Sermon 10th August 2025 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost
Text: Luke
12:32-40 – Don’t be afraid
Fear is
a difficult emotion that can deeply disturb us. Fear comes in many different ways. Fear of the
present. Fear of the future. Fear of the unknown. We are not at peace when
filled with fear. We become agitated, anxious, apprehensive maybe even paranoid
waiting for the next feared event to occur. And so often we hear Jesus say in the Gospels
– don’t be afraid.
In
today’s reading we hear that repeated with a lovely sentiment: “Do not be
afraid little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.” The relieving of our fear
comes from Jesus giving us the Kingdom of heaven. Something that he has in his
power and authority to do. Unlike Satan who promised Jesus all the kingdoms of
the world if he would bow down and worship him.
In the
world at present, there is much need for this relief because there is so much
fear. So many situations and dangers associated that fill our news cycles. Fear
is everywhere and troubling people in so many ways. Fear has been used as a
weapon since the beginning of creation. Satan used fear to lure Adam and Eve to
disobey God so THEY could take control of their destiny and become like God. It
was fear that Luther fought against in the church of his time that used fear to
extort money from those who could least afford it for fear of themselves and
loved ones spending years and years in purgatory.
The fear
of what we do not know or control can make us retreat to what we do know where
we feel more secure. Fear is stressful and it takes its toll on the body, mind
and spirit. It doesn’t take much to trigger the feelings of panic and worry
about what might happen in the present or future. All kinds of catastrophes
have been happening around the world. Floods,
fires, and droughts. There are the
continuing issues around violence in homes, on the streets, in schools, and in
the world. These cause us to feel unsafe
and unsure about venturing into our daily world.
One of
our greatest fears is fear of the unknown. There is much that is unknown in our
world at this point in history. But Jesus comforts us by removing the only fear
that has real dread – the fear of eternal life or rather uncertainty about
eternal life. But Jesus urges us not to fear because it is the pleasure of the
Father to give us the kingdom of heaven. Instead of fear our heavenly Father
replaces fear with pleasure in giving us the treasure of the kingdom even in
the midst of the world so troubled by fears. God has taken action to provide
for us in the face of what we fear. The unknown. God has made the unknown –
certain. It’s hard because the future is hidden from us. But by faith in Jesus
Christ we have certainty. Which is what the writer to the Hebrews says: Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Even
though we can’t visibly see our future we have assurance because of the promise
of Jesus Christ that all who believe in him will not perish but receive eternal
life. If we didn’t have that certainty then we could never have comfort because
we would always be wondering if I have done enough to enter heaven. We would
fear our Lord’s return rather than looking forward to it with eager
anticipation. Jesus says: Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be
like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet,
so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Being
dressed is a reference to our Baptism as Paul says in Galatians: In Christ
Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Jesus
begins with a reassuring command: “Do not be afraid, little flock.” This call to courage gives us insight into the
heart of God, who desires that we live without fear, trusting fully in His
provision and care. The way Jesus
addresses us, “little flock” is tender and recognises our vulnerability. And we
are not just individual sheep; we are a community, a flock, a family under
God’s watchful eye. And if we look at the verses that come before our reading,
Jesus spoke these words to those who were anxious about their needs and
uncertain about their future.
We all
carry some level of burden. The pressures of life—jobs, finances, family
concerns which often lead to fear and anxiety rather than opportunity for
prayer to our Heavenly Father. Jesus reminds us that our Father is pleased to
give us the kingdom and invites us to speak to him as our Heavenly Father.
This is
so we can remove our fear and replace it with confidence in approaching the
throne of God in our time of need (as we hear in Hebrews Chapter 4). We belong
to a kingdom that is not shaken by the circumstances of this world. As Jesus said to Peter – not even the gates of
hell can overcome God’s church. We live under the reign of a King who loves us
and is seated at the right had of God making his enemy his footstool – as King
David says in Psalm 110 - Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a
footstool for your feet.
Jesus
urges us to “sell your possessions and give to the poor.” This doesn’t
necessarily mean literally but a call to us to reflect on what it is that gives
us security for the future – our possessions or God. This radical call is about
prioritizing our treasures. Where we invest our resources reflects where our
hearts truly lie, as Jesus says in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6 and
repeats here - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus
invites us to store up treasures in heaven. And the reason that Jesus
emphasises that is because of our need for readiness for his return because the
Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. The good news is that Jesus keeps
us ready for his return through our faith in him. But there are ways we can be
comforted in times where the worry does seem to take over.
Prayer:
Staying connected to God through prayer keeps our hearts attuned to Him. We
allow His Spirit to guide us and in those times when we just don’t know what to
pray the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
Word of
God: Regularly immersing ourselves in the bible gives us wisdom and
understanding and reminds us to keep focused on the things above where Christ
is seated at the right hand of God.
Community:
We cannot walk this journey alone. We are part of a faith community, a flock
where the body of Christ supports each other. As Paul says – when one part of
the body hurts the entire body hurts. We encourage each other as the book of
Hebrews chapter 10 says – let us not give 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.
So as we
await our Lord’s return, whether it’s in our lifetime or after we have been
called from this life – we are ready. Jesus has made us ready the day he cried
out from the cross – it is finished. So, as Jesus “little flock” let us not
fear but embrace the truth that we are children of the kingdom, called to live
without fear. As we do so, may we also
remember that our Master is coming back—not as a thief in the night for those
who are his little flock but as our Good Shepherd bringing us home.
No comments:
Post a Comment