Sermon 6th November 2022 – All Saints Day Text: Ephesians 1:11-23 – a glorious inheritance

 Sermon 6^th November 2022 – All Saints Day

Text: Ephesians 1:11-23 – a glorious inheritance

 

The Herald Sun recently reported that – there is going to be a massive transfer of intergenerational wealth among Australians. It is estimated that a staggering $3.5 trillion of assets will be handed over by parents and grandparents over the next two decades to their children through inheritance. But what this is predicted to do is create a massive amount of disputes and legal challenges by family members who believe that the share of inheritance they receive is unfair with what they believe they deserve. And unfortunately, when that happens, the ones who end up getting a large proportion of that wealth are the lawyers engaged in the dispute.

 

It’s not a new thing for disputes to occur over inheritances. Even in the Bible – both Old and New Testaments – there have been disputes over inheritances. We have Abraham in Genesis 15 complaining about his inheritance: “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus? You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

Abraham didn’t think it was fair that a servant rather than family would benefit from all his hard work. Which is a complaint also by Solomon in Ecclesiastes. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. And then there were the daughters of Zelophehad. They complained because the rules of inheritance didn’t allow for an inheritance to women and there were no brothers in their family so the family property would be lost. God himself stood up for them - What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.

 

And in the New Testament we have the Parable of the Prodigal Son and his demand for his inheritance NOW before his father had even died. And even Jesus was asked to settle a dispute over inheritance: Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

 

Part of the problem with inheritance and why they cause disputes is because they are only enacted after a person has died. So people will argue about their entitlement but the true owner can’t be asked about their intention. People will argue that the owner was forced into writing their will – that the owner had verbally promised something that’s not in the will – that there was a later or previous will that had something different.

 

In our 2nd reading today St Paul refers to our salvation – our eternal life in heaven – as an inheritance.

He says - In Christ we have obtained an inheritance … marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

But the difference here is that God is not dead but alive. And whereas the inheritance, as earthly inheritances are, it was enacted at Jesus’ death. But there is a big difference in that Jesus was raised from the dead to live eternally. So there can be no disputes because Christ is alive for us to refer to. As we hear Jesus say in Revelation chapter one - I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!

 

As we celebrate All Saints Day today we take comfort in this as we grieve for our loved ones because we know without any doubts or disputes that just as Jesus was raised from the dead we too shall be raised to eternal life. And that’s why, in death, St Paul says – we grieve but not like those who have no hope. That’s why Jesus was able to bring comfort to Mary and Martha at the death of their brother Lazarus  “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though they may die, they shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

Our grief is comforted by the assurance of the inheritance which St Paul refers to as our Christian hope when he says: That, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.

 

And so, when Jesus says in the beatitudes – Matthew Chapter 5 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted, what comfort can there be for a person who is grieving other than to receive back the loved one who has died. And that’s what faith in Jesus offers – comfort in the midst of mourning the death of a loved one. In heaven, where we are raised to eternal life, we are assured that God will wipe every tear from our eyes and that there will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Death is the old order of things, as Jesus says that he has come to make all things new. And that begins by dealing with the most difficult thing that human beings have to deal with which is death. And so, Paul says - with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which God has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. And 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.

 

So as you grieve, do not forget the hope to which Jesus Christ has called you. The hope that in Christ we have the assurance of our inheritance to eternal life. An inheritance, which like the prodigal son we can ask to enjoy now as we grieve but not as those who have no hope. Our hope is that in Jesus he has made all things new and that death has lost its victory and that we claim that victory now through our faith in the one who is the resurrection and the life believing that those who die believing in Jesus shall never truly die but simply sleep waiting for the day we join together in heaven.

 

“Where, O death, is your victory? Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Sermon 30th October 2022 – Reformation Sunday The 5 Solas

 Sermon 30^th October 2022 – Reformation Sunday

The 5 Solas

 

Today we celebrate the Reformation of the church. An event that began just over 500 years ago with an Augustinian Monk by the name of Martin Luther nailing his infamous 95 Thesis to the Wittenberg Castle Door. The objective of those thesis was not to change the church but to bring the church back to the pure teaching of Christ which had been mingled with so much human error that salvation to eternal life was no longer experienced by the people. Instead, the grace of God was replaced by human efforts be that through paying with money or paying by good deeds – neither of which gave any comfort at all.

 

The hallmark of the Reformation is summed up in what are known as the 5 solas –

Sola being Latin for “alone”  The 5 solas being: That Christians are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. For my sermon today I want to explain why these were of vital importance for the Reformation:

 

SOLA GRATIA by "Grace Alone"

First of all we should explain – salvation from what? Salvation from the judgment and condemnation of God that every human being deserves (because we are sinners). As Paul reveals in his letter to the Romans: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Salvation is being saved from what we deserve because of our sin and receiving what we do not deserve. Again, as Paul says in Romans: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Grace alone means that eternal life in heaven is a gift of grace from God.

It has nothing to do with human merit. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

Luther discovered it in his days as a monk when he tried to buy comfort through his good deeds. Luther came to the place where he admitted that he hated God for his holy requirement of perfection from us. “This word is too high and too hard that anyone should fulfill it,” he wrote. But that’s how Luther’s life began.

Fearing for his life in a thunderstorm he prayed to St Anne to save him and he would become a monk He bargained with God. Isn’t that how many people feel about God today? If God will do this for me, I will do that for God. Or vice versa – If I do this for God then I expect God to do this for me. And that’s how we then try to get comfort from God – like the Pharisee: God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income. And still he went home NOT right with God.

 

As Luther discovered – assurance of salvation cannot come from ourselves no matter how much we have done for God – salvation is by “Grace Alone. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Which leads us into our next “sola” - through faith alone. 

 

It’s important to understand that we are saved “through” faith – and not by faith.

It is not by the believer's works or efforts but by Christ's work on the cross that a person is saved. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8-9 that God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  God did all the work for our salvation BEFORE we could do anything. Faith is not how we are saved but how we receive God’s grace. As the writer in Hebrews 11 says, faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. We simply believe that God has done all the work for us. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians – God made him who had no sin to become our sin so that we could BECOME the righteousness of God.

Remember last week’s Gospel – the tax collector went home “made right with God”. He did not believe he was worthy of being saved but by that unbelief he was saved by God’s grace through faith.

 

in Christ alone - SOLUS CHRISTUS

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Salvation is found in Christ alone. No human being can forgive sins. It is Christ alone who saves. Even the crowd acknowledged that when the friends of the paralytic lowered him down through the roof of a house to have Jesus heal him. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers thought to themselves, “Who is this Man Who speaks as if He is God? Who can forgive sins but God only?”

Likewise in Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. This is a difficult thing to proclaim in a world where Christianity is mocked and rejected. In a world where the one who called himself the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him – when truth is your own personal truth. But as Jesus said in today’s Gospel that through him we shall know the truth and the truth shall set us free.

 

By Scripture alone - SOLA SCRIPTURA

As much as many would like a more modern reference book - the 66-books of the Bible – the Old and the New Testament is the sole authority for Christians in faith, doctrine, and practice. Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone - acknowledges the facts that the Bible is the Word of God, without error, all sufficient and the source of all truth. As much as it is debated that it is merely a book written by human beings, Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, declares that all Scripture is breathed out by God for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be complete and equipped for every good work.

 

The word of God is then enacted in our lives as Luther points out when explaining God’s grace: How can eating and drinking in Holy Communion do such great things – it is not in the eating and drinking but in hearing and believing God’s word – given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. In Baptism, how can water do such great things?  It is not in water alone but water used together with God’s word. And in our forgiveness of sins – Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.

 

God’s word of authority is not found anywhere else other than in the Scriptures we call the Holy Bible. In fact John declares that in his Holy Gospel: Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

And finally – all this is to the glory of God alone. SOLI DEO GLORIA

Salvation is wholly a work of God for His glory.  We contribute nothing to our salvation.  As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. As Luther says in explaining the Article of God’s Creation:

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, family, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

 

As we pray when praying the Lord’s Prayer. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours – forever and ever. Amen.  Like our Baptism, the Reformation was not an historical event but a call for the church to constantly check itself against the 5 Solas. Is our teaching and practice on salvation by grace alone – is it through faith in Christ alone, is it through God’s Word in Scripture alone and is everything that we do and say to the glory of God alone. For there is no other name by which we are saved.

Sermon 23rd October 2022 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 18:9-14 – Made righteous

 Sermon 23^rd October 2022 – 20^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 18:9-14 – Made righteous

A couple weeks ago I spoke about heroes and villains and how we often make villains out of good people. Like the Pharisees who are often portrayed as the evil doers in the New Testament when in fact they were the ones who policed bad behaviour. Hence their criticism of Jesus in that he ate with sinners.  Today we have another such situation in the Parable that Jesus told of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. The upshot of it is that we make the Pharisee out to be bad and the Tax Collector good. When in fact their opinion of themselves is the opposite of that:

A pharisee and a tax collector went to the Temple to pray.  The Pharisee proceeded to thank God that he was unlike other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, and sinners like the disgraceful tax collector over there.  He went on to praise himself for fasting twice a week and giving his tithes – all good things – all things that were commanded by God in the Old Testament law of Moses. The tax collector, on the other hand, bowed his head, beat his breast, and prayed: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus said, between the Pharisee and the tax collector, it was the tax collector that was made right with God.

Notice the difference. The tax collector was MADE right with God. Jesus didn’t say the tax collector was a good man but was made right with God. And so we begin to understand that being right before God is not about good or bad behaviour but being MADE right by God.

So often people feel inadequate in their relationship with God. I’m not good enough. I’m not really a good Christian. In fact we might be rather embarrassed if people knew what we were really like. If people could see behind our pretend exterior would they see that everything is fine. We don’t like to let people know the “real me” because it makes me vulnerable. So we become like the Pharisee and point out other people’s faults in order to hide ours. Thank you Lord that I’m not like other people. I come to church every Sunday. I signed up to REG so just in case I can’t make it one Sunday I’ll still give my offering and I’ll watch the service online. I’m serving on that committee that I was asked to join. And thank you that I’m not like other people especially that guy over there – just look at him.

It really doesn’t make sense. Aren’t we drilled with the view – God’s hates sinners – God loves people who do good. Aren’t we drilled with the view – good people go to heaven – bad people go to hell. How can Jesus say that this person who did everything right – went home not right with God.  

 

The Pharisees were extremely religious leaders. They represent the best of the Jews: morally upright, knowing the Law, observing the rituals and everything their religion requires, and teaching the Law so that everyone could be as righteous as they are.

The tax collector was the lowest human being in the eyes of many; they were not only dishonest and greedy extortioners but worse, they were considered to be traitors for working for the Jewish enemy, the Romans. Collecting taxes from their fellow Jews and giving it to the enemy Romans (plus a little for themselves

Everything seems topsy turvy – calling bad good and good bad. But Jesus is not praising bad behaviour – nor is he condemning good behaviour. It was about their relationship with God. A relationship with God that is not made by US, but by God. The Pharisee was praising himself to God. Really? A human being telling God how good he was. Has he forgotten just who God is.

He needs to go back and read Psalm 8 – When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Or Psalm 51 - Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. On the other hand, the tax collector was not trying to justify himself to God but simply recognizing his unworthiness before the almighty God. He couldn’t even muster the dignity of looking up to God. But again, God doesn’t want to crush our spirits but to give us hope.

Do you see yourself unworthy of God’s love? Do you see yourself as never measuring up to God’s expectations? Do you see yourself constant fall short and even embarrassed about your Christian life before God or your fellow Christians? Do you sometimes compare yourself to other Christians and feel inadequate? Then you have given God something to work with as we remember it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. As St Paul says in Galatians - if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

That’s not a license to sin but a recognition of how we can be assured of God’s favour with us as Paul says – God made him who had no sin to become our sin so that we could become the righteousness of God – BECOME the righteousness of God – not achieve the righteousness of God.

Paul knew all about struggling with is relationship with God even though he knew he was saved – I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Does that sound familiar?

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! If you’re anything like me you feel an alliance with both the tax collector and the pharisee. The danger is that when we feel like the tax collector – unworthy of even looking up to heaven – the danger is that we start to become like the Pharisee to comfort ourselves. I come to church – I give regularly to the church and other charities – I do my best to live a Christian life. But that’s we making ourselves right before God when it is Christ who has made us right before God. And this is the difference between what we call a justified life and a sanctified life. We are justified by grace to live a sanctified life. In other words – God has saved us so we have no doubts about going to heaven which means we are freed to live a life that loves our neighbour.

So if you ever have any doubts about your salvation – come to Jesus Christ and receive his grace. Remember you are a Baptised child of God who has had your sins washed away. Remember that Jesus Body and Blood cleanses you from all unrighteousness. There is nothing you can do to make yourself right before God because it is God who has made you right through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sermon 23rd October 2022 – Ringwood 60th Anniversary – Work in progress

 Sermon 23^rd October 2022 – Ringwood 60^th Anniversary – Work in progress

 

What an amazing achievement – 60 years – albeit now 61 because of Covid. A diamond celebration. It’s not an easy task to achieve and how fitting that a 60th anniversary is known as a diamond celebration. A diamond is a rare jewel that is formed from carbon deposits that undergoes immense temperature and pressure. Most of you have been here a lot longer than I have and no doubt you share some of the pressures that have affected the shaping and formation of how Good Shepherd looks today.

 

Sometimes we see pressure as a negative thing because it can be quite difficult at the time when facing immense pressure. But as congregations wrestle and struggle during those times of pressure we can come away with renewed vision. We heard in last weeks Old Testament reading Jacob wrestling with God and you can imagine the immense pressure he went through. It lasted all through the night and in the end Jacob came away with a lifelong limp. But he also came away with a new name – Israel – meaning one who has struggled with God.

 

In our 60 year journey we have struggled in many ways  Dealing with decline in membership. Dealing with an ageing congregation. Dealing with a struggle to find leaders. Dealing with an ageing building and the need for constant repairs. Dealing with Covid and some of the impacts that it has left us including the ceasing of our Community Meal. Dealing with financial struggles Wrestling with the matter of ordination. Maybe you have had your own personal wrestling matches with other members or decisions made or, like Jacob, even with God.

 

Some of these pressures have left us limping along like Jacob. But we must see them as part of God’s shaping of our character even when those pressures leave us hurt and struggling. And sometimes we struggle for a long time. But remember with diamonds – some stones take shape in a matter of days or months, while others take millions of years to materialize. A diamond doesn’t begin as a diamond but only after immense time and pressure does its beauty arise. But it’s the end product that God is forming where the beauty is revealed.

 

And, likewise, now God is shaping us here at Good Shepherd. It has taken 60 years so far and our formation is not done yet. Just look at some of the shaping God has done over the years. Our Good Shepherd Primary school. Our Good Shepherd Retirement Village. The thousands of meals served in our community meal.

What can be at the time periods of struggle and pressure are times when God is shaping us. And there are times when during those struggles we wonder why we are going through them. Will we get through this?

 

Israel struggled with its wrestle with God not understanding how God was working. To help them understand God took Jeremiah to the potter’s house to watch an artist at work. This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord.  “Can I not do with you, Good Shepherd Ringwood, as this potter does?” declares the Lord

 

We may not be what we were back 60 years ago – 50 years ago – and the danger is thinking that our hay day was back then at the beginning and that we are not as precious as we once were.But that would be denying the shaping that God is doing. And remember, the shape of the clay at the beginning was not what the potter wanted – in fact it was marred in his own hands. We are constantly being shaped by God and the more kneading and the more pressure and the more struggle we go through shapes us into the shape that seems best to God even if to us it looks marred.

I repeat, what an amazing milestone which we should all be both proud of and thankful to God for from the foundation members who began our 60 year journey to the new comers who are continuing the shaping.

St Paul calls the journey of faith a fight and that is sometimes what it feels like. But it’s a good fight, as he calls it, because we are fighting for the kingdom. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

 

As we celebrate this wonderful blessing today let us remember that masterpieces take time to achieve their final shape, like a diamond. And let us remember, as St Paul says in Ephesians Chapter 2 - For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. How exciting to know that God is the one shaping us and that he has prepared a long time ago what he wants us to be and the 60 years may yet still be the beginning of God’s work in us. I know at times it feels like we would love to go back to the way things were – when we had full churches – 2 services – packed Sunday Schools and lots of fellowship –

 

But remember, Israel also wanted to go back when the pressure built up instead of going to the promised land. Jesus also said in response to - I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. So let us keep looking forward to how God is shaping us and remember that the final product is not here yet. We are on a journey to our Platinum celebration with our 70th ahead of us – and who knows we may yet get a letter from the king for our 100th. But until then we have the King of Kings with us along the journey – shaping us into his image and for that we give all Glory to God.

Sermon 9th October 2022 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 17:11-19 – Gratitude or expectations?

 Sermon 9^th October 2022 – 18^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 17:11-19 – Gratitude or expectations?

 

A lot of the TV shows and movies we watch have heroes and villains. It’s a natural categorization of people – the goodies and the baddies. Even in police dramas we not only have the cops and robbers but we’ll find in the interrogations that police will divide themselves between good cop and bad cop. So as we read bible stories it’s easy to categorise the characters as either good or bad – hero or villain. But sometimes we unfairly categorise people in our bible readings as bad or evil without understanding what Jesus is teaching us. Take for example the Pharisees. So often we hold them up as the evil Pharisees when in fact they were the ones who upheld God’s laws of holiness. But, unfortunately, in their zealousness they often hurt people all in the name of defending God’s holiness – perhaps that’s how people often see the church in her attempts to uphold God’s righteousness. The pharisees upheld the laws of holiness but often disregarded the need for justice and welfare and human need.

 

Sometimes, we as the church, can become insensitive to personal situations as we uphold the Ten Commandments. Or take the rich man a couple weeks ago. There is no indication that he was an evil person but rather distracted by his wealth – in much the same way that Martha was distracted by her many chores but we often make her out to be not as good as Mary who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. But Jesus never made that value distinction. And in today’s Gospel reading it is easy to hold up the 9 lepers as unappreciative and cold hearted because the Samaritan was the only person healed to come back and thank Jesus.

 

But as we look at the reading the other 9 were simply following the rules set out by Moses and in fact obeying Jesus’ direction for healing - "Go and show yourselves to the priests’. In much the same way that the priest and Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan were not evil – Jesus never said that – but rather people misguided as they did not want to break the rules for serving and entering God’s holy temple by becoming unclean through coming into contact with a dead body. They placed the holy requirements above the needs of their neighbour. What we see in this story of the 10 lepers is not the difference between good and bad but rather expectations and gratitude. Sadly gratitude is lacking and has been replaced by expectations. It’s my right to have this.

 

We also saw that in Namaan who was sent to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. He was, as we read, commander of the army of the king of Aram - a great man and in high favor with his master. Because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. Namaan, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. He was sent to Elisha for healing and Elisha obliged. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean. But instead of gratitude Namaan became angry because of his expectations. I thought that for me he would surely come out and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Note that expectation – “FOR ME” Fortunately for Namaan his servants spoke common sense to him: If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?

 

Gratitude helps us to acknowledge the many gifts, large and small, that have been given to us by others especially God rather than focusing on our expectations. Our world today sadly has many expectations. It’s my right to own my own house – it’s my right to have the latest model phone or car – it’s my right to be served immediately and not have to wait – and the list goes on. In our gospel lesson for today, we have a story of gratitude found in an unlikely person because he had no expectations as a Samaritan Leper.  We have the healing of the ten lepers, and in Jesus’ day lepers were quite literally cut off from the community because of their physical illness.  The leper was to be removed from sight and isolated from all communal and religious contact.

In Leviticus, the law says, “The leper who has the disease shall wear torn cloths and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry, ‘unclean, unclean.’  He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean; he shall dwell alone in a habitation outside the camp.”

 

As a Samaritan leper he had no expectations to receive healing from Jesus. Do our expectations make us unable to see the blessings of God. It’s my right to have this so when I receive it I am not in a state of thankfulness for what I have received. Why should I thank or tip the waiter. He was just doing his job and getting paid for it. It’s even more challenging when there’s a need for humility, like Namaan. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?

 

Maybe you’ve been challenged with humility to accept a lower blessing. Like a person who loses a high paying executive job and is offered a lower menial job and feels embarrassed or insulted rather than appreciative. So, as Christians, we need to listen to what Paul says to the Philippians so we can see the blessings that God has placed in our life where he says: Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 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 being found in appearance as a human, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! By humbling himself and not using his divine nature for his own advantage he was instead given the name above all names. No expectations but true glory given to him.

 

So even if we don’t achieve what we expect we should receive we can still count our blessings as St Paul says in today’s reading – Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. There are so many expectations in people’s lives today that when they receive less than what they expect they believe it’s an injustice rather than seeing the blessings that are there. Like Namaan. Whether he was healed in the rivers of Damascus or the river Jordan – what difference would it have made?  The end result was the same. Whether he was healed by Elisha magically waving his hands over his leprosy or belittling himself by washing himself 7 times, what’s the difference – the end result is the same.

 

And so for us as Christians – some live a life that on the surface seems free from hardship while some live lives from one illness to another. Some live lives in luxury while others scrape to just get through – like the Rich Man and Lazarus. But at the end of the journey our destination is the same – eternal life in heaven. And when we remember all that God has done for us – sacrificing his own son – him who had no sin became our sin so we could become his righteousness. When we consider, what are humans that you are mindful of us. When we consider it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. As we consider that our present suffering is not worth comparing with the glory that awaits. Even a glass of cold water would be received with gratitude let alone eternal life.

 

Gratitude enables us to see the good in everything. Expectations will always let us down because there will always be someone with more and better. There will always be something better that advertising convinces us that we need. God is a gracious God who gives us more than we ever deserve or expect as Luther says in his small catechism – All this God does out of his fatherly and divine goodness and mercy though I do not deserve it. Therefore I surely ought to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.

Sermon 25th September 2022 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost Text: Luke 16:19-31 – reversal of fortunes

 Sermon 25^th September 2022 – 16^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: Luke 16:19-31 – reversal of fortunes

 

There is the old saying that there are 2 things certain in life – death and taxes. In our Gospel reading one of those is certainly true – death. Jesus tells the story of 2 people at opposite ends of the wealth scale. Lazarus – not the Lazarus Jesus raised from the dead – and an unnamed rich man. They could not be further apart. There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Although there would be some question as to whether Lazarus ever paid taxes, the matter of death faces both of them. The Book of Hebrews confirms that also - people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. And apart from Enoch and Elijah in the Old Testament that is certainly true even for our Lord Jesus Christ. And not all the money in the world can prevent the rich man from that same destiny.

 

And as I said – their earthly wealth status could not be further apart. After their death, we hear that that same separation continues. They are worlds apart after death. The difference however is that there is an impassable chasm that now separates Lazarus and the rich man. Whereas Lazarus would eat from the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, the chasm does not even allow a drop of water to pass to ease the rich man’s torment. And the other difference is that there is now a reversal of status. Whereas the rich man lived in luxury and comfort while Lazarus lived in squalor and pain – that has now been reversed. Lazarus is now comforted by Abraham while the rich is tormented in Hades.

 

This is one of the very few images of hell that we are presented with in the Bible and it’s a frightening picture. It’s an image that many preachers avoid perhaps because we all know friends and family that have rejected Christ and we don’t want to think about what Judgment Day might bring for them. But it is a reality we cannot avoid or ignore. But this should be at the heart of mission so that, as we heard last week, for God’s desire is that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. This is a really difficult story Jesus tells because it is easy to place guilt on ourselves that we are in the place of the rich man because of our comfort. That is not what Jesus is teaching.

 

Last week I had to go to the city to sign some legal papers. As I walked from Flinders Street station, I was shocked at how many people I saw like Lazarus sitting on the footpath begging. Many of them placed themselves outside the supermarkets or eating places perhaps to heighten our wealth and their poverty.

There were men and women, young and old – poverty does not discriminate. I stopped to help one young woman whose sign that she had written to explain her situation blew away with the wind. I chased it down and returned it and she thanked me and I gave her some money and she thanked me again. But I thought – what about the other half dozen I passed previously?

 

It’s difficult and as much as we would love to solve hunger and homelessness off our own resources it’s just not possible. The teaching here is the hope that we can impart which is limitless. That there will be a reversal of fortunes. That’s what Jesus teaches in the beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the  kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 

Sadly the rich man finally begins to think of others and not himself: I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment. The rich man, from what we see in this parable wasn’t an evil person but he had allowed his wealth to blind him from the needs of others.

It had almost deadened his heart to be unable to see the pain and need all around him even at his front door.

St Paul also does not call riches evil but rather the love of riches which breaks the first commandment – you shall have no other gods. Paul further goes on to uphold those are rich but to be careful with those riches; As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty – arrogant or feeling superior to others. Don’t set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

 

It is quite challenging living what some perceive as a comfortable life – a roof over our head – well fed – freedom from war and natural disasters. When we look at the world around us both here and at home – the homelessness, the families struggling financially trying to pay the mortgage or their gas and electricity bills – seeing children go to school without breakfast and then what we see happening overseas – one can feel guilty for simply living the everyday life. But the message here is not against wealth but to urge us to witness to those who have lost their way through wealth and to bring hope to those who feel hopeless.

 

The rich man begs Abraham: I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them. We can’t fix poverty and homelessness on our own but we can bring God’s word of hope as Jesus did in the beatitudes. Even if we sold everything and gave it to the poor, as Jesus once said – the poor you will always have with you. But as Peter once said when he was asked for money by a beggar - “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

 

Whilst we might not have the ability to heal a person physically we have the ability bring spiritual care by sharing with them the good news of Jesus and the love of God. Again, something far greater as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians: If I give all I possess to the poor … but do not have love, I gain nothing. It’s very challenging dealing with homelessness, poverty and other social problems. We can support the various welfare agencies but that does not provide them with what they truly need.  The grace of God.

 

Again, remember the poor widow who only had 2 small copper coins. She could have kept both for herself or even just one. But what would happen once they were gone. She realized that there was a far greater resource than money. The love of God. And God’s love has been poured out for us in Jesus Christ and we can share that with others and it will never run out.

 

After I came away from that homeless woman in the city having given her money, I didn’t feel any better and I’m sure that by now that money has run out. But I realise now that I could have shared with her a far greater gift that is everlasting. To remind her of God’s love and to pray for her. And just like Peter, we have a far greater gift to give than any amount of Gold or Silver – the precious love of Christ, as St Paul said today - the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

 

Sermon 18th September 2022 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 – Our mediator with God

 Sermon 18^th September 2022 – 16^th Sunday after Pentecost

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 – Our mediator with God

 

We have a new King – King Charles the third. And no doubt most preachers will be focusing on this and Paul’s encouragement to pray for our leaders in order to avoid trying to interpret and preach on Jesus’ Gospel where he says: Use worldly or rather, dishonest wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. It’s a tough parable to dissect.

 

The 2nd reading from Paul can be just as challenging in today’s society because it instructs us that there is only ONE mediator between us and God and that is Jesus Christ. It appears to exclude all other paths to God whether it be our good works or other religions. And in today’s society that can be challenging as to try and explain. So let’s see if we can understand what Paul is saying:

 

First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. Last week we heard how powerful prayer was. God was angry with Israel for rejecting him and worshiping a Golden Calf. It was not the way to God. So God had decided to destroy all of “stiff-necked” Israel and start again with Moses. But Moses begs for Israel – pleading for God’s mercy as he intercedes for them. And because of Moses’ prayer it says that “God changed his mind”.

 

Have you ever considered just how powerful your prayers are when you are praying for a situation. A prayer that can actually change God’s mind. A prayer that can change the course of history. And Christians are charged with that responsibility by praying for all people – for our King – and all people in positions of authority for a peaceful life of the world. And for this reason our Prayer of the Church where we pray for the world, the church and all people according to their needs is not just another “part of the liturgy” but a fundamental life pulse of the world. Who else has been charged with this responsibility? Who else can change the mind of God? Moses did because he had personal access to God which no one else had in his time.

Remember the people were frightened of God and begged Moses to not let God speak with them but that Moses become the mediator between them and God. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” So, because Moses was their mediator, they could have their requests made to God and God would listen and Moses could change the very mind of God.

 

We had seen that earlier with Abraham pleading on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah. Interceding as their mediator to stop God from destroying them. And God promised that if he could find a few as 10 righteous people living there he would not destroy them. God has given us access to himself through proper mediation.

Nineveh discovered that also that through their repentance God changed his mind. And now, Paul tells us, that Jesus is the new mediator between us and God to bring our requests to God through him. There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.

 

This, as I said, is very challenging in a world that is growingly rejecting Christianity. But Paul is not alone in this understanding of Jesus being the only mediator between us and God. Jesus himself said this: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Coming to God through Jesus is how we know that God has heard our prayers.

 

Communication is important in any relationship. When we send an important letter and we want to know that it has arrived we will send it by Registered Mail and obtain a signature. We might ask for a “read receipt” on an email we send to know that it has been received. With God we don’t need to do that when we come to him through Jesus.

When we pray – in Jesus’ name I pray. We know with absolute confidence that God has heard our prayer.

But the most important prayer that we Christians are to pray and to pray unceasingly is to pray for the world that is moving away from God. Paul says that God desires that all people be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. How comforting to know that God wants everyone to be in heaven with him. And there’s only one thing that prevents that from happening – as we saw with Moses and Israel – our rejection of God through sin.

 

But just as Moses stood between God’s judgement and Israel, so too Jesus stands between God’s judgement and us. He is the mediator. He has paid the ransom to free us. So if we reject Christ then we reject that mediation that Jesus paid for with his life. So as children of God – as the people of God – as the body of Christ we have a huge task that God has given to us – but a rewarding task. We are asked to pray. For all people.

For Kings and those in leadership. And our prayer is for all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. And what is that truth? Jesus says – “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”.

 

God wants the world to know how much he loves the world – so much that he sent his one and only Son to die for us and to be the mediator between him and us. Works of charity – works of service – serving in positions of leadership in the church are important. But prayer is not important – it is vital – it is essential. As Christians – we are the Moses praying to God on behalf of those who have rejected him, like Israel.

 

As Christians we are sometimes called to be the Jonah’s of this world to call people back to God through repentance, like Nineveh, so they can repent and rediscover God’s grace. And sometimes, like Abraham, we might even find that despite our best efforts, despite all our pleadings, that, like Sodom and Gomorrah, there is continued rejection and we need to keep praying. And that’s why Paul says elsewhere - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If there is only one God – and there is only one mediator between humanity and God in Jesus Christ – and that is what we believe and what Jesus taught – then we have a huge responsibility to pray for the world to come to the knowledge of truth. But what a blessing to know that we can come to God as we read in the book of Hebrews – to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. And not just for ourselves but the world – for Kings – and all people according to their needs.