Communion Talk - "It is Well with my Soul"

There was Jesus nailed to a cross bringing forgiveness to the world.

There was a lot of commotion and noise; for some this was just a community event to go along and see what might happen - the latest crucifixion of some poor criminal who upset Rome. Soldiers were gambling over Jesus' clothes. Others, such is human nature at times, were mocking Jesus and his claims to kingship.

But there were a few paying special, more deeper, attention. Through it all ... their eyes were on Jesus.

There was one Roman centurion, who was no doubt feeling lost in life, despite his lofty position, carefully watching this crucifixion scene; and what he saw was innocent suffering, and he probably also heard Jesus' words of forgiveness from the cross - forgiving those who had put him there - which included this centurion himself. Emotionally gathered into the depth of this scene of Divine sacrifice, this Roman centurion said, "Truly this man was God's Son".

There was some women there at the foot of the cross, and at some point ... the disciple John as well. One of these women was Jesus' mother Mary (who we are led to conclude was a widow by this time) - and despite having other family, was still somehow potentially at risk of loneliness and homelessness. As Mary looked up and grieved what was happening to her son, Jesus looked down, and created a new support base around Mary. The disciple John would take her into his own home, and John would become like her son.

Despite the mocking of the other criminal, the one on the other nearby cross ... also watched Jesus. And he was so mightily impressed by what he witnessed, he threw himself on Jesus' mercy. That man recognised God in Jesus - what humility, what beauty! And Jesus responded to this man with a totally new outlook for him ... with the most beautiful picture of hope: "Today you will be with me in paradise".

For the Roman centurion, for Mary the mother of Jesus, for the criminal on the nearby cross - it would, now, be well with their soul!

We too can embrace Jesus, wherever life has placed us, whatever we are feeling about our circumstances. Jesus is reaching down, and across, to us ... with grace!

Through all of life's challenges, I invite you to keep your eyes on Jesus.

"A Community Calling" (2 Timothy 1:1-14)

Prelude

Rev Dr John Smith went to be with God a week or so ago. He was an international speaker, author and founder of God’s Squad Christian Motorcycle Club International, Concern Australia and St Martin’s Community Church in Melbourne.  He wrote these autobiographical words:

Early in 1972, my wife Glena, myself and a few others attended the Sunbury Rock Festival as an informal “mission” group. Some Christians were scandalised — that was no place for a minister! There, among that drugged-up, hedonistic crowd of around 35,000, we found people willing to chat with us. Many responded to the gospel and wanted to be baptised. One was a biker, a hard-drinking, hard-fighting member of an outlaw club, now transformed through his encounter with Jesus Christ. He stood knee deep in the muddy river that flowed slowly through the site to be baptised, while onlookers who had been skinny-dipping lounged around on the banks adding their colourful comments. After his baptism the biker, standing in midstream, explained exactly what the gospel of Jesus meant, using simple, non-religious words. The audience was silenced by his sincerity and passion.

Bikers, hippies and anti-war activists had first grabbed my attention a year or two earlier. I was then an “orthodox” minister on the outside, although beginning to feel drawn towards people on the fringes of society. While driving towards Bendigo, I passed a bunch of menacing-looking outlaw bikers parked by the side of the road. Oddly, I felt a surge of compassion for these guys who no one really wanted to know. I couldn’t see the local minister making much headway with people like that. So I began to pray that God would raise up someone able to get alongside such outsiders and show them something of the love of Christ. I sensed a reply, “Why don’t you answer your own prayer?”, but initially doubted the call. I was far too straight for the job.

Soon afterwards at a Christian family camp, I met Eddie Pye, a youth worker and first-rate stunt motorcyclist. He said, “If you really want to grab the attention of teenagers, you should get yourself a motorbike.” He persisted until, hesitantly, I took his advice. I then began to chat with a few bikers, some of whom became believers. Despite their apparent toughness, I found they were often vulnerable and lost but searching for a better life. Also the more I dug into Jesus’s life, the more I was challenged by the way he ministered to the outcasts of his day. I reckoned the bikers had to be the “lepers” of our society. I was becoming increasingly convinced of God’s call to be “the answer to my own prayer”.

Introduction



In the opening verses of 2^nd Timothy, we see how Paul is mentoring the young Timothy in his ministry. Paul commends Timothy, and uses himself as an example of running the race well to its conclusion. Paul refers to this ministry, in verse 9, as a “holy calling”. This simply means that Timothy, has been ‘set apart’ (the meaning of the word translated “holy”) by God … under a particular “calling”. NOT, of course, ‘set apart’ from the community, BUT RATHER ‘set apart’ for God in community!



A “holy calling” is always a ‘community calling’, for it always involves service to others, and the betterment and redemption of society. Paul was wanting to nurture this “calling” … so that Timothy would be the person, and fulfil the role, that God had placed within him and before him, for the sake of the Gospel. Many years earlier, Paul himself had been affirmed and released in his very ‘particular calling’ of apostolic church planting (Acts 13:1-3).





Callings



Once we accept Jesus, and begin to follow him in the power of the Holy Spirit, we all have a ‘general calling’ – to become better disciples, to grow and mature into the image of Jesus, and be witnesses such that we ‘make’ other disciples. But we all, also, have ‘particular unique callings’, a certain contribution to make, a special role through which to participate in the mission of God. This comes to us, I believe, in four ways:

(i)                  how we have been created (our personalities, interests and natural abilities),

(ii)                our various experiences in life (our history – including any pain and suffering),

(iii)               the circumstances, or the needs of others, surrounding us,

(iv)               the gifts of the Holy Spirit we have been given.

Who we are, what we have learned (in good times and bad), the context we find ourselves living in, and the spiritual gifts that we carry – these are the best guides to prayerfully discover our particular ‘calling’. John Smith [of God’s Squad fame] received the same gospel as us, had the same faith as us, witnessed in the normal ways we can witness to Jesus; but his ‘special calling’ – was based on (i) who he was born to be, (ii) the experiences he had along the way, (iii) the needs that presented to him, and, (iv) his spiritual gift of evangelism. John Smith’s ‘calling’ was tailor-made for him! For, he had a unique way of connecting with the type of people, specifically bikers, that most of us could NOT have – and he was often able to direct these hardened people toward Jesus.



Having mentioned spiritual gifts, we should note that every spiritual gift is given by a God of community for the “common good” of our community (1 Corinthians 12:7). Likewise, the ‘calling’ that God has for us to fulfil, comes from a God of community, is discerned in the midst of life in community, and becomes active in the context of community. As we see in verse 9, Paul draws Timothy into an understanding that all “holy callings” operate in conjunction with one another.



Verse 9: God has saved us, and called us (with a “holy calling”), according to God’s own purpose and grace given to us … in Christ Jesus … before time even began! Our calling begins in community, and functions in community. As already said, a “holy calling” is a ‘community calling’! Your ‘calling’ compliments my ‘calling’, and each of these connects with the ‘calling’ of every new disciple. For John Smith’s ‘call’ to evangelism on the edge to matter, he needed those called to disciple, nurture, love and pastor … to also step up. Generally speaking, the God of community is seeking to re-build community … communities like ours … through us being community.





Discipleship



We should also notice in verse 9, this close connection between salvation and ‘calling’. Christians are ‘saved’ NOT ONLY from a life of ‘sin’, BUT ALSO into a life of purpose (Guthrie)! Salvation is yet the beginning of finding our ‘calling’ in life. The activation of our ‘calling’ comes simultaneously with our salvation (Stott). We are saved to engage!! Yet, our ‘calling’ does NOT always get served up on a platter – it is NOT always obvious – we have to meet God half-way, and figure this all out together. This always involves prayer, may involve fasting, and could be acknowledged through commissioning and the laying on of hands.



All this provides another reason why the church, engagement with the church, participation in the church – being the church, and NOT trying to survive or act in isolation … is all at the heart of our discipleship. Research has shown (e.g. Cacioppo – Uni of Chicago*) that withdrawing from community into isolation can only increase self-centredness. Conversely, we can only turn the world upside down or right-side up … by belonging, being, living, worshipping, believing, praying, trusting, and working – together! [* Source: Eric Geiger – “How Community Combats Self-Centredness”.]



We sometimes avoid community because it reveals our shortcomings – yet without community we will remain stuck in those same problem areas, never gaining the tools or encouragement, the insight or love … through which to break free or move forward. We need to see God’s handiwork – examples of how God is working in others. God works … by raising a body of people, albeit fallible, into a modern-day body of Christ, living effectively through the Holy Spirit – that can then point people to the possibility of hope, peace and salvation.



God wants to redeem all creation, drawing everyone, through Jesus, into the new creation (just like communion demonstrates)! So, we huddle together here in worship, prayer and teaching … breaking through any personal or collective obstacles – NOT losing the potential of the future because of the failings of the past. Thereby, the local church becomes a missionary training centre, so everyday missionaries can be released into every sphere of life in the community. We would pray, and then act, so that NO corner or crack of our community would be without a witness to Jesus. We gather and then engage – from community to community … making Jesus visible.





Teamwork



It is the most effective team that makes the biggest impact. When one of the biggest miracles took place, the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus asked all of his disciples to go out into the crowd and distribute the bread and the fish (Mark 6:34-44). Despite the meagre rations to begin with, Jesus prayed, the disciples moved out, and everyone ate their fill, with twelve basketfuls left over. This was obedience to a ‘general calling’, that would later pave the way to each of the disciples’ (bar Judas) more ‘particular calling’ as they dispersed around different people groups.



In community, faith is built, or, if necessary stirred-up again (v 6)! In community, potential can be recognised and released. It is within spiritual community, our local church, that our unique calling or ‘sweet spot’ (of ministry opportunity) will be best discovered or discerned; and if it be already known, then nurtured, encouraged, stretched, applied and released – with helpful feedback given and received, with proper forms of mutual accountability. {BTW: We shouldn’t ever call this a ‘personal calling’ … because it is never really ours – but more of an ‘endowment’ for the benefit of others.}



Bob Buford writes: “Everyone needs permission and encouragement to be who God made them to be”. It is within a loving caring community … that a little trial and error can be safely undertaken – on the road to ultimate success. We often, from this platform, talk about moving out of our comfort zones – for this is the biblical story – heroes who had to get past their perceived shortcomings or failings – Moses (who thought he couldn’t speak well enough) or Jeremiah (who thought he was too young) or Peter (who had failed in denying Jesus) or Paul (who had a debilitating ‘thorn in the flesh’) – those who had to obey, and trust that God would take up the slack.



In faith, we change our thinking … from worst-case scenarios, toward great outcomes. Isaiah was one, who when hearing the call, got past his negative feelings about himself, and replied, “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:1-8)! When we step out … we will NOT be alone, for this is God’s mission after all! It is actually when … we sense and activate our “holy calling”, that we begin to see our story … as part of God’s bigger story. We need to make sure … that we don’t taper back the more radical or challenging nature of our ‘calling’ … back more within our comfort zone. Our danger does NOT so much lie outside our comfort zone, but rather inside a set routine that cannot respond to the Holy Spirit’s inconvenient leadings (and eliminates God’s best for us).





Callings (again)



Matthew Barnett in “The Cause Within You” (page 34) writes as follows:



When you were born, God instilled … a great cause that He wants you to embrace. … He created a universe in which the cumulative effect of all people faithfully pursuing the cause within them would result in a transformed world – one in which everyone’s needs would be met and every servant’s heart would be filled with the joy of blessing others. Unfortunately, we live in a traumatised world – in part because so many people fail to identify and pursue the cause [God] has given them. … It is always about using the resources God has given you – skills, relationships, experiences, money, time, intelligence … to make a positive impact in the lives of others. … I get such inspiration from the ordinary people I meet who are doing extraordinary things because they have devoted themselves to the great cause God has custom designed just for them. … When they figured it out and committed themselves to that cause, they found that God partners with them in amazing ways.

 



Conclusion



Our passage culminates (in verse 14), with the concept of guarding what has been invested in us by God – it shouldn’t be wasted, it shouldn’t be allowed to lay dormant, we can’t let it fizzle out! This is very much our obligation to God, humanity and all creation – in this sense, our debt is still to be paid. I owe it to others to fulfil my ‘calling’. Or, at least, that’s how Paul felt about it (e.g. Romans 1:14). We should be good stewards of God’s investment within us. This is possible, totally, for we are actually in partnership with the Holy Spirit … Who is living in us. Our endeavours and the Holy Spirit (can very well) … “consist together” (Henry).



Let us appreciate the opportunities before us! Together, we await great outcomes. For our God is great, and the Holy Spirit is active and effective, and Jesus is the best friend a person could ever have! We just have to give ourselves to God’s cause, to God’s will, and then be visible and available … joining up the dots for people, working as a team, encouraging one another to fulfil our ‘callings’ – based on who we are, the experiences we have had, the circumstances we face, and the spiritual gifts we have been given. Amen.





Epilogue

Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Amen!

My Prayer for New Zealand

Loving God, we come with heavy hearts, and pray for the people of NZ, particularly those part of the city of Christchurch, particularly the Muslim community, particularly those who have suffered loss. We pray that You bring a large measure of Your peace.

We pray for all the families and friends of all the victims, and we pray for those still fighting for life, and for all those dealing with horrific injuries. We pray for the doctors, nurses, hospital staff - dealing with such awful trauma. We pray for a large measure of Your healing.

As many of the victims were refugees from other places, just seeking a new peaceful country in which to live and contribute, we pray for refugees around the world - for their safety and well being. We pray that You will bring them a large measure of hope.

Loving God, we pray for all those suffering under persecution and injustice across the world, and for those who are grieving their loss as a result of any one of the atrocities that have occurred. We pray for their freedom from captivity, and comfort for all who mourn.

We pray for the first responders last Friday - the police, and the ambos, and any others who courageously sought to help their fellow citizens. We also pray for the bystanders - in regard to what they saw and heard. Also, we think of the perplexed people of Grafton. We pray that You give them a large measure of Your peace.

We pray for the counsellors, pathologists, coroner, and funeral directors - in the massive task they have to perform. We also pray for the government of NZ, in gratitude for the wise and compassionate prime minister that they have. Give them all a large measure of Your guidance, we pray.

We pray that we all are prepared to learn the lessons we need to from this act of terror, especially in terms of Your Divine Gospel call to love our neighbour. As we read in Your Word: "Let us NOT become weary of doing what is right". We pray against all those who preach hate - whether directly or more subtly.

We lament the sin that exists in the world, and in our lives. We pray that You will continue to form us as Your new creation, so that we can be people who offer peace and hope. We pray in the wonderful Name of our Saviour Jesus, Amen.

"God's Blessing on Life" (Psalm 139:7-18 & Mark 10:13-16)

Introduction



God has created all life. And God has placed a blessing over the whole of life – from beginning to end. This also includes, where things have gone awry, the possibility of a new beginning … with no ending! Life is all about relationships, and God has invited us into the greatest relationship of all. This is God’s world and we are His creations. This all begs many questions! How do we view our lives? Do we fully grasp all of the love God has for us?? And, what is the legacy we are creating for our children???



Created in Love



Can I suggest from the outset, on the basis of what we have read from Psalm 139, that we should never let ourselves forget … how much God loves and cares for us – each one of us. This began in the design stage within our mother’s womb. From this point … all the potential that our life held … waited on our birth, and for the nurturing we would receive, and for our gradual maturing … through whatever life threw up. The purpose and calling for which our lives could be known, was planted very early.



Our sense of worth should be lifted through reading this psalm … should it not!? We read this grateful psalmist say (in verse 14) in response to God, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made – wonderful are your works”. I, myself, for one, may NOT look like what this verse states now – but’s that just aging skin and bones. It is also the work within … that we can remark upon. Truly, we were created in the image of God – just as we are taught in Genesis (1:26-7). So, we have the capacity to feel, think and act … as God would!



All of us – male and female – are created in the image (or, ‘the likeness’) of God – which is the one of the most important lessons the early chapters of Genesis have to tell. And, God declared all of this creation to be “very good” (1:31). We are created with God’s blessing for a joyful, productive and love-filled life. So, each new life is a precious gift to the earth! The Psalmist goes on (in verse 16) to write very positively about our good prospects in life – “In your book were written all the days that were formed for me …”.



Before we view all this too individualistically though, we should also note the other two most important lessons we learn from the early chapters of Scripture – which remind us that we live in community. We were created by a God of community. We are to be good stewards of all of God’s creation (Gen 1:28); and, we are to love our neighbour. Our potential productivity lies in this relational context. Yet, too, we were created in a way in which fulfilling these tasks and responsibilities became absolutely possible!!



Loved in Rebellion



But then, here’s the rub! In one way or another, and at one time or another, each of us has rebelled against God to a greater or lesser degree, preferring our own ideas, and own control, and our own ways, over God’s! We have been given freewill, and so we have utilised our license to make bad choices – we reach out to take our own apple from the tree … the tree that was better left alone. Because of this, our focus increasingly rests on ourselves, and we lose our sense of community; and, as a result, we can quickly lose our sense of the ‘common good’, and potentially let others down more and more.



What extreme examples we have seen this week – violent assaults against police officers on the streets of Melbourne, reports of attacks against school principals just doing their job the best way they can, the sexual abuse of children … how gravely humanity has strayed from its ideal. A deep darkness can ferment in human community. But then there are also the smaller resistances to God’s best … that lie within each of us; and even if they don’t seem to do too much damage – there will always be some cost (and some consequence).



Yet even then, and even now, with whatever water has flowed under the bridge, our great human potential for good … encased in God’s design, has NOT being fully destroyed – far from it. God continued to so love the world, that there was a plan for this – and God intervened in a wonderfully redemptive way! To recover that image that we were born to wear, the image of God, we have the opportunity to embrace Jesus, and accept his offer of forgiveness – made possible, sacrificially, on a Roman cross. And, in so doing, we experience the benefits of Jesus’ resurrection – where new life and new creation begins! Here … hope is restored!!



Despite life’s bruises and dark experiences, we can still recapture God’s design for us. When, for any number of reasons, anyone has become broken or desperate or lost – there is still a way forward. Life, even if it appears desperately sad right at the moment, can still be re-created. And this is because we can know Jesus. Jesus understands our difficulties, temptations, family tensions, disappointments, grief and pain – because Jesus was here on earth for 33 years. We can know God personally, and appreciate even more His creativity, as we choose to follow Jesus as our Saviour, friend and leader.



This path forward … is NOT necessarily a quick fix, although sometimes there is a sense of instant relief and joy. More often, the power of God’s mercy and forgiveness … works away little-by-little, stage-by-stage, season after season, until we notice that there has been real change, and there is actually a sense of real freedom and tangible joy in us. It’s like God is a couple of pages ahead of us … in the book of our lives – wanting to draw us toward our best case scenarios – our best future! In these ways, God brings a complete blessing to our lives.



Loving the Children



So, therefore, we want each of our children to know how much God loves them; and that any mistakes they might make … cannot make God love them any less. All children are of the highest value, and must be regarded as such – loved, protected, encouraged, afforded patience and wisely nurtured. We should NOT allow any of our adult agendas to unnecessarily interfere with any child’s sense of well-being. Do we ever repress a child’s excitement because this may be inconvenient? Do we ever obstruct faith?



Each parent, and each children’s worker (in church and community), every teacher, needs to appreciate the tremendous value of that child before them. Children must always feel encouraged, and when given boundaries or disciplined or being taught important lessons about sharing and cooperating … they must be able to come to understand … that this was out of love, and in their best interests. Children must be listened to – in an attempt to discover their personalities and interests; being helped to feel accepted and valued. Of course, we need to say this, more than ever before! 



We know there are children with special challenges and needs, and we wonder at the environmental factors behind this. We know there are naughty children … that carers and teachers have to deal with every day, and we wonder what type of dysfunction lies behind this behaviour. In all these diverse situations, there still lies the potential of the image of God. This is why we need to pray for and support each parent, and each teacher, and grow with wisdom in our own children’s ministry. The children of this congregation, and this community, are a gift to the world.



With each new child, there is an opportunity of a better world! Because they are so fresh and raw, and don’t wear the baggage we often do – children represent hope – they so often reflect the enthusiastic love of God. Jesus once remarked that children make the most natural worshippers (refer to Matthew 21:15-16). Therefore, in the church, the place where God is worshipped, children need to feel especially appreciated, that they belong, and that this gathering place – is always, always, a good place to be. Of course, we need to say this now, and prove that we mean it, more than ever before!!!



For those whose attitude to children leads to their discouragement or their destruction, whoever they are, known and unknown, directly guilty or by covering up, there is a drastic judgment to come. We pause to regret with tears the damage that has been done by so many people within certain institutions … who should have known better – and who had NO valid excuse! We pray for all victims who continue to struggle. This church is committed to all initiatives that will make for safer places – and therefore more gracious places. 



Jesus and Children



When there were some people tending to block their path, Jesus called for the children to come to him – he welcomed them to his side, and he pointed to them – Jesus held them up as an example – and said the famous words … “… for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). This was because they were enthusiastic yet humble, mischievous yet pure in heart, dependent and uncomplicated.



It is said that … young children, in every culture, have a natural concept of God. Psychologist Paul Bloom at Yale University reports that, “When children are directly asked about the origin of animals and people, they tend to prefer explanations that involve an intentional creator, even if the adults who raised them do not”. Scientific evidence has shown that, “Built into the natural development of children’s minds [is] a predisposition to see the natural world as designed and purposeful, and that some kind of intelligent being is behind that purpose”.



Another psychologist Justin Barrett at Oxford University says, “Even if a group of children were put on an island and they raised themselves, I think they would believe in God”. It appears that we have to be influenced out of belief in God. This would happen through who we listen to, the groups we are a part of, and how we interpret certain circumstances. All such analysis makes sense to me, and is certainly consistent with what we read in the Bible.



Emulating the Children



Children are, in many ways, what adults need to return … to being like – recapturing their innocence and purity (out of the clutches of guilt and shame), emulating their creative spontaneity (being able to newly respond to God’s Holy Spirit), becoming uncluttered and free from unnecessary obsessions (other than God), being open to learn (rather than fixed in our attitudes), and being socially active (rather than fiercely independent).



Jesus went on to say, “… whoever does NOT receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). Each of us need to find our way back … by approaching Jesus … in humility, with an open truthfulness, and in trusting dependence. Even when our trust has been tragically broken by people in past days – we must find ways of appreciating … that God is always faithful and trustworthy. And this is a God who always suffers with those who are suffering.



Conclusion



Most of us were born in the context of great expectation and much happiness. And God’s blessing was upon our future lives. At some point, for nearly all of us, life goes wrong; but God, through Jesus, will receive us (again) just like he welcomes and blesses the little children. God is always there, waiting for each young person, and each adult – to simply respond to God’s wonderful open arms of welcome.



God’s desire … is that at the other end of our life, that we will be found in God (Psalm 139:18). For all those struggling – let me say … that God still loves you, and God will NOT stop loving you! God loves with a light that does NOT dim. God never loses interest – God never loses track of us. God never forgets us. Why? Because God has a large investment in how our lives turn out! Many here today can no doubt testify, that even with over 6 billion people on planet earth, it is still definitely possible to have a personal experience with God.



No matter where we go, and no matter where the extremes of life take us, God is there to redeem us (Ps 139:7-12). There are no doubt many here who can say … that God has found them where they are, and when they have needed Him the most. May we all experience and appreciate this wonderful blessing … that God brings upon each of our lives!! Amen.

"Being Just" (Matthew 9:35-38)

When Jesus saw people in a helpless state, we read that he had “compassion” for them (Matthew 9:36). We sense here, a wholly inclusive concern for the well-being of all the community, especially those completely lost in life. We are very well aware of the immense need within our local community, across our state and nation, and around the whole world. We could only imagine that Jesus would be looking upon this world (that God loves) with this same “compassion”.



This Greek word here translated “compassion” has such a depth to it, it is difficult to adequately translate in English. This is a “pity” and an “empathy” that comes from deep within Jesus – what he sees turns his stomach – Jesus is “gutted”… and he is “stirred” into action. We can see that this is much more than sympathy, for there is a close engagement with the issues here. If this is the way God feels when He sees various levels and types of need, then this is how we should also feel. This attitude is what led the ‘good Samaritan’ to cross the road and care for the injured traveller (Luke 10:33).



We can never approach our task of mission through an elevated pride and superiority, but rather through an engaging humility and compassion. There are those people who are living under neglect, oppression and violence all around the world, and then there are many who are just emotionally exhausted, bewildered and worn out – “harassed and helpless” – tormented and depressed … just under the daily pressure of doing life (dealing with relationships and raising children) – and often it seems … resorting to drugs to quell the pain.



Followers of Jesus CANNOT turn a blind eye to need! This would be contrary to our faith. To have this God-like compassion leads to attitudes of fairness and justice, and therefore, also, to responses and actions against injustice. Adam Gustine has written a book, that talks about how we can’t just turn our responses to need … on-and-off … as a matter of choice. Each follower of Jesus, and the church collectively, needs to simply and naturally be ‘just’ … as part of who we are in our relationship with Christ Jesus – both in our relationship with each other, and in our relationship with the world.



Adam Gustine writes: “Sadly, many churches struggle to integrate justice and the pursuit of God’s shalom [the Hebrew notion of complete human integrated peace and well-being] meaningfully into their vision for what it means to be the church. The work of being the church has to include the pursuit of ‘shalom’ – both in terms of how we live together as a ‘body’, and also the way that our ‘body’ participates in the world”.



You might remember that when the people of Israel were exiled in Babylon (separated from their real home), that nonetheless, the prophet Jeremiah, on behalf of God, said that they should seek the welfare of where they now lived. God’s call to justice never has an ‘us-and-them’ component, but only a ‘we’ … in thorough human solidarity. There are NO limits to who our neighbour is – when a person, or a particular community, is in need, or where injustice is present. Transformed attitudes like this, truly ‘being just’, living with integrity, is actually how we will be able to form God-glorifying and authentic relationships with our neighbours.



1 Peter 3:8 reads: “… all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind”. Now that is how we, together, can reflect the image of God to the world! So, we see something that is NOT right, and we find a way, rather than being passive or dismissive, or apathetic, or believing that it’s someone else’s problem, to take some action. As believers in the notion that this, despite it’s folly, is still God’s world, a world that God loves – we begin with prayer, and with reading the Bible for guidance, and asking God’s Spirit for wisdom, while we also have a eye for what we can do.



This may mean we write a letter or email to a decision-maker (a person with the power to bring change), or make a phone-call to their office. Or we might be part of some form of protest, or in other cases … fund-raising. Or we might have opportunity to become more hands on. 


Being able to grow in our compassion, being a ‘just’ community of active faith, doesn’t just happen because we want it to. Life is too complex, and humanity is too frail. We can’t achieve good things for long, just in our own strength! This is a work of God’s Spirit within us – individually and collectively. And so we need to KNOW Jesus more.



We need to dwell on Scriptures (like we have looked at today), and apply them to our life situations. We need to humbly seek Jesus in our lives. We need to continually know his grace and forgiveness. We need to let him change us into His image. And in this process, we can be a “labourer” in the “harvest” of mercy, that God wants to bring. 

Loving God, May Your Kingdom come - may it come in me, may it come in us! Amen. 

"God is Real!" (Psalm 19)

Introduction

In the face of the world in which we live, we need to be assured that God is real. If we are going to make a greater impact on the culture around us, we need to be able to show that God is real. The world needs to know that God is real! Michael Jenson, an Anglican from Sydney, writes these challenging words in an Eternity magazine piece, “Forget the culture war: it’s the decadence and half-heartedness of us Christians that is the biggest obstacle to the Gospel in Australia”.  

Psalm 19 gives us at least three points of reference through which we can be assured that God is real – creation, Scripture and experience. If others are going to be convinced, first we need to be convinced … that God is real. So, in that desire, in that pursuit, we turn to Psalm 19. And the assurance we should find in meditating on this psalm, should in turn encourage greater faith, hope and witness amongst us.

                                                                                 

Three Areas of Revelation

In Psalm 19, there is a general revelation about God through creation (verses 1 – 6). There is also … a particular revelation … through God’s Word … as it was recorded over many centuries in the cut and thrust of life on earth (verses 7 – 10). And then there is a special revelation … in the lives of those who have experienced and know Jesus (verses 11-14). [If we look at the bookend verses, we see at one end a great universal declaration about God, and at the end – something very personal.]

This psalm moves from the grandeur and wonder of universal creation, through the significance of God’s Word and how God has encountered the world, culminating in a very personal way for each one of us to embrace our Creator. Those with eyes that have come to see, will be able to believe that God is real – through creation, through God’s Word (when it is handled well), and, thirdly, through the lives of those who know and follow Jesus, as they … as we … point to him.

Text

(a) Creation (vs 1-6)

There was intricate and ingenious handiwork involved in the creation of all that surrounds us. In effect, creation speaks for itself, it speaks well of its Creator – all creation speaks well of God. Even though we do not hear actual words – what we see and experience speaks volumes about the glory, majesty and (creative) power of God. Just look around – day and night … just look around! And we do have the sounds of the birds and the wind through the trees, to remind us about the greatness of God.

Everything has been beautifully designed to nurture and sustain life on earth. Creation speaks about God in a universal language, that can be understood by all. The presence of the sun reminds the psalmist (and ourselves) of the life-giving power of God over all the earth. Like the sun, God doesn’t miss anybody!

Yet, within creation, there is an in-built witness to the need for us to depend and rely on the Creator, not trust in the creation itself. The earth will shake, the wind will blow, the rains will start and the rains will stop, and fire will do its work. The seasons will come and go – it will sometimes, in some places, be uncomfortably hot or bitterly cold. In all the circumstances we find ourselves in, we will need to trust God – who causes the sun to rise each morning, and set each night. Thus, we also worship the Creator, and not the creation. Creation calls us into a relationship with God.

And, also, given that humanity was given freewill to decide for or against God, and for or against living in God’s ways, the consequences of our bad decisions will be borne by all, and creation itself. For we were called and instructed to be good ‘stewards’ of all that God had created (Genesis 1:28), and each time we have failed through either action or inaction, there have been consequences that accumulate over the years. This is why Paul says in Romans (8:18-25) that God’s creation is groaning waiting for the children of God to be revealed – these are the ones who will more be likely to have a positive and redemptive effect on earth, and will partner with, rather than rebel against … God’s purposes.

However, we can still see past all this complexity, to the magnificence of what God created so long ago. This includes the brilliant intricacy of our human bodies and brains. No camera lens will ever be as good as the human eye. Despite all the progress, the human brain is better than we will ever know. And despite our capacity for evil, there is also so much capacity for good.

One (well I know I do) finds it difficult to understand how many just don’t see creation this way. As so many refuse to see and hear the obvious, we have to come to accept the powerful forces, human and otherwise, that can block such acceptance. We have to concede and understand that many people, because of their own difficult experiences in life, and how they interpret them, stand in opposition to belief – and they find it almost impossible to accept that there is a God of love and mercy (even in the midst of this beauty). So we pray for them – that they may come to see that God is real!

(b) The Word of God (vs 7-10)

According to an American survey, only 19% of church-going Christians read the Bible daily; and 40% read it only once-a-month, rarely or never. What would be the figures here? Anything resembling this survey would certainly be an indictment. What a waste of the best resource! What a limitation in the building of faith and witness!! [BTW, the same survey said that only 63% thought prayer was essential.]

The Scriptures reveal the heart of God. These Scriptures were written to communities … to reform and heal those communities. And these Writings contain so much significant and life-changing material. There is here a guidebook for life – the best resource that we can have (that is unfortunately left on the shelf or is the least used ap on the mobile phone). The Bible guides conduct – the ethics and morals we need as a foundation for our lives. We learn there … that finding God is the most satisfying quest.

Just to trace some of what we can discover: from the moment humankind rebelled, God was on the search to bring people back. For, God created us to have a relationship with Him. God’s call of Abraham, from the very beginning, spoke of a missional God, who only wanted to form relationships with people from all nations. God brought a vision of a promised land where people could live in peace. This is now the Kingdom of God – that exists wherever God is given top priority. There were heroic figures of faith, yet God’s true prophets repeatedly spoke to a rebellious nation time and time again, to remind them, and challenge them, with the truth … that a faithful relationship with God entailed living with others in justice and with right attitudes.

The Psalms relay the rough-and-tumble and the ups-and-downs of life – displaying the worst of human inclinations, but at the same time the best of worshipful trust in God. Wherever we see self-interest give way to love of neighbour (like for example in the book of Ruth), we rejoice! The Hebrew Scriptures – the Old Testament – prepares the way for us to understand the need of a new covenant of grace and service … to replace the old covenant of law that had failed to see lives changed and the world transformed.

These Scriptures look forward to a true Messiah – one who would redeem humanity to God. The Gospels reveal that Jesus is this Christ – the earthly incarnation of God – God walking the streets of Palestine for 33 years – for the last 3 years in a Divine ministry to all he came into contact with. Jesus himself would tell that well-known ‘parable’ … where despite how much the prodigal son had rejected his father, and had gone his own way toward his own destruction – the father figure longingly waited for the day … when he could rush out to embrace his son, as he journeyed toward home.

And then, Jesus took upon himself all the rebellion, sin and brokenness of all humanity, took all this to a Roman cross, and declared forgiveness to anyone who would believe in him. Having been raised to life again, we see the ongoing work of Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) unfolding in the book of Acts; from Pentecost on, we see God’s great ancient promises to Abraham fulfilled – the Gospel is going out to all nations. It’s all there! And all I can say in response … is … God is real!! Yes, the Bible reveals the heart of God; and we can form a deep knowledge of God through giving ourselves to this Word.

If we can just handle it well, individually and collectively, listen to its message, understand the context and different types of writings, devour all its truth, get passionate about its major themes, let it reach deep down into us, change us, and teach it properly, and live it with integrity – then people can know that God is real! For … there is so much in the Word of God to transform people’s lives toward the good! Have a look at verses 7 & 8: so much truth and wisdom. Such a ‘Word’ … revives the soul, rejoices the heart, and enlightens the eyes. And as verse 10 says, there is nothing of greater value.

(c) Human Witness (vs 11-14)

So, God is seen to be real … first in creation, then in his recorded Word, and now thirdly … in the lives of those who accept His salvation and follow Jesus. We are people who are being forgiven, because we trust in Jesus … and what he has done for us. As put in verse 11, we are actively applying God’s Word to our lives, and thereby receiving the benefit. What are the benefits of applying God’s Word in our lives? Less mistakes. Greater focus. Freedom from bondage. More fruit. A sense of peace. Respected character. A living and breathing witness to the fact that God is real!

Yet, verse 12 reminds us that we remain human and open to error. Part of the reason for making bad decisions or doing the wrong thing … can be our poor thinking at times, especially under pressure. At other times we can succumb to the undue and unhelpful influence from certain others … where eventually there could be a domination contrary to God’s best for us. Sometimes this is all subtle, but can begin a gradual downslide. So, we have to keep a check on ourselves – best done (prayerfully) in the company of our brothers and sisters in the faith, and with the Bible close-by.

Sometimes we are blind to our faults and inconsistencies – “hidden faults” is the term used in verse 12b – we are not as aware of this … as we need to be. So part of the restoration process [Rhett talked about last week], is having any behaviour traits, that are unconsciously problematical (to ourselves and others) –  brought into the light of a Spirit-inspired reading of the Scriptures ... those teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, and the application of such truths in the rest of the New Testament (thereby being ultimately dealt with).

Sometimes we are suddenly struck with a new understanding, simply when reading the Bible – and we need to act on this. This is how we begin to change in the right direction. Active reflection on God’s Word makes us become different people! At other times, we have to trust in our Christian community (our church family) to speak into our lives, to reveal blind-spots, even when this is uncomfortable (to receive and to give). Some of our blind-spots are very invisible to us, even though other people may have spotted them. This is why we have to press deeply into God and His Word, and sometimes also be willing to listen to the wise words of ones who are truly and purely trying to help us.

We need, while sharing life with others, to stay true to ourselves … to who we are (in Christ). So we pray, “Do not let them [whoever, whatever] have dominion over me” (v 13b). And we listen to the Spirit, and to wisdom of others – to help clear our path forward. We gain fresh understanding, and new convictions about right over wrong, and confess our shortcomings. “Following Christ does mean renouncing things when they get in the way” (Michael Jenson). Even good things can become a problem, when they (tend to) get in the way of God’s plan for our lives.

For those who are spiritually reborn, we will be forgiven, cleared of sin, released from oppression, and matured toward right living each day (v 13c) – more stable, grounded, purposeful living. Then the words of our mouths and the attitudes of our hearts will be increasingly acceptable to our Rock and Redeemer (v 14). And the world will know that God is real!

It is NOT any pretence of perfection that will reveal that God is real, because this is unreal and falsely constructed! What suggests that God is real … is the process of remarkable change that a person in undergoing – and the power of forgiveness!! It is also through being humble and vulnerable and teachable in the company of each other that a light shines out. As we personally and collectively experience God, and as God is changing us to truly be His people, in His image, as His representatives, His channels of blessing, loving one another – the world will know that God is real!

Conclusion

It is NOT our criticism of cultural trends or judgment of certain behaviours that will identify that God is real, rather it will be the example of our faith in action. Creation itself speaks loud and clear, the Scriptures reveal the heart of God, and our lives can prove the very good sense of knowing and following Jesus. God is real!! Amen!

"Good Conversations" (Colossians 4:2-6)

Introduction

These verses from Colossians are about good conversations. Because life is about relationships, it is full of conversations. If we are to make the best of the many conversations we have in a day, then we should make sure that we are having regular conversations with God – as it is God who fills us with the right sort of fuel through which we can talk effectively.

Such prayer conversations can take place anytime anywhere, however, it is important to make sure … that we are aware of God’s presence at the beginning of each day, so that we can take that assurance and knowledge of God into all the other conversations that will happen in a day. We never know when a particular conversation is going to be a life-changing matter … for another person, or even for us.

The Foundation of Prayer (v 2)

As just said, the foundational conversation we can have each day … is with God. This helps us with our perspectives on life. In praying to God, we are drawn out of any fear, or self-reliance, or any negativity … toward the God of love and grace. God is all-knowing and all-seeing, and can respond to our prayers according to a wisdom and will … far beyond our capacities.

Through our prayers, we remind ourselves that God travels with us, and that, although we will still have to face up to the challenges of the day – doors will open toward good outcomes and successful endeavours, for both ourselves and others. These good outcomes may be different to what we expected, and what we wanted, but these are the outcomes that the Kingdom of God looked forward to (for this day).

As such, we keep “alert” (like the Colossians text suggests) … “keeping alert” to how God is moving, what God is up to, how God is calling us into a partnership of mercy, how God is answering our prayers – even the prayers we haven’t quite prayed yet (because we didn’t yet have the words nor the faith). “Keeping alert” means we are not just speaking all the time, or thinking what we will pray next, but rather leaving space for listening, and also observing, offering room for God to respond and enlighten us.

Because we know that God is present and active, we don’t ever pray in vain hope, but rather with thanksgiving – because we know that this is a conversation that is being heard through the best of listening ears, and that God is thoroughly faithful to us. God is on the job, even if we haven’t quite interpreted how as yet!

Prayer for Others (v3-4)

In this prayer conversation, we are also praying for others, and especially highlighted in the text, is the one at the coalface of mission – the one who is out at the edge in their witnessing for Jesus. These are the ones who most need our prayers – the cross-cultural missionaries sharing the good news of Jesus in other countries, across a local community, and also with the person next door. This reminds us to think well beyond ourselves – that there is a spiritual move on … God is reaching out in mercy across the world, and across our community. Wherever closed doors have been encountered, we would pray for open doors to emerge.

And, the more we can engage in prayer for this movement of God’s Spirit, the more we are likely to be a part of it ourselves – to actively engage with God in His love and mercy for all humanity. Let me repeat that! The more we can engage in prayer for this movement of God’s Spirit, the more likely we are to become a part of it … and at one with it – to engage with God in His love and mercy for all humanity – rather than ever falling away into apathy, half-heartedness, or in any sense … giving in to defeat.

Two weeks ago, we talked about the tremendous success the apostle Paul had in Rome (in sharing the Gospel), despite being imprisoned and chained to a guard. Paul was successful with his Roman guards, and also as an example to the church in Philippi. I think we can gauge from the words here in Colossians, that he would attribute much of that success … to prayer.

We read these beautiful words in Isaiah chapter 50: “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word; morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear … to listen as those who are taught” (50:4). This must be the testimony of anyone who is called to teach – that they are open and ready to be taught. We could also fairly apply this to anyone opening their mouth! 

The clarity of our presentation will directly depend upon … how close we are attending to God’s instructive words to us. Like what happened on the ‘Day of Pentecost’, when the disciples were assembled and ready to hear, and the Holy Spirit came upon them in power – we need to learn to speak in the language of those who need to hear. For this, we need God's wisdom. To this we shall return in a moment.

Integrity (v 5)

Having prayed early and throughout the day, and prepared ourselves for various interactions and conversations – our conduct, the way that we live, needs to be consistent with the desire of our prayers. This includes our ethical and moral responses to the situations around us, and also our behavioural response to any incidents that occur – especially the unexpected and unwarranted things that can happen. This is all about making it easier (and NOT harder) for someone to believe and come to know Jesus. And as verse 5 suggests, there is some urgency about getting everything in line and in harmony.

I say that the more you are known as a Jesus-person the better. But being widely recognised as a Jesus-follower bears the consequence of being held to account for one’s actions. I have NO problem with being held to a high standard … by anyone and everyone – whether or not they could meet that standard themselves! And, when I fail, I can just have the graciousness to apologise; and I do have the grace of Jesus available through which to be forgiven. Life, for the Jesus-person, is about what? Advancing the Gospel! “Making the most of the time” (v 5b) we have.

Proper Seasoning (v 6)

Having prayed for ourselves and others, with alertness and thanksgiving, keeping in mind the good passage of the Gospel message – we should consider the quality of the other conversations we have each day. Does the other person or people in our conversation come out better than when we started to talk? Do we come out of such a conversation with a sense that there was grace expressed; even that God was actively present?

Our “speech”, according to verse 6, needs to be “gracious” and “salty” (v 6).

To be “gracious” is to apply the grace we know in theory, and that is gradually changing our lives … to the very real circumstances and interactions we have each day, and also to the relationships we are seeking to build. “Graciousness” will be seen in love, compassion, encouragement, welcome, hospitality, and the value in which we hold another person. In a very personal sense, to be “gracious” … will often mean apologising and asking for forgiveness. Being “gracious” will also mean … granting forgiveness. To be “gracious” would also indicate open and honest communication, where issues that may have divided, are dealt with constructively.

To “season” conversations with “salt”, is to bring good taste, flavour and life to people; to offer words that touch the heart and make a difference; a conversation that will tend towards preserving or saving someone … where otherwise there may have been loss or ruin. This is all especially important to consider … when we are put on the spot, as we often are – when someone needs an “answer”, and when this “answer” might have monumental significance. We can leave someone stuck where they are, or perhaps, with “salt” – we can make a strong contribution to their future well-being.

Can we be wise in our words? Such wisdom comes from God, and we should be seeking this wisdom … in prayer and in the Word. Also, can we deduce the right moment to speak into someone’s life? Can we produce a good word in the right season? Are we fully prepared for that conversation … that might happen before we know it? Will we be able to happily enter into a redemptive conversation with someone – where ‘redemptive’, or ‘redeeming’, means bringing something back … to where it should be?

Proverbs 15:23 reads, “To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone, and a word in season, how good it is” (NRSV).

Or, in the NLT, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

Hard Conversations

This brings me to the area of “hard” conversations – those conversations we would prefer not to have, yet are needed. They are needed if others are to thrive, and needed if we are to follow our calling (of bringing grace and salt). These could be conversations around our witness to Jesus – where such conversations are hard for us, because we are uncertain of the reactions we will get – but nonetheless, we strongly sense, something has to be said! Or, these could be conversations where we have to say something strident, or something that, in our sense of discernment and wisdom … just needs to be said – because the other person is just plainly going down the wrong path.

“Salt” also prevents corruption – so, how can we (wisely and effectively) prevent corruption? This is in the area … of being our brother and our sister’s keeper – keeping them from unnecessary pain; or, more positively, aiding their spiritual growth. Hebrews 10:24 says we should “provoke” one another toward love and good deeds. We are thus looking for a reaction that results in positive change.

Therefore, given the chance, we will NOT ‘enable’ a person to keep going down the wrong track … just because it’s easier for us, and avoids conflict, or is less risky! It would be easier to just nod our head, but that is NOT salty NOR gracious. I don’t have that many regrets in my life – nothing that I lose too much sleep about – except those times when I should have said something better than I did. I should have been more willing to speak about Jesus, or I should have said something stronger than I did … to help someone else think differently (than they were).

I was struck recently, when I read an essay by the famous writer and pastor F W Boreham. He was reflecting upon Judas, and the deep dilemma he had got himself into … leading ultimately to his betrayal of Jesus, and his own personal destruction. We bemoaned with sadness last week how Judas had walked away from Jesus. In this essay, Boreham wondered what the other disciples were doing … while Judas was going down the tubes.

What did they say when Judas put too much focus on money? What did the other disciples say to him, when Judas started to look disaffected with the way things were going? When they went out on mission two-by-two, what was the disciple with Judas talking to him about? How could they let things go so far wrong for Judas? Interesting thoughts. Challenging thoughts!

Lori Stanley Roeleveld, who has written a book on this topic, writes, “I believe hard conversations are a sacred art, a calling of Christ on our lives, a kingdom-building work [that] he compels and equips us to do”. We see people who are stuck. We see people making bad decisions. We see people complacent, inactive, uncooperative or fearful. What do we say? We search for the right words through which we can intervene.

What might we have said to Judas? What could have been deemed honest and wise feedback to Judas? We might have gently suggested that he, Judas, put aside his personal expectations … for just a moment, and simply sit at Jesus’ feet … to really learn from him!

Self-examination

Now, in all of this, we have to be sure to ask ourselves, in the presence of God … is this (hard) conversation we’re thinking of … totally in the best interests of the other person, without being unduly biased by our own particular agendas? Is this (hard) conversation going to be pure in motive? Is this (hard) conversation fully grounded and timed IN LOVE? We have to attend to this, as James chapter 3 reminds us … of the power of the tongue to do evil, and how easy it is to fall in this area.

Speaking the truth must happen in love. Even hard conversations must be undertaken with this graciousness (we have spoken of), and due sensitivity, and generosity of heart. Otherwise, an argument may be won, but a person (even a friend) can be lost!! Conversation can NEVER be used as a blunt instrument. And a broad brush can NEVER be arbitrarily applied across a whole group, as if everyone was in the same boat. That would tend to unnecessarily make innocent people feel under judgment or condemnation. Everyone is unique and different … and must be respected and loved as such.

Both sides of the coin are picked up in Proverbs 12:18, which reads: “Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing”. So ‘hard conversations’ require wisdom that only comes from God, and patience that only comes in full measure from the Holy Spirit. Hopefully ‘tough conversations’ can happen within supportive relationships where trust has the time to build. Reflecting back on Proverbs 15:23a – whereas we may not be thanked at the time (quite possibly the opposite), hopefully in hindsight … there will be gratitude expressed.

Conclusion

So, we have travelled full circle back to prayer – our need of prayer … to make the best of our earthly conversations. Prayer is certainly the link … that makes redemptive and life-changing conversations possible.

In referring to Jesus, Luke recorded that, “All … were amazed at the gracious words that came out of his mouth” (4:22). And, we heard last week, how Peter had concluded, through his knowledge of Jesus, that Jesus, in fact, had the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). This means that everything that Jesus said … pointed people in the right direction, confronted their biggest needs, and brought them closer to their best experience of salvation.

Can we do the same? Think of Zacchaeus, and how Jesus brought him the most “gracious” encouragement; but also think of Peter – how Jesus needed to be direct and “salty” with him, though fair and purposeful, at that famous moment when Peter was trying to divert Jesus away from following God’s will.

Prayer

May God, as we commune with him, guide us in understanding, and bring to our mind those words that we will need to use … in all the important conversations we enter this week and next; while, at the same time, we will have the right loving attitude that fully considers the unique situation the other person is in – so that we do NOT act out of our own need, but rather truly through the beautiful mercies of our loving God. Amen!