If  you could ask Jesus for only one thing I wonder what you might ask?  In our Gospel reading this morning the disciples ask Jesus to teach them perhaps the most important thing they could possibly have ever of asked of him.

“Lord teach us to pray!”

 They could have asked for wealth, they could have asked for riches, they could have asked fame but instead they chose to ask him for  something of even greater value.   “Lord, teach us to pray.”  They’ve been around Jesus for long enough to know that prayer was essential to everything Jesus did.  When Jesus prayed things  happened. When Jesus prayed the world was changed.  When Jesus prayed heaven seemed nearer. When Jesus prayed doors were opened and life somehow seemed to make a little more sense and when Jesus prayed, God always listened.

 “Lord teach us to pray!”

Jesus says, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us. and lead us not into temptation.   
Lord ,teach us to pray like that too.  To repeat the words of our collect this week; Lord,  help us so to seek that we may truly find, so to ask that we may joyfully receive, so to knock that the door of mercy may be opened for us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Till next time. Andrew
 
Download this week's readings;   ​Hosea 1:2-10,  Psalm 85,  Colossians 2:6-15,  Luke 11:1-13

Download this week's pew sheet PDF

Download this week's sermon

This week Luke reminds us of a visit that Jesus made to the home of his friends Mary, Martha the sisters of Lazarus.  Martha has generously invited Jesus and the gang around for tea and is hard at work feeding her visitors and proving to Jesus what a good hostess she can be. 
    If we’re honest we can all find a little bit of sympathy for Martha.  It’s never fun to be the one left to do all the hard yakka while others sit around and enjoy themselves.  Finally when she can stand it no more, Martha storms into the room and demands that Jesus point out this injustice to her sister.  About time too, we might think, fairs fair after all!  Imagine, then if you will, Martha’s surprise and even shock when Jesus does exactly the opposite and commends Mary for making the better choice.
    Like Martha, we too can completely miss the point, as we busily try to prove ourselves before God with all our right actions, good intentions and sound theology.  Once again Jesus gently reminds us that his grace and love are freely given and can never be earned.  Once again Jesus reminds us that far more blessing is to be found in sitting at his feet and listening than can ever be gained through our own efforts to impress. 
    So then are you a Mary or a Martha?  Will you spend your time worrying and busying yourself with things and details that in God’s greater scheme really don’t matter?  Or will you choose the “better part” and make sure that you are never too busy to sit at Jesus’ feet and let your life be guided by the master.
  Till next time. Andrew

Download this week's readings: Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-29, Luke 10:38-42

Download this week's pew sheet pdf

Download this weeks sermon

    Ask any farmer about harvest time and they will tell you that one of the most important times of the year is Harvest time.  A ripe harvest with no one to harvest it can end with disastrous results.  Timing is everything if the farmer is to get the maximum profit from his crop. 
    It is with a sense of urgency that Jesus sends the seventy two out on their mission.  There is it seems an abundant harvest of hearts waiting to be won for the kingdom but few who are willing to go and do the work. 
    Jesus’ call extends beyond the select few disciples and demonstrates that his desire is that as many as possible should be equipped to spread the good news of God’s love. 
    His instructions are clear.  The seventy two are instructed to greet everyone in every place with God’s peace.  If it is rejected they are not to delay by engaging in pointless arguments, but instead to take the Gospel to others who are open to receive it. 
    A happy farmer is one who has had a bumper harvest..  For the returning missionaries and for Jesus the results of their efforts bring much rejoicing.  Those who have been faithful and gone out in Christ’s  name do not return disappointed at the results of their efforts.
    But there is still much work to be done and a huge harvest awaits for those who are faithful to Jesus call.  Let us remember  to pray for the harvest as we remain faithful to Jesus call for us to go.  Matthew 28
      Till next time. Andrew