Refreshing lives, transforming faith, at the heart of the community Haere Mai, Piki Mai
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A Sermon by The Reverend Yvonne McLean tssf
Nelson Cathedral
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Readings:
2 Samuel 23:1 – 7
Matthew 28:16 - 20
Father, may my words be true to your word, and our hearts open to hear you,
through the enabling of your Spirit.
Amen
The Commissioning of the Disciples
What were the last words your mother used to say to you before you went to school?
Be Good!
Look both ways before you cross the road!
Have you got your homework? Your lunch box? Your sun hat?
Or if you had younger brother or sisters was it:
Make sure you look after your sister on the way to school.
What about the last words before you went to bed?
Night, night, sleep tight, sweet dreams.
It you′ve lost a loved one you often remember the last thing they said to you.
It’s really hard when people part on bad terms, we can worry over their words for along time. Our last words are usually important ones.
Both of tonight′s readings are about last words.
The last words of King David
And the last words of Jesus Christ.
David said that the Spirit of the Lord spoke through him, that the one who rules over them was their the rock, the morning light,
And he reminded his listeners that God had made an everlasting covenant with his people Israel.
That covenant came to fruition in the person of Jesus Christ; the rock, the word of God, the bright morning star.
Jesus′ last words also included the comfort of God′s everlasting presence.
"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
But Jesus also told his disciples to bear witness to Christ.
"To make disciples of all nations baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
This could only be done through God′s empowering.
The Spirit of the Lord working through us,
just like it worked through King David.
Now we know these words from Matthew 28 well.
They are often referred to as the Great Commission.
All of Jesus′ followers are commissioned to make disciples.
This is often a daunting idea, one we may choose to relegate to others.
In fact we often think it is up to missionaries like Robyn Appleby who preached here last Sunday, to be the ones who go out to all the nations.
Yes we do need missionaries who travel overseas but we also need missionaries who live and witness in Nelson. After all only 10% of New Zealanders attend any church.
But how do we do that?
I read 2 sets of Bible notes each day. One is the Bible Reading Fellowship notes – Daylight, and the other is The Word For Today, written by Bob, Debby and Ruth Gass.
I like both of these notes because they are quite different,
One follows the church year and although ecumenical, feels quite Anglican in it’s style.
The other is definitely aimed at all people and tends to touch both head and heart. It has plenty of wisdom and good advice, a lot of "How to" ideas.
This week there were 3 days in the Word for Today entitled:
"A love letter from Jesus"
They were based on 2 Corinthians 3:3
"You...are a letter from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God."
Just the sort of "How to" advice needed by ordinary individuals trying to be obedient to Jesus′ last words.
I′m sure you’ve heard this saying:
"You may be the only bible a person gets to read"
So how can we be the bible, the letter of Christ?
On the first day they looked at what it means for us to be a letter from Christ.
They remind us that we live in a "stressed-out world searching for answers."
"This letter is addressed to every person you meet, you have something they need, something more important than a tax cut, a salary increase, a solution for global warming or a cancer cure. Friends, enemies, relatives, neighbours, workmates and strangers need the message you have and the hope you bring.
Who is the letter from? The author′s identity determines the reader′s interest level. You are a letter from Christ, about Christ. "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" (2 Cor 4:5 NIV). Our message is not about us; it′s about Jesus. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6 NKJV). Religious people advertise their religion. We advocate Christ. "But are people really interested in Jesus?" you ask. Yes! In His lifetime He drew multitudes. Since His death and resurrection He draws countless millions of men and women from all strata of society and every nation on earth. "But I, when I am lifted up...will draw all people to Myself" (John 12:32).
Today nothing is more needed than a living portrait of Jesus Christ, so deliver your love letter to ′whoever′ crosses your path!
The next day they reminded us that how we live our lives is crucial to our message being received.
The Bible says your life is a love letter from Jesus, "known and read by everybody" (2 Cor 3:2 NIV). But a letter is only effective if it is easily read and understood. An older friend said of his deteriorating handwriting, "I can still read writin′, but I can′t write readin′!" Incomprehensible writing distorts the message and discourages the reader. The purpose, to convey the writer′s thoughts, is lost, and the reader either stops reading or fails to get the message.
To ensure that your love letter from Jesus gets through to the people He′s sending it to, here are some common distortions to avoid:
A begrudging, resentful attitude when a friend, fellow worker or boss asks you to go the extra mile and help at an inconvenient time.
Shoddy workmanship, reflected in a substandard product or service.
Undependability and inconsistency, such as when you can′t be counted on to be where you′re supposed to be, or to fulfill your obligations.
Being a killjoy. Christians who lack a sense of humour and resiliency, who act like they′re ′joy-impaired′ hurt the cause of Christ.
Touchiness, like when you wear your feelings on your sleeve, and get easily upset or overreact to unintended offences.
Temper tantrums, where you′re crabby and grumpy because things don′t go your way.
′Holy Joe-itis′ that makes you speak in self-righteous, arrogant tones.
Since you are being "known and read by everybody" (2 Cor 3:2 NIV), guard against these behaviours that distort the life-giving message God wants to send to others through you.
The third day looked at what our letter from Christ says:
2 Corinthians reminds us that "We...are being transformed into His likeness" (2 Cor 3:18 NIV) "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV).
The message in our letter should make it clear that we′re not the people we used to be, because:
Christ has changed us mentally. Being "transformed by the renewing of [our] mind" (Rom 12:2 NIV) we now look at life, ourselves, others, our challenges and options in light of God′s thoughts, not ours. We see opportunities where we saw only obstacles, and possibilities where we saw only problems. Minds that were frazzled with worry are now filled with confidence and peace.
Christ has changed us morally. The list of wrongdoers mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 was a lifestyle all too familiar to us. It includes the immoral, thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers, etc.
Then comes glorious verse 11: "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed...sanctified...justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (NIV). He has transformed our character.
Christ has changed us Spiritually. Once we were unable to enjoy His Word, His worship and His ways. Now, alive by His indwelling Spirit, we revel in these things! (See 1 Cor 2:14.)
Your letter should read: ′Jesus changed my life, and if you let Him, He will change yours too!′
The writers of The Word for Today then exhort us to:
" deliver your love letter to everyone you meet."
It is a challenge for all of us to live lives that attract others to Christ, none of us is perfect, we are all a work in progress but it is part of our Cathedral vision:
"Refreshing lives, transforming faith, at the heart of our community."
It′s on the front of every Bulletin!
This morning we heard from Archdeacon Robin Kingston.
He spoke about Bishopdale Theological College.
One aspect of the vision that led to the creation of our Theological College was the need for tutors not just to teach the academic content, but to model their faith in the way they live their lives.
This requires a mentoring process, teaching by example, do as I do as well as what I say.
All parents know that children copy what they do far more easily that what they say - for good or bad!
Today is Stir Up Sunday, the day we are reminded to stir our hearts and minds into action.
We can only do this through the transformation and empowering of God′s Holy Spirit, only then can we become letters from Christ.
Paul′s last words can be found in his final letter, his second to Timothy:
"As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
2 Timothy 2:5 – 8
That crown of righteousness is for us too if we have carried out our work for God, if we have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.
Just like King David, just like Paul, Just like Jesus.
I wonder what our last words will be?
And I wonder what people will say about our lives when we have gone to claim our prize in heaven?
May God′s Holy Spirit write in our hearts empowering each of us in our respective fields of ministry, the office, the home, the school or where-ever God had placed us, and may God bless us all as we endeavour to deliver our letter from God to everyone we meet, for that is the only way we can go and make disciples.
In Jesus′ name I pray.
Amen.
The Reverend Yvonne McLean tssf
This sermon was written and delivered by The Reverend Yvonne McLean tssf at Nelson Cathedral, 23 November 2008 at 6pm
