Sports Chaplaincy Sunday message (Galatians 5:22-26)

Introduction

Last week, here, we looked at the idea of ‘freedom’, particularly ‘spiritual freedom’ … from the earlier verses in Galatians chapter 5. This is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the various churches in the region of Galatia during the first century of the Christian church. This particular chapter concludes with nine virtues that have become known collectively as the ‘fruit of the Spirit’.

Whereas it’s possible to exhibit these in a natural way, their potential is maximised through the presence of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is that part of God that continues to bring the life of Jesus to this world. Good fruit demonstrates a healthy tree – good character demonstrates a healthy life. This is a simple metaphor. A good quality tree producing good tasting fruit, has likely been well watered and maintained appropriately.

Fruit of the Spirit as Community Values

We could equally see these nine listed attributes as good community values. We might easily agree that communities are better places when these attitudes are present. Certainly churches are better when we experience these character traits, as opposed to far more negative alternatives. We, in the church, need to keep clearly focussed on these areas. When it comes to sporting clubs, a fierce competitiveness on the field, or on the court, might mean we put a high priority on playing aggressively (within the rules) to gain a victory over another team. Yet, when we think about the club itself internally … as a group of people engaging socially with one another, these (listed) values would definitely seem to be appropriate. They sort of speak for themselves!

They are obviously broadly beneficial in all our social relationships!! So, whether in church, club, or community, let’s think of our impact on others. These words give practical application to the idea of loving ones’ neighbour. For all these words are relational words – they describe how we interact with others. And, they are good reminders, because we can so easily break relationship, by preferring our own agenda to the detriment of others, or by being selfish. For example, on the negative side, as described in verse 26, there are relationship breakers like conceit or arrogance, or pushing others down so we look better. We can compete for our position in the team or at work, but only through our own capacities and talents, not through putting others down.

Sometimes we feel we need to push ourselves up … because others look just so darn good – that’s called “envy”. But, each of us is unique, born with particular talents, potential and value, destined to be a great team contributor. Yet, sometimes we are so busy looking around at what others are doing, we miss our own opportunities (or our own moment to shine). We shouldn’t need to compare ourselves with others. We shouldn’t want to be like them – rather we should strive to be the best version of ourselves. We should discover for ourselves what we are good at, and pursue that. You may just find it there … within yourselves … to be the best you can be, and that’s how you best help the team!

For Christians, they normally take their lead from Jesus, who showed himself to be the best team player of all, especially when it came to taking one for the team – Jesus was the epitome of self-sacrifice. Jesus is the only one worth comparing ourselves to. And when we fall short of his greatness, we can access his forgiveness. Christians also rely on the Holy Spirit to help them nurture and develop the qualities that are listed here, especially when certain life challenges around illness, trauma and loss, make things more difficult. For all of us, this list challenges how we do life, and how we live in our environment!

Nine Worthy Character Traits

Love – we were created in love, and for love; this is where we acknowledge that we are part of a broad and diverse human community, where we need to be prepared to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves, and where we are prepared to forgive people when they do wrong by us … for the sake of their future, and our future. 

Many of the ‘ideals’ to follow, flesh out what it means to live in love. For example,

Peace – this is to avoid hostility, this is to keep the lines of communication open with all our friends and those we associate with. Where relationships have already broken down, the bearer of peace will seek and aid reconciliation wherever possible. Good character is seen in the one who is the peace-maker … bringing harmony in the home and in the neighbourhood.

Patience – this is required when other people don’t learn, improve, perform or behave the way we think they should. Yet, we are all works in progress. We all have pressing issues in our life. We all have certain weaknesses. We have different personalities and backgrounds. Sometimes we are more patient with ourselves, than we are willing to be with others. Sometimes we see our own faults in others, and overstep in our judgment or criticism of them. We need to consider what others might be going through, and offer them due consideration – this is patience. It could be, utilising some empathy, that we can come alongside them, and give them a hand.

Kindness – this is stepping outside the normal, to do something special for somebody – going the extra mile to make someone’s day. This is the act of the ‘Good Samaritan’, who crosses the road to help the one that other people were ignoring.

Generosity – this is digging deeper, and giving away something of ourselves, that will mean a lot to someone else – it may even change their life. There is here an understanding of the neglect that some other people live in, or the tragedies of life that can so easily mean impoverishment. Generosity means a sharing of our lives and our various resources. Rather than being protective of what we have, we share it. This includes the networks and friendships that we have found helpful ourselves. Sometimes the most generous thing we can give … is a word of encouragement – this comes from our best place.

Faithfulness – this is about loyalty, reliability and honesty – being trustworthy and faithful to whoever we have committed ourselves to … in relationships, family, church, community, workplace and club; this is about being responsible and seeing through our commitments – if we say we’re going to do something, and the reason for doing so remains right, then we should fulfil this commitment. We no longer allow ourselves to be self-indulgent, but rather seek to consider the feelings of the others around us. In a society where people tend to decide, at any given moment, what suits them best … this idea of “faithfulness” may be the hardest one on the list; but one our society certainly needs to see more of!

Gentleness – this is NOT about being soft (far from it) – it is actually one of the greatest qualities of all … ‘controlled strength’ – to be able to express our strength of mind and heart in the most helpful of ways … in the course of all our dealings with others. This is about summoning all we have learnt in life’s journey, and expressing this to another in a way that they can learn and grow. We could call this ‘humility’. Gentleness overrides the critical spirit! We don’t hold power and control over anyone, but rather empower others … releasing them to be the best they can be. And we become teachable (and coachable) ourselves, having an ear open to that word of truth that might be hard to hear – for there is always something new we can learn and apply.

Self-control – this is to reject the notion of ‘anything goes’. Here we focus on doing those things that work well and work for good (for us and others), at the same time as avoiding those things that generally cause harm. This is the discipline of not letting anything awkward or dark or dangerous, that is happening inside of us, to affect badly anyone else. Exercising self-control means that we won’t abuse anyone else in any way! When anger builds within us, this can be a struggle; but we know well in this day and age, that rather than striking out, we need to exercise restraint, and we need to find someone to talk to [like a sports chaplain for instance, or a good pastor]. We often need to gain some new perspective, and we often need to gain some helpful tools through which to handle certain situations better.

And then, coming back to,

Joy – this is more than just occasional bouts of happiness – this is a completely positive attitude to life that is able to endure hardships, seeing the deeper meanings in life’s experiences, where there is a genuine pleasure in the success of others, and where we can openly celebrate with those who are celebrating. The possibility of joy will be destroyed … if we keep comparing what we have … with what others have. I know this every time I see that great looking Winnebago or motorhome driving past me! Joy is produced when we can be content with our lot, and can be pleased for others in what they have.

Conclusion

Life offers us the opportunity to rise to the best levels of human character. We can settle for less, which may unfortunately mean we have a tendency to hurt and hinder, more than help and encourage. But at the same time, we shouldn’t get down on ourselves too much, for we are all works in progress. Hopefully whatever team you’re in, that team can help you be the person you have the potential to be! And may God bless you all in your endeavours! Amen!

"Freedom in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:1-21)

Introduction

“For freedom Christ has set us free” (verse 1). Freedom is a good word. Freedom is liberty and self-determination. We want freedom, especially as opposed to slavery. We want freedom from fear and worry. Sadly, many people don’t have freedom, as they live under oppression – either due to corrupt governments, or to criminal activity like human trafficking, or to racial prejudice, or to their own various addictions, or just to poverty. And we mourn this. Most of us here in Australia could only begin to imagine the extent of this in other countries; yet some of our friends from Burma would know much more about this. The ending of injustice around the world is a vital issue for all people of goodwill and good faith, and we would try … as certain causes come across our path … to help to bring justice (around the world).

Today, however, with the Apostle Paul, we are talking about a particular type of freedom – spiritual freedom. This is separate, but not unrelated to the wider areas of freedom (as we’ll see in a moment). So, today, we’re not talking about political freedom, or religious freedom, but rather … freedom of the spirit … the freedom in our soul that no one can take away. This is freedom from guilt and shame, and a freedom to live with joy and purpose. We can respond to this offer of freedom every single day, in how we develop and grow as people of the Holy Spirit. And, spiritual freedom operates in the context of whatever life throws up at us! And then, in simply being the people of God in community, our lives should stand in contrast to any incidence of injustice and slavery, bringing light into the darkness. And we may, in this way, do more good than we could actually imagine!

The Cross

It is of course Jesus who has paved the way for our freedom on the cross. There … he took all of our sin, brokenness, guilt and shame … upon himself … and died our death! Whatever it was that held people captive, this is what Jesus sought to deal with. With that all done with, we can rise again with Jesus into new life, and this is a life of freedom – where we are a very different person. Jesus has effectively liberated us from everything that would have held us back from experiencing life in its fullness; and we can now embrace the total potential created within us. We can now live at peace with ourselves, with others, with life in the world, and with God. With this level of acceptance and forgiveness, we can gain healing from the past – those things we regret, and also the hurtful things done to us. As we have been forgiven, we also forgive, and thus receive freedom from any hostility or bitterness.

Pentecost

Today is Pentecost Sunday, seven weeks on from Resurrection Sunday, where we celebrate the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the first community of disciples, and the birth of the church amongst them. This was certainly a day of spiritual freedom, as once frightened and unsure followers of Jesus became bold and courageous witnesses. This was the day when limitations around communication and cultural difference were stripped away, everyone present hearing the Gospel in ways and forms they could easily understand.

Oh, for an outpouring like that again! Well, why not! But it will take an openness and readiness, which often seems to allude us. Paul, in our Galatians 5 reading, tells us of one way in which the Gospel was hindered (which we will come to). We must continually think about how the Gospel is being hindered. We often have to look within ourselves – what do we possibly consider to be more important than the Gospel?

Following Pentecost (Acts 2), the disciples, having experienced the Holy Spirit, seemed to know intuitively what to do, how to live and what to teach. They naturally found their way into house churches, where they spontaneously shared what they had with each other and the poor, worshipped, prayed and had communion together – teaching one another (in Word and action) how to be better disciples. This was the dawn of a new spiritual freedom!

Spiritual Freedom

Spiritual freedom is aligned with the salvation we have received and are receiving. When we are trying to communicate (to others) what this salvation from sin is about, or what our liberation from guilt means, we can reflect on our journey out of slavery into freedom (and the specific ways this is happening for us). We once lived like this, but now we live differently! And this is because of, as the song goes, “what the Lord has done in me”!

Considering our level of freedom … also helps us to monitor our ongoing development as disciples, and guards us against regressing … going backwards … towards becoming once again enslaved to anything that has the potential of becoming destructive to us. “Stand firm”, Jesus says (v 1b), “and do NOT submit again to a yoke of slavery”.

We might here pause to consider those things that could possibly have enslaved us. They may still do – because we haven’t yet accepted Jesus’ gift of freedom, or enacted the Holy Spirit’s power to defeat them. Let me invite you then to do just that! If you ask Jesus for forgiveness, you will receive healing for your brokenness. If you then open yourself to God, the Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be rebuilt. You can have freedom today (as never before)!

These things can enslave us:

• the past – not being able to let go … unwilling to accept forgiveness, unwilling to give forgiveness, thus retaining guilt or retaining bitterness or both – where God through Jesus has provided a way through all this into a better future, at no cost to us – where “our weaknesses need not drag us down, [and] our past no longer cripples us” (L Richards);
• addictions – trying to soothe our pain out of a packet or a bottle, or with sex, or on the internet – where only God can fill the void in our lives;
• perfectionism – trying to gain approval by trying to be better than we need to be, or different than we really are (thus developing a ‘false identity’), or by working harder than anyone else; which tends to lead to ever-increasing self-condemnation (and also the condemning of others) – when God just values us anyway and is willing to accept us as we are;
• wanting control – we try to deal with the chaos around us by tightening the screws on others, manipulating situations, having black and white solutions to everything, preferring ‘law’ over ‘grace’, being autocratic and judgmental – where God wants to promote humility, honesty and harmony {this is the area Paul had to address in Galatia};
• possessions – where we try to acquire and keep all the things that we think will make us happy, until this search and these things actually own us – when God tells us that real meaning in life is discovered on the inside and within relationships.

So, spiritual freedom IS about leaving behind negative behaviour patterns and joining a new movement. Let us all embrace freedom!!

Let’s go over to verses 16 & 17. The negative and rebellious human impulses within us – Paul refers to as the “flesh”. We have at times indulged the “flesh” and followed more worldly patterns of living. The sort of behaviours listed in verses 19 – 21 have NO place in the Kingdom of God – these behaviours have to be strongly critiqued because they are so destructive, especially to relationships. Acts of the “flesh” are diametrically opposed to the Godly “Spirit”, and thus shouldn’t be allowed to co-habit within us. Trying to have a foot in each camp will always be uncomfortable and self-defeating!

“Those who do such things will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God” (v 21b). This is NOT a punishment, but rather the reality that comes out of this situation – the ones with behaviour patterns like this … have been exposed to the light! On the one hand, we shouldn’t be worried about the exclusion mentioned here, because all people have been offered a free ticket into a better future, complete with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, we shouldn’t be pleased about this fate either, but rather take up the Gospel call for the lost to return – where they will be received with open arms.

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, coming into our lives … makes it possible to counteract the negative tendencies listed here nearly entirely. The Spirit is opposed to the “flesh”. Ideally, apart from the occasional lapse, being led by the Holy Spirit means you hardly have to think about right or wrong, because ‘right’ is always our objective (v 5, 18). It is through the Holy Spirit that we find ultimate freedom to live in the way in which God has created us to!

Spiritual freedom, IS, through our teaching and the fruit of our lives, also about lifting community standards – we no longer “bite and devour” one another (refer v 15), so we in effect promote a far more harmonious and collaborative way of living. This lifestyle may not always be appreciated, but it will always work for ultimate community good. As we shall see next, we also do NOT place undue burdens on others (v 8-12), thereby modelling open and welcoming access to God. In a nutshell, spiritual freedom IS about the joy and purpose of being led by the Holy Spirit.

The Issue in Paul’s Day (verses 2-12)

Gentile peoples were responding positively, in great numbers, to the Gospel and becoming followers of Jesus. However, originally, “The Way”, as Christianity was then known, was seen by many as an offshoot of Judaism. So many Christian Jews felt that these Gentile converts should adopt Jewish practices if they wanted to be accepted as a follower of Jesus, including dietary rules, but especially circumcision. Paul rightly believed this was unnecessary; and more than unnecessary – because this could deter people from accepting the Gospel; and even if they did, they could come to regard themselves as being somehow second-class.

Paul had already clearly stated the equality of all the believers within this new movement: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (3:28). Even though Jesus lived within culture, he reigns above culture. People were free to come to Jesus from whatever walk of life, and were NOT bound by any Jewish cultural norms, or any other prerequisites. Now (as this view promoting circumcision to Gentile converts persisted around the Galatian churches), Paul was strongly pressing the point, and directly challenging anyone who would put up barriers to people responding to the Gospel of Jesus (and thereby gaining faith) – refer verse 10b and particularly the sarcasm of verse 12 (that being an extreme circumcision).

If anyone unnecessarily regressed from their spiritual freedom to embrace circumcision, they were actually denying the grace of Christ in their life. This would be like us unnecessarily taking on side issues of (legalistic) religiosity and then giving them undue importance. In so doing, we would eventually lose our way. Legalistic ‘believers’ think they are free, but they are actually in the worst kind of bondage. As the Good News of Jesus is shared across the various cultures in the world, it should NOT be wrapped up in Western, or any other, culture, but rather presented simply with the mindset of extraordinary grace and spiritual freedom. We should hear Paul loud and clear (v 6b): “the only thing that counts is faith working through love”!! Whenever we bemoan the unbelief of others, we should be sure to consider what the barriers there might be … stopping them embracing faith.

The Attributes of Spiritual Freedom 

1. A new perspective – the simplicity of “faith working through love” (v 6). The Christian life can be complicated by a lot of things. Even church life can seem complicated and busy. But if we can just break it back to “faith working through love”, then this can give great perspective to many things, especially those things that seem onerous or repetitive. We are NOT so much fulfilling a roster, but rather bringing a ministry. We are NOT so much overburdened with responsibility, but rather blessed with giftedness. When we sense the high expectations of others, we know that we are serving Jesus the best way we can. Our gift is NOT lesser than another’s, but rather complimentary to the whole. We are NOT on our own (even when working alone), but part of a team. Freedom brings a different perspective!

2. Mutual service – ironically … becoming ‘slaves’ to one another (v 13). This ‘spiritual freedom’ is NOT about doing whatever we like; and spiritual freedom in NOT about thinking and acting as an individual. [No person’s freedom is greater than any other’s!] Spiritual freedom IS about leaving behind negative behaviour patterns and joining a new movement (which in other places Paul calls the ‘Body of Christ’ – Jesus’ ongoing physical body on earth). We are joined together and seek to address each other’s needs. Sometimes this becomes unbalanced (some with extra needs, some feeling overworked, others feeling left out); sometimes this is manipulated; and sometimes boundaries are needed; but we should hang in working with this principle of bearing one another’s burdens.

3. Loving our neighbour (v 14). Because we have become free from more self-focussed concerns, we have therefore been released to love our neighbours; even when they are very different from us, and even when they have offended us. We are no longer so focussed on our rights, but more so on our responsibilities. And we become more naturally aware of good opportunities through which to bring some level of service. In a way, in modern parlance, we get over ourselves; and, we accept that others may have had a tough journey (largely that we are unaware of), and we make the decision to show them grace. When we neglect to love our neighbour, this is where intolerance can creep in. Whether we look around the Old Testament … and in the New Testament – whether it’s Jesus, James or Paul, we read that the most central response to God’s love in God’s Word … is … “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”!

In Conclusion – Releasing our Freedom (v 1, 16)

And so we return to the first verse, and to verse 16, and ask how!? “For freedom Christ has set us free”! “Live by the Spirit”!! How?? In each of the group of verses that follow these verses, we read about taming the desires that are contrary to the Holy Spirit, lest we are trapped by them. For me, the best way of avoiding this trap is to fall in love with Jesus, and then fall in love with his mission in the world – then our attitudes, disciplines and priorities tend to head in the right direction. We release our freedom through our relationship with Jesus, and his empowering through the Holy Spirit.

So this is a matter of delving into God’s Word especially Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, and prayerfully considering, individually and in groups, what the Holy Spirit is saying to us through the life of Jesus. Just as the Holy Spirit opened up the paths of clear communication on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit also allows us to correctly and helpfully interpret God’s Word for our times right now!

In this knowledge, we are free to live our lives knowing that we are being transformed before the public gaze, and we can ably deal with all the challenges life throws up. So we can be active, more often doing the right thing than the wrong thing, being alert, expectant and observant … for the Spirit’s leading into new ventures and relationships. And we can help each other be the church that God so much desires to inhabit.

The commitment to full unity and cooperation among all the Lord's disciples is like a radiant light in a dark night (Pope Francis).

"Being Prayed For" (John 17:6-19)

Context

In John chapter 17, Jesus starts by praying for himself, quite understandable in the circumstances; and concludes by praying for those who will become new believers in the days to come. In the middle section of this prayer, Jesus prays for his disciples. We can certainly deduce from this, that Jesus would also be praying for us – as we, his modern-day disciples, seek to be obedient and share his love with others. So, today, I will zone in … on this middle section (of John 17). Another by-product of this part of Jesus’ prayer, would be learning how we can effectively pray for another.

Introduction

Many of the challenges we have as individuals, as families, and as churches … are quite complex and difficult. Not much comes easily in life. We can become daunted! On the other hand … if you find life easy, then you can’t be moving very far from comfort; and thereby are likely missing what God has for you to do, along with missing many opportunities of (personal) growth, and also probably missing out on Jesus praying for you! So we should embrace and expect these life challenges, and hang in while certain issues are being resolved.

Naturally, under duress, we would pray! We would pray for ourselves and the complex situations we find ourselves in, we would pray for others and their needs (that we have become aware of), and we would pray for the success of the mission of the church in reaching new people for Jesus. Yet, despite praying for ourselves, and others, and the church, we could still find ourselves giving in to the difficulty we find ourselves in, especially when we lack patience or faith, or when we don’t hear an answer that we can discern, or like, or when we can’t seem to find the right ways of living and working together with others.

In this space … this is when it is fantastic to know, that Jesus is likely praying for me, for us – SOMEONE (JESUS) who will never lack patience or faith, and never stop believing in those he has called! I reckon that it was Jesus praying for Peter, that meant, despite Peter’s very public failure, Peter was able to be quickly brought back into his ministry calling (following Jesus’ resurrection). Let us NEVER restrict the possibilities, when Jesus is praying for us! When you feel the pressure of being an ambassador for Jesus in the public place, know that Jesus is praying for you!!

As Rhett ably explained to us last week, we should never feel we are ‘too small’ to achieve. Even when we forget to pray, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is interceding for us (Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25). A 19^th Century Scottish minister, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies – yet the distance makes no difference; he is praying for me!” Would it give us more courage to know that Jesus is praying for us?!? Well, Jesus is praying for us!!

The Ways Jesus Prays for Us

1. (We have to hear that) Jesus prays not for the world, but rather for his disciples (v 9)

Rather than praying in a general way for a lost world, Jesus prays for his disciples. Why?? Because it will be Jesus’ disciples who will have the responsibility of taking God’s love into the cut and thrust of the world, and it will be they (us) who need prayer. Any great advancement in world affairs will be facilitated by Jesus’ disciples. Jesus’ disciples are the best equipped stewards of God’s creativity and grace (Gen 1:26). All creation awaits the revealing of the true children of God (Rom 8:19). We are God’s ambassadors, and Jesus is making his appeal through us (2 Cor 5:20).

So, like what happened for Peter, Jesus prays for his disciples – that they will be prepared to receive from God’s Spirit all they need to be effective disciples; and with all that in place, that they will influence other lives for good, with the Gospel; and that through this ministry, the world will become a better, more just, forgiving, peaceful, God-honouring environment. So the process works like this: we have responsibilities, Jesus prays for us, we are willing to change, we become reconciled to God, we start bringing a ministry of reconciliation, others change, the world is a better place, heaven comes to earth.

2. Jesus prays for our “protection” (v 11b, 15b) or “preservation”

Jesus actually prays for God to “protect them in Your (i.e. God’s own) name” (v 11b). As a “name” here refers to a person’s (or in this case God’s) identity and character, this refers to our connection to God as His children, being part of God’s community, where we come to be like Him. Our protection or preservation revolves around our ongoing and growing relationship with God.

But “protection” from what?? Not normal safeguarding; because we know that life is fragile and comes with few guarantees. Two particular areas of “protection” are mentioned:

1. Firstly, this is a prayer for “protection” against anything that would disrupt our … ‘oneness’! Why?? Because if we fail to be “one”, then our witness is diminished – and God can be said to be ineffective. The ‘oneness’ that we should be attaining to, is a ‘oneness’ based on the ‘oneness’ that the Father has with Son and that the Holy Spirit has with both the Father and the Son. Without being “one” (or expressing ‘unity’) we are potentially exposing ourselves to appearing hypocritical (and dishonouring God or de-glorifying God’s name).

No wonder Jesus prays for his disciples to be “one”! We shouldn’t have to force ‘unity’, but rather simply embrace being “one”. We are tied together as we are tied to God. We have a common love for Jesus, and in this common love we face all of our challenges. We collectively discern how God is moving by His Spirit. We should be working towards the same goal in perfectly complimentary ways.

But, what disrupts ‘oneness’?? Three (of many) possibilities: (i) Thinking and acting only as individuals (rather than as a member of a body). (ii) Treating our gifts as superior to others (when all gifts are actually designed to be complimentary). (iii) Distancing ourselves from others, and thereby inevitably retreating from the faith. Jesus is praying that this will NOT happen … that none of this will happen; praying that we will take our responsibility to collaborate in unity with one another seriously.

2. Secondly, this is also a prayer of protection from the “evil one”. Here, in the “evil one”, is the embodiment of all that is opposed to God’s ways; and this is very pertinent, because we are called to function as disciples in a world that is often antagonistic to us … at some risk. The world wants to pulls us into uniformity with its viewpoint and culture. This is a prayer for us to be protected from the negative impact of all that is corrupt.

We can also be susceptible … because God’s Word is often inconvenient to us; we hesitate to obey, because it demands something of us (that doesn’t often come naturally). Therefore we can be easily dissuaded and diverted from God’s will. Jesus’ hope and Jesus’ prayer … is that we will not yield to such temptation. Jesus himself knew the pressure of temptation. The ‘devil’ sought to divert Jesus from his mission, and did so by trying to twist and distort God’s Word.

So we can call upon Jesus’ example (early days – Matt 4:1-11) – Jesus said to ‘Satan’ … “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”; “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”; “Away with you Satan, for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’”. And then when facing suffering and death – Jesus said … “Not my will, but yours” (Matt 26:39).

[Where Jesus, in the Lord’s prayer (Matt 6:13), teaches us to pray for deliverance from evil – here Jesus joins in with the complexity of our lives on earth, by himself praying that we would be protected from the “evil one”. What a friend, what a brother, what a king!]

May the Lord free us from all temptation that separates us from what is essential in our mission and help rediscover the beauty of faith (Pope Francis).

3. Jesus prays that we will have his joy complete in us (v 13b)

Jesus’ own joy is connected to his harmonious relationship with his Father within the Trinity (the Divine community). Jesus wants to draw us into this same harmonious relationship with God (that he enjoys), involving the full experience of forgiveness and salvation. Jesus wants us to feel safe and secure in the Rock of all ages! We have been accepted, valued, and we belong to Jesus. This means we would worship God with all of what we have … joyfully!

I sometimes feel unsettled that I am able to worship God enthusiastically when others are NOT in this position. This could be because life has led them down a track where God seems remote, or perhaps they are suffering under extreme persecution or injustice. Shouldn’t I wait until these ones are free to worship as well … before I sing and dance with joy?! Actually … NO – Jesus wants me to joyfully express worship now, and in so doing fully experience and appreciate the oneness of God’s community. In this I grow, and then I’m better attuned and able to help others toward also knowing such joy.

Of course for us, “joy” should be part of all of life’s adventures. “Joy” is about being within God’s will. As Jesus gained his joy from doing the will of his Father (John 4:34), we will maximise our joy by doing the will of Jesus (Acts 5:41). In prayer, and in hope, Jesus wants to know that we will remain loyal. And Jesus certainly does NOT want any of us to ever become lost again, like what happened to Judas (v 12). Nothing on earth can tear us away from God, including illness, hardship or suffering (Rom 8:38), unless we let it.

4. Jesus prays that we might be “sanctified” meaning ‘set apart’ or ‘holy’ (v 17, 19)

Jesus is praying for our fitness, but in this case – our spiritual fitness. This is NOT so we can be separate or exclusive – quite the opposite. This IS so that we can engage wholly in human community, but at the same time be different, i.e. shining a light, making a difference for good, redeeming what has been lost. This is how spiritual hunger is created – by effectively displaying alternative and much more preferable pictures of human interaction and Divine possibility. Again we follow the life example of Jesus, who was wholly and completely ‘set apart’ for God’s purposes, to the extent of the greatest sacrifice ever; yet at the same time, Jesus took up residence on earth to engage with and redeem people for God in person.

Jesus uses the phrase “sanctify them in the truth” – meaning that we are ‘set apart’ in the reality of who God is. There are certain truths (in God’s Word) about the character of God and how God seeks to express love and mercy to the world. Jesus prays that we would know all about this, but more importantly, that we would live lives that fully reflects such truth.

This truth is NOT a ‘weapon’ or a sledgehammer, but rather a sweet fragrance that people can easily come to appreciate (2 Cor 2:14-7). It will still offend some, who will reject it; but this will not deter us … from the many who will be open to the truth (that will make all the difference) – or so Jesus prays!! God is love, and as we live in this love, the world has a chance to experience God’s love … and believe!

There is a sense here that Jesus wants us to move forward with our faith … into a complete dedication to God’s cause, where the integrity of such a life … means that God can be recognised, appreciated and worshipped. In a sense, God can be recognised within kind actions and thoughtful decisions – especially in comparison to much of the way the world works. A person who is ‘set apart in truth’, becomes a trustworthy reliable ‘go to person’ for all those who are serious in their seeking.

Summary

1. Jesus prays not for the world, but rather for us. Why?? We are ambassadors, and we are stewards!

2. Jesus prays for our protection

1. That we will experience “oneness” – thus working together effectively and making a good impression
2. That we will be protected from the “evil one” – and therefore be able to flourish through living in God’s will

3. Jesus prays that his “joy” will be complete in us – and this will reflect in our worship and life activity

4. Jesus prays that we will be “set apart” – and this will make a big difference (for good) in our community.

Conclusion

What does it mean for us, that Jesus is (right now) praying for us (in these ways)??

1. We can be courageous. We can walk a little taller – in that, as we humbly empty ourselves of the worthless clutter, Jesus will fill us with fruit and effectiveness. We have purpose. We can walk together arm in arm. We are being shielded against defeat. Our lives mean something. People are being blessed. Jesus is walking beside us, and praying for us!

2. AND, these prayers of Jesus for us are being answered! And, answered in the affirmative!! About Jesus’ praying here, Larry Richards writes, “This prayer has been, is being, and will be … answered”! Such was Jesus 100% connection to God’s will, that these prayers will get a result!! It is up to us to know, understand and apply … that we ARE being prayed for, and ARE therefore being prepared, equipped, preserved, blessed and set apart.

3. We can experience “oneness” with Jesus and each other in the ‘Body of Christ’. In the face of evil, we can know we are on the victory side. We can experience the glory of God, as God becomes evident around us. Know this! We can live in the assurance of this prayer backing us up all the way. No need to fear. No need to place limits. No need to feel alone. No need to lack hope. No reason not to think big! There is plenty of good to invest in.

The Tower of Babel and Multiculturalism

Is cultural and language diversity a bad thing? No! Is multiculturalism, ie. the coming together of a variety of cultures, a bad thing? Despite the challenges this often brings to a community ... my answer is, "no"! Such challenges can actually grow the fabric of a community. Is migration a bad thing? No! Especially not in a world of such oppression, injustice and active prejudice against certain people groups. People movement is understandable and acceptable. This is not to in anyway condone the darkness that causes the need to flee. Maybe common sense, balance, adequate safeguards ... maybe. But never forget the Bible's major and central concern around the care of widows, orphans and foreigners (read refugees and asylum seekers). So then, to understand properly the somewhat problematical 'tower of Babel' passage in Genesis chapter 11, I think we need to start with two pieces of background info. Firstly, the Bible, that collection of Scriptures chosen to be included among our 66 books, is a book about mission, ie. God's mission to re-connect with and redeem the world - inclusive of all human beings particularly, and all creation generally. So, what does the 'tower of Babel' passage say about God's mission? There is here a refusal to do things God's way, namely, to fill the earth. Instead of going, they were staying - the opposite of mission. They resisted a 'scattering' (v 4). People thought they could do better, and thus usurped God's leadership. They egotistically believed in their own wisdom, rather than in God's will. This would never be any good for anyone. So rather than a voluntary scattering, there was a forced scattering - which actually endorses as being good ... the subsequent language and cultural diversity. Secondly, this record is likely written centuries later than its setting ... in hindsight, trying to explain the existing cultural diversity. Without cultural diversity there would have been a bland colourless world of similarity - this would have hardly represented the 'image' of such a multifaceted God who created planet earth with such seasonal diversity and broad landscape; resistance inevitably leading to a revolt through insular purposelessness. While explained as a punishment, in context, this would have been understood as an ultimate blessing, or at the very least, working in humankind's best interests; thus in effect ... redemptive love, because it redirected humanity to God's prior intentions. Cultural diversity and multicuturalism then, in the hands of the Holy Spirit, from the time of Pentecost, is the lifeblood of the 'Kingdom of God' and the 'Body of Christ', and also a foretaste of heaven. Such heaven on earth experiences are only available as we embrace and welcome different cultures into the life of our society.