Meaningful Pain¡ÊSermon Sunday, 29th July, 2007¡Ë

Verses of Invocation: Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[ Meaningful Pain] (1 Peter 3:13-22 NIV)
Peter wrote this letter to encourage Anatolian Christians who were suffering oppression from the Roman authorities because they refused to serve military duties, and worship the Emperor. Peter wrote to comfort them with the hope of eternal life, and to challenge them to continue living holy lives.

Followers of the christian church suffered persecution during the great wars, and still today, many christians and pacifists are moved by their conscience and object to take up arms with the military forces of their countries. A similar thing occurred in Japan during world war II. Pacifists and christians alike, were belittled and persecuted, for their convictions.

So, how should we behave in similar situations? Peter has the answer to this question: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened” (1 Peter 3:14).

We often risk being persecuted or hated for our faith! Perhaps we should accept suffering as a testing time, a trial period measured by God, to equip us for eternal life in Jesus Christ, who was ultimately crucified and resurrected in glory.

When we suffer for doing what is right, remember that following Christ is a costly commitment. When persecuted for our faith, rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ.

Compassionate and Humble
Peter continues: ¡ÈFinally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3: 8-9).

For example, Martin Luther King Jr, activist for the American civil rights movement, and victim of a racial assassin, insisted that we must continue to love our enemies instead of taking revenge. He said the unarmed resistance of the first christian generation gave birth to a great power which shook the Roman Empire.

One of his famous quotes is: “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”

And then there is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, who was incarcerated under the Nazi regime. We can learn much from the many letters and papers Bonhoeffer wrote from his prison cell, before he was finally executed. Particularly, on how to serve Christ, and live a holy life, while suffering through extreme conditions of torture and pain.

Partners With Christ
Perhaps its time to stand up, and publicly declare our faith and belief in Christ. Listen to Peter:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
We will question, no doubt, from time to time, our ability to keep the faith, and retain our hope for the future, whilst we endure painful conditions in today¡Çs society.
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References:
M.L.K. Jr’s quote, ( http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/1537)
Hymn / Poem: ( http://www.pietisten.org/winter0405/sightings.html)

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Helping Each Other( Sermon Sunday, 22nd July, 2007 )

1. Disagreements In The Church
Today, we will give some thought to disagreements between church members. To help us address this problem we need only turn to the letter of Paul to the Philippians. The believers in that Macedonian city enjoyed a special relationship with Paul, which gave him great encouragement. So, he wrote them a personal expression of love and affection. May we share in Paul’s aspiration, and seek to know Jesus Christ more and more. Let us rejoice with Paul in Philippians, chaper 4, by reading the opening verses, 1-3.

1. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
2. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

If, as Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is the founder and head of the Christian church, we must stand firm in his teachings and reconcile our differences with each other. If we can’t love and forgive one another, the life and faith of the church will surely suffer.

2. A Time To Weep
But reconciliation and forgiveness can be very difficult at times, even for people like King David, that great man of faith. Let us pick-up the story of a broken-hearted father, grieving the death of his son, by reading, 2 Samuel, 19:1-4.

1. Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
2. And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said,
“The king is grieving for his son.”
3. The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle.
4. The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

We need to read more to fully understand this Old Testament story, which commences at, 2 Samuel 18:1. However, King David ultimately lost his son, Absalom, because he could not forgive. Although David ordered his troops to ‘watch out’ for his son, Absalom, in battle, the ending was sudden and tragic. David loved Absalom, but they were unable to reconcile their differences. Now, its too late, because Absalom is dead.

3 Rejoice Always - Even During Hard Times
Why do disagreements even occur in the church? It’s because we are not in harmony with God, it’s because our quarrels, arguments and disputes come from a wounded soul, and a state of mind, which is out-of-step with God’s will. With these thoughts in mind, let us again focus on Paul, and his letter to the Philippians, Chapter 4, and the verses 4 & 5, which have been chosen for invitation:

4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. When we allow ourselves to forgive others, they in turn, become more receptive and open to our overtures. Its the beginning of a mutually beneficial healing process.

When we abandon our pride and arrogance, there is no dispute, and the church environment becomes a sanctuary of God’s peace and love. A place where we will find, God the Father, the Grace of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to finish today’s speech with this quotation, attributed to Mother Teresa :

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis; it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa (Unsourced)

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