So you thought Abraham is a hero character and his treatment of Sarah is treated as non-problematic in the Bible? Time to think again. Genesis is way too sophisticated for that!
So, this one's a little bit personal. Rev Margaret doesn't often talk about herself in her sermons, but if you are preaching about the call of Abraham and God has also called you to leave everything behind and move into an unknown future, you need to be honest about the extent to which the Bible story is your own story. This sermon was preached at St Paul's on June 11 which, as it happens, is the anniversary of Rev Margaret's ordination to the Diaconate.
Our Trinitarian God gives us hope for a church that embraces unity in diversity, and even for an entire humanity united in celebration of the gorgeous eccentricity or every individual. "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:2-6)
Pentecost! Gathering in love and fear Suddenly from heaven Violent wind filling the room Divided tongues Fire, fire, fire Fire on each, in each Spirit words from each Spirit-drawn from every nation Speaking Hearing God’s deeds of power About the Son who called the thirsty To drink And become fountains in a thirsty world.
Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for Ascension
(Apologies for the drifting audio sync)
In which Rev Margaret begins with a story about "2 Ways to Live" evangelism and ends, like 1 John, with an encouragement to reject idolatry by living in love.
Certainty of being right is the surest way of keeping the truth at a safe distance. Those things that bring doubt into our lives - like grief, disappointment, failure – are really uncomfortable, but they can be our Damascus Road experiences that bring us with open hands and open minds into the presence of true truth - that is, the presence of Jesus. George MacDonald is one of the most influential authors in modern history. When one of his readers wrote to him complaining about his habit of questioning Christian orthodoxy his reply included these words: "With all sorts of doubt I am familiar, and the result of them is, has been, and will be, a widening of my heart and soul and mind to greater glories of the truth – the truth that is in Jesus – and not in Calvin or Luther or St Paul or St John, save as they got it from Him, from whom every simple heart may have it, and can alone get it… Doubt is the hammer that breaks the windows clouded with human fancies, and lets in the pure light."
Good Shepherd Sunday always seems to come at just the right time! We do not know what the future holds for the Anglican Church, but we do know that the body of Christ – the communion of all people who look to Jesus as their shepherd – will survive. The church is eternal and indestructible. The gates of death will not prevail against it. GAFCON will not prevail against it. On the other side of whatever dark valley we might be called to walk through there will be green pastures and still waters. There will be feasting and anointing. And always, there will be God’s border collies, goodness and mercy, tracking us down, rounding us up and keeping us on the path of life.
Rev Kathy Hammer's Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter
Rev Pam Hynd's sermon for Easter 2