Archives May 2006

Sermon: Ascension Day 2006

In the name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

• According to Welsh superstition, it is unlucky to do any work on Ascension Day.
• In Devon, it was an ancient belief that the clouds always formed into the familiar Christian image of a lamb.
• If the weather is sunny, the summer will be long and hot; but if it rains, crops will do badly and livestock, especially cattle, will suffer from disease.
• Eggs laid on this day will never go bad and will guarantee good luck for a household if placed in the roof.
• Rain collected on Ascension Day is said to be good for inflamed or diseased eyes.
• Those suffering from goitre should bite into the bark of a peach tree at midnight on Ascension Day, so that the disease passes to the tree and the sufferer is cured.
• Gifts to the blind or lame made on this day are sure to be rewarded with great wealth within the following twelve months.
The last thing Jesus did before ascending to heaven was bless the disciples. Hence why there are so many superstitious ‘blessings’ like the ones above, I suppose. Although just why the Welsh should think it unlucky to work today is anyone’s guess!
However, the blessing is really connected with the mission of Christians. Nowhere is Scripture is there the notion that ‘my faith is a private and personal thing’. There is time for worship, but not for a holy huddle. We are to get on with letting the world know who Jesus is, what God has done in Him, in the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. God will use this, infusing our efforts with His blessing. Amen

Sermon: Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

“I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends”

Jesus as the typical Rabbi – gathering a group of followers, teaching them an interpretation of the Torah unlike anything experienced before

Placing on them the “yolk” of teaching – “My burden is easy, my yoke is light” (Matthew 11:30)

But the relationship was changing – as Christ came to earth to show us a new relationship between God and Mankind, so Christ’s relationship between his students/disciples was changing – no longer authoritarian, but as friends.

The heart of this relationship is love.

Jesus speaks of the hired shepherd, who runs away. The good shepherd remains and protects – why (it can’t be money, it must be love)

Jesus speaks on the cross of love, of forgiveness

The new relationship – the new testament/covenant is based on love. No longer is God a mighty smiter, a punishing parent.

Now he is a friend, a brother, a lover (as the Song of Songs would powerfully have it).

Just as we saw last week with the young people’s demonstration – God’s love is to be shared around.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Christian Aid.

[I would like to ask DL up to tell us a little about this love in action

Amen

Sermon: Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

“I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends”

Jesus as the typical Rabbi – gathering a group of followers, teaching them an interpretation of the Torah unlike anything experienced before

Placing on them the “yolk” of teaching – “My burden is easy, my yoke is light” (Matthew 11:30)

But the relationship was changing – as Christ came to earth to show us a new relationship between God and Mankind, so Christ’s relationship between his students/disciples was changing – no longer authoritarian, but as friends.

The heart of this relationship is love.

Jesus speaks of the hired shepherd, who runs away. The good shepherd remains and protects – why (it can’t be money, it must be love)

Jesus speaks on the cross of love, of forgiveness

The new relationship – the new testament/covenant is based on love. No longer is God a mighty smiter, a punishing parent.

Now he is a friend, a brother, a lover (as the Song of Songs would powerfully have it).

Just as we saw last week with the young people’s demonstration – God’s love is to be shared around.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Christian Aid.

[I would like to ask DL up to tell us a little about this love in action

Amen

Sermon: Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

“I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends”

Jesus as the typical Rabbi – gathering a group of followers, teaching them an interpretation of the Torah unlike anything experienced before

Placing on them the “yolk” of teaching – “My burden is easy, my yoke is light” (Matthew 11:30)

But the relationship was changing – as Christ came to earth to show us a new relationship between God and Mankind, so Christ’s relationship between his students/disciples was changing – no longer authoritarian, but as friends.

The heart of this relationship is love.

Jesus speaks of the hired shepherd, who runs away. The good shepherd remains and protects – why (it can’t be money, it must be love)

Jesus speaks on the cross of love, of forgiveness

The new relationship – the new testament/covenant is based on love. No longer is God a mighty smiter, a punishing parent.

Now he is a friend, a brother, a lover (as the Song of Songs would powerfully have it).

Just as we saw last week with the young people’s demonstration – God’s love is to be shared around.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the work of Christian Aid.

[I would like to ask DL up to tell us a little about this love in action

Amen