Song:
Come let us sing of a wonderful love - YouTube
Reading: Psalm 40, verses 1 to 5.
Song: In loving-kindness Jesus Came.
Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 9, verses 9 to 12.
Reading: Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 1 to 8
Recently, a writer in our local paper used references to scripture, and particularly the teachings of Jesus, to bolster their argument. A response by another writer stated that whilst they had not forgotten the teachings of Jesus, “we live in an age far removed from his original preachings. Yes, in an ideal world they are words of wisdom and compassion which we should all applaud.”
This is a serious misunderstanding of the Christian message. To suggest that the teachings of Jesus are only applicable “in an ideal world” takes no account of the fact that the world to which Jesus came was well short of perfect, in fact it was because it was imperfect that he came at all. This point is emphasised by Jesus’s words when he says that he came not to the righteous, but to sinners, “Those who are well do not need a doctor.” Similarly, the old testament prophets were called because the people had strayed away from the ideal.
Over the years, I have asked a number of people to come along to church, and on several occasions received a response along the lines of “Well, I’d like to come, but I don’t think I’m good enough!” Jesus does not call us to become “good enough”, he calls us to follow.
There was a preacher who was concerned that all he was doing was “preaching to the converted”. One Sunday, after the service, a steward came into the vestry with the news that a member of the congregation had had their coat stolen. The preacher’s response was unexpected, “Hallelujah!” he shouted, “We have had a sinner in!”
Many years ago, there was a TV situation comedy, broadcast on Yorkshire Television, called “Hallelujah!”, which featured Thora Hird as a Salvation Army Captain, and followed her misadventures. (Episodes are available on line, search for; Hallelujah TV series. In one episode, someone had said to her that they would not come to church “because it was full of hypocrites”. Her response was “No, its not full, there’s room for plenty more!” These two stories, (at least one of which is fictional” make the point that the church is for the sinners, something which is apparently lost on many Christians.
The newspaper correspondence referred to earlier centred around the debate about how we look after, welcome and control immigrants and refugees. Clearly this is not a simple subject, nor is it without controversy, and this is not the place to discuss the details. However, the writer of the second letter made reference to the need for a miracle on the scale of the feeding of the 5000 if numbers are not severely restricted. The old testament is quite lucid on the subject, referring several times to the need to look after the needs of the widow, orphan and foreigner. It also makes clear how this “miracle” is to be achieved. In Leviticus, one of the ways in which the foreigners are to be looked after, is by deliberately leaving produce in the fields for the benefit of those in need; another is by giving a part of your produce (income) so that the dispossessed can be fed. In modern terms, this amounts to not being greedy.
Finally, Paul reminds us of this obligation in his letter to the Hebrews, where he says that is we entertain strangers (foreigners) we may entertain angels unknowingly. The implication is that by refusing to offer hospitality to foreigners, we may reject angels, (messengers of God). We can all learn about God from some of the most unexpected sources!
The church does not exist to make people feel happy in their comfortable worlds. It does not exist so that the righteous can keep the others out. Rather, it exists to "comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable." This quote is attributed to several different sources, but expresses my beliefs.
Song: I was sinking deep in sin.
Love Lifted Me with Lyrics - YouTube
Prayer:
Our God, you hold our lives in your hands.
You have promised to give us a new heart and to put a new spirit in us.
We pray: renew us everyday.
Forgive us where we have failed to be good stewards and to be good neighbours. Give us the courage to think beyond our own lives; to live and consume responsibly so that our near and far neighbours can experience their full dignity, and that we can help restore and admire the beauty of our communities and of this earth.
Our God, you hold our world in your hands. You hear your creation groaning but you have promised to liberate it from its pain.
We pray: renew our world.
Forgive those of us who haven’t used their power wisely.
Give us and our leaders the courage to think beyond our own economies; to seek genuine partnerships so that all people can experience the fullness of life, and that our planet is known to be the common home for all creation and future generations. Amen.
Taken from: renewourworld.net
Song:
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