Sunday 5 July
Welcome to our Web copy of our sermon. The message and the reading this week are split into three parts as you will see. May God touch your soul as you read it.
1st reading Matthew 11: 16 - 17
16 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
17 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’
Message part one
We have a situation here and now – Covid-19. That, is a bit like in our reading, the Government are a bit like children, learning what they need to be able to work in this pandemic. They have played their story all the way through lock down for us, to inform us and to help us stay safe.
Then the reading tells us “and you did not dance” as we have seen with mass gatherings on beaches and in parks. A lack of social distancing in shops particularly and I am sure you have seen your own examples. Now we have a new tune allowing our children to meet and play with more of their friends and their wider families too. The question is “Will you listen to the tune?” Will you guys still socially distance when you are with your friends? I hope you will so that you can stay safe. Your friends remember, will be travelling as families to meet people they haven’t seen for ages too. So, we need to be careful when we meet up, in case they have come in contact with the virus. I pray we can all see that it is wisdom that is vindicated and not the virus.
2nd Reading Matthew 11: 25-27
25 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Message part two
Jesus appears to be telling us that God has stopped the wise and intelligent from knowing the truth about Himself. Why might that be I wonder? Sometimes when folks have all the answers, they keep them to themselves. God wants folks to know about him so he stops the selfish people knowing the truth and keeping it secret.
What God wants is for us to see God at work in our lives and share it. We are to help others to know that he is real and is working for the good of those who love him.
3rd reading Matthew 11: 28-30
28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Message part three
What is the rest for our souls Jesus is offering to us? When we make mistakes, it can be hard to put things right again. Jesus would rather we avoided the mistakes in the first place by listening to how he would have us do things.
Some of the hardest things to fix are when we hurt people. Jesus only got angry twice that we know of. If we could avoid getting angry would that not be great? We all need to learn from Jesus do we not.
Benediction
May the love of God be rooted in your heart.
May the peace of Christ be your comfort blanket in every circumstance.
May the power of The Holy Spirit enable you to live out the life he calls you to, as you follow Christ today and always.
Amen.
1st reading Matthew 11: 16 - 17
16 ‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
17 We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. Yet, wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’
Message part one
We have a situation here and now – Covid-19. That, is a bit like in our reading, the Government are a bit like children, learning what they need to be able to work in this pandemic. They have played their story all the way through lock down for us, to inform us and to help us stay safe.
Then the reading tells us “and you did not dance” as we have seen with mass gatherings on beaches and in parks. A lack of social distancing in shops particularly and I am sure you have seen your own examples. Now we have a new tune allowing our children to meet and play with more of their friends and their wider families too. The question is “Will you listen to the tune?” Will you guys still socially distance when you are with your friends? I hope you will so that you can stay safe. Your friends remember, will be travelling as families to meet people they haven’t seen for ages too. So, we need to be careful when we meet up, in case they have come in contact with the virus. I pray we can all see that it is wisdom that is vindicated and not the virus.
2nd Reading Matthew 11: 25-27
25 At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Message part two
Jesus appears to be telling us that God has stopped the wise and intelligent from knowing the truth about Himself. Why might that be I wonder? Sometimes when folks have all the answers, they keep them to themselves. God wants folks to know about him so he stops the selfish people knowing the truth and keeping it secret.
What God wants is for us to see God at work in our lives and share it. We are to help others to know that he is real and is working for the good of those who love him.
3rd reading Matthew 11: 28-30
28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Message part three
What is the rest for our souls Jesus is offering to us? When we make mistakes, it can be hard to put things right again. Jesus would rather we avoided the mistakes in the first place by listening to how he would have us do things.
Some of the hardest things to fix are when we hurt people. Jesus only got angry twice that we know of. If we could avoid getting angry would that not be great? We all need to learn from Jesus do we not.
Benediction
May the love of God be rooted in your heart.
May the peace of Christ be your comfort blanket in every circumstance.
May the power of The Holy Spirit enable you to live out the life he calls you to, as you follow Christ today and always.
Amen.