Sermon: Choral Mattins - 8 March 2015

Preacher:

Date:

Sunday 8th March 2015

Service:

Choral Mattins

Readings:

Jeremiah 38: 1-6

Philippians 1: 1-18

Listen:

Download Recording (MP3, 2.8M)

This time last week, we were raising a glass of bucks fizz as we celebrated with our new Bishop.  We might say that it was a moment when our love overflowed in hospitality and fellowship as we welcomed him.  Delighting in those joyous moments are a source of encouragement and blessing.

Yet, in our worship we are presented with both a deeper assurance and a more pressing challenge.  As we gather this morning in praise and prayer, we encounter God.  Yesterday, our girl choristers discussed why we worship; how silence, scripture, music and being here together reveals something of God's glory. The language we use about God says something about our calling: to be holy, kind, creative, loving and faithful.

Paul prays that the Philippians will encounter God, being drawn more deeply into God's love in order that that love may overflow in them.  He longs for them to grow in knowledge and insight; for them to reflect, proclaim and live out the good news in which they share.

Last week, he Archbishop of Canterbury has set out his vision for a Church in which every Christian shares the revolutionary love of Jesus Christ.  That is the love of which Paul speaks; the good news we continue to share. As Justin put it the Gospel is the announcement of a person in history, and what God has done in this one life for everyone who has ever lived and ever will live. 

Our Archbishop calls us to a joyful proclamation of this reality: in Christ something decisive has happened: in Justin's words his life as light breaking into a dark world. His death as the fount of our redemption. His resurrection as the hope of all.  This message is one of love; it raw God, to coin Justin's phrase.

This message of love and mercy, forgiveness and hope cannot be seen as a survival strategy for the church.  It is a message that transforms lives, communities and nations. The good news is that, all humanity are accepted, forgiven and transformed by the love of God. For us to be caught up in that, we need to be continually converted to the fullness of this promise.  That conversion begins here: as we face the holiness of God in worship. 

A flourishing church is rooted in prayer: joy, thanksgiving, remembrance, proclamation, peace and hope.  Prayer binds us to God - and enables us to grow in fellowship and share in God's work.  We are called to be a holy people because we belong to God.   If the greatest gift we have is God's love, then our calling is to echo that love in community: learning to forgive, practicing patience, having grace to receive from others. We embody the revolutionary love we proclaim.

Such love is not an emotion or passing fad; it is a deep conviction.  The conviction that the God who brought creation into being brings new life in Jesus Christ.  God's love is radically particular, in Christ; it is radically generative, in the Spirit.

That Spirit inspires our love for God; it kindles in us a desire to know God; it ignites a longing to do his will. As we grow in insight we might find words to express this love that brings hope and purpose to our lives. As we grow in love, our lives might become so attractive that it draws others to God.

The depth of this assurance is expressed is Paul's life: in the face of imprisonment and an impending trial, all that matters to him is the good news of Christ. The defence and confirmation of that message is made manifest in what is seen as attractive and hopeful; praise worthy and sustaining.  It is a depth of love and an assurance of God with us that epitomises the sheer beauty of holiness. The hope of God with us; loving all that is.

Our Archbishop is calling for a seismic shift within the Church.  Sometimes, as an institution, our fears about 'survival' make us come across as desperate; those we meet mistrust our motivations; we become like the person at the party that others avoid because we're too draining.  Yet, we have a profoundly life changing message of good news that we are called to share. We are called to people who radiate life, light and love.

That is compelling.

At yesterday's diocesan synod we were challenged & encouraged to make disciples.  We rejoiced in diversity and prayed for each other. We confronted the cost of change and our world's longing for good news.  All that matters is that the message is proclaimed. Whatever our tradition, there is a movement from worship to witness; from receiving blessing to becoming a blessing.

Rooted in the assurance of that love we can live moment by moment knowing that every word and gesture can be a means of joy, hope or comfort to others.   Evangelism, witness, proclamation is about this: one person telling another about God's love; one person acting in such a way, that that love overflows. 

It may surprise us that Paul is rather relaxed about motivations: he knew that some would see his imprisonment as a failure and capitalise on it to celebrate their success.  Perhaps we too fall into the trap of

assuming we've got it right; or that another's flourishing is a threat to our own.  Paul, from his prison cell, prays and hopes for Christ to be proclaimed in every way; he rejoices in the expression of faith and love, rather than brooding on disagreement.

Love and acceptance; forgiveness and hope:  all this is good news.  It is not superficial; it isn't a transient.  Abiding in that abundant love we listen to where the Spirit leads us; learning more of Christ in each human encounter.  

Like Paul we are to do that boldly and without fear.  Such is assurance in love that he is able to speak truthfully of love.  As the church engages with the common good of our national life, our Jeremiah's experience reminds of the cost of proclamation:  his realistic words about the fate of a city under siege were interpreted as discouragement. He was thrown into a dungeon.  But, spoiler alert:  we learn that the king realises that in naming their fears, he pointed beyond earthly military might and saved a city from starvation.

All that matters is this: that the good news is proclaimed.

All I pray is this: that love will overflow in you.