This sermon is based on (Romans 6) and (Matthew 10) -
We have declared as Paul reminds us in the part of the letter to the Romans that we are dead to sin and alive to God. Our baptism means that we walk in newness of life. We're now 21st century disciples and that tradition has continued from Jesus and a disciple tries to be like a teacher.
Our teacher is Jesus and he taught some very challenging things. Today's gospel being one example, In today's gospel, Matthew records Jesus saying, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to earth." That's what we're all going for, isn't it? I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
That sounds rather scary. What does it mean? It certainly doesn't mean that we should all wield swords. I'm absolutely convinced of that. Jesus is reinforcing in fact the great commandment that we must love God before everything else.
When we commit to following Jesus, we commit to love God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves. We've already said those words here this morning.
And this love has to come before anything else. And it's the love that Jesus demonstrated to us. But it isn't a safe option. If we take it to its logical conclusion, we find ourselves contrasting even in contention with our culture and its power structures.
And when this happens, we are actually walking in Jesus's footsteps. Jesus said we must take up our cross and follow him. He also said that we are not worthy of him if we put other things first, even our family. Those harsh words that we heard seem very contradictory at first reading. Division, man against father, mother against daughter.
Our love for God must come first. But Jesus encourages us by saying, "Whoever loses their life for his sake, will find it." He also warns us that if we put other things before God, even our families, we're not worthy of him.
True life is putting God's way first. A life where the light of God shines through. And to do this is a struggle particularly in a world which seems so dark at times. We have to hold on to Christ and trust his promises. And we need to be bold about our faith, not ashamed.
Our task is to share God's love with others and let his light shine in the dark places. And how do we do this in a world where we struggle with all sorts of issues that seem so contradictory? where people find themselves in dark places.
You have an example for one of the prophets who lived long before Jesus, Jeremiah. In a time of violent upheaval, he was called to a dangerous and thankless task was speaking to people who were being overpowered by the Babylonians.
He'd persevered, but was rewarded by being put in the stock by a priest. He was not therefore the most cheerful of people. In fact, he lamented about what God was doing to him, the impossibility of the task and his helplessness in resisting God's power of persuasion.
He said, "Oh Lord, you've enticed me and I was enticed. You have overpowered me and you have prevailed. I've become a laughing stock all day long. Everyone mocks me. All my close friends are watching for me to stumble.
They're ancient words, but they're so true today as well. And Jeremiah also complains that when he decides that he will no longer proclaim things about God's justice, he finds there's a something in him like a burning fire shut in his bones.
He's weary with holding it in. He can't. It's got to come out. He felt well and truly tested and drained. Was he helpless? Well, he lamented and lament usually ends up in hard one praise.
He lamented his way to hope by recalling that the Lord was with him. And the people in the Psalms do this all the time. In Psalm 69, we have these words, "More in number than the hairs of my head are they that hate me without cause. Many are those who would destroy me, my enemies who accuse me falsely.
And that verse, the psalm provides the context for Jesus's reassurance in today's reading that even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid. Jeremiah kept going.
Jesus's disciples kept going. and disciples throughout all the centuries have kept going. And we hold on to the hope of the cross and all that God has achieved through Jesus. Having been baptised into Jesus's death, we can't go on living in darkness.
Having died with Christ, we will live with him, taking up the cross and walking in the newness of life, the light of God, which gives hope for the world. And we too are called to follow this way, identifying with Christ, the way that many have to before us and walk in the light and love of God.
Let's boldly proclaim the good news in our dark world. Strong in the knowledge that God knows and loves each one of us and will give us strength for the task.
