Gravelhole 1st Oct

CALL TO WORSHIP

Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and soul and mind. So let us do that. Let us bring God our hearts – all our emotional ups and downs. Let us invite God into our souls – the very depths of who we are. Let us honour God with our minds – in all our thinking and questions.

StF 465 Guide me O thou great Jehovah

A GATHERING PRAYER

Lord, as we gather in this place, may our worship bring joy to your heart, may your Spirit breathe into our souls, and may your Word reshape our thinking – so that we might have the same mindset as Christ. Amen.

A PRAYER OF ADORATION

God of all truth, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are the source of all positive change; you are the bringer of all lasting healing; you are the inspirer of all life-giving choices; you are the dismantler of all stubbornness; you are the provider of all opportunities. So, we worship and adore you with our hearts, our minds and our lives. Amen.

A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Faithful God, when we are too proud or too stubborn to change our minds and our ways: please forgive us. When we make good choices but then change our minds when things get tough: please forgive us. When we judge others when they change their minds and underestimate the courage it takes: please forgive us. When we believe it is too late to change and miss the opportunities we could embrace: please forgive us. So that we may change for the better and for the right reasons, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Lord, your forgiveness changes us. It changes our hearts, our minds, our lives. It changes our relationships, our judgements. Help us to trust that change, whether it happens quickly or slowly and surely, day by day; and reassure us of your unchanging love for all that you have made, shown to us in the life, death and resurrection of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

StF 345 And can it be.

READING

Exodus 17: 1-7

Water From the Rock

17 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarrelled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So, Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah[a] and Meribah[b] because the Israelites quarrelled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Matthew 21: 23-32

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

StF 503 Love Divine all love Excelling.

SERMON

I am a baby boomer. I am part of that generation that came following World War II. Yes, we're the ones who were in our adolescence during the 1960s.

I followed the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

I was pat of the ones who were going to change the world.

Well, so much for good intentions.

Some things, though, did change during that time.

Perhaps the most significant thing that shifted during those years was the way people trusted their leaders. Prior to the '60s, there was a deep trust in those who were our leaders.

That trust was questioned in the 1960s. the generations that have followed since then lack trust in government and in the church.

We just don't like our leaders. Whether it's the Prime minister, MPs, local councils, ... we just don't trust them anymore.

In some way we are the perfect reflection of the people of Israel described in the passage from Exodus. If we follow anyone, we do it grumbling every step of the way. Leaders are mistrusted and their motives are brought into questioned.

Anyone who tries to step into roles of leadership now becomes a target, of suspicion.

The truth is that we whine a lot. We complain endlessly and we are exactly like the Israelites as they shook their fists at Moses and shouted, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, anyway? Did you lead us out here so we would die of thirst?"

I’m not suggesting that blind, unquestioning trust is a good thing.

A healthy scepticism can save us from those who don’t, have our best interests at heart.

Nor can it be argued that all people who try to take leadership are worthy of it.

We need, to examine those who lead us to determine their fitness. But once this is done, we need to offer up a little bit of trust.

We need to be willing to accept leadership.

We have a great deal in common with this Exodus people. Not only do we whine and complain and fail to trust in our leaders, we, are also — like them — wandering in the wilderness. Our wilderness, though, is not the Sinai desert. thirst, or hunger for food.

The wilderness in which we find ourselves is one of our own makings.

We are bombarded with messages that tell us we must meet our own needs before meeting the needs of others.

From the news, to television, to film, we hear and see the story of the rugged individual who trusts no one and does whatever it takes to get what he wants or thinks he needs.

But in reality we hunger for vision and a direction, and yet are unable to move because we are unable to trust.

You see, stepping into the waters of trust and openness doesn’t ensure that we will live a life of security, safe from harm.

It is a lot like faith. In fact, it involves faith. Our belief in God and our trust in God's word through Jesus Christ doesn't give an insurance policy against the troubles in this life.

In our Gospel reading we see Jesus facing the religious leaders of the day.

Theres a story about a group of military leaders who built a supercomputer that was able to solve any problem, strategic or tactical. These leaders gathered in front of the new machine for a demonstration.

The engineer told them to feed a difficult tactical problem.

The military leaders went on to describe a hypothetical situation to the computer and then asked the pivotal question: attack or retreat? This enormous supercomputer hummed away for an hour and then printed out its one-word answer . . . YES.

The generals looked at each other, thought what’s going on finally one of them submits a second request: YES WHAT? Instantly the computer responded: YES, SIR.

When Jesus entered the Temple, he was challenged about his authority by those who relied on their positions in the priestly hierarchy for their own authority. Jesus wouldn’t answer their question directly. Rather, he posed questions to them, asking them to think about the story he told.

You see the Pharisees, like these generals, were accustomed to people saying "Yes, sir" to them. They were the religious authorities.

They were used to being treated with total respect.

But now there’s a new teacher in town, a teacher who was threatening their authority. The Pharisees were alarmed.

They feared Jesus' popularity, his ability to heal and to perform miracles. In their eyes, Jesus was preaching heresy and leading people away from the religious traditions that defined the Jews. The Pharisees wanted to expose him as a fraud.

It was in this context that Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, "Son, go and work today in the vineyard."

The boy immediately said, "No." Later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to his other son and said the same thing. This one answered, "O.K." but he never got out to the vineyard. Then Jesus asked a simple question: "Which of the two did what his father wanted?"

"The first," they answered.

Then Jesus delivered the punch line, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (NIV)

That really was a punch line, and the Pharisees were the ones who were punched. I imagine Jesus heard some gasps and "How dare he!" from the crowd that day.

It was unthinkable to compare the righteous Pharisees to sinners like the tax-collectors and prostitutes.

Didn't he know that the Pharisees were too good to be lumped together with the likes of them? Didn't he know that only those people with the right "credentials," so to speak, would make it into the Kingdom of God? What was Jesus talking about?

There is an old Japanese legend that tells of a man who died and went to heaven. Heaven was beautiful full of lush gardens and glittering mansions. But then the man came to a room lined with shelves. On the shelves were stacked piles of human ears! A heavenly guide explained that these ears belonged to all the people on earth who listened each week to the word of God, but never acted on God's teachings. Their worship never resulted in action. When these people died, only their ears ended up in heaven. (1)

Jesus is dealing with a bunch of "earless" religious folk in this passage, and it would be to our benefit to listen in on the conversation.

It's so easy to mistake self-righteous attitudes for true belief in Jesus as Savior. Any one of us can be guilty of it. This passage packs a powerful message.

I. God's Grace is Shocking.

Imagine tearing open the windows of a darkened room and letting the sun blaze through.

Now imagine showing people a whole new view of God that breaks down the boundaries of everything they think to be true.

this is what the Pharisees faced, and just couldn't get it!

Jesus is talking about what types of people are acceptable to stand before a holy, holy, holy God. And he passes over the religious professionals in favour of the worst of sinners.

Has he lost his mind? Or could it be that our self-righteousness doesn't earn us many points with God? Maybe God isn't a Cosmic Scorekeeper, tallying up our moral hits and misses. Maybe we don't have to earn God's love. Because maybe God loves us even when we fail.

These sound like simplistic ideas, but to those who cling to our self-righteousness, they are enough to shake us down to our very soul.

God's arms are open to everyone, from every race and nation and tribe and tongue, from every walk of life, from every circumstance. We're really missing something extraordinary when we put boundaries on God's grace.

In the Pharisees minds, God only had regard for that which was perfect, unblemished, without defect. They had reduced God to the level of human beings.

The Pharisees had no concept of God's grace God's love for all God's children, even those who were tarnished with sin.

II. This Is How We Are to Live Our Lives.

We are to be grace-filled. We are to reach out to those in need to old people with trembling hands. We are to value all people, and we are to introduce them to the One who died in their behalf, and in our behalf.

Nobody is hopeless. Nobody is beyond help. Why? Because there is a man with nails in his hands who says, "You're so important I gave my life for you." "Jesus said to them, 'I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.' "

I believe that is what the kingdom of God will be like. One man was slain on a cross. And that started a parade. At first only a few were brave enough to join it, but that few grew to hundreds, then thousands, then millions. Among these people are a few righteous souls. But these few righteous are outnumbered by the thousands, no, millions of persons, who have not been all they might have been, or should have been, but they've been healed by the wounds of their Master.

The kingdom of God has come that was the central message of Jesus' earthly ministry.

The kingdom of God is marching forward, and nothing can stop it, nothing can stand against it, not even the gates of Hell.

And you and I have a front-row invitation to be a part of it. This is the greatness of God's grace: salvation cannot be earned; it’s a free gift of love offered to all who will accept it.

Don't let your goodness get in the way of Jesus' righteousness. Don't let your purity overshadow Jesus' sacrifice.

we can look in distain at the Pharisees, that they didnt see Jesus as the Christ. but in Luke after the resurrection we hear of two disciples on the road to Emaus who walked and talked to Jesus but did not recognise him, until he broke bread with them.

it is only when we live the life that Jesus wants for us that he becomes visible to us.

Believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and claim your place in the Kingdom of God today.

at this time when we look towards Christmas maybe we could try to trust a little more? Perhaps we could risk a little more? Maybe we could transform this wilderness of cynicism and doubt into a garden of faith and joy. Amen.

OFFERING DURING HYMN

StF 362 Meekness and majesty

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

(Could someone provide these?)

Patient and creative God, you offer us the opportunity to change, and we thank and praise you. You give us eyes to see where change is necessary, and we thank and praise you. You equip us to overcome the temptation not to change, and we thank and praise you. You inspire us with your word to encourage us to change, and we thank and praise you. You bless us with your love that changes everything, and we thank and praise you. In Jesus’ name, we thank and praise you, today and every day. Amen.

So often we want to pray for others. But sometimes, God, we don’t know how. We can’t remember names or numbers; other issues weigh heavily on our hearts. Thank goodness, God, that you know what we mean when we pray. So, we bring in this moment those names and faces, images and desires for others that pop in and out of our minds throughout the day: the old lady at the bus stop who needed a hand up the step; the young mum at the checkout trying to contain her four kids; the chap up the road who’s lost his dog and is calling for him; the teachers struggling to understand the needs of those in their class; the doctors who wants to give us more time but who simply can’t; the young families who can’t make ends meet; those without work, who can’t find new jobs; those helping people to find work, knowing it is an uphill struggle; those with mental health issues and seeking help, or who are afraid and ashamed to seek help, or who are ignored and can’t get help. So, God, for all these people and countless others, we offer our prayers. We know you do not need reminding, but you do need willing workers – even us – to help them know your love and have their needs met. Hear our ramblings, O God. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

For ever and ever Amen.

StF 317 At the name of Jesus

BLESSING

Be encouraged. Go from this place united in Christ, comforted by his love, sharing his Spirit, shaped by his mindset. As humble, servant learners, bring glory to God the Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen.