Saturday 28 May 2011

Sermon for Sunday 22nd May 2011 – Acts 7: 55-end and John 14: 1-14, Kim

About 400 years, ago, the world of medicine was plunged into controversy by an English physician, William Harvey, who contradicted the establishment by suggesting that blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs, back through the heart and then out via the arteries before returning to the heart through the veins. His theory was spot on, but at the time it aroused many protests from medical, scientific and religious ‘authorities’. At around the same time, Galileo was having his problems because of his hypothesis that the earth orbits the sun rather than vice versa. So shocking was this considered that he was forced to recant and he was put put under house arrest for the remainder of his life. Each of these two men, however, continued with their work, refusing to sacrifice their beliefs despite intolerable pressures to do so.

There are parallels here with the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. On trial for his faith, it must have been tempting to tone down his message, even opting for secret discipleship. For he knew well enough the consequences should he refuse to back down. Yet instead he spoke out boldly, conscious that many would take their lead from him. Had he and others like him given in and denied their faith, who can say where the Church would be today – the gospel message could have died an early death back in Jerusalem. Although there have been occasions in recent years where Christians have been killed for their faith, it is unlikely that any of us will ever be called upon to die for our faith but how ready are we to live up to it in a skeptical and sometimes hostile world?

Have you ever been banned from something? Maybe a youth or football club, a pub, shop, Church? I was banned once. It was during the Apartheid era in South Africa. Not only was I banned, I was blacklisted along with others from entering other countries that had disassociated their country from South Africa. I was almost arrested whilst visiting my Uncle and Aunt who lived in Durban because I had walked on a beach that was deserted (it was early in the morning) – and as the signs were in Afrikaans – I did not know I was walking on a beach designated for black men and women and had argued with the Policeman telling me off for doing so by saying that I believe all human beings were equal regardless of their skin colour. I wasn’t arrested and the ban did not prevent me from carrying on my work – as F1 Motor Racing did not get into political matters of other countries, although it did and does have its own politics. It did not stop the F1 Family from entering and building a school in the Red Brick Township outside Kylami despite much opposition from the authorities. But had trouble stirred – who knows what may have happened. Had there been a race in India and we had gone there, we would have been refused entry into that country and not allowed to race. Not quite the same situations as Stephen or William Harvey or Galileo encountered but a small point in that our belief/trust in someone or something can lead us into trouble.

Should we have gone to South Africa in the first place knowing the views of that country’s government and knowing that we could get into trouble there, even arrested? If we had not gone would we have been turning our backs on the very people we, the F1 family, had sought to help through employment and building and giving? We certainly would not have had the experience of seeing happy smiling children spontaneously burst into dance to no music after the opening ceremony. When one of our colleagues, asked ‘where was the music?’ a townswoman turned and said, ‘When God does a miracle the music comes from here – pointed to her forehead’. The experience of being in South Africa brought home to me how easily people close their ears, eyes, their minds, and their hearts to what they would rather not hear, see, think or feel. Don’t think I’m condemning, because I’m not, I am as guilty as any. We all have opinions from which it is hard to shift us, however open we may think ourselves to be. Like those who listened to Stephen as he testified to his faith, we shut out anything that challenges our preconceived ideas, preferring to silence it rather than face its challenge. It may be, of course, that our point of view it right all along; it may equally be that it is wrong or in need of modification. Unless we are willing to listen, we will never know.

In our Gospel reading Jesus has just had the Passover meal with his disciples. He has washed their feet in an act of servanthood. He has foretold his betrayal which Judas will soon perform. He has predicted Peter's denial. He has told them he is leaving. But he adds this word of hope: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you and will come again and take you to myself. So that where I am, you may be also.

Jesus was telling his disciples and indeed us today that if we believe in God and also in Him, if we TRUST in Him, then all will be well, we won’t be alone, for God will send us His companion the Holy Spirit and more importantly, His Spirit will live within us. To help us to spread the Good News, to be the people He has called us to be, to do things and be in situation we would not necessarily put ourselves in, to stand firm, like Stephen, William Harvey and Galileo in the face adversity and even danger. Even more wonderfully, one day we too, like Stephen will be able to see the Glory of God and Jesus standing at His right side.

Stephen, William Harvey, Galileo and the Formula 1 Family stood firm on their belief that what they had said and done was right and true. William and Galileo suffered hardship, Stephen was stoned to death, we may suffer some hardship of some kind for being followers of Christ or we may find ourselves outside our comfort zone, but the hardship will be nothing compared to the suffering Jesus went through on the Cross. One thing is for certain, hardship has a way of getting our attention. Pain slows us down. Very few of us, after facing a trial, come out the same way we entered in. Jesus understood this and attempted to prepare his disciples for the road ahead. If you are suffering some kind of trial or hardship are the moment, remember that just as Jesus prepared the disciples for the time ahead, He will prepare us and be with us throughout, because He loves us and wants us to be with Him in heaven.

‘His Spirit will live within you, and you will do great things in my name, and you may be challenged by others’, said Jesus. ‘Then we’ll all be one, Father, Spirit, Son – together for eternity.’

Questions:

  1. Have you ever been ridiculed or criticized for your faith/belief in God or something/someone? How did it make you feel? How do you feel about it now?
  2. In the reading of John 14: 1-14, why do you think Jesus’ disciples were confused about where he was going?
  3. In what ways do we see the Father in Jesus?
  4. How does Jesus use thus very brief conversation to prepare his disciples for his departure? Specifically, what kind of hope is he giving them?

No comments: