Sermon Details

A Harvest Festival sermon preached by Rev Andrew Sails

at the Mint Methodist Churchat 10.30 a.m. on Sunday 25th Sept 2011

 

 

In the context of Christian Aid appeals for flood victims in Pakistan and Bangladesh

 

Readings: Genesis 8:20-22, 9:12-17, Revelation 22:1-5

Noah and the flood.

An ancient Hebrew myth

which plumbs the very depths of human fear and despair

It deals with the question:

Maybe, as a human race, we are so bad, so hopeless, that one day even God will give up on us,

he will (quite literally) say

“To hell with the lot of you - I’m done with this”.

But that’s not how the story ends. Having played with the idea

that God might just throw in the towel,

the Genesis story says that God will never do that. God promises Noah that never again

will he turn his back on humanity and destroy us in a flood.

But what about those pictures from Christian Aid which we saw earlier in the service?

Floods in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Where is Noah’s God now?



GOD IS SUFFERING WITH US IN THE FLOODWATERS

Yes - Floods, and all kinds of calamities, do still hit the earth - but they do not mean that God has given up on us.

When the flood strikes,

it is then that Christ dives into the waters to be alongside us in our hour of need.

Christ struggling for breath amidst the eddying waters, alongside his people to the end.

That’s how God keeps his rainbow promise.

Ask yourself:

Why was Jesus baptised in the Jordan?

He was sinless, but he went down into the waters of sin and death so that he might identify

with those needing forgiveness & show solidarity with us in the depth of our trials and tribulations.

This is the Jesus who died on a cross for me, to be with me in my most agonizing moment of life and death, sin and suffering.

And if (as is the case for some here today)

life is hell right now,

and you are full of heartache and regret and sheer raw grief: Remember - you may be drowning in the flood -

but Christ is there with you & your loved ones, waiting to rise with you from the waters of death

& greet the rainbow promise of new life in him.

That rainbow offered to Noah

is a wonderful sign of hope for all.

It has been taken up in our modern age

as a symbol of an inclusive human community

So gay groups use the rainbow to symbolize and affirm

their place within the wider human family.

And not only in South Africa but across the globe, the rainbow is used as a sign

that all races and colours and creeds

are a part of the multi-coloured rainbow people of God.

Remember God’s rainbow promise to Noah - he will never give up on us -

whatever we have been, whoever we are.

GOD WORKS THROUGH US TO MEND THE WORLD

But if God does not stop the floods,

that does not mean he is doing nothing

about the needs of our dark and sinful world.

You know the old (and I think apocryphal) story of the statue of Christ with outstretched arms erected outside one of our great Cathedrals. During World War Two, the statue was destroyed by a Luftwaffe bomb. After the war was over, all the broken and smashed pieces of masonry were painstakingly reassembled and the statue was rebuilt. But the hands had been smashed beyond repair. Should the builders fashion new hands of modern stone? In the end the decision as made to leave the figure of Christ with arms outstretched but with no hands . In front of

the statue a new inscription was placed which read simply "Christ has no hands but our hands."

“God why don’t you put the world right?” We cry.

And God replies - what a brilliant idea - when can you start?

And when we, through global warming and abuse of the planet,

allow sea levels to rise and great floods to ravage the lowlands,

God says - of course I want to put it right -

what are you gong to do in my name and in my power?

Once upon a time there was a great & dangerous cliff edge, and over the years lots of people fell from it and were seriously injured. The local community even bought an ambulance to carry victims

to hospital. Then one day someone said: Lets build a fence at the top of the cliff.

Of course in our world we need the fence and the ambulance. Please support our Christian Aid appeal today -

Christian Ad works to bring emergency Aid in crisis, (placing ambulances at the foot of the cliff)

but also works to change the world. (building fences to keep the vulnerable safe

in a world of global warming and economic injustice).

- Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.

- Give a woman a crab and you feed her for a day. Help her farm crabs and you feed her for life.

IN THE END THE RAINBOW WILL DEFEAT THE FLOOD

In a recent interview, Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff was asked about climate change. He said:

We humans are consuming 30 percent more than the Earth can replace…..The problem is the relation of the human being with the Earth, because it is a violent relationship, a closed fist... As long as we fail to change this, we are headed for the worst. And this time there is no Noah's Ark.  Either we save ourselves or we all perish.

Well yes - there is the gloomy truth -

which is why we thank God that God’s dealings with us are not limited to our own personal lifespan -

or even the lifespan of our civilization or planet earth.

Our New Testament scripture reminds us

of the coming City of God at the end of time. So God’s promise to Noah

will ultimately be fulfilled in all its fullness -

the powers of death and evil, which so threaten us, and sometimes seem to submerge us,

will ultimately be no more -

and we will find the peace and joy

of God’s final harvest home in heaven above.

So in conclusion

on this harvest day, let us:

· thank God for this planet earth

and for the riches of the harvest

· thank God for never deserting us, for holding our hand,

however deep the waters of sin and death which threaten to defeat us,

· thank God for his rainbow promise offered to each and every member

of the human race, whoever we are -

offering us at the end of our earthly journey

a place by the reviving waters of the river of life.

Meanwhile, whilst we await that day, let us start God’s work here and now -

making this world a bit more like that heavenly future.

In God’s name lets “take arms against a sea of troubles” Lets:

· give to Christian Aid

· campaign to tackle climate change

· fight against evil and greed and oppression, to preserve the riches of the planet

and share them equally with all God’s children.

Order of Service

Harvest Festival Sunday - 26th September 2011

10.30 a.m.  All Age Worship led by Rev Andrew Sails

Welcome and Notices

Hymn 351  “We plough the fields and scatter”

[During this hymn, harvest gifts are brought forward]

Opening Prayers

Talking about the Harvest

Selina and Asha’s Story: an Audio Visual Presentation

Hymn: “The harvest is here”  (see screen)

[During this hymn the young people leave for their sessions]

Readings for Creation Season (Year 2, Week 4):

Genesis 8:20-22, 9:12-17 (p.),  Revelation 22:1-5 (p. ) Climate Change and Harvest of Hope: Audio Visual Reflection Hymn: “Earth Is Gift of God's Creation” (see screen) Sermon: “Floods, Crabs and Harvest”

Hymn “Beauty for Brokenness” (see screen)

[During this hymn, the young people return, and a collection for Church funds will be taken.]

Young People talk about their activity session

Choir: “The Heavens are Telling” from Haydn’s Creation

The heavens are telling the glory of God,   The firmament displays the wonder of his works.   To day that is coming speaks it the day, The night that is gone, to following night. The heavens are telling the glory of God,   The firmament displays the wonder of his works.   In all the land resounds the word, Never unperceived, ever understood.   The heavens are telling the glory of God, The firmament displays the wonder of his works.

Prayers and Lord’s Prayer

Hymn 355  “Come, ye thankful people come” Blessing