Sermon 26th May 2024 – Trinity Sunday Text: Romans 8:12-17 – Safe in the Trinity

 Sermon 26^th May 2024 – Trinity Sunday

Text: Romans 8:12-17 – Safe in the Trinity

Today we gather to celebrate Trinity Sunday, a day set aside to contemplate the mysterious and profound nature of God as Holy Trinity - the belief in one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Trinity distinguishes us from all other religions. It describes who we are and what we believe about God. A doctrine so essential that it led to the confession of faith known as the Athanasian Creed – one of the 3 ecumenical creeds used by the Christian Churches which begins –  

Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith. Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally. Now this is the catholic faith: That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity, neither blending their persons nor dividing their essence.

This doctrine is central to the Christian faith and is a mystery that has been pondered and debated for centuries.

And it ends, as it began - This is the catholic faith: one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.

The Trinity has been the cause of well-meaning faithful Christians being declared heretics because instead of accepting the teaching of the Holy Trinity they wanted to debate and explain what is a hidden mystery. The Trinity is a reminder of the complexity and richness of our God.  It teaches us that God is not a solitary being, but a loving community of three distinct persons who exist in perfect unity.  And that God invites us into that community to experience the perfect unity of love. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are inseparable, equal, and eternally coexistent.  They are distinct in their roles, yet united in their purpose.

It is also the source of our comfort as Paul points out in our second reading: When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Paul reminds us that because Jesus is the Son of God he is heir to the Father’s kingdom and that through our Baptism we are Children of God and therefore we are joint heirs with Jesus. And Jesus therefore comforts us by saying - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. We are safe and secure in the hands of our Lord in the Trinity of love. As he says in the parable of the Good Shepherd, Jesus has put a fence around us and he is the gate – the only way in – protecting us from our enemy.

As we reflect on the Trinity, we are reminded of the depth of God's love for us.  The Father, in His infinite wisdom and power, created the world and all that is in it. He was there at the beginning of Creation – as we confess – I believe in God the Father almighty – maker of heaven and earth. The Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to take away our sin and to show us the way to the Father.  He too was there at the beginning – as John tells us in his opening chapter: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The word that created – let there be light. And the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, dwells within us, guiding us, empowering us, and comforting us who was also there at the beginning of creation: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The Holy Spirit brought order out of chaos – which is what he still does today in the world and in our lives.

The Trinity also teaches us about community and relationship. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect communion, so too are we called to live in unity with one another. We are created for relationships - with God and with our fellow human beings. We are called to love one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to seek reconciliation and peace. That’s why Jesus said we can’t separate – loving God and loving our neighbour.

 

Trinity Sunday is a time for us to embrace the mystery of God's nature and his majesty and greatness as did Isaiah who saw the presence of God that shook the pivots of the temple.  God wants to shake the pivots of our world, our churches and our lives by his amazing love. It is a day to reaffirm our faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to recommit ourselves to following their example of love, unity, and service.

The Trinity has puzzled theologians for centuries, and that’s okay if it confuses us because God is beyond our full comprehension. Sometimes the best things for us are kept as mystery. It’s actually comforting that we can’t confine God into a neat little box with a perfect explanation.  But that doesn't mean we can't experience the fulness of God's love and live in relationship with God.

The Trinity is our understanding of God's love – a love that is not only singular but relational, a love that flows within itself, a love that eternally gives and receives. God loves each of us individually but he also loves us as a fellowship because we are all created in his image. The Father, the creator and source of all. The Son, Jesus Christ, who embodies God's love in human form. The Holy Spirit, the comforter, the guide, the ever-present reality of God in our lives.  Three distinct persons, yet one God, bound by a love that goes, as St. Paul says, beyond our understanding and definition.

The mystery of the Trinity is to be lived in our own relationships.  We are called to love one another as God loves us – with a love that is creative, sacrificial, and ever-present. We are called to be creators, building bridges of understanding and compassion in a world sadly divided. Remember what Jesus said after his resurrection - we are witnesses of God’s love and reconciliation through repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are called to be like Christ, offering love and forgiveness even and especially when it's difficult.

Just like the mystery of the Trinity, our love should be just as much a mystery to the world around us as we love our enemies – as we forgive those who hurt us – as we turn the other cheek – as we go and do likewise as the Good Samaritan. We are called to be open to the Holy Spirit, allowing God's guidance to shape our actions and words. The Trinity reminds us that we are not meant to live in isolation.  We are created for relationship – with God and with each other.

So, on this Trinity Sunday, let us move beyond simply pondering the mystery.  Let us embrace the love that flows from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. As much as people will question why we place such importance on the Holy Trinity when the word Trinity doesn’t even appear in the Bible – the Trinity is essential to know and to understand God’s love for us. Why? Because everything God does for us extends from his Holy Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We begin – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We receive forgiveness - – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We are baptised - – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We go forth from here empowered by the Holy Trinity, to share the love of God with all we meet.

Sermon 19th May 2024 – Pentecost Sunday Text Acts 2 – set on fire

 Sermon 19^th May 2024 – Pentecost Sunday

Text Acts 2 – set on fire

 

When someone is going really well we might say – they’re on fire. We gather today on a day of fire!  It is now 50 days since Jesus rose victoriously from the grave and we now have the coming of the promised – power from on high. The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples, igniting the fire of faith that would forever change the church and the world. The same disciples that a mere 50 days ago were locked away fearing for their lives,  huddled together after the loss of Jesus, were filled with fear and uncertainty.  But Jesus, before his ascension, had promised a Comforter, a Helper, an advocate – the Holy Spirit.

And on that day of Pentecost, that promise became a roaring fire to ignite their faith.

 

The Book of Acts tells us a mighty wind filled the room, and tongues of fire rested upon each disciple.  They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages – a miraculous gift that shattered the language barrier and symbolized the unity that comes through the Gospel of God's message. Even though each heard in their own language they each heard the same message. And that’s because there is only ONE Gospel message. The Gospel message of John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Which is what happened on that Easter morning. A language barrier that had previously divided the people at Babel because of their sinfulness and disrespect of God has been broken down.

 

But Pentecost wasn't just about speaking in tongues which it often has the focus of.  It was about empowerment.  Remember, Jesus had called this promise the ‘power from on high”. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and gave them courage, wisdom, and strength and above all faith in Jesus. Luther wrote about the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian - that without the Holy Spirit I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him. St Paul said the same – no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Peter, once a man who sank in the waters because of fear of the wind and the waves – who denied Christ three times, now stands boldly before a crowd preaching the Gospel with newfound conviction.  Thousands were converted that day and the foundation of the Church is laid. He will go on preaching in the marketplace no longer afraid even though he was threatened with imprisonment. I must obey God rather than man.

The difference? The power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The fire of Pentecost is not a one off historical event confined to the past.  It is a living, eternal flame that burns brightly even today and is available to you in all your doubts and fears.. The Holy Spirit is still present, still offering His gifts to empower us. But there are somethings we learn about the Holy Spirit by the disciples example.

 

Prayer: Just as the disciples waited in prayer, we too seek the Holy Spirit in prayer. Have you prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit – especially when faced with a challenging task ahead of you. We pray that the Holy Spirit would open our hearts to Him and invite Him into our lives.

 

Openness: we must also be open to the ways the Spirit may work in you. What is the saying – be careful what you pray for.

It may be in ways we don’t expect – ways that are out of our comfort zone.  The gifts of the Spirit are diverse – some may preach, some may teach, some may offer comfort or service. Be willing to be used by Him as the Spirit gives gifts as he determines.

 

Action: The fire of the Spirit is not meant to be contained. It compels us to share the Good News, to live lives that reflect Christ's love.  What did Jesus say - “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. That’s why the angels told the disciples last week not to just stand there looking up into the clouds. The Holy Spirit is truly needed today as the world is filled with fear, uncertainty, and division.

 

All the issues facing the disciples before the Holy Spirit came upon them. But the fire of Pentecost reminds us that we are not alone in God’s work.  The Holy Spirit is with us (often called the Paraclete – called beside us), empowering us to be witnesses, to bring light to the darkness, and to build God's Kingdom here on earth, urging us to go forth with courage, compassion, and the fire of faith burning brightly in our hearts. Pentecost reminds us that the power of the Holy Spirit is to transform lives – beginning with ours and bring about change in the world. And we see that happen in the book of Acts as churches begin to spring up everywhere and lives are changed forever.  And so, just as the disciples were empowered to spread the message of Jesus, we too are called to be bold witnesses for Christ in our own time and place.  The same Spirit that filled the disciples on that first Pentecost fills us today, guiding us, empowering us, and equipping us for the work God has called us to do.

 

Pentecost also serves as a reminder of the unity and diversity within the body of Christ.  On that day, people from all over the world heard the disciples preaching in their own languages, a miraculous sign of God's inclusive love for all people.

But they also maintained their diversity. Regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, we are all united in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we often sing – one church, one faith, one Lord. As we reflect on the significance of Pentecost, let us be inspired to be faithful and ready to proclaim the gospel to a world in need of hope and unity.  May we seek to bring God's love and grace, sharing the message of Jesus Christ with boldness and humility through the power from on high – God’s Holy Spirit.

Sermon 12th May 2024 – The Ascension Text Ephesians 1:15-23 – Ascending, not leaving

 Sermon 12^th May 2024 – The Ascension

Text Ephesians 1:15-23 – Ascending, not leaving

Leaving home is never an easy reality for parents watching their child take that next step in life. But we realise it is a necessary step in their maturity even though we would love them to stay at home. That step in life is seen as leaving home when in fact it is entering adulthood. This is what you have been preparing them for with their education at school and at home.

Likewise, it would not have been easy for the disciples to watch Jesus ascend into heaven as to them it appears that he is leaving them. But we read in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today that this was a necessary part of Jesus’ mission to us where he says:

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

In order for Jesus to sit at the right hand of God he had to depart his earthly life. But he promised he would not leave us alone but would send to us power from on high being the Holy Spirit who would come at Pentecost. The Ascension of Jesus was necessary for Jesus to enter into to heaven to sit at God’s right hand and rule the earth so that the Holy Spirit would come. A power from on high that would come upon God’s children to the extent that Jesus says Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

But we can see how difficult it was for his disciples to understand this. We read that they were focused on the wrong thing. After Jesus ascended, his disciples remained there, standing in place, looking, and gazing up into heaven.

Two angels had to come and ask them, “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” and urged them on their way back to Jerusalem. It’s very similar to the angels’ message to the women at Jesus’ grave on that Resurrection morning; “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Are we guilty sometimes of just waiting for Jesus to return rather than going out there and being witnesses of what we have received?

By ascending we are urged to take up Christ’s call to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of Christ’s love and saving power to the very ends of the earth. As disciples of Jesus, we lead lives full of meaning and importance even if it is not recognized or acknowledged by the world around us where we live. We are Christ’s Body here on earth and bring the love of God in Jesus to all people, wherever we go, in every moment of every day: in the grocery store, in traffic, at home, at work, while tucking a child into bed, hugging an old friend, visiting the sick, laughing with a neighbor, or comforting one who suffers.  Jesus is present in all of it.

With the power of the Holy Spirit we can even step boldly into an unknown future with God by our side. The power of the Holy Spirit that comes because of the Ascension of Jesus is a powerful presence of God.

But the true power of the Holy Spirit is the faith that he brings to us to believe that Jesus truly is reigning in this world as Paul says:

God has given Jesus the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Even though we cannot see him or the authority he has this is part of the mystery of our power as Jesus explained to Doubting Thomas:

Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Ascension is not about Jesus leaving but a transferal of power and authority that is given to us by the power that comes from on high. And we need to understand this power we have so we don’t become like the disciples that were just standing there looking up into the clouds. We are called be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jerusalem, in our homes and churches Judea – in our work, sport, neighbourhood and Samaria – to those who have hurt us – loving our enemies.

The world needs us more than ever to be the presence of Jesus. It’s so easy to feel defeated. What can we do with the increase in crime, terrorism, violence in the world. No one listens to the church anymore. That may be true. Maybe the world doesn’t listen to us but that doesn’t mean our work is not necessary.

Jesus is at the right hand of God and he has empowered us – empowered the church – to be his healing presence in the world to bring about justice. To bring about hope. To bring about love and peace. There will be a time when we will look to the clouds but that day will be very evident. It’s not now. Our time is here where God has placed us. That was Peter’s mistake at the Transfiguration when he wanted to stay on the mountain-top but Jesus led them back down the mountain. But one day – maybe in our time – maybe not – we will hear those words from the book of Revelation:

“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.” So shall it be! Amen.

When that happens there will be vindication for those who have been ridiculed or persecuted because they have put their faith in Jesus. Jesus himself says: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

But we don’t have to wait to rejoice – our redemption is now. Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. How sweet that day will be when our Lord returns in the clouds to bring us home.

 

 

Sermon 5th May 2024 – 6th Sunday in Easter Text: John 15:9-17 – What a friend we have in Jesus

 Sermon 5^th May 2024 – 6^th Sunday in Easter

Text: John 15:9-17 – What a friend we have in Jesus

 

Wherever you go shopping these days it seems that every shop wants you to join their membership scheme. Whether it’s McDonalds, Myer, Woolworths – and you could name many more businesses – they all want you to sign up and earn points and rewards. Or it could be a loyalty program like Flybuys. I tend these days to buy my petrol from 7/11 because every 7th purchase they give you a free gift which might be something like an iced coffee. And a lot of them, probably most of them, are free. Several Bistros that I have lunch at sometimes have free memberships and you earn points or discounts when you sign in and use your card to make purchases. I often wonder why they do that. Why offer you a free membership and then give you discounts and rewards. What they are trying to do is capture your business and create a community or family of buyers and reward you for your loyalty and commitment.

 

John today talks about the Christian faith being a community that forms a family. He says: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. It’s so amazing and comforting to know that our relationship with God is one of father and child. That Jesus Christ is our brother. Our relationship is not one of God being our master and we’re his slave. In fact it’s the exact opposite. Jesus came as a servant to serve us. And that’s exactly what Jesus said: I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

 

Some of you may recall when church was referred to as Divine Service. What we need to understand is that this is God serving us – not us serving God. It’s such a beautiful thing to see God in this light. As a loving Father. For those of you who are parents you know that you would do anything for your child. You would go without food if that meant your child had something to eat. You would place yourself in danger if it meant your child could be safe. I think of that mother in the Bondi attacks a few weeks ago. She passed her baby over to a stranger knowing that she was about to be attacked and saved her baby rather than trying to save both of them. This is what Jesus has done for us – he laid down his life so that we could be spared from eternal death. Which is what Jesus said: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends.

 

God’s family is a special family as it shows to us that God wants every person to be part of his family. There is no one that God would exclude – only we exclude ourselves. And so it becomes important that we are not the reason for someone for someone being excluded or feeling that they are excluded. In our first reading today, we see that challenge with Peter and his companions.  They have been invited to the house of a person named Cornelius. Cornelius is a Gentile – a Roman Centurion – from the same Roman community that sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. And now Jesus is sending Peter there to invite him into his family. And while they are there they see something unbelievable happen. They see the Holy Spirit of God given to Cornelius and his household.  And not just given – but “poured” out onto them.  Peter and his companions were astonished that the Holy Spirit was given “even to Gentiles” and they are now praising THEIR God. But wasn’t he born, King of the Jews? Didn’t he tell the Canaanite woman that he sent to the lost sheep of Israel? And now Peter wants them to be baptised.  But what do they know about Jesus – what do they believe?  Shouldn’t we examine them first?  Shouldn’t they do classes with the Pastor for a few weeks first? Peter’s companions are probably asking among themselves - are we letting just anyone in?

 

Who else will we let in next?  Maybe we should let that person arresting Christians, burning down their churches and approving the killing of Christians  – what’s his name? Saul? Which is exactly what happens next. Saul is converted by Jesus himself – the very one he was persecuting is now concerned about him. Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me.

So we can see not just the extent of God’s love and invitation but the desperation of God to not let one person miss out even those who despised him. Ananias was confused and afraid when God told him to go to Saul and Baptise him! But Lord I have heard terrible things about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority to arrest all who call on your name.  But God said to Ananias, “Go!

Jesus’ entire mission was to invite the outsider and excluded. Examples include the woman caught in adultery whom the leaders wanted cast out by stoning her to death. Jesus casts them out and invites her back with dignity. Or Zacchaeus who was an outcast but Jesus went an at dinner at his place. The lepers who were cast out of the community whom Jesus went to receive back. The woman of ill repute whom Jesus let wash his feet. The Samaritan woman at the well. The parable of the Good Samaritan.

 

The relationship between us and Jesus is not like a club filled with membership. Jesus and us are bound by love. Our love is to be the same as the love he has for us: Love one another as I have loved you.  The love Jesus showed us was a sacrificial love and so should ours be towards each other. Jesus’ love for us cost him. And through that love Jesus is telling us of the privilege and responsibilities we have.  We have the joy of knowing this friendship that will be with us in both good times and bad.  As Jesus said – his joy will be in us and make us complete.

 

We will come to know that Jesus will not leave us and we will continue to know God and Jesus’ love forever.  We have a savior who lived and died for us and will stay with us – I am with you always. Jesus does not treat us as a master talking to servants, but as a friend. Servants follow rules, their lives are dictated by the one who holds authority over them.  Jesus’ relationship with us is based on love. We are assured we already have God’s love. It is not something we must earn like reward points. We are his friends and he invites us to live like friends with God and one another. 

 

 

Sermon 28th April 2024 – 5th Sunday of Easter Text: John 15:1-8 – connected to the vine

 Sermon 28^th April 2024 – 5^th Sunday of Easter

Text: John 15:1-8 – connected to the vine

 

Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the true vine… abide in me as I abide in you.” Last week Jesus said “I am the Good Shepherd”. These readings remind us of the importance of community. They call us into a new and wonderful way of living as part of community with others that is closely bonded to our Heavenly Father. As Christians we are branches in the true vine. Separate a branch from a vine and it will eventually die. We are sheep protected by the Good Shepherd.

If we wander off from the pack we become vulnerable to attack from predators.

 

As branches of the true vine we are called to bear fruit that continues the work of Jesus seen at Easter – the work of love – though this isn’t always easy.  How do we respond with love to some of the horrific events we’ve seen lately?  The stabbings in Bondi killing innocent people including a new mother. How do we love a person who stabs a priest while preaching God’s word? How do we love a gang that uses machetes and axes in a shopping centre while families are innocently shopping. How can we love when the news around us leaves us spiritually and emotionally drained? How do we proclaim the Good News about Jesus when we think there is just too much happening around us and in the world?  Maybe you feel like closing yourself off from the world and others.

 

The answer is never easy and yet as branches of the vine this is what we are called to do – to love our enemies – to pray for them – to ask our Heavenly Father to forgive them for they know not what they are doing – even though we are tempted to respond with – they knew exactly what they were doing. And yet this is the Gospel message - a message spoken to us where we are commission to proclaim forgiveness to all nations as witnesses of these things. We love others because God first loved us – even while WE were yet sinners.  We share the Good News with others because that is the Great Commission..  We speak and act in ways that support this message of love because we are branches of the true vine that loves us and we are witnesses of God’s love. If the vine loves us the branches, how can we not love others?

 

John, in our 2nd reading, reminds us that if we love one another, God lives in us.  As God abides in us the love grows more and more even into those situations that ordinarily we would not be able to love.  But what is love?  As John has been telling us in the past few weeks – love is not an emotion it is an action. To understand true love we look to the One who sent Jesus into the world to die for us to create a clear example of love.  A different kind of love to what we will ever experience in the world we live in.  The vine grower, God, is aware of what each vine needs to bear fruit.  The vine grower loves the branches because they are what produce his fruit. Likewise, God examines our hearts, provides for us, and can also remove those parts of ourselves that bear no fruit or are the cause of no fruit growing – anger, hate, jealousy.

 

The vine grower knows the vines and knows that every branch can bear fruit. When we abide in God, we are commissioned to seek our place in this world, loving others, living into the mission of the Church, restoring people to unity with God and each other in Christ. Going sometimes where we don’t expect to go like Phillip. One moment he is beside an Ethiopian trying to make sense of God’s word and no sooner does he baptise him that he finds himself somewhere totally different. The spirit blows where he wills. The image of Jesus as the true vine is a powerful one. Just as a vine is the source of life and sustenance for the branches that are attached to it, Jesus is the source of our spiritual nourishment and growth as he gives us himself in Holy Communion – as he makes us God’s children through Baptism.

 

The source of that energy is not from ourselves but comes from Jesus, the true vine of which we are branches. Sadly, when we do try to run on our own energy we will begin to burn out and eventually our faith will run out. That’s why Jesus told his disciples after his resurrection to WAIT. Wait until the promised Holy Spirit – the power from on high – comes and clothes you – empowers you. So we are called to remain connected to him, through worship, prayer, study of the Bible, and fellowship with other believers.  When we do this, we are able to grow in our faith and bear fruit that will last for eternity.

 

Jesus also tells us that the Father prunes the branches that do bear fruit, so that they will be even more fruitful. This pruning process can be painful, as it often involves removing things from our lives that are hindering our spiritual growth.

It can be people – it can be the way we spend our time, talents or treasures. They are things we wouldn’t normally volunteer to give up which is why Jesus says the vine grower must prune them. But we can trust that just as a gardener prunes a vine to help it grow stronger and produce more fruit, so too God lovingly prunes us to make us more like Christ.

 

But, just like the Ethiopian eunuch in our first lesson, we will not always understand.  We may ask, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”  The Ethiopian was trying to do it by himself – like a branch that has come away from the vine.

And sometimes we need to be grafted back in. And that can be a hard and painful process too. How many times have we been afraid to ask for help?  Or even embarrassed to ask, “Who can help me?”

 

One of the many things we learnt from the pandemic was that it was not good to be alone. We needed our community back.

As branches we needed to be reconnected to our true vine with one another rather than branches our on a limb.  In fact it was one of the very things God recognised when he created Adam to tend to his garden – it is not good for man to be alone. It’s why Jesus chose 12 disciples rather than being a lone wolf. It’s why Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs. Or as we hear in Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Which shows the importance of those 2 branches being connected to the vine – the 3rd cord.

 

Jesus’ example of love is about being in relationship with people and God. Love God with all your heart – the vine – and love your neighbour – the outpouring of the fruit of love to one another.  We have Philip’s example of love teaching, sharing about God, and baptizing.  We have the disciples’ example of love by following Jesus, even with threat of imprisonment and persecution.  All of these are important examples of what is possible if we remain connected to the vine rather than on our own.

 

As we understand this we can begin to understand why Satan is trying so hard to divide the church – our own Lutheran Church included. It has been Satan’s tactic since the beginning of creation. Separating Adam and Eve from each other – Adam and Eve from God – Cain from Abel. Then throughout history – the divided Kingdom of Israel – God’s people chasing after Baal – Ashtoreth and other gods. Then in the New Testament – Peter separating himself from the other disciples and sinking in the stormy sea – the disciples fleeing at Jesus arrest – the Corinthian Church a church of division – one follows Peter, one follows Apollos – to which Paul reminds them – is Christ divided? Then in church history -the great schism of 1054 when the Eastern and Western Church divided – the Reformation seeing the separation of Lutherans and Roman Catholics – and on we go today with a myriad of denominations. And yet, in all this we confess – I believe in ONE holy, Catholic/Christian and apostolic church – one baptism for the forgiveness of sin.

 

Our world needs a church that examples love and unity.  A church that is able to example restoring our brokenness. As we remain in the vine God transforms us and we transform the world.  When we abide in God, God abides in us. God abides in our relationships with one another and then in our surrounding communities.  God transforms us and will allow us to bear fruit that transforms the world. Amen.

Sermon 25th April 2021 – Good Shepherd Sunday Text: John 10:1-8 – Sheepish behaviour’

 Sermon 25th April 2021 – Good Shepherd Sunday Text: John 10:1-8 – Sheepish behaviour’

 

To be called a sheep is not a very flattering thing. It is a term usually used when referring to a person who doesn’t think for themselves but just blindly follows everyone else. Sadly this is often how people see Christians – as sheep. People who blindly follow a religion without thinking for themselves. People who have been brainwashed to blindly accept teachings from a book written thousands of years ago that has no relevance today.  I’m sure you’ve heard that reference before and maybe have even been called a sheep yourself for believing in God.

 

When you see sheep in a paddock you can understand why they have that image of blindly following. The shepherd just has to get one or two sheep going a certain way and the rest will follow.  You’ll even see that if one sheep jumps an imaginary fence that the rest will also jump that fence which is not there. But is that the image of sheep that Jesus wants us to have of ourselves as he calls himself our Good Shepherd? Is Jesus calling himself our Shepherd because he expects us to blindly follow him without any thought process? Not at all.  That’s not the image that Jesus is wanting to portray by calling himself our Shepherd and we his sheep.

 

The relationship of Shepherd and his sheep is one of trust. Listen to how Jesus interacts with Peter when he restores him as his Apostle after the resurrection. Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

 

Jesus’ concern for us was not that we blindly followed him but that we are cared for and nurtured. Shepherds were often considered to be at the bottom of the rung of success in Jesus’ time – hence the Shepherds being a part of the humble birth when the angels first appear to Shepherds to tell of Jesus’ birth and not to royalty like King Herod. But listen to David when he is begging to be given the opportunity to fight Goliath. He calls on his credentials as a Shepherd when speaking to King Saul:

 

David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; all to protect his sheep.

 

It’s interesting how Peter will refer to Satan being like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And Jesus too talks about us as sheep and his care and concern for us when he is prepared to walk away from everything to come and find us. Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.

 

Does that sound like a God who just wants us to blindly follow him with no regard at all for us?

 

Or then we have today’s explanation by Jesus of what it means to be our Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Being sheep is nothing about us – it is all about Jesus being our shepherd. He lays down HIS life for us.

That’s what he did on Good Friday – he laid down his life for us in order that we may be raised to new life as he was when we die. This relationship of sheep and shepherd is about the shepherds love and devotion to us and not about any expectation on us to blindly follow and be subservient to him.  And that’s exactly what John said in our 2nd reading: We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us.

 

Jesus greatest concern is for those who do not put their faith and trust in him because no one cares for us like God who created us. Jesus calls those false shepherds “the hired hands” – people who have no vested interest in us so they protect only themselves and at the first sign of trouble they leave us for dead: The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. He doesn’t care if one or all of them are lost. He only cares about himself. It’s all about “care”.

 

And our first reading from Acts is very clear what that care is all about – it’s about our eternal life. Jesus came as our Good Shepherd to lead us home to our eternal life in Heaven as he lays down his life for us – as God made him who had no sin to become our sin so that we might become his rightousness. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

 

It reminds me of Peter when asked if he wanted to leave Jesus when many found his teaching too difficult. Peter replied – Lord to whom shall we go – YOU have the words of eternal life. And that is confirmed also by our Psalm today: Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

As we journey through life it is very easy to be led astray by false  shepherds. We follow the almighty dollar. We follow our careers. We follow our possessions – believing these will bring us hope and security. What these do is that they can make us quite selfish – thinking of ourselves – just like the hired hand. In times of trouble, false shepherds are no help – they flee at first chance; Our careers, our money, our possessions – these are useless when we are confronting serious life and death issues. But Jesus laid down his life for us so we can be assured of eternal life through him.

Being a sheep also means being a part of a community, a herd. Community is where we find support and security particularly during those times of concern and insecurity, which we all face. When Peter sank while walking on the water because of his concerns over the wind and the waves – Jesus took his hand and placed him back in the boat with the other disciples. When the Good Shepherd found the lost sheep he carried him home – back to the flock of sheep.

 

Sheep know that they need other sheep, desperately – because their very lives depend on it. That’s why they follow the shepherd because they know that they are safe in his hands. Likewise, God places us within communities of faith to strengthen our faith and also to use us to strengthen one another.  As John said in our 2nd reading: We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

 

I have no problem being called a sheep. Just like I have no problem when people say that my Christian faith is a crutch. Even though it’s intended as an insult that’s exactly what my faith is. We use a crutch when we are hurt and need support. Your rod and your staff – they comfort me.

We don’t blindly follow a religion as Christians – we follow our Good Shepherd because he has promised to take us home with him to heaven.

 So let us not be ashamed to be called sheep in following Jesus for there is no other name by which we can be saved.

Sermon 14th April 2024 Text 1 John 3:1-7 – We ARE children of God

 

Sermon 14^th April 2024

Text 1 John 3:1-7 – We ARE children of God

I would guess that every Christian knows John 3:16 – 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. It is such good news and encompasses the whole Christmas and Easter season. But I also think that our reading from John’s letter today is something that everyone one of us should know also. Whether or not you memorise it – it is something that you should know. In fact it should be something that you cherish because it is so remarkable – so promising – so comforting: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

John really hammers it home – THAT IS WHAT WE ARE. Not something we strive for – not something that we try to achieve. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE -  children of God. Do you believe that? There are no ifs or maybes – no question marks – THAT IS WHAT WE ARE. The almighty God – the one who created the heavens and the earth – the one who, as the song goes – flung stars into space – we are his children.

Just think what importance the world puts on children like Prince William – son of King Charles the third. You, a nobody in the eyes of the world, pale that into insignificance as you are a child of God. Not a servant – not a slave- a CHILD of God. So why are we, as Christians, so maligned? Why are we so put down – so disregarded – so ineffective in the world today? Well, John tells us why:

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him – that is – God and his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The world has a different relationship with God as Jesus once pointed out to his disciples.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John’s Gospel)

It can become quite disheartening at times being a Christian if we listen to the world’s view of Christianity and the Church. So, what we are to do is to not listen to the world but to listen to what God says: And, as John goes on further, he says: Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when Jesus is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.

And that’s what we need to keep remembering: We ARE children of God NOW. When Jesus is finally revealed to the world so will we. So we are to remain strong. We are to remain positive. We are not to let the world tell us who we are but let God tell us who we are.

So the challenge for us as Christians is that if people cannot see in us that we are children of God – that we are special in the eyes of the world then we have to live as Children of God.

There is a well know quote that says: Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads. So Jesus today commissions us as to how we are to live as we go out into the world as his Children. Jesus said, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

You are witness of these things!

We are commissioned to witness to everything Jesus taught and lived. His unconditional love – his sacrifice – his new commandment – love one another as I have loved you and by this everyone will know that you are my disciples. An amazing challenge to live out what Jesus has done for us so that the world may know.

It is incredible that the world hates Jesus – the one who sacrificed his own life for us is so despised by so many. And the worst thing that we can do as Christians is to return the hate and anger. Because then we are no different to the children of the world. That’s why Jesus has asked us to live differently. Repentance and forgiveness.

Be examples of the one who while experiencing the worst that humankind can do to him musters his strength to plead to his Heavenly Father – Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing. Look at the world today and how it responds with hate and opposition. The protests – the anger – the vile comments – the cancel culture. How are we Children of God if we don’t act in the same way that the Son of God reacted. As John says in one of his other letters – how can we love God whom we have not seen if we cannot love our brother or sister whom we can see.

It is a challenge being a Christian in society today. But no one will be able to attack you for living out what Jesus has asked us to do. To proclaim forgiveness of which we are witnesses. How are we witness? Because we have been forgiven by God as Peter said to the crowd today: Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”

Our human nature finds it very easy to retaliate in times of attack, like James and John who wanted to call down thunder on the Samaritans. But we are called to live to a higher standard that was set by Jesus. To love our enemies. To pray for those who persecute us. To turn the other cheek. Or as Paul says - To repay evil with good. Or as Peter says – treat them with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

People think they know what the Christian faith is about but it’s only by what they have experienced from Christians. As our actions may be the only Bible that some people will ever read let us make it a best seller.

Let us live as children of God for that is what we are.