Sermons

Gladness and Praise in God’s Garden 13-12-2020

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Advent 3 13th December 2020 (Isaiah 61:1-11; Like 1:46-55) By Heeyoung Lim Gladness and Praise in God’s Garden The God in whom we rejoice, prepares our hearts for the coming of the Lord. We light the candle of joy on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. We are glad indeed, to be together in the House of the Lord! I hope God will fill us to overflow with the joy of the Lord, and our hearts will be filled with laughter. Light and joy flashed from God’s words. Two couples looked forward to the birth of their first child. A hint of fear and wonder tingles the expectancy and excitement. Mary’s faith displayed itself in praise, Mary praised God for his great acts for her. Her praise included two actions: giving glory to God and rejoicing in the presence and actions of God. The Lord had looked down on Mary with loving care. Knowing the low socioeconomic status in which she was embedded in. God had placed her in a state of blessing, because of Jesus. She did nothing to earn or deserve this, but the almighty God had caused it with his mighty acts. (Luke 1:46) He reaches down in mercy, finding in each generation people who worship him. He also pays careful, loving attention to the humble, raising them up to new people of importance (50) Loving salvation for an undeserving people, and God does what he promises (54) God gave her a song of praise, and Mary was willing to bear the disgrace to become God’s instrument of grace. (56) In Isaiah 61:1-11, God sends his messenger to bring good news and help to all those in need who are in the post-exilic community. In Isaiah 61: 1-2, God’s salvation is related to good news, healing, liberty, and comfort. We can hear good news when we are poor, and we can hear words of freedom when we are captive or when we are addicted to something. In addition, we will be released from what binds us when we are kind of prisoners, and we receive comfort given by God when we are mournful. Our hearts will be also healed by the Lord when we are broken-hearted. Where is God’s transformation revealed today? In our whole life, the house of the Lord, our homes, workplaces, communities, and this precious place with the name of Leighmoor, where Jesus offers blessing for all. I believe God will be pleased more through our transformed life in Jesus. The message from Isaiah is imaged both as a restored city and as an abundant garden (4, 11) The world will see what God has done for Israel in the past and will know they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. (9) That is, Isaiah’s vision is not an empty promise. It cannot be described as the pie in the sky. There is a similar expression in Korea, too. It is expressed as the bread (rice cake) in the picture. However, God’s deliverance is real. God saved people in all of the past, present and future, and God’s salvation is here with us now. All we are invited to participate in God’s salvation through Jesus. That is our true joy, and it will be experienced by others who still do not know Jesus in the future. The good news for God’s salvation and deliverance is for everyone. The anointed is to deliver good news to the oppressed, to wrap for healing the broken hearts, to declare liberty for the captives and an opening so the imprisoned may find release. The anointed cannot avoid vulnerability or rejection by continuous preaching and divine service. God’s anointed must confront the perpetrators and sources of oppression, marginalization, hopelessness, and despair. They lived with shame and disgrace, and they were devastated. They experienced downfall and abandonment by God, but the prophet Isaiah told them and tells us that God’s presence is real. The scripture reveals God’s special treatment and care for the lowest, and the weakest. The words spoken are full of promise. It is not a temporary promise, it is an everlasting covenant. From verses 8 to 11, the topics of justice, hope, anticipation, deliverance, and blessing are spoken to the people. It was a promise and a reminder that God has not forgotten them. Isaiah 61:10: I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness the prophet begins to give praise for what God is going to do. They will dress in a fashion that indicates their rejoicing in God’s faithful act of deliverance. (10) God restores his people to righteous living and glorious worship because the Lord loves justice, and He will let the people wear the robe of righteousness. (10) God will glorify his people by bringing them back to his house of worship. We cannot overlook the fact that many people are feeling oppressed, broken-hearted, captive, or imprisoned in some way today, and some of them are wondering when and how God’s transformation will take place in our lives. We may have a feeling about God’s silence when we are facing difficulties and sufferings. What do you do when that disappointment happens? There would be many things to do such as seeking, praying, and waiting! Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for God to transform the world through Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s words tell us that the transform is not to be an empty hope but a sure promise, because the promise for recovery is already given and will be given by God. The restoration for God’s people was God’s mission and His desire for salvation. That is why salvation is related to mission and our response. Where and how mission will happen in our lives. There would be lots of unexpected losses in our lives, but God will provide for us and will redeem our losses. In addition, a restored

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Friday Email 27-11-2020

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Hello Faith Pals, I have included my last sermon/service, and an item from Bill Pugh about angels. News: Alan has had some good news.  The cancer cells have not been found in his organs, or in his lymph nodes, but they seem to be hiding in his bones.  His oncologist will be speaking to Peter Mac re further tests to see if Alan is suitable for targeted radiation therapy.  If this is not possible, other options will be considered. Myrtle is to have surgery next year for her heart problems. She has a number of important tests lined up for early in the new year. Lex: on the mend, slowly recovering from heart surgery. Oh, it has reached that stage…which is good…because it means Heeyoung will be starting next week, and you will then have a permanent minister…but sad because I will miss you, you have found your way into my heart, even during this time of lockdown! Oh I had so much I wanted to say, but it won’t come out right.  You are so wonderful and even though I have got to know you via the phone and the internet-that was sufficient for me to realize, and feel, the love from this church community.  I will miss your laughter, your patience, your faith, your compassion…you are true pilgrims. When I began, I thought I’d be caring for you through visits and Sunday worship.  Well, we do worship differently now (and we have learned that this is okay too-we can still worship and pray when we are physically absent from the church building). I feel cheated that I haven’t  had the opportunity to meet most of you in your homes, see your photographs etc.  BUT I think we have coped quite well.  The most important thing during lockdown was to keep each other safe…and you did that…without complaining.  Well done, thy good and faithful servants!  I have tried my best…if I have neglected anyone, I am truly sorry. I have tried to keep your spirits up.  We have laughed, shared favourite books/films/music/Scripture etc.  You have put up with Kermit the frog, angels, my haiku, and my many ramblings. I never got to ask you what cartoon character you are most like, or would most like to be.  I think I am most like Grover, the furry blue monster from Sesame Streetwho just wants to love everyone, and comfort them.  Thank you for allowing me to love you. I want to share a story, that I shared with several people yesterday: The Seven Wonders of the World, author unknown ‘Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids 2. The Taj Mahal in India 3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona 4. The Panama Canal 5. The Empire State Building 6. St. Peter’s Basilica 7. China’s Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are: 1. to touch… 2. to taste… 3. to see… 4. to hear… (She hesitated a little, and then added…) 5. to feel… 6. to laugh… 7. and to love. The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful – and we don’t have to travel anywhere special to experience them. Enjoy your gifts!’ When I conclude, I will tackle those boxes and mess in the lounge-I need room to put on the Christmas tree.  Did I tell you I love Christmas?  I am sure I have! I have two books that I need to finish writing, one with a deadline that is looming, the other two years away (but time does go fast…faster as we get older). Thank you for your care, love, and prayers for me, and also those for David.  If surgery happens in February, we will remain in isolation/lockdown until May because of his suppressed immune system. I wanted to conclude with something profound. Oh you lovely band of faithful pilgrims, with pure hearts, and an ability to see God’s amazing world…I thought I would conclude with this quote.  It isn’t one from the Bible, indeed the spiritual teacher was not a Christian…but it sums up our calling: We are here helping each other through life, and beside us is our friend and Saviour. Wallow in God’s goodness, embrace God’s love.  Know you are NEVER alone, for Christ walks beside you-indeed you carry his name, ‘Christian.’ ‘Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God…for God is love.’ -1 John 4: 7 May you and Heeyoung be a community of love, a church filled with joy, with a thirst for compassion, and justice. Blessings and love, you remain in my prayers, and in my heart, Barbara Virus-free. www.avg.com

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outside view

By the rivers of Babylon

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Hymn suggestions TIS 768: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow TIS 85: By the Babylonian waters TIS 708: By the waters, the waters of Babylon TIS 667: How shall I sing to God TIS 689: Lord, hear my praying TIS 613: Lord of all hopefulness Prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving and Confession. O gracious, constant, and loving God what a world you have created! From gorges and water falls, to mountains which reach up into the clouds-such variety! We are awestruck by your creativity and design. You who created the Himalayas-created little human beings. You who plotted out the oceans of the world, and the land mass upon them-made us-and love us. You who formed space: the solar system, galaxies, black holes, balls of gas–which we call stars-know us in our small suburbs. We are in awe of your majesty. O loving God, we greet this day, and give you thanks for a fresh, clean slate! Thank you for good news, be it in the number of decreasing Covid-19 cases, for a fun time watching the football Grand Final, for warmer weather, for new growth in our gardens and in the parks, and the promise of a slow return to a somewhat more ‘normal’ life. We thank you for celebrations: birthdays, wedding anniversaries, births. We thank you for the gift of music; for being able to sing and hum and whistle. We thank you for the greatest gift of all: your son, Jesus Christ. And yet, we struggle. Lord, you know we have given in to despair, we have allowed fear to make us snappy, or judgemental. Forgive us. When we have squashed hope, or given in and allowed the weight of the world to push us down, and not asked you for help, Forgive us. Forgive us when our behaviour or words have been un Christian. Forgive us when we have turned off the music in our hearts and in our lives, preferring the clamour of anxiety or the heavy glue of grizzles. Forgive us. Forgive us when we have switched you off, as though you are a tv channel, and not tuned in to you with our whole being. And in a time of silence we remember other things for which we seek forgiveness (silence) God is love. Through Christ our sins are forgiven (thanks be to God). Take hold of this forgiveness, and live your lives in the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen Bible Readings Psalm 137 Matthew 22: 34-46 Sermon [at the bottom of the sermon is a youtube link if you are able to/wish to look at it afterwards.] ‘By the rivers of Babylon- There we sat down and there we wept When we remembered Zion. How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?’ (from Psalm 137) Today I thought I would set the lectionary readings aside to tackle something that is weighing on some of our hearts. How do we sing…how do we sing to God in a time of covid-19? How do we sing when we are not allowed to gather for worship, not allowed to sing in groups? How do we sing…when we do not feel like singing? What is our response to a ‘new normal’, a ‘foreign’ or ‘strange land’? Psalm 137 is written through tears of profound sorrow, it cries out, screaming of deep, cutting grief. In 587 BCE Jerusalem fell to the army of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.  Many Jews were deported, taken into exile.  Only the old, the lame, or the sick were left behind. Gold and precious items from the Temple were plundered, carried away, leaving Jerusalem in ruins. Their captors requested them to sing…but how could they?  If they were expected to sing songs of Zion, songs of praise that were meant to be sung in their place of worship, which was far away and in ruins…how was it possible to sing?  Were the captors being cruel?  Or trying to cheer them up? How do we sing away from our places of worship?  We are not many kilometres away, in a foreign land, like the Israelites were, BUT at the moment it does feel foreign, even if that land has, until recently, been within a 5 km range. We know our place of worship still stands.  Indeed renovations have been done during lockdown-but we are still locked out, the organ is silent, the piano remains closed, the hymn books shut, tight-lipped.  We have hung up our harps! Silence. ‘By the car park of Leighmoor, there we sat down and there we wept…’ Lament. It is part of our life.  We prefer the upbeat sound of praise, but life also includes lament. Think Maundy Thursday.  Where does Jesus go after the Last Supper?  To the Garden of Gethsemane, ‘after they had sung the hymn.’ Maundy Thursday leads into Good Friday, the saddest day in our church year…yet we still sing, we mourn. When I survey the wondrous cross…the tears still come, unprompted, after so many Good Fridays. What about funerals?  I know most of us can’t attend them at present, due to the low number permitted.  Abide with me.  Not often heard at other times, is it Lament. The need to cry out. It is part of our Biblical tradition, deep within Scripture. Dictionaries define the word lament as ‘feeling or expressing sorrow or grief.’ It’s not a word we use much these days.  We don’t often practice lament in Western culture.  When I nursed, I would hear relatives of people from the Middle East, or those from Greece, wail.  Not a way of grieving for many of us.  We don’t show our feelings in public.  We cry at home, or in the shower-not in front of others.  We apologise if we cry in front of others.  We say “Sorry for my tears.” Rather than express our emotions, we prefer tend to hide them, sometimes even denying they exist.  We might bury ourselves in work, or keep busy.  We’ll do anything rather

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outside view

God’s hand is reaching out-for yours.

Sermons /

Hymn suggestions: TIS 693: Come as you are TIS 132: Holy, holy, holy TIS 446: Glorious things of you are spoken TIS 215: You servants of God TIS 222: Rock of Ages, cleft for me TIS 569: Guide me, O thou great Redeemer Prayers of Adoration, Thanksgiving, and Confession We adore you, God, a God of truth, a God interested in all that goes in amongst your creation, A God who is mystery, yet made known to us, And found by all who seek you with their whole heart. You are a God of mystery, a God of glory. Your awe-inspiring power shakes the mountains and stirs the seas-but your face is hidden from us. We see what you do and we learn of your nature through Jesus, but, like Moses, we cannot see your face. It is by faith, and not by sight, that we know you and trust your love. Reveal yourself anew to this this day, so that we may taste afresh your goodness and marvel at your grace. We thank you, God, That you require us to see with the eyes of faith, and to know with a heart of loving trust. We thank you for all the ways in which we come to know you -for the Bible -for family and friends -for the church -for schools -and especially for Jesus Christ. O Glorious God, your face is too radiant for our earthly eyes.   Allow us to see the refection of your power, so that we know your presence goes before us throughout our whole journey through life. Yet, we confess our liking for the tangible, and the touchable. We trust what we can experience with our human senses and doubt what we cannot. We want proof. Like Moses, we want to see you, to seek an experience of your glory that we can behold on our own terms. Forgive the arrogance and ignorance of such desire, Forgive the resistance to live by faith alone. Forgive us for thinking we can command you or somehow fully know your mind. Forgive us our other sins (and in a time of silence we bring those items before you). God has made goodness ‘pass before us’ in the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Because of this , we know our God is kind and merciful, slow to anger and quick to forgive. Hear then the word of grace and the assurance of pardon: Our sins are forgiven (thanks be to God) Take hold of this forgiveness, and live your lives as forgiven, much loved, people. Bible Readings: Exodus 33: 12-23 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10 Matthew 22: 15-22 Sermon H. G. Wells said: “There was a time when I looked up at the stars and felt a sense of awe and wonder.  Now, I look at the stars in the same sense that I look at the wall paper in a train station waiting room.” -A loss of the sense of awe and wonder -of mystery Today’s reading from the Book of Exodus is enveloped in mystery -it’s about distance and nearness, transcendence and immanence (religious speak for distance and nearness!) Moses knew the voice of God. In Exodus it says that God ‘used to speak to Moses face-to-face as one speaks to a friend.’ Ever since that day at the burning bush, Moses and God were on a first-name basis. Once free of Egyptian slavery, out in the wilderness, God calls Moses up to Mt Sinai. The people are left down in the valley. Moses is delayed. Do you remember what happened ? The people grew restless. “Is God here for us or not?” they demanded. Not content with some distant, faceless Tod up on the mountain, they take matters into their own hands. -they fashion for themselves a calf made out of gold, they bow down and then dance around it, They worship a golden calf-there in their midst-in place of God, who is distant, away from them. God is furious! Having delivered the people from slavery, promising to be their God if they will be God’s people, God is angered by this breaking of covenant, this idolatry: “Get out of here,” God commands, telling them that this time they will make the journey through the desert along. Exodus 33:3: ‘Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people!” -they’re on their own. The people let up a tremendous wail, they mourn their actions, for they know that out here in the wilderness, along with no God to guide or protect them-they’re history! This could be the end of the road for Israel. “Let me talk to God,” says Moses. “I’ll do what I can.” replies Moses. So Moses intercedes for Israel. He moves into action. Moses reminds God that this Exodus- freeing the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt-and ‘going out’-  (the word Exodus means ‘going out into the way) in a new way, a new direction, to the promised land-was God’s idea in the first place! -it wasn’t Moses’s idea! Listen to Moses’s boldness… Exodus 33:12-the opening verse on today’s reading: ‘Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you wills end to me.” In other words-Moses is saying-you were going to send me helpers, assistants-where are they? ‘Besides,’ continues Moses, ‘This nation is your people’ Vs 13:  ‘Consider too that this nation is your people.’ In other words- you created them, you called them, you promised to be with them, now they’re your problem! Moses is brash, bold. Moses reminds God that God had not kept his side of the bargain. ‘This nation is your people.’ -what makes this people distinctive is that God’s presence is with them. Moses was not timid in prayer! ‘Show me your ways, so that

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