James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

They compare Jesus with John and Elijah and then call him Messiah. But Peter's idea of Messiah is a long way removed from the vision of Jesus.  Jesus doesn't want a Statement of Faith - he wants more than words he wants costly action.

James is concerned that words are used to cause pain, spark destruction, spread poison - and reveal our true heart - how can we bless God and curse people with the same tongue?

Parents, Godparents and congregation have made baptismal promises - we need to put them into action  - being part of a faith community will help her to know some of the choices before her and to decide in later life whether she wants to confirm her baptism

The way of the cross is to follow and to copy the way of Jesus on the vulnerable walk of discipleship. Jesus does not ask for statements of belief - that is the church deciding who belongs - Jesus demands action -  follow - come and see, experience, learn, act, experience, learn, act - how does your following the way of the cross impact on the way you live your daily life - and the goals of your life?

The way of the cross is about putting our old life aside, perhaps a life in which our words spark destruction, spread poison - perhaps a life in which our word means very little, which seems to be taking us no where other than down the same old road and invites us to experience life in all it’s fullness. That may not be easy, it may involve sacrifice, painful endings, grief, shame, but what will emerge is a new life, an abundant life being lived to it’s full potential as God intends - can we dare to seek such life along the way of the cross? 

On a day in which we marked the movement of some of our young people into Secondary School and away to University, we thought about belonging and hence I explored something about belonging to the Reformed Tradition and to the United Reformed Church looking at the five classic marks of a Reformed Tradition - Grace, Faith, Scripture, to the glory of God, reformation we added two more that more recent documents and thinking seem to be highlighting - Ecumenism and Inclusive Justice.

Sola Gratia - By grace alone

Sola Fide - By faith alone

The United Reformed Church acknowledges that the life of faith to which it is called is a gift of the Holy Spirit continually received in Word and Sacrament and in the common life of God's people. (The Nature, faith & Order of the United Reformed Church). Today we have given some of our young people gifts - it is up to them whether those gifts are used and valued or tossed in the corner of some cupboard, neglected and forgotten. We have been offered the gift of grace - faith is about taking hold of the gift God has given us and letting it be part of our everyday lives.

Sola Scriptura -  

The United Reformed Church acknowledges the Word of God in the Old and New Testaments, discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God's people.

disclosing new worlds reflects on last weeks reading.

The role of the preacher as the conveyor of the word of God is to proclaim Jesus Christ. Good news is brought alive to hearers in their context. Preaching is a creative activity of bringing scripture into dialogue with the contextual realities of hearers, this is what is valid within Reformed worship, not oratory or a rational intellectual discourse. Who are We called to be?

Soli Deo Gloria - to the glory of God

Ecclesia Reformata, semper Reformata - the church reformed is always reforming

Reformed - The church is a creation of the Holy Spirit who continues to create. As a pilgrim people on its way to God's future we are not bound to the contents of thoughts and contexts of our ancestral history. The Reformed churches of the 16th century themselves could be seen as the result of their sensitivity to the word of God in their particular context. The church continues to meet new challenges in different contexts - cultural, social, economic and geopolitical. These encounters impact the churches' understanding of the word of God and its self-understanding as a pilgrim people. We are freed to participate in this continual recreation by the Holy Spirit as a result of our belief that ecclesia reformata est semper reformandaWho are We called to be?

Ecumenical

- mission orientated - unity in diversity - affirming our differences as gifts we offer one another - sharing our experiences with others who explore the ecumenical journey.

Inclusive Justice -

We have a structure which is essentially democratic and we have always seen social justice at the heart of the gospel. Growing emphasis on including all people without regard to gender, race, age or background. Exemplified in a  commitment to an open table - 

Matthew 5:1-16

At the end of Tim Severin's book Viking:King's Man (p315-316) the central character proclaims "the worship of the White Christ suits men who seek to dominate others. It is not the belief of the humble, but of despots and tyrants" His statement and the arguments which support the statement have too much truth for comfort - and in wishing for a return to Christendom - are we really wishing for a return to a place of power & glory? Such a role does not sit comfortably to the way of Jesus - the one who rejected the temptation of power and glory - look at those blessings in Matthew 5- they are for the meek, the grieving, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers - not those who seek success on the the terms of the rich and powerful. Salt is good in small does what’s the effect of too much salt - too much light? 

Should the church be small but effective? small enough to know one another, care for one another, large enough to support one another? That is where we are but with weighed down by the past - emotionally, resources, structures, - it is time for liberation - for people to once again gather around God’s word and be faithful - not to be afraid -  I’m not sure I should be standing here in lecture mode having picked the theme, the hymns, the scripture, led the prayers - I’ve done it because it’s expected - why do you let me do it? 

There are times when I can’t believe I work for the institutional church - and yet this imperfect, flawed, exasperating church and it’s annoying people seems to be the way God has called us to work, to share, to know fellowship and learn of God, be strengthend to proclaim good news, live out good news, be good news - that shouldn’t stop us wondering, developing, reforming - Ecclesia Reformata, semper Reformata

Be salt, be light, be good news.