Why we need Lent…a sermon for Adel Parish Church, first Sunday of Lent 2023.

Why we need Lent…a sermon for Adel Parish Church, forst Sunday of Lent 2023.

Genesis 2: 15 – 15, 3: 1 – 7      Matthew 4: 1 – 11

There are two sausages in a frying pan. One says to the other, ‘Gosh it’s hot in here’…the other one says, ‘blimey, a talking sausage’!

Well, it made me laugh…it underlines the absurdity of jokes…they’re only funny because we enter their alternative world. I think this morning’s Old Testament reading demands something similar. Since the most logical response might be, ‘blimey a talking snake’…I suspect it was never meant to be taken literally.

The story is a sophisticated exploration of how we, who are created in God’s image, can wander so far from him; how despite our good intentions – we so often end up doing wrong. It’s about the importance of both freedom and boundaries for human flourishing.

The writers of Genesis knew from experience how prone humans are to making wrong choices. And like every society in history, they knew certain choices must be forbidden to allow humans to flourish. God gave Adam and Eve a glorious world to explore, care for and use. But he also gave them limits…they were forbidden to eat of the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil’.

They were forbidden – but not prevented. God created us to have a relationship with him, offering unconditional love. But it’s not love if it’s forced on us; a genuine loving relationship means we have to have the option to refuse. The story explores how God gives Adam and Eve the power to make choices…and the results of this.

This story, especially the serpent, have become so linked with evil that it’s worth noting both the snake, and the forbidden tree are part of God’s good creation.

And the snake doesn’t invite Eve to do something terrible…it’s more a suggestion that Adam and Eve know better than God what’s good for them; that God wants to keep them in their place.

It’s hard to know exactly what’s meant by the ‘tree of knowledge of good and evil’, but the snake suggests eating its fruit will make them ‘like God’. Perhaps this story is about the temptation to make ourselves the judge of what’s good and what’s evil…to put ourselves in place of God.

It’s a more sophisticated view of sin than a list of rules. For us – law abiding I’m sure – it’s probably a more useful description of what goes wrong in our lives and separates us from God. Sin’s not usually dramatic wrongdoing, it’s giving in to the serpent’s voice that tempts us to trust in ourselves rather than God.

Today’s lectionary also gives us the temptation of Jesus. He was better than us at resisting; but he was human…so to some extent his temptations are also ours.

Again – they’re not about obvious evil – they’re much more subtle. Jesus is led into the wilderness…he’s weak and hungry…he’s tempted to believe God doesn’t really care…can’t be trusted. He’s God’s son, why not give up on God…make his own bread?

We’re often tempted not to trust God. But trusting God can’t mean just waiting for God to act. We pray for people in Syria and Turkey – surely we must help in practical ways too? How do we know if we’re failing to trust God, or acting in his name? Jesus suggests we look for guidance in God’s word…start from God.

Ok, says the devil, if it’s about trusting God, then make it grand. ‘Throw yourself off this high tower…God will have to act…and it’ll be so impressive people will believe in God’…surely a win/win?

Again, it’s a subtle temptation…’don’t put God to the test’, says Jesus. Don’t say, ‘I’ll believe in you if…’; or, ‘do this miracle for me, and others will believe’.

But Jesus also said ‘heal the sick’, ‘with faith enough you can move mountains’. Perhaps it’s about trusting that God can do amazing things – but not trying to force God’s hand, make ourselves look good. Trying to discern God’s will for the world…starting from God.

When Jesus can’t be diverted from his task of building God’s kingdom – the tempter becomes even cleverer. ‘Worship me and I’ll help you with your task’, says the devil…I can give you armies and weapons.

How often are we tempted to think the end justifies the means? We’re struggling a bit with church finances – let’s cut what we give to charity. We’re anxious about immigration levels, let’s ignore the use of hateful, inflammatory language about refugees.

Jesus’ response is – don’t worship anything but God…not power, not money, not a ‘strong leader’…whatever your reasons. Start from God.

Not trusting God; being motivated by our own ego; being seduced into wrong words or actions hoping they’ll result in something good. Sins not always easy to spot…which is why we need the discipline of Lent, a reminder that we’re human, we will turn from following Christ, a reminder to work at ‘starting from God’.

But how? Is there any point in the traditional ‘giving up’, of alcohol, sweets, coffee?

This Lent I’ve given up sweets and social media (except updating the church Facebook page). Trivial in a way – neither are evil in themselves…but they are things I crave. So they’re a reminder of the more subtle things that waylay me as I try to follow Christ. And with the reminder in mind, I’ll also try to spend more time in prayer…root my life more securely in God.

Jesus’ time of temptation helped him work out what being God’s human son meant…relying on God in total obedience and love. It meant there was no easy way. Refusing to throw himself off a tower armed him for when they said, ‘if you’re the son of God, come down from the cross.’

We need Lent so we’re ready to follow Jesus even when it means taking the more difficult path. Lent can seem like a long slog – but the joy is that the end does justify the means. As Christ’s disciples we need to prepare for Good Friday…it can’t be avoided – but we do so in the hope that the way through Good Friday leads to Easter Sunday.

‘Do not worry about tomorrow’, making sure everyone cam hear the good news. A sermon for Adel Parish Church, 12th Feb 2023

‘Do not worry about tomorrow’, making sure everyone can hear the good news. A sermon for Racial Justice Sunday 2023, Adel Parish Church.

Matthew 6: 25 – 34

‘Where were you when…?’ Every generation has it’s ‘Where were you…?’ moments. Something so shocking that people remember where they were or what they were doing when they first heard the news…I wonder what yours is.

The assassination of JFK? England’s football world cup win, or Roger Bannister’s sub 4 minute mile (depending on your sport). The death of Princess Diana? 9/11?

Often, these moments are disasters or killings because they shock us the most – we struggle to take them in and the event is linked in our memory with how we found out. Sometimes though, an event only becomes historically important because of what happens afterwards.

I suppose one of the landmark moments from my adult life was the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence in London in April 1993; but I have only a hazy memory of hearing the news. It was a terrible, racially motivated crime…thankfully rare enough in Britain to be shocking front page news. But sadly, common enough to fade fairly soon from the headlines.

And yet, the name of Stephen Lawrence and his parents Doreen and Neville are familiar to many. Why? Because of what happened next and what it told us about our institutions.

Despite the testimony of a friend who was with him, despite widespread knowledge of the identity of Stephen’s attackers, no arrests were made for two weeks, and it was nearly 20 years before anyone was convicted.

A later enquiry found this was largely because of racist attitudes in our police and justice systems. Stephen was a young black man…the assumption was made that he must have been at least partly to blame for what happened. As a young black man, surely he was involved with a gang…his death presumably part of a continuing feud. A young black man out late at night, surely planning to cause trouble…

Stephen Lawrence is remembered because his parents and friends demanded justice for Stephen, and changes in the society that failed him so badly.

This Sunday is recognised by all the major churches of this country as Racial Justice Sunday. It began in Stephen’s own church, the Methodist church, in his memory. This is Stephen’s legacy – the acknowledgement that racial justice is the church’s business because at the heart of Jesus’ teaching is a call to justice for the marginalised. This year its focus is on the 30-year anniversary of Stephen’s death, what has been achieved and what is still to do.

We can see why 2023 is significant for Stephen’s family and community…but what of us? Why should we remember? I’ve never been involved with people who would use violent racist language, let alone physically attack someone because of the colour of their skin…I suspect the same is true for you.

Racial Justice Sunday, calls to remove statues of people involved in slavery…it’s as though we’re being asked to feel guilty for things we had no part in…the slave trade…racism in the 1990s Metropolitan Police…

So why mark Racial Justice Sunday? Well firstly because recent reports suggest black and minority ethnic people are still treated differently. They’re more likely to be excluded from school; stopped and searched by the police; arrested; prosecuted. They are less likely to be given bail, and their sentences are more severe.

But more importantly I think…simply because, in the words of an old Sunday school song…’we have decided to follow Jesus’.

Today we heard Jesus’ teaching about trusting God rather than worrying about how our basic needs will be met. Perhaps I should’ve written a sermon considering what that might mean for our lives today…

But then I thought about the people of Syria and Turkey…and what this passage means in their context. I am pretty sure Jesus would not be walking around telling those who have lost everything not to worry about where food or shelter might come from…he would be giving practical help…or at least listening and holding people in their pain.

Equally, I can’t imagine Jesus telling people not to worry about tomorrow when they fear their children may be criminalised…or a minor foolishness will spoil their life chances just because of their colour.

Jesus tells us not to worry about material things, about what might happen tomorrow, because life is more than this. This seems an obvious statement – but it does ask the question, then what is life? Life is for relationships, with each other and God; life is for enjoying the wonders of God’s creation; life is about music, sport, poetry.

Jesus tells us not to worry about material things but strive instead for the kingdom of God. A life spent worrying about stuff is missing out on all that makes it a human life as God intended it to be.

Good advice for most of us…to focus less on the material and more on what gives life in all its fullness. But what about those who have no choice but to spend their lives worrying about where their next meal will come from? Those who live with fear of what injustice tomorrow might bring to them or their children?

Lives spent worrying in this way are not human lives as God intended. So if we’re serious about seeking the kingdom of God, then I guess this also involves working to ensure fewer people have to live this sort of life.

We are a generous community – ready to give to those in need. Today we’re also asked to be ready to listen, to acknowledge the pain our black and ethnic minority brothers and sisters have about the past, and seek to understand what they go through still today.

Observing Racial Justice Sunday is not about feeling guilty, or dismissing lives lived in good faith, in a world not of our making. It’s about recognising how people feel, by giving them the space to tell us. It’s about striving for the Kingdom of God, where everyone has the possibility of hearing Jesus’ call to stop worrying about tomorrow.

‘Would anyone miss us?’ Salt and light, a sermon for Adel Parish Church Feb 5th, 2023

Isaiah 58: 1 – 9; 1 Cor 2: 1 – 12; Matthew 5: 13 – 20

On a recent day off we had a walk from the village of Leathley, which included a village to the beautiful Stainburn church. It’s very similar to our own, with a Norman font for added interest. Sadly though, it’s looked after by the Historic Churches Trust having been closed as a place of worship in 1977.

It’s well maintained and we were glad it was open, but it was a sad sight. No prayer or hymn books; no weekly pew sheets; no altar cloth; no random toy car, 5 umbrellas, 3 pairs of gloves and a glasses case that exasperate me as they gather at the back of church, but are signs that a church is community not just a building.

As we closed the door and left it to its silence, I wondered how this community would feel if that happened to Adel Parish Church. The building would still be here for visitors – possibly open all the time. The snowdrops and daffodils would still come up in the churchyard…

I hope the people of Adel and Eccup would miss having a worshipping community in their midst…but of course being a presence that would be missed takes more than hoping!

All three of today’s readings remind us that being people of God, followers of Christ, should make a difference…to us, but also to the people around us.

Isaiah rails against a people who make great show of fasting as if on its own it pleases God. Fasting is supposed to be an act of solidarity with the poor who have no choice but to fast; fasting whilst at the same time oppressing those very workers is, according to Isaiah – an abomination. If it doesn’t change the people doing the fasting, make them consider the lives of the poor then nor will it please God.

Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, also warns against empty religious words and actions. He talks of Christ crucified opening the way to the power of God. He talks of God’s wisdom, disclosed by God’s spirit. As always with Paul, the sentences are long and complex – but he’s clearly talking of something huge that should spill out from the infant church in Corinth to the people around.

Jesus’ words sound much more straightforward. ‘You are the salt of the earth…if salt has lost its taste, it’s no use. You are the light of the world, no one lights a lamp and hides it under a bushel basket.’

They sound simple, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never owned a bushel basket…and I know salt can’t lose its saltiness – it’s a preservative.

I suspect Jesus is once again having a joke with his hearers. As they look at him shaking their heads – thinking does he have no idea what salt is? – perhaps it dawns…that’s his point. Salt can’t lose its saltiness…no one puts salt on their food expecting it to taste the same. And whatever a bushel basket was – the idea of lighting a lamp only to hide it is equally ridiculous.

And it should be just as ridiculous, says Jesus, that you would know me…and not go on to make a difference to the world around you. That’s what followers of Jesus should be like. That’s what a church should be like.

No one puts salt on their food expecting it to make no difference. I suppose all our readings today are saying – no one starts a church expecting it to make no difference.

That should be obvious – but perhaps hundreds of years as the established church; hundreds of years where the church was just there – part of our community furniture so to speak; means we need to hear Isaiah’s words, Paul’s words – and above all Jesus’ words afresh.

You…people of St John the Baptist Adel cum Eccup…you are the light of the world…you are the salt of the earth. No one adds salt expecting things to taste the same, no one lights a lamp only to hide it…salt and light…it is in their very nature to be agents of change. And that, say Paul, Isaiah, Jesus, is what a church should be like. It should be inconceivable that a group of disciples of Jesus will not be agents of change for the better.

Wow!

Yesterday our PCC and a few others met to think about this church – what we’re here for – what we have to celebrate – what we aspire to.

Here are a few thoughts. A church is…

• A place of worship where God can be encountered
• A group of people who try to love God, love each other, and know God loves them
• A place of learning and growth
• A safe, welcoming, supportive place
• People who belong to one another and to God
• A home
• A visible sign of God’s love
• Should always look outwards to the community

As we explored how this church fits that vision, two things came out strongly:

We aspire to be a church that makes a difference – in the lives of those who call themselves part of it – and in our community.

But being that church is a challenge. None of that list are things we can tick saying they’re done. They need continuing attention. And that needs all of us to work together. Every single person who calls themselves part of God’s family here has a role. We’re most likely to be salt and light when we all find out what that role is.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the idea of Adel without its church community was as impossible as salt without its saltiness? You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world…

I end today with a prayer the deacon and I use after the service every Sunday – I hope you want to make it your prayer too…

May what we say with our lips, and believe in our hearts, show forth in lives given to Christ. Amen