Parish Magazine Item for August

I don’t know how much the academic year impinges on your consciousness. The ages of our children mean that the summer holidays are a big deal for us. From September, for just one year, our 4 will all be at Dallington C of E Primary school. Our youngest, Thomas, is starting school for the first time, so it seems like the end of a long era for us!

For many, August and September are a time of transition, whether it’s new classes and/or teachers, new schools, colleges or universities. Let’s especially be praying for the young people from our benefice who are about to leave home for the first time and for the work of The Universities’ and Colleges’ Christian Fellowship (UCCF), the Christian Unions. You can read more about them at: uccf.org.uk.

We’ve presented those Year 6s leaving Warblers, our after-school club at Punnetts Town School, with bibles and the Year 6 leavers at Dallington and Punnetts Town schools and elsewhere receive a copy of the Scripture Union book, It’s Your Move, all about starting secondary school.

Many of our young people will see these changes as exciting new challenges, but its perfectly normal if there’s also a little anxiety about the unfamiliar.

Whether or not this summer sees great change for us, for everyone, the future is uncertain. Anything could happen! Indeed, as I’ve thought about writing this article, I’ve wondered whether there will be further cabinet resignations before its published, how much Brexit turmoil there will be, and perhaps even whether the government will somehow have fallen. Who knows?!

As we face an uncertain future, I’ve encouraged the children at Dallington School to remember two biblical texts from the letter to the Hebrew Christians. Here they are:

(1) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Everything changes, but God never does. Jesus is utterly reliable and trustworthy. Whatever happens, he has promised to be with his people. He will not leave those who trust in him comfortless.

So, as the writer to the Hebrews says:

(2) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus told his followers not to worry about tomorrow. So many things might concern us, but if we are wise, we wont waste our energies speculating about what might or might not happen. Rather, whatever we face, we face it looking to Jesus, inspired by his example and confident in his care. All our circumstances might change in an instant, and Christians are not insulated even from terrible disaster, but we do have Jesus’ promise that he will help and sustain us. He walked the path of change and the most dreadful suffering before us, and through his victory over sin and death, he is more than able to save us completely, to bring us safely through to glory. We really can rely on him.

Whether your summer is tranquil or full of turmoil, perhaps you’ll find a moment this August to sit in the garden or lay on the beach and reflect on those two great Bible truths. They point us to Jesus, a sure anchor in a world of change. The new academic year is perhaps an opportunity for a fresh start: to pray for God’s grace that by the help of his Holy Spirit we might be able to face the future confidently knowing that Jesus does not change. He has gone before us and will be with us even to the end of the age. If we are believers, our security in Jesus Christ is absolute and that unalterable fact is a stronghold against fear of the future. The future belongs to our loving Lord. Much along the way may be painful, but the wonderful final outcome of all things is not in doubt.

Echoes of Exodus

Alistair J. Roberts and Andrew Wilson, Echoes of Exodus: Tracing Themes of Redemption through Scripture (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway, 2018)

Amazon from £8.98

Over the last couple of days on holiday I have read this little book (176pp) and I really loved it. Short, readable chapters on how the Bible uses and develops the themes of the Exodus. Full of insights. Engagingly written. Doesn't waste words. Pastoral and doxological orientation too. The book will wow you with the Bible but it should also do your soul good and drive you to praise the Word who has brought us from slavery to sin and death that we might worship him with hearts and lives set free.

The authors advocate a musical reading of the Scriptures which is attentive to patterns, echoes, key changes, transpositions, crescendo and so on. The metaphor is worth reading about and dwelling on.

This book is extremely worthwhile for its specific content: it helped me to notice lots of things I had not seen before. But I find the whole approach convincing too: the Bible is surely meant to be read as a unity with differentiation, with attention to the use and re-use of themes and imagery. The argument for this kind of reading is made by hearing it done.

The book would repay close study with a re-reading of the passages mentioned. It will make you want to read the Bible more and again, I think. Sometimes you will have to track down the allusions yourself as not every single reference is given every time. Naturally the better you know the Bible the easier it will be to benefit from the book.

Whenever I am teaching a particular Bible book I might well check what Wilson and Roberts have to say about the Exodus themes in it. Genesis - Revelation is pretty much covered here, obviously in some cases very briefly, but their thoughts seemed on track and useful to me.

Incidentally, the book also shows off the wonderful unity, intricacy and artistry of the Bible. Although not a logical proof, the kind of reading offered here surely makes the case for the divine inspiration of Scripture. Only God could have caused such a number of different authors over such a variety of times and places to produce such a coherent masterpiece which speaks to all generations and cultures of the Redeemer.

There are helpful questions for review and further thought. Subject and Scripture index.

Get and read this brilliant book! I hope you can tell I really liked it and think it is fab.

A foretaste of the parish magazine item, in which I mention The Big Lunch

From The Rectory

If I may say so, I thought The Big Lunch, a community event organised on Rushlake Green on 3^rd June, was particularly excellent this year. It is quite amazing how this event has grown and this year’s big crowd and glorious sunshine was a huge contrast to the Dunkirk spirit I seem to remember from a previous year when a small group of us huddled in the wind and rain.

The Eden Project communities website describes The Big Lunch like this: “The Big Lunch is the UK's biggest annual get together for neighbours.  It's a simple idea - that for a few glorious hours, cars stop, shyness stops and neighbours come together in the street to meet, greet, share, swap, sing, plan and laugh.  In 2017, 9.3 million people took to their streets, gardens and neighbourhoods to join in for a few hours of community, friendship and fun.”

I guess it’s no secret in the parishes that I enjoy my food. And perhaps an occasional pint too. But I think we would all agree that food and drink are important in bringing people together. To eat and drink together can be a sign of friendship and fellowship. Deals are sometimes done or relationships develop over a meal or a drink. Eating and drinking are often part of the most important celebrations in life, as well as being a basic human necessity, of course.

And the Bible has a surprising amount to say about food and drink – much more than I can go into here. Leaving plenty for another day, we can sketch out a few headlines.

At creation, God gives human beings animals and plants for food, to sustain them, and for their enjoyment. We are by design hungry and thirsty, dependent creatures, physically, but spiritually too.

At the very beginning of the Bible we are told of the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in The Garden of Eden. The primordial sin was disobedient eating – snatching forbidden fruit in unbelief and ingratitude.

Jesus often spoke of food and drink and of meals and parties. He described himself as The Bread (or perhaps we might say, Food) of Life. He is the essential staple of our existence without whom we cannot really live spiritually and without whom we would not have eternal life. Jesus offered those who would trust in him an unfailing supply of living spiritual water which he said would bubble up within them to give them life and to sustain them, satisfying their inbuilt thirst for God.

The gospels often show Jesus eating and drinking. I imagine he would have loved the Big Lunch! His opponents falsely accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard. And they objected to the company he kept. Jesus would eat with the hated and often corrupt tax-collectors, who worked for the occupying Roman army, and with prostitutes. Those whom everyone thought of as notorious sinners were welcome to come and eat with Jesus, and were called to a transformed life. We can think of his Feeding of the 5000 as a picture of the life he offers which will bring God’s people to the Promised Land of the New Creation, eternal glory in Jesus’ everlasting kingdom.

Jesus’ disciples were his companions, which is literally those who share bread together (via French and Latin etc.: com – panis – with – bread).

Jesus also gave his people a meal of bread and wine (The Lord’s Supper / Holy Communion / The Eucharist) as a fulfilment of the ancient Passover celebration in which to remember God’s rescue of them from sin. That meal too is a foretaste of what the Bible calls The Wedding Supper of the Lamb, the heavenly climax of all things to which Jesus invites all those who will trust in him. There can be nothing more important than responding to Jesus’ free invitation to this biggest and best of banquets, and there is no more wonderful prospect.   

When you next eat and drink with others, perhaps you will take a moment to think of that great feast that is to come, and to thank Jesus for it. Enjoy all your lunches, big or small!

The Revd Marc Lloyd

Wedding Preaching

I suspect I might not agree with Bishop Michael Curry on everything.

And maybe his sermon was a little long and a touch repetitious. I didn't hear every word as the dear children were beginning to clamber around the sitting room, allowing the dog to steal their food and risking spilling their drinks.

And its possible that not all English Anglicans could carry it off quite as the Bishop did.

But surely there is a lesson to us here that most of us could afford to risk showing a little more enthusiasm, passion and intensity from time to time. According to the content of our preaching, we could deliberately speak as though we have a joyful, urgent and important message which we believe and which we think others ought to hear.

Too often I think my own sermons might be a little staid, not really having the quality of exciting life changing news with which I long to engage my hearers. I suspect I lapse into giving a take it or leave it statement of the truths of Scripture, whereas I ought to strive to hold up and to hold out Jesus Christ and his gospel, to be received with a hungry faith.

Whatever the strengths or weaknesses of today's televised wedding sermon, let us pray that the Holy Spirit enables the bold and powerful proclamation of the Lord Jesus in pulpits around the world this coming Lord's Day.

An OK Dad?

I am struck by the dedication in the non-autobiography of Frederick Forsyth I have just dipped in to. "For my sons, ... in the hope that I was an OK dad." I guess many people if they look back on their lives would say that there are few things more important.

Ready?

Frederick Forsyth, writing in 2015, says: "My life has been blessed with extraordinary good fortune, for which I have no explanation."

After giving some examples he goes on:

"I have been married to two beautiful women and raised two fine sons, while enjoying so far robust good health. For all this, I remain deeply grateful, though to what fate, fortune or deity I am not quite sure. Perhaps I should make my mind up. After all, I may have to meet Him soon."

(The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue, Penguin / Corgi, page 18)

Failing to score political points

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that politicians attempt to score political points. That is part of their job. But I thought that Diane Abbott tried to do so particularly overtly on yesterday's Question Time. Though on a couple of occasions she failed to do so by accusing others of saying or thinking things that they disavowed. To those who are listening, these are shots which are off-target. In fact, they are own-goals which just make the sticker look silly, careless or low.

The Pentecost 2018 Lectionary texts

https://alastairadversaria.com/2018/05/17/theopolis-podcast-pentecost-sunday/

Are Tories rats?

A member of the audience on Question Time last night was wearing a t-shirt with the slogan: "You are never more than 10 feet from a Tory" with a large picture of a rat.

Now, I am all for free speech, but this seems to me cheap, wrong-headed and offensive.

No doubt there are mean, nasty, greedy, treacherous people in all political parties.

It is quite wrong to assume that all Tories are rats.

Some might say it's unfair to rats!

But surely one might be a conservative because one thought that smaller government or lower taxation or individual opportunity or conservation of the good were core principles of freedom or the flourishing of society more represented by the centre-right than the Left.

To mix metaphors, it is just wrong to think that all Tory votes are the deliberate promotion of selfish fat cats.

And these days, of course, one might find it hard to find a Tory, say in London.

Disproportionate force

A member of the audience on Question Time last night made a good point about disproportionate force, I thought.

If a team of police officers come upon terrorists with knifes, the armed officers would not throw down their guns and pick up knives so that they use proportionate force.

The point about proportionate force is actually that we want to use the minimum necessary force.

The State and Grenfell

There was quite a bit of discussion of Grenfell on Question Time last night.

Part of the story of the story is, it would seem, a catalogue of state failure.

I was struck by the fact that much of the response was a call for more or better state.

I can't help thinking that can't be all that needs to be said.

Acts 3:11-19 - An outline

Acts 3:11-19 (page 1095)

(1) What the people have done (v13b-15): rejected and killed the author of life

(2) What God has done (v13, vv15b-18): glorified and raised Jesus from the dead

(3) What the people should do (v19): repent and turn to God

(4) What God will do (v19): wipe out their sins and send times of refreshment

(and see v20-end!)

What do you want most in your Vicar / Pastor / Minister?

We could no doubt think of things that are essential and desirable in a minister of the gospel.

A study of the Pastoral Epistles, with their emphasis on character and the single skill of being "apt to teach" would be fruitful.

Many job adverts ask for the Archangel Gabriel and Person Specifications use buzz words like collaborative ministry. No doubt there is code for don't change anything here but single-handedly grow the church, especially with young families.

Likely the minister will need a basic level of administrative competence or he will drive everyone crazy.

You will want him to pastor and teach and do the work of evangelist. It is part of his vocation to lead.

In fact, the minister's week is likely to be very diverse. In many situations he will need to be a jack of at least a few skills.

But perhaps minister and people would do well to remember the words of Pastor Robert Murray McCheyne:

"The greatest need of my people — is my personal holiness. Take heed to yourself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. Keep up close communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things."

Above all else, the minister should seek to love God and love the people. He should delight in the Lord Jesus Christ, revel in his grace, give thanks for his love. It is only by abiding in Christ and seeking to obey his commandments that one can be fruitful. 

Maybe you do want strategies and vision statements and all that, but you want a Pastor who will be in the Word, who will pray and listen and speak the good news of the Lord Jesus.

The minister must first of all be a grateful recipient of the gospel. He can only give what he himself has received. 

The work is after all ultimately God's, and the minister, conscious of his weaknesses, may confidently look to the power of the Holy Spirit who loves to give life to the dead and chooses the things that are not. 

One thing is needful: to sit at Jesus' feet as his disciple. That is indispensable for those who seek to be disciple-making disciples.

April Fool's Day Easter Sunday All Age Sermon Notes

Some jottings for tomorrow's all age service. Look away now if you are coming!

(It's probably 3 sermons in one so some stuff might be best left out / skipped over)

1 Corinthians 15:1-20 (p1155)

John 20:1-18 (p1089)

Our preacher today is … !

Ha ha!

April fool!

(Easter Sunday = April Fools’ Day: 1956; 11 yrs time)

Would anyone like a chocolate?

Nothing inside, just the empty wrapper

April Fool / practical jokes – a surprise, the unexpected

The true story of Easter quite a funny story

Full of surprises and the unexpected

God dying on a cross!

Sad, but very, very surprising

J frequently predicted the resurrection, but his disciples don’t seem to have expected it.

It came as a surprise to them.

Foolish to think that death could stop the Son of God.

Funny that Pilate and the soldiers think they can make the stone at the tomb secure.

You can imagine the angels laughing at that one.

Women: “Who is going to roll the stone away for us?”

Silly to go to the tomb with out a plan.

They get a surprise – the stone is already tolled away

Mary wonders if this is some kind of trick / practical joke / hoax

A case of mistaken identity – always funny

Recognise who Jesus really is

A surprise: The tomb is empty – just the “wrapper”, his garments there

Tears turned to joy

Without the resurrection we’d be miserable

This true story has the ultimate happy ending

To many people Jesus seemed like a fool

The cross seemed weak and foolish

But it was the wisdom and power of God

Jesus and his followers have the last laugh

Death and the devil are defeated

Perhaps they think they’ve won, but the tables are turned on them

Not a hoax or a trick but good news of great joy

Not a practical joke, but it is very practical

Paul tells us that without the resurrection our faith is useless

But Jesus has been raised from that dead and that changes everything

It guarantees our resurrection

It gives us hope and purpose and meaning and joy and a message for the world

May God give us grace today to rejoice in the resurrection and to live in the light of it.

Easter Sunday and April Fools Day Resources Round Up

"April Fool's day is usually only observed by children, that 'really hilarious' person in your office and journalists who have to write about it.


And of course, the people in charge of press for large companies, who spend the days before April Fool's sending over weird, wonderful and sometimes tiresome press releases." Source: Daily Telegraph, 1 April 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AsS9BCeVT8 - Dollar Store Children's Sermon Ideas

https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/what-kind-of-fool-is-this-jesus/ - Ian Paul - What kind of fool was Jesus?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/march-web-only/easter-april-fools-divine-prank.html - Wesley Hill - Easter Fool's Day

http://www.jamescary.co.uk/church/christianity/whats-funny-easter/ - James Cary - What's funny about Easter?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFa-POlJmyI - James Cary and Glen Scrivner - What's so funny about Easter? conversation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OPhR9Pq34 - Glen Scrivner: A funny thing happened on the way to the tomb

http://speaklife.org.uk/2018/03/31/easters-a-comedy-for-crying-out-loud/ - Glen Scrivner - Easter's a comedy, for crying out loud

What else?

Good Friday Poems

Any additional suggestions welcome. 

The Valley of Vision also contains meditations on the cross. 

Redemption, by George Herbert

Having been tenant long to a rich Lord,
   Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,
   And make a suit unto Him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancel th' old.
In heaven at His manor I Him sought:
   They told me there, that He was lately gone
   About some land, which He had dearly bought
Long since on Earth, to take possession.
I straight returned, and knowing His great birth,
   Sought Him accordingly in great resorts—
   In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts:
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
   Of thieves and murderers; there I Him espied,
   Who straight, "Your suit is granted," said, and died.

The Agony, by George Herbert

THE AGONY

Philosophers have measured mountains,
Fathom'd the depths of seas, of states, and kings,
Walk'd with a staff to heaven, and traced fountains
But there are two vast, spacious things,
The which to measure it doth more behove:
Yet few there are that sound them; Sin and Love.

Who would know Sin, let him repair
Unto Mount Olivet; there shall he see
A man, so wrung with pains, that all his hair,
His skin, his garments, bloody be.
Sin is that Press and Vice, which forceth pain
To hunt his cruel food through every vein.

Who knows not Love, let him assay,
And taste that juice, which on the cross a pike
Did set again abroach; then let him say
If ever he did taste the like.
Love is that liquor sweet and most divine,
Which my God feels as blood; but I, as wine.

John Donne, Holy Sonnet XI

Spit in my face you Jews, and pierce my side,

Buffet, and scoff, scourge, and crucify me,

For I have sinned, and sinned,

and only he Who could do no iniquity hath died:

But by my death can not be satisfied

My sins, which pass the Jews' impiety:

They killed once an inglorious man,

but I Crucify him daily, being now glorified.

Oh let me, then, his strange love still admire:

Kings pardon, but he bore our punishment.

And Jacob came clothed in vile harsh attire

But to supplant, and with gainful intent:

God clothed himself in vile man's flesh,

that so He might be weak enough to suffer woe.

Good Friday
Christina Rossetti

Am I a stone, and not a sheep,
That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,
To number drop by drop Thy blood’s slow loss,
And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved
Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;
Not so fallen Peter weeping bitterly;
Not so the thief was moved;

Not so the Sun and Moon
Which hid their faces in a starless sky,
A horror of great darkness at broad noon –
I, only I.

Yet give not o’er,
But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;
Greater than Moses, turn and look once more
And smite a rock.