Jesus really couldn’t have made it any clearer for us could he? “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 Have you got this verse marked in your Bible? Is it burned into your memory? If not do it quickly because this new command to love is the mark that sets us apart and defines who we are. Even more importantly though, it is through the act of loving as Jesus loved us, that we make Jesus love be truly known in the world. “By this will everyone know that you are my disciples” John 13:35 “If you love one another” For many Jesus’ new commandment is as radical and surprising as the first time he spoke it. But for those of us who dare to call ourselves his disciples we really should’ve got the hang of it by now don’t you think? Sadly though, I fear that sometimes these words have become so old and we have become so familiar with them, that we are in danger of forgetting who Jesus has called us to be. So perhaps it’s best if we remind our selves one more time of who it is that Jesus calls us to be. Let’s take it once more from the top; ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ John 13:34-35 Lord fill us with your Holy Spirit and show us how to love others the way that you have loved us. May your love be seen each day in all that we do and say. Amen. Till next time. Andrew This weeks readings: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1-16, John 13:31-35 download this week's notice sheet pdf download this weeks sermon “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 With these simple words the psalmist pretty much sums up the secret to living a peaceful and satisfied life. Today as we celebrate Harvest Festival, we would do well to remember that we have much to be thankful for. Yet in spite of the abundance and plenty that surrounds us, most of the time the world is always telling us that our lives are incomplete and that we need even more stuff if we are to be truly happy. The problem is that all too often we fail to recognise and value the gifts that God has already, in his abundant grace, placed right in front of us. ‘How long will you keep us in suspense?’ ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe.’ John 10:24-25 As they were gathered around Jesus, the Jewish leaders failed to recognize that God’s greatest gift was already standing right in front of them. I wonder just how often we risk doing the same? Jesus’ advice to Thomas was to stop doubting and believe... So the next time you find yourself struggling in with your faith, remember that the answer to your fears is right under your nose. Take some time to stop and listen to the voice of the shepherd. With the Lord as our shepherd we have everything we need and there is nothing that can snatch us from his hand. Thanks be to God. Till next time. Andrew This week's readings; Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 Download this week's pew sheet pdf Download this weeks sermon I have clear memories of my grade 4 teacher in primary school teaching us that the best way to remember how verbs work is to describe them as "doing words". In our Gospel reading this morning Jesus teaches Peter about perhaps the most important verb of all. Three times he asks Peter ‘Simon son of John, do you love me? Jesus’ questions to Peter are a reversal of his three denials of Jesus and a sign to him that he is loved and forgiven. Peter may have let him down but Jesus as always looks past his failings and gives him what he needs to realise his full potential. Jesus wants Peter to know that love is about far more than making great claims. Love is shown best through faithfulness and action. ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ John 21:15-17 It’s as if Jesus were saying “If you really love me Peter show me by the way you live your life.” In the same way Jesus calls us to not only talk about love but to be people who put our love into action in the way that we share it with others. Till next time. Andrew This week's readings; Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:6-14, John 21:1-19 Download this week's pew sheet Download this weeks sermon Have you ever wondered if you have enough faith? Have you ever felt overcome by doubt? In others? In God? In Jesus? In yourself? You have! Well you’re in good company so join the club. Even the disciples, Jesus’ closest friends knew what it was to be overcome by doubt and fear. But huddled away in a hidden room, Jesus comes among them and gives them his peace. Thomas wasn’t in the room with them all the first time he came and refused to believe until he could see for himself. So what did Jesus do? He gave him the gift of peace as well. What’s that I hear you say? “You weren’t there either.” Well Jesus thought of that one too. His gift of peace is for you also. “Peace be with you” is his prayer. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” he told the disciples. And you guessed it he was talking about you and me. ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you,’ he said to the disciples as he prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. John got the memo, and full of the Holy Spirit, wrote his Gospel including all the information you and I need so that we can believe too. So the next time you find yourself struggling with doubt and fear, try not to be overcome by it and remember that Jesus gift to those first doubters was a gift for you too. May the peace of the Lord be always with you. Till next time. Andrew This week's readings; Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31 Download this week's pew sheet pdf |
Rev. Andrew SmithVicar of Light in the Hills |