'Mind your language' - transcript of sermon All Saints Chebsey 13/09/15

Chebsey Benefice 13^th September 2015

James 3.1-12 & Mark 8.27-38

As I among friends this morning I would like to confess that I am living with a married woman whom I really love.

Her name is Jane and she is my wife!

It very easy to see how words spoken could be misheard and then if repeated incorrectly can easily cause an awful lot of trouble.

You may recall that old saying ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’

It is a load of course rubbish, unless perhaps the ‘words’ are empty.

Words are powerful and can change things in a very dramatic way.

Think of the story of creation in Genesis.

‘God said’ or God spoke and the power of God’s word brought creation into being.

Couple that with the prologue to John’s Gospel – that great Christmass reading.

‘In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word.’

Words have power and James piles up the metaphors to try and help us to grasp what damage the tongue can do, albeit it is such a small part that makes up the human body.

So it is like the rudder of a ship or the bit in the mouth of a horse.  It gives direction and control.

Out of control it becomes a small spark that sets a whole forest ablaze. 

It is with our tongues that we bless or curse.

It is with our tongues that we speak words of peace and encouragement, or we speak words that are designed to cause harm, hurt or destruction.

I recently watch the film ‘Selma’ which is about Dr Martin Luther King. He is one among many whose words stirred the souls and passions that led to direct actions.

Those directions actions in turn led to the Administration passing a bill to allow African-Americans to vote without any molestation.

There are many more people we can think of who by their words spoken brought about great changes.

On the other side of the coin we think of Hitler. Whose words spawned hatred and violence and the subsequent death of millions.

Or even in our day those radical Muslim clerics who speak words of violence and destruction of the infidels.

Words are very powerful and the tongue needs to be brought under control.

Today of course we would add all forms of communication. 

I think ‘twitter’ was still something birds did back in the days James wrote this Epistle.

And apples and blackberries were something you ate.

Jesus is mindful of the power of words. How it is that words can be misheard and misinterpreted.

Take the word ‘Messiah’ – which to some degree we have become very familiar with and we have lost the power and significance of that word, especially to a 1^st century Jews.

We really don’t have the time to even begin to talk about what the word Messiah meant in the 1^st century.

Partly that is because there was no one fixed idea and several of the proposed ideas had peoples grouped around them.

For some the Messiah would come and be a warrior king and boot out the hated Romans and restore the Kingdom of Israel to its former glory.

For others the Messiah would be a great teacher and lead Israel in a new moral crusade.

There was not one fixed idea except perhaps the one overriding thought that when the Messiah came a new order would begin and Israel would be restored.

In Mark’s Gospel scholars have noted that Jesus in the early chapters is constantly telling people not to speak out about him. It is known as the Messiah Secrecy Motif.

Jesus was following an agenda he was setting – he didn’t want to pre-empt anything by being dragged off and proclaimed king or anything like that.

Mark 8.29 and Peter’s confession mark a watershed moment.

It is very hard for us to begin to even imagine what it must have been like for a good solid Jew like Peter to declare Jesus to be the Messiah.

The Messiah was the hope of the nation, spoken of by prophets, especially Isaiah, but also the Psalms.

The Messiah would lead a new exodus out of slavery and bondage to a new promised land. This was their hope and their dream and had been so for thousands of years.

As I said they didn’t all agree how exactly this was to come about, but for most Jews this was their heart longing and passionate prayer.

And immediately Peter makes this startling confession Jesus begins to speak about the kind of Messiah that he is.

Messiah Jesus will become the sacrificial lamb that inaugurates a new Passover and the beginning of a new exodus out of the bonds of slavery, sin and death.

This didn’t fit in with Peter’s perception of a Messiah and he is quick to tell Jesus 

so.

Jesus is also quick to respond and speaks to Peter sharply about how he has not understood the journey Jesus is taking and the kind of Messiah he is.

It is worth noting that just before Peter’s confession Jesus had healed someone of blindness. However this healing took mud and spittle and the man to be twice prayed for.  

Move on and look at the healing of blind Bartimaeus in chapter 10.

The pace is picking, the secret is out and the Word is being spoken openly – and now blindness is healed instantly.

No more groping around – seeing things dimly, with men like trees walking.

All is being revealed as the Messiah Jesus steps ever closer towards become the one true sacrifice offered for the sins of the whole world – not just Israel.

There would be a new Passover lamb sacrificed, there would be new exodus and there would be a new people of God.

James again - ‘with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the image of God.’

People of God – what are you offering to the world?

Today we are praising our Lord and our Heavenly Father – what are we going to do tomorrow.

What happens when somebody cuts you up on the road, or pushes in front of you in the supermarket queue? Or says something unkind to you – do you give back as good as you get?

Proverbs 15.1 says ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath.’

As those who are in the Messiah - the people of the Messiah how are we to be out and about in the world?

Jesus warned Peter not to say anything – in case people got the wrong idea and things spiraled out of control.

Now it is time to speak out with words and in our actions that Jesus, Messiah, King of King and Lord of Lords has brought the Kingdom of heaven to the realm of the earth.

Our task is to help make that a reality – to make real the Lord’s Prayer in our world, in our communities, in our own lives and in our churches.

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

Those who are blind and beggarly like Bartimaeus need to know that there is now one who can help them see, one who opens up a whole new way of   living.

We are to be those who say as they did to Bartimaeus ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’

Our words have power and so let us take these words into the week ahead…

Take my voice and let me sing

Always only for my King

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Amen

 

'We Need A Holiday' - transcript of sermon St Thomas & St Andrew Doxey 6th Sep 2015

St Thomas & St Andrew Doxey – 6^th September 2015

James 2.1- 17 & Mark 7.24-37

Today I would like to use these two Gospel stories as a way to explore something of the work and ministry of the Church Army and the call of God upon all the Baptised to be about the business of sharing faith in words and deeds.

I also would like you to keep in mind the ever practical James – faith has to make a difference to life lived in the present.

Most of you will be old enough to remember Cliff Richard inviting us to climb aboard a red London bus and go on a Summer Holiday.

Some if you may even remember Madonna’s 1983 song ‘We Need a Holiday.’ 

And then, although not a song, we have a recent Pastoral Letter from Bishop Mark, talking about the value and virtue of a holiday.

I love optical illusions, paintings and photographs that look like one thing but then viewed from another angle reveal something else.

Sometimes there is value of looking at piece of Scripture like this, viewed from a different angle, rather than front on.

The story of the Syro-Phoenician is one such story.

We begin by considering the journey – ‘Jesus left that place and went to Tyre.’

‘That place’ if we take the last placed mentioned, was Gennesaret, just a few miles from Capernaum on the North West shore of Lake Galilee.

That’s a journey of around 40 to 50 miles and from Tyre to Sidon was another 20 – 30 miles. When you add up the miles into a round trip it works out at approximately 250 miles.

Tyre is on the North West Mediterranean coast well outside the borders of Israel, deep into Gentile territory.

It wouldn’t be that difficult to see this as a beach holiday for the disciples. In all probability the first time they had seen a real sea and tasted salt water on their lips.

And as fishermen are fishermen and it could well have been that Peter struck up a conversation with the local fisherman and soon they were out for a boat ride in the open sea, a new experience for them.

Allow your imagination to play around with this idea – can you see them on the beach late at night with a small fire, some flagons of wine and charcoaled fish, talking late into the night.

We are used to modern day celebrities trying to get a break away from the press, and this looks a bit like what Jesus was endeavouring to do.

‘He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it…’

Yet, probably through traders, he was known and was sought out in particular by one woman in desperate need who had heard something about Jesus and the extraordinary powers he displayed.

Today we are used to living privately but there was no such thing for most ordinary people in the 1^st century, everybody lived in a semi-public way.

Therefore, breaking every convention, this woman came and prostrated herself before Jesus and begs for help because her little daughter was ill.

We then have this most extraordinary conversation.

If ever you train in acting or even public speaking one of the exercises is to take something like a familiar Nursery Rhyme and then try acting it out or saying it in different styles.  

For example as someone who is angry, or sad or full of pathos or even full of teasing and fun.

The point is we simply do not know the way this conversation was conducted and that could make all the difference to the way it is read.

As an aside, we were discussing this Passage recently in our Home Group and talking about being on holiday and asking if we go ever go  ‘off duty’ as Christians.

It also worth noting, not that it makes a huge amount of difference, but the word ‘dog’ is better translated as ‘puppy.’

Personally I like to see a bit of gentle humour and Jesus drawing the woman into deeper faith.

Interestingly her words are now part of our Eucharistic Liturgy.

‘

We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs from under your table.’

The Syro-Phoenician lived out on the edge, on the margins, and certainly at this time, ‘a Gentile puppy, not worthy of being fed.’

Jordan was such a person, living on the edge, in and out of prison. Until that is he met Captain Nick Russel a Church Army Officer working out of the Greenwich Centre of Mission. Through a developing relationship and friendship Jordan has found new life and new hope, he has found that he is invited not to simply gather up the crumbs from under the table but as we read in Revelation 3.3.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

https://vimeo.com/128117456

For over 133 years the Church Army has been reaching out to those on the edge and beyond the margins, seeking out the least, the last and the lost.

Our other Gospel story is about a man who was deaf and mute.

Again I invite you look behind this story and I want to suggest one particular thing.

Imagine that this man had never heard the praises of God sung or the trumpets sounds or the loud clashing cymbals praising God.

He had never been able to lift up his own voice in praise of Yawheh, the God of his ancestors.

Now he can! 

When you ask what is the purpose of the Church many will say it is to offer praise and worship God.

They may even quote the Shorter Westminster Confession – ‘man’s chief aim is to worship God and enjoy him for ever.’

I wouldn’t argue against that.

However I would want to place alongside this a passage from Romans 10.14 and following…

"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News of good things!"…

 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?

And does it not follow - How then will they worship Him in whom they have not believed?

Evangelist are those of beautiful feet because they bring the Good News. 

And where do they bring the Good News?

Well yes, here in building such as this. But far more importantly they take the Good News to the many, many thousands who will only ever been seen dead in a place like this.

That is the work and the ministry of Church Army.

However it isn’t the work and ministry of Church Army alone.

While not everyone is called to be an evangelist, all are called to evangelize and one of the prime roles of the evangelist is to enable, equip and encourage God’s people to ensure their feet are shod with the Gospel of Peace.

To be out and about as heralds of Good News in the highways and the byways, wherever you go and with whomever you meet along the way.

And should you be concerned that you will not be able to sing an appropriate Gospel message then heed our last story.

‘He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’

If invited God will open your ears to the cry of those on the edge, the least, the last and the lost.

The Syro-Phoenician woman, the Jordan’s, and those who are deaf to the call of God and as yet are unable to sing out His praises.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   Acts 1.8

Well, here you all are in Jerusalem...

But where is your Judea, your Samaria and your ‘ends of the earth.’

People of God, the song of the world may sound loud but it is often discordant.

But the song of the Gospel is by far the sweetest and brings hope, joy and peace.

People need to hear a very different song and be invited to belong to a very different choir.

Are you willing to become a Gospel troubadour and sing out the Good News?

‘For all your goodness I will keep on singing, ten thousands reasons for my heart to find.

The Founder of the Church Army, Prebandary Wilson Carlile was known affectionately as ‘The Chief.’ 

This is the Chief’s Consecration Prayer – can I invite you (if you are able) to stand and say this along with me as we dedicate ourselves afresh to fight against, sin the world and the devil and to continue as Christ’s faithful soldiers and servants to the ends of our lives.

‘Now and here I give myself to you,

 and now and here you give yourself to me;

 and now and here I find your love within.

Break through me Lord,

 that others I may win;

Your wounded body and your life blood poured

 impel me forth to live and preach you, Lord. 

Captain's Log September 2015

 August saw me preaching for the first time at our Home Church, St John’s, Littleworth. I picked up a Summer Sermon Series based around Ephesians. (4:24 – 5:2) This begins with one of Paul’s   ‘therefore’s’ – and when you see one of those, you ask ‘What is that there for’ (therefore)?!

Direct blog link for transcript…

http://gordonnewsupdates.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/st-johns-littleworth-summer-season.html

We had planned to have some time away and visits and also a general tidy up during the quieter month of August. Not too much of that happened, although we did manage a short break just outside of Nottingham. A wonderful city with great history and a very large Unitarian Chapel turned into a ‘Piano & Pitcher’ restaurant and still retaining many of the original features – could see a trend here! 

The Report, ‘Released for Mission’ (GS Misc 1092 published 2015) is due to come before the Diocesan Synod in October. I was delighted to be invited to be part of a very lively group of rural ministers who are setting about this task, alongside promoting rural ministry across the diocese.

Another preachment, this time at St Anne’s, Brown Edge.  There is a real challenge here and I am working closely with the Priest in Charge, Alan Betts, to see if we can grow something alongside the very traditional Eucharist that is the mainstay of St Anne’s. They do have a great C of E Primary School very close to the church and we have plans to try and engage with the school. Engaging not only with the children but also the teachers and parents and carers.

Two further visits seeking to encourage Benefices in their Mission and Growth. One of them linked in with the excellent CPAS Course ‘Working & Growing Together.’ This seeks to create learning communities for multi-parish benefices. 

Another fantastic resource is LICC…

http://www.licc.org.uk/

This promotes ‘Whole Life Discipleship’ and I am delighted to have been brought into the Diocesan Discipleship Group who has this as their main focus.

Continuing with the rural theme but this time a meeting to explore how the Church Tent at the Shropshire Show could be enhanced. In preparation I revisited the Booklet I co-wrote and available as a download on the REN web site www.ruralevangelism.net (‘Making a Show.’)  Although needing a few tweaks I was pleased by the amount of useful information this contains.

Another meeting planning a Parish Away Day for Chesterton & Red Street concluded the month as we moved into the Bank Holiday Weekend.

  

September Appointments

(Always remembering the admin and prep work in between!)

Tuesday 1^st

Six month review with Bishop Geoff and Archdeacon Matthew. In the evening with the Ministry Team for Hanbury Benefice, exploring creating a MAP.

Thursday 3^rd

Spending the day with the Ashley Benefice as they seek to find a creative way forward in mission and growth.

Saturday 5^th

BIG Diocesan Celebration

‘The Goodness of God.’ I am taking the Caravan and various games, etc.

(And Jane!)

http://www.lichfield.anglican.org/the-goodness-of-god/

Sunday 6^th

Leading a Service of the Word and Preaching at St Thomas & St Andrew, Doxey

Monday 7^th

Meeting with my Spiritual Companion. In the evening with the Chebsey Benefice Vacancy Mission Group.

Tuesday 8^th

Jane and I are taking a ‘Quiet Day’ together at ‘The Hermitage.’

http://homepages.phonecoop.coop/reflections/accomodation.htm

Wednesday 9^th

‘Chew & Chat’ – lunch time with a couple of friends.

Thursday 10^th

Meeting with my line-manager, George Fisher.

Saturday 12^th

Chesterton & Red Street Parish Away Day

Sunday 13^th

Leading Worship for the Chebsey Benefice (Currently in Vacancy)

  

September 14^th

Midlands Missioners Gathering in Birmingham

Tuesday 15^th

Stafford Chapter (as participant)

September 18^th – 20^th

Parish Weekend for St Michael and All Angels, Lancing, Sussex.  Exploring ‘Whole Life Discipleship.’

Then to Cornwall for ‘Joe  & Jen’s  Wedding 23^rd Sept. (I’m preaching, Jane’s singing and other family members are all involved one way or another – this is going to be ‘different!’)

27^th September at our Home Church before heading off to Gatwick for a holiday in Turkey. We are not back until the 10^th October and so the next N&P will be late!

Family News – we can’t even begin to thank you all enough for the way you have responded to my desperate email following the bogus call from our Bank Fraud Department.   Jane is recovering step by step, helped by prayer and medication. We are still waiting to hear if the Bank is going to offer any compensation as a ‘good will’ gesture. Meanwhile we have had to take out a bridging loan to put back into our account the £7,000 stolen so that Direct Debits and other bills can be paid, otherwise they might bounce and our credit rating drop.  On Friday 4^th we begin working with CAB.  This was one curved ball from the left we didn’t expect but God’s people have been fantastic, especially our home church and in particular our curate Becky.   Family and friends have also rallied around and offered help and support. We are getting there step by step and looking forward to ‘The Wedding’ and the holiday.  In the midst of all this we had Tabitha’s boyfriend Peter visiting for 24 hours. Peter attends the Watford Soul Survivor Church with Mike Pilavachi as Senior Pastor, so what’s not to like!  Please remember Daniel as he begins a new school term, plus of course Tracey and their two lovely girls, Kerryn and Lowenna.  And in case you missed it, Joe and Jen get married this month!