Mark 8:27 - 9:8
I have a confession to make!!
I went to bed last night with no sermon!
I have had a sore back since I got off the plane on Thursday;
and with catching up with the mail and getting caught up with domestic stuff
and preparing all of the other things for today – I just was not finding the
right words for this morning…
This is not totally without precedent, but usually I do
manage to have the gist before bedtime on Saturday
I couldn’t work out why either.
Transfiguration is one of those events that comes up every
year; I have therefore preached on it many, many times. I could even, have gone
through the archive and found one from previous years to share with you all...
but somehow I felt I was being prompted to something else; and generally, when
the Spirit starts prompting, I stop and listen.
So, I set the alarm super-early and decide it would be better
to sleep on it and see what this morning would bring!
This morning as I brewed coffee and thought about what to say
this morning it suddenly became obvious to me!!
The sermon title I chose three weeks ago, before I went off
on my study leave / holiday.
Words and Actions.
Words and Actions.
The gospels share with us many events and stories from Jesus’
earthly life; each gospel gives us a slightly different view depending on who
has written it and what their inspiration was; each one gives us insights into
how God works; how God loves; what God wants us to know and how God would like
us to live.
During my study leave we were looking at how culture – the
place and time we live in is affecting church life; how church life is
changing, growing, evolving to meet the needs of the world we live in today.
Two things became apparent to me:
We are already doing many of the things needed to serve the world
we live in now
The church in America is beginning to do this, but is in a
different place to us. They are challenged now by the things that were
challenging our church back in the 1990s.
Many of the things suggested as part of the teaching are
becoming part of our everyday church life – to be a missional church in the 21st
century.
The transfiguration is all about change:
Jesus’ appearance changed before the disciples eyes
What they saw changed them forever, even if they did not know
it at the time
Jesus’ message to the disciples, and to the crowds who
followed him was transforming:
“To follow me; to walk the path God
calls you to, you need to set aside the ways of this world; forget about
yourself; forget about striving for worldly success; give yourself to the
gospel: dedicate your life to God’s ways.”
Winning the world is as nothing if you do not also claim
God’s Way.
While we were in America the presidential election kicked
off; and I watched with fascination as the first caucus in Iowa played out.
Watching the pundits; the political commentators; the
politicians themselves as they waited and watched for the first result to come
in.
The priority for everyone was to seem better than all the
others; to have a better grasp of life, the universe and everything.
The political machine there is very different to ours; and of
course, we do not elect a president, so it is difficult to compare like for
like.
But. One thing that really stood out for me, was how some of
the candidates chose to claim that God was on their side; that they followed
biblical guidelines.
But. I do not see anywhere in the Gospel that Jesus
proclaimed that only the rich get into heaven; that only employed white executives
have access to God’s love. In fact, the Christ that some politicians claim is
not in my bible at all.
Jesus calls us to be transforming, radical people; people who
are prepared to go the extra mile; people who will not only call themselves
friendly and welcoming, but to BE that.
To live out the vision of transfiguration we need to take our
faith out into the community: to carry on and develop the things we are already
doing.
Messy Church
Community Café
These are reaching into the lives of people who have not been
part of the church;
The church is not just the building on the hill.
The church is each one of us; and whatever we do, we do as if
we were doing it for Jesus.
I know that our church has plans for more activities away
from the building: that there will be new and exciting things to be involved
in.
We are the church in our community
We are the transfiguration people
We can bring the gospel right out into our community
With words and actions the gospel will come to life right
here in Earlston
God’s people, sharing God’s love, showing God’s concern,
answering questions and sharing insights…
We are the church seven days a week; on Sunday we gather, we worship,
we share, we nurture each other and prepare to be the Word in Action in our
community.
The days of keeping Jesus a secret are long gone!
Listen to him
Follow him
Be Jesus People – be Words in Action
Shining for all to see
Amen
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