Sermon 1st November 2020 – All Saints Day Text Revelation 7:9-17 – Worship in eternity

 Sermon 1^st November 2020 – All Saints Day

Text Revelation 7:9-17 – Worship in eternity

 Today we commemorate All Saints Day. A day when we acknowledge to God our thanks for the life that he gives and for the life that he gathers into his presence.  It’s hard to know what term to use.

Some people don’t like the term death or dying because it’s so harsh. Others don’t like the term “passing away” because it softens death too much and doesn’t recognise the reality. Others have used terms such as “passing over” seeing death as a doorway from this life into eternity. I used the term “gathered into God’s presence” to signify what death actually is; And the reason I used that term is because Jesus also uses that term to describe what happens. In John 14 he says to the disciples in preparing them for his impending death and their subsequent death: “Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you.? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

 So here Jesus describes our death as him coming to take us to be with him where he is. And what a place that will be as we hear in our reading from the Book of Revelation where St John was given a glimpse of the heavenly worship that is happening now as we speak. John was shown a vision of the presence of God and the heavenly worship that surrounds him. And this is so comforting for us in our grief knowing that the ones that we love are with us because of their and our participation in worship. In our creed we confess that we believe in the communion of saints. In our Holy Communion liturgy we proclaim that we gather with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. And so whether we have gathered in our churches – or gathered before our TV or computer screens to participate in worship – this has been no trivial thing we have been doing.

 It has been a participation in the heavenly worship which John saw in his vision. And they were not limited to 10 or 20 or 50. They were not restricted to 1 per 4 square metres. Here was a great multitude that no one could count, And there were no border restrictions. No, here were worshippers from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. This is the house of worship that Jesus has prepared for us – the house that has many rooms and no restrictions – no household bubbles because we are all one family as John reminded us in our 2nd reading: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

 The death of a loved one is heartbreaking. But Jesus, in John 14 wants us to trust him: And so he says: “Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me. And the trust Jesus wants us to have is in when he says: I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

As we look at our Gospel reading it is God’s intention to use heaven as our comfort from the difficulties we go through in this life. This life has not ended up what God truly wants for us because of sin. Sin opened the door in this life to evil as our eyes have been opened to good and evil in a world that God had originally created as very good. And so that opening of our eyes has seen a variety of sad experiences which culminate into death into which God brings comfort:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

There is no sugar coating death. It is raw – it is devastating – and to say anything that downplays the hurt would be offensive. Even Jesus wept at the death of his dear friend Lazarus. Jesus cried out in distress at his own impending death – take this cup from me. So in no way do we downplay the seriousness of the death of a loved on. But death is the passing from this life into eternal life in heaven. It is Jesus fulfilling his promise to take us to be with him where he is because THAT is what God wants for us which John saw in Revelation 21: Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 The final thing we need to remember is that even if Adam and Eve had not sinned, our life here on earth cannot be compared to what God has prepared for us in Heaven. When God completed his work of creation he saw all that he had created and declared it to be very good. Eternal life is not going to be very good – it’s is going to be perfect. No words can describe the experience that awaits us as Paul discovered in 2 Corinthians when he says he was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

 As difficult as it is to grieve the loss of a loved one – as difficult as it is to live each and every moment without them in our life – God has promised – blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted and that every   tear will be wiped away from our eyes by God himself. And the comforting assurance that there will be no more death in the home that Jesus has prepared for us. I know that my words of assurance to you who are grieving are just words. But God’s words to us are not just words. They are promises. And they are promises from God who is trusted as Jesus says – trust God – trust in Jesus.

 Until we are in heaven we will sadly see death from an earthly perspective but John reminds us that the reality is hidden He says: Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.

And as Paul says to the Colossians: your life is now hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Friends, let me finish this All Saints Day with Jesus promise again to us – words that he spoke to his disciples to prepare them for his own death: Don’t let your hearts be trouble – trust in God – trust also in me, Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour.

Sermon 25th October 2020 – Reformation Sunday Text: John 8:31-36 – Freedom

 Sermon 25^th October 2020 – Reformation Sunday

Text: John 8:31-36 – Freedom

 

I’m sure many of us were glued to our TV screens last Sunday and scouring the news to see the list of freedoms that we were granted as we slowly began our relief from stage 4 lockdown. For many it was the freedom they were looking for – but for others it still seems as if they are locked down and have to wait a little bit longer. Freedom.

 

That has been the focus in all this time of pandemic. When do we get our freedoms back? Freedom is important and it was for freedom that Luther fought extremely hard to bring about the Reformation because he had seen that we had lost our freedom as children of God and sadly it was his own church that was responsible. Luther brought about a reformation in his church because he believed that the church had failed in the message that Christ had sent them to proclaim.

 

If we think back to Easter when Jesus came to the frightened disciples locked away in fear of their lives – he proclaimed firstly their freedom – peace be with you. They had been in lockdown – in fear. Once freed from their lockdown in fear,  Jesus sent them to proclaim freedom to everyone – if you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven them. Or as Jesus said on other occasions – whatever you loose on earth is loosed in heaven.

 

Freedom – that’s the Reformation message today and it comes through loud and clear in our bible readings today: Jesus, similar to Luther, had found that the religious leaders of his time had also strayed from the pure teaching of the Gospel. He says to them: If you hold to MY teaching you are really my disciples – you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Freedom is at the heart of the Gospel. Freedom is what we lose when we stray from the Gospel. And when we stray we begin to find ourselves trapped in our sin and guilt. St Paul says we are slaves to sin. And that’s what Jesus came to set us free from as he reminds us in John 3:17 – For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. To free the world through him. And likewise St Paul in our 2nd reading today focuses us on freedom from sin. He says that we are justified freely by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. And what Paul highlights is that we keep slipping away from our freedom because sin has a unique way of recapturing us. And it does this by convincing us that the way out of imprisonment to sin is by doing good works. It sounds logical. We do something bad so to offset it we do something good. But that’s the spiral that Luther sunk into.

 

Luther struggled with sin and guilt. So he did more and more to try and undo the mess he was in. But the more good he tried to do – the more he became aware of just how bad he was. And instead of finding freedom from his sin and guilt by doing good – he just found more and more sin and guilt to the point where he even stated that he hated God because God was a tyrant – a dictator. A tyrant who wanted more and more from him and drove him to breaking point where Luther finally discovered that it wasn’t about trying to please God but receiving his grace and mercy through forgiveness. And that’s why Jesus when he sent his disciples into the world instructed them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins – not obedience to the law. Repentance and forgiveness free us while obedience keeps us trapped and locked away in fear.

That’s why Luther, when he was driven to breaking point at his guilt and sin that was weighing him down cried out “I AM BAPTISED”.

 

Many times Jesus points out that God is not a tyrant: In Matthew 7 he says: Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Or the woman caught in adultery. Jesus didn’t bring her comfort by saying she had done nothing wrong but proclaimed her forgiven.

And that’s why King David when writing Psalm 32 says: Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them. He doesn’t say blessed are they who do no wrong. He doesn’t say blessed are they who keep God’s law. No. Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven.

 

God’s relationship with us is about freedom – freedom from guilt and sin. And it is the truth of the Gospel that does that – and the truth sets you free. Jesus says – come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest for your souls.

 

But it’s not just sin and guilt that enslave us for which the Gospel brings freedom. The Gospel can also bring comfort from our earthly anxieties as we discover a God who loves and cares for us. There is so much anxiousness in our world created by Covid19 especially amongst those who don’t know God in their life. Even though we take great precautions with sanitising, cleaning, wearing masks, social distancing – there is still a level of anxiety that this pandemic has caused.

A lot of that anxiety can come because of our fear for the future.

 

Worrying about the future is not new – in fact it goes right back to the beginning of time. Adam and Eve had everything they needed.  They had not a care in the world as God provided for their every need. But the devil got into their ear and caused them to worry about the future. He tempted them to eat the forbidden fruit after which their eyes would be open and they would be like God. They would be in control. And isn’t that what causes us to be anxious – when we are not in control of our future. Jesus knew all too well that worrying about the future was part of the human condition because we like to be in control of our destiny. In Matthew chapter 6, verse 34 he says: do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

Martin Luther was worried about his future. But not his earthly future but his eternal future. He was worried about what would happen to him after he died and whether he would go to heaven. And it made him very afraid – which is what not knowing the future does to us – whether it’s our future on earth or in the afterlife. Luther wanted to be sure about his eternal future so he worked harder and harder to please God. He deprived himself of any luxuries. He did so much just so he could be sure about his future. And then he discovered that he didn’t need to worry about his future because God has taken care of that through Jesus.

 

God’s love for us is shown through Jesus’ death for us and his death assures us of our eternal future in heaven and that’s what Luther was not hearing from his church. No one knows what our earthly future holds. And it doesn’t matter how successful you are – how much money you have – how popular you are. Our lives can change in an instant. No one knew that this year was going to turn out the way it did. No one was prepared for it. And that’s why Jesus said – don’t worry about tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be taken care of by God.

 

I know that God is in control of what’s happening even if it doesn’t look like it. Our church doors are still closed but I still believe God has a purpose in all this. God made a very special promise to us in Jesus. As Jesus was about to ascend into heaven after defeating death by rising on Easter Sunday he said to his disciples – and to us – I am with you always until the end of time. A promise that comes to us in our Baptism.

 

So if you are anxious about the future – just remember that Jesus already knows your future and he has taken care of the most important part of your future- your eternal life in Heaven. So do not worry about tomorrow but let Jesus, who is the beginning and the end – the  same yesterday, today and forever – let him take care of all your concerns as you put your faith and trust in him.

 

Sermon 18th October 2020 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 22:15-22 – The Image of God

 

Sermon 18^th October 2020 – 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 22:15-22 – The Image of God

As we get further and further into this period of lockdown and closed churches, I keep thinking of the incident in Acts 5 where the Apostle Peter was ordered by the governing rulers to stop preaching the Gospel. In response Peter says - "We must obey God rather than human beings! And he goes on and keeps preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I keep asking myself whether we are in that situation. At what point do we, as church, say that we are being denied the right to freedom of worship and that we must obey God rather than human authority. Have you wondered that? Have we given up too easy – too readily?

Well, Jesus was confronted with a similar dilemma today. The story going around was that Jesus was leading an anti-Roman militia aiming to topple the Roman rule and re-establish the Jewish nation under a Davidic Kingship. In other words, re-establishing King David’s throne and rule of Israel rather than Roman rule. And therefore the word had gotten around that Jesus was teaching that it was wrong to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor when the money should be going to God and re-establishing the Temple. So, this time, they really think that they have Jesus in the same way that the FBI were able to get gangster Al Capone not on the charges that they wanted him on but on tax evasion. So they put the question to Jesus - Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”

First of all, Jesus knows this is an attempt to trap him.  As Matthew says: Jesus was aware of their malice. But I think his answer is the answer which applies to what we are going through at present: Jesus says: Show me the coin used for the tax.” When they showed him the coin he said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose title on the coin?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” At no time does Jesus say that part of his manifesto was for an uprising or rebellion. In fact Jesus resisted any attempts by the people to make him king and even rebuked Peter for resisting arrest when he pulls out his sword and cuts off the ear of one of Jesus’ attackers when he was being arrested.

The example Jesus uses is interesting. He gets the people to look at a coin and the image that is imprinted on it. Like our currency, it bears the image of the governing ruler. In their case – the emperor. In our case – the queen. And he says – because the money bears the image of the emperor he says – give to the emperor what belongs to him and give to God what belongs to God. So ownership is determined by image. Their currency bears the emperors image. So we have to ask – what belongs to God. Where is God’s image imprinted?

Well, as we go back to the very beginning of the Bible we read where God has placed his image: Let us create human beings in our own image – in the image of God he created them – male and female he created them. As Christians we must always remember that we belong to God.

No matter what rule we live under – not matter what laws are ruling over us – we belong to God. And no one can take that away from us.

When Jesus was being questioned by Pilate about submitting to his authority, Jesus doesn’t deny his authority: Pilate said. Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus doesn’t deny his authority but says, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.

As Christians we are called to reflect the image of God that we bear and to imitate Christ who saw his submission to Pilate as submission to God. St Peter talks at length about suffering as an example and witness to Christ. Not overcoming suffering but enduring suffering. He says: But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.

And he also says: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

None of us like what is happening to the church but it’s a question of how do we respond. What is it that will bring glory to God? Well, again, St Peter says: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.

We are not the first generation to suffer because of our faith. And part of our faith is trusting in God’s deliverance. St Paul, in our 2nd reading today urges us, as ones who bear the Image of God to imitate God: He says: And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers.

What example are we showing? Just look again at the fruits of the Spirit which are how we can example imitating Christ and God’s image: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, & Self-Control. These are challenging qualities to reflect in time like these but these are the qualities that Jesus says have been imprinted on us as the Image of God.

These are fruits which means that they come from being filled with the Holy Spirit. A lemon tree doesn’t produce apples – so a Christian  doesn’t produce hate or anger or lack of control. Likewise, a lemon tree that doesn’t produce fruit is just a tree. Our lives are to act like mirrors to reflect God’s presence in the world.

So a constant question we ask ourselves is what image are we reflecting? The image of God? Or our own image? The situation with our churches is extremely challenging. I have cried out to God – why have you abandoned me? I have cried out – take this cup from me. I’m not suggesting in any way that our suffering mirrors Christ’s suffering but Jesus has given us the example of walking the way of the cross. Peter wanted to avoid that – never Lord – this will never happen to you. Jesus rebuked Peter because in his attempt at honouring God by rebelling he was actually bringing dishonour to God. He is told that he does not have in mind the things of God but of man. Even though he really thought he was honouring God by rebelling against an injustice to his Lord Jesus – he was not allowing God to do his will. Which is why Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane says – take this cup from me – but not my will be done but your will be done.

I’ve said it before – I want our churches opened more than anyone. I am really struggling not being able to serve you with the Sacrament and having you here gathered for worship. But I truly believe that God is in control – we must believe that. And God’s will WILL be done. And God’s glory will be revealed. Look at the result Jesus got today when he upheld the authority even though the people felt that the taxes were unfair: They were amazed; and they left him and went away.

It might seem at times like we are weak and simply rolling over to the church closures. Maybe at times it seems like we are being disrespectful to God because we ae not fighting back against the closures. But the greater witness comes by imitating the humility of Christ and allowing God to bring about his will. And if, as part of God’s will, an injustice has been done to us then God’s justice is more satisfying and fulfilling. And if we allow God’s will to be fulfilled  in all this then we can be sure of a stronger and more faith-filled church. Maybe this is how God awakens his church and Christians. Maybe this is the new song that the Psalmist speaks about in our Psalm today.

But it means trusting God. It means giving to God what is God’s – as St Paul urges - to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. We are not in the situation Peter found himself in Acts. Our worship may be redefined but not forbidden. What is being challenged is the peripheral and not the core. We will be back worshipping together. We will be back receiving the body and blood of Christ. Until then God stay strong in your faith – stay strong in your prayer life and be assured that God is with us for he is Emmanuel – God with us.

 

 

Sermon 11th October 2020 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 22:1-14 – Accepting God’s invitation

 

Sermon 11^th October 2020 – 19^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 22:1-14 – Accepting God’s invitation

During this period of Covid restrictions the challenges of invitation has been at the forefront.

I’ve done a wedding, a baptism and 7 funerals – and all of them faced challenges of limited invitations. Funerals limited to 10, weddings 5, although fortunately the wedding I took were allowed to have 10 as it was still at the early stages of lockdowns and the first funeral we could have 30. And when we had that small 3 week window between the first and second wave we could have church services resumed but we were limited to 20 members. So we had to devise a roster system of inviting people which sounded so exclusive. Church should not be about restricting by invitation only but should be, as most church signs and bulletins say – ALL WELCOME.

As we move forward this is going to be one of the biggest challenges that faces the church as we continue to face restrictions on how many we can have at worship. And given the fact that inside worship may not be allowed initially and that we may be required to worship outside and still with restricted numbers, it’s going to be a challenge for us. But we’ll work out a way and whatever we are permitted to do we will do – and we will do it safely.

 But this is where we are going to need our church community and your support. During those 3 weeks that we could have 20 inside our church building there were some challenges. Cleaning the church before and after services - signing in – sanitising your hands – having your temperature taken – I know that some felt this was an infringement on rights and to an extent nuisance value. And I agree – I didn’t like it. But I love worship more than I disliked the requirements placed upon us – and so whatever we had to do we did.

 And as we move forward there may be these and more in way of restrictions. We may be required to wear masks. We may be urged or even required to not allow singing. We may not be able to use the common cup and need to use individual cups. Again, things we might rightly say are unfair – are against our human rights. And we may say – I won’t attend under these circumstances. I wish there was an alternative – but there won’t be. It’s going to be – you either do these things or you cannot open up for worship.

 We might not like or agree with the demands of reopening our worship but I am so sad at what has happened to you that I want to encourage you to look beyond the demands of what is being asked and help us to regain worship. And if we can only have 5 for the initial start up period then we will look at ways of having multiple shorter services each week offering private Holy Communion services.

We could offer 20 minute private communions  with a brief break in between – that could allow for 10 an hour -5 times a day – one day at Ringwood and one day at Knox – that’s 100 members we could commune. Is that a lot of work for me – yes it is – but I am prepared to do whatever it takes to have you receive the body and blood of Christ. And I hope you are prepared to look differently at how we gather for worship. It will mean that we ask for help from our worship community to accept the invitation with the requirements that are being placed upon us to open.

 As we look at our Gospel reading it is easy to see how we can place our own needs and priorities over an important invitation.  A king gave an invitation to a wedding.  A King!

Who would knock back an invitation from a King? A royal wedding nonetheless – and yet people find an excuse to not accept the invitation. In fact it was worse than just rejecting the invitation: They made light of the invitation and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. Why would they do that?

 It’s easy to be like them and reject the changes we need to make also and criticise those who are thinking of ways that we can gather again. It’s hard to say when and if things will get back to the way things were before the pandemic struck us. And it’s easy to lose heart and focus on the unfair demands being placed on the invite rather than looking at what we are being invited to.

 We missed out on our Easter celebrations and it’s looking more and more like or Christmas may not be the large joyous occasion we have had in the past. It is easy, because of the situation that is before us, to allow our dismay to miss the opportunities that we have to worship God in new ways and new opportunities. We may allow our disappointment, our anger, our rejection to reject God’s invitation to worship because it’s not the way WE want it – it’s not the way WE are used to having it. We should not let our disappointment or anger cause us to miss the joy that God brings to our life.

 And so St Paul says: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whether we’re sitting in our pews – in our usual way of worshiping or not, the Lord is near. This is going to challenge us to see worship stripped away from all the things we are used to in worship and bring it back to what is essential – word and sacrament. True we haven’t celebrated the sacrament of Holy Communion for 7 months – but we have been surrounded by the sacrament of our Baptism – as promised by God – I am with you always – as Paul said – the Lord is near.

 There is the old saying that necessity is the mother of all inventions.

Maybe this necessity of rethinking – reshaping our worship is that opportunity of looking at what is essential in our worship. We have seen beginnings of how worship has reached out to far more places than the 4 walls of our church buildings through the internet. As church attendances have steadily decreased over the past decade or so, maybe this is how God is going to reshape his church and send out more invitations to hear and receive the Gospel message of salvation. For too long the invitation has been rejected by more and more people.

This is our opportunity to send the Gospel to the ends of the earth which is the last prophecy that Jesus spoke of before his return.

 Maybe we’re not as comfortable about some of the changes we need to make to comply with the demands placed on us as we were with the ways we were used to. But it’s not about OUR comfort but about the world’s salvation. And Paul today urges us to look at what is truly important when he says: Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about THESE things.  Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

 Maybe God is inviting us to learn new ways. But what is central is his Word and Sacraments and they won’t change. We will always keep them as central to our worship whether it’s inside our church building or in our carpark or wherever God allows us to gather and worship. If it’s only 5 for a period of time or 10 or 20, Jesus has assured us that where 2 or 3 gather in my name there I am in the midst of them.