Get out of the boat and follow Jesus? (Transcript of Sermon)

Sermon St Anne’s Brown Edge 13^th August 2017

Psalm 85.8–13  1 Kings 19:9-18  
Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14.22–33

Let me ask you this question.  What in your imagination would you like to see happen in this Church?  Do you have a vision or a dream of how you would like to see things here?

Now can you imagine what God’s vison is for St Anne’s, Brown Edge?

Bearing in mind that the Church of God does not have a mission, but rather that the God of mission has a Church – that includes here at Brown Edge.

This is why the prayer, praise and listening to God gathering Alan has invited everyone to in September is so very important. 

I hope you agree that God has a plan and a purpose to see the Church grow here and the Kingdom of God extended and expanded.

That people will come to a living faith in Jesus and find life and life in abundance. John 10.10

Archbishop Justin Welby said in his 2015 Lambeth Lecture on Evangelism…

‘The best decision anyone can ever make, at any point in life, in any circumstances, whoever they are, wherever they are, whatever they are, is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. There is no better decision for a human being in this life, any human being.’

At the end of my Quiet Day just over a week ago, I decided I would check on the readings for today.

Imagine my surprise when I saw that the Gospel reading was the story of Peter’s walk on the wet side.

The last time I was with you in July, I opened the Service by reading this very same story, about Peter being invited to step out of the boat. I then invited you to move from your pews and to come and join us in the choir stalls.   Sitting together would offer a greater sense of being together, of creating community, especially given our reducing numbers.    

I offer the same invitation when we sing our next hymn.

Now you might say that it is mere coincidence that we should have the same passage today.

Alternatively, it might be a Godincidence? Maybe God is saying something more than simply move out of your pews.

Could it possibly be that in making this move from your pews, you are signifying your willingness to embrace change and to seek for God’s plans and purposes for St Anne’s, Brown Edge.

I have recently written an article for Country Way magazine on rural evangelism. In the piece, I was recalling the story of Polzeath Methodist Chapel in Cornwall.

I got to know the people of the Chapel during the Scripture Union Family Fortnight.  For over 100 years the SU had been running this event, working with local churches and engaging with the community, both local and tourist alike.

My son was part of the Team in 2003 and as we were living in Cornwall, I helped on a few of the days.  The Team lived in a Primary School and I was deeply impressed that one of the rooms was set apart as the Prayer Room with prayer 24/7 with everyone on the Team taking part at some time.

The Chapel’s numbers had dwindled down to only a handful, mostly elderly ladies.  They were sitting on a prime retail site that would attract a considerable amount of money if sold off.

However, several things came together to create a very different kind of future.

I mentioned the Scripture Union – and they were keen to see something established that would take their work on beyond just the fortnight by way of ongoing engagement.

There was a dynamic Methodist Youth Pioneer Minister around at this time.

Then in 2004 the Church of England produced the report ‘Mission Shaped Church’ that gave rise to Fresh Expressions of Church’ – like 'Connect 2' - your own Fresh Expression of Church that meets at St Anne's School on Sunday afternoons. 

Undergirded by prayer, they sought God’s plans and purposes and in 2006 Tubestation began a new way of being God’s people in that area.

The Chapel was turned into a state of the art Surfer Café along with an indoor skateboard park.

Now they continue an amazing ministry among the surfing community as well as the local community.

Under God, Polzeath Methodist Chapel discovered a new plan and purpose and a way of serving the community in a culturally relevant way.

www.tubestation.org/

Like Peter, the Methodist at Polzeath stepped out of the boat – but they did not sink because they kept their eyes firmly fixed on the Saviour and not the situation.

‘But when he (Peter) noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, Save me!’

Now salvation is the focus of the passage we heard from Romans.

Romans 10.13 – ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

In the Country Way article mentioned earlier, I was also reflecting on Christendom as being the default mode for the Church of England since its establishment in the 16^th century.

However, the reality is that in 2017, despite the vibrant and lively faith of the Queen, nearly 95% of her subjects do not ascribe to that Faith.

In Christendom, the Faith is more taught than caught - taught mostly through faithful attendance at Religious Acts of Worship.

People come to faith by a kind of osmosis, imbibing the faith over the years.

 I imagine that has been the experience for most of you here today.

 However, those days are now over and that rarely happens anymore - people are not calling on the Lord even when they are in deep water, except perhaps to say ‘O My God’ but meaning nothing by it.

 ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

 As the People of God in Brown Edge, how are your feet?

 ^‘How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them?  And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. 

 Twice recently, I have heard or read people use a phrase that some have wrongly ascribed to St Francis – ‘preach the Gospel and use words if you have to.’

It is a common enough phrase among Christians and at one level, it is absolutely right. Our lives and our actions should be a powerful witness to our being People of Faith, guided by God, seeking to live out His way and according to God’s plans and purposes.

 However, verbal proclamation is the other side of the same coin.

 ^‘How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them?  

 What part of that quote is about non-verbal communication?

 We share faith through both words and actions.

 Two sides of the same coin.

 Here is how it works summarised perfectly in 1 Peter 3.15

 ‘…but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,…’

 Mother Julian of Norwich, a 14th century English mystic declared her hope in these familiar words, “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

How would you express your hope if you were asked? 

 It is time to step out of the boat - and do remember that I am inviting you to indicate your willingness to get out of the boat by coming to sit in the choir stalls when we sing our next hymn.

 I appreciate that might not be easy – but we can, as family, help one another take that step.

 Then I would love to hear some of your dreams and visions for St Anne’s, Brown Edge, what is it you believe God is asking of you both as individuals and as a Faith Community.

People are drowning out there in any number of different situations and the only hope of salvation is that they turn their focus on the Saviour and cry out, Lord save me!

In the 2015, Lambeth Lecture I mentioned earlier, Justin Welby in his opening remarks said this,

’I want to start by saying just two simple sentences about the church. First, the church exists to worship God in Jesus Christ.  Second, the Church exists to make new disciples of Jesus Christ. Everything else is decoration. Some of it may be very necessary, useful, or wonderful decoration – but it’s decoration.’

If you truly believe that, then you will be driven first to prayer, then into action, and then to embrace whatever changes are necessary.

Becoming a ‘new’ disciple is only the start of a lifelong journey of Faith. One definition of being a disciple is to be a ‘follower’ and there are at least twelve times in the Gospels where Jesus says, ‘come follow me.’

So, what is your answer going to be this morning?

Are you willing to step out of the boat and follow Jesus?

May I invite you to echo this prayer in your heart.

Dear Father, today I choose to believe your Word. I believe you are faithful to complete the good work you have started in my life. I choose to hear your voice and step out of the boat. Help me to realize my dreams and for my dreams to be realized under your gracious love. Always, forever and only for your praise and glory. 

Further reflection a  Mediation from His Holiness Pope Benedict XV1

 And only where God is seen does life truly begin.

Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is.

 We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution.

Each of us is the result of a thought of God.

Each of us is willed,

Each of us is loved,

Each of us is necessary.

 There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel,

By the encounter with Christ.

There is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others of our friendship with Him.