Sermon Trinity Sunday – 4th June 2023 Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

 Sermon Trinity Sunday – 4^th June 2023

Text: Genesis 1:1-2:4a

The question of Creation is a debate that occurs not just between atheists and Christians but even amongst Christians. Did God create the world in 6 literal days or are they symbolic days. Questions are raised that if they are 24 hour days then how were those days determined if the Sun, Moon and Stars were only created on day four as Genesis itself says - Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years. Sadly what is lost in this debate – as often happens when we debate things we disagree with - is the blessing that come from an understanding that God is our Creator who made the heavens and earth and all that exists.

Let us refresh our understanding of the significance of this first chapter of Genesis and what it means that God is our Creator: Day One – God said, “let there be light”. Let us understand what this light it as we often misunderstand it as the light that we experience during daytime. But that wouldn’t make sense as this light that we call daytime only came on day 4 when God created the sun, moon and stars to make distinction between night and day. This is the light of God’s presence in the world – the very first of God’s creation without which no creation would be possible. This light is the assurance that God’s presence is in the very world we experience each day even if we don’t realise that God is present with us. It is the glory of the Lord that was experienced by Israel with the pillar of fire to lead them out of Egypt – the glory of the Lord that descended as a glory cloud when God met with Moses. It is the fire that came upon the Apostles as tongues of fire when the Holy Spirit came upon them. This is the light where God separated the light from the darkness in John’s Gospel where John explains the same presence of Jesus Christ in the world.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John links this light with creation – the life and light of all humankind. This is the light that took the chaos in the beginning when the world was void and empty and brought order. This is the presence of God in our lives that brings meaning and purpose to life.

This is the same presence of God in our lives that brings order and harmony in our lives. And from that foundation the rest of creation begins: Even when there is turmoil and disruption in your life, God’s presence comes and returns that peace that the world cannot give – the peace that goes beyond all understanding – let there be light. The light of Christ that breaks the darkness of the world which is affirmed by Jesus when he says – I AM the light of the world – and then Jesus sends you – you are the light of the world.

And from that first day of Creation God then begins to shape that order in life just as God shapes order into our lives – creating dry land to allow the growth of trees and vegetation. Then life is possible through birds of the air – fish in the sea – animals to roam the earth. And then the peak of creation – human beings – you and me - made in his image. Human beings created to care for the world and to be blessed by the world and all it produces. Being created in God’s image means we have unity with God – oneness with God. It’s what is known as “Shalom” in the Hebrew bible. A special relationship that Satan ruined through sin through deception when he got Eve to believe that being “like” God was better than being created in the image of God.

So we too need to be aware of anything that diminishes just how special we are to God as his creation – created in his image. God has created order and peace in the world and in our lives. And the Holy Trinity examples that peace and order. And that’s what Paul says also today: Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace - shalom; and the God of love and peace will be with you. And, he says, by this, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Trinity - be with all of you.

 

We might feel a little disappointed if we were expecting today’s reading to explain what the Trinity is. Unlike the past few weeks where things like The Ascension and Pentecost were quite easily detected in the Bible Readings, an explanation of the Trinity falls well short in today’s readings. Instead our Bible readings talk about relationships because that is exactly what the Trinity is about – relationships. We don’t try and understand “what” the Trinity is but rather “who” the Trinity is. And that’s what we discover in our Bible readings that the Trinity is about relationships. Firstly within God and then with one another.  That God has revealed himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – an interpersonal relationship which we describe as One God in Three Person – Trinity – Triune- Tri-Unity. And then God calls us to live that unity with one another.

So our first reading describes that interpersonal unity of relationship in the beginning of Creation. You might not initially see it but here in the first 3 verses we see the Trinity at work although not mentioned. That God created the Heavens and the Earth. That’s how our creeds begin – I believe in God the Father maker of heaven and earth. Then we see the Holy Spirit hovering over the chaotic waters of the void earth looking to bring order out of chaos which Jesus did on that day when the disciples were locked away in fear – in chaos. He stood among them and said – peace be with you – shalom. And he breathed on them and said – receive the Holy Spirit. And now the world is ready and prepared for creation: God does this through his Word: Let there be light. This light is the Word that was in the beginning as John told us: In the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the word was God – and the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And Jesus promises that in our Baptism he dwells with us forever – I am with you always till the end of the age.

So whatever is happening in your life. Whatever is causing any turmoil or chaos – God comes to you in a relationship to bring peace. To bring Shalom. Every time we worship God invites you to share his heavenly Sabbath – his day of rest to reset your life to prepare you for the week ahead. The Trinity is a model of beauty and peace where God dwells in harmony as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and invites you to come and rest in him and live in his peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Sermon 28th May 2023 – Pentecost Sunday Text: Acts 2:1-21 – Reconciled

 Sermon 28^th May 2023 – Pentecost Sunday

Text: Acts 2:1-21 – Reconciled

 

Today we celebrate a special occasion in the church that we call Pentecost Sunday. The word Pentecost simply means 50th because it is 50 days since Easter Sunday. It is considered to be the birth day of the Church as Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preaches the first sermon to the people that had gathered at Jerusalem. The significance of Pentecost is reconciliation and bringing unity. On that day of Pentecost something very special happened. There were many nations and languages gathered in Jerusalem. This was Peter’s opportunity to share the resurrection miracle with them. But how could he and the other apostles do that? There was no common language. But then the miracle of Pentecost occurs. All of the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. They were able to speak in a language that everyone understood to the amazement of the people gathered there. Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? — we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

 

The confusion of languages goes back to The Tower of Babel because God wanted to spread out the population as the people had disobeyed God’s command to fill the earth.  And so the way to do that was to separate people by their languages. And as we know, this separation of languages has also been the source of much division in our world with things like racism, poverty in under-developed countries with wealthier countries looking after their own. Pentecost and the Christian faith is all about – reconciliation – bringing people back together through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And this is now the task we have been given as children of God – to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. St Paul in 2 Corinthians says:  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

 

We live in a world that is very divided, and today that division is very harmful whether it’s debates on the Voice to Parliament, Stan Grant walking away from the ABC or booing at the football. It is divided by race – by religion – by political viewpoints – you’re either on the left side or right side of politics and our attacks on each other are very harmful. And, sadly, the church is not immune to division as we well know. Reconciliation is about seeing past things that divide us to what unites us. Again St Paul says that in Christ there is no division – no Jew or Gentile – no slave or free – no male or female. And yet humanity seems to find things to divide us to the point of hatred and violence which is really sad because we are all one – all created in God’s image regardless of our gender or skin colour or anything.

 

In the church there are distinctions, as Paul points out –  There are varieties of gifts, there are varieties of services, there are varieties of activities. But, in each distinction he says – it is the same Lord and same Spirit. He lists the various gifts in the church - To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits,  to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

In each case – differences but all for the common good – not division.

 

As we go through life, we often encounter conflict and hurt that is brought about by divisions.  It may be with family members, friends, work colleagues – complete strangers – but sadly, also, in the church. These conflicts can leave deep wounds, causing pain and bitterness that can linger for years. And in the church they can cause separation and even a loss of faith.

But Christians are called to a higher standard.  We are called to love one another as Jesus loves us. And the standard that Jesus has left us is to even love our enemies just as the Good Samaritan looked past his division with the Jew who had been robbed and left for dead. And this means that we must be willing to seek reconciliation when conflicts arise rather than continue it. And that can be really hard as sometimes it means giving up our rights for our own justice or our own points of view to achieve reconciliation. We are called to bridge the divide that separates us and to restore relationships that have been broken.

 

There are many examples of reconciliation in the Bible.  Perhaps the most famous is the story of Joseph and his brothers. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rises to a position of power in Egypt. When his brothers come to him for help during a famine, Joseph has the opportunity to seek revenge. Instead, he forgives them and restores their relationship. And there is the Good Samaritan. Samaritans were hated by the Jews and mistreated. And when a Samaritan comes across a Jew who has been severely hurt he stops and helps him at his own expense rather than take pleasure in his hurt.

 

These stories remind us of the power of reconciliation. The ability to look past what divides us to what unites us. As we read in Paul’s letter – the Holy Spirit is given by the one God and Spirit to all with difference gifts -  likewise this same God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son to unite us to him in salvation through reconciliation. This act of reconciliation by God shows us that forgiveness and mercy can heal even the deepest wounds.  And they give us hope that we too can be reconciled with those who have hurt us.

 

Reconciliation is not always easy.  It requires humility, vulnerability, and a willingness to let go of our pride. But the rewards of reconciliation are immeasurable.  When we seek to reconcile with others, we are following in the footsteps of Christ.  We are embodying his love and his grace in the world.  And we are creating opportunities for healing, for growth, and for new beginnings. So let us consider where reconciliation may be needed in our own life.  

 

Is there someone you need to forgive?  Is there someone you need to ask for forgiveness from?  Is there a relationship that needs to be restored? May we be a people who seek reconciliation, who live in peace, and who embody the love of Christ in all that we do.

Sermon 21st May 2023 – Ascension Sunday Text: Acts 1:1-11 – Mission fulfilled

 Sermon 21^st May 2023 – Ascension Sunday

Text: Acts 1:1-11 – Mission fulfilled

 

Have you ever started a project and felt like giving up? Maybe you’ve been enthused to start a jigsaw puzzle and you get all the border pieces together but then all the centre pieces look the same so you just give up or lose interest. Or maybe you’ve started a health kick and the temptations of that comfort food – or the wet weather gives you an excuse to not exercise. By now most New Year’s Resolutions have been unfulfilled.

 

The Ascension today is about Jesus fulfilling what he came to do. Despite the suffering and humiliation he kept going and didn’t give up when many others would have. In fact, God’s plan began much earlier than Jesus’ birth but right back at creation when it is believed God prophesied the coming of a Saviour when God said to the serpent: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

It is believed that God is prophesying the birth of Christ coming to end Satan’s power and authority on earth through the offspring of a woman – Jesus born of Mary. So even though it has taken thousands of years to bring this plan to fulfilment God persisted and didn’t give up. Even though God at various times showed frustration: At the flood, in Noah’s time, God said he regretted ever creating human beings. On occasions he told Moses he was going to eradicate all the stiff-necked Israelites and start again with Moses. He cast them out of his sight from the Promised Land and into exile but brought them back after 70 years of heartache watching their misery.

 

So as Jesus is about to ascend Jesus said to his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. The birth, death, resurrection and ascension are all part of that fulfillment of God’s plan spoken from the beginning of creation and God never gave up despite humanity constantly rejecting him. In fact, Paul says that it was God’s love for us that overcame that rejection when God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

The ascension of Jesus marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of a new era for humanity which is the fulfilment of God’s masterplan for humanity.  But we can imagine the emotions on that day as Jesus stood before his disciples, promising them that he would return to Heaven and send the Holy Spirit to empower them to proclaim the good news throughout the world. The disciples had walked with Jesus for three years, but they were not yet fully equipped or confident to carry on his mission.  However, Jesus reassured them that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth – and the Helper, the Holy Spirit would be with them.

 

As Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples stood there in amazement, gazing up at the sky.  But as they stood there, two angels appeared to them and asked them why they were looking up at the sky. The angels reminded them that Jesus would return in the same way that he had ascended into Heaven. Until then they needed to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth: Why these 4 places?

 

Jerusalem was their home. Likewise Jesus sends us to our homes. Our earthly homes and our spiritual homes – the church. Live out your faith with your households. Learn to love – to forgive – to serve – with those who are closest. Then once you have practiced and perfected – go to your neighbours – your Judea. Your work – your schools – your sports – your local community. Example your faith there – love, forgive, serve, And as Peter said – always be prepared to give the reason for the hope you have. Then we are challenged to go to our Samaria. Stretch your comfort zone – love your enemies – turn the other cheek. Make the first move to reconcile with someone with whom you have become estranged. Love them – forgive them – seek forgiveness – serve them. And then to the ends of the earth. One of the great blessings of Covid has been this last move by churches including our own. Taking the Gospel outside our 4 walls by livestreams – recordings – and the like. Invite your friends to watch the videos. Share them on your social media pages. Send links to your friends – hey check this out it really spoke to me. It’s so much easier and less confronting that inviting them to church where they know nobody.

 

As much as we would love Jesus to return today and take us away from our earthly woes, our task has not been fulfilled – to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And we are not to give up like a thousand piece jigsaw of a blue sky where it seems impossible and complete the mission Jesus has sent us to do. The ascension began a new era for Christianity for us, as the Holy Spirit empowers us to continue Jesus' mission of proclaiming the good news of salvation and bringing God's Kingdom to earth. And remember what Jesus said a couple weeks ago: In John chapter 14 Jesus said: 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. The Ascension empowers us to do even greater things than Jesus in his earthly ministry. Jesus’ words, not mine!

 

As we reflect on the ascension of Jesus, let us remember that we are called to be his witnesses in the world. We are called to spread the message of hope and love to all those around us and to be a light in the darkness and a voice of compassion in a world that desperately needs it. May we be inspired by the example of the disciples who, after experiencing the ascension of Jesus, were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to fulfil Jesus’ mission. Let us also be filled with the Holy Spirit and be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world today to the ends of the earth.

 

It might sound daunting – it might sound like it’s out of your ability but Jesus said also in John chapter 14 – 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 ask Jesus to give us the strength, courage and the words and actions to be his light to those around us to the ends of the earth. We have the Gospel with us today because the eye witness of those 40 days Jesus walked the earth shared the Good News with others. May we, too, ensure future generations of this Good News by continue to share the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Sermon 14th May 2023 – 6th Sunday of Easter Text: Acts 17:22-31 – The Unknown God revealed

 Sermon 14^th May 2023 – 6^th Sunday of Easter

Text: Acts 17:22-31 – The Unknown God revealed

 

There is a well-known understanding that history has a tendency to repeat itself. It might be in the area of fashion or music tastes. But what we see happening in the time of Paul in our first reading has unmistakable characteristics of history repeating itself today in regards to peoples’ understanding of or rather a lack of understanding of God. What Paul sees is a society not dissimilar to our own. Don’t we often hear that people are spiritual but not religious? Well, that’s what we seem to be seeing here. Don’t we hear of a disillusionment towards institutionalized religion and churches?

 

Here in our first reading we have Paul, in Athens, standing in front of the Areopagus saying, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. He went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of their worship and found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god’ Isn’t that the challenge before us today? An “unknown god” rather than a rejection of God. Admittedly, yes there are many who reject the belief in God completely, but, I believe that there is a significant and perhaps growing search for truth and meaning in life. As people become more and more disillusioned with life many are seeking a “higher power” to give them hope of there being more to life.

 

You might disagree with me but if this is the case, if there is an openness to a spiritual awakening then how do we connect people with the One True God as Jesus said last week: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life – no one comes to the Father except through me. Well, first of all, we need to understand that this is not something we can do on our own. There is the need to have the Holy Spirit enable us: Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

 

Luther gives the same explanation in his Small Catechism: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. Remember Peter. When he bravely and boldly declared to Jesus – even if everyone else abandons you, I NEVER WILL.

Peter was speaking on his own strength. And that’s why Jesus said to his disciples to not rush into witness their faith: Jesus said: repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” And notice the change in this frightened Peter once he had been clothed with the Holy Spirit: The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of Jesus’ blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!

 

What a difference from the one who denied Jesus 3 times now denying to keep silence. The difference – the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost. So we must pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower everything we do as we GO into the world to witness.

 

The 2nd thing we need to learn is that we cannot argue someone to faith. You’ve probably seen the street preachers accusing people of their sins on the way to work or just going about their daily lives. You’ve probably had a knock on the door and it’s either the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m not saying anything bad about them but it’s not always that effective unless you just so happen to catch a person who is at that time looking for something.

Peter gives much better advice: In your hearts revere Christ as Lord and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that YOU have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

 

So, 3 things Peter highlights.

 

First, you revere Christ in your heart. Build up your faith – pray – read your Bibles – worship. Show your faith in all that you do every day in the way you treat others, not just at Church.

 

Secondly, as they say in the Boy Scouts – be prepared. Someone may see that your life is different.

As Jesus said before he was arrested – love one another as I have loved you and by this everyone will know that you’re my disciples. Be prepared that someone may ask you about the hope you have. Aren’t you worried about climate change – the wars in the world – the economic collapse. Or if you’re going through a tough time with your health they might ask you – aren’t you afraid of dying. As Peter said - Do not fear what they fear. Here is your opportunity to share your faith and explain how you’ve handed everything over to God who created you – who created everything that exists. That’s what Paul did in Athens at the Areopagus – He found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’

 

Paul then replied: What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to  you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. Notice Paul starts with Creation.

 

And thirdly Peter says: Do this with gentleness and respect. Don’t make them fell worse than they may already be feeling. Don’t come in with God’s Law if it’s God’s Gospel they need to hear. Now, it may not work.

You may get rejected. You may get ridiculed. But, again, remember what Peter says: But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. It’s not easy witnessing your faith and there may be an occasion where you need to preach a word of warning to someone as Paul did: God commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

But again, as Peter says – do this with gentleness and respect.

 

Friends, we have a great opportunity before us and possibly the ground has never been richer. There will be rocks and thorns and Satan against us but remember the parable of the sower – he kept sowing despite the harsh elements and some of those seeds fell on fertile ground producing a great harvest. And remember what Jesus said – the harvest is plentiful – the workers are few – therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest which is you and me wherever God sends us. But do this with gentleness and respect.

 

 

Sermon 7th May 2023 – 5th Sunday of Easter Text: John 14:1-14 – God in the driver’s seat

 Sermon 7^th May 2023 – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Text: John 14:1-14 – God in the driver’s seat

 

I’m not sure how many of you use a GPS when you’re driving your car but how much trust do you put in it? Last week I had to drive into town during peak hour and my GPS detected a traffic jam on the route I had planned to go. I don’t like it when I have worked out what I’m going to do and something changes it. It took me through side streets that I’ve never been down and I had no idea where I was or which way it was taking me and I thought of turning of the GPS and taking my chances with the traffic jam because at least I knew that route. But I persisted and fairly soon I was back onto a major road that I recognized.

 

Sometimes the GPS throws up an alternative route and says similar time or sometimes it might say 5 minutes slower but no tolls to pay – so I have to make a decision. Am I prepared to take 5 minutes longer and save some money. They are quite intelligent – I have no idea how they work – but I place a lot of trust in my GPS.  

 

Sometimes I place more trust in my GPS telling me which way to go than I do God. Which reminds me a lot of the Apostle Peter when Jesus told him the way they were going: That he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Then there was the time he decided to abandon his route and walk on the water towards Jesus but saw the traffic jam ahead –  the wind and the waves – and took his eyes off the road ahead where Jesus was and began to sink. Or the time when Jesus was about to be arrested and he said: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” And we know that Peter turned off that route and denied Jesus 3 times – 3 times he detoured.

 

But let’s not be too critical of Peter as we can probably all recall our own times of not trusting in God to lead us out of troubling time and relying on our own navigation. As human beings we do have a tendency to want to be in control of our destiny. We learn that from an early age. Study hard, get a good education – get a good job – save – buy your own home – have a good investment strategy. This will lead your life down the right path. But what if something happens along the way – sickness, death, job loss? Don’t we often get told how much we need in order to retire – and it can sound rather frightening when it looks like we’re not in control of our future. In fear, a lot of people try to create their own destiny hoping to win the lottery to secure their future. And so you often hear people say after a win – “this is life changing”. It’s not really. It’s just money. Money has no control over your future – it just makes you feel comfortable about the future in the present time.

 

At the end of the day – rich or poor – we all face the same destiny as we hear when we attend a funeral. Dust we are – to dust we shall return. And often that is what we are really frightened about. We feel that if I can secure my earthly future I don’t have to worry about anything after that. And that’s what Jesus is attempting to teach his disciples today as he is preparing them for their future after his death. A time when they will be unsure about the future with their teacher and leader gone which has the potential to cause great distress. We see that distress after Jesus’ death when the disciples were locked away for fear of what was going to happen to them. But now Jesus assures them that they don’t need to worry about the future because he has assured it for them: Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

 

But Thomas, the one who will forever be known as doubting Thomas, is not convinced: Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? And that’s where Jesus gives the definitive answer – the answer by which we find true security and comfort today also: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

The need to be in control is ingrained into our human psyche. I’ve mentioned it before – Adam and Eve are the prime example. Despite having all they needed and wanted they were tricked into taking control of their life and “being like God”. The Israelites constantly grumbled and wanted to go back to Egypt where they knew where their next meal was coming from rather than the insecurity of wandering in the desert wondering where their next meal and drink would come from. Jonah actually went in the opposite direction to which God directed him because he was afraid. Maybe you’re unsure of what the future holds. Interest rates – cost of living – your health – your retirement – Maybe these are causing you to have fears and doubts. Jesus says to you today also – don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust God – Trust Jesus.

 

I realise sometimes that means letting go of the steering wheel and letting God take over. But Jesus has made a very special promise to us: Would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you if I wasn’t? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going. People try to find all sorts of paths to future security but there is only one path to true security – eternal security. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father – to eternal assurance – except through Jesus.

 

Following my GPS gives me assurance of reaching my destination but if something happens while on my way – a flat tyre – an accident that has just happened = then it cannot continue to assure me of when or if I will arrive on that route it has chosen. But Jesus assures us no matter what happens in life that we will reach our heavenly destination through him and until we are there he promises “I am with you always till the end of the age”.