The Challenge of Christ

Let our hearts be glad and our tongues rejoice. When we walk in companionship with the Lord we are filled with joy in his presence. Let us praise the Lord. Amen.

Following you, Jesus, does not guarantee an easy life. There are challenges and obstacles as the sinful life constantly fights with our Spirit-filled life. We are sorry when our human condition takes over and we fight using our own efforts. We’re sorry for the times we retaliate when others are hurtful to us. We’re sorry for relying on our own ideas and neglecting the wisdom of the Spirit’s guidance. We’re sorry for all the excuses we offer to get out of things you ask us to do. We’re sorry for letting you down, for our complacency. We know some things can’t wait. And that you call for action.

Forgive us, Lord. Help us to centre our life on you, heeding the urgency of your call. Amen.

Jesus took action when it was needed. He suffered on the cross where our sins were nailed with him. We are forgiven. He paid the price for all our wrongdoing and set us free from the power of sin. Let us live in that freedom. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Hymn

515: The Church’s one foundation

Offering

READINGS

2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14

2 Kings 2:6–14 ESV

Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

Luke 9:51–62 ESV

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Hymn

685: O love that wilt not let me go.

SERMON

I don’t know about yourselves, but my wife doesn’t drive, which under normal circumstances is not an issue, but sometimes she will tell me turn here it’s a short cut, and I have to say sorry but that’s a one-way street!

Or we will be driving along a country road and she will say “O look at that” and I reply, “Sorry I’m driving I need to keep my eyes on the road.”

I learned this when I was riding motorbikes the first rule is where you look is where you will go. This lesson learned after one or two near misses.

To me and for us today the readings are about this idea of keeping your eyes focused on God’s plan for each of us.

2 Kings 2: 1-2, 6-14

Both our readings this morning show how we need to be persistent, to know where you are going, and more importantly who we are following. our reading from 2 Kings, we find it is all about Elisha’s determination not to let Elijah out of his sight, as he fixes his eyes on him.

In the reading we are told that Elijah is about to be taken up by God after a lifetime of service.

As Elijah approached the river Jordon he has fifty followers with him, He tells all of them to wait on that side of the river which included Elisha, but Elisha will have none of it he in determined to follow his leader, his teacher. He wants to figuratively and as we read physically to pick up Elijah’s mantel, to carry on the tradition of his masters teaching and to begin his own ministry in earnest.

Elisha asked for a blessing.

What is he told?

“If he sees Elijah taken up, then he will receive the blessing he asked for”

In other words, kept your eyes on the prize.

We see a physical sign of this when he like Elijah struck the waters of the Jordon as he returned, and they parted for him as they had done for Elijah.

But what would have been the outcome if he had not followed Elijah?

If he had not insisted on continuing with Elijah even though several times, he was told not to follow, what if he had stayed behind and said his goodbyes with the others?

But he didn’t, though his determination he received a blessing his persistence paid off.

The question is are we persistent in pursuing Christ in our live?

Luke 9: 51-62

What about the reading from Luke how difficult is this reading, our vision of the forgiving that Jesus preached seems to be a little off?

There seems to be two sections to the passage for today.

In the first section we find Jesus once again traveling through Samaria this time to go back to Jerusalem. He sent ahead to arrange lodgings for the night, but the town refused his request.

The disciples wanted to call down fire on the town for simply not wanting Jesus a Jew to not stay there. A bit of an overreaction.

We know from the Gospel of John 4: 39-42 Jesus had travelled through Samaria if you recall he met a woman by Jacob’s well, so why this reaction from the village, why the refusal to allow Jesus to stay in their village.

It may have been because they heard he was going to Jerusalem. that angered them because of the animosity between themselves and the Jews as to which is the holiest place on earth for them it was Mount Gerizim, and the Jews believe the Temple mount in Jerusalem.

This resentment ran very deep filled with distrust on both sides.

The Disciples response may well have been this animosity Between Jew and Samaritan that led to this, attitude.

Or could it be because it was not that long ago that three of the disciples saw Jesus in his glory on the mount of transfiguration when they saw Jesus standing with Moses, Elijah, and are angered by the reaction to their master in this town.

Jesus prevents the disciples from taking any action against the town, in fact soon after he uses a Samaritan as an example of love, in his parable of the Good Samaritan.

The second section of this reading we find a situation where Jesus deals with three people in what appears to be a harsh way.

It would appear that these three were already following Jesus as by this time Jesus has attracted a great number of followers.

Firstly, let me remind you Jesus tells us that the grace of God is free, so that OK, isn’t it?

If you use a search the web about excuses. Many of the suggestions will be familiar: ‘I don’t have time’; ‘I am not qualified’; ‘I don’t have the right equipment’.

In some way the answer to the first man echoed the pervious verses in his response. About the town forbidding Jesus shelter.

But if we want to be serious followers of Christ there will be cost.

So, let’s explore these three situations and as we do so, think if all or if any apply to you.

The first person comes to Jesus and states I will follow you anywhere, Jesus doesn’t answer with

“O that’s great come on then follow me”

No, he points out the stark reality of what following him really means.

Jesus points out that if you want to follow him, you will face rejection by many, humiliation, and be refused hospitality, you also may face abuse.

Can you recall someone else who made the claim I will follow you anywhere “Peter” at the lowest point, when Jesus was most isolated, Peter denied him three times.

Sometimes words can be Oh so easy. Our actions are often more important than words.

If we think of the parable about the two sons in Matt 21: 28-32

A father asks his two sons to work in the field, the first says no but then goes out to work in the field.

The other says yes, I will go and work for you but then slopes off.

Jesus asks who did the fathers will.

As the saying goes actions speak louder than words.

The second follower Jesus must have known he actually, asks the man to follow him.

Wow a personal invite from Jesus.

But what does he say? “let me bury my father first,”

How does Jesus respond “let the dead bury the dead.”

What a statement to make, How harsh.

But we need to look a little deeper we need to understand this situation

Firstly, his Father must have been alive; otherwise, why would the man be there in the first place if his Father had died, I’m sure he would have gone home, no matter what you feel I’m sure your priority would draw you to your family. And even if the father had been very ill surely that would have been even more of a reason to stay at home.

We need to take into account the tradition in the Middle East and in all hot countries, on the death of someone they are buried on the same day due to the conditions, unlike this country where it can be weeks, necessity means the burials needed to take place as soon as possible.

So, if the father is not dead why does the man say that?

It may well be all about inheritance; the son will inherit on the death of the father.

The man is basically saying to Jesus once I have money behind me, I will follow you. In other words, once I am financially secure then I will follow you.

I read about a man who worked for the post office will 19 years’ service, one more year and he would have had a pension but felt Jesus calling him to go and serve him somewhere else.

What did the man do? He obeyed the call.

For most of us here it is a mute question, but would you have walked away from a pension a golden handshake if you felt the call from God, or would you delay it? Would you put off God’s plan for you until you are ready to hear it?

What priorities do you have that are of more importance that God?

What of the third man

He says to Jesus let me say goodbye to my friends.

Doesn’t sound that much of a request in the 1 Kings when Elijah called Elisha didn’t Elisha do the same asking that he be allowed to say his goodbyes?

But the word to concentrate on here is the word ME. It’s my decision I will decide when I will follow.

There cannot be commitment to God if the man’s main concern is not him but me.

It helps if we understand Jesus’ urgency as being motivated by the need for prioritisation. Following Jesus should be a priority. It is too important to be put off. As a priority it demands a sense of urgency and a sense of focus. Jesus encourages his listeners to look to the future, to the kingdom that is to come rather than the past as represented by the dead or those who are being left behind. If the person ploughing does not focus on looking ahead, they are not concentrating and being a follower of Jesus requires total concentration.

I look at myself how many times have I allowed other situations to take priority over the fundamental requirement which is to follow Jesus? I’m sure this has happened to everyone here today.

We live in a world of many distractions, perhaps more than any other time in history where we are encouraged to think of ourselves first.

We also live in a time when something can happen on the other side of the world, and we can know about it, and even see it within minutes of it happening, we cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.

So, what in your life is stopping you from following Jesus?

This morning we are asked:

Firstly, are you truly committed to following Christ, and when hard times come fade away, are we willing to follow Christ’s leading to anywhere?

Secondly, Do you follow Jesus with provisos that you set the agreed time when you will allow Jesus in?

Thirdly Christ does not want you to turn back from following him rather like his description of ploughing a field, you need to fix you eye on a point ahead to keep in a straight line.

Make no doubt about it we here today are called into service of our Lord, young or old makes no difference. Are you willing to give yourself to Jesus?

The choice as always is ours he is waiting to bless us and welcome us even when we stray, all we need do is call out for forgiveness and he will give us grace beyond our understanding.

Isn’t that a king worth serving? AMEN

Hymn

378: Be, thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

Some things can’t wait. Such as the need of people in this world to acknowledge and follow you, Lord. For who knows when you will return? We give abundant thanks for everyone to whom you give the cloak of evangelism and leadership. Our hearts overflow with thanks and praise: for our own salvation; for all who played their part in leading us to faith and nurturing us on our walk in freedom; and that we are no longer drifting in hopelessness, but secure in you. Your Holy Spirit leads us with incomparable power, strength and wisdom. And our heart’s desire to follow where you lead, with the fruit of the Spirit ripening within us. You have the power, Lord, to change our attitudes and our priorities. Our hearts are full of thanks and praise for the joy we know in you and the inheritance that can never be taken from us. Lord, we pray for others to know the same. Amen.

Loving Father, in this week’s Gospel reading we see Jesus responding to the situation he found himself in with calm.

This week we have seen some tension around the rail strike. As people react to this situation and with potential for other pay disputes we ask for calm and fair negotiations. We pray for those who mediate disputes and look to resolve them. May they listen carefully and speak with wisdom. We pray for patience, consideration and kindness in talks and ask that all involved find a resolution that works.

We also pray for those who are anxious about the cost of living. Help all who are struggling and worried about what the future holds.

Loving Father, bring calm in times of upset. Listen to our prayer.

Loving Father, in this week’s reading, when Jesus arrived in a village, he was not given a welcome.

We live in a world full of displaced people, many of whom experience what it is like to be unwelcome. As reporting from places like Syria and Yemen moves down the news agenda, we know that you see everyone who has been forced to leave their home; everyone who has fled in terror and everyone whose future is highly uncertain. Remind us to keep praying for people even when they no longer occupy the headlines. Thank you for the people who work diligently with refugees, for those who advocate for others and speak for people who have no voice.

Loving Father may those who have left their homes find welcome and a secure future. Listen to our prayer.

Loving Father, in this week’s reading we see that the call of Jesus requires us to pay whole-hearted attention to the work of the kingdom.

As we move through our week and around our neighbourhood help us to notice signs of the kingdom of God. We also pray for your kingdom to come here on earth. We pray for places that are suffering real unrest. We pray for Ukraine. We pray for miners in the Central African Republic under attack by mercenaries. We pray for people in India suffering flooding after monsoons. We pray for Afghanistan now suffering the after-effects of an earthquake. We pray for people close to us finding life hard at the moment.

Loving Father, bring your kingdom closer. Listen to our prayer.

Loving Father, this week’s reading shows us that we need to decide to follow Jesus.

There is so much competition for our time and attention: social media, different streaming platforms, the 24-hour news cycle. With all that we juggle each week help us to make space for Christ. Help us to prioritise our relationship with you Lord and to make time to learn more and grow in prayer. We pray for our church. We pray that we would help each other in our journeys of faith.

Loving Father, be with us this week as we follow you. Listen to our prayer.

Hymn

160: All glory laud and honour

BLESSING

May God grant us the wisdom to know what is important. May God guide us to act, to do what is urgent. May God help us to know the one we follow better each day. May God help us to be people who don’t always look back. May God help us always to be faithful and true. Amen.

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