Sermon 4th December 2022 – 2nd Sunday in Advent Text: Matthew 3:1-12 – Be prepared

 Sermon 4^th December 2022 – 2^nd Sunday in Advent

Text: Matthew 3:1-12 – Be prepared

 

There is a lot of evidence that Christmas is upon us. Shops are starting to put up decorations. Christmas catalogues and specials are hitting our mailboxes. Christmas breakups seem to be happening every couple of days. Maybe the Christmas cards have started to arrive. There’s a lot of joy about.

 

Christmas is a special time of year in the Church as we prepare to celebrate the true occasion of the origin of Christmas – the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. So it might be surprising that when we come to church during Advent, the preparation for Christmas, that the readings don’t really reflect an air of joy and celebration. We are introduced to an interesting character by the name of John the Baptist. He doesn’t seem to live a life of joy - John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. He doesn’t really exude much rejoicing. He addresses those who had come out to hear him as a “Brood of Vipers” He doesn’t speak to them about a “gentle Jesus, meek and mild”.

 

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

 

And, yet, John is the messenger of Advent. Advent is the preparation for Christmas – the coming of baby Jesus. John is the advent of God to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus also. He is - “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” He is preparing the people for the coming of the promised one of God: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

As much as Christmas is a joyous occasion as we celebrate with friends and family – giving gifts, eating drinking and celebrating – the true message of Christmas is not the celebration but what we are celebrating. And please don’t misunderstand me. The celebrations are fantastic. I too look forward to it. But as Christians we know that there is a reason for celebrating. And when we forget that we often hear people’s comments of how they “hate Christmas” because of all the work and cleaning up – the parking – the crowds. Because that’s all it is. But as Christians we celebrate that God is entering into our existence – entering as a fully human being.

 

This is true reason for celebrating as Paul calls upon us: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; God didn’t have to do this, as John warned the people. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” God knows we need more than just a Merry Christmas filled with tinsel and decorations.  We need more than receiving the perfect Christmas item, or latest hi-tech gadget.  John spells it out quite clearly what we need for Christmas.  We need a renewed Spirit that will make us more attentive to God in our daily lives.  We need the Holy Spirit to move our faith beyond the routine of daily life.   We need a purging fire that will make the love and presence of God more real, tangible and intense so it will enlarge our love of God and neighbor. That’s what John tells us God wants to give us, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand...”

 

I don’t know about you – and I might be wrong – but I sense that there is more excitement this year about Christmas than we’ve seen for some time. Usually about now we see a lot of objections to Christmas. We can’t have Christmas carols because it might offend some people.

We must say “Happy Holidays” to be inclusive. Councils not putting up decorations. I’m finding that there is more acceptance and perhaps that’s because for the past couple of years we have been in the wilderness celebrating Christmas because of Covid. Maybe John’s voice is the voice we need to hear despite its harshness – to make a path for Jesus as we celebrate this year.

 

But what is the path that Isaiah is talking about that John was sent to prepare? It was the path of repentance.

To repent doesn’t mean to simply be sorry. To repent means to begin seeing differently, to begin thinking differently, both of which lead to acting and living differently. Our English word repent comes from the Greek word – metanoia

 

Meta meaning to change – like metamorphosis – metaphysics. Noia – means knowledge

 

So repentance is not just feeling sorry for having done the wrong thing but a change of mind – a change of being. To repent is to change - to live differently, because as we enter a new mindset or as we develop a new way of seeing, we become aware that our actions are out of step with God’s will for all creation. And I think that is what Covid has done – as hard and devastating as it was on our lives it has changed our outlook on life to value things we devalued or undervalued or took for granted. Just think of the hunger for gathering together – the hunger for Holy Communion as we lived in the wilderness. Our relationships – our gatherings – our celebrations.

 

Sometimes it takes a time in the wilderness to see what we truly value. Israel had been in the wilderness for 400 years since their last prophet and John the Baptist and they were ready to accept John as their Messiah.

But he said – no. God has something much better planned for you. There is one coming after me – don’t settle for less. In fact, John will later say – I must decrease so he may increase. So the message of John today is to examine what it is in our lives that we sometimes accept as 2nd best.

 

What obstacles do we put on the path for Christ to bring true joy into our lives. We know some of the cliché answers- money, possessions, careers, sports and the like. But it’s much deeper than this and our wilderness experience during our lockdowns and curfews have helped to reveal them. Maybe we took our faith for granted – our freedom of religious worship for granted. We shouldn’t be afraid of the wilderness. Noah journeyed the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights before reaching dry land Israel journeyed the wilderness for 40 years before reaching their Promised Land. Jesus journeyed the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights while being tempted by Satan but during that time he was ministered to by the angels.

 

And now our wilderness experience, which for many people is still continuing, has hopefully opened our eyes to God’s presence with us during that time, as he was with Noah, Israel, Jesus and others, and is now preparing us to celebrate with joy the coming of Jesus at Christmas and as we wait for him to return in all his glory. Sometimes in the wilderness we can’t see our way out but we know God will never abandon us.

Even when there seems lifelessness, like a dead stump, out of the stump of Jesse God brought a new shoot to give hope. So may the voice of John calling from wilderness give you hope with whatever wilderness experience you may be going through to bring you joy through hope.

 

And may this time of Advent prepare you for whatever Christmas brings to you this year as you celebrate God’s precious gift in a manger – Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sermon 27th November 2022 – 1st Sunday in Advent Text: Matthew 24:36-44 – End Times Complacency

 Sermon 27^th November 2022 – 1^st Sunday in Advent

Text: Matthew 24:36-44 – End Times Complacency

 

As we prepare for Advent the weeks leading up to Advent and also today speak about the end times. Usually when we think of “end times” we think of quite horrific and scary events. We heard a few of those just recently – Wars and rumours of war.

Nations fighting against nations. Earthquakes, famines, pestilences. Many people like to turn to the Book of Revelation to read about end times with frightening scenes of beasts, dragons, antichrists, lakes of fire.

 

In our Gospel reading today Jesus again speaks about the end of the world but there is nothing frightening at all in the events leading up to Judgment Day. In fact it’s quite the opposite. Jesus said: Just as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. It will literally be normal living rather than cataclysmic events according to Jesus.

So when we start looking at the state of the world and thinking we must be in the last days because of all the turmoil in the world, that’s not Jesus warning.

 

Jesus’ warning was about complacency, like the days of Noah. It does say that the world was corrupt and violent but it seems that it was so common that it was everyday life. And that’s the danger we face, like the days of Noah, no one was ready for the flood that would wipe out all the earth. They couldn’t see the violence and decay because it had become so commonplace.  So part of ordinary everyday life. But what we shouldn’t be confused about is that living our everyday lives is not complacency. Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage was not the problem. The problem was in the last part of that statement by Jesus - they knew nothing until the flood came and then it was too late.

 

And that’s the difference. We may not live very different lives to our neighbour who is not a Christian but we are in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ as our Saviour. And that’s the difference – our relationship with Jesus. We may look no different to the person next to us and that is often the criticism of Christians as we live out our daily lives – eating and drinking. In fact Jesus faced that criticism at one stage – John the Baptist came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. We don’t have to live “holier than thou” lives. But we must be ready for whenever Christ returns or he calls us home. And that’s why Jesus says – on that day – Two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. There was no difference between the 2 other than one was in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ their Lord and one was not. There was nothing that distinguished them other than their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

 

So it’s a question of, if there is no difference then how will people come to know about Jesus in their lives through us. As St Peter says – always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But how will they know you have hope? We need to remember that life is a gift from God. Just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we have to live a life where we can’t enjoy the finer things of life – given to us by God to enjoy. But Paul reminds us that not all of life is beneficial to us nor a good witness. A good example of that in Paul’s life is his explanation of eating meat.  Paul believed he was free to eat meat, even meat that had been sacrificed to idols.  But if his eating meat harmed another person’s faith then he said he would never eat meat again, even though he was free to do so.

 

And that’s the challenge for us. Some people can enjoy a drink while for others one sip could destroy their lives and the lives of their family. Some people can enjoy a flutter on the pokies or the Melbourne Cup but for others they have lost homes and livelihoods through addiction. So it’s a personal challenge for us to examine our own lives and what behaviours could harm our relationships – with God and others. So Paul says: Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, debauchery, licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Anything that harms our faith or is a bad witness to God should be avoided.

 

Even though we have the forgiveness of sins – there are behaviours that affect our faith which we need to become aware of. As Paul says - “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.

So we need to identify those things in OUR lives that affect our faith. And it’s different for everyone. So it’s not about judging others but reflecting on and examining our own lives. It’s about identifying those impulsive desires that affect our lives and the lives of people around us: The desire for revenge, the desire for wealth, the desire to prove others wrong, the desire to be seen as important by others can affect our love for God and our neighbour.

 

Paul says make no provision to gratify any of these but instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the best way to get rid of negative impulses in our lives is to build up our positive impulses. What we are called to do is to live our lives ready for Jesus to return. It’s living our lives, not as if Jesus is coming tomorrow but today. It’s about living our lives not as if Jesus is returning later in the day but now. It’s about living our lives not as if Jesus is coming but is already here. And that’s why Jesus says - Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But that’s not about living in fear – what if Jesus comes if I’m doing something wrong. But it’s about living in hope and readiness – and people will see that. And it is God who has made us ready – through our Baptism where we were sealed with the cross of Christ to live as his baptized child. We are kept ready by the body and blood of Jesus that cleanses us from the disobedience that kept the people of Noah’s day from knowing the truth. We don’t accept disobedience because everyone’s doing it these days – or I’ve tried but I just can’t break the habit.

 

Paul also struggled in that area – the good I want to do I do not do. The evil I should not do, this keep on doing. Who will save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God. New Years are always good for New Year resolutions. As we begin this new Church Year maybe it’s a good time to make some New Year Christians Resolutions. To begin the day with Prayer. To read your bible everyday. To ring one of our members you haven’t spoken to or seen for a while to see how they are or even to introduce yourself. There are so many positive things we can do each day and it’s these positive things that are the best way to put aside the negative things – the things of the flesh – the things of darkness.

 

Remember, our entry into heaven is one day less that it was yesterday, as Paul said: You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. So may God bless you as you get ready for that great day when Jesus returns to brings us all home to his Kingdom.

Sermon 20th November 2022 – Christ the King Text: Luke 23:33-43 -The crucified King

 Sermon 20^th November 2022 – Christ the King

Text: Luke 23:33-43  -The crucified King

 

When you think of a king what image immediately comes to mind?  We have recently had the coronation of a King – King Charles the third and there were lots of images of what we call “pomp and ceremony” associated with that occasion. The image that usually comes to mind is that of a person wearing a crown and royal clothing, living in a royal palace, with lots of servants.

 

Now think of Jesus and the image that we see of him as King. He wore no royal clothes and when he did it was to mock him. They mocked him, spat on him, whipped him and put him to death in the most cruel fashion. He didn’t wear a golden crown but a crown of thorns. He wasn’t born in a royal palace but in a barn – in a feeding trough for the animals. It’s no wonder that his own people didn’t accept him and called for his death.

 

The Jews of Jesus’ time were longing for the day that their new King would come - a messiah to deliver them from their enemy and restore the fortunes of Israel.  They had heard of their glory days under King Saul and then King David when the mere thought of Israel would bring fear to the nations around them. And then came their King – Jesus – born of Mary and Joseph with rumours abounding of an unfaithful mother. From a town not known for royalty – Nazareth – can anything good come from Nazareth?

 

The people of Jesus time had unfortunately misunderstood the prophecies of Isaiah and the other prophets of the new King that was coming. They focused on the dreams of a military style victory over their enemies. The news of a newborn king brought fear into King Herod to the point where he was prepared to kill all infant boys in the hope of it including the new “King of the Jews” threatening his position as King. Jesus, a carpenter from a small town with questionable parentage, could hardly be confused with being a king. Yet, for a brief moment, his followers dared to dream that he may indeed have been the long-awaited messiah – blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

 

There was nothing Kingly about him to the naked eye.  Even his followers were from the lowest classes of society – fishermen – tax collectors.  He attracted Samaritans, lepers, people with unclean spirits, tax collectors, women of ill repute, the poor, and those put down by the ruling class of religious leaders. Everything about Jesus did not suggest royalty.

And, likewise, his death - Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion, a form of punishment reserved for the lowest classes of criminals and traitors. There was no royal casket paraded around town with royal servants by his side.

In fact, his own followers all fled the scene and left him to die alone. The sign on the cross - “This is the King of the Jews” was not to honour him but to mock him as were the royal clothes and bowing down to him Jesus hung with criminals on the outskirts of Jerusalem - a pitiful sight to signal a warning to the Jewish population if they tried this stunt again.

 

To the naked eye, Jesus was no king. But through eyes of faith, Jesus’ journey to kingship begins on the Cross. And the first of his royal pronouncements, an exoneration – ‘forgive them father for they know not what they are doing. And he ushers in the first of his royal subjects – again to the most unlikely – a thief crucified by his side – "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

 

So what does this mean to us today from this event that happened 2000 years ago. It means exactly the same that it meant then. That to the naked eye Jesus looks nothing like a King. The church, his body, looks nothing like a Kingdom. Christians, you and me, look nothing like royalty. But to the eyes of faith we read a different story. Paul talks about that in Philippians Chapter 2 –That by his death on a cross, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Every knee and every tongue must submit to Jesus Christ as King and Lord of all whether they recognise him or not.

 

Today the derision of Jesus continues. The derision that we saw as he hung helpless on the cross –  He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

Even in his dying breath the other thief hanging on the cross mocked Jesus - "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" The world laughs at any attempt to suggest God can make a difference in a person’s life. If he’s God why doesn’t he stop the wars – stop the floods – stop all the suffering. Fix the world and we’ll believe in you. That’s the life of the church.

That’s the life of a Christian. To be mocked and I’m sure I don’t need to convince you of that. But that’s where our strength comes from.

 

Remember that Jesus said this would happen – the world will hate you because of me but remember it hated me first. This is how God works. Paul says in First Corinthians – 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. We see an example of that when we worship. The foolish things – a piece of bread and a sip of wine where we hear those same words from Jesus – Forgive them Father. A few splashes of water and we believe that it makes a difference. The weak things of the world – a church that seems to be crumbling with age and relevancy. But a church that Jesus says not even the gates of hell can overcome – where 2 or 3 are gathered I am  there in the midst along with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. The despised things – just think of the hatred our mere presence can bring – think of the Essendon CEO recently who was sacked because he belonged to a church – and he is not alone.

 

Listen again to the words of St Paul today to remind yourself of the Kingdom you belong to – May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;  In him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible,  In him all things hold together. In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

 

That sounds like a King even if he doesn’t look like a King to the world. And that’s what faith is all about. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

 

As we prepare for Christmas this year with Advent starting next week, let us remember that there are reasons God chose this way to be our King. He is a King who identifies with the ordinary person. He is a King who was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He is a King who experienced true life including suffering, rejection and death. He is as King who invites us into his presence – into his family – to touch him, like doubting Thomas – as we reach out to receive his body and blood. But he is also a King who is, as Paul said, the first born from the dead. And he assures us that he will also raise us to eternal life with the assurance that whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.

 

Not every knee bows now. Not every tongue confesses now. But there will be a day coming when everyone will shout “Look, he is coming with the clouds, And “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him” And when he appears - then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

So until then may you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father.

Sermon 13th November 2022 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Text; Luke 21:5-19 – Testifying to hope

 Sermon 13^th November 2022 – 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost

Text; Luke 21:5-19 – Testifying to hope

"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

It could almost be a quote from our newspapers if it weren’t from our Bible Reading today. How does it make you feel? Frightened? Concerned? Let’s look at it in a different light.

If the Bible is correct in its assessment of the world then surely it is also correct throughout when it comes to our response to the world situation. If you were wanting to promote a religion for people to follow wouldn’t you be more inclined to push a more positive spin on the world to look forward to? Wouldn’t you want to offer something that leads to a better life outcome?

Prior to becoming a Pastor I attended dozens of self help seminars through my employer that all focused on how I could become a better person and lead a better life through positive thinking and behaviour. But Jesus seems to speak things opposite to that. In fact, Jesus said in our reading - You will be hated by all because of my name. And think back to last week’s Gospel reading if you were here. Jesus said - Blessed are you WHEN people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. It matches what he said elsewhere when he said - “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

So what is all this about? It’s not very “positive thinking”, is it? Why does Jesus promote something that seemingly is not very attractive or inviting? As we head to an election in the next couple of weeks could you imagine if our candidates took this approach?  Would you vote for the candidate that was offering a negative outcome if you voted for them?

To start – let’s look at the context. The disciples were trying to put their hope and security in physical things – Our Gospel reading says they were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, So what is the purpose of Jesus telling us this? Interestingly it is about mission. Jesus says that as we face these cataclysmic events, this will give you an opportunity to testify. And I know that when we go through these things it’s often hard to find the right words. When someone is going through a time of suffering or grief we find that it’s easy to say the wrong thing to them. We try to put a positive spin on their situation – trust God – God knows what you’re going through – God works good in all things to those who love him. But we find that these don’t often work and quite often leaves the person upset and hurt with this God who allows suffering – or sometimes we may even suggest that God sends suffering for a purpose.

But look what Jesus says: Make up your minds NOT to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. When the world around us is falling apart, as many believe it is now, we may feel like putting our heads in the sand or building our bunkers to keeper ourselves safe. But Jesus calls us to do just the opposite: Speak up! Tell the truth! Proclaim Christ crucified and risen!

Amidst all the end time language we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus is teaching us something essential about what it means to be Christians. When things get hard; when the census results say that Christianity is failing; when the National Church Life Survey paints a bleak future for ageing and dwindling congregations, when people try to silence and ridicule the church, keep on speaking! Keep on telling the world about Jesus! Keep on telling the truth!

This is the essential mission of the Church: to stand tall in the chaos and confusion of the world and keep being an example of faith: This is who we are. This is what we have been called to do and be. God is faithful even when everything around us is falling apart.

Our mission is to keep telling that truth—to keep living that truth—because when all is said and done, it’s the only truth that matters in our world today. What we need to remember is that this is nothing new. A decaying world has been a part of human existence from the beginning of time.

What we are going through in our present age is nothing new, no matter what the media tells us – there are no glory days to look back to or forward to. In fact we have been through far worse. Just ask those who remember the Great Depression of the 1930s or the horrors of the World Wars and the Holocaust. There is no age and no place on earth that is immune from the consequences of a sinful world. It is all part and parcel of our fallen nature as God explained to Adam - “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

Throughout the Old Testament we see wars, famines, earthquakes, droughts, floods. These are signs, not of human contribution but of human sin. They cannot be undone or reversed by what we do. We cannot point to a better worldly future but a better heavenly future where there will be a New Heaven and a New Earth as the old order of things passes away and Christ makes all things new. So Jesus says to you - do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.

The world’s narrative is we can make this a better place if we all just do our bit. The end will come and I know we want it soon but remember what St Peter says –

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Friends, use these times to bring a message of hope. These are indeed worrying times for many but Jesus assures us to not worry but to keep pointing people to the one whom the wind and the waves must obey. Don’t let these times frighten you but remind you that there is a New Heaven and a New Earth on its way where we will live with God and never again experience what we experience here so that we don’t lose heart until that day.

Until that day may the peace of God that surpasses understanding keep your hearts and minds forever in Christ Jesus. Amen.