered the full force of the wind and the waves and began to sink and feel like he was going to drown – Jesus reaches out and places him back into boat that is journeying to the other side.

 

It is easy for us to identify with those terrified disciples as we face the deadly storm of the pandemic and the effects of the restrictions and shutdowns. Having faith when things are all going well is different to faith when a storm is so violent, life-threatening. We cannot predict or prevent the storms that come up. As seasoned fishermen surely the disciples would not have entered the boat if the weather conditions suggested in any way that a storm was brewing. And that’s how life is – the storms hit us when we least expect them. But Jesus is always with us – praying for us – disregarding the storms and coming to us to reassure us of his presence and authority. Remember in your baptism, Jesus said “All Authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me” – and “I am with you always till the end of the age – till you have reached the other side – till you have reached your heavenly home in heaven.

 

The storm didn’t die down even when Peter got out of the boat to walk towards Jesus. But Jesus didn’t back away either, but like a parent teaching their child to walk he stands there with his arms outstretched. And like when the child falls, Jesus reaches out his hand and picks Peter up. We look forward to when the pandemic storm is over.  We pray that our faith in Jesus’ stays firm.  But even when this storm passes there will be more storms that we will need to face.

 

Until it is over we pray that Jesus enables us to walk on the water like Peter – and that when we begin to sink, like Peter, that Jesus will intervene and pick us up and place us back onto firm ground. Sometimes Jesus seems as if he is not there but remember that he is always there praying for us. Sometimes Jesus’ help is not seen, just like Elijah didn’t hear God’s word in the wind, the earthquake or the fire – but in the silence. Sometimes it is in what appears to be sheer silence that Jesus is truly present. Maybe it seems like God is silent at present. Maybe it seems like the storm of the pandemic is in control – or rather ‘out of control’. But remember – you are on a journey to the other side – to heaven.

 

It is the destination that matters and Jesus has assured your arrival. And even if it really seems at present that that is hard to believe – call on the name of the Lord – call upon Jesus Christ your saviour – and remember what Paul says today in our 2nd reading - Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Maybe not always saved from the effects of the evil of this age – but without a shadow of doubt saved for eternal life in heaven which is our destination.