ST PAUL'S SERMON: SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 25 FEBRUARY 2018

Collect

God of Sarah and Abraham; Long ago you embraced your people in covenant; And promised them your blessing: give us grace to recognise you as our God; And serve you as your faithful people; Through Jesus Christ our Lord; Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit; One God, now and forever. Amen

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First Reading:  Genesis 17:1-7; 15-16

17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’ 3 Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, 4 ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be Abram,[b] but your name shall be Abraham;[c] for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring[d] after you….

15 … As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.’

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Psalm 22:23-32

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Second Reading:  Romans 4:13-25

13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 23 Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

Gospel:  Mark 8:31-38

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

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MAY I SPEAK…

Today is the second sermon in our Lenten series on DISCIPLESHIP, using the Gospels. Last week, Michelle gave us an overview. This week, We’ll be looking at DISCIPLESHIP IN MARK.

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The vast majority of researchers believe that Mark was the first of the 4 Gospels to be written, sometime around the year 70, and the style of the gospel is simple, implying the author is trying to tell Jesus’ story as simply and directly as possible.

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If you Googled ‘DISCIPLESHIP IN MARK’ (as I did), you’ll see many sources saying Mark portrays the disciples in the most negative light, and our reference material concurs.

However, have you ever considered why? Could it be that it is because Mark wants to take the reader beyond the written account and beyond the failures of the Twelve, into their restoration and subsequent mission into the world as a model of the redemption path Jesus shows to all who will see? Even if we, like the Disciples, sometimes fail?

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One of the best examples of the failure of a disciple is in our passage – can you imagine how Peter must have felt when Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things’?

Yet, in what must be one of the most moving passages in scripture, John 21:15-19 describes the resurrected Jesus re-instating even Peter, after asking him 3 times ‘Do you love me?’...

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That’s all Jesus requires - it is through his failures and brokenness that Peter becomes the instrument of Christ's reconciling love…

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Surely this applies for us too? Yes. We fail, God knows, and loves us anyway – all God is asking of us is that we allow God to use our failures and brokenness so we too may be the instrument of Christ's reconciling love…

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In our Gospel passage, Jesus explains HOW our failures and brokenness can be used as instrument of Christ's reconciling love – He says ‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it… Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

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The implication is so clear from our passage WE, LIKE PETER, WILL FAIL… GOD UNDERTANDS, GOD FORGIVES, BUT WE NEED TO LOVE JESUS, AND TO NOT BE ASHAMED OF HIM AND OUR FAITH….

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What happens if we ashamed of Him, if we, like Peter, even go so far as to deny Him?

Let me tell you a story…

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In the movie ‘Priest’ made in 1994, a young Catholic Priest Father Greg Pilkington, newly assigned to St Mary's parish in inner-city Liverpool, is startled to discover Father Matthew Thomas is engaged in a sexual relationship with the rectory housekeeper Maria Kerrigan. Moreover, Father Thomas is a left-wing radical, leading him to constant clashes and bickering with the Bishop — who nevertheless appreciates his abilities.

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The young priest's traditional conservatism and religious beliefs are offended by the older priest's blatant disregard for his vow of celibacy. He also does not always have empathy for the community he is sent to minister in. At the same time, he struggles with his own homosexual urges, especially after he meets Graham at a local gay hangout and the two embark on a physical relationship.

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When Graham comes to Church, Fr Greg refuses to give him communion…

Meanwhile, student Lisa Unsworth has confided she was sexually abused by her father, who confirms her story and displays no guilt nor any desire to stop. Both have revealed their secret in the confessional, so Fr Greg is unable to reveal what he has been told. He tries to warn her mother to keep a close watch on her, but the naïve woman believes her daughter is safe while in the care of her husband.

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When Mrs Unsworth discovers her husband molesting Lisa and realises the priest knew what was happening she lashes out at him. Adding to his torment is his arrest for having sex with Graham in a parked car. When he pleads guilty to the charge, the story is headlined on the front page of the local newspaper and, unable to face his parishioners, Fr Greg relocates to a remote rural parish presided over by a disapproving and unforgiving priest.

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Fr Matthew convinces him to return to St Mary's, and the two preside over a Mass that is disrupted by the loud protests of those opposed to Fr Greg's presence at the altar.

Fr Matthew demands they leave the church. The two priests then begin to distribute the Eucharist, but the remaining parishioners ignore Fr Greg and line up to receive communion of Fr Matthew. Lisa finally approaches the younger priest, and the two fall into each other's arms sobbing.

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It is through his failures and brokenness that he becomes the instrument of Christ's reconciling love.

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Sometimes we need to fail, in order for God to eventually succeed… Through our failures and brokenness, we become instruments of Christ's reconciling love…

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It is true for Peter, it is true for Father Greg, and it is true for you, and me, we need to pick ourselves up, and trust not in ourselves, but in GOD, and in Christ's reconciling love….

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‘For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’…

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Through Christ's reconciling love, ALL CREATION is redeemed… ALL CREATION…

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To paraphrase Nouwen: we are invited to let God use our mistakes and our failures to mould self-righteous people like us, (like Peter), into gentle, caring, forgiving people who are so deeply convinced of our own great sinfulness and yet who are also so aware of God’s even greater mercy, that our lives themselves become compassionate ministry…

The invitation into compassionate ministry is the invitation into a state wherein there isn’t much difference left between DOING and BEING…

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When we are in this state, we realise we are filled with God’s merciful presence, and we can do nothing other than minister because our whole being witnesses to Jesus, the Light that has come into the darkness…

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AMEN!

Rev Gavin Smith

Saint Paul's Sermon: 3 December 2017: Second Week of Advent: Are we tourists or travellors?

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 [APB]

2 Peter 3:8-15a

8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…

Mark 1:1-8

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’,

4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

May I speak….

Our Gospel reading describes ‘John the baptiser’ appearing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance, and proclaiming the coming of the powerful Messiah, who John said would baptise the people not with water, but with the Holy Spirit.

Our reading from 2 Peter describes the people repenting, and then the coming of the day of God, a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Our reading from Isaiah describes God telling Isaiah to comfort the people, to speak tenderly to them, crying out that we have been set free from our sin, how the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together. God tells Isaiah and the people of God to CRY OUT, from the mountain tops, to be heralds of good tidings, to boldly proclaim God, the God who is searching for the lost, like a good shepherd.

What an exciting time we live in!

In “Your Church is too Safe”, Mark Buchanan describes how, in the 19th century, we stopped calling people who go on trips ‘TRAVELERS’ and started calling them ‘TOURISTS’.

What’s the difference?

A TRAVELER is (literally) someone who TRAVAILS, someone who labours, suffers, endures.

A TRAVELLER – a TRAVAILER – gets impregnated with a new and with a different reality. A TRAVELLER immerses themselves in a culture, learns the language and customs, lives ‘cheek by jowl’ with the locals, imitates their dress, eats their food, and is changed by the experience, by their TRAVAILS.

Even if he or she returns home, they are changed – in a sense, they never go back.

A TOURIST, on the other hand, is fundamentally different.  TOURIST literally means “one who goes in circles”. A TOURIST is essentially just taking an exotic detour home – merely passing through, sampling wares, acquiring souvenirs, at best merely tasting the foreign food, if they dare drag themselves away from the ‘safe’ tourist spots serving their usual food at all!

A TOURIST retreats each night into what’s safe and familiar, at best picking up a word or two, a few phrases, but the language and the culture and the world it’s embedded in remains unknown, and vaguely menacing…

A TOURIST spectates and consumes, returning to where they’ve come from with a few pictures, an update on Facebook, a few mementos, happy to be back home, unchanged…

Do you think the analogy applies to some Christians? Have we not made a similar shift in the church by calling Christians BELIEVERS, instead of calling ourselves DISCIPLES?

What’s the difference?

A DISCIPLE willingly loses their life to find it, a DISCIPLE is steeped in the language and culture of Christ until His Word gradually reshapes theirs, redefines them, changes how they see the world, how they think, how they dream and, ultimately, how they live, as their values and dreams are re-ordered, as God’s values take their place…

Eventually, friends who knew them will hardly recognise them…

A BELIEVER, on the other hand, is different. A BELIEVER might proclaim Christian values, but how deeply these are held depends on their circumstances and mood.

In their heart of hearts, they realise a BELIEVER might even wonder if their BELIEF has made any difference in their lives at all… A BELEIVER will not show evidence of transformation, he or she will still want what they’ve always wanted, and will still fear what they’ve always feared, with no noticeable transformation…

Our readings are written by 4 TRAVAILERS - Isaiah, David, Peter and Mark and they all encourage us to also be DISCIPLES, rather than only BELIEVERS.

Now there is a potential trap here – the trap is to say “well, I’m not like Isaiah, David, Peter or Mark” or “I’m not worthy” or “I’m not a TRAVELLER” or some other devilish lie…

But what Isaiah, David, Peter and Mark all have in common is that they PERSEVERE, like TRAVELLERS, despite their imperfections, as our patron Saint Paul also did, encouraging us too to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us”.

The lie of the world is that we must succeed, we must finish, and finish first. The Gospel message and the life of Jesus and all the saints is that we too must persevere, not alone, not in our weakness, but with God’s help. Isaiah, David, Peter and Mark all got it wrong sometimes, as I do, as you do…

I remember being afraid of making my marriage vows … “till death us do part” – and I asked our priest how I could possibly make the vows, and he wisely said, “You can’t vow to do it in your own strength – you can only vow to do it with God’s help”.  You see, I had wanted to skip the TRAVAILING, as if marriage or life was a destination, instead of a journey, but he taught me a valuable lesson – TRAVAILING is the point of marriage, parenthood, career, life, as well as our Christian JOURNEYS.

We live in challenging, trying times – there is corruption, anger, fear and doubt, but there is also HOPE, FAITH, LOVE and even JOY to be found in TRAVAILING, in persevering, in fulfilling our God given purposes….

If we do not persevere, if we do not TRAVAIL, all will not be lost – the Gospel message is God’s Kingdom WILL still come, but if we merely are TOURISTS, we will be deprived of enjoying TRAVELLING through playing our part in building God’s Kingdom.

I thus exhort and encourage you, my friends, to just keep putting one foot ahead of the next, as we TRAVEL together on the path God has prepared for us.

AMEN!

Rev Gavin Smith