Sermon 13th September 2020 Text: Matthew 18:21-35 – A Second Chance

 Sermon 16^th September 2020

Text: Matthew 18:21-35 – A Second Chance

 For some weeks now the questions have been asked. Whose fault is it that we are still in lockdown while the rest of the country has opened up? Whose fault is it that our churches are still closed? We want names – we want jobs – we want someone held accountable. That’s how it goes, doesn’t it? We want offenders punished.

But Jesus said, forgive not seven times, but 70 times seven.  

 OK, let’s count it up; we must be way beyond that limit now.  But if we’re honest, we know when Jesus said “70 times seven” he was using it to mean “always.”  You must always forgive. And not only that, with God there is forgiveness of sins whereby he “remembers our sin no more”. So really there just needs to be forgiveness once and then it resets because God, unlike us, can and does forgive and forget.

 Have you ever tried to forgive AND forget? When St Paul said – love keeps no record of wrongs – it seems the more you love someone the deeper the hurt and the harder it is to forget. Jesus tells a parable about the wicked slave who is forgiven a huge sum by his master, but then goes out and throws a fellow slave in prison for being owed just a fraction.  We hear that the wicked slave then gets his just punishment.  As we hear this parable it is easy to respond with - “Good, He deserved that!  We might forget that he was punished not because he owed money, but because he didn’t forgive in the same way that he had been forgiven. In fact, the amount he was asked to forgive was pittance compared to what he was forgiven.

 Jesus is very serious about forgiveness and we are reminded that it was while WE were yet sinners that Christ died for us. So how can forgiveness be achieved if our hearts are so hurt that we are unable to forgive from the heart – unable to forgive and forget –  which is what Jesus demands at the end of this parable when the unmerciful servant was thrown into prison – never to be released. He says: so my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.

 It is possible – and what does it look like? What does God’s forgiveness look like for us? God’s forgiveness is about cancelling crippling debt that gives a 2nd chance. It’s not about excusing wrong behaviour but allowing a person to rebuild their life and live again. As Christians we have an opportunity to example that behaviour to the world. And the example that we have as Christians is the knowledge that Jesus from the cross does not ask his Father to avenge his death on us – but forgive them Father.

 Sadly we live in a world where that is becoming more and more unlikely and we face the latest phenomenon that is called “Cancel Culture”. What cancel culture is that if a person is discovered to have done something wrong – no matter how long ago it was – then they must be punished for it and their future cancelled – hence “cancel culture”. So instead of looking for a 2nd chance – there is no 2nd chance with cancel culture. There has been many examples of public profiles where people have searched and searched going through years of history to find some dirt on a person and then making it public to shame that person so much that they have to resign. Their future is cancelled.

 On the contrary, with God, we see mercy at the heart of his actions. The first servant had an unpayable debt.

But the king is prepared to forgo punishment for the debt. To give the unmerciful servant a 2nd chance – which he is unable to give to a fellow servant.

 In our forgiveness what we are doing is forgoing our own need for retribution as the king did and to give a 2nd chance. Forgiveness doesn’t remove the pain we feel but it means we can begin to heal.

Unforgiveness allows the injustice to keep hurting us through anger and unresolved bitterness.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean justice does not need to be carried out but it means we hand it over to God and his justice. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that those causing hurt must not be stopped by our forgiveness of them.

There is something very powerful though when we forgo the right to achieving justice by our own hands. As St Paul says in Romans 12: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 I particularly find Paul’s comment interesting in that when we forgo repaying evil with evil we “heap burning coals on their head”. That’s not the reason we do it but it is hopefully a teaching moment for them also. But even more so is that when we forego our own vengeance, it allows God to do his work of justice which is not always  retribution but a good that can come out of it – as we see with Joseph and his brothers. What they did to Joseph was reprehensible – some might even say – unforgiveable. They sold him as a slave to Egypt and told their father that he was dead causing hurt not just to Joseph but to his father Jacob and brother Benjamin. But when Joseph had the opportunity for revenge he did not take it because God had used his situation to prevent world-wide starvation by elevating Joseph to 2nd in charge in Egypt. So Joseph says to his brothers: Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good.

 Friends, it is natural to want to blame someone for the situation we are currently in. We wanted to blame Wuhan China for the origin of the coronavirus. We want to blame our Premier for not supervising the  quarantine situation. We want to blame the Black Lives Matter protesters. But God directs us a different way.

We don’t like the lockdowns and the lack of liberties we have now. We don’t like that our church doors are shut and our inability to have Holy Communion. We don’t like that weddings and funerals and Baptisms are no longer celebrations as they were. But we have to keep trusting God – that if there is evil behind this – and I’m not saying there is – remember we live in a fallen world. But whatever the source of our situation is – we are not in the place of God.

 What anyone or anything else has intended for evil – to do harm – God can and will use for good. We have seen some of that good in that the internet is being flooded with church services online from around the world spreading the gospel faster than any cat video can do. But we have to keep trusting God. And in trusting God then we are forgoing our own need to exact justice. There are many who are hurting – who have lost lives and livelihoods. But that too is an opportunity for us – for the church – to do God’s work in feeding the hungry. The road map out looks confusing and really not all that inspiring for the resumptions of church services but remember – we know the way that we are going because Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.

Sermon 6th September 2020 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 18:15-20 – Peace through reconciliation

 

Sermon 6^th September 2020 – 14^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 18:15-20 – Peace through reconciliation

 

Today’s Gospel reading has probably the most important teaching of Jesus or anyone in the Bible. And the reason it is so important is that it goes to the heart of our relationship with God. It goes to the heart of the greatest commandment  - to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbour as ourselves. The heart of the teaching – the forgiveness of sins –

The forgiveness of one another and forgiveness from heaven itself: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

 

Why is this so important? Because our relationship with God has been broken by sin. Sin is dealt with by repentance and forgiveness. When God discovered in the days of Noah that wiping out sinful humanity and starting again did not eradicate sin but saw it begin again with righteous Noah – So God began to deal with sin through forgiveness. He instituted a system of sacrifices whereby 3 times a day – morning, noon and night, the Priests would offer sacrifices for the people to appease God’s judgment and instituted forgiveness to deal with their sin. While it worked in theory, the Israelites wandered away and worshipped other god’s. So God dealt with their sin by exiling them – driving them out of the land and out of his presence and into enemy lands. But there was something that prevented God from doing that forever. The same “something” that prevented God from destroying all of humanity in the flood and kept one family – Noah and his family. And that is God’s love.

 

And so, in John 3:16, we see how God’s love now deals with human sin: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life. And now, in Matthew 18, Jesus is teaching us about that same principle – that through love of our neighbour – forgiveness of sins is how we restore relationships and thereby we show our love for God. As St John says; whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And that this restoration is so powerful – so effective – that it affects not just here on earth but the very heavens itself: For whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

 

In this passage, Jesus gives us a lesson on how to deal with matters where we or someone has been hurt. And the first thing Jesus says is: go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. Sounds simple, but in practice this is not what we seem to do. We hold a grudge. We tell OTHERS about the hurt. We gossip about them. In today’s world of social media we might unfriend them – or post something about them to tell the whole world. But here Jesus says – go and speak with one another. And that’s not easy because we are proud people. We want the other person to come to us and apologise to us. But then we might not accept their apology. But let us remember the example God gave us – it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us – the righteous for the unrighteous. God didn’t wait for us to make the first move.

 

As Christians, we have a great responsibility here because we know about God’s love. And sometimes we are challenged to make the first move even though we truly believe it was not our fault. And sometimes we are challenged even further to accept an apology and offer forgiveness when we truly believe that justice has not been given to us. But there is justice in God who sees what is done. And the justice is in the peace which God gives to us as we read in Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is as if the dew of Hermon   were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. And if you’ve ever had a relationship restored you will know that peace that comes. But sadly we quickly forget that feeling of peace when the next conflict comes.

 

As you are probably aware, our entire church is currently in a situation of division needing reconciliation. You would have received the report from our General Church Board and College of Bishops concerning the Ordination of Men and Women to the Public Ministry. It speaks into the division we face with an impasse that seems unable to avoid a split in our church.

And as you are no doubt aware this has caused great hurt. Such great hurt that many of our family and friends have left the church.

 

That division is sadly existent in the church from the very beginning. St Paul had to deal with that in his own ministry.

He had to separate from his friend and colleague in the ministry Barnabas. Acts 15 says: They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

Paul had to deal with division in one of the first church communities he established in Corinth who were divided over Baptism: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still  another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Division is how Satan enters into the relationship. As St Paul warns in Ephesians – in your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger giving Satan a foothold.

 

Satan looks for and sometimes creates division to do his work. He divided Adam and Eve – first physically – when he tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Then spiritually when he turned them against each other and God: The woman you gave me, she made me eat. Satan infiltrated the 12 Apostles as we hear in Luke’s Gospel: Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

 

Satan creates division but God has given us the path to healing through reconciliation – but it is not an easy path. Many churches have succumbed to Satan through division. Many Christians have left the family of faith through unreconciled division. And that’s why I say – this is the most important teaching of Jesus and so powerful that it rocks the very foundations of heaven: Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

 

Sometimes, sadly, reconciliation is unachievable. In fact in the Marriage Act there is only one grounds for divorce – irreconcilable differences. So what happens when that point is reached. Jesus addresses that also when he says:

Let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Sadly we have not understood what Jesus meant here and have used this as justification for removing people from our lives and from the church through excommunication. But we need to look more closely and ask ourselves – how did Jesus treat Gentiles and tax collectors. He ate with them – he loved them – he included them closer in his lives than any other group.

 

The call for us to love unconditionally and with readiness to forgive and reconcile is always upon us. As St Paul said today in our 2nd reading: Owe no one anything, except to love one another; This is not easy. Sometimes it will be the hardest thing we have to do. But life is too short to hold a grudge – to withhold forgiveness from someone who was once a friend – a family member – a brother or sister in Christ. But how sad it would be to reach the end of our life or the life of that person knowing we could have reconciled but didn’t. And it is never too soon as Paul reminds us: For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.

 

So let us look to ways that we can reconcile with one another regardless of who is at fault and hopefully as we continue to discuss the subject of ordination that we can seek reconciliation, forgiveness and unity as we remember How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  And in this all, let us always remember, it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us.

 

Sermon 23rd August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 16:13-20 – The Jesus’ Quiz

 

Sermon 23^rd August 2020 – 11^th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 16:13-20 – The Jesus’ Quiz

 Our family enjoys doing the Herald Sun quiz during dinner. It feels really good when you get the answer right – but even better when no one else knows the answer and you get that smirk on your face and proudly say – I know the answer. I wonder if Peter, today, had that same sense of pride when he answers correctly the quiz Jesus gives to him which others had answered incorrectly. The quiz:  Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

 

So then Jesus puts the quiz to his own disciples: He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! It’s such an important question and brings so much hope to us all in these uncertain times. And Jesus shows us just how important that question is when he explains to Peter what his answer actually means: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

 

What rock is Jesus referring to? Some believe that the Rock is Peter because his name – Petros – means “rock” in Greek. But the rock is his confession of faith – that Jesus Christ is the Messiah – the Son of the living God. Jesus had earlier told a parable of a wise and foolish builder. The difference was not what they had built but the foundation on which they built. The foolish builder built on sand – the wise builder built on a rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against those houses. The house built on sand collapsed. But the house built on the rock did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

 

What comforting assurance Jesus’ message to Peter brings to us today as our churches here in Victoria continue to have their public gatherings banned. Jesus reminds us today that his church is built on a solid foundation that not even the gates of hell can defeat it. As I have reminded you throughout this lockdown that our church buildings have been closed but the church continues to remain open – because YOU are the church of God. And that’s what Paul refers to in our 2nd reading today when he says: I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

 

On several occasions Paul talks about the body of Christ being made up by the children of God and not bricks and mortar.

In fact he says that God has built his temple in us. He says: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Jesus even warned against a trust in the physical structure of the worship building over against the foundation upon which it is built: One day, as Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”  Jesus replied: Do you see all these great buildings?” “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” And then, towards his death when he knew that the disciples would be challenged by not seeing his physical body, he tells them: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”  The Pharisees replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”  But the temple Jesus had spoken of was his body. And now YOU are the body of Christ that Jesus himself has built.

 

These are really challenging times for the church here in Victoria. Our church buildings have been had their access removed from us. We cannot gather together to receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. But what cannot be taken away from us; What cannot be destroyed or even shaken – is the foundation upon which our faith stands. And that is Jesus Christ our Lord. And so the question that Jesus put to his disciples is put to us today. Who do you say I am? Jesus is not John the Baptist. No John himself said that – the one coming after me I am not even worthy to tie up his shoe laces. He is not Elijah or one of the prophets – no – none of them died for our sins. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. And not even the gates of hell, let alone Covid 19 or any Government lockdown can prevail against him.

 

The parable of the 2 builders – the wise and the foolish – can be seen in Peter’s example a couple weeks ago when he wanted to walk on the water along with Jesus. When he focused on Jesus he was able to walk on the water because Jesus was his foundation, not the water. Just like the wise builder who built his house on the rock. And even though the wind and the waves hit upon him, he was secure. But when he took his eyes of Jesus, the water became his foundation and he began to sink. Just like the foolish builder whose foundation was the sand.

 

At present the wind and the waves of Covid 19 – stage 4 restrictions – and a state of disaster are pounding against the church. The temptation is to look away from Jesus and begin to panic and fear. But Jesus reassures us today that his church is built upon the rock and not even the gates of hell can prevail against it. And as St Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians when reminding the Israelites that God was with them in their wilderness journey – a journey that lasted a lot longer than the 5 months journey we’ve been on: They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. And that rock continues to accompany us today.

 

So let us continue to keep our faith firmly set on the rock that is Christ. Let us continue to keep our focus on Jesus Christ who has promised to be with us always. And when you are tempted to look away and allow the world to tell you otherwise – answer that question put by Jesus Christ to you today and everyday: Who do you say that I am? And if you truly believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son – that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah – then not even the gates of hell can prevail.

They can shut our church buildings – they can even stop us from gathering around the table of the Lord – but no one – not even the gates of hell – can destroy the faith that is built upon the rock. And as Paul said to the Romans as Peter confessed today: If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Grant this Lord, to us all. Amen.

Sermon 16th August 2020 – 11th Sunday after Pentecost Text Matthew 15: 21-28 – Irrevocable promises of God

 Sermon 16^th August 2020 – 11^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text Matthew 15: 21-28 – Irrevocable promises of God

 

In the past week I have been reflecting quite deeply about last week’s Gospel reading. If you recall it was the account of the disciples being in a boat that was being tossed about by the wind and the waves when a ferocious storm hit them.  They were fearing for their lives when a mysterious figure appears walking on the water. They presume it is a ghost that has come from the deep waters that were the home of the evil spirits.

Then comes the comforting words of Jesus – don’t be afraid – it is me – or as I explained – his actual words were - don’t be afraid – I AM God. Peter, seeing Jesus walking on the water asked for permission to do likewise. Jesus says “come” and he walks on the water until he sees again the wind and the waves and begins to sink. He cries out – Jesus save me – which of course he does. He extends his hands – places him back in the boat and says – you of little faith – why did you doubt?

 

And it’s that last phrase by Jesus that has been ringing in my ears all week – all month – almost all year – you of little faith – why are you doubting? I have to admit, doubt is my biggest concern. Because as soon as I doubt I fear – like Peter. Doubt can face even the strongest of Christians. I don’t believe doubt is a sin – no it’s more serious. Doubt is how Satan attacks our faith in God and it can affect anyone. Listen to what Matthew says about the 11 disciples- those closest to Jesus – the ones in the boat last week who said – truly this is the Son of God.  Matthew 28 says: the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

 

Satan’s weapon against Christians is to cause doubt in God’s ability to help them and directs them to their own strength. Think back to where our problems with God all started – in the Garden of Eden – when Satan cast doubts in the mind of Eve – did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden. And then when Eve responded that they would die if they did – Satan casts further doubt – surely you won’t die. It was similar doubt that he cast in Jesus mind when he tempted him in the wilderness – If you are the Son of God – turn these rocks into bread –if you are the Son of God “if” – doubts. Trying to turn Jesus to trust his own strength rather than trusting God – if you’re hungry, turn these rocks into bread. Feed yourself if you’re hungry.

 

So Jesus concern for Peter was that he could see Satan attacking Peter by creating doubt. And that for me becomes a stumbling block – doubting God in all this that we are going through. Is God really in control here?

And I began to doubt that he was and I began to fear for the future – the future of the church – my future as a Pastor – the future of people I love and their financial security. Those doubts create fear- fear creates further doubts in God and we are suddenly spiralling downward – sinking – and unable to regain our security and faith in God.

 

And that’s what we are seeing answered in our Bible readings today – particularly our 2 readings from the New Testament – Paul’s letter to the Romans and Matthews Gospel. Paul asks a question: I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! Paul never doubted God’s love for his people. And even though he is specifically referring to his Jewish brothers and sisters here we can confidently include all people because Jesus says that God loved the entire world so much that he sent his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but receive eternal life.

 

What a wonderful and comforting promise made to us all that we can cling to like a life preserver, which is what God’s promises are – life preservers. And then Paul speaks about God’s promises when he says -  the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. God cannot and will not revoke his promises to us.

 

Now let’s give Peter credit where credit is due. When he began to doubt and began to sink he immediately called out to Jesus – Lord, save me. He didn’t turn to his own strength and try to swim back to the boat or struggle against the wind and waves – he turned to Jesus again and cries out to him – Lord, save me. Doubts are going to happen. Storms are going to happen in our lives. It will feel like God is not in control, like it did to Peter. But that’s when we remember God’s promise to us – I am with you always – and we cry out to him – Lord, save me. And the promise – everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

Let’s now look at our Gospel reading where, again, we see faith at work in extraordinary circumstances. We have here a mother who is definitely not an Israelite. She is a Canaanite. Jesus himself acknowledges that: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs. So again, like Peter, almost identical words – Lord, help me – Lord, save me. And even though Jesus seemingly rejects her request because she was not of the Israelite children of God – she falls back, not onto a family heritage – but on the promise of God that is irrevocable. Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

 

The world is holding out for a vaccine to be produced by the scientific world for comfort. Until that day what do we do? Do we live in fear? What if a vaccine is years away? What if there’s not enough to go around?

Remember, it only took a perceived shortage of toilet paper to send people into a frenzy – even violence. But we as Christians have a far greater assurance – the promise of God who promised “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

 

Whether healing for our world, our nation, our state comes from a vaccine or from the miraculous healing of God’s hands – it is through prayer to our loving heavenly Father and his assurance that he will never leave us or forsake us because his promises are irrevocable. And that’s where we find our comfort. That means God can never go back on his promise to us. His promise to be with us always. His promise to assure our salvation.

His promise to love us unconditionally.

 

Yes there are times when I doubt this world and what is happening. That’s natural. But we must never doubt God’s almighty power and that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth. And that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Canaanite woman did not give up her faith in Jesus even though the disciples kept urging Jesus to “Send her away” And it was these same disciples that said the very same thing to Jesus about the hungry crowds when they felt that their worldly provisions were not enough to feed them – “send them away”. They kept looking to their own strength which was not enough for the problems they faced. But God sends no one away. And even though it might seem like we are in a hopeless situation, nothing is impossible with God because hope does not disappoint us when our hope is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So let us keep persevering like this Canaanite woman urging Jesus to help us and trust that he is in control and is always in control and if God is on our side, who can be against us.

Sermon 9th August 2020 – 10th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 14:22-33 – Getting to the other side

Sermon 9^th August 2020 – 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 14:22-33 – Getting to the other side

 

Fresh from their miraculous feeding of the 5,000, the disciples are about to encounter another miracle of Jesus but this one will be like none other. Jesus has decided to stay behind for some quiet meditative time in prayer while he sends the disciples of in a boat to sail to the other side of the sea. During the night, the disciples are tossed about by a storm at sea in what would seem to them to be stronger than their boat can handle.  They are frightened and exhausted by their struggle against the storm.

 

Matthew tells us that it is the “the fourth watch” -- well into the night, between 3 and 6am.  In the darkest hour when they should be tucked into bed to get their sleep – when any sound can start the heart thumping with fear, Jesus comes to the terrified disciples walking on the water.  What does this mean to walk on water? Jesus doesn’t do anything without there being a meaning or teaching behind. Surely Jesus could have just got the next available boat and made his way over.

But before Jesus can come to their rescue his appearance only adds to their fear.  Now there is even more to fear –is it a ghost?

 

Besides the fear of the storm, a new fear arises, fear of one who seems to be a ghost coming towards them. What on earth does it mean? To understand the significance of Jesus walking on the sea we need to understand firstly what does the sea represent. In Jesus’ time the sea was a place of chaos and evil. When Jesus healed the demon possessed man the demons didn’t want to be sent to the abyss which was a fearful place for them.  They asked to be sent into the pigs that were on the mountainside.  And as soon as they entered into the pigs they rushed into the sea because that was where they felt safe. In the book of Revelation, chapter 21, when St John sees the new Heaven the first thing that he tells us about that vision was that there was no more sea. No place for evil to dwell or hide.

 

And so Jesus walking on the water is to tell us that he has full authority over the world of evil. Even though evil was allowed to enter into the earthly realm, Jesus is still Lord. That’s what St Paul also said in Philippians 2: Therefore God exalted Jesus 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,

 

So what can we learn from today’s miracle, because miracles are not just given as evidence to prove Jesus is the Son of God – the Messiah. They all have teaching lessons. The first thing we see is that Jesus made them get into the boat while he went off to pray. For me this teaching moment shows that we have freedom in life as they sail off alone. And that means that sometimes, in our freedom, we are exposed to the elements. We are exposed to evil – to sickness – to crime. But what was Jesus doing? He was praying. And that’s what he continues to do for us now – he is praying for us. He is at the right hand of God interceding for us. And where was their journey? Interesting that Matthew doesn’t state their destination but calls it – to the other side.

 

That too is our journey – that too is our destination – to the other side. We are on a journey to our heavenly home in Heaven and until we are there safely Jesus is praying for us. Are you feeling overwhelmed, rocked, shaken – just remember, you are on a journey to heaven – Jesus has placed you in the boat – and he is praying for your safe arrival.

But as we see in our gospel reading – sometimes the wind and waves rock our lives and we panic and we fear.

We think we are going to drown. We think we are not going to make it. And suddenly help arrives. Here comes Jesus, unaffected by all the things that are attacking us and he calls out to us “don’t be afraid – here I am.

 

What’s interesting in the original reading from the Greek New Testament is that Jesus exact words are – don’t be afraid – I AM. I AM – the name God gave to Moses to free them from the evil of Egypt’s slavery – the Name God gave to bring freedom – I AM. The name above all names and given now to Jesus – remember the Philippians reading I mentioned earlier: Therefore 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,

Jesus comes to you in the midst of all our fears and says – don’t be afraid – I AM God. And all the forces of evil must submit to me. They can rock you and attack you from every side – but I’m going to deliver you to the other side as I have promised. And I’m going to pray for you. And sometimes Jesus even calls us right into the eye of the storm – like Peter.

And as he encountered the full force of the wind and the waves and began to sink and feel like he was going to drown – Jesus reaches out and places him back into boat that is journeying to the other side.

 

It is easy for us to identify with those terrified disciples as we face the deadly storm of the pandemic and the effects of the restrictions and shutdowns. Having faith when things are all going well is different to faith when a storm is so violent, life-threatening. We cannot predict or prevent the storms that come up. As seasoned fishermen surely the disciples would not have entered the boat if the weather conditions suggested in any way that a storm was brewing. And that’s how life is – the storms hit us when we least expect them. But Jesus is always with us – praying for us – disregarding the storms and coming to us to reassure us of his presence and authority. Remember in your baptism, Jesus said “All Authority in Heaven and Earth has been given to me” – and “I am with you always till the end of the age – till you have reached the other side – till you have reached your heavenly home in heaven.

 

The storm didn’t die down even when Peter got out of the boat to walk towards Jesus. But Jesus didn’t back away either, but like a parent teaching their child to walk he stands there with his arms outstretched. And like when the child falls, Jesus reaches out his hand and picks Peter up. We look forward to when the pandemic storm is over.  We pray that our faith in Jesus’ stays firm.  But even when this storm passes there will be more storms that we will need to face.

 

Until it is over we pray that Jesus enables us to walk on the water like Peter – and that when we begin to sink, like Peter, that Jesus will intervene and pick us up and place us back onto firm ground. Sometimes Jesus seems as if he is not there but remember that he is always there praying for us. Sometimes Jesus’ help is not seen, just like Elijah didn’t hear God’s word in the wind, the earthquake or the fire – but in the silence. Sometimes it is in what appears to be sheer silence that Jesus is truly present. Maybe it seems like God is silent at present. Maybe it seems like the storm of the pandemic is in control – or rather ‘out of control’. But remember – you are on a journey to the other side – to heaven.

 

It is the destination that matters and Jesus has assured your arrival. And even if it really seems at present that that is hard to believe – call on the name of the Lord – call upon Jesus Christ your saviour – and remember what Paul says today in our 2nd reading - Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Maybe not always saved from the effects of the evil of this age – but without a shadow of doubt saved for eternal life in heaven which is our destination.

Sermon 2nd August 2020 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 14:13-21 – God’s compassion

Sermon 2^nd August 2020 – 9^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 14:13-21 – God’s compassion

 

Our bible reading from Paul today shows just how much sacrifice love is prepared to make. Paul, known as Saul before his conversion, was a leading Pharisee before he met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus to arrest Christians. He stood in approval at the killing of Stephen, considered to be the first Christian martyr.

And yet, despite this opposition to Jesus, God sends Jesus to him to convert him.

 

Loved by God, Paul was even given a glimpse of heaven as, perhaps, a reward and encouragement because of all the suffering he underwent for the Christian faith. In fact Paul said that all the glory and honour that he had as a leading Pharisee he considers as rubbish compared to knowing Christ Jesus his Lord. Paul’s love for Christ was immense from that first moment Jesus revealed himself to him. But he never lost his love for his fellow Jews and today he shows just how much he loves them that he is prepared to sacrifice his own eternal salvation for the sake of his fellow Jews if it could guarantee their own salvation. It is a similar love that would see a parent take the suffering of a child if it meant the child’s suffering would end. It is that love that saw Paul never give up even though his fellow Jews persecuted him – even when he was whipped, stoned, faced hunger and shipwrecks and imprisonment. But Paul never gave up his faith – and even more importantly, he never gave up trying to find a way to have his persecutors come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and receive eternal life in Heaven. That’s true love – a love Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthians when he said - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

 

This is no ordinary love that Paul speaks about. This is no ordinary love that Paul has for his fellow people.

This love is called – Agape Love. A love that sacrifices for the sake of the one being loved. This is not the love one has for “things”. No, this is the love that we see in God where in John 3:16 it says – for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in  him shall not perish but receive eternal life.

 

So what makes this love different? What drives this love that it doesn’t give up in times of difficulty but seems to go the extra mile instead of giving up? Our Gospel reading gives us the answer of where that love derives.

It says: When Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them. That word, compassion, is a fascinating word.

 

Normally when we think of emotions like compassion we clutch our hearts – my heart goes out to them.

But this word, compassion, in its original meaning from the Greek is not an emotion that comes from the heart. It is an emotion that comes from the bowels. Have you ever looked at the world and the condition of the world and you have felt sick in the stomach? That’s the emotion Jesus is showi ng in our gospel reading at the people following him. This is not the first time Jesus has had this compassion. In an almost identical situation in Matthew Chapter 9 it says; Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

 

When you see those images on TV of children dying from starvation. When you hear reports of children being exploited and abused. When you see those images of children in detention centres You begin to understand the difference between compassion that comes from the heart and compassion that comes from deep in the bowels. We even use terms of injustice like “it’s a kick in the guts” or “I feel sick to the stomach”. So this compassion that Jesus and Paul display is not an emotion. This compassion that God reveals in his love in John 3:16 is not an emotion. This is a compassion that would make you do anything to stop the injustice – even giving up your own salvation – even giving up your own Son to die for unworthy sinners.

 

This is what needs to be at the heart of our mission, otherwise we will be like the disciples who saw 5,000 men, not counting women and children – so maybe over 10,000 people. And they saw 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and their response to Jesus – send them away. But, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians about agape love - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

 

So let’s apply this to what we are going through at present. As we look at the Pandemic that is before us today – 16,000,000 infections worldwide– 650,000 deaths worldwide – and in Australia, particularly Melbourne  where I live – we fear turning on the news at 11am to hear the latest figures – fearing whether further  lockdowns will happen – we fear the numbers – like the disciples feared the numbers today.

But let us not allow our fear to take control. But just as the numbers before Jesus today didn’t let fear take control he takes control.  He asks for the bread and fish and looks up to Heaven. He doesn’t look at the food or the massive crowd – he looks to heaven. And that’s where we look too – why? Because, as we heard in our Psalm today –  The Lord is gracious and full of compassion The Lord is loving to everyone and his compassion is over all his works. The Lord upholds all those who fall; he lifts up those who are bowed down. The Lord is near to those who call upon him, to all who call upon him faithfully.

 

In this time of pandemic – let us not be fearful of the numbers but faithful in our trust in God’s compassion.

The numbers are real – the pandemic is real – but God’s love and compassion for his beloved children will not abandon us. Will God who gave up his one and only Son for us out of his love and compassion for us not continue to show is love and compassion to us in this time of need? Jesus wasn’t worried about the numbers today – he looked to his heavenly Father’s compassion. God also wasn’t worried about the numbers when he looked and saw that he only had one Son. He was prepared to give him up for us all because of his compassion and unfailing love.

 

So let us too look up to heaven at this time and call upon God’s love and compassion. And let us remember what Psalm 121 says - I lift up my eyes -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. And let us again be reminded of where Paul was able to gain his strength in times of his own personal struggles: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. And that saying continues to hold true for us today. Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Sermon 26th July 2020 – 8th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 – The Kingdom of Heaven.

Sermon 26^th July 2020 – 8^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 – The Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Jesus tells 5 small parables today to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. They each complement each other and also describe a different aspect of God’s Kingdom which we’re going to explore today.

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed - the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

We look at the enormity of the problems that face us and the world – and we look at our resources – our members – our finances – and it is easy to give up. To switch from mission and ministry to maintenance. Instead of looking outward and how we can make an impact in the world we look at our assets and wonder how can we stay open another couple years.

We stop looking for ways to connect with our community and we look for ways to cut costs and look after ourselves. But Jesus shows us today that faith is about reaching out to others for the Kingdom of heaven with even the very little we might have. Size doesn’t matter. Jesus teaches us that faith is about reaching out – like a mustard tree –which doesn’t worry about how small its seed was but stretches out its branches to help other people. So that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. This is what we are here for. We are not a club that exists for our own interests but to share the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

So, he told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” What Jesus is highlighting here is that what we do can have amazing results for the Kingdom of Heaven. A few weeks ago Jesus said if anyone gives a cup of cold water that it has significant results.

Greeting someone with a smile. Welcoming a newcomer to church. Remembering someone’s name. Inviting someone over for meal. These are little gestures but just as only a small amount of yeast can have great results in making bread – the lack of yeast in making bread changes the complete outcome. But the opposite of that is also true. A harsh word to someone at church. Neglecting a visitor or even a regular who hasn’t been to church for a while can see that small unintended neglect work like yeast in their life.

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. This is an interesting parable. A person finds a treasure – hides it – and then buys the field where he hid it. To me it sounds a little bit like my early days as a Christian. I grew up in a family that did not go to church.

When I began to search for the meaning of life and read my Gideon’s Bible that I received in High School, I rang the local Lutheran Churches. I chose Box Hill because they had evening services which meant I could go to a friend’s place in the afternoon and then straight to church without my parents wondering where I was. I was embarrassed and worried I would get teased so I hid my treasure that I had found. If I had gone out for a morning service they might have asked where I was going. I was a little bit afraid of telling them and my work colleagues about going to church. But when I discovered my relationship with God I wanted everyone to know. Even though I hid my treasure at first I then was prepared to give up everything for the faith I had discovered. I did lose friends – I grew distant from my family – and eventually I gave up my successful career to go back to study to become a Pastor. We also need to support those who are new to the faith because they might not be receiving the support from their family and friends and like the Parable of the Sower recently they could find themselves quickly being choked by the persecution and ridicule of those around them. A visitor or an enquirer  who leaves our church without anyone welcoming them or talking to them – who finds our ways of worship strange and confusing – may depart and leave their treasure hidden. We may become their new family and friends and we need to ensure we provide them with that support.

 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. This parable is similar to the last parable but without the initial hiding of the treasure.

But note the subtle difference: This person didn’t find the treasure, he was looking for it. That difference is easy to miss.

This person is searching for answers in life, just like I was. We live in a society where more and more people are searching for spiritual awakening but sadly they are not coming through our church doors. So many people are saying “I am spiritual but I’m not religious”. Or, I know there’s more to life but I don’t know what it is. Somewhere along the timeline the church lost being the place people come to find spiritual answers and “rest in our braches”. Instead of spiritual awakening they have found religious dogma. Instead of finding spiritual freedom they have found religious traditions that have become rigid and even to a point uncaring. We need to again discover our spiritual treasure so that when people searching for spiritual awakenings come to us that they find what they are searching for. If they find a church that is more focused on getting its traditions and doctrine correct rather than caring and sharing the gospel they will move on. That is not to say doctrine isn’t important – it is. Paul said that to Timothy – watch your doctrine closely. But when it causes division and fighting in the church as we have seen in the past 20 years then how can we expect someone seeking spiritual truth to understand.

Let us become a place where like the mustard tree people can come to find rest for their souls in our branches.

 

And finally: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Here Jesus points out the stark reality of why we have mission – to reach out to people to bring them into the Kingdom of Heaven. I know that not everybody likes to think about death and judgment but here Jesus tells us what is at stake if we don’t seek to spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom – that people may miss out. Nobody wants that – especially God. Every person is a person created in God’s image. Every person is a person for whom Jesus died. But what we must remember in this is that the churches task is to spread the Good News. Our task is not to judge evil Jesus says that the angels are tasked with coming and separating the evil from the righteous. And this is only at the end of time like the parable of the weeds – let the wheat and weeds grow together or you may pull out the good wheat with the evil weeds. And the reason is that we cannot search the heart in the same way God does.

 

We judge by what we see and by our own judgments. There are so many things that we disagree with in the world. There are so many things that I disagree with in the world. But judgment belongs to God. Prayer for salvation is what belongs to us. To pray for the world and all people that they may come to a knowledge of God. To pray for the unbeliever not judge them. To pray for repentance of the evil doer not judge them. I don’t know what’s in a person’s heart and what they are going through – the struggles of dealing with an addiction – the guilt and search for repentance from their evil. To judge them may in fact undo the work that God’s Holy Spirit is doing like the wheat and the weeds. Friends we have a priceless treasure that the world is looking for but do they know we have it? Most people don’t know what they are looking for but they know there’s something more to life. Let us value this treasure we have and let it shine so others start to see its glow in us and like a moth to a flame they come to check out what it is we have. As St Peter says – 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,