Sermon 5th September 2010
Today, we welcome back our Vicar, Cameron Barker, who has been on a 3 month sabbatical. We thank God for bringing him and his family home safely and in good health.
Cameron's sermon is based on the reading from Acts 13: verses 1 to 12.
...................................................................................
Have you heard the one about the priest walking around his parish early one autumn evening? Through the gathering gloom he noticed a rather small boy trying to ring the doorbell on a house over the road. The boy was so short, though, that the doorbell was too high for him to reach.
After watching the boy struggle for a while, the priest went over to him. Placing a kindly hand on the child's shoulder, he reached over and gave the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down next to the child, the priest smiled kindly at him and asked, “And now what, young man?”
To which the boy replied, “Now we run!”
The connection between that story and today's sermon may be a bit tenuous – but it is there! Today we set off into the realms of a whole new set of unknown adventures. If the way we've begun is any indication, they will doubtless prove to be far more exciting – and challenging – than the game I know as 'tok tokkie'! This is no game at all, though. It's serious business – probably the most serious business we could ever imagine, or be involved with. Again the start of this series has made that very clear. We're talking about inviting and enabling people to make decisions that impact all of their lives, now and eternally! And let me also say this at the outset: I firmly believe that today marks the start of something new and different, and very exciting, for Parish of Herne Hill.
Don't ask me for details of exactly what shape that will all take. Our latest family experience during my sabbatical of adventures taking unexpected turns would in itself make me hesitate! Exchanging a leisurely trip round Vietnam for emergency medical evacuation to Singapore wasn't on our agenda! But, more importantly, this is a God-inspired adventure that we're embarking on together today. And there is no doubt the Bible teaches that God doesn't often make the way plain in advance. His invitation to us is usually more like, 'OK, let's start from here'. It's then a case of tightening our seatbelts, for whatever lies ahead! And today's passage is another clear example of that classic spiritual pattern at work.
We will look at this story in detail shortly. But first let me set it in context – both in terms of where we're coming at it from, and in the Bible. To start with us, the preaching team discerned back in May that this is where God is leading us next. Very like today's beginning that happened in the context of us praying and listening to God. We considered how we'd begun this year in rather dramatic fashion, after quite a recent history of challenges and difficulties of all sorts. If you missed our post Easter series of reflections on all that, based on the story of Lazarus, you can read them on our blog-site, or ask the Office for printed copies. Here's the headline of where we ended up, though. We emerged with a clear, God-given intent to live out the lessons that we've learned, about being a people of hope and faith even in the hardest of times. Allied to that was, and is, the strong sense of this being a church that God wants to use to help those who're suffering. We understand that to include not 'just' people in here, but very much those out there too.
What we re-learned above all in our series of reflections is that without Jesus there is no hope at all! It's the death and resurrection of Jesus alone that makes all the difference. By dying for us, in our place, Jesus has made it possible for us to be forgiven and become God's friends. By his resurrection he then broke the power of death, and has given us an eternal hope of life with God. This is the good news that has always been at the heart of the gospel of Jesus. It's what has given Christians sure hope, in any and all circumstances, for over 2 000 years. And that's precisely what we see is central to this part of the Bible this new series comes from. The book of Acts tells the story of how the message of Jesus, this good news of hope, spread like wildfire. Just as Jesus had promised, it started in Jerusalem, went into the rest of Israel, then into neighbouring Samaria, and on throughout the known world.
We're deliberately picking up that story at Stage 3 today. At the risk of confusing things, the whole of Acts is itself a Part 2! Luke had already written a gospel about Jesus. Here he tells the story of how everyone found out about what Jesus taught and did. And this is the point in that story where the gospel heads out into the wider world, driven by a dynamic new leader. Of course it's vital to know that Peter and the other leaders continued their God-given work. The early church kept on flourishing in Jerusalem, and among the Jewish people – despite plenty of opposition and trouble. But for the rest of Acts the focus is mainly on Paul-who-used-to-be-Saul. This is now the story of how he reached further and wider with the gospel than anyone had dared dream might even be possible. And of course our aim is that following this story will inspire us in our efforts – to reach further and wider with the gospel than anyone has dared to dream might even be possible!
That's a big aim, of course. So it's well worth noting that though this book is called Acts of the Apostles, many know it as Acts of the Holy Spirit! That's probably an even better title, in fact, because it puts the emphasis where it really needs to be. Everything that happens in the spreading of the gospel, in this book and today, is the work of the Holy Spirit. He's the one who calls and equips people to preach it, in word and in deed; he's the one who prepares people to hear it, and respond to it. And, once again, that's plain from the way this part of the story begins. To re-state the obvious, the Holy Spirit is the most prominent character in all that happens here: he chose Barnabas and Saul; he told them what to do, and where to go; 'all' the church had to do was obey Him.
Now, having taken this long over explaining how we've got here, most of the details of today's story will have to speak for themselves. One of the joys of Acts is that it's a ripping yarn in its own right, so it doesn't often need too much unpacking. Most of us can do with some geography help, with places that no longer exist, or have different names. So we've provided that, in the shape of this double-sided map. It has the route of first two missionary journeys that Paul made, which we'll be working our way through until the end of November. In some ways Paul didn't seem to have covered much ground in his first trip. But don't forget he was walking or sailing, so this all took about 2 years.
What Luke wrote is of course only a summary of what was said and done along the way. As a good theologian as well as a story-teller, Luke chose deliberately what to put in at each stage. We are supposed to take notice of that, then, and learn important lessons for our own preaching and living of the gospel from it. So I'd best focus our attention on the other main lesson that Luke teaches at the outset of this new phase of the story. I'm sure that you've not missed the first ones – that this is all, and only, about Jesus; and it's all the work of His Spirit. Well, please don't miss the warning note here, to expect stiff spiritual opposition at every turn!
In Paphos that opposition might have come in a form we don't quickly identify with. But we can certainly recognise those who oppose the truth about Jesus, and don't want others to hear it. The recent resurgence in militant secularism led by Richard Dawkins springs to mind, with demands for no RE in schools, let alone faith schools. Paul's opponent, ironically named Bar- (meaning son of) Jesus, had a more obvious motive for his opposition. If the Governor became a Christian, he probably wouldn't want a resident fortune-teller any more. There may well have been more to it besides job-security, though. We can work that out from Paul's stern response to this man. Luke tells us that Paul looked intently at the man, and saw through right him.
This isn't perhaps what we expect to read in the Bible. We can carry a mental picture of Christians as nice, polite people who wouldn't even think of rocking a boat. Well, there's clearly a time to take a firm stand – as Jesus often did too. Paul wasn't holding back when he called this man a son of the Devil! Nor was this opposition to the gospel treated lightly. Paul told him that he would be blinded for a time – as indeed he then was. Paul had experienced that fate himself as part of his coming to faith in Jesus. Maybe he hoped the magician would realise the error of his ways – though we don't find out if he ever did. What we do find out is that the Governor was very impressed. The gospel clearly was not just a matter of words, but of powerful action too – and he converted on the spot as a result.
This is a key lesson for us to learn, then, I'd suggest. Of course we need to be careful about who, what and how we confront – but there is a place for doing that. And I will also say I'm sure that some of the stuff that's going here on at the moment is opposition. I'm even encouraged by that, in a strange way. There is no doubt in my mind that we are being called to go on this adventure – and so we should expect opposition. No doubt that will show up in all sorts of other ways as we keep working on developing fresh practical means to live and share the gospel. I for one intend to confront who and what God calls me to: I invite you to join in too, after this model.
Well, that's about all we've got time to pick out from this part of the story today. There's plenty more to come in the weeks ahead: adventures and opposition, dramas, what seem like setbacks, and loads of comment and explanation from Luke. But what we'll undoubtedly see, time and again, is the Holy Spirit at work. Above all, we'll see this good news about Jesus marching forward, transforming lives and communities with hope and purpose. These were hugely exciting times for the early church. They can be that for us too – if we'll allow that same Holy Spirit to be at work in and through us today. So, can you hear His call to get involved in sharing and living this good news of hope? Come on then: fasten your seatbelt, and follow wherever he leads! And now let's pray ...
Cameron's sermon is based on the reading from Acts 13: verses 1 to 12.
...................................................................................
Have you heard the one about the priest walking around his parish early one autumn evening? Through the gathering gloom he noticed a rather small boy trying to ring the doorbell on a house over the road. The boy was so short, though, that the doorbell was too high for him to reach.
After watching the boy struggle for a while, the priest went over to him. Placing a kindly hand on the child's shoulder, he reached over and gave the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down next to the child, the priest smiled kindly at him and asked, “And now what, young man?”
To which the boy replied, “Now we run!”
The connection between that story and today's sermon may be a bit tenuous – but it is there! Today we set off into the realms of a whole new set of unknown adventures. If the way we've begun is any indication, they will doubtless prove to be far more exciting – and challenging – than the game I know as 'tok tokkie'! This is no game at all, though. It's serious business – probably the most serious business we could ever imagine, or be involved with. Again the start of this series has made that very clear. We're talking about inviting and enabling people to make decisions that impact all of their lives, now and eternally! And let me also say this at the outset: I firmly believe that today marks the start of something new and different, and very exciting, for Parish of Herne Hill.
Don't ask me for details of exactly what shape that will all take. Our latest family experience during my sabbatical of adventures taking unexpected turns would in itself make me hesitate! Exchanging a leisurely trip round Vietnam for emergency medical evacuation to Singapore wasn't on our agenda! But, more importantly, this is a God-inspired adventure that we're embarking on together today. And there is no doubt the Bible teaches that God doesn't often make the way plain in advance. His invitation to us is usually more like, 'OK, let's start from here'. It's then a case of tightening our seatbelts, for whatever lies ahead! And today's passage is another clear example of that classic spiritual pattern at work.
We will look at this story in detail shortly. But first let me set it in context – both in terms of where we're coming at it from, and in the Bible. To start with us, the preaching team discerned back in May that this is where God is leading us next. Very like today's beginning that happened in the context of us praying and listening to God. We considered how we'd begun this year in rather dramatic fashion, after quite a recent history of challenges and difficulties of all sorts. If you missed our post Easter series of reflections on all that, based on the story of Lazarus, you can read them on our blog-site, or ask the Office for printed copies. Here's the headline of where we ended up, though. We emerged with a clear, God-given intent to live out the lessons that we've learned, about being a people of hope and faith even in the hardest of times. Allied to that was, and is, the strong sense of this being a church that God wants to use to help those who're suffering. We understand that to include not 'just' people in here, but very much those out there too.
What we re-learned above all in our series of reflections is that without Jesus there is no hope at all! It's the death and resurrection of Jesus alone that makes all the difference. By dying for us, in our place, Jesus has made it possible for us to be forgiven and become God's friends. By his resurrection he then broke the power of death, and has given us an eternal hope of life with God. This is the good news that has always been at the heart of the gospel of Jesus. It's what has given Christians sure hope, in any and all circumstances, for over 2 000 years. And that's precisely what we see is central to this part of the Bible this new series comes from. The book of Acts tells the story of how the message of Jesus, this good news of hope, spread like wildfire. Just as Jesus had promised, it started in Jerusalem, went into the rest of Israel, then into neighbouring Samaria, and on throughout the known world.
We're deliberately picking up that story at Stage 3 today. At the risk of confusing things, the whole of Acts is itself a Part 2! Luke had already written a gospel about Jesus. Here he tells the story of how everyone found out about what Jesus taught and did. And this is the point in that story where the gospel heads out into the wider world, driven by a dynamic new leader. Of course it's vital to know that Peter and the other leaders continued their God-given work. The early church kept on flourishing in Jerusalem, and among the Jewish people – despite plenty of opposition and trouble. But for the rest of Acts the focus is mainly on Paul-who-used-to-be-Saul. This is now the story of how he reached further and wider with the gospel than anyone had dared dream might even be possible. And of course our aim is that following this story will inspire us in our efforts – to reach further and wider with the gospel than anyone has dared to dream might even be possible!
That's a big aim, of course. So it's well worth noting that though this book is called Acts of the Apostles, many know it as Acts of the Holy Spirit! That's probably an even better title, in fact, because it puts the emphasis where it really needs to be. Everything that happens in the spreading of the gospel, in this book and today, is the work of the Holy Spirit. He's the one who calls and equips people to preach it, in word and in deed; he's the one who prepares people to hear it, and respond to it. And, once again, that's plain from the way this part of the story begins. To re-state the obvious, the Holy Spirit is the most prominent character in all that happens here: he chose Barnabas and Saul; he told them what to do, and where to go; 'all' the church had to do was obey Him.
Now, having taken this long over explaining how we've got here, most of the details of today's story will have to speak for themselves. One of the joys of Acts is that it's a ripping yarn in its own right, so it doesn't often need too much unpacking. Most of us can do with some geography help, with places that no longer exist, or have different names. So we've provided that, in the shape of this double-sided map. It has the route of first two missionary journeys that Paul made, which we'll be working our way through until the end of November. In some ways Paul didn't seem to have covered much ground in his first trip. But don't forget he was walking or sailing, so this all took about 2 years.
What Luke wrote is of course only a summary of what was said and done along the way. As a good theologian as well as a story-teller, Luke chose deliberately what to put in at each stage. We are supposed to take notice of that, then, and learn important lessons for our own preaching and living of the gospel from it. So I'd best focus our attention on the other main lesson that Luke teaches at the outset of this new phase of the story. I'm sure that you've not missed the first ones – that this is all, and only, about Jesus; and it's all the work of His Spirit. Well, please don't miss the warning note here, to expect stiff spiritual opposition at every turn!
In Paphos that opposition might have come in a form we don't quickly identify with. But we can certainly recognise those who oppose the truth about Jesus, and don't want others to hear it. The recent resurgence in militant secularism led by Richard Dawkins springs to mind, with demands for no RE in schools, let alone faith schools. Paul's opponent, ironically named Bar- (meaning son of) Jesus, had a more obvious motive for his opposition. If the Governor became a Christian, he probably wouldn't want a resident fortune-teller any more. There may well have been more to it besides job-security, though. We can work that out from Paul's stern response to this man. Luke tells us that Paul looked intently at the man, and saw through right him.
This isn't perhaps what we expect to read in the Bible. We can carry a mental picture of Christians as nice, polite people who wouldn't even think of rocking a boat. Well, there's clearly a time to take a firm stand – as Jesus often did too. Paul wasn't holding back when he called this man a son of the Devil! Nor was this opposition to the gospel treated lightly. Paul told him that he would be blinded for a time – as indeed he then was. Paul had experienced that fate himself as part of his coming to faith in Jesus. Maybe he hoped the magician would realise the error of his ways – though we don't find out if he ever did. What we do find out is that the Governor was very impressed. The gospel clearly was not just a matter of words, but of powerful action too – and he converted on the spot as a result.
This is a key lesson for us to learn, then, I'd suggest. Of course we need to be careful about who, what and how we confront – but there is a place for doing that. And I will also say I'm sure that some of the stuff that's going here on at the moment is opposition. I'm even encouraged by that, in a strange way. There is no doubt in my mind that we are being called to go on this adventure – and so we should expect opposition. No doubt that will show up in all sorts of other ways as we keep working on developing fresh practical means to live and share the gospel. I for one intend to confront who and what God calls me to: I invite you to join in too, after this model.
Well, that's about all we've got time to pick out from this part of the story today. There's plenty more to come in the weeks ahead: adventures and opposition, dramas, what seem like setbacks, and loads of comment and explanation from Luke. But what we'll undoubtedly see, time and again, is the Holy Spirit at work. Above all, we'll see this good news about Jesus marching forward, transforming lives and communities with hope and purpose. These were hugely exciting times for the early church. They can be that for us too – if we'll allow that same Holy Spirit to be at work in and through us today. So, can you hear His call to get involved in sharing and living this good news of hope? Come on then: fasten your seatbelt, and follow wherever he leads! And now let's pray ...
posted by Parish Administrator at 12:07 pm
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