Sermon 13th October 2024 Text Hebrews 4:12-16 – Holding to our confession

 Sermon 13th October 2024

Text Hebrews 4:12-16 – Holding to our confession

Last Saturday was not an easy day for our church. For many on both sides of the question of ordination it felt like a “double edged sword” split us apart. It feels like that sword of Solomon has come down and divided that living baby we know as the LCA and created 2 dead halves. We wonder why? Why can’t the other person accept my position on this issue?

We heard many arguments for inclusion, diversity, acceptance – and none of them were dismissed because they were that person’s confession and conviction. So why did this cause division?

We’ve changed other things in church. Some churches have sold their buildings and moved to new locations. Some churches have had to enter into parish arrangements which sees their pastor’s time divided. Some churches have voted to close. We’ve sold the Australian Lutheran College – and as much as that has caused anger and hurt it did not threaten to divide our church.

But on this one issue which we have been debating for decades – which we have voted on 6 times at Synods – this one decision has to potential to cut our church in two.

Those who were at the Synod worship last Sunday or who watched online would have heard the President of the Canadian Lutheran Church – Timothy Teuscher – a guest of Synod along with the President of the Lutheran Church of PNG, who was asked to bring a word of greeting from his church – a church in which we have been in altar and pulpit fellowship for a very long time – 30 years.

What he said left many, including Bishops with their mouths gaping as he declared that that 2 edged sword had come down and severed a long standing relationship between the LCA and LCC which are now no longer in fellowship because of this decision. Why? Why this one decision?

Because, as we hear the writer to the Hebrews exhort us today – “let us hold fast to our confession”.

So those who are upset, on both sides of the debate, are upset – not because they didn’t get their way – or because they can’t understand why they can’t see our hurts over this – but because they, we, believe that this matter goes to the heart of our confession of faith.

Confession is what forms our beliefs.

That’s why we refer to our articles of faith in the Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord as “The Lutheran Confessions”. The confession of ordination are for many people of our church no different to our confession on Baptism, or Holy Communion or The Trinity – Confessions we would NEVER consider debating or changing. In the Roman Catholic Church ordination is one of their 7 sacraments.

Confessions of faith are not rules like sport or businesses. People complain about the AFL always changing the rules and umpires being inconsistent in applying the rules of the game. This is our confession of faith and when the confession of your faith is challenged then it challenges the very fabric of what you believe which is why the debate has been so robust.

Our confession of faith is not a tradition but a confession of faith in which we receive the comfort and assurance of our salvation. And that is why for many – this is an article of salvation – on both sides of the debate.

We have heard people say that this is NOT a central article of salvation but for many it is. Why? Because it goes to what they confess as their faith.

When St Paul was explaining to the Corinthians about their understanding of Holy Communion, he didn’t give them his opinion but what the Lord Jesus had taught him. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread – from this we receive the teaching of The Lord’s Supper directly from Jesus himself.

From this we gain our liturgy for Holy Communion and consecration. Words taken directly from St Paul who received them from Jesus. Which is why we take reception of Holy Communion so serious. Paul says - whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

When explaining salvation he also teaches only what Christ taught him: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

So, who can consecrate and preach the Gospel is central to salvation – for both sides of the debate on ordination. And that’s why this has been such a divisive issue.

So where do we go from here?

What we don’t do is “judge”. Because if we judge another person’s position on this then we judge their faith – and no one has the right to do that. No, as Hebrews says – we hold on to OUR confession. But likewise we need to understand that some are going to find this extremely difficult and we may not see them again. We might see people come to worship but refuse to receive Holy Communion. Why? Because as St Paul says in First Corinthians - Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. People see that Holy Communion states that we have a communion of confession.

Some people might leave altogether as many have already done because of the result of the previous 5 voting decisions. We should not judge them but find ways to uphold and support them. Some were critical of the new body – LM-A – Lutheran Mission Australia especially because they did it before Synod. But we must not judge them because they are doing this not like the new gym that just opened up in Ringwood – next to an existing gym to be competition. No, they formed because rather than people leaving and losing communion that they have somewhere to go for comfort and hope. So we should not judge.

So what do we do in this time of hurt – this time of upheaval – this time of discerning? We listen to the writer of Hebrews:

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Dear friends, this is a time of need – a time of upheaval where our only hope is in Jesus, the Son of God. It has affected me personally as I relinquish many of my roles other than serving you as your shepherd – so I can serve you as Shepherd.  You are my first love so I have had to let go of anything that might make me question that including my District appointments. I’m not doing that because I’m spitting the dummy or taking my bat and ball and going home – but because of my love for the sheep of which God has made me overseer – which is my ordination and installation vow which includes my vow to uphold the teaching and practice of the church. I take my vows seriously. I made a vow when I married Sharon 38 years ago. A vow I/we have returned to many times when facing difficulty. And my  ordination and installation vow I will uphold until you or the Bishop tells me I can no longer do so.

But while I am serving you with Word and Sacrament you can be assured that you are approaching the throne of grace with boldness, so that you/we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. I hope you can understand the hurt of many people in our Lutheran Church of Australia just as we/they have understood the hurt in the past decisions of Synod as we remain faithful to and uphold our confession of faith.

It may feel like a two edged sword has divided us but like a surgeon’s scalpel cuts in order to bring healing so too we can find healing as we come to the great physician, our Lord Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest.

Sermon 22nd September 2024 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Mark 9:30-37 – Welcoming the child

 Sermon 22^nd September 2024 – 18^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Mark 9:30-37 – Welcoming the child

 

We live in a society that places a lot of importance on our position and status in life. And sadly we often compare ourselves to others hoping that they will fail so we can feel better about ourselves. Value can be assigned to various things - an individual’s possessions, career, even the suburb they lived in. In my previous parish you thought twice about wandering through Frankston North but if you lived in Frankston South you were highly respected. The value of one’s social location often determines whether a person is considered acceptable or not. Even today people make judgments when they hear about crimes and violence in “the western suburbs” and take that as something natural. But when it happens in the eastern suburbs we are shocked – that sort of thing doesn’t happen here.

 

St Paul in Philippians urges us as Christians to have a different mindset. Paul says: be like-minded as Christ, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, That’s very different to how value is placed in today’s society.

 

In looking at today’s Gospel lesson from Mark, we are confronted with the story of Jesus’ disciples grappling with the question of greatness.  Having just heard Jesus speak about his upcoming death they now hear Jesus speak about it again – The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.”  That didn’t sound very great. But, like the first time they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. This was not what they were expecting from a leader who was supposed to lead them into their understanding of greatness. They are, no doubt, afraid of the implications of his impending death.  Were they frightened that they too would have to go along this path? Certainly after Jesus’ death this was high on their minds – when they were locked away for fear of the Jews.

 

Had they followed Jesus originally for different reasons – for social acceptance? Was it considered the in thing to do – to follow this new leader who had come onto the scene and was creating waves. So, they begin to talk about greatness among themselves.”  However, Jesus is teaching an alternative standard for measuring greatness.  The Gospel tells us, “He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’” This is similar to what Paul said in Philippians when he said: That Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

 

So this was greatness but not by what they achieved but by what God gave. There are many ways we serve God and the church.  But, what does being a servant of all look like?  How do we embody being “last of all and servant of all?”  Jesus gives us an education. He calls on them to place themselves in the situation of a child. He took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’” This went against how the disciples saw the value of children.

When people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Have you ever heard or used the term – our children are the future of the church? I know what that means but sometime we forget that our children are the present church as much as we are. They might not be able to vote – or sit on committees or receive Holy Communion – but they are not less members of the body of Christ because of that.

 

In defining greatness through this living example of a child, Jesus is providing the disciples with valuable lesson about greatness.  And this is about welcoming a child. This is different to the example of having faith as a child – it is about welcoming a child. The disciples pushed the children away because they didn’t seem important. What value could they add to Jesus’ ministry? And yet, they embody Jesus’ ministry.

 

So many times Jesus welcomed people who seemingly added nothing to his ministry and from the outset could seem to hinder it. Like Zacchaeus whom people despised and yet Jesus welcomed him and went to his house to eat. Jesus welcomed a woman caught in adultery that the Pharisees wanted to be rid of. He welcomed the leper whom society had cast out. He welcomed a woman of ill-repute who washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, much to the disgust of his host, Simon the Pharisee for welcoming such a woman. If Jesus were a true prophet he would know what sort of woman she was – he is, and he did! He welcomed another woman of questionable morals and from a tribe shunned by Jews – when he drank with the Samaritan woman. None of these added to Jesus’ earthly greatness but allowed him to embody how God receives us.

 

If I were God I would question his decision to welcome me – and yet he does. And he welcomes me because I am a child of God through my Baptism not because of anything I have achieved or contributed. In this example Jesus holds us a young child — powerless, vulnerable, unable to defend themselves. And this is who Jesus tells the disciples to welcome: the powerless, the vulnerable, the ones whose voices are ignored in the world. What does the world say – children should be seen and not heard. Jesus says that by welcoming people like that, the ones who can’t influence society and don’t strive to be in charge, they welcome Jesus. Not only do they welcome him, they welcome God who sent him.  Welcoming the powerless is a far cry from arguing over who is the greatest! Compare that to what James says about human values: Earthly, unspiritual, devilish.  And where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. Human ambition that seeks worldly greatness: You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder.  And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts.

 

Being vulnerable, being a servant, being like a child, is what Jesus tells his disciples he’s come to do when he predicts his death and resurrection for a second time. This humility promotes behaviour that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy, says James.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Jesus did not come to take over the Roman empire and restore the worldly nation of Israel, as they expected. He’s come to do something so revolutionary the disciples can’t imagine it: defeat death itself. Death will not be defeated with a sword. Death will be defeated with a cross, with Jesus’ cross and with unconditional love And it was defeated in his rising again — just like he told the disciples it would be, even if they didn’t understand him.

 

So we too are challenged to example the same humility by submitting to God. And by doing that we don’t need to worry what the world thinks about us. Whether we are successful, rich, have a multitude of possessions. We have something that is priceless. We are children of God welcomed by our heavenly Father and loved by him unconditionally.

Sermon 15th September 2024 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Mark 8:27-38 – Who do YOU say that I am?

 Sermon 15^th September 2024 – 17^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Mark 8:27-38 – Who do YOU say that I am?

 

Fairly soon VCE students are going to prepare for their final exams.  It will be a stressful time knowing that their year’s work, and in fact the past 12 years work comes to a head. Likewise, the disciples are about to begin an intensive examination on discipleship.  It was time to study up for the final exam. Perhaps Jesus feels a sense of urgency running out of time before he hands over the reins to the twelve disciples.  The students will become the teachers.

 

But before that happens he needs to know what they understood and what they didn’t. Were they able to see what was hidden in the signs that he had performed to see the deeper, richer message?  When he healed the physically blind did they realize he was also healing spiritual blindness?  Did they understand that they are sometimes blind – as we will seen in Peter’s later response to Jesus?  Jesus began by asking a fairly passive question.  “Who do people say that I am?” They answered that some are still a bit confused – their eyes are not quite opened from their spiritual blindness. Some thought he was John the Baptist; others, that he was Elijah. Others thought that he was one of the other prophets of old.

 

But now the examination gets personal. And there are no multiple-choice answers“ Which of these do you think I am – a,b or c. No. It was personal. Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter answered as he has in the past on their behalf - that Jesus is the Messiah. Interestingly Jesus then ordered them to tell no one. Maybe because they would not be able to understand while they were still spiritually immature.

 

Now Jesus takes them to the next level of their learning. Jesus first asks “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered correctly. But what Peter didn’t understand was what being the Messiah of God really meant. He held the common belief that the Messiah would be king over Israel and lead a revolt against their oppressors. But Jesus talked of a whole different understanding of what would be the Messiah’s life and ministry when he spoke of suffering and being killed, and after three days rising from the dead. And this is when Peter’s spiritual blindness crept back in. He took Jesus aside and tried to re-educate Jesus.  But Peter’s mind was not on divine things, heavenly things, kingdom things;  He was instead looking at the meaning of Messiah from a purely human point of view.  Peter meant well. He didn’t want his beloved teacher to suffer and die.  But Peter was putting his own feelings and fears ahead of the mission of God.

 

And this is where Satan enters – which is why Jesus’ rebuke names Satan. Satan was focusing Peter’s mind on the suffering and death and tempting him to divert his thinking away from Jesus – like when he walked on the water and panicked causing him to sink.Satan tried the same temptation on Jesus – focus on your hunger and turn rocks into bread. That’s why Paul says in Colossians 3 – keep your mind focused on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God and not on earthly things. Peter missed the heavenly things – rising on the 3rd day - while focusing on the earthly things – arrested, suffered, died.And now it’s time to educate all the disciples and the crowds following him about what it exactly means to confess Jesus Christ as Lord – as YOUR Lord.

 

Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And this is also OUR education: These are hard and challenging words for us to hear. Deny yourself.  Take up your cross. To save your life you must lose it.  And if we are ashamed of him and of his words Jesus will be ashamed of us when he returns. I can see the look on the faces of the disciples and the crowd. And the look is probably not much different to our own.

 

Those wanting to continue following Jesus had some decisions to make.  The people in the crowd had to ask themselves if continuing to follow Jesus was worth it and if they were willing to sacrifice it all to continue on this path. As we heard a few weeks ago, some did find it difficult and made the decision to stop following him.

When the 12 disciples were given the option to leave too, Peter, again, spoke on their behalf. Lord to whom shall we go – you have the words of eternal life. You have heard the words of Jesus just like the disciples and the crowd did. We too are daily faced with that decision – to keep following Jesus or to give up. Satan will tempt us to look at the state of world and question whether God really loves the world – whether God really can save the world. Satan will have you think of yourself – like he did with Peter – like he did with Adam and Eve. But ask yourself, what are you giving up. Jesus is NOT John the Baptist – Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the Prophets. He is the Messiah, the son of the living God.

 

And what does that mean? Well, it’s that last part of his educating that we must take serious: When he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. And when Christ is revealed in his glory so too will you. Jesus himself says that following him is not an easy journey but the reward makes the journey worth it. To be there when Jesus returns and have him proud to bring us home and not ashamed of us. So the question Jesus asked his disciples is the question Jesus continues to ask us today: Who do you say that I am. And the reason he asks that is because that is the question that will be asked of us when Jesus returns in his glory. Who do you say that I am. You are our Lord Jesus – and all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

 

Sermon 8th September 2024 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost Text: James 2:1-17 – Caring for creation through Hope

 Sermon 8^th September 2024 – 16^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: James 2:1-17 – Caring for creation through Hope

 

The theme of our Creation Sunday service is to hope and to act. Hope is an interesting word depending on the context that we use it. We hope our footy team is going to win the Grand Final. We hope that the weather is going to be fine this weekend. We hope that interest rates will come down soon. In this context Hope is uncertain. It may or may not happen.

 

In the Christian context Hope is different. St Paul talks about hope many times – Christian Hope – and in particular he says: We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Christian hope, as Paul says, will not disappoint us. And that’s because Christian hope is not uncertain.

 

Yet we live in a world where many look to the first type of hope. We hope that if we do things we will achieve a certain outcome but we can never be sure if it will work. When we act without God, in anything we do, hope becomes uncertain. As we focus on Creation today we see this uncertain hope at play in the world. If we reduce our carbon footprint – if we reduce our pollution – if we cease fossil fuels and switch to renewables – we hope that by a certain year in the future we will reduce our temperature and repair our climate. But we have no assurance of that – we hope to be able to achieve that. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do things to reduce pollution such as recycling as much as we can and reducing waste. But we should not think we don’t need hope in God to achieve our care for the world.

 

So, as Christians, we also include our love and care for the planet in our prayers as we pray to the one whom the wind and the waves must obey. The one who was able to end famine with his Word. But God also ended famine in practical ways when he had Joseph acted by storing food for 7 years to provide for 7 years of famine in Egypt.

So there are practical things we can do with God’s help and guidance. And our motivation is not because we believe WE can save the planet but because of our love for one another. God is the creator so we must always look to him.

The world without hope says there are only certain amount of years left because of humans.

But, remember what Jesus says about the end of the world- no one knows the day nor the hour – it will come as a thief in the night. So our motivation is our love for our neighbour and our hope in God. We see that in James today: If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So, we don’t just hope that our neighbour is able to find the necessities of life but we act. And we know – if we feed him that will attend to his hunger.

 

What James describes is how we see a lot of our world responding to the problems in God’s creation. We see people rallying – they hold up traffic – they disrupt businesses – they vandalise property that they disagree with.

They sit at home on their phones or computer and use social media to attack others. Many of the things they are fighting for – world hunger – homelessness – pollution – could be solved if we could act by loving another as James asks us to. You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

 

Change in the world does not come by pointing out what others are doing wrong but by setting an example of loving one another. As Jesus once said in a parable: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. And this action came so naturally that the people being thanked had no idea they were doing it.

 

When we love one another it’s not a chore. We will act out of faith as care for one another. The righteous answered, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

At present, to many people, the future of our creation looks hopeless. The comforting thing about Christian hope is that it thrives on hopelessness. Remember what Paul said – we rejoice in our suffering which produces hope. Or look at the woman in our Gospel reading. Her situation seemed hopeless. Her daughter was in a terrible situation and the one that she had hoped would be able to heal her said “NO”. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she never gave up hope: She answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

 

Or the man in the next miracle story whose plight seemed hopeless: They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; They were astounded beyond measure, saying about Jesus,  “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.

 

Or when Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man. The blind man says to Jesus’ critics:   Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. Jesus brought hope where there was no hope. So where will we put our hope for the future of Creation? In the hands of humans or in the Creator? God purposely created us in his image so we could care for his creation as his representative and he has called on us to act as his representative:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” And let us remember that ruling means caring – not dominating. Subduing means protecting not oppressing.

 

God loves this world so much that he sent Jesus – not to condemn the but to save the world through him. And it is this act love of God and neighbour that will protect God’s beautiful creation.

Sermon 1st September 2024 – 15th Sunday after Penecost Text James 1:17-27 – Bridle the tonge

 Sermon 1^st September 2024 – 15^th Sunday after Penecost

Text James 1:17-27 – Bridle the tonge

 There is the old saying – God gave us 2 eyes, 2 ears but only one mouth – which should teach us what is really important in communication – to look – to listen – and be hesitant in what we say. James seems to be saying something similar in our reading today: You must understand this: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. To listen to the needs of people and if we need to respond then be “doers of the word”. Be slow to speak – be slow to anger. Which is interesting that James connects anger with speaking. He will go on to say how dangerous the tongue can be.

He says: the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

And his particular concern about the misuse of the tongue and our words is

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. And today he says that the “unbridled” tongue can make our faith worthless, or as he calls it – our religion.

Jesus faces the same issue today with the Pharisees where their “religion” was made worthless because they argued over man-made traditions: The Pharisees noticed that some of Jesus’ disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.

So the Pharisees asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

Jesus said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’

So, according to Jesus, what came out of their lips was inconsistent with their hearts. And remember the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength – and your neighbour as yourself. And he says that what comes out of the mouth is a true indication of what is truly on one’s heart. And he explains: There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.

A few weeks ago Paul warned about the devil’s use of our anger: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Like James and Jesus, Paul recognizes that our hearts hold our true feelings about things and that anger can make those feelings come out in a very unhealthy way. They can result in bitterness – in hurtful words and actions, including to those we love dearly. And all the good that we do in the name of Jesus can be undone in an instant as James points out by a single word: If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.

So James makes a distinction between religion and faith in much the same way that Jesus makes a distinction between traditions and faith. Traditions are important but not if they divert us away from love for others. Jesus took exception to the scribes and Pharisees because they placed tradition above love. In very much how Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 13: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

The Pharisees missed the importance of that inner transformation that flows into words and works to help other and show love.  The tradition of the elders that the Pharisees had intended to preserve by their traditions, had become a barrier keeping them from getting close to God and one another. As Christians we are always under the watchful eye of the world waiting to call us out as hypocrites in much the same way that Jesus called out the pharisees as hypocrites. So we need to be always mindful of what image we are giving.

Holiness is NOT about our outward display but our hearts. As Jesus once said, when quoting Hosea in the Old Testament. I desire mercy not sacrifice.

How we treat one another is on full display to the world. The Pharisees were more concerned with outward appearances and following the letter of the law, rather than truly living out the spirit of the law with love, compassion, and humility.

It is easy for us to point fingers at the Pharisees and condemn them for their hypocrisy, but let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives.  How often do we act in ways that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus when no one is watching?  How often do we judge others while overlooking our own faults and shortcomings?  How often do we say one thing and do another?

Jesus' words are a powerful reminder for us to examine our hearts and our actions. He calls us to live out our faith in a way that is genuine and true, not just for show. Because that’s what a hypocrite was in Jesus’ time – an actor on show. They had a outward show that they would put on before others – washing their hands – washing their utensils – but inside that no one could see was their true self.

Let us heed Jesus' warning and strive to be like him in all we do.  Let us not be like the Pharisees, who were more concerned about how they appeared in public. Let us be humble, compassionate, and loving, following the example of Jesus himself even if no one sees or acknowledges. Let us take to heart the words of Jesus and strive to live a life of integrity and righteousness, both in words and in deeds. May we be true disciples of Christ, shining his light in the world and bringing glory to his name

Sermon 25th August 2024 – 14th Sunday after Pentecost Text: John 6:56-69 – When the going gets tough

 Sermon 25^th August 2024 – 14^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: John 6:56-69 – When the going gets tough

 

There is the saying – when the going gets tough the tough get going. In today’s Gospel reading we see 2 examples of “when the going gets tough the tough get going” The first example: Many of Jesus’ disciples said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. The going got tough – and many got going away from Jesus. The second example – Peter and the Apostles: Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” The going got tough and Jesus’ apostles got going – continuing to follow Jesus. The difference?  Faith. Jesus had the words of eternal life.

 

It’s not such an easy task to follow Jesus at times. That’s why Jesus said – pick up your “cross” and follow me. That’s why Peter, when told about what following Jesus meant – arrest, humiliation, death – he said – never Lord, this will never happen to you. To which Jesus said – get behind me Satan. The Israelites in the Old Testament are another example of the people falling away from following the Lord when the going got tough. Israel had a series of prophets who were constantly calling the people back to the way of the Lord when they would stray. Even before they got to the Promised Land they continued to grumble and begged to go back to Egypt – hard labour was easier than trusting and following the Lord. As Joshua was about to lead them into the Promised Land he warned them that following the Lord, though the right thing to do, would be difficult at times: He said to them:  But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

 

I’m often intrigued as to why the teaching of the Christian faith is so difficult for people to accept. The Christian faith offers what humanity is truly seeking. It offers eternal life in heaven. People today want to live longer. They exercise – eat healthy – the market for alternative remedies is booming. We push carbon neutral to save the planet even though God sent Jesus to save the world. People try to look younger with cosmetic surgery. But none of these offer what Jesus offers. As Jesus said - This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

 

Jesus offers relief from suffering – a new heaven and new earth where there will be no more suffering. People look for all sorts of remedies – traditional and alternative. Jesus offers an answer to death – I am the resurrection and the life – whoever believes in me will never die. There is talk of AI (artificial intelligence) that will allow us to live forever consciously in the cloud as opposed to the one who ascended to and will return with the clouds. As Peter said – where are we going to go – only you have the words of eternal life

 

So what is it that causes the rejection and often hostility when a person tried to witness to someone. Why do we find it so difficult at times to witness to other people? I believe it has to do with the reality of what is being offered. If this was just another marketing gimmick or one of those TV shopping miracle products then it wouldn’t be so hard. As the saying goes – a fool and his money are soon parted. But the reality is that this is a spiritual battle we enter whenever we enter the front line and follow Jesus. And therefore our enemy is spiritual – or as we often call it – spiritual warfare. If you can remember the parable of the sower that Jesus once told: He begins that parable by saying:

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. And so we see the work of the evil one whenever we or anyone follows Jesus – he is right there behind us to battle against what we are doing.

 

Likewise in the Parable of the wheat and the weeds: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went his way.

 

So Paul encourages us – in fact urges us to put on the armour of God because he knows exactly the battle we enter when we choose to follow Jesus Christ. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Let us remember, Jesus and Paul are speaking to the church here. Satan’s front line is in the church.

 

We often think that Satan is working in the likes of Kings Cross and other seedy places. No, that’s just human nature at work. Satan’s work is to attack Christians – God’s children as seen with Adam and Eve and Jesus with the temptations. He has ‘flaming arrows’ that can hit with precision which is why Paul say put on the “FULL” armour of God. If there’s a weakness he will find it. And we all have a weakness he targets – our anger – our jealousy – our addictions – our false idols – anything that gives him a foothold. And so we have seen people, like the first group, who have left Jesus – either their faith or the church while retaining their faith. And it’s quite often because of a mis-spoken word – a disagreement. Often it’s complacency or other demands on our time – work and sport.

 

So our task, as Paul says - keep alert and always persevere in prayer for all the saints. St Peter in his letter also told us to keep alert – Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. But Paul also asks for a prayer for himself: Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. So please pray for me and also Pastors and Bishops of our church as we put the shoes for our feet that will make us ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

 

Friends, the cross gets mighty heavy at times and at times we might feel like giving up – but as Peter reminds us – where will we go – only Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. And what beautiful words they are as Isaiah the prophet says:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say “Your God reigns!”

Sermon 18th August 2024 – 13th Sunday after Pentecost Text: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 – Discerning good and evil

 Sermon 18^th August 2024 – 13^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 – Discerning good and evil

 

There is an old saying of the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is actually a fruit – But wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.

 

Wisdom is a big topic in the bible with King Solomon renowned for his gift of wisdom given to him. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you. Imagine what Solomon could have asked for.

He could have been selfish, like a person granted 3 wishes using the first wish to ask for more wishes. Solomon could have asked for personal gain - long life or riches, or success over his enemies. But instead he asked for an understanding mind to govern God’s people, able to discern between good and evil; Solomon will go on to become the King known for his wisdom that will astound the world and will even have the queen of Sheba visit him to see if his wisdom was as great as the rumours that had reached her.

 

Knowledge of God and wisdom of God are also 2 different things. Knowledge is knowing ABOUT God – wisdom is having faith in God as James talks about in his letter where he says: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder without faith. We see that in the Gospel readings when Jesus approaches demon possessed men. Their initial response- we KNOW who you are. They KNOW who Jesus is but they have no faith in him. As a result they fear his judgment – don’t send us into the abyss – send us into those pigs.

 

What Solomon asked for was a heart for God and as a result received the things he could have asked for but didn’t. In much the same way that Jesus speaks about in the Sermon on the Mount where he says: Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear? Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So wisdom is about faith in God which is also what St Paul talks about in our 2nd reading: He says: Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

 

Knowing the will of the Lord is where wisdom comes in. So here Paul makes a distinction between wise and foolish: And our Psalms tell us what is the difference between wise and foolish: King David, Solomon’s father, writes in Psalm 14 - The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. So as Christians, knowing God is different to trusting God. Trusting God is living a life where we look to God to guide us even if it goes against the ways of the world. We trust God even if it goes against our will – as Jesus said – not MY will be don’t but YOURS.

 

The church is regularly challenged to fit in with the ways of the world so that the world will accept us. That leads us to very shaky ground because we have nothing to stand firm on as Jesus says in his parable when he compares a wise and foolish builder: A wise man built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  A foolish man built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” So Jesus is saying that wise and foolish people will face the same challenges in life – the wind and the storms. The difference is the foundation. The wise had his foundation in his faith in God’s Word. He built his house on the rock – and Jesus has built his church on a rock and therefore not even the gates of hell can overcome it. The foolish built his foundation on sand.

 

So the question is – what is your foundation built on? Is it built on an earthly foundation like your possessions, your career and so forth. Or is it built on faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord? Solomon could have asked for a secure earthly foundation – military power, long life, riches. Instead he asked for wisdom in knowing good from evil. This is necessary because of sin that entered into our world when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit – the knowledge of Good and Evil. Because of sin we know Good and Evil.

Faith in Jesus enables us to DISCERN between Good and Evil. Solomon seeks to be able to discern between Good and Evil in a world that calls evil good, and good evil. As Paul speaks about in our 2nd reading  Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  Our world no longer discerns between good and evil but between what brings me pleasure or not..It’s the old, what was known as – the epicurean lifestyle – eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you shall die. Paul says “NO”. That’s is the wrong foundation:

 

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The epicurean lifestyle – eat, drink, be merry has its foundation on “because tomorrow you shall die”. So it doesn’t matter what I do – just enjoy. Wisdom – faith in Jesus Christ – has a different foundation, as we hear in our Gospel reading:

 

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever and never die. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus had made a distinction between the manna that came down from heaven when the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness and the bread of life that he has come to bring that brings eternal life. What is the difference? The difference the foundation we build on – death or eternal life.

 

The manna came to feed them for their physical journey to the Promised Land and they still died. Jesus’ bread of life has come to feed us for our spiritual journey to eternal life in heaven. It is the difference between knowing Jesus and having faith in Jesus. Knowing Jesus with head knowledge and knowing Jesus with heart knowledge. Which is the difference between the demons who proclaimed “we know who you are” to Peter’s proclamation of faith – you are the Christ, the son of the living God.