Sermon: A Whole New World (or, The
End of the World as we Know it?!)
Our readings today share themes of new beginnings; the ending
of old ways; and the vision of God’s perfect creation as it was meant to be in
the vision of New Jerusalem in all her glory.
As we, mired as we are in political uncertainty and
uncertainty about our own future, contemplate old ways vs new ways, what can
these two readings tell us? Where is our hope? Where is God moving us? Pushing
us? Nudging us forward?
In these uncertain days there is still certainty. For God is
the constant in our lives. The theme which overarched this week’s General
assembly was Jesus’ call “Follow me”, and every day, as debates and discussions
took place, the Moderator, with gentle humour, reminded commissioners that all
that we do, we do remembering who it is we follow, who it is we serve.
Through the Radical Action Plan, and the Special Commission
investigation into the practises of the church, the Church of Scotland
undertook to commit to change. Big changes which will devolve some of the power
and influence away from Edinburgh, to the local and regional church.
From reducing the number of presbyteries; to reducing the
number of staff in Edinburgh; to endorsing new ways of being church in our
communities; reaffirming the commitment to the people of Scotland – regardless
of faith or creed.
The church has confirmed that as the national church we want
to be in our communities, caring for those who look to the church for comfort
and support.
What does that look like in reality? Finance; buildings;
personnel – all have been subject to decisions which will cast ripples far and
wide. And to assure you – it was not all about cut! There is a new “Growth
Fund” specifically for church planting; for developing local churches projects
and initiatives.
It is hard to say, right now, just how we, here in Earlston,
will be affected – though we know because of the discussions we have had over
the past six months, that there will be change in the whole Leaderdale area.
Next Saturday is an important day for our Presbytery; there
is a full day conference for representatives from every church in the
presbytery – the discussions we have had, alongside those of other groups will
be brought together to see if, working collaboratively, we may come up with a
new look for the Presbytery (and neighbouring Presbyteries too) – groups, hubs,
clusters – whatever we call it – we are exploring new ways of being and
creating church.
Change is nothing new: time and again Jesus moved people to
change: change of heart; change of status; change of life.
Jesus’ encounter with the man at the pool brought about huge
change in everything he knew. Jesus’ question to him: “do you want to be
healed?” was the very core of the issue. His life was not perfect, but it was
predictable, relatively comfortable, it had rhythm and familiarity.
His answer, a stumbling excuse for not changing was not
enough. He acceptance of the command, “stand up!” moved him from life as a
crippled beggar, relying on others for
everything he needed, to (literally) standing on his own two feet –
making his own way in the world. The secondary command “lift up your mat”
ensured he did not simply lie back down, but rather HAD to engage with this new
thing.
It will not have been easy – he had never walked; never had
to work; never looked after himself. This is a whole new world for him. Scary
and overwhelming. I suspect that once the initial euphoria wore off he may have
wished to go back to those days of lying on his mat. Begging. Waiting. But.
Waiting around for someone else to act is not what Jesus requires: get up!
Walk! Do your own thing! Follow me…
St John’s vision of the end of the world offers a vision of New
Jerusalem and life as it could be: life with no darkness in it; no pain; no
death; no sin.
Life in all its goodness. Complete and whole – living in
God’s eternal light. Lion and lamb together. An abundance of fruit sustaining
us. Life as God intended… the end of this world marks a transition into a new
and perfect world.
We, both Earlston Church, and the Church of Scotland as a
whole are waiting beside the pool for a sign.
We have choices. We can continue to lie on the mat, waiting
for something to happen.
Or, we can listen to Jesus’ call “Follow me!”
“Get up! Move! Step out!!”
Instead of passively waiting for someone else to tell us what
to do; we can move forward with others; it’s a whole new world out there!
"A whole new world,
A new fantastic point of view,
No one to tell us no,
Or where to go,
Or say we're only dreaming…
A whole new world." (Disney's Aladdin)
