'Nice and Neighbourly - plus' - transcript of sermon St Anne's Brown Edge 10/07/16

St Anne’s Brown Edge Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2016

 Deuteronomy 30.9-14, Psalm 25.1-10, Colossians 1.1-14, Luke 10.25-37.

Question – should Christians be nice and neighbourly?

Answer – Yes, of course they should be nice and neighbourly.

Question – is that it then; are Christians simply those who are nice and neighbourly?

Are there not a lot of non-Christians who are just as nice and neighbourly – sometimes even better at it than Christians are?

Is that not the difficulty when we come to consider such a well-known parable as the Good Samaritan?

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt and know what it is all about.

It is Jesus offering a good moral lesson about being a good neighbour – and that neighbour happens to be anyone in need we might happen upon.

Even taken at that level this parable is deeply challenging – well at least I find it is.

When for example, I see people begging on our streets, or little fly covered brown children with big potbellies and skinny arms and I am being asked to give the cost of a couple cups of coffee.

With modern technology and communication, neighbourliness keeps on expanding.

It is good if we take a deeper look at this multi-layered parable. First, we have to look at what gave rise to this story Jesus told.

We need to remember that Jesus is heading to Jerusalem where he knows what awaits him at the hands of the Jewish authorities and the Roman rulers.

Luke is a Gospel of journeys, similar to mountains being an important feature for Matthew’s Gospel.

Therefore, journeys and stories about journeys are always important in Luke’s Gospel. (Emmaus Road)

Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem and as he sets off it is interesting to note in Luke 9.51

‘As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, he set his face towards Jerusalem.’

Following this, we have a strange little incident of a Samaritan village not wanting to welcome him. Perhaps they didn’t want to associate with this troublemaker and bring yet more opprobrium down upon them.

Perhaps Jesus’s encounter with a Samaritan woman at the well had not yet filtered through to them.

On this occasion, for their lack of hospitality, James and John, the sons of thunder, ask if they should bring fire down from heaven upon them. They receive a stern rebuke from Jesus for making such a suggestion.

Jesus journeys with a large group of disciples walking alongside him. They are sent off in pairs to preach the Good News that the Kingdom of God is near at hand.

Those numbers will all fall away until he climbs Calvary’s Hill accompanied only by a few devout women and possibly the young disciple John. Woman and children were of no account and of no threat whatsoever.

Along the way, an ‘expert in the law’ came to Jesus with a test question.

The question was common enough, to which as an expert in the law he would of course known the answer.  He wants to see what answer Jesus gives – to see if Jesus is orthodox in his teachings.  Jesus, as he often does, turns the question back to this expert in the law.

You tell me, what does the Law say?

The ‘expert’ quotes a summation of the Shema Prayer. A bedrock prayer for Jewish people, both then and now.  

 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind^]; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”

The ‘expert’ pushes this further; he has a point to make. Perhaps he has heard that Jesus has been keeping company with tax collectors and sinners, prostitutes and harlots. He had touched dead bodies and lepers, even healing a Roman centurion’s servant. 

Jesus was apparently, openly and flagrantly disregarding the purity laws, the exclusivity, and the peculiar calling of God’s people. To be holy and kept from defilement by not engaging with Gentiles and sinners.

The stage is set for Jesus to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan.

This is one of those lovely parables where, with a bit of imagination, we can we enter right into the story.

It is worth reading like this and to imagine yourself as one of the characters in the story.

On the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, we have a man who fell among robbers.

Well, he was unfortunate but then again a bit stupid travelling down that dangerous road alone.

Those who rescue people off mountains or pluck them from the sea always intrigue me.

On occasions it would appear it is pure stupidity that has brought people into danger. Yet the rescuers never see it like that. Here is person in danger and difficulty, let see if we can rescue them.

‘Those people who depend on food banks and other handouts, they have only themselves to blame.’  All that war in Africa, it’s the way they are, it is all tribal. It is their own fault really; we can do little to change things.

So, the story continues first with a Priest passing by down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

This direction is important.

Why?

Because if the Priest had been going to Jerusalem it could be a little more understandable that he left the injured man alone. It would have been a great honour and privilege to be called as a Priest to Temple Duty. Like Zechariah, John the Baptizer’s father,

If he was going to the Temple to fulfil this calling he would not want to defile himself with blood and possible a dead body. That would make him ritually unclean and therefore unable to attend to his duties.

I couldn’t possibly turn aside and help you, I am in my Sunday best and simply must get to church because they are depending on me.

Going the other way, from Jerusalem to Jericho, after the Temple Duties are over… "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Straight from Church singing, Lord, Lord and straight into an argument, or bad temper, or ignoring someone in need or whatever…

Straight from serving in the temple and ignoring someone in need – hello Mr Priest heed the prophet Hosea 6.6. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Ditto the Levite – who in some ways was slightly higher up the ranking than Priests. They were descendants of the ancient tribe of Levi and in charge of worship in and around the Temple.

Then along comes the Samaritan – and if this was Panto you would all be booing now.

Because of this parable becoming so well known,  the word ‘Samaritan’ has changed from being a word of scorn and derision, certainly among first century Palestinian Jews, to one that for us means someone one doing a worthy act. Or, indeed the organisation that has taken that name, helping thousands of people rethink taking a path of self-destruction.   

The Samaritan appears to be very resourceful and have about him the wherewithal to help the man who had fallen among thieves.

Most importantly, he had the donkey on which to transport the injured man to the nearest Inn.

What and where are the ‘donkeys’ today that help us meet the needs of those we encounter? Those who find themselves in some distress or other.

That might be a Foodbank for example.

We might then want to ask another question about the safety of travelling down that road. Isn’t there something that could be done to make it safe for single people to travel down that road?

We might want to ask why is that we have got ourselves in to such a place in 21^st century Britain that more and more people are having to rely on Foodbanks?

As well as being well resourced and having a donkey, the Samaritan shows incredible vulnerability and a willingness to be taken for a ride - but not on his own donkey this time.

Notice he gives the Innkeeper two silver coins and says to give the injured man whatever was needed and he would pay the cost next time he passed by that way.

(By the way, let’s just remind ourselves this is a story and you will not be able to find archaeological evidence for the Inn of the Good Samaritan.)

Pay the Innkeeper any extra expense – that would have probably had a few laughs and side comments from those listening. 

Umm, yes, you brought in a man injured. Well now let me see, yes there were certainly some additional cost…

In effect offering a blank cheque – extremely rash and foolish, but that is outrageous love for you!

Therefore, says Jesus, you tell me, who do you think was neighbour to this man. 

The one who showed mercy was the lawyers reply.  ‘Then, go and do likewise’ says Jesus.

Question – should Christians be nice and neighbourly?

Of course and much, much more than simply been nice kind and neighbourly.

This is about the Kingdom of God and what it looks like through the eyes of Jesus.

Jesus would indeed have known about Hosea 6.6.

Also from the prophet Isaiah 1.14 I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals. They've become a burden to me, and I'm tired of putting up with them.

Moreover, there is much more of that sort of stuff in the Old Testament.

The chosen people of God had become experts at straining out gnats and swallowing camels.

I think Jesus got annoyed and even angry at times when confronted with this blindness. The love and mercy of God hidden behind the strict adherence to the Law and the customs.

Matthews 23.24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Now we as the People of God today wouldn’t do that sort of thing would we?

We are nice, kind and neighbourly.

Brilliant as a starting place – but we need to go way beyond that to give our all to the building up of God’s Kingdom. Labouring to make the Lord’s Prayer a reality.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

I want to leave you to ponder on what the will of the Father is for you, for this place, for this Church, for our Nation and for the world.

Let us pray;

O Saviour Christ, in whose way of love lays the secret of all life, and the hope of all people, we pray for quiet courage to match this hour. We did not choose to be born or to live in such an age; but let its problems challenge us, its discoveries exhilarate us, its injustices anger us, it possibilities inspire us, and its vigour renew us.

Pour out upon us a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit; make us bold and courageous in sharing faith in both word and deed for your Kingdom’s sake we ask.

Amen

Captain's Log July 2016

 

 Staffordshire County Show

We had a great time and the weather was kind enough, especially on the Thursday when we were kepy busy all day. Always on the look out for more ‘team members,’ so if you would like to join us next year do let me know.

Queen’s Birthday – two particular events I was invited along to support.  Doxey Parish ran an Afternoon Tea Party and we got away with out getting wet!  Then at St Bertelins for a Teddy Bears Picnic. I had most of my Games out plus the badge making. I also preached on the Sunday when people were invited to bring along their Teddy Bears. After receiving the Communion I invited people to pick up a small piece of florist ribbon and write (Sharpie Pen) the name of a not-yet Christian friend or relative. The bear then became their Prayer Bear. Next year we hope and pray to see the person there with their own bear. For those who were exploring faith I invited them to write Jesus and when they saw their bear they were to ask Jesus to make himself known to them. Also to check out www.christianity.org.uk   This website was  written on an excellent hand-out to let people know the times of Services and especially Messy Church.

This is The Hermitage were I go every six weeks to spend a day alone in quiet prayer and reflection. Because I had so much on I nearly cancelled until Jane said, if you are that busy it is even more

important that you go. What a wise and supportive woman my wife is.

A trip to Sheffield to the Wilson Carlile Centre for a Church Army Regional Day. It is good to catch up on the various ways the Church Army is morphing and shifting. However, I am of an ‘age’ when some of the new thinking leaves me just a tad baffled.

I had my monthly trip to St Anne’s Brown Edge. Thankfully, I have been invited to lead the ‘Service of the Word’ and so could tweak it slightly. I would really value your prayers here and for the Vicar, Alan Betts. As well as trying to breathe some new life into St Anne’s there is small ecumenical group making plans to plant a new church, possibly in the school based around ‘Hot Potatoes.’

On the 24^th June, I celebrated 30 years as a Commissioned Church Army Officer and an Accredited Lay Evangelist. On Sunday, we had a fabulous Celebratory Service that included a recommissioning and a commissioning of the congregation. I had the privilege of preaching and here is the link to my Blog and a transcript of the sermon.

http://gordonnewsupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/listening-to-call-of-jesus-transcript.html  

 Some Appointments in July 

Throughout the month I am working with a colleague, David Cundill, on researching Mission and Evangelism in a rural context. The findings will be part of  recommendations that will be be made to Diocesan Synod on the report ‘Released for Mission.’

Saturday 2^nd

Brown Edge Carnival, Games Badge Making

Sunday 3^rd

Preaching at Priory Church, Tutbury

Monday 4^th

Helping at RDA County Fun Day

 Tuesday 5^th – Thursday 7^th

Residential Conference on ‘Handling Change and Power.’  (delegate)

Sunday 10^th

Preaching at St Anne’s, Brown Edge

Tuesday 12^th

‘Chew & Chat’ – lunch time meeting with friends at Rising Brook Baptist. In the evening with the PCC of St Peter’s Rickerscote, helping them think through a MAP.

Wednesday 13^th

I have a meeting at our local CAB for Pension Advice.  In the afternoon going to Dovedale House for ‘Afternoon Tea’ and viewing the premises as a possible venue for St John’s Littleworth to have Parish Day or Weekend.

Friday 15^th

Vision Breakfast for ‘We Are Men.’ They are organising a big men’s gathering next May at Stoke City Football Ground. Then meeting with Andy, curate at Trentham Parish Church. They are shortly to go into a Vacancy and we are exploring a Away Day in September to help them consider a revised MAP to take them through the Vacancy. 

Saturday 16^th

At ‘Follow Me’ day with a home parish group. http://www.readers.cofe.anglican.org/follow2016

Sunday 17^th (Rural Mission Sunday:  Resources are here.)

In the afternoon, St John’s Littleworth ‘Hot Potato’

Wednesday 20^th

‘Frontline Discipleship’ diocesan group meeting. www.licc.org.uk

Monday 25^th

^{Meeting with David Cundill to review our work on the Mission and Evangelism in rural areas.}

In the evening a MAP meeting with the PCCof St Bartholomew, Norton – le Moor.

Wednesday 27th

Meeting with my Spiritual Companion and in the afternoon at MAP meeting with Anslow, Rolleston and Tutbury benefice. (ART)

Thursday 28th - Friday 29th Saturday 30th

Soul Survivor (https://soulsurvivor.com/summer/week-a/) are at the Staffordshire Showground at the end of July. As part of the Gathering this year the young people are being invited to engage in various initiatives working with Churches around Stafford, based around ‘Love Stafford.’  http://www.lovestafford.org.uk/

My home church of St John the Baptist Littleworth (http://www.stjohnsstafford.org/) have a team of young people down to help out with a Skip Day.  Dave Blake and I are heading this up.

We plan to have a skip or a bin/recycle lorry (Council provided)  by the Church - which will be open with refreshments and other stuff going on.

'Is your name written in heaven'' - transcript of sermon St Mary's Priory Church Tutbury 3rd July 2016

St Mary’s Priory Church Tutbury 3^rd July 2016

Galatians 6. [1-6]7-16 - Luke 10.1-11, 16-20

‘It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.’ 

These might well be among the best-known opening lines in English literature.

They come from Charles Dickens ‘Tale of Two Cities’ – the two cities in questions are London and Paris during the French Revolution of 1789 - 1799.

After England’s ignominious defeat against Iceland, I wrote this as a comment on my Face Book Page.

‘It was the best of time, London 1966, and the worst of time, France 2016.’

With a name like mine even if I didn’t like football I would be hard pressed to ignore what happened at Wembley on the 30^th July 1966 when Gordon Banks was defending England’s goal.

And a bit like, ‘where were you when Kennedy was shot,’ I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

I was travelling from Oldham in Lancashire to Newmarket to sign up as an Apprentice Jockey for five years.

I had never ridden a horse, never been near horses and did not watch any racing, nor did any of my family apart from the very occasional flutter.

It is another story for another time but in short, it was because at the age of fifteen I was going through the common adolescent angst about identity and the possibility of dying unknown and with no one caring at all. I wanted to become famous so that when I died there would be headlines in the newspaper not simply some tiny mention in the obituary column of the local paper.

At the age of fifteen, I stood 4’ 10’ and weighed just six stone. A friend at school when it came to looking for a job made a quip that I should become a jockey.

That is why on the same day the other Gordon Banks was defending England’s goal at Wembley, I was travelling to Newmarket.

In our Gospel story, we hear about Jesus sending out 70 (or perhaps 72) others. 

We have no idea who these people are. We get to know those whom Jesus chooses – the twelve disciples, later to become known as the Apostles, which means ‘the sent ones.’

However, of this group – nothing, no names, nothing at all.

They were given clear instructions to travel light and not waste time talking to anyone while they were travelling.

They were to seek out the people of peace, those who would welcome them and the message they brought.  That message was simply ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’

It is worth pondering on that, ‘what was the Good News before Christ’s crucifixion?

Today we might say that the Good News is to proclaim Christ’s death, resurrection, and the possibility of new life.

So what was the Good News these 70 proclaimed?

Is it not encapsulated in what we call the Lord’s Prayer?

Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus offered a different Kingdom of God to either those who wanted armed rebellion against the Roman overlords, or those who acquiesced and accommodated.

There is a lot in the passage to puzzle our heads over. What are we to make of that talk about stepping snakes and scorpions?

Not I imagine for one moment is this a mandate for that very peculiar sect in the USA who demonstrate their faith by handling poisonous snakes.   

I would suggest that is taking a text out of context and making a pretext – a very dangerous and rather stupid one at that.

Also in the passage, we have very strong language about judgment and many people who are being passed by because they would not listen and would not welcome or entertain the message of the Kingdom of God, plus a lot of dust being shaken off feet.

This does not sit comfortably with us today when we seek to be tolerant, kindly, accommodating, and accepting.

And to whom did Jesus send these unnamed disciple with this message about the Kingdom of God? Well it was to the People of God who looked for the coming of the King, the Messiah who would usher in a new age,

However...

He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. John 1.11

How are we as the People of God today?

Have we acquiesced and accommodated?

Do we fail to point out that which is manifestly not of God’s Kingdom?

(Some of things that have been happening in our own country over recent weeks for example) 

Are we distracted and turned off our course by attention to the wrong things?

What Good News are we proclaiming?

When the unnamed seventy return, they are delighted at what they have been able to do and to achieve and Jesus rejoices with them.

However said Jesus, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

This is a reference to the Lamb’s Book of Life that we find in the Book of Revelation as well as other places in Scripture..

Rather scarily, we read in Revelation 20.15… ’íf any ones name is not found written in the Book of Life, they will be thrown into the lake of fire.’

Now I need to be careful that I do not take a text out of context and make a pretext!

I want to leave that sitting there and think about the joy of having your name known by God and having that name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life as a friend of God.

Having your name down as one who has given their life to Jesus and who seeks to be obedient to the call of Jesus in their lives.

One who picks up the same call as these unnamed but known to God disciples of Jesus.

To go out and about in the highways and byways, to tell people that the Kingdom of God has come near to them.

‘Whoever listens to you listens me and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’

I didn’t become a famous jockey and left racing after my five years apprentice was finished.

But this I know - this I came to discover - this I came to rejoice over.

That I did not need to be famous, to be known and celebrated in life or in death.

There was only one place I needed my name to be written – ‘The Lambs Book of Life.’

Moreover, there is only one place you need to ensure your name is written – ‘The Lambs Book of Life.’

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Do you know that for yourself this morning?

If you do brilliant – then there is a job of work for you to do. 

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

If you don’t know or aren’t sure then please do not let this moment of opportunity pass you buy. Come and talk to me afterwards.

Brothers and sisters, let me remind you that the Church of God does not have a mission – rather the God of Mission has a Church – a People of God, who names are known and recorded as friends of God.

What is the Mission of God? 

Surely, it is no less than to redeem and restore all things, to establish God’s Kingdom, to make real the Lord’s Prayer.   And God invites you and me as the Church, the People of God, to partner with Him in this endeavor.

Your Kingdom come, your will be done in Tutbury as it is in heaven.

Let me leave you with a question hanging in the air that I would invite you to ponder on and hopefully discuss over coffee afterwards.

That should give you a moment’s distraction from talking about Brexit or football.

Here is the question, ‘where will the Church be tomorrow?’

Let us pray…

O Saviour Christ, in whose way of love lays the secret of all life, and the hope of all people, we pray for quiet courage to match this hour. We did not choose to be born or to live in such an age; but let its problems challenge us, its discoveries exhilarate us, its injustices anger us, it possibilities inspire us, and its vigour renew us.

Pour out upon us a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit; make us bold and courageous in sharing faith in both word and deed for your Kingdom’s sake we ask.

Amen