MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU Sermon by Geoff Serpell: Easter 6: John 14: 23-29 “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27 What kind of peace you may well ask? David Beswick, a retired Uniting Church Minister says that it is a gift of wholeness, being made well, reconciled, saved, and knowing God. Peace and wholeness are brought together in the healing miracles of Jesus illustrated liberally throughout the four gospels.  From Old Testament times, peace was understood as a general state of wellbeing, and being in a good relationship with God. Peacemakers are the children of God said Jesus in His sermon on the mount. There is evil in the world to be overcome and the way of peace is not always recognized. Jesus paid the price of suffering and death to win a victory bringing peace. Rev. Kim Cain tells us in his 17 May ‘Love to the World’ Bible commentary that a central theme in John’s gospel is about an advocate, a witness or comforter who will be present after the ascension of Jesus to be present even to us in our time. Abiding in Christ, a central Christian activity takes the form of peace beyond that provided by the world. People talk about what they are most looking for in life, peace features high on the list. We seek peace and tranquillity from the noise of traffic, Inner peace when we are in chaos, World peace when for example, we are confronted with Russia trying to take over Ukraine in the most devastating manner, whilst just a bit of peace and quiet after a days’ work is much sought after by many. We are not all blessed with negotiating skills and sometimes workers and bosses come to loggerheads about agreements on terms and conditions of employment. Our buses did not run last Friday so it was not peaceful on the roads in extra traffic getting kids to school. For too many women, who are living in a violent relationship, fear is normal, maintaining a fragile peace at the expense of their own interests. Speaking out against injustices or whistleblowing is not for the fainthearted and usually safer to keep the peace and keep your mouth shut. This may cause more issues to keep quiet and avoid, so it’s not always a safe option. Would you think it is better to speak out and address somehow about e.g., child abuse? Jesus offers us peace without troubled hearts or fear. That is what we all hunger for. But in our gospel verses, Jesus is preparing to depart and leave us. Before he did leave, he promised us a Counsellor to be with us for ever, the spirit of truth, being the Holy Spirit. My Bible notes tells me that the Spirit will always stand by Christ’s people. In action and in essence the Spirit is characterized by truth. Jesus brings his people to the truth of God. A little book written by Holly Wagner called:” Dumb things we do” includes tips on improving relationships between married couples. She gives playful and challenging advice on what you can do today to have a strong, loving, and peaceful relationship together. One tip says:” do not try to fix your husband: it is not a good idea”. “It is better to honour each other with due respect and not be self-centred.” It is good to practise random acts of kindness. We need to be flexible and adaptable with each other for there to be peace in our homes. Holly asks, see what happens by trying it. Places and situations where I have found peace include walking through bushland along some track with birdsong audible which I get at Nagambie on our conservation estate. We have built around 50 nesting boxes as your saw one this morning. I do not climb a ladder to put them up in trees any longer.  A Professor of Pastoral Counselling, Howard Clinebell told me at a conference in Toronto in 1993 that for each of his birthdays he spends the day hiking to the top of some mountain to be closer to God and finding peace. That is a hilltop experience. Our youngest son, Andrew used to find peace after a hard day at his office, in our workshop, the building being well insulated. He could practise his trombone. each night without causing a revolt among the neighbours. He has gone on to be a professional jazz player in some great Melbourne night spots, whilst I can still see the evidence of his work as a stain from the water out of the instrument still showing on the concrete floor. Can you recall that sense of relief and peace when you experienced achieving something that was very stressful in preparing? I found peace after singing a solo in front of 1000 patrons in a fundraising concert for Parkinson, Britain, at Pershore Cathedral. The song was called ‘Working Man” about a retired coalminer reminiscing about the lung disease rife in the industry and the arduous work in terrible conditions. I felt so relaxed and peaceful as I walked back to my place in the Victoria Welsh Choir, being so thankful that I had not forgotten the words.  Back in the sixties and seventies, when I was employed by Prince Henry’s Hospital in St Kilda Road, I attended a businesspersons’ lunchtime church service at Scots’ church Collins Street Melbourne. I do not remember any words said during the 15 years except most times when I was jumping back onto the tram with renewed energy, to get back to work were the peaceful words regularly said by the Minister, Rev Gordon Powell:’ Let Go and let God”! Jan reminded me that when our three sons were each tucked up and asleep in their beds, it was our turn

8th May 2022 (Fourth Sunday of Easter) Title: The Good Shepherd & Faith Communities (Acts 9:36–43 & John 10:22–30)                                                                                   By Heeyoung Lim Happy Mother’s Day! May the Lord bless your home and the places of your work with His grace and blessing. I hope that today will be a day of blessing for all mothers, and God’s special grace and comfort will be with those who have parted with their mother on earth.  In Acts 9, Suddenly the topic shifts from the conversion of Paul to Peter’s miraculous raising of Tabitha. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). In verse 36, she was introduced by name and called as a disciple.  When she became sick and died, without telling Peter why, the congregation from Joppa requested his presence, “Please come to us right away!” They lovingly cared for Dorcas’s body. Witnessing to God’s gracious acts can take many forms. When Tabitha died, her friends tried to let Peter know how important and valuable she was. They brought all the clothing that she had made for the widows, tangible symbols of her compassion. Their acts showed how Tabitha demonstrated God’s love each day of her life. They shed tears together and waited prayerfully outside while Peter was with Dorcas.  Peter entered the room and knelt to pray. Then he told Tabitha to get up, and she did! The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead brings back to life this faithful woman whose acts of compassion are central to the new reality of God’s reign. Sometimes God may choose to intervene in a miraculous way for His people. May we pray first when faced with a difficult ministry task. Tabitha was a disciple who devoted to good works and acts of charity. (v. 36) She served others and looked after people who are in need until she dies. The congregation in Joppa was making communal intercession for the healing of one of its members, hoping desperately for her wholeness. The congregation was vulnerable, but they stood together, sharing all they had including spiritual resources and weeping together, hoping together, and celebrating together. They were unafraid to walk into each other’s lives in transforming ways.  Dorcas or Peter will not live forever on earth. Peter provided a temporary restoration to life for this lovely Christian female disciple at Joppa with the power of Risen Christ. The emphasis of this text is upon a community honing all the spiritual strength and resources passionately upon life and wholeness rather than individuals. May we find ways to experience, energize, and celebrate the marks of a loving and healing community in today’s individualistic culture. It indicates the expansion of the growth of God’s love from Jewish to Gentile. We know Paul is called by Christ mainly for Gentile, but Peter also proclaimed the gospel to Gentile and showed the love of God to many people. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. (42) That would be enough to know that the power of God was working through Peter and Dorcas.  Faith communities are drawn toward healing because brokenness is so much a part of our lives. Christians today are more aware than ever of the power of holistic healing, the intercession of prayer, positive attitude, and the resources of medicine. We are more aware than ever that no one should face disease alone. Prayer, love, and service from faith communities can support us, complementing medical treatment.  Communities are powerful healing partners in helping us overcome illness and brokenness. This was true for Dorcas, and it remains true for us today. May we, individually and as the church, learn from Tabitha and Peter about life-giving service. Simple quiet service for God is no less important than complex public service. May we be in actions that show the presence and the power of God with us through the acts of love and kindness.  We experience how everyday acts of love, compassion, and kindness have the power to lift people to life. In today’s text, the life-giving acts were revealed through the example of Tabitha’s loving service and kindness and Peter’s prayer and ministry. We are comforted by the image of a shepherd that protects, defends, leads, and feeds. In John 10:22–30, Jesus promises that His sheep will be with Him and can never be snatched away. No matter what occurs, we can look to Christ and identify Him as our good shepherd. Christ’s sheep can look to Jesus, those sheep are recognizable because they believe in the Shepherd, they listen to the Shepherd, and they follow the Shepherd. True sheep listen to the shepherd, but false sheep pay no attention.  The Good Shepherd has purchased our salvation with His blood and now offers shelter and security to all who follow Him. We become a true sheep by placing faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. But once the Holy Spirit implants that nature in us, we respond to the Shepherd because that is what sheep do. There are times in our lives when we are affected by evil and there are times when we are shaken by temptations, but we trust that our Lord, the Good Shepherd, will always protect and guide us. Believers behave like sheep, and the good shepherd makes a sheep feel safe. No one can tear us away from His love. May we trust our lives to the Good Shepherd.  Jesus calls us “my sheep”, it means the union of Christ. His calling is “listening to His voice”. Jesus knows us, and we follow Him. He also gives us eternal life in grace and love. We all remember the life-giving acts of Jesus. The voice of the Good Shepherd

1st May 2022 (Third Sunday of Easter) Title: The Risen Christ Is Calling Us.  (Acts 9:1–6 & John 21:1–19)                                                                                   By Heeyoung Lim John has recorded three post-resurrection appearances of Jesus here: to Mary, to the disciples that first Sunday night, and a second time to the disciples with Thomas. Now we see the third time appearance as Jesus visited his disciples as they followed their vocation.  Being with Jesus had been great, and it must have felt wonderful to have him alive again. They have been scattered on the roadside of good intentions for ministry, but they traded God’s call for something else like fishing for a living. They were hanging out and fishing, but they caught nothing. The text says they saw someone on the shore but could not tell who it was. These disciples had seen the Risen Lord twice but did not recognize him.  John would never forget the words by this stranger to throw your net on the right side of the boat. “Why the right side? Because that was the side they were directed to by Jesus. Jesus disclosed himself to them through a miracle, and John announced to Peter, “It is the Lord”. (v.7) “It is the Lord” is not just a one-time confession, it is our life-long confession and relationship with Jesus. Jesus Is the Lord of our lives.  Jesus and the disciples enjoyed breakfast together that day. The menu required some of the freshly caught fish in addition to what Jesus had already prepared. What a wonderful morning that must have been. Jesus demonstrated His love at a seaside breakfast with seven disciples. These disciples experienced a new level of rest and comfort with the Lord’s resurrection and presence. Christians often eat together in groups. Their fellowship through eating reflects and shares friendship, followership, and fellowship in Christ. May we experience another level of faith with the Risen Christ.  After Jesus ate with his friends, Jesus turned his attention to Peter. Three times Peter had denied the Lord, so three times Jesus asked him, “Do you truly love me?” This could reflect the three denials, but whether it did or not, the command was similar each time: “Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, and feed my sheep.” Whenever Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord!”. The reason we must take on this mission is because we love the Lord. Risen Christ tells us to take care of the Lord’s sheep if we love Him. Do we love Jesus? We feed, care, and shepherd people because we love Him. Why did the Lord change the command after each of Peter’s responses? There are some changes between the noun and verb. Some indicate that lambs refer to children’s ministry and sheep as to service to adults. This second calling would include spiritual feeding and care of the flock for all generations. The point is that Jesus called Peter to shepherding rather than fishing. His future work would involve ministry to people. Jesus’ first call was to become fishers of men. Now the Risen Christ entrusts the mission of shepherding to Peter rather than fishing. The shepherding call is continued.  Today’s text deals with Peter’s reinstatement to service, because he and other disciples need to shepherd each sheep of the flock of God, of Jesus’ sheep, of the church of God. Jesus asks us repeatedly to show our love and to do what Jesus commands: feed people and the world with grace. Peter is completely restored by Risen Christ. He has three times denied his Lord, but now he has affirmed his love for Jesus, and he has been commissioned to care for the flock three times. This must have had the effect on the others or communities, whatever had been the mistakes of the past, Jesus was restoring Peter to a place of trust. The one thing about which Jesus questions Peter prior to commissioning him to care for the flock is love. Love is the basic qualification for Christian ministry and service. May we experience the gospel of restoration and love. Christian community offers even the one who hurt that same community justice and grace in the love of God. Accepting or welcoming people is another example of the resurrection at work in the faith community. Our call is to live by the gospel that accepts in grace and offers justice to those who have been unjust towards that same community. God’s Spirit may bring restoration, renewal, transformation even in places of brokenness.  There was hurt and brokenness in Peter and Paul’s faith and life. In Acts 9, Paul has been transformed from a passionate persecutor to a courageous proclaimer, in John 21, Peter has been renewed from the three-time denier to a true follower by the Risen Christ. Ananias in his trust, and the rest of the community in accepting and including the one who once persecuted them. To reach out and include someone who once persecuted us is the hard edge of real gospel living. The gospel of love and grace influences the change in one person or in the whole congregation because of the whole believing community. I hope the level of gospel living will grow in the Risen Christ. Paul and Peter were accepted and welcomed again by faith communities. Paul had to wait for the three days between being blinded and seeing again. Peter had to experience the unexpected three questions given by Risen Christ. Transformation comes from Risen Christ but there would be a time of waiting for resurrection and necessary experiences of renewal.  I pray that God will open our eyes, as God opened Paul’s, to the new reality created by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

24th April 2022 (Second Sunday of Easter) Title: We are Witnesses (Acts 5:27–32 & John 20:19–31)                                                                                   By Heeyoung Lim Acts 5:27–32 begins with Peter and the apostles brought to court for breaking the orders not to proclaim Jesus Christ risen. What moved the apostles to move forward from the uncertainty of the upper room to the confidence of preaching the risen Christ against the Sanhedrin’s orders? The steady growth through the retelling of the story of Jesus is perhaps a reason for their increased confidence. As confidence builds through its retelling and growing, the apostles trust it more and more, which leads them to stand against the authorities. The most important message that must always be conveyed, which does not change over the years, is still Jesus. But in this changing and unstable world, what other messages do we need to convey along with the words to believe in the Lord? This week’s readings call us to be bold and courageous in speaking of faith and justice. Unfortunately, we still and often hear about war and violence with tragic results. We cannot remain silent in the face of such harm and violence. Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. It is a day designated for remembering and celebrating the sacrifice and loss of the young men and women who protect other people’s freedom. Just as soldiers maintained their faithfulness to that battle, may we maintain faithfulness to our faith in Jesus and the call to that lifestyle he commands us to live. Faithfulness requires discernment, wisdom, and risk.  We are thankful that we can hear this wonderful record of the courage of the early Christians and sacrificial soldiers. May we find where we might find ourselves speaking up and speaking out in accordance with God’s will. I pray that our faith community’s witness is strengthened through worshipping, learning, and serving together. May we proclaim the gospel in words and deeds without concern for the inconvenience or fear our witness might bring. This story is repeated and continued around the world as persecuted believers speak out about their faith. It offers an account of real boldness that also speaks into situations of our time: sensitive and inconvenient issues, abuse, prejudice, discrimination, and injustice. Today’s text is a story of a faith community where the faithful few speak out on the side of truth and faith and justice in Christ. For the faith community today, where does that boldness come from? What gives Peter confidence to speak so boldly? What does the word “witness” mean to us? Christians do not respond with violence when they obey God and work for the Lord. Peter makes no excuses, only testifies as a witness, and offers a message of salvation to even those who killed Jesus. In verses 30-32, there are messages of repentance and forgiveness of sins offered to Israel. There is a free offer of salvation to those who believe. Peter and the apostles are all witnesses, and we are witnesses in the Holy Spirit. May we notice the Spirit comes as God’s gift to those who believe and obey Jesus. How can we believe today? In John 20:19–31, Thomas needs to witness something to witness, and Jesus meets him in that need. Our call as a faith community is to grow in the story and to witness to what we know. In the repeated retelling of the Resurrection, there is a time when the fear moves over, and confidence begins. May we be sent out in that confidence, where we rest on the authority of the faith rather than of the world and become “witnesses to Risen Christ and His presence.” In today’s readings, out of fear, the disciples hide in a locked room. In the first group appearance, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” He brought peace to his disciples. In John 16, He had promised to relieve the disciples’ grief by replacing it with joy, and now He fulfilled that promise. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He continues to say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Now he sends his people out to witness. Many theologians believe this reception of the Holy Spirit was temporary for the next fifty days which is the season of Easter before Pentecost. Jesus gave them peace, mission as witnesses, and the Holy Spirit. The disciples had their learning and growing times with resurrected Jesus between the resurrection and the ascension. As a temporary filling of the Spirit was given by Risen Christ to them for their spiritual needs prior to Pentecost, Our Lord gives us what we need when we do the work he has entrusted. Eugene Peterson has written about the “Resurrection Quartet”. He insisted each narrative is distinct with its own character, but they develop rich melodies, harmonies, and counterpoint when the four accounts are absorbed into the imagination. The four voices from four gospels become a resurrection quartet. Especially John’s gospel provides convincing evidence for dealing with doubting and questions about resurrection. John 20:31 tells us,” These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.”  When the disciples huddle in fear on the evening of the resurrection. Jesus appears to them. He reassures them of his resurrection reality by showing them the crucifixion marks in his hands and side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. When they are again together with Thomas who had not believed the report that the others gave. Jesus makes another appearance, offering himself in tangible form. In verse 27, He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand, and place it in my side.” Jesus did not scold him or condemn his hesitation. He provided him with the

17th April 2022 (Easter Sunday) Title: Christ is Risen! (John 20:1–18 & Acts 10:34–43)                                                                                   By Heeyoung Lim Christ is risen! There are stories of people who died being restored to life in the Bible. In each case, the one who died lived again, but still faced death. The Resurrection we celebrate at Easter is testimony to Jesus the Christ who died, was raised, and will not die again. Acts 10:34–43 tells us about Peter’s witness to the God revealed in Christ. The gospel is universal, and God does not show favouritism. He invites people from every nation to trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. The gospel makes salvation in Jesus available to anyone who believes in Him. Five times in Acts the apostles speak of witnessing the resurrection. People killed Jesus, but God raised him and showed his risen Son in public to certain chosen witnesses. This risen Lord sent Peter and disciples to testify that Jesus is God’s appointed judge of the living and the dead. Peter proclaimed that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name. This gospel of salvation was not a one-time event; rather God declared that whosoever may come and that will be the very essence of the gospel. In three other gospels, Mary Magdalene is accompanied by other women to the tomb. In John’s gospel 20, one woman alone comes to the tomb where the body of Jesus is. Mary comes while it is still “dark.” The time of Mary’s arrival may also be seen to mirror both the darkness of her despair and the depth of confusion. “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him”. (13) She grieves and weeps due to the disappearance of his body. We can feel the hurt and longing in a woman who loved a lost beloved.  Mary Magdalene goes alone to the tomb. In the first 11 verses, “tomb” occurs nine times. The scene is a place of death. From verse 12 on, the tomb is not mentioned. An empty tomb is replaced with the Risen Jesus. Peter and the disciple “whom Jesus loved” go to the tomb after hearing Mary’s witness. The minute the beloved disciple hears Mary’s news, he jumps up to see what has happened, arriving at the tomb before Peter. His actions seem perfectly understandable as he always represents the most appropriate way to respond to Jesus and stayed with Jesus all the way to the bitter end.  Peter’s reaction to Mary’s news about an open tomb was instant running to the tomb. We may make some guesses for this. Perhaps guilt motivates Peter to run out the door so that he can say he is sorry for denying Jesus after boasting about his loyalty, for not being present at the cross, for running away from the suffering moment. Or maybe Peter felt a hopeful curiosity. The empty tomb found by the disciples is a place with potential meaning not yet understood but Risen Christ will transform the disciples who run to it. Two disciples have raced to the tomb with curiosity or hope, but Mary has come to pay grief and homage to one she loved. The disciples see nothing within but empty wrappings and the leaves of one who left, but she sees not only the emptiness but the angels who give a message of Jesus’ presence when she looks in. Peter and John believed Mary’s word that someone had taken Jesus, but they returned home without staying outside the tomb unlike Mary. They found strips of linen and reacted with hesitation and uncertainty. Belief in resurrection does not come from an empty tomb itself, it comes in a restored relationship. When it comes to spiritual truth, may we be prepared to believe what we have not seen. I hope that we can know the difference between noticing something in God’s Word and perceiving it.  Mary remains at the tomb, outside. When she looks inside the tomb, grave clothes do not grab her attention. The tomb is no longer empty! There are “two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet”. When they ask her why she is crying, she persists in her assumption that a heist has occurred. Mary backs out of the tomb, turns around, and encounters a human figure. She thinks it is the “gardener”, but He is Risen Christ. Her assumption was wrong, but she went to the tomb, turned around from where she was, and finally encountered Risen Christ. In Christ, going, turning around, and encountering are necessary in our lives.  Jesus calls her by name: “Mary!” Now she is face to face with Jesus. We remember that when Jesus was teaching in Jerusalem before his death, he said, “I am the good shepherd,” who “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (10:11). They follow him because they “know his voice” (10:4). Jesus called Mary by name for her to recognize Him. Jesus asks Mary, “Whom are you looking for?” Mary meets Risen Christ with great joy, and Jesus tells her to go to the others with a message. (17) Mary spreads the gospel, “I have seen the Lord!” Mary is the first witness to the Resurrection and an apostle as “one sent forth”. Mary was sent by the Risen Christ. The surprise of resurrection prepares disciples for surprising witnesses. Our story and experience in faith cannot be anchored in the past. Risen Christ calls her by name to announce to the disciples and by extension to all who would believe a new creation, resurrection, and an unimaginable future. The good news that she reports