Sermon 1st August 2021 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Ephesians 4:1-16 –Divided we fall

 Sermon 1^st August 2021 – 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Ephesians 4:1-16 –Divided we fall

Usually in times of adversity human kind rallies together to tackle the issues. Think of our recent responses to things like overseas humanitarian issues – floods, fire, drought, hunger– and our outpouring of help to assist. Or think of previous disasters like September 11 when vigils were held around the world with  prayers and candle lighting. When disasters like Black Saturday happened we had more money donated than we knew what to do with. As firefighters from around Australia and even from overseas came to help. What I don’t understand is why this current pandemic  has instead of uniting us that it is has divided us.

This week was another example of that division when Premiers were asked if they would assist NSW by donating some of their vaccine supplies to which a resounding NO was heard. How different is that to what Paul calls from us today: Paul calls for humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  He says, there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

I think if there is one learning that comes from this pandemic is how quickly we became divided as a nation and the result of that division that has not just created great hurt in our relationship but scars that will last in our memories. When we act as one body we act in a way that promotes health and growth according to Paul: He says we grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Paul regularly uses the human body as an example of how we work together – in good times as we rejoice together – and in times of suffering. When ONE part of the body hurts, the entire body hurts. The hand cannot say to the eye you don’t belong. Sadly that is NOT what we are seeing at present, and until we do we will continue to see ourselves working against each other rather than with each other. How does the old saying go – united we stand, divided we fall. In fact Jesus once said something similar. A kingdom divided against itself will fall.

As negative as this is and as discouraging as this is, maybe there is a message for us as the church to look at how we might sometimes appear to the wider community. Do we always present ourselves as one united body in Christ as we regularly confess? I believe in the one holy Christian and apostolic church. I believe in one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It’s interesting that Paul links our basis of disunity to what he calls being tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. I’m not sure which doctrine Paul may have been referring to but I think we all know how easy it is for our churches to be images of division rather than unity because of our disagreement on certain matters of doctrine.

Doctrine is the teachings of our church’s foundation. And doctrine is important as Paul says to Timothy – watch your doctrine closely. But sadly doctrine often becomes the source of division rather than unity. It is good that we can have different opinions but it’s when those differences cause the body of Christ to become disjointed that we are not longer promoting our body’s growth in building up in love. And I know that I, myself, have at times been guilty of that, arguing over matters that seemed to cause division, but I have quickly come to learn how much we need each other as we face further disruptions to our gathering together in the future. I have learned how much we need each other and that our time is too short and too precious as we live with this cloud hanging over us not knowing when the next snap lockdown will be upon us.

Church growth in number and spirit come through oneness. In our Gospel reading today Jesus refers to himself as The Bread of Life – one of those 7 “I AM” statements that I referred to last week – I am the Bread of Life. In Holy Communion we acknowledge that oneness that we have together in that at the Table of the Lord we are all one in unity. No one is greater or lesser. We all receive the one bread and the one cup – which we know in this time of Covid it doesn’t appear that way. But that is the reality.

It is the same in our Baptism – we are brought into the one family of God whether we are Lutheran, Uniting, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox. We are Baptised in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Which is why Paul was so saddened when he heard that the Corinthian church had such great division caused by the very doctrine that was to unite them - Baptism – Paul appeals to them: I hear that there are quarrels among you. One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Peter”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I know that there are people who have left the church, and not just the Lutheran Church, over matters of doctrine. That is not the unity that Paul calls for. And sadly if someone leaves over a disagreement on doctrine then the next church they attend may create that same temptation. What if I go from church A to church B because I disagree with something and then I disagree with something at church B? We can be such a powerful example of unity. A unity that has been given to us by God through Jesus Christ. And Paul doesn’t just ask us, he begs us: He says: I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We have the perfect opportunity to shine at this time in our community. To be the place where people feel connected in a world that is disconnected. In a community that helps and supports one another in a nation where it’s every man for himself. Let us be the Bread of Life – the well of living water to a world that is hungry and thirsty for meaning. That even when our church buildings are locked that we are still open for business by sharing the love of God and the hope that God offers. And we can all have a role to play regardless of where we fit in God’s plan. Some are called to apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry,  But we are all called for building up the body of Christ, because we  all have the one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.  And each of us has been given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Sermon 25th July 2020 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Text: John 6:1-21 – Do not be afraid – I am God

 Sermon 25^th July 2020 – 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: John 6:1-21 – Do not be afraid – I am God

 

Jesus walking on the water – a neat party trick or is there something deeply revealing about this miracle. Firstly we need to understand that Jesus never does anything just for the sake of doing it. We need to look deeply under the surface of this miracle to understand that this wasn’t just a case of Jesus choosing this method to get from A to B – just as the feeding of the 5000 was not just about providing enough food for everyone.

There are several teachings that come from this very brief miracle that is often underplayed because it is simply considered only for the fact that Jesus can walk on water.

What does the water represent?

The sea in biblical writings represented the underworld where the demons hid. Remember the pigs when the legion  of demons requested to enter into the pigs and they all ran into the water and drowned. Or in Revelation when John saw a vision of Heaven and the first thing he noticed was that there was no longer any sea there. Jesus walking on the water’s greatest message was that he was Lord of heaven and earth and under the earth as Paul speaks about in Philippians chapter 2.

To Jesus was given the name that is above all names so that every knee in heaven and on earth and under the earth would bow and confess Jesus as Lord. And here Jesus shows that the underworld – the sea and all its evil cannot overcome him – in fact they must submit to him.

Jesus comes to us:

Notice that in their distress it is Jesus who comes to the disciples. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing and then they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat,

They didn’t cry out to him – they didn’t need to – he knew their distress. This is Jesus fulfilling his promise to us – I am with you always. In our times of distress – in our times of fear – we don’t always go looking for Jesus – we try our own ways first – but it is Jesus who comes to them without them even crying out to him. He knows their distress – he knows he needs them – he knows you need him.

 They thought he was a ghost and were terrified.

This part intrigues me that they didn’t recognise him at first. Do we always recognise Jesus with us? Remember Mary, who thought he was the gardener. Remember the 2 disciples walking to Emmaus – they were tell Jesus about Jesus because they didn’t recognise him. And sometimes it is at the most terrifying times when all of a sudden Jesus makes his presence known. Like when Peter began to sink when he tried to walk on the water and Jesus immediately puts out his hand and saves him. He didn’t prevent Peter from sinking but reached out in the nick of time to save him.

Sometimes as we struggle it seems like we are at our last moment. We are frightened and at the point of terror and then out of the shadows comes Jesus. We might not recognise him at first. It might be in the appearance of someone we least expect. But Jesus is there for us. And even if the ultimate end should come, Jesus is still there. He promised – I am with you until the end of the age. And then, in John 14 he says I will come to take you to be with me where I am – so don’t let your hearts be troubled.

It is I – do not be afraid.

John’s Gospel is known for the great – “I AM” statements. I am the Good Shepherd, I am the true vine, I am the gate for the sheep – I am the way, the truth and the life, I am the light of the world, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the bread of life – Seven of them in all.

Remember that I AM is the name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus chapter 3 when Moses asked God’s name – tell them “I AM” has sent you.

But here is the first of the statements which we don’t get to fully see because of how it is translated in English. When Jesus approaches the boat and sees the terrified disciples he calls out to them - It is I; do not be afraid. When in fact in the original reading in the Greek it says – “I AM, do not be afraid” In other words – I am God – do not be afraid.

I can’t tell you how many times I have had to refer to this statement. In recent times as we journey through the pandemic I have been frightened – terrified. Not of catching Covid. But of the future of so many people whose lives have been affected by lockdowns and fear. The economic impact.

The spiritual impact. The mental health impact. The impact on our elderly who are locked away from family. The impact on children locked away from schools. The impact of the widows and widowers, the singles, the friendless – who have no one to be with. I worry about the church and the impact it is having on those smaller, and not so small churches that are struggling to stay open at the best of times. And then I hear a small whisper – a little bit like the voice that Elijah heard in the sheer silence – saying to me – don’t be afraid – I am God.

I can’t tell you how comforting that is especially in these times when we cannot gather – when we cannot come to the Lord’s Table – to know that it is not we who come to God but it is God who comes to us. Who when the world’s problems seem so overwhelming that there seems little that even God can do – that I am reminded of our God who fed 5000 men, not counting women and children with 5 meagre loaves of bread and 2 fish. Barely enough to feed a family of 5 let alone 5,000. This is our God who created the heavens and the earth – out of nothing. Who created us in his own image. Who died for us. This is our God whom the wind and the waves must obey, who walks on water, whom not even the grave can hold – who comes to us to remove our fear.

And so, I would like to finish by reading again from St Paul in our 2nd reading –  I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

This is our God who comes to us and is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.

This is our God and to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

This is our God who calls out to you – do not be afraid, I AM GOD. Amen.

Sermon 18th July 2021 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 – Breaking down walls

 Sermon 18^th July 2021 – 8^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 – Breaking down walls

 

The great divide happened again this week as NSW Covid cases spiked at the start of the week into triple figures.  The resultant action was to declare red zones and shut down borders so we don’t get infected. This is their problem – we don’t want them here. While that might not be what they are literally saying, that is how many perceive it. Sadly this is human response all too often. Build walls in time of adversity and protect ourselves.

 

I was watching a show on TV the other day called American Preppers. It is a show about people who prepare for the end of the world. Instead of building walls they build bunkers – fill them with food and water – arm themselves with weapons – and lock themselves away until it’s safe to venture out again. And that’s what walls do. They don’t just keep people out- they also keep us locked in. We laugh at “preppers” – call them nutcases – the tin-foil hat wearing brigade. But tell me how we are any different in the way we respond in a crisis. Try buying toilet paper when there is even the hint of a lockdown – the shelves are stripped bare – every man for himself. In a time of crisis, our mindset doesn’t think about leaving one or two for others but making sure we have more than enough for ourselves.

 

There have been many famous walls in history. The walls of Jericho that came tumbling down. The Great Wall of China – so great that it can apparently be seen from outer space. And the infamous wall separating the USA and Mexico. Walls can make us feel safe like those who chose to live in gated communities. But walls can also send a message of “not welcome” to outsiders, like the walls and gates built by the Exclusive Brethren Churches and schools. Walls are not only physical walls that we build but they can also be personal walls that we build in our own lives that keep others out of our lives – and maybe even our churches that send a message of “not welcome”. I know that for me these lockdowns and restrictions have had a massive impact in my life that we cannot put the “All Welcome” sign up – because we are restricted in how many people may attend. And when suddenly a visitor arrives we can sort of make them feel less than welcome – did you book?

Jesus came, according to Paul, to break down walls. Paul describes it as: For he is our peace; in his flesh he has

made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.

 

In his ministry time on earth Jesus broke down walls between the righteous and sinners – between Jew and Gentile, the clean and the unclean. In his final act of sacrifice, by dying for our sins, he broke down the greatest wall and divider of all – the one dividing us and God as the symbolic act is seen where the Temple curtain is ripped in 2. A curtain that was used to divide the temple from the most holy place – the holy of holies. Jesus came because walls needed to be broken down – and continue to need to be broken down.

Paul says, he came to create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, to reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross. Paul describes that new one humanity as no longer being strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Citizens with the saints and household of God. Do we feel like citizens at present? I don’t. And I’m sure those citizens trapped overseas don’t feel like citizens. And that’s what fear does to us. Fear isolates us. Fear alienates us.

 

As Christians we are called to not let fear direct our behaviour. King David wrote in today’s Psalm – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; I’m not suggesting that we live irresponsibly but I am suggesting that we look at how we are living our lives.

Are we allowing our fear to create walls and barriers?

Jesus takes down whatever walls we have raised to create divisions amongst us. Insiders and outsiders? The walls come down. Citizens and foreigners? The walls come down. Jesus does all this through his own body that was broken for us so that we may be one. In Holy Communion we partake in the one bread and the one cup even though visually because of Covid that is not what we see. But remember, we also don’t see his body and blood but the physical presence of bread and wine. But what the world displays before us Christ breaks down and presents them to us as his own body and blood given and shed for us.

 

When Jesus saw the crowds running after him he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; Can you picture sheep without a shepherd? Just as Jesus had compassion on the crowds today he continues to have compassion on us because we too at present are like sheep without a shepherd.

Walking aimlessly. We need to regroup in times like this and remove fear as our cornerstone and replace it with Jesus Christ as our cornerstone. The cornerstone is the first stone laid on which everything else is built.

What is your cornerstone? Is it Christ or is it fear?

 

God laid your cornerstone in your Baptism so let us not give it up so easily. Paul describes it so eloquently when he says: the life of a Christian is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. Let us be vigilant in our fight against this pandemic but don’t let fear be the driving force – the cornerstone. Remember back to when the disciples were in the boat and through fear thought they were going to drown until Jesus got up and told the wind and the waves to be quiet. Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey him.

 

Do you think that Jesus is any less powerful today? In fact, that was before he had defeated death. Jesus told his disciples: Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Let us be vigilant but with Christ as our cornerstone let us put our faith in Jesus Christ and trust in our Shepherd because the Lord is our Shepherd.

 

Sermon 11th July 2021 – 7th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 – God’s plan before time began

 Sermon 11^th July 2021 – 7^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 – God’s plan before time began

 

John the Baptist features prominently during Advent as he prepares the way for Jesus’ arrival at Christmas time.

We don’t hear much more about John’s life other than he is soon arrested because of his criticism of the Royal family of King Herod. No doubt John would have felt disillusioned about his predicament. Jesus was the one promised and sent by God who was going to set Israel free from tyranny. He was the one they were all waiting for. John even recognised that in order for Jesus to do this that he must step down and give him room – “I must decrease so that Jesus can increase”.

Maybe this is why John was so brazen in his criticism of Herod knowing that Jesus had now arrived. But never would John have thought that his life would end up the way it did – imprisoned and now his head on the chopping block – literally.

 

John, feeling  a little disillusioned calls his disciples to himself and asks them to go to Jesus just to double check that he had his facts correct about him. They go to Jesus with the question – are you the one we were expecting or should we be looking for someone else. You can understand why John might be having doubts given his situation. And you could understand why John’s disciples might have continued the doubts after coming to collect his body after he had been beheaded. Maybe you’ve been in John’s situation – not literally – but maybe you’ve had some doubts about whether Jesus really is the one or should you be looking for someone else. Should life be better? Should life reflect more our faith and dedication to God?

 

How can we be sure that Jesus is the one and that we should not be expecting another? St Paul today answers that in several ways to reassure us that it’s not about our experiences but about God’s plan for us that has been in place long before we were even born. The first thing Paul says is that God does indeed have a plan for us and it has been in place longer than we realise: He says God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Did you hear when that plan first began? Before the foundation of the world.

 

While this world looks like it is out of control at times – while it looks like God has no control at times – we are reassured that God who created and formed the world knows it all. And that he has blessed us in the heavenly places and chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Let’s not for one moment think that God is not in control even if it looks like he is not. Surely it seemed that way to John the Baptist.

 

The next thing Paul tackles is about who we are. Identity is a major issue in our world today whether it’s to do with gender, sexuality or status. Paul says that God has destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ. And Paul talks about how much he loves us as his children. He has adopted us according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  God has adopted us as his very own children and Paul says that God holds nothing back from us. He says that he lavishes his love and grace on us. And as his children God has guaranteed us an inheritance. And that inheritance is that he will gather us up and place us into our heavenly home.

 

Maybe at times it doesn’t feel like our life has any purpose. That we are just not getting anywhere in life.

That we are on the road to nowhere. But Paul says we have been marked with the seal of God’s promise by giving to us his Holy Spirit.  And this mark of the Holy Spirit is our “pledge of our inheritance” to the praise of his glory. And with that pledge it means that no one can challenge or contest that inheritance. This really is incredible to digest especially when you look in the mirror and wonder what on earth could God possible love about me. But the difference is that what God sees and what we see are 2 different things.

 

God sees himself as we have been created in God’s image. In fact Paul says in Ephesians 2 – we are God’s masterpiece.

How comforting and reassuring that God has chosen us. We don’t choose whether or not we are of value to God. The world doesn’t choose whether or not we are of any value. God has chosen us – and he chose us from before the formation of the world.

I wouldn’t choose me – but thank God, literally, God chose me. And he chose you. Our greatness is not prepared for this life. In fact after Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him to assure him that everything was going according to plan Jesus tells the crowd that greatness is not achieved here in this life but in the life prepared for us in heaven. Jesus says:

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

John was a great prophet here on earth, none greater – but the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is still greater than he is because that is where true greatness is achieved. As Christians we can indeed achieve greatness in this life time.  We can be successful. We can be well respected. But, as John discovered, that greatness can also be removed by the very ones who gave us that greatness. Many have experienced their worldly greatness ripped away from them as businesses struggle because of lockdowns. As people lose their employment and sadly some even their homes and marriages because of the stress. But with God, the greatness he gives us is signed, sealed and delivered by the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.