Sermon 4th February 2024 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany Text: Mark 1:29-39 – Blessed proclaiming the Gospel

 Sermon 4^th February 2024 – 5^th Sunday after Epiphany

Text: Mark 1:29-39 – Blessed proclaiming the Gospel

 

The first chapter of Mark is an amazing chapter. Here we are about to end our Epiphany season and we are still in chapter one. In this chapter we’ve had the story of John the Baptist including his imprisonment; We’ve had the baptism of Jesus.

We’ve had the temptation and 40 days of fasting by Jesus. We’ve had the exorcism of an evil spirit in the synagogue. We’ve had the calling of the first disciples. And today we’ve had the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the gathering of all the people bringing Jesus their sick. And we have still got a fair bit to go yet.

 

Mark is trying to set the scene of who Jesus is – that there is a lot to know about this special person that has arrived on the scene for us to grasp. But it is all summed up in Jesus words today to his disciples who have not yet connected with his mission to the world. They think it’s to do all this miracle work in order to build up a bigger and bigger following – As the crowds started building up looking for this ‘miracle worker’ Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” They want Jesus to come back and keep doing the miracles – the healings – if he wants people to follow him. But that is not what Mark focuses on.

 

The miracles were a means to spreading the Gospel message. Jesus knows that he has come for a different reason and responds: Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that this is our mission as church and as Christians – to proclaim the Gospel – the Good News. Sometimes we get sidetracked on social justice issues or ensuring theological integrity is our mission. Now, these are important. In fact our reading begins with social justice – Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law.

 

But look at how Paul sees the importance of spreading the gospel is: If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! Is that a message – a warning – to the church today? Have we been sidetracked? Have we stopped proclaiming the Gospel as our primary goal and replaced the mission of the church with something else? Paul made great sacrifices as he went around telling the Jews and the Gentiles about Jesus Christ: And he said: I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. Isn’t that what we want? To share the blessings we have received. Isn’t that our motivation to share the blessings of God.

 

Sadly our motivation has often been on getting our churches bigger so we can balance our budget. I say that because that has often been my motivation. This is an increasing difficult and important task as we grow in a society that really has no idea about God or about Jesus. And if they know something about God and Jesus then it’s probably a misconception of the reality and most likely negative. This is not a new challenge. In fact this was Paul’s great challenge where had to go to great lengths in order to preach the gospel to the unbelievers. He said - For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

 

Paul made all these great sacrifices just so he might save “some”. If our motivation is to increase our numbers rather than sharing the Gospel and our blessings then we will quickly become disheartened when we don’t see results. Paul worked tirelessly to save “some”. He knew the momentous task ahead of him but he also remained realistic and trusting in God who seeks the one lost sinner. Maybe there is just one person that God has sent to us. Remember – Jesus left 99 to go looking for the one lost sheep. Jesus said there is more rejoicing in heaven over ONE person who repents rather than 99 who need no repentance. Sometimes we feel like giving up because it seems like we’re not making any headway but here Paul says – it’s worth it, even if it’s just some and not all.

 

It even seems like Isaiah in the Old Testament was needing to break things down to basics: Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;

 

There seemed to be a lack of knowledge amongst the Israelites – God’s own children – who had lost their way. It’s the same challenge we have today to a generation that doesn’t know God. Who has lost their way. Have you not known?

Have you not heard? We have an enormous challenge to let the world know about Jesus Christ. But let’s not look a the big picture because that can be quite daunting. Let’s look at the small picture – the one lost sheep who is in search of meaning. Not so we get them into church – that would be great – but so we can share the blessings we have experienced. As Paul says in Romans 10 The Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

 

How beautiful it is to bring Good News that God loves us unconditionally and sent his son Jesus Christ to us. The Gospel is the gift that keeps on giving for both the giver and the receiver.

Sermon 28th January 2024 – 4th Sunday after the Epiphany Text: Mark 1:21-28 – A new authority

 Sermon 28^th January 2024 – 4^th Sunday after the Epiphany

Text: Mark 1:21-28 – A new authority

 

Authority.

It’s a word that is supposed to bring us comfort and assurance. But in a world with increasing insecurity, authority can seem to be an invasion of our privacy which is what it’s actually supposed to be protecting us from. If you have any sort of online account – bank account – mygov account – or even one of your private interests – their attempt to protect you can cause major frustrations. You logon to your account and you have to find your phone because of what they term – 2 factor authorisation – and enter the code they sent you. A Password is no longer enough authorisation.

 

Or maybe you’ve been asked to update your password because it’s not considered strong enough and you have to include at least 8 characters including a number, a capital and lower case letter and a special character. And they are so hard to remember. I face a similar issue when I wanted a particular password that I can remember but the organisation says NO – you must do this – even though it’s MY account. In fact I read a funny comment this week that most people can remember their very first phone number from childhood but not the password they created yesterday. The uneasiness comes when someone uses their authority to keep us safe which seems to take away our rights. These were some of the complaints during the pandemic. These are many of the issues we face after terrorist attacks such as September 11 where our rights are removed for OUR safety as authority takes over.

 

And I think this is what we are seeing in our Gospel reading today with a sense of uneasiness when the people in the synagogue saw a new and different type of teaching from Jesus  -  They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes and previous teachers. What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him – (disciples – who is this that the wind and waves obey him?

That might sound like a good thing but it frightens them like the time Jesus removed a legion of demons from the man in the tombs and they begged Jesus to leave. And we know that down the track that this authority of Jesus will challenge them and they will begin to reject him when it infringes on their lifestyles. They challenge his right to have this authority. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get this authority?” Who does he think he is? And they took offense at him.

 

Sadly the word authority is easily misused such as when James and John wanted the place of honour next to Jesus over against their fellow disciples. Or when they wanted to call down fire and brimstone on the Samaritans for having the audacity to not recognise their authority. Jesus explains to them - “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, but among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Which is what Jesus did when he emptied himself of his heavenly authority to become a servant: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

 

At times the church has been seen to misuse its authority. Now, let’s understand – the church DOES have authority.

Before his Ascension Jesus says to his disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore 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 surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The authority Jesus speaks about is what we call The Gospel which Jesus explains in several places;

 

In Matthew’s Gospel he says:

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

In Lukes Gospel he says:

He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

And in John’s Gospel he says:

Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

That’s the authority Jesus has give to you – to Christians and to the Church – to bring comfort and peace to people through the forgiveness of sins – through the Gospel – to reconcile people with God. That’s it!

 

Yes, in some instances we have to warn of unforgiveness where there is refusal to repent. But still, that is encased in love as Jesus says in Matthew 18: If they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. And let us remember how Jesus treated pagans and tax collectors. He ate with them – he walked among them and assured them of God’s love for which he was regularly criticised by the supposedly righteous Pharisees.

 

But Paul warns Christians against using the authority we have to harm others. And it’s in ways that we don’t always realise that we’re doing it. He uses the example of food sacrificed to idols. His argument is that since we know an idol is nothing we have freedom to eat whatever we wish without worry if the food was sacrificed to an idol – which was a common practice.

But, he says, there may be a fellow Christian who has a different view to us and would be offended if they saw us eating food sacrificed to an idol.

 

So we have the situation that I could argue – I can eat whatever I want because of my faith – so why can’t I? BUT – is that the only scenario. What if we offend someone by our freedom? Paul sums it up by saying - if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.  The principle of this goes to every aspect of our faith – not just eating particular foods. We can extend this example to anything that sets ourselves apart from others giving the impression that we are superior to them.

 

But let us understand what this is not saying. It doesn’t mean we have to accept matters that are against the Word of God so we don’t cause offence. Sadly that is happening in the church today as it tries to fit in with the world rather than the world fitting in with God. No, Moses makes that quite clear in our Old Testament reading: But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.

 

What it does mean is that we love our neighbour in all situations – even when we are in disagreement with them. As Jesus says – love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Our thought should be for our neighbours faith since we are certain of our freedom in Christ. We are not to use our freedom and authority to build ourselves up which is always the temptation. Paul says - Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. We have seen the damage that the church and Christians can do when they lord it over people. When people feel harassed rather than loved. Jesus exampled that servant approach to authority when he washed his disciples’ feet – when he let a woman of ill-repute wash his feet – when he ate with Zacchaeus – when he freed a woman caught in adultery but warned her to flee from sin that had entrapped her.

 

We have an amazing Gospel that has freed us and we have been given authority by Jesus to assure others of that same freedom. No one else has the keys to the kingdom of heaven so let us use those keys to open the door to heaven so people can experience what we have – the peace of God that goes beyond all understanding.

Sermon 31st December 2023 Text: Luke 2:22-40 – what’s in a name?

 Sermon 31^st December 2023

Text: Luke 2:22-40 – what’s in a name?

 

As we journey through life we gain many possessions. As children it might be things we collect – things like coins, stamps or certain toys that are collectable. As we grow older the possessions become more expensive and more permanent. Cars, houses, boats and other possessions. But there is a possession that we attain from birth and retain till death that is invaluable. In fact it goes beyond death. And that is your name.

 

Your name is precious. When someone mispronounces it or spells it incorrectly you can feel a little offended and the need to correct them. People sue in court for slander because their name has been defamed. When God sent Moses to free his children Israel from slavery in Egypt he gave Moses his name as his defense. When Jacob was wrestling with God at the Jabbok and neither could overpower the other Jacob tried to get the upperhand by asking for is assailant’s name because the understanding was that you had power over the other person if you had their name. In the Old Testament God changed certain people’s names to reflect the new relationship they had with him – Abram became Abraham – Sarai became Sarah – and Jacob after his wrestling match became Israel – one who has strived with God. Similarly in the New Testament we see Saul become Paul after his conversion to Christianity. We see Simon, become Peter become the Rock and Cephas. And when Jesus humbled himself in obedience to God even to death on a cross, St Paul says he was given the name that is above all names – and that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 

Our relationship with God is based on his name. When you were baptized you were baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The same name in which we gather in worship. The same name by which we receive the forgiveness of sins. God’s name is his gift to you. And that’s so comforting because in the Old Testament people feared using God’s name because of the 2nd Commandment – you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. And so Jewish people when referring to God avoided using the name God gave to Moses – Yahweh – and used Adonai – both meaning Lord in the Old Testament. But you’ll notice in the Old Testament that whenever Yahweh is written it appears as LORD- all capitals.

 

We also respect God’s name but we also accept that God has given it to us as a gift to use. In the Small Catechism Luther shows us the right way and the wrong ways to use God’s name when he explains the 2nd Commandment: Luther’s explanation was: We are to fear and love God so that we do not use his name superstitiously, or use it to curse, swear, lie or deceive but call on him in prayer, praise and thanksgiving. We hear so often God’s name being misused that we have become so used to it that we don’t realise that others are doing it – or even ourselves. We hear “Oh my God” or OMG used so frequently and even quite common in text messaging. We hear Jesus or Jesus Christ used in damning or swearing –

You may have heard someone say something like – Christ it’s hot today. Or one that I saw recently in a movie when someone was angry crying out – Jesus H Christ. Did you know that the word Crikey – a word made famous by the late Steve ‘crocodile hunter’ Erwin was an attempt to replace Christ as a swear word. As was Oh my Gosh.

 

Whilst these my seem trivial we don’t see the names of other religious deities used in such a way. In fact I was watching a TV talkback show where regularly Jesus and Christ were used in inappropriate ways but when the presenter referred to Muhammad he immediately followed it with the phrase “peace be upon him” so he didn’t offend the religion of Islam. Satan knows how precious the name of God, the name of Jesus is and it’s no wonder that people who have no idea about Jesus seem to instinctively misuse his name.

 

So this is the challenge for us to reflect on how we use God’s name in our everyday practice. And the best way to do that is to practice what Luther said in his small catechism of using God’s name to call on him in prayer, praise and thanksgiving – but not just on Sundays in church. By doing that we become more alert to when we are using God’s name inappropriately.

As James writes in Chapter 3 of his letter: With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. We might think it’s such a little thing – what harm can it do. Well, Satan knows that it harms God, which is why God enshrined his name in the 10 Commandments. And that’s because the name of God has power. It has power to heal, to save and to bless. And that means it does actually have power to harm and curse.

 

We see how precious the name of God is in the early church who certain knew the power of God’s name: In Acts chapter 3 we read: A man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

 

We have a very special and powerful gift that God has given to us. When God gave his name to Moses he became vulnerable to it being misused. Treasure God’s name – treasure the name of Jesus – use them to bless your children, your loved ones, your friends. At the closing of our worship today, as we do every Sunday, I do so with what is called the Aaronic blessing – the blessing God gave to Moses to give to Aaron. Listen to the words but particularly now listen to the promise God makes in the book of Numbers chapter 6 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

 

Satan wants you to misuse God’s name not only because it offends God but because it prevents God’s blessing upon you.

God gave to Jesus the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

And Jesus has promised – ask for anything in my name and I will do it.

 

The Lord bless you and keep you and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard and watch over you now and always. Amen.

Christmas Day Sermon – The first Christmas

 Christmas Day Sermon – The first Christmas

The story of the very first Christmas is very different to today’s Christmas celebrations. To me it seems so much more enjoyable as we listen to that first Christmas. Yes there were some difficulties: Mary was heavily pregnant and about to give birth in a place that was not where they normally lived.

Because there was a census being taken there were many visitors meaning that there was no place for them to stay and so Jesus was born in a barn.

But that is so much more different to today’s version of what goes on at Christmas time.

Everything is so frantic about Christmas that we barely get the chance to focus on what is central to the occasion. In Jesus time there was just one central focus – the birth of Jesus. The time came for Mary to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Then there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. The angels came and announced the good news of great joy for all people – today the saviour of the world is born. They drop everything and rush off to see this child for themselves.

Today we have so many diversions that can prevent us from enjoying the moment of what Christmas is truly about.

But, as you are here today, how great that like the Shepherds you’ve taken a moment out of the busy Christmas preparations to come and celebrate our Lord’s birth.

I mentioned this yesterday in my Christmas Eve sermon that we sometimes think that the greatest threat to Christmas is the secular world taking over. I’m sure you’ve seen the complaints. Things like Christmas decorations going up in November – Christmas carols being banned – Christmas greetings being replaced with happy holidays and “make merry” – even Santa Claus becoming the focus for children. Actually I don’t mind them because at least it is either creating a Christmas spirit or getting people talking about and defending Christmas.

The greater threat to Christmas is when we lose the joy of Christmas as we battle the traffic, the car parking, deadlines of getting those Christmas cards out and presents wrapped and preparing the food and drinks where you’re glad Christmas only comes around once a year – and you start to resent it as you start seeing that countdown – only 30 days to Christmas. At least we get an extra day before next Christmas with next year being a leap year.

The birth of Jesus, as declared by the angels, was to bring good news of great joy to all peoples. It is good news – it is great news – that God has confirmed to us how much he loves us. He loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to live with us.

Even with all the wars and crimes and other catastrophes, God not only loves this world but wants to live with us. And the name that he would be called by would be Immanuel which means God is with us.

Christmas is the most astonishing event in the whole history of time.  In fact we determine time as before Christ and in the year of the Lord – BC and AD. What is so extraordinary of this occasion? On this night, God became human. And he did so in order that humankind might be forever united with God in the most intimate of ways. And it was not just extraordinary for us but also for God. That he was so proud and honoured in what had happened that he didn’t send just one angel but a multitude of angels to sing to the shepherds in the field.

A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

Please don’t ever lose the joy of this occasion – unto us a child is given – Jesus Christ our Lord -the Son of God. And for 2000 years the joy of Christmas has continued to sing out despite many attempts to silence it. People have been trying to silence Christmas from the day Jesus was born with Herod issuing a decree to have Jesus killed.

One day while Jesus was entering into one of the towns he was visiting the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices echoing the angels’ song: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” Tell them to be quiet! Jesus said “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

The world will not and cannot silence the joy of Christmas. Only our hearts can silence Christmas in our own hearts when the joy of Christmas is hardened. Don’t let the busyness and franticness of Christmas do that to you.

Enjoy this momentous occasion because it endorses God’s love for you and assures you that not only does God want to live with you here on earth but God wants and assures you that you will one day live with him in Heaven forever.

Christmas Eve Sermon – Keeping our Christmas joy

 Christmas Eve Sermon – Keeping our Christmas joy

No doubt as you’ve been going about your shopping or other activities you’ve been hearing Christmas Carols being played. There are some of the traditional ones like Away in a manger and Silent Night. There have been some less religious based songs like Santa Claus is coming to town and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. And perhaps you’ve even heard some pop music songs about Christmas. One that I regularly hear on the radio this time of year is John Lennon’s “So this is Christmas”.

The lyrics are interesting and somewhat hopeful with lines such as “War is over” – and wouldn’t that be great this Christmas? But it begins with a question to us: “So this is Christmas – and what have you done? And isn’t that what Christmas has become? What have you done?

Have you been to a Christmas breakup and been asked – so, what are you doing for Christmas? Christmas has become so much about doing that we have little time to really appreciate what Christmas means.

We have to get those Christmas cards out – get those presents wrapped – get that Christmas tree decorated – get that food organized – and you can probably add a multitude of other tasks to that especially if you’re going away on holidays straight after Christmas.

But Christmas is not about what we are doing but about what God has done for us. And in the midst of our busyness we can forget that and sadly even begin to resent Christmas – with comments such as  “I can’t wait for it to be over” or “I’m not looking forward to Christmas”.

Christmas is about God showing his love for us and should be the most joyous of all occasions. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

We need to put Christmas back where it belongs as a joyous occasion not an occasion where we stress out trying to find that carpark, joining mile long queues at the checkouts – worrying if we’ve got enough food and drinks - worrying about what the credit card is going to look like next month.

But sadly that’s what Christmas can become to so many people. Many people complain about Christmas and how secular it has become with decorations going up in November and catalogues filled with Christmas advertising. And many are upset about some of the slogans this Christmas like “Make Merry” and “Merry Everything”.

Again, these are at least bringing Christmas to the attention of people. I honestly don’t mind that – at least it’s bring Christmas to people’s minds. I think the greater problem we have is when we lose the Christmas spirit. Remember what the angels said to the Shepherds when Jesus was born: I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

That’s the spirit we need to recapture – good news of great joy for all people – the saviour has been born TO YOU.

Worse than Christmas being secularized is when Christians lose their Christmas joy and spirit. Jesus’ birth was for no other reason than to bring joy to the world – joy to you. In the midst of all the turmoil going on in the world with wars and economic gloom – here God is sending a message of hope to us to bring us great joy.

The other danger of Christmas is that it just becomes like a romantic fairytale that we bring out each year – get all emotional about it and then when the New Year hits and the holidays are over we’re back to normal with the same routine but a little bit poorer.

Christmas is about Jesus entering into our lives – not just a story and not just for one day. Don’t reduce the Christmas miracle to a Christmas story which it sadly is to many people. Christmas is God’s love wrapped in human flesh. Don’t treat that wrapping of love like we do to the wrapping papers on our Christmas presents. They look so lovely under the tree with their colourful paper and ribbons – but then as you tear it off it is then placed in the bin.

Treasure the gift because it is God’s sacrifice of love for you. Take it with you wherever you go as God fulfils his promise that his gift to us would be called Immanuel – God with us. Not just on Christmas Eve or Christmas day but always – as Jesus also said – I am with you always till the end of the age.

So may God bless your Christmas celebrations and may they be truly blessed and joyful for there is no greater gift to us than the gift from God himself – Jesus Christ our Lord.

Born for us.

Sermon 17th December 2023 – 3rd Sunday in Advent Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

 Sermon 17^th December 2023 – 3^rd Sunday in Advent

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Every Sunday, and perhaps in your daily prayers, we pray in the Lord’s Prayer – your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. What is God’s will? When Jesus was on one of his teaching rounds his family came to see him one day. A message was sent to Jesus: “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you. Jesus replied:  “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”  Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

In the Garden of Gethsemane we hear the famous quote by Jesus when he is struggling with the next stage of his life – being put to death - saying Father, this cup is too much to bear please take it from me. But he closes that prayer with the often quoted statement. Not my will be done but your will be done.

So what is the will of God?

Many believe that the will of God is to keep all the commandments – do all the right things – obey the law – thou shalt and thou shalt not. The law is important – even Jesus said so. I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. But we also know that the law cannot save us. As Paul says -  if we could be made right with God through the law, Christ died for nothing!

So what does Paul see as the will of God? Well, interestingly enough, he says in today’s reading what the will of God is – and it might surprise many people. He says:  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for THIS is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

So there were 3 things Paul highlights here:

Rejoice always.

Pray without ceasing.

Give thanks in all circumstances.

And notice that these have a permanent place in our lives – always, without ceasing, in all circumstances.

Rejoice always.

The candle we lit today – the 3rd Candle – is often known as the Joy candle or the Rejoice Candle. We often confuse joy with happiness – and that’s where we can misunderstand what Paul is talking about regarding the will of God. If Paul wanted to be “happy” he certainly chose the wrong path: In his own words from 2 Corinthians: Flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 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.

And yet he says in Philippians 4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice. So what is there to rejoice about? Well, St Paul says, it’s about the victory that Jesus has won for us – that at the end of all our days of suffering there is the joy of knowing we’ll be in heaven where there will be no more suffering or death.

And it’s the assurance that we have NOW of knowing that we will be in heaven that brings the joy as he goes on to say in our bible reading: May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

So we don’t live our lives wondering if we will be in heaven but assured that whenever that day is that God, our faithful God, ensures that for us. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. It’s easy to encourage others in those times but not so easy when we ourselves are the ones going through the difficulties. And that’s why Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing.

Pray without ceasing.

But let us remember that praying doesn’t mean folding our hands, bowing our heads and closing our eyes. That would be really hard to do – especially while driving. But it means always knowing that God is with us which is what he promised when the angel told Joseph that Mary’s child would be called Immanuel – God with us. And also Jesus last words before he ascended to heaven – I am with you always.

There are times when we do make that quiet time for prayer but it is so comforting to know that God is with us in those difficult times. Which is what Psalm 23 reminds us – even though I walk through the darkest valleys I will not be afraid because you are with me. And it’s only when we understand that close relationship we have with God that we are able to give thanks to him in spite of all that is happening in our lives and around us.

Give thanks always

Remember all that Paul went through? And yet he was still able to give thanks to God and in fact he says that he rejoices in this sufferings as it showed him the need for God in his life. That he couldn’t do it on his own.

Whether we believe in God or not we cannot avoid suffering. But when we know God in our lives we give thanks – not for the suffering but for knowing that our suffering will end and we will rejoice in Heaven for all eternity. And that’s why it’s God’s will that we rejoice always – why we pray without ceasing and are able to give thanks in all circumstances.

And that all began and was made possible because of Christmas where God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son so those who believed in him would not perish but receive eternal life.

 

 

Sermon 10th December 2023 – 2nd Sunday in Advent Text: Mark 1:1-8 – patience and humility in suffering

 Sermon 10^th December 2023 – 2^nd Sunday in Advent

Text: Mark 1:1-8 – patience and humility in suffering

 

Today we are introduced, as we always are on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, to John the Baptist.

John is an interesting character. Jesus says he is the fulfilment of prophesy that said Elijah would return before the Messiah appeared. Jesus said: For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Remember, Elijah was taken from the earth without dying in a chariot of fire and Malachi prophesied that he would return before the day of destruction:

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents;.

 

John was a firebrand – a loose canon you might say – calling the religious leaders a brood of vipers when they came out to see what he was doing. John challenged Herod for taking his brother’s wife – for which he would be imprisoned and later killed by being beheaded as part of a promise by Herod in return for a dance to entertain his guests. John feared no one. John had his own band of disciples. But something else about John the Baptist that we see in our reading today – he knew his place. He knew that he was not the Messiah and that he had been sent to prepare the way for him and not get in his way.

 

Jesus was the hope of the world – not John the Baptist. And so, as the crowds grew and the temptation to take over came, John proclaims to the crowds: The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Later he will add to that – I must decrease so that he can increase.

 

So John saw his life as a life of humility accepting what God had predestined for him – including the popularity, humility and suffering. Even Jesus must have tested John’s humility when he said that even though there was none on earth greater than John, the least person in Heaven is greater than John the Baptist. So John saw his life as predestined by God; including the suffering and humility. That doesn’t mean that John didn’t find it difficult at times – and who doesn’t during times of suffering. When he was in prison John sent a delegation of his disciples to ask Jesus – are you the one or should we expect someone else. And maybe you’ve felt that way in times of suffering.

 

Is following Jesus all that it’s cracked up to be? Times of suffering can be challenging to our faith. In times of suffering one day of suffering can feel like a thousand years, as St Peter says. In times of suffering we can ask – why is God doing this. I’ve prayed for healing but nothing’s happened. In these days when there is so much turmoil and unrest in the world we can also ask – why doesn’t God do something about it. At least, why doesn’t he send Jesus now to bring about the end of the world. It’s one of the great mysteries and St Peter also addresses this when he says –  With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

 

But Peter also says – the end will come – and it will come at a time when we aren’t expecting it: And if we think our earthly days are challenging - The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. In fact it sounds quite frightening - Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But it comes with really really good and promising news –  In accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Very similar to what John says in Revelation 21 where he sees a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. God will live with his people and he will be our God. So whereas life can sometimes seem longsuffering, Peter is encouraging us to stay strong in our faith. God hasn’t forgotten us.

 

Peter was writing to a persecuted Christian community who had to flee to encourage them that God had not forgotten them. They are called the diaspora – the dispersed ones.

 

God has a new life prepared for us. We don’t always understand why suffering is allowed particularly when we are so faithful to God as John the Baptist was – as the Christians Peter was writing to were. Israel also wondered whether God had forgotten her when she was sent into exile and was taunted by the Babylonians – “Where is your God”. But God’s words to Israel are the same words spoken to us in the midst of our suffering:

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever. And especially those closing words of comfort: lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, Lift it up, do not fear; “Here is your God!”  See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

 

So as we continue our Advent journey remember that God comes to us in the most vulnerable of forms – an infant baby. He will go on to experience all that we experience in life and more. But one day, like a thief in the night, he will return and bring us home to our new heaven and new earth. So until then, as difficult as the seeming slowness of our Lord can be – his slowness is his patience wanting more to enjoy the heavenly peace that awaits. And that patience includes our friends and our family who do not yet know or understand how much God loves them. So he calls on us to regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. Not for us – our salvation is secured – but for the world, our friends and family that God is reaching out to.