Sermon 12th March2023 – 3rd Sunday in Lent Text: Exodus 17:1-7 – Is the Lord among us or not

 Sermon 12^th March2023 – 3^rd Sunday in Lent

Text: Exodus 17:1-7 – Is the Lord among us or not

 

“Is the Lord among us or not?” It’s an interesting question asked by Israel and a question that many Christians have most likely asked when times of difficulty arise. “Is the Lord among us or not?” It’s different to a person who doesn’t believe in God who might say – there is no God when tragedy strikes. How can there be a god when there is so much evil.

 

Israel didn’t disbelieve in God’s presence but pondered “is the Lord among us or not”. Israel asked that question because after Moses had led them out of Egypt they encountered periods of difficulty in the wilderness where there was no food or water.

 

As we follow Israel on their journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan, it seems that despite all that God had done for them in the past it mattered nothing to them each time they faced difficulty. God had protected them from the 10 plagues that ravished Egypt including protection from the destroying angel that took the life of every firstborn in the land known as the Passover. He led them out but when they faced the Red Sea and couldn’t go further they cried out: “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses parted the Red Sea and they went through on dry ground while the Egyptians were swept away when they followed and chased after them. The Israelites were ecstatic and sang a song about the event. Which leads us to today’s reading.

 

They are still in the wilderness and there is no water: The people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” It is a human tendency to question God in difficult times and wonder why suffering happens. Despite all the goodness and favours we receive from God in our lifetime we tend to judge God on what we presently face. Let us thank God that he doesn’t judge us on those one occasions when we mess up through sin.

 

St Paul saw suffering differently to the point where he said today: We boast in our sufferings – or in some translations – we rejoice in our sufferings. How could he say that? Because for Paul he saw suffering as a reminder that this life is not where we put our hope in. And he explains that later in Romans chapter 8 when he says - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Paul also saw suffering as an opportunity to increase our faith when says 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 that has been given to us.

Israel never got to that point of growth because every time they faced a time of suffering they grumbled about God and wanted to go back to Egypt.

 

And so when they entered into the Promised Land they were easily led astray by the foreign gods of the people in the land because their gods seemed to have more to offer. As Christians we need never doubt “is the Lord among us or not” because he has promised in our Baptism – I am with you always till the end of the age. And he confirms that when we come to Holy Communion that he is among us – here – take and eat – this IS my body – take and drink – the IS my blood.

 

In Paul’s letter to the Romans he confirms God’s presence among us: Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Maybe at times it feels like God is absent but he never is.

Even Jesus experienced that absence at the peak of his suffering on the cross – my God, my God, why have you abandoned me. But the book of Hebrews reveals the mystery in that suffering much like Paul did today.

The writer says -  But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters That does not sound like a God who is absent from us.

 

But our experiences vary. The early church had a term for the experience called – Deus Absconditus – the God who absconds – the God who is hidden. Referring to a God who has withdrawn from the immediate details of the governing of the world. And that’s how we often experience God. Like the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus. They walked forlorn – heads bowed down in despair because they thought Jesus was the one.

They tell of their regret to the stranger walking with them. The stranger being the hidden Jesus. So although their present experience was of an absent Jesus, he was closer than they actually realised.

He walks, talks and opens Scripture. He then breaks bread and their eyes are open but then he immediately disappears.

 

This too is our experience. We experience God at certain times – in Word and Sacrament but then he seems to abscond. Is the Lord among us or not. So we go back to where God has revealed himself. To our Baptism.

To God’s Word in our Bibles. To the Lord’s Table to receive his body and blood. And then we take God with us into the world and we become the presence of God to others. We are God’s light in the darkness of the world.

Paul also describes this hidden God in Colossians 3 when he writes: You died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

Is the Lord among us or not? Indeed he is and we need never doubt that for the one who said “I am with you always” is trustworthy and true.

Sermon 5th March 2023 – 2nd Sunday in Lent Text: Genesis 12:1-4a – faith journeys

 Sermon 5^th March 2023 – 2^nd Sunday in Lent

Text: Genesis 12:1-4a – faith journeys

 

Our Genesis reading takes us back to the beginnings of our faith – Abraham, or Abram as he is known here – considered to be the father of faith, even by Jews and Muslims.  Abram is asked by God to sacrifice which requires and act of faith in God: When his son, Isaac is just a young boy, Abram is asked to sacrifice him to God as a burnt offering which would jeopardise his future generations. But he trusts God and puts his faith in his request.

 

In our Bible reading, our introduction to Abram, along with his wife Sarai, is asked to leave their land and their family and set off to a place yet unknown to them.   They respond to God’s command and then continue to listen to God’s Word for further instruction on what God wanted of them.  That is what faith means. To hear the Word of God and trust and then respond even though the future is unknown.

 

The book of Hebrews describes faith as - confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Abraham certainly had to do this. This is also what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus. To listen to what the voice from the cloud told us a few weeks ago in the Transfiguration account about Jesus: to listen to him. To hear God’s word and then to respond to what we hear even if the way forward is unclear or seemingly unpleasant.

 

It’s a very short direction from God to Abraham. “Go from your country and your family and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. That’s it. And even more brief is the response: So Abram went, as the Lord had told him;

 

Whenever I have received a call from a vacant parish I usually receive a huge folder of all the things relating to the Parish. Copies of Annual Reports. Floor plans of the manse. Services and attractions in the area. Details of the congregation and the different groups and activities they are involved in. I have 4 weeks to make up my mind. Sometimes a Pastor will visit the calling parish, look around, meet with the people and then go home and prayerfully contemplate. And then they will advise “Yes” or “No”. There was none of this when it came to Abraham’s call.

 

God had given him promises - “I will bless you and your descendants,”.  But there was no guarantee how those promises would be fulfilled. No explanation on when they would be fulfilled – just like Abraham had to wait till he was 100 before his son Isaac would be born. Abraham went in faith which St. Paul today refers to with great admiration.  “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” This belief and trust in God is at the heart of our salvation and our relationship with God which we read in our Gospel reading. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 

But that step of faith is not always an easy first step. Just look at Nicodemus with all his questions. He believed in Jesus but was afraid about making that first public step of faith. Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews but he came to Jesus by night. Cloaked by darkness so no one could see him go to Jesus.  Maybe there’s a bit of Nicodemus in all of us. Maybe we are that little bit hesitant of accepting where God is calling us. Nicodemus has many questions and some of them are very shallow. Such as “How can anyone be born after having grown old? But he wasn’t embarrassed to ask.

 

The bible is full of heroes of faith as examples for us. The book of Hebrews lists many of them:

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did – Able ended up murdered by his brother because of it.

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death. By faith Noah built an ark to deliver his family – could you imagine the ridicule he received. Hebrews also talks about Abraham from today’s call: when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And Abraham’s wife - by faith Sarah, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.  Much like Mary– how can this be since I am a virgin - but accepted what the angel said

 

Whereas Nicodemus was hesitant, fearful of what his fellow Jews would say because of his faith in Jesus, he would go on to cast off this fear and go with Joseph of Arimathea to ask for Jesus’ body from the cross. And note also that Joseph shared his fear: Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.

 

Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle in regards to your faith or lack thereof. Maybe you’re scared to take that huge leap of faith like Abraham. And remember, Abraham was likely to have been in his 70s when he received that call. Or perhaps you’re a little like Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea – afraid to share your faith or don’t have all the answers and maybe afraid to ask the questions. But remember that faith as small as a mustard seed can achieve great things for God’s kingdom. We can feel rather guilty at times about our faith.

But that’s not God’s intention. Neither was it Jesus’ intention with Nicodemus as he helped him to understand the new way that God was dealing with faith through him. And he reminds Nicodemus – and us that - God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

 

We don’t know what Nicodemus was thinking as he departed Jesus’ company after hearing these words about water – spirit – born again.  But we know that something within him changed.  And little by little, his heart opened and he was born anew, finding his way through darkness and doubt, to the cross. And there at the cross all of Nicodemus’s and Joseph’s fear would be cast off as they prepare Jesus body for burial and wait now for Jesus’ promise to be fulfilled – to rise on the 3rd day. We too now wait in faith for Jesus to fulfil his promise to us – to come and take us to be with him in Heaven. That is a journey we can take in faith.

 

Sermon 26th February 2023 – 1st Sunday in Lent Text: Matthew 4:1-11 – Tempted

 Sermon 26^th February 2023 – 1^st Sunday in Lent

Text: Matthew 4:1-11 – Tempted

 

“Temptation” is a word that doesn’t have much context in today’s world – a world that is often described as being “post-modern”. One of the central understandings of post modernism is that there is no absolute truth.

If I believe something is true then it doesn’t matter if you disagree with me or can even prove me wrong – if I believe it’s true then for me it’s true. So temptation is almost obsolete because I can usually justify why it’s okay for me,

 

But it’s not such a new concept as we see in our Old Testament reading that this was exactly what the serpent used to trick Eve into disobeying God’s commandment and eat from the forbidden fruit. He questioned God’s truth and that means it was easy to tempt Eve. Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’? He didn’t tempt her by saying – look how beautiful this fruit is – why wouldn’t you want to eat it. Rather, he challenged the truth of why she shouldn’t eat it which is how temptation works. We begin to ask ourselves – why can’t I do this or that if I want to.

 

Initially Eve confirmed God’s truth: The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God did say, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die. And that’s when the serpent challenged the truth God of again - You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So now she is confused. Whereas she could check the first part of the serpent’s challenge – yes God did say, now she has nothing to check against. This is Eve’s dilemma – she has 2 truths before her – God’s truth - she will die if she eats the forbidden fruit – and the Serpent’s truth – surely you won’t die. How will she know which is the true truth unless she tests it.

 

It’s a little bit like the Salem witch trials. If someone was accused of being a witch they were tied up and dunked into a body of water to determine whether they sink or float. Sinking to the bottom indicated that the accused was innocent but they would die. While floating indicated a guilty verdict and they would be sentenced to death.

 

Eve saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise. So she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, In today’s post modern culture there is a tendency, especially among the young, to ridicule those who resist temptation.  Everyone’s doing it. Don’t you want to fit in? Temptation comes through peer group pressure.

 

What does it mean to be tempted?  As we see in the Old Testament reading and also in our Gospel reading, temptation is to be pulled away from God by substituting what God has provided to what we provide. You’re hungry – if you’re the Son of God then why not change rocks into bread.  You know that the fruit looks good and if you eat it – YOU will be like God. Temptation disregards the words and commandments of God. And as a result we still find it easier to simply give in, like Eve.

 

Today’s gospel reading of the temptations of Jesus is of vital importance to each one of us to help us  understand just what Satan is doing. The first temptation deals satisfying our physical needs. It goes beyond just feeding our bodies but anything that brings pleasure. And that can be food – it can be sexual – it can be substance abuse. Things that will satisfy our physical pleasures. It is significant that this particular temptation comes when Jesus is famished and physically at his weakest.  That’s when Satan strikes.

 

It’s much like Paul’s warning about anger in Ephesians – don’t give Satan a foothold. That’s all he needs.

What makes it temptation is because it takes Jesus, and us away from God:  “Use your powers as the Son of God to change these stones into bread.”  Replace God’s provision with your own – then you’re in control. Like Adam and Eve – you will be like God.

 

How many times do we look for replacements to God in our life?  Even as Christians we can fall into the trap of trusting in our own endeavours first rather than God. But even when his own physical survival is at stake, Jesus clings to the assurance in his Heavenly Father - that we do not live by bread alone. Jesus knew the necessity for human nourishment;  He had compassion for the poor and hungry.  But our temptation is desire to satisfy our every need first and foremost above satisfying our trust in God to provide everything we need.

And we live in times where any and everything is available.

 

These days just about every corner has a gym and personal trainers everywhere, with the emphasis on a toned body. Society offers surgery to make every part of our body even more perfect without the pain of exercise. The body has become an idol for millions of people the world over.  So many people become dissatisfied with their lives that our own lives have become the focus of idolatry. Not living by bread alone means that we must not give into the temptation of allowing the needs of our bodies to overwhelm our need for the word of God.

 

The second temptation is like our Genesis text. Bringing doubt to God’s word using scripture in order to put God to the test.  Did God really say he would catch you and you will not dash your foot against the stone?

Let’s see. Satan has the ability to make us doubt God’s word by showing us where he fails to fulfil his promises to us. Jesus said, ‘Ask and it shall be given - so why doesn’t God answer my prayers?  Why doesn’t God punish the evildoers and reward good people?” What if God answered the prayers of those who want bad things to happen?

 

The third temptation is the seduction of power.  How easy it would have been for Jesus, weakened from hunger, all alone in the unforgiving desert, to forget where his strength came from. How many have turned their backs on God to the terrible seduction of power?  The seduction of success, power, fame, money. How many earthly leaders have gotten into power only to have that power corrupt them? How many countries have people starving while their leaders look after their own projects.

 

There is so much temptation of power that comes with wealth. The temptation is always there for us giving in to the worship of other gods – the gods of greed, of luxury, of controlling others.  All Satan tells us to do is forget that you belong to God. That’s what he did with Adam and Eve – YOU will be like God. Jesus again rejects this temptation as only God is worthy of our worship; only God deserves our service.

 

So Jesus response to these temptations is to stand firm on God’s Word and God’s promises which is what James also says in his letter: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. God did not abandon Adam and Eve after they sinned but their relationship certainly changed. There was a death of sorts – a spiritual death that we see happen immediately.

Their change of relationship to one where they feared God because of their nakedness. Where God could not find Adam.  But thankfully we have been found through Jesus. 

 

 The gospel shows us that Jesus has more power than sin.   With him we can overcome what we have not been able to on our own as the book of Hebrews reminds us: We have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  And that means we have no fear of God in our sin but can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Temptation to sin will face us each and every moment which is why Luther said that with our Baptism each day we should drown our old sinful self in repentance – the Old Adam – and let a new self rise cleansed by God’s forgiveness. Temptations will come – the good we want to do we will not do. The evil we do not want to do we will do. Thanks be to God who rescues us by the one who overcame temptation for us.

 

Sermon Ash Wednesday 2023 Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 – Be Reconciled

 Sermon Ash Wednesday 2023

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 – Be Reconciled

 

Be reconciled to God. Paul is pleading with us to be reconciled to God. It’s an interesting request. I didn’t think that I was not reconciled to God. Isn’t that what Easter and Jesus’ death are all about? I must admit that I’ve had issues with certain people in my lifetime but I’ve never felt the need to be reconciled to God. But perhaps this is Paul’s way of reminding us that if there is a lack of reconciliation with our brothers and sisters then this does in fact affect our relationship with God. There are references in Scripture that support this. John says - If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother or sister, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

 

Reconciliation with one another is not always easy. And it seems that the closer the relationship then the more difficult it is. Such as families, marriages and churches. When there is a dispute in these close relationships then the hurt is greater and the separation seems wider. We feel at times we have good reason to maintain that grudge because of what they have done to us. You don’t know how they’ve treated me.  ou don’t know the things they’ve done to me. You don’t know the things they’ve said about me. I can never forgive them this side of eternity. You know, I actually heard a fellow Seminary student say that in a prayer meeting about his family who had hurt him. I can never forgive them this side of eternity. And I must admit that at the time when I’ve been “kicked in the guts” that I have actually felt that way even though I might not have stated it. Maybe you’ve felt that way when you’ve been betrayed or hurt.

 

I have no doubt there are many hurt people at present in our Lutheran Church of Australia. And as much as we would love to be firstly reconciled with one another it’s a massive journey if we want to do it on our own.

And that’s why Paul encourages us to be reconciled to God because that is where – and the only place where – we can gather the strength to be reconciled to one another in times like this. And Paul shows us just how much sacrifice it takes in those situations in God’s reconciliation with us. It took the sacrifice of his Son. God made him who had no sin to become our sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

No one is saying that it’s easy to reconcile with one another when there has been great hurt and betrayal. No one is saying there is not further hurt in the process as Jesus experienced – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me. But in the result of reconciliation with God we have been eternally blessed. Likewise when we are reconciled with one another how much comfort and warmth we experience and we ask ourselves – “why didn’t I forgive right at the beginning and save myself all that hurt I experienced. Sometimes reconciliation takes time.

 

As we begin our Lenten journey this year it is probably one of the most reflective Lenten seasons we have ever had. Reconciliation has probably never been as important as it is now. For many it may seem impossible but with God all things are possible. Humankind sentenced God’s one and only Son to death and yet it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died – the godly for the ungodly. Forgive them Father for they know not what they are doing. If we think that reconciliation is impossible then we need to look again to the cross of Jesus Christ where our reconciliation with God began and ended. Those words Jesus cried out from the cross – it is finished – meant the work of reconciliation was finished.

 

This Lent let us go on a journey together of reconciliation. And here’s the challenge. Is there someone in your life with whom you need reconciliation? Perhaps it was that person who was the cause of the harm. Perhaps it is that person that needs to make things right with you. But look at our Gospel reading and what Jesus reveals.

Six times Jesus uses the word – “secret”. That your giving may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

That your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

Whether you receive justice for being the bigger person in this lifetime is not important. Your heavenly Father sees what is done in secret and will reward you – in fact he has rewarded you already. Who knows that by your act of reconciliation you may indeed save someone eternally. So may God bless you this Lent as you journey with Christ to the Cross of Reconciliation. And may your reconciliation with God strengthen you to be reconciled with one another.

Sermon 19th February 2023 - Transfiguration - Text Matthew 17:1-9

 Sermon 19th February 2023 - Transfiguration

Text Matthew 17:1-9

At lunch times I like to go home and while I’m eating my lunch I usually watch an episode of one of my favourite TV shows and it’s usually a law based show – often one of the Law and Order episodes or sometimes for a bit of a chuckle Judge Judy. What I find is that I often fall asleep – some people call it a “nanny-nap” and I awake just before the end of the show and they’ve convicted and sentenced the guilty party. So I then rewind to the part I last remembered and start watching again. But now I know how it’s going to end. The suspense has gone. It doesn’t matter if the crime seems unsolvable or if someone’s been kidnapped and held hostage and you’re in a panic if they are going to be released. I’ve seen how it ends.

 

The Transfiguration account today has a similar format. Jesus has taken Peter, James and John up on a mountaintop and while he is there he reveals his glory. He gives them sneak peak of what the end really looks like. Matthew says he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Why would Jesus do this? It’s the same reasoning as to why God brought St Paul into Heaven to show him all the things waiting for him. In 2 Corinthians chapter 12 we read:

 

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.  And I know that this man was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. So Paul is saying that God brought him into heaven while he was still alive to give him a “sneak-peak” of what is awaiting him. Jesus has prepared Peter,

 

James and John for the horrific scenes they are about to see – Jesus’ arrest, suffering and death. But he wants to assure them that what they are about to see is not the end of the story Likewise for St Paul. Paul will undergo great suffering as he takes the Gospel to the world: I’ve been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. But Paul never gave up because he knew that eternal glory awaited him. That despite the seemingly losing battle he was fighting that the battle had already been won by Christ.

 

And this is what Jesus is reassuring Peter, James and John that there is eternal glory waiting and he gives them just a glimpse of that glory. We too are given a glimpse of that glory every time we gather in worship. As we hear God’s word of forgiveness to assure us of the heavenly destination Paul saw. As we receive a foretaste of the feast to come in Holy Communion and see a brief glimpse of Jesus glory as did Peter, James and John. These are what God gives to us for the very same reason as he did for Peter, James and John and for Paul. So that we do not get disheartened when we journey through this lifetime and all the challenges we face. As we stare into the eyes of suffering and despair Jesus reminds us that the battle has been won and to keep fighting the good fight.

 

Like Martha who was distracted by many things we are invited to sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary for the one thing needful. The glimpses are just that – glimpses. They are a foretaste of what is awaiting. But for now, like Peter, James and John, we must travel back down from the mountain top to the valley of the shadow of death, where we will not be afraid because Jesus, our Good Shepherd is with us – as he promised in our Baptism. Peter, James and John were terrified in their experience. They fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.

 

Jesus too comes and assures us that we don’t need to be afraid as he is with us. Like Paul we journey back from our glimpse of paradise to live with our own “thorns in the flesh” but knowing that God’s grace is all we need.

 

On Wednesday we begin again our Lenten journey for this year. It was a journey that Peter did not want to take – never Lord. But Jesus rebukes Satan for putting that fear into Peter – Get behind me Satan. Satan didn’t want Peter, or us, to take that journey because it is a journey that leads to the Cross of Christ where the battle is fought to the end and Jesus comes out victorious. Not immediately to the human eye – just as our daily battles with the world do not see our victory immediately. But as we keep our eyes focused on the cross we will be led further to the empty grave where the victory is seen as Jesus defeats Satan and his only weapon – death. So too, as we journey this valley of the shadow of death, let us keep our eyes on the cross as Jesus leads us beyond his death on the cross to his victorious resurrection from the dead – the full victory of Christ to eternal life.

 

May God bless you as you take this Lenten journey.

 

Sermon 12th February 2023 – 6th Sunday after Epiphany Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 – Spiritual growth

 Sermon 12^th February 2023 – 6^th Sunday after Epiphany

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 – Spiritual growth

 

It’s hard to fathom that our Grandson is turning one next week. It’s been amazing watching him develop – crawling, standing up and eating solid foods. That last one is trickier than the first 2. Crawling and standing up is something he develops when he is ready to do so. But moving from milk to solid foods is something parents experiment with when they think the child is ready. It’s a sign that their bodies are maturing.

 

Paul today uses the analogy of progressing from milk to solid foods in his message to the Corinthians about their Christian faith, in particular their spiritual growth and maturity. He says - I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food.

 

What was it that made the distinction between infants and adults in their Christian faith and maturity – the spiritual and those of the flesh? Paul is quite direct on this – As long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations?

 

The Corinthian church, much like the church of today, was a divided church. In fact the church has always faced the challenges of division. The division between East and West – Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. Then came the division between Roman Catholic and Protestants. Then further divisions into today’s various denominations.

 

Paul had been contacted by some from Chloe’s household that there were quarrels among the church members. The argument was about – who had the better baptism. One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Peter”; still another, “I follow Christ.” And that’s where Paul points out why they are still immature in their spiritual growth. Because they had not overcome their human way of dealing with issues in their faith. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?

 

This, Paul says, is the crux of spiritual immaturity: For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human? Couldn’t this be said of today’s church? Isn’t this why our churches are declining? Because when we are acting in this way we are hindering the work of the Holy Spirit and spiritual growth and maturity. That’s Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church and every church: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

 

So, if we are focusing on ourselves then we hinder the true work of God through his Holy Spirit. When we fail to recognize that then we remain as infants in our faith. Because we are failing to recognize the presence of Christ with us. For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. Note who is the power – God’s servants, God’s field, God’s building. And the growth comes when we “work together”.

This is in complete contrast to “I follow Paul, I follow Apollos” God is the one directing – not “I”.

 

We have a challenging way ahead for our church. Can we continue to “work together”? Division is nothing new in the church. After all, the church is made up of flawed human beings. It goes right back to Adam and Eve who wanted their own way rather than relying on God. Satan used that inherent weakness to tempt them – did God really say? And so Satan continues today in the church targeting our weaknesses. But Paul encourages us today to put aside our human flesh and seek after God’s presence and guidance in our lives.

I don’t know what the fallout is going to be from the vote yesterday but I do know that if we do not “work together” as Paul encourages us to do then whether the vote went your way or the other way we will not grow as a divided church. The challenge is now before us. Is this MY church or is this God’s church?

Is this God’s field to be harvested or is it MY field? As Paul reminds us – we are God’s servants. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and they will be like God. We are not gods – we are not even LIKE God – we are created in God’s image to be his light and salt in the earth as we heard Jesus say last week.

 

We are created to live under God’s guidance and direction and that is what is called for now as we work together to be God’s church here in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. What the coming weeks, months and years have ahead of us, I don’t know. But I do know that Jesus gave his life for the church as Paul says in Ephesians: Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain  or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. This is God’s church and only God can make it grow.

So we are all asked to put our faith and trust in God and allow the Spirit of unity to work a miracle amongst us. As Paul says in Ephesians - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

Let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. My prayer is that we can work through this – together. To be a witness to the world of unity and peace and that we are God’s servants, working together.

Sermon 5th February 2023 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany Text: Matthew 5:13-20 – Salted or Assaulted

 Sermon 5^th February 2023 – 5^th Sunday after Epiphany

Text: Matthew 5:13-20 – Salted or Assaulted

 

We live in a very health-conscious age. We watch our calorie intake – we read that ever shrinking panel on the back of products to see how many kilojoules that frozen pizza has. We try to get those 10,000 steps up each day. We chose “fat free”, “no added sugar” and “reduced salt” as healthy options. You reduce your guilt when you stop past McDonalds and get the Large Meal Deal as long as you get Diet Coke as the drink option.

 

Jesus uses analogies today to describe our presence in the world as Christians as salt of the earth. A very interesting analogy because salt can actually be considered harmful to our health. No doubt if you’ve been for a checkup recently that one of the recommendations by your GP would have been to try and reduce your salt intake. But could you imagine a life without salt? Your fish n chips – that piece of steak – that salad– those salt and vinegar chips. So it’s not about getting rid of salt but finding just the right balance between health and taste. Even though Jesus speaks about salt losing its saltiness there’s a lot of questions as to whether that can actually happen.

 

But what can happen is that salt can lose its benefits particularly when it is overused or wrongly used – hence the saying “rubbing salt into a wound”. Or if you put too much salt on your fish and chips it can actually ruin the flavour. And you can’t unsalt it – it takes into the taste immediately. And you can’t add something to nullify it. You can’t add sugar to counterbalance the saltiness. So when Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth this is something we seriously need to consider. Of how we balance our saltiness in the world so that we don’t cause harm to people and the Christian message by oversalting.

 

But on the other hand, just like fish and chips without salt – our world without the Christian message would be a poor world indeed. So, it’s about striking a balance. It’s how we read our situations. Have you ever put salt on your meal without tasting it? You presume the chips always need salt. But what if the person who prepared the chips had already put salt on them?

 

Likewise it can be harmful to a situation when we come straight in with the LAW of God in order to judge and create repentance to lead to forgiveness and we haven’t read the situation of the person. Sometimes a person’s spirit has been already weighed down with guilt and remorse and they need to hear the freeing word of comfort in the Gospel – your sins are forgiven – you are accepted by God. Like the woman caught in adultery who was already aware of her wrongdoing by those wanting to stone her. Judgment had already been passed.

 

There is a saying that journalism exists to Comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. As Christians we need to be careful to ensure that we comfort the afflicted which is what Paul says in 2 Corinthians: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. That doesn’t mean there is no place for the law. No. Jesus said - Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

 

Last week we had our latest review and it was identified that a huge part of our mission in the -Go, Grow and Enable model is to “GO”. To be part of Jesus’ Great Commission - go and make disciples of all nations. This doesn’t just happen as Paul tells us in Romans: How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” And this is what Jesus means about being the light of the world.

 

We have been enlightened with the Holy Spirit through our Baptism. And we are commissioned to not keep that light hidden - No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. But, like salt, the purpose of that light is not for our own enlightenment but God’s –  Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

 

In Baptism is where the Great Commission originates - go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And notice that last part – TEACH them to obey. It’s not about judgment when it comes to the law but about teaching which is, sadly, how the Christian faith is often heard is - “THOU SHALT NOT”.

We want to teach people ABOUT God. And it is in that teaching that allows the Holy Spirit to do the necessary work. If it’s a word of the Law to bring about repentance then the Holy Spirit will do so in the right measure. If it’s a word of comfort that is needed then the Holy Spirit will do that too, in the right measure.

 

And that’s exactly what Paul discovered in our 2nd reading when he said: I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

 

The Holy Spirit knows exactly what is needed in a person’s life because no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Pastor Nathan spoke about connecting with our community. For those who missed it, he spoke about purchasing a camper trailer. And when he went to pick it up he discovered that the camper trailer and his vehicle had different connections and therefore he couldn’t connect them and take the camper trailer home. So we need to discover how we connect with people around us. Paul discovered that same challenge when he said: Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

 

So we need to start way back at the beginning. And Jesus said the greatest commandment is: Love God with all your heart. And love your neighbour as yourself. That’s the beginning. Be God’s salt in the world. Salt is used for healing – bring healing to those hurting in the world. Salt is used for preserving. We too can perverse God’s world by, as Jesus said, that people may see our good works and give glory to God. And, salt is used not just to flavour but to enhance and draw out the flavour of food. We too can bring flavour into the world by living lives that show our hope in God in a world that is losing much hope through wars, climate change, economic uncertainty, rising crime, health fears.

 

Yes we face them too but we know that God is and always will be in control and so we live with hope.

And 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.