Sermon 4th September 2022 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 14:25-33 – Counting the cost

 Sermon 4^th September 2022 – 13^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 14:25-33 – Counting the cost

 

The news keeps getting grimmer and grimmer when it comes to cost of living. Petrol, groceries, energy costs, mortgages. People are needing to reassess their living expenses to work out what they can and can’t afford. Sadly you hear heartbreaking stories of people turning off power at night to save on energy bills. They go without one meal a day to save on groceries. Even the bicycle is being dusted off to ride places instead of taking the car. Then there are reports of builders unable to complete houses because of rising costs of materials. Businesses in the city under pressure because workers are working from home and not frequenting theses businesses. When costs are impacted we reevaluate what is really important and what is a luxury.

 

This is also the message of Jesus when it comes to our Christian faith and the cost of being a disciple. And in Jesus’ day there were many Christians that paid the ultimate price of being a disciple when they refused to reject Christ as their Lord and Saviour and were put to death – some in gruesome ways as we heard a few weeks ago in the reading from Hebrews. With their lives on the line they weighed up the cost and made the decision that eternal life was worth dying for. So the cost Jesus is referring to is not just a financial cost – which it can be – but personal costs that go beyond that. At the extreme it could be family relationships which for many of the first Christians it was just that. You think of Paul who prior to his conversion was a leading Pharisee with all the respect and privileges that came along with that. Paul may have presumed that his fellow Jews would listen to him seeing that they knew he was an ambitious Pharisee even overseeing the death of Stephen by stoning and persecuting and arresting Christians. Surely if I converted they would know that I’m speaking the truth about Jesus.

 

But sadly for him that didn’t happen and he abandoned trying to convert them with that declaration in Acts 13 - It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. That was really hard for Paul to do. He loved his Jewish brothers and sisters even prepared to give up his own salvation if it meant they could be saved – in Romans 9 he says: I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—  I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel.  And in the end Paul lost his freedom as he spent his final years in jail because of his faith but never  complained. In fact he said, as a Christian, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

 

As Christians, sometimes choices need to be made because of our faith. And this is where we may be confronted to count the cost. Mature Christian living involves counting the cost and can require sacrifice from us.  Sometimes that cost as a Christian is the sacrifice of forgiving someone that has hurt you for the sake of church.  Sometimes that cost is speaking out against something and it’s not going to make you popular and in fact may see you ridiculed for it or even abandoned by friends as Paul was. Sometimes that cost is of your time as you choose to serve in the church which is rewarding but it can also be quite demanding on your time and your family’s. Sometimes that cost is financial as you forgo career opportunities because of your ethics refusing to work for a particular company or you don’t socialize with work colleagues because of questionable behaviour. Which is sort of what Jesus was talking about last week when he said to take the lower seat when invited and when you invite others don’t invite the rich and noble but the poor and less fortunate. Sometimes it can also be financial as you commit to financially supporting the church.

 

And they can be heavy crosses for us to carry. But they are the source of hidden joy just as Jesus cross, as brutal and gruesome as it was, was the source of true blessings for us. And that’s the thing we need to remember that we do these things where we give up our time and possessions not for our own blessing but for blessings of others.

We might not ever see reward for our sacrifices as Jesus said last week - when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. And that’s when many people give up.  When they don’t see the results of all their hard work for the church. We do all these programs for our young families and they still don’t turn up. We do all these things to help the poor and needy and rarely ever get even a thank you let alone having them visit our church. But that’s often the life of Christian discipleship.

 

But it’s also the reason why many people give up following Jesus because it’s so demanding at times and often little or no rewards in this lifetime. But that’s what we need to understand like the examples Jesus gives: Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him,

Or

What king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?

 

If Paul became a Christian because he felt it would bring him fame and fortune then he would have given up the first time they tried to stone him to death. As Christians we’re going to face hardships and challenges because of our faith. A lot of those challenges and difficulties may arise from within our own congregation or within our wider church. And that can be devastating when you expect different from within the church and causes many to leave the church. But let us remember these are distractions to our faith and call for us to remain strong and to remember, as Jesus said last week, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

 

The Christian faith can be challenging. Jesus knows that too well as he himself gave up his life for us. As Paul said in Philippians 2 – that even though Jesus was in the very nature God, he did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; but made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness – all for you – not for himself. And so Jesus knows that sometimes the Christian faith will ask a lot of us – even putting it ahead of our loved ones – but the blessings of Heaven that await the faithful is where St Paul discovered - that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. A glory that we have now but hidden but when Christ is revealed to the world his glory and ours will be revealed and we will truly discover what all the hard work has been for – eternal life in heaven.

Sermon 28th August 2022 – 12th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14 – Humble hospitality

 Sermon 28^th August 2022 – 12^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14 – Humble hospitality

 

With the explosion of different social media platforms it seems that everybody has the potential to be famous. It’s not that uncommon for a regular person to get thousands of people who become friends or followers on Social Media, many even getting into the millions without every really achieving anything. They are, as the saying goes – famous for being famous.

In the past you’d have to study acting – hope for a break in the industry – probably have to get several jobs to pay the bills in between acting jobs. And then only a few would make it. Then came the advent of reality TV where people were plucked from the general public – from obscurity – and became famous on shows like Big Brother, Masterchef and the block. Today it’s even more obscure with people called “influencers” who start an account on things like Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok and get paid for posting pictures of themselves and have people “like” them. Sadly many are venturing into a more adult platform called Only Fans where they can make hundreds of thousands of dollars if enough people “like them” and subscribe to them. It sounds adventurous to many young people who don’t have to worry about the 9 to 5 grind and getting out of bed before dawn to get to work. They simply get up when they wish – grab their mobile phone and take a few pics and upload them – they call them “influencers” – influencing people’s lives and spending. In fact a news article this week said that over 50% of teenagers would quit school or work to become an “influencer”.

 

But sadly what this has done is that it has led to a growing obsession that has led to depression and in many cases narcissistic behaviour where young people aren’t able to handle it when someone else gets more likes than them or more followers. Narcissus was a character from Greek Mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and never left the waterside gazing into the reflection until sadly he passed away because he could never have the object of his desire. It is a very challenging time especially for parents who have children heavily influenced by addiction to social media.

It’s reported that there is a growing number of primary school aged children suffering depression because body image shame. But it’s not just children but many adults have become obsessed with fame and self promotion.

 

Our bible reading today has Jesus attending a special function hosted by one of the leading Pharisees on the Sabbath. And they were keeping a close eye on Jesus in case he got up to his old tricks of working on the Sabbath. But that doesn’t worry Jesus. He’s dealt with that before. Especially last week when he was criticized for healing a woman who had been bent over for 18 years and the healing happened on the Sabbath. He put them in their place. Today there’s a different concern by Jesus and it relates to what I spoke of earlier. There was this narcissistic attitude amongst the people who all thought that they deserved the seat of honour when they were invited to a function.

 

It can be easy for us to judge the guests at the Pharisees’ dinner who are scrambling for the best seats as social climbers.  But the truth is pride and the desire to exalt oneself are part of fallen humanity.  We all have this desire to be better, to achieve, to be on top, to be number one, and to be admired.  We see this in the Garden when Adam and Eve gave in to the temptation to be like God. Even though they had everything they could possible want or need Satan convinced them there was one more step on the ladder for them to take – to be LIKE God. Instead of being content that they were created in the image of God – it wasn’t enough.  It’s believed that this is what caused Satan to rebel against God, not satisfied with being “under” God.

 

That human desire didn’t end there but continued throughout the bible. At the Tower of Babel the people wanted to build a tower to reach heaven to make a name for themselves. Even Jesus’ disciples quarreled as to who among them was the greatest.  The concerning part of greatness is that there is always someone better than you – or there is always someone wanting to take your place. Our reading from Hebrew talks about humility as being the true value in life. But humility is not about weakness but a hidden strength. Even though the world often sees humility as weakness we remember that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. That God chose weakness to shame the strong. Humility comes when we put others first.

 

Jesus says that we should take the lowly seat. But if we only take the lowly seat so that we will get asked to move up – then that’s not humility. Humility is a change of nature – accepting life as God has given. In the Hebrews reading it talks about empathy. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. An empathic person literally feels the pain of the other person. They don’t just feel sorry for them – that’s what we call sympathy. Empathy is to feel the pain as if you yourself are experiencing it.

And one of the true blessings of humility is the freedom you receive no longer having the need to compete or defend but simply accepting the life God has given you.

 

Just look at those caught up in the need to always be number one. There’s nothing wrong with excelling in your life but when it becomes all that you live for there is so much disappointment when you don’t achieve. On the other hand when we live by humility then we see all of life as a blessing from God. As the writer of Hebrews says - Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have from God; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" But not only that but there are hidden mysteries that God places in our lives as we heard in our reading - Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. That is so different to what Jesus witnessed as everyone scrambled for the seat of honour.

 

So Jesus says: when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed,  because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. It is these poor and less fortunate that may very well be the angels that the writer of Hebrews is referring to. Remember that the word Angel means “messenger from God”. The word we use for Good News or Gospel – comes from the same word. As we entertain these less fortunate and leave the world of needing to impress others and ourselves we discover true inner beauty of the other person and also ourselves. We discover the true love of God who while we were still sinners sent Jesus to us. While we were unloveable God continued to love us. That is true humility.

 

 

 

Sermon 21st August 2022 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Hebrews 12:18-29 – Freed from fear of the Law

 Sermon 21^st August 2022 – 11^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Hebrews 12:18-29 – Freed from fear of the Law

Today’s gospel reading is really sad. But I’m not talking about the woman who was bent over for 18 years in physical pain. No, I’m talking about the religious leaders who were bent over in spiritual pain. Here we have a woman described as being bound by Satan for 18 years healed by the love and care of Jesus. But instead of rejoicing, celebrating and thanking Jesus for his care and compassion we have the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath. And he berates the woman and the crowd - There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.

One begins to wonder whether the true aim of Jesus’ healing was not the woman and her physical pain but to heal the crippled hearts of the religious leader and the Pharisees who’s so called “righteousness” was tainted by hypocrisy. Jesus could easily have found the woman the following day and healed her and no one would have complained. After 18 years of suffering what would one more day have mattered for the woman?

Sadly there are still some denominations that insist on Sabbath observance by Christians in that we are commanded to worship on Saturdays – the 7th day of the week – whereas most Christian denominations worship on the first day of the week. God is available Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesday – anytime. But on the other hand we also have some who believe that Christians are not under the law at all. That we have been freed by the Gospel to do whatever we want. We see a similar tension in the New Testament with James and Paul. St Paul says we are saved by grace through faith and not works. Whereas St James says that faith without works is dead. Can both be true? Yes they can and I think Martin Luther explained it very well when he summed up what we call the 3 uses of the law – and that will also tie in to our reading from Hebrews today.

The first use of the law is the law that shapes society and brings order to our lives – whether Christian or not. We call it law and order. Luther called it a “curb” that keeps our behaviour following the right and safe path. So we have laws that prohibit certain things – stealing, violence, murder – just as the Ten Commandments have. It keeps society in good order otherwise we would have what’s known as anarchy. All societies have laws that shape their behaviour.

 

Then there was the 2nd use of the law. This is the law of God from which we get the 10 Commandments by which we examine our lives before God. Luther said the 2nd use of the law is to act like a mirror to remind us of our fallen nature before God. When we become complacent in our lives before God we are urged to re-read God’s law and see ourselves in relation to it. We might justify our behaviour as to why we act in certain ways but the law of God is to remind us that there are no excuses before God. We might think we’ve kept the commandments – I haven’t murdered anyone - but John reminds us that everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. Jesus reminds us that if I look at another person with lust I’ve committed adultery in my heart. Oh well, we’re not perfect. We try our best to keep most of them. But then James reminds us whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

So there is no escaping the 2nd use of the law as none of us love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – AND our neighbour as ourself. But the 2nd use of the law was not to break us but to remind us of God’s grace. That none of us can keep God’s commandments and so we need God’s forgiveness. Which is what Jesus was trying to point out to the Pharisees: You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? Don’t you show grace to your animals? How much more should God show grace to his children.

And so we don’t justify, ignore or explain our indiscretions but we run to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for his forgiveness. And without any doubts or hesitations, God’s grace through Jesus Christ comes to us to announce our forgiveness. And this is where, for forgiven, saved Christians, the law of God comes to us in a new and different way which Luther calls the 3rd use of the Law.

Having been forgiven by God’s grace – living under God’s grace – does not mean the Law is abolished. No. In fact Jesus himself said that - Do not think that I have come to abolish Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. And since Jesus has fulfilled the demands of the law, the law now become for us a freeing gift of God. It’s a gift from God to enable us to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbour out of love and not by commandment or coercion.

So now as I keep the commandments it’s out of love. I don’t steal from my neighbour – not because it’s wrong but because I love my neighbour. I don’t hurt my neighbour – not because it’s wrong and I’m afraid of God’s judgment – but because I love my neighbour. And so it’s so freeing to live life out of love and not fear. And that was the difference with the Pharisees. They were obeying the law but in a way that was not showing love to their neighbour but living out fear. And that’s the danger we have if we are living out our obedience to God’s law through legalism rather than Gospel oriented as Luther called following the Third Use of the Law.

Our Hebrews reading makes the same distinction. It compares Mt Sinai where God revealed his Old Covenant law to Moses – it was such a frightening place that if the Israelites or even one of their cattle touched the base of the mountain they would die. And when the saw the lightning and fire and smoke billowing from the top of Mt Sinai the people were frozen in fear. They said to Moses - “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

That’s not the sort of relationship God wants with us – and it is certainly not the relationship that our mission to the world will have results. Instead, the writer of Hebrews says - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.

And this is the difference – the Old Covenant which was law based. The New Covenant which is grace based. The Old Covenant which was followed by legalism. The New Covenant which is followed by love. The Old Covenant which we had to fulfill 100%. The New Covenant which has been fulfilled by Jesus. The Old Covenant which required sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins over and over again. The New Covenant where Jesus was sacrificed for us – once and for all.

Jesus has set us free from legalism but not free from the greatest commandments of loving God with all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus has fulfilled the legal requirements and demands of the law and has set us free to love God and neighbour. And what a freeing gift to know that our relationship with God is not one of fear of judgment and we should also lead people to experience that same freedom.

Jesus did not deny the Sabbath but reminds us that the Sabbath was made for humans and not humans for the Sabbath. And that goes for all the Commandments of God – they were made for us to help us to live in peace and harmony with one another and especially with God.

We don’t want to be like the Israelites under the Old Covenant living in fear or keeping others in fear of God but living under grace. And let us share that experience with others who continue to be bent over under the weight of whatever it is that prevents them from knowing the grace of God as we do.

Sermon 14th August 2022 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 – Don’t give up

 Sermon 14^th August 2022 – 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 – Don’t give up

 

Back in my youth group days at Box Hill a couple friends of mine decided to visit another friend from our group who was working at Hermannsburg in the Northern Territory. They drove up and when they reached Alice Springs the 2nd of my friends who was the passenger in the car said – this is way too far and he decided he was going to make arrangements and go back home. They had driven over 2000 kms with just over 100 kms to go. Despite pointing this out my friend who was at times irrational could not be convinced and arranged to fly back home. As ludicrous as this sounds – it did happen.

 

And as ludicrous as this sounds it is the concern of the writer of Hebrews today as Christians travel along the life journey on our way to heaven that can get quite difficult at times that we feel like giving up. The Old Testament has examples of that. As Israel were wandering through the wilderness, every time they struck difficulty they would complain to Moses and desire to go back – even though the origin of their journey was back breaking slavery in Egypt. And we have the example of Elijah who said – it’s enough Lord, take my life. Or Jonah who when things didn’t go the way he wished said to God - I’m so angry I wish I were dead.

 

Maybe you’ve felt like that at times. Maybe you’ve felt like giving up wondering what’s the point of our Christian journey. The world seems against us. So many people have left that we have to do all the work. Our budget is constantly wanting more and more from us. Our reading from Hebrews is encouraging us to not give  up; Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is our great high priest who empathises with us because he has journeyed our path before us including the difficulties of giving up the race when he prayed to God his Father to “take this cup from me” But he persevered and continued to the cross.

 

It’s so sad that the church, including our own, has seen so many people give up the race. Having been baptized, gone to Sunday School, confirmation – perhaps even to a Lutheran or Christian School – even served in the church in a position of leadership – suddenly they have decided – I’ve had enough. But that’s the battle we are in which we call Spiritual Warfare. In fact that is one of the issues that the writer of Hebrews was struggling with too where the writer says in Chapter 10 –  Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Day the writer was speaking of was the Day of Christ’s return when we would join with him in eternal life in Heaven.

 

So, as we can see, this is not a modern day concern but goes right back to the very first churches. So we should not be disheartened asking – where have we gone wrong. Or, I’ve failed as a parent because my child no longer worships. Let us always remember that we have Jesus with us always but not only that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have journeyed the path of God and overcome huge obstacles. Beginning with the Israelites who were hemmed in when they were fleeing Egypt and came to the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptians behind them. But just when everything seemed doomed, God stepped in and separated the waters of the Red Sea to allow Israel to go through on dry land. And then, once Israel were safely through onto solid ground, God returned the waters removing their enemy completely.

 

In fact the writer of Hebrews gives us a huge list of witnesses who experience severe outcomes of their faith but never gave up. Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness.

 

But not all of them had positive experiences. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-- of whom the world was not worthy.  They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. But they did not give up their faith in God.

 

Can you imagine how they – who gave up their lives and suffered persecution, even today, to ensure the  Christian faith was passed on must feel looking at the church today and the reasons people give up their faith in God. I’m too busy with work. I’ve got sport commitments. Sunday’s my only day off.  I didn’t get my way at the vote on a particular issue. No one spoke to me after church. Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying.

I’m not trivializing them or saying they don’t hurt. But to give up one’s faith is not like changing football teams because you’re sick of your team losing. Or quitting your job because you’re sick of it.

 

These witnesses were people prepared to undergo the most gruesome torture and death for the sake of their faith in God. In fact, as we see in our Gospel reading, Jesus presence in the world can bring great challenges very close to home and so we should not be surprised that there are going to be many things that will try to distract people away from their faith. Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:  father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

 

Jesus is not saying that he intentionally sets out to create this division but his work is so important that Satan works overtime to undo it. And the most effective way that Satan works is to attack the family unit – including the family of faith – the church. So when something comes up against the church it can have devastating consequences to a person’s faith. The journey before the church is a challenging one but we need to remember that the origin of the church was one of persecution, suffering and death in which it actually grew in size and faith.

 

Like an athlete let us keep our eyes focused on the finishing line and the prize that awaits us. Like a hurdler who keeps his focus on the finishing line and not the hurdle lest they stumble and fall, let us keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith who has taken his seat at the right hand of God. Now is not the time to give up as the Day of Christ’s return approaches but to look at the state of the world and if we give up on our faith then what do we have? That’s why Jesus said – you know how to interpret the weather signs – just have a look at the world and the signs it is giving that we dearly need our Saviour to return.  So until he returns, may the peace of God that surpasses our understanding, keep your hearts and minds always in Christ Jesus, our pioneer and perfector of our faith. Amen

Sermon 7th August 2022 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 12:32-40 – Bigger – not always better

 Sermon 7^th August 2022 – 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 12:32-40 – Bigger – not always better

 

Bigger is better! Isn’t that what we’re led to believe? Bigger is better. Bigger churches are seen to be more successful. Bigger companies make more profit. Whereas we’d love our churches to be filled to the brim and overflowing we need to ensure we do not throw in the towel because our numbers are not what we’d like them to be. Sometimes when we are “bigger” we can tend to believe that we are invincible and suddenly less reliant on God and more reliant on continuing to do the things we are doing because they work. Smaller churches try to replicate what bigger churches are doing believing if they can do it then so can we with the same results.

 

I find it interesting in today’s Gospel reading that Jesus seems to be addressing a personal message to those churches that perhaps are struggling a little bit because of their size. Jesus says, do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And he encourages them to rid themselves of anything that might cause them to look at their own abilities: Anything that might give them a false sense of security. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

It’s a constant message to us to not be tempted to measure by world’s standards. In 1 Corinthians Paul says - Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. And again Paul, in 2 Corinthians highlights the need to turn away from worldly measures when he looks at the many privileges, he was given by God compared to the other Apostles:  Because of these surpassingly great revelations I received, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 

It’s interesting that last phrase – God’s power is made perfect in weakness – and yet in churches we are tempted to look for strengths and overcome our weaknesses. When we hear the Census results – 43.9% or the National church life survey which usually paints a very grim outlook for the church – are we trying to focus on the wrong strength? This is nothing against bigger churches as they too are a blessing from God – but it’s a message to not be disheartened by being a “little flock”. God is with us to encourage us – where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them. Again, we look at Elijah who became despaired to the point of wanting to die. I have had enough, Lord,” he prayed. “Let me die. I am no better than my ancestors.” The people of Israel have broken their agreement with you, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with swords. I am the only prophet left, and now they are trying to kill me, too. So, God revealed himself to him. How? A very strong wind blew until it caused the mountains to fall apart and large rocks to break in front of the Lord . But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle sound (or in some translations – sheer silence). God’s presence was not in the earthly measures of power – wind, earthquake, fire – but in sheer silence.

 

Again, it’s not to say God isn’t present in the huge mega-churches – but that God is just as much present among us in our smallness. Our other 2 readings speak about faith in God. And remember that when it comes to faith Jesus always talked about “a little faith” – faith as small as a mustard seed. But sometimes we seem to only put faith in God when we have run out of our own strength.

Again, the book of Hebrews directs us away from earthly measurements for hope and to God. The writer says: faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We are so accustomed to “seeing” results and yet the writer redirects us to faith where often results are not seen to the human eye but to God.

And this is the lesson that Abraham, the father of faith, must learn. God says to Abraham: "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great. But Abraham can’t see that – he says “I am childless – I don’t have an heir”. And God reassures him that he has not forgotten him and will provide an heir that will provide him with so many descendants he won’t be able to count them even though he can’t see that yet nor any indication it might happen in the future. Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness.

 

But Abraham, like all of humanity, begins to look again at the physical evidence. He has reached the age of 90 and has no child. So he takes matters into his own hands and has a child, not with Sarah, but with his maid Hagar. So he now has the “physical” result – Ishmael - but it is not the “faithful” result - Isaac. Abraham acted in this way because he was afraid that God had forgotten his promise. And that’s why Jesus says – do not be afraid little flock.

 

Fear has the potential to have us look away from what God has given us to keep us strong in our faith. In our Baptism God made us his child and therefore we must never doubt our position in God’s family. We are heirs of the kingdom – co-heirs with Christ. And the Baptism promise of Jesus is – “I am with you always till the end of the age”. In Holy Communion God brings us strength and comfort knowing that our sins have been forgiven  by the body and blood of Christ that was sacrificed on the cross for us. On the cross God made him who had no sin to become our sin so that we would become the righteousness of God. And so with these we are ready for Christ to return even though there is no indication that he is about to return. But no matter what happens in the world nothing can take that away from us.

 

So the warning Jesus gives - You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour – does not concern us because we are ready. We are ready to enter into the Kingdom and join in the wedding feast because God has given us the Kingdom already. So don’t let Covid, climate emergencies, food shortages, economic downturns or whatever else the world throws at us cause you to fear. Because there is only one thing that is important to know – that our eternal life in heaven is guaranteed. So do no be afraid little flock for it is the father pleasure to give you the Kingdom.