In what ways do we bear witness to Jesus?

This morning we have heard words about God,

and we said these words about God as we have sung,
as we have prayed,
and as we baptised xxx.
We have also spoken to God we have also spoken to God in our prayers and our songs.

In our gospel reading this morning we hear part of Jesus prayer for his disciples, and that includes us. Often when we think about prayer we think about praying to God or to Jesus; but here Jesus is praying for the disciples, those present at the time and those yet to come, and that includes us, modern-day disciples.

I wonder what it means for us to be part of a community that Jesus prays for? Does this change the way you think about church?

The reading from the book of Acts refers to the ascension of Jesus, and I'm not going to try and explain that particular part of the story today :-).

I want us to think today about the part that talks about us being witnesses: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Next Sunday is the day the church celebrates Pentecost, the coming of the holy spirit. Here just before the ascension Jesus again tells his followers that the holy spirit will come upon them. But it isn't just that they have the holy spirit, it is that they will be witnesses to Jesus in all the known world.

I wonder in what ways we bear witness to Jesus?

Maybe the prior question is what do we want to say about Jesus?

Do we want to talk about judgement, grace, forgiveness, sacrifice, peace,….

With most people we don't get to tell them the whole story, we don't get to talk about God's action in creation, liberation, salvation. We don't get to talk about the whole story of Jesus and how he taught and healed and welcomed outcasts. Often we don't get to use the words God and Jesus at all, because people see what we do, how we treat each other and other people.

In what ways do we bear witness to Jesus?

In the Acts reading we have the disciples looking towards heaven,

watching the last spot they saw Jesus, and two men in white robes stood before them – where have we met men in white robes in before? The resurrection story.

These particular men are recorded by Luke as asking the disciples why are they looking to the heavens?

I wonder where do we look for Jesus being active in the world today. Do we stand around wondering when something amazing is going to happen?

Jesus didn't say wait here, do nothing, stay safe. Jesus told the disciples to go and be witnesses to all the known world, starting with their own city.

 What stories to what we tell? I have a couple of examples for you from the media over the past week:

 [Image one ]

the report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into allegations of child abuse and non-reporting child abuse in parts of the Hunter Valley was released this week. This commission has concluded that yes there was child sexual abuse, and yes there was a lack of timely reporting, and an unnamed person may yet stand trial.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-30/hunter-child-abuse-special-commission-of-inquiry-clears-police/5488942

What in this news story do we hear about Jesus?

[Image two and three, 4]

“Church leaders are among two groups of Christians holding simultaneous sit-in prayer vigils at the Sydney office of Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Melbourne office of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.  ….

Among the sit-in participants are two Catholic priests, a nun, two Baptist pastors, an Anglican Priest, five Uniting Church ministers, and a number of lay church leaders. They are refusing to leave the offices until both major parties commit to releasing children from detention.” ….

The Moderator of the Uniting Church in NSW and ACT, Rev Dr Brian Brown is currently praying in Mr Abbott’s office, while former President of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Dr Alistair Macrae is in the office of Mr Shorten. - See more at: http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/church-leaders-stage-prayer-sit-offices-tony-abbott-bill-shorten#sthash.apdMrOIV.dpuf

 

What in this news story do we hear about Jesus?

We are a community that Jesus prays for and prays with, a community of faith called to witness to the local community and the entire world. What does our life as a community of faith, of Jesus people, say to our local community? and to the world?

Gatekeepers

Today we think about gatekeepers. I wonder what you think of when I mention that word?

[any offers?]

One small church we were part of had an annual catering job – chicken and ham salad at the local show.  As in most churches, it was announced that help was needed. Being new I offered and was gladly received. I turned up on the day and asked what needed doing. Every job the leader suggested was someone else’s job. I was glad not to get lettuce because they cut it so– o-o-o fine, I don’t think I would have managed it. Eventually they decided that I could set the tables and later wait on tables, which was fine.

Another church I knew of had one or two people who kept a tight hold on everything that happened – who had access to buildings, keys, nothing happened without there say so.

In the gospel reading this morning Jesus is described as a gatekeeper – i wonder what it means?

Does it mean Jesus doesn’t let anyone cut up the lettuce?

When I was a teenager we would regularly travel to my Grandfathers place about 45 minutes from home. We would drive through the village of Paterson [picture], you may just be able to make out the automatic railway gates. When I was travelling up there with my parents, the gates were not automatic, and they were not the style they are now. A person would ride their pushbike the few blocks from the station to the crossing, close the gates, wait for the train to pass, and open the gates again.  Sometimes it seemed to take so long for the train to arrive.  As I said these days it is automated.

 

[picture] if you are here at the church at school start or finish time, you will see one of these Lollipop  ladies helping the children and their parents to cross the road. Even with a pedestrian crossing it is dangerous for children and difficult for traffic. We know children and cars don’t mix. Without the lollipop people, traffic builds up as children and parents wander across the road, and sometimes children run to catch up with a friend.

The lollipop people stop  pedestrians form crossing until it they stop the traffic, then make sure it is safe.

 

I think maybe John’s idea of Jesus as a gatekeeper is like the lollipop people we have at school crossings.

The gatekeeper was to keep to the sheep safe, not to lock them up, not to exclude some sheep, not to ridicule. The Gatekeeper kept the sheep safe; safe and fed; safe and rested; safe in the flock.

One of the issues the church as a whole is dealing with at the moment is safety. that is in a number of ways.  All institutions involved with children are involved in the Royal Commission on institutional responses to child sexual abuse. As a congregation we need to make sure all people who are in ministry with children complete safe church training, Working with children check, and that we have good policies in place to protect vulnerable people. We also need to be aware of the safety of our property.  

Child play areas are now generally fenced, with child proof gates. Swimming pools now have to adequately enclosed.

Sometimes it seems like there are so many rules, but really there is one rule – and that is the rule of love.

At the last church council meeting we looked at the questions of what can be done to make this a safe place, emotionally, physically and spiritually? In many ways it already is, but what can be done to keep it safe, and make it safer?

 Gatekeepers aren’t for keeping people from the good things in life, or for holding onto all the power. Gatekeepers, who follow the example of Jesus, are there to protect and guide, so that all may live life to its fullest.

 Reflection [I have added images]

A sheepfold is a simple thing,

it doesn’t require any great engineering.
There may not even be a gate…
at least in the physical sense.
A sheepfold without a gatekeeper
is not secure.
A sheepfold with a gatekeeper
is as safe as safe can be.
A gatekeeper knows his sheep,
he keeps them safe and secure.
They trust and follow him.
They know His voice.
A stranger cannot deceive.
A stranger will be ignored.
A stranger’s lies will not be believed.
A stranger will not be trusted.
The gatekeeper of our hearts—
does not deceive,
cannot be ignored,
can be believed and trusted.
Christ is our gatekeeper.
We are his flock.
As we enter the sheepfold
that is a life with Him,
we know he guards us,
loves us.

In him we find fresh pastures.

He is our gateway to life.

© Spill the Beans

 Gathering Activity

Issue everyone with a small cut out picture of a sheep (ideally on thick card) as they enter the worship space. Invite people to write something on the sheep of a time when they have known that God has been close to them, for example, they have felt protected, uplifted, loved. Invite people to keep the sheep in their pocket, purse, wallet or put it on the fridge at home to remind themselves of the ongoing protection and love of God. [spill the beans]

Affirmation of faith

 

I believe I need a shepherd.

— Copyright © 2002 Bruce D. Prewer. Posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.