Sermon 19th November 2023 – 25th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 25:14-30 – A trusting relationship

 Sermon 19^th November 2023 – 25^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 25:14-30 – A trusting relationship

 

Although he didn’t invent the saying, famous basketballer Michael Jordan made popular the saying:  “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” In other words, if you have a shot and miss then at least you gave it a go. If you don’t have a shot then it doesn’t matter how good or experienced you are you will never make the shot.

 

As we read today’s Gospel reading, the parable speaks along similar lines. The message of the parable is that what God requires of us is not success, but faithfulness. The parable opens with an act of trust.  The master is about to leave town on a journey and he entrusts his wealth to three servants.  Each is given a different sum of money.  The master trusts each of his servants handing over the money without any instructions on what they have to do with it or what he expects when he returns. It’s simply trust.

 

After a long time, the master returns and calls in his three servants.  Two of them have doubled their money. The third has made nothing at all; he returns to his master exactly what he received. He thought he was doing his master a favour by simply looking after it by burying the money in the ground. He reveals the reason for his action: fear. Fear of the master. So while the first 2 servants had a relationship based on trust – the 3rd servant’s relationship was based on fear. And what a difference it makes both in how they deal with their master’s property and how they relate to the master. The trust of the 3rd servant in his master was zero, so he reduced his financial risk to zero.  Yet he reduced the possibility of profit so that it, too, was zero. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t make.

 

The story does have unanswered questions.  How would the master have responded to the first two servants if they had lost the money or not made a profit?  I think the master would have accepted them. Because as we look at the parable what he commends is not their profits, but their faithfulness. He says - Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Certainly the Master would have been experienced in some ventures not working. Even though the first servant earns more than the second, both receive the same commendation: “Well done, good and trustworthy servant.”  Both receive the same reward: “You have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” But in responding to the third servant, the master makes it clear that he would have accepted anything – even rock-bottom, savings-account interest – that was motivated by faith rather than fear.

 

The parable is not about money or ability so much as it is about trust. The master trusts his servants and hopes for their trust in return.  Two of the servants return the favor by living out of trust rather than fear. Interestingly, the 3rd servant is not judged on what he didn’t make but he his judged on his own words in his relationship with the Master: Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? What this servant gets is exactly the rejection he fears.  The other two servants, however, understand grace when they see it.  Here is a man who’s generous, who takes a risk, who accepts them, even honors them. They feel empowered, and are willing to take risks of their own. They have watched their master and learned from him. The love their master has shown them overcomes their fear of failure.  The master’s love for them has generated love for their master – that he is more interested in them than in gaining a profit.

 

This relationship turns upside down the standards of the world which sees profit as success.  This parable rejects the notion of a God who is unmerciful and judgmental. The 3rd servant was not judged by the master’s standards but by his own words and relationship with the Master. Likewise God does not banish people to hell but honours their relationship with himself. As Jesus says - Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. The 3rd servant has judged himself. The parable assures us that failing is not a sin. The worst thing is living in fear of God. In the eyes of God, the fear that keeps a treasure in the ground is a lack of trust and belief in God.

 

The freedom we live with puts that treasure of God at risk – and may even result in its loss – that is an act of faith. The same faith shown by God in creating us with free-will. A free will that could return his love or reject him. A free will that saw his own son put to death. And that is why we have forgiveness.

 

We can learn from our failures, and often it is failure that provides the most valuable lessons.  But fear teaches us nothing and earns nothing. So many times in the Gospels the disciples are rebuked by Jesus not for lack of faith but for fear. And we see many examples of how fear creates selfishness and self-preservation rather than generosity. The same traits in our 3rd servant who thought of his own preservation.  Like the elder brother who refuses to welcome home the prodigal son. The all-day workers who demand that late arrivals receive less than the daily wage. The Pharisee who tries to talk God into accepting him because he’s kept the rules, unlike that tax collector over there – and yet it was the tax collector who went home justified before God. The criticism of Jesus for letting “that woman” touch him and waste expensive perfume on him. All these and more live in a fearful world, where grace is absent and selfishness abounds.

 

But we, too, are often given to burying our talent out of fear. We live in what is called ‘maintenance ministry’ rather than mission ministry. Checking if we can afford to do something rather than trusting that God will provide. The Good News of Jesus gives new meaning to success and security.  Grace is about our willingness to risk in response to God’s invitation.  Security is found in a God who trusts us and who takes a risk in us, and asks that we risk also. God doesn’t need our money – he needs our faith and trust in him. Like the poor widow who gave 2 small copper coins – all she had – whom Jesus said gave more than all the riches given to the treasury. The only thing that concerns God and all he seeks is that “I desire mercy not sacrifice”.

 

“The Parable of the Talents” is not about money or abilities.  It’s a story about trust, a story about risk.

Life is the same way.  What turns out to be important is not our money or abilities in themselves, but using what God has given us in ways that show our willingness to risk and to trust.  Jesus has left us with the promise of his return.  While we wait, he has given us gifts to use for the benefit of the community. Using these gifts can be risky; we may face persecution, rejection, ridicule. Sometimes it’s easier to bury our faith and just wait. We’re right. We have assurance of our salvation. But what about everyone else. We cannot “play it safe” like the third servant, fearing negative possibilities, letting those gifts be unused, or underused.

God took a risk with us and asks us to trust him as Jesus says in John 14 – you trust in God, trust also in me.

So let us live lives of trust and not fear as we wait to here those words - Well done, good and trustworthy servant; enter into the joy of your master.

Sermon 12th November 2023 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 25:1-13 – Patiently waiting

 Sermon 12^th November 2023 – 24^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 25:1-13 – Patiently waiting

 

How are you at waiting? It can be hard to wait.  Don’t you get frustrated when you are put on hold and you hear: “Your call is important to us. Please continue to hold.”  Do you feel like hanging up? “Take a number and have a seat until you are called” is not too bad. At least you know where in line you are. I recently had to have a blood test and it’s one of those ‘take a number’ when you arrive. You can’t make an appointment. So I arrived 30 minutes early so I could be first. Unfortunately someone else had the same idea so I was 2nd. Or when “your results will be in two weeks” and it’s now 15 days and you haven’t heard anything. And no doubt many of you have experienced the shortage of specialist appointments especially since Covid and “The next available appointment is in six months.”

 

Waiting is hard because we are not in control. The parable Jesus tells is about a wedding feast and waiting. When the feast was set to begin, the groom would come get his bride, and together they would walk to the wedding banquet with the bridesmaids holding lamps to light the way for them to walk to the feast. There are no streetlights, there is no electricity, no headlights so their job was to light the way.  The problem in the parable is that only half of the bridesmaids were prepared as the bridegroom had been delayed.  The other five weren’t.  All of them had fallen asleep. So, when the bridegroom comes, 5 are not ready. The 5 who brought extra oil don’t have enough to share. So the unwise bridesmaids go off in a panic trying to get a refill for their lamps.  Eventually, they do, but by the time they arrive, it’s too late, the door has been locked, and for those five bridesmaids, they are locked out. Despite their pleas and now being ready, the bridegroom is not ready for them: Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’.

 

This is an interesting story but sadly it’s also an example of eternal life and the reality that some miss out because they were not prepared for the day when Jesus returns or when Jesus calls them home. The bridegroom’s arrival is a symbol of the Second Coming of Christ, when he will bring the faithful to the heavenly banquet, a great feast for eternity. This Parable actually explains the challenge that the church faces today. The 5 bridesmaids were not evil according to the parable. They were unwise. They thought they had plenty of time so why bother with extra oil for their lamps. We’re still waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom.  2000 years ago Jesus promised to return and our biggest challenge has been complacency and the temptation to give up. But it’s not just those who have lapsed from their faith or church attendance.

 

Even we can fall into the situation of the 5 unwise bridesmaids. We believe in Jesus but we might also believe that he’s not going to return today so I’ll worry about it tomorrow. It’s easy to become disheartened about the delay which can cause doubts. Why doesn’t Jesus come and set things right?  What’s taking him so long?  There’s a lot wrong with the world -- so much suffering!  The wars – the violence – the natural disasters.  The parable urges us to remain vigilant in preparedness and watchfulness; especially in the face of such tragedies. One day Jesus will return like a thief in the night and will we be ready. Whether we’re waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus or waiting to meet our Lord when we die, as Paul describes in our 2nd reading; We are still waiting and it’s been 2000 years since Jesus said he would return. How are you at waiting?        

 

We don’t like waiting, but God promises us blessings even as we wait.  Waiting is not doing nothing, and having to wait for the Lord doesn’t mean God is doing nothing. God is always at work, doing “far more than we can ask or imagine,” according to Ephesians 3:20.  Waiting doesn’t mean inactivity.  Having oil at the ready, being prepared, comes from living in trust.

Trust in our Baptism where we were made children of God – and that is what we are, as we heard from John last week. Trust in Holy Communion where we proclaim our Lord’s death until he comes. There are ways to strengthen that trust. Prayer, reading the Scriptures, fellowship and worship with other Christians, caring for people.  We are only on earth for a short time when you compare it to spending an eternity in Heaven. God wants us to appreciate the world he’s given as a gift. But there are some not nice things happening around us and that’s another thing we can do as we wait for Christ to return. We can pray for the world where it needs healing. Whether it’s the wars around the world – the floods, the fires, the droughts, the diseases. We can pray that through these adversities that they will see the need for God in their life now – not tomorrow for tomorrow may be too late. Today is the day of salvation.

 

Paul warns that one day the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven and as John prophesies in Revelation chapter one the people will cry out: “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” And “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” And then at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and  every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, But sadly some will be on the wrong side of the shut door as Jesus says – away from me I never knew you. They will be the saddest words ever spoken and ever heard. But they are words no one needs to hear or fear. There is always hope as everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL be saved. And yes, as much as we don’t like to think about it, time does run out.  You can’t say forever,  “Someday I’ll think about my relationship with Jesus”. No Jesus ask you and everyone today – who do you say that I am. Today is the day of Salvation.

 

But the good news is that we’re still here. It is not too late.  Jesus is preparing a great feast for us - the great banquet feast of heaven and we don’t want to miss it. And it’s not just about being ready to welcome the Lord only at death. The kingdom of heaven begins here and now. Christ comes into our life every day, in many ways.  But are our eyes and ears open to perceive his presence?  Are we alert to welcome him and to respond to his invitation today of “Follow me”? As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer – your Kingdom come.

 

We do not have to wait for death to experience the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus comes to us to  lead us to the full life which has been made possible by his death and resurrection. As he said in John 10:10 - I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. Not I WILL come that they WILL have abundant life. Jesus is delayed, but that does not mean that he will not come. In fact St Peter says in his letter that his delay is part of God’s grace: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

We are a fast-moving society.  We don’t like delays. Even if it’s less than a minute at a red light. There’s no need to fear the delay as God has given us life to enjoy until his return. There is no need to fear God saying “I never knew you” because in your Baptism God affirmed – this is my son this is my daughter whom I love. He has given you his Son’s body and blood to receive until he returns and says Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Sermon 5th November 2023 – All Saint Day Hidden glory

 Sermon 5^th November 2023 – All Saint Day

Hidden glory

 

People often talk about the Book of Revelation as if it’s a taboo book. You hear comments along the lines of – it’s too freaky – I don’t understand it – it’s too frightening with all that stuff about the dragon, the mark of the beast, Armageddon and all that end of the world stuff. Others misuse it as if it’s some sort of timeline for judgement day and trying to figure out where we are in the timeline of Jesus returning. And when we see all the troubles around the world especially in the Middle East doomsayers try to find where in Revelation it speaks about it. But the book of Revelation is a book of hope. It is a book about Worship and our relationship with God in Heaven which is not just a future event but a current event.

 

It was written by John who was persecuted for his Christian faith and banished to the Island of Patmos as punishment because he wouldn’t reject Christ and bow down to the emperor. There on the Island of Patmos John has a vision where God reveals to him that despite what his eyes see and his life experiences that God is in control of the spiritual warfare battle against the powers of darkness. Here in today’s reading we hear of great comfort as we read about the great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. crying out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. This, as I mentioned earlier, describes worship both of our future existence and also our current experience. We hear that whenever we celebrate Holy Communion where we gather and commune with the angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim and all the company of Heaven.

 

Even though our eyes don’t see it, if God were to unveil our worldly flesh we would see ourselves among that heavenly gathering standing before the Lamb crying out to the one seated on the throne. As Hebrews say – we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses – the heavenly saints gone before us. That’s what God did for John. He wasn’t taken up into heaven away from his earthly existence but had the veil removed – which is what the word Revelation means – which in its original language was called the Book of the Apocalypse. Again, the word ‘apocalypse’ has changed in meaning to create fear – a destruction. But, the origin of that word was far from that meaning to uncover, reveal. Which is what John has had done to him. He has had the veil covering his earthly eyes to have the heavenly realm revealed to him.

 

St Paul talks in very similar ways in his letter to the Colossians – and remember St Paul was also taken into Heaven but he wasn’t sure if it was in the body or out of the body. And in Colossians 3 he writes about that uncovering or revelation: He says: Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For 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.  Note Paul speaks of the future in present terms – already but not yet – it’s often described as. You HAVE died. Your life is hidden NOW. Paul says elsewhere – we ARE citizens of Heaven – not WILL BE citizens. When Christ’s glory is revealed then your glory that you have NOW will be revealed.

 

So on this day that we commemorate as All Saints Day our focus is on giving thanks to God for those of our loved ones who have run the race and finished. They have received their crown of glory. As Paul said to the Philippians - For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul was torn – he wanted to be with Christ in Heaven but he also knew that while he remained here on earth he had opportunity to share the Gospel with others. But until then we live in the hidden glory which Jesus speaks about in our Gospel reading. Where he begins with the reality we live in (that is, what our eyes see and our lives experience) and the revealed glory hidden in Christ:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, - the hidden glory - theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, - the hidden glory - they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, - the hidden glory - they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, - the hidden glory - they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, - the hidden glory - they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, - the hidden glory - they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, - the hidden glory - they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, - the hidden glory- theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

The hidden glory - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

 

So, particularly on this All-Saints Day as we grieve for our loved ones –  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. It is human nature to grieve. It is not a sign of lacking faith as St Paul says – We do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. So Paul confirms that grieving is a natural process when someone we love dies- or as Paul calls it – who sleep in death. But, we grieve with Christian hope a hope that means ‘blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted’. Comforted by the reality that Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life and that those who die believing in him shall live forever in Heaven.

 

It’s not easy dealing with death but how would one ever cope without our Christian faith. Death is death without Christian faith. And so we hear Jesus words to his disciples as they prepared for his death: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you? And I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

So as we grieve, as we mourn, we take comfort knowing that this is part of God’s true plan in Christ.

To bring us all home to him where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

So may God bring you the comfort and peace that only God can give by him who is the resurrection and the life and that whoever believes in him will not die but receive eternal life.

 

Sermon 29th October 2023 – Reformation Sunday Text: John 8:31-36 – Truly set free

 Sermon 29^th October 2023 – Reformation Sunday

Text: John 8:31-36 – Truly set free

 

Like a lot of people, maybe most people, perhaps all people, I don’t like to admit I’m wrong or to have my errors pointed out.

It’s very uncomfortable and we become very defensive. It’s a human weakness that goes right back to the beginning of Creation. Adam and Eve sinned and when God confronted them, they both pointed the finger away from themselves. Adam even blaming God along with his wife Eve. “The woman YOU gave me, she made me eat. Eve, in turn – don’t look at me – it was the snake, he tricked me. I’m not suggesting things would have turned out differently but what if Adam and Eve fell on their knees searching for God’s mercy and admitted their error instead of hiding and denying their blame. It seems to be a natural defense mode to deny responsibility and look for ways to justify our actions. It can manifest itself in several ways.

We can deny any wrong doing – it wasn’t me. We can compare ourselves to others – at least I’m not as bad as that person.

We can point the finger at other people and blame them: Children love that one – well, he started it. We can even justify ourselves – everyone is doing it.

 

And it is this principle that is at the heart of the Reformation. The Reformers had a term for it - Incurvatus in se – that we are curved in on ourselves. And so Luther, when he was dealing with his sinfulness that drove him to despair – looked within himself for relief. To balance his sin with good deeds trying to prove to himself that he was worthy of God’s acceptance. But the more he looked inside himself the more despair he discovered. Luther in fact began to despise Jesus through this as a tyrant. It was said that the only way to appease this vengeful Jesus, as taught by the church, was to seek the kind and beneficent intercession of his mother Mary. Luther went to the 'Mother of God', who, unlike her vindictive son, was full of tenderness and compassion.  Mary became the sole refuge for the terrified monk. Until he discovered the glorious truth of salvation by grace through faith. The message of the book of Romans.

 

Luther discovered what St Paul discovered in his writing to the Roman Church - no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; that the righteousness of God has been made known and that righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Luther discovered that comfort for our sin was not found in ourselves but rather outside of ourselves. This is so counterculture because it’s not inbred in us by birth and by society. To many it would seem like weakness to admit to a fault in yourself. Jesus had this discussion with the Pharisees. They looked to themselves for justification before God: We are Abraham’s descendants. But that was not going to give them any true peace. Instead, Jesus said - “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

 

Luther finally discovered  true peace that came not by trying to meet an unobtainable standard before God. Not by trying to justify himself before God as Adam and Eve tried to. Not by trying to justify himself by comparing himself to others – in fact he discovered what Paul said in Romans - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Not by his credentials as if somehow they might balance in his favour as the Pharisees did with their “we are children of Abraham” comment. But by discovering God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and the truth that all are justified freely by his grace through Christ Jesus.

 

So, just all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – so too, Jesus Christ has justified us freely by his grace. And it was THAT truth that set him free. That was the beginning of the Reformation.

 

We live in a world where there are so many expectations placed on us. Whether it be financially, socially, career, sporting achievement. There is the expectation to succeed that is causing so much mental strain on children trying to achieve expectations placed on them. Especially at this time with exams and tertiary entrance scores to see if you’re accepted. But how freeing it is that when it comes to God there are no expectations when it comes to accepting us as his children.

 

Before God there are no distinctions as Paul said in Romans - There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, or any other classification. All have been created in God’s image. All have been saved by grace through Jesus. It is only we who make those expectations, be they on ourselves or on other people. How truly freeing it is knowing that we are loved by God so much.

Sometimes that is hard to understand when we look in the mirror and can’t even love ourselves and yet God, the creator of the universe actually loves us. He loves us because he created us in order to love. That is something we should never doubt because God is love.

 

The Reformation was an historic event in the church. It began a new movement of Protestant Churches. But more than that it reinstated in the minds of the common person that God loved them unconditionally. That God would remember our sins no more and neither should we. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians – love keeps no record of wrongs. There is only one person who remembers sin – and that is Satan – the accuser. He will have you believe that there is nothing lovely in you – that there is nothing loveable in you when it comes to God. But just as God said to Israel he says to us: The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you. And the Lord loves you and has given his Son for you so that you may live in Heaven with him.

 

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life – and his truth truly sets us free.

 

 

Sermon 22nd October 2023 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost Text Matthew 22:15-22 – Image is everything

Sermon 22^nd October 2023 – 21^st Sunday after Pentecost

Text Matthew 22:15-22 – Image is everything

 Image seems to be everything these days. In social media you have to get that profile picture just right so people will friend you, add you, follow you, swipe you, like you – after that I’m not sure what’s next. If you’re a public figure you have to make sure your public image is kept clean especially these days with the ability to go back on the internet to find pictures or stories about you that can come back to haunt you. And we know how many politicians and celebrities have been brought down because of their public image being tarnished from 20 or 30 years ago. We used to have a phenomenon called “Tall Poppy Syndrome” where while it was exciting watching a person rise to the top of their field – if they got too successful and too boastful we would look for opportunities to bring them down – like a child who sees a tall poppy a feels the need to kick it. More modern is the phenomenon called “Cancel Culture” where we are not satisfied with just smearing a person’s image we have to make sure they leave in disgrace. Image is important.

 

Today Jesus’s image is inflated by the Pharisees: “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. You just feel there’s a “BUT” coming soon. And sure enough we’re told that the Pharisees intention was a plot to entrap Jesus. Tell us, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not. They’re trying to get Jesus with one of those – damned if you do and damned if you don’t scenarios. Much like Jesus caught them out regarding John’s Baptism – was it of human origin or from God. Whatever answer they gave they were doomed. If it was from God then why didn’t you believe him. If it was from human origin they were afraid of a revolt. Likewise if Jesus says it is right to pay taxes to Caesar he could lose followers who were hoping that Jesus would lead a revolution against the Roman rule. If he says it is not right he could face charges of treason against the Romans. Brilliant as always, Jesus turns the tables on them. Whose image is printed on the coin. They say – Caesar’s. So, Jesus says, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.

 

So the question is – what belongs to God? Where is God’s image imprinted? Well, we go back to the beginning of creation in Genesis chapter one. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them – in his own image. What belongs to God – we do. Where is God’s image imprinted? In us. Our very lives. As St Paul also testifies in 1 Corinthians: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. And again, Therefore, I urge you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

 

It’s interesting watching our grandson growing up. As he gets older and more interactive you begin to observe similarities in looks and actions not just with parents but also as grandparents. This includes both looks and behaviors. They copy things you do but also some natural instinct behaviours are noticed because they are family. And, in a sense, this is what Jesus is referring to in the 2nd part of his answer. We render to Caesar what is Caesar’s because the coin has his image on it. But we also offer to God what has his image on it – ourselves – our very lives. This is what Jesus sums up as the greatest commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your hearts, soul, mind and strength. And, love your neighbour as yourself because your neighbour also bears God’s image as you do. As John says – how can we love God whom we have not seen if we cannot love our neighbour whom we can see.

 

And so the way we treat one another reflects on our love for God. That’s why when Jesus asked, what is the greatest commandment – another attempt to trap him – he again brilliantly answered this by saying – love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. He didn’t have to choose one of the 10 commandments above the other because LOVE for God and neighbour ensured we kept all of them. The reason I don’t steal from my neighbour is not because God’s commandment forbids me to do so or because I fear punishment if I’m caught. No, I don’t steal from my neighbour because I love them and don’t want to hurt them. And because they are created in God’s image I don’t want to hurt God either. And every single commandment or law can be kept in such a manner. Even if we’re not sure which commandment applies to a certain situation – or we’re not even sure if it’s against God’s will then we can apply this measure – is it hurting my neighbour? Is it going to reflect poorly on God’s image?

 

Did you know that it is an offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate or destroy Australian banknotes or coins? It incurs a hefty fine and up to 2 years imprisonment. God values human life even more. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. All life belongs to God and God values life as he has imprinted his own image onto each and every person. And we are called to respect that in ourselves and in every person. Do not ever undervalue yourself. You were bought at a very hefty price – not with silver or gold but with the life of God’s one and only Son.

 

Do not ever undervalue your neighbour because they are your brother or sister in Christ. Which is why God commands us to love our neighbour as ourself – because we are one in Christ – in the image of God. Even though sin marred our relationship with God we never lost God’s love for us. Sin put a barrier between us an God that did not allow Moses to look at God’s face an live. But at Jesus death, as the temple curtain was torn in two – Jesus opened up our access to God. So much so that we don’t just look at God’s face but we receive his Son’s body and blood into our hands. We are able to hold God’s Holy Word in our hands and through that word and water become his children with full inheritance restored. Even the angels see us as if they are staring into God’s face as Jesus says in Matthew 18. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

 

So when you look around you – see what God sees in your neighbour. When you look in the mirror – see what God sees.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians: We reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. His own image – an image he loves so much that he sacrificed his one and only son so he could have you in heaven with him.

 

 

 

Sermon 15th October 2023 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Matthew 22:1-14 – You are invited

 Sermon 15^th October 2023 – 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Matthew 22:1-14 – You are invited

 

Jesus has used quite a few parables in recent weeks to give us a picture of what the Kingdom of Heaven is going to look like. He used examples of a fine pearl, a great treasure, a mustard seed, a treasure found in the field, a net cast into the sea to catch a load of fish. But here we have an imagery of what life in the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. It looks like a wedding feast. And what a beautiful image that is. If you’ve ever been to a wedding and a wedding reception you know how much effort goes in for this to be perfect. This is the bride’s special day – it has to be perfect. You can’t have a hair out of place. You have wedding rehearsals to hopefully prevent any last minute uncertainty. The hair and makeup is started at the crack of dawn. The photographer arrives early to capture every preparation of the big day.

 

One of the hardest parts however of a wedding is getting the invitation list together. Weddings are expensive – a meal you might pay $30 to $50 in a restaurant can end up around $200. So you refine the list – you have a back up list so if someone can’t make it you can invite them because you would have already paid for them. I remember with our son getting married that because of Covid we were even ringing people the day before the wedding to invite them because someone had come down with Covid.

 

In our bible reading we have a King giving a wedding banquet for his son. It’s hard to imagine that anyone would say NO to a royal wedding - such an elite invitation yet this is what we find. But not only did they say NO they got angry at being invited: They made light of the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. Not wanting the day to be ruined the King extends the invitation to anyone who is prepared to come. It didn’t matter if they were on the A list – anyone, good or evil was invited. Through this parable we see that the King is a gracious King wanting nothing more than to invite people to his celebration and for some unknown reason his invited guests reject him.

 

This is a picture of our world condition. We have a God who loves the world so much that he sacrificed his own Son for us.

We have a God whose desire is to have all of us live in heaven with him. We have a God who wants to lavish on us all his love and abundance as John saw in Revelation: A new Heaven and Earth, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Where there will be no more suffering or death – where nothing evil will ever exist – and not only do people say no but they become violent and hateful to anyone who tries to share the Good News with them. Just like how they treated the King’s messengers who only came to let them know the sumptuous feast was ready for them: They seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. And yet this is how we find more often than not the response to the Gospel in the world today.

 

But we are not to give in but, like the King, continue to go out to the highways and byways to invite people to experience the joy of heaven. It’s so hard to understand what is so offensive about an invitation to experience heaven without anything required and yet that is what Jesus experienced and what the church continues to experience today. But God is a gracious God and does not treat us as we deserve. As we see in our Old Testament reading. Despite all that God has done for Israel at the first opportunity they replace God with a golden calf. The people demand from Aaron:“Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron took the gold from them and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”

 

God was furious – he disowned them - let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them;

But Moses stood between God’s judgment and the rebellious people who had rejected him. Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. And what did God do?

The Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. You see, God is not a vengeful God.

So often we read, as we read in today’s Psalm, the qualities of God as, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

 

Do you realise both the power and the responsibility that you have – that the church has – in standing between God’s anger at how the world treats him and the world. That’s why as Christians and the Church we pray for the world.

Because, as we see in the parable of the wedding feast there is a time of Judgment when those who reject Christ will face a judgment without the covering of Christ’s forgiveness. When the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

It’s unthinkable to imagine but there will come a time when all must face God’s judgment – when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord. As we read in Hebrews 9: people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

 

So let us be like Moses. Yes there is so much antagonism and rejection of the church but it’s not our place to call down fire and brimstone like James and John wanted to do when the Samaritans rejected them: “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. No, let us be like Moses, praying for them.

Let us listen to Paul who said:  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We can all get passionate and emotional at times and wonder why people can’t understand that God loves them and offers them eternal life in heaven. Just like I can’t understand why anyone would have rejected an invitation to a Royal Wedding. But that’s the reality of Satan turning the hearts of people against God.

 

But let us not be deterred from our faith that God can work miracles in the hearts of hardened hearts. Let us keep valuing whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable – and keep praying for the world and the God of peace will be with you.

 

 

Sermon 8th October 2023 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Philippians 3:4b-14 – True treasure in heaven

 Sermon 8^th October 2023 – 19^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Philippians 3:4b-14 – True treasure in heaven

 

Two teams played off last week to determine who was the Premiership Club in the AFL. A week earlier both clubs were ecstatic to have made the achievement of playing in the Grand Final. But there can only be one winner- the honour cannot be shared. I’ve always thought that it actually feels better to have not made the Grand Final than to compete in the Grand Final and lose. It’s like coming 2nd in the Olympics. You don’t focus on the fact that you’re the 2nd best in the world in that sport or in the competition but rather you feel that coming 2nd is losing. It’s interesting how quickly success can turn into seeming failure. But that’s the fickle nature of success – it doesn’t last and only lasts as long as your next defeat.

 

That’s why Paul when he reviews his life, despite all the accolades he received he regarded them all as rubbish compared to what knowing Jesus has given to him. Paul is speaking to his former colleagues who were perhaps trying to belittle Paul by revealing what he had thrown away because of his insane idea of becoming a Christian. His fellow Jews, particularly the Pharisees couldn’t understand why Paul would throw away his future for this group of people who were spreading a rumour that their leader, Jesus of Nazareth, rose from the dead. What a ludicrous idea to throw away your life for. In fact, the Romans thought this of Paul also:

When Paul was giving his defense before the Romans he said: Some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.

I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” At this point Festus, one of the Roman leaders, interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

 

Maybe some of your friends, or even family, have thought that you’re crazy spending all this time, energy and even money on this crazy idea of Jesus rising from the dead. Maybe you’ve had the opportunity to stand up for your faith but was afraid of what people might think. We all know what the media and general public think of Christianity. But that should never deter us. And remember what Jesus once said – if they hate you, remember they hated me first. In fact Jesus said that we are blessed if we are persecuted because of our faith: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Which is what Jesus is describing in his parable today:

 

A landowner sent his servants to collect the harvest for him. But they beat and killed them. He sent more servants – and they did the same. Then the landowner sent his own son believing they would listen to him. But they didn’t and killed him also. We have here the short history of Israel and God sending his prophets to urge them to return to God. But they didn’t listen. Now this parable was specifically written for Jesus’ time to explain God’s never give up attitude to saving humanity despite what we did to his prophets and what we did to his own Son. And that never give up love for humanity continues today. Despite the rejection of God’s church -the mocking – the attempts to close down the church – God never gives up on saving humankind.

Remember, it was WHILE we were yet sinners that Christ died for us.

 

And that is the understanding that we need to have towards the salvation of humankind. Some religions will issue threats and even death warrants if you dare disrespect their god and prophets. But God calls on us to turn the other cheek – to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. To go and do likewise as the Good Samaritan who stopped to help him enemy who had been hurt, at his own time and expense, rather than rejoice over his pain. Paul was even willing to give up his own salvation if it meant salvation for his people.

He says, in Romans 9 - With Christ as my witness, I speak the truth. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. Not only do successes only last a brief moment but so does our hurts and rejections. They only last for this lifetime and not in eternal life where nothing evil can exist. But sometimes we allow them to keep affecting our lives and keep hurting us. That’s why Paul says - forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

Yes Paul gave up a lot when he became a Christian – but he gain immeasurably more. As Paul says - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. The message Paul is trying to convey is value what is truly valuable. Everything else is passing or as Solomon says – he says everything is vanity - There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be     among those who come after. But what will not pass away is God who is eternal. And he has prepared a home in heaven for us that no one can take away. It’s waiting there for us which is why Paul says – to live is Christ, to die is gain.

 

If you come 2nd in life – or even if you don’t even get picked for the team. If you never achieve the accolades or possessions that others have. Remember what Paul says - I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Even if you are mocked or ridiculed because of your faith, remember – great is your reward in heaven.