Reflection – 3 July 2022

It Can Be a Rough Road

 

Around 1970 – 1971, I changed living quarters on five or six occasions.  Each time I was able to load all my earthly possessions either into, or onto, the roof of my little Toyota Corolla.  I don’t think I could do that today!

At some time in our life we have all prepared to leave home.  It could be because:

• We have decided to leave the family home such as when I left Kempsey to come to Sydney for work and university;
• We moved into another stage of life such as getting married; or
• We went on holiday.

It doesn’t matter what the reason, we usually go prepared.

Take Tarragon for example, she came to Sydney last week to dance in the national highland dancing competitions held last Saturday and Sunday.  To participate she needed to bring her kilts, dancing shoes and all the other paraphernalia that goes into competitive dancing.  She came prepared not only for the dance competitions, but also time with Granny and Grandpa.

Contrast Tarragon’s experience with what Jesus gets the disciples to do when they are sent out on a missionary journey.

They are told to go:

• without even a bag to carry small items;
• Without any food; and
• A preparedness to cope with snakes and scorpions!

In other words, rather than taking these instructions literally, we are exhorted to travel light; don’t be distracted; be intentional; take everything you need, but nothing that will weigh you down.  And in doing so, don’t be the joyless obsessional who might turn others away from Christ and His Good News.

 

There are two stories intertwined in this reading from Luke brought to us by Sue.

First there is the headline grabbing one where the disciples share and reflect on the gifts they have discovered during their travels.  They found that demons responded to and submitted to their instruction, Satan falling and so on.

And the second one reflects the sense of community the disciples create when they were on their travels and then amongst themselves on their return.   Importantly, they learned to trust strangers with whom they interacted and with each other as they shared their experiences.           

So, why were the 70 (or 72) being sent out?  Whether it was 70 or 72 is immaterial.  70 could be the 70 nations of the world identified in Genesis Chapter 10, or the 70 elders chosen by Moses from the 12 tribes of Israel.  It doesn’t matter what numerical association you want, the number is a signal to us that Jesus’ directions relate to all His followers, including us today. 

They were following Jesus’ instruction to bring, amongst other things:

• the Good News to everyone;
• give sight to the blind; and
• proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.

If Jesus was alive today, we would probably give him our professional advice that this could be done in two ways:

1. Be a superhero with super powers (e.g. Superman); or
2. Establish the desired outcome through grace, peace and bravery – in other words, by emulating the example of Jesus.

 

 

I want to suggest that the second way is the more difficult way – sometimes referred to as “the road less travelled”.  Here we travel into the world with vulnerability and fragility, armed only with a message.  In taking this way, we must be prepared and sure that the message speaks for itself. The message must have the ability to liberate and bring life to those who hear it.  It does not need a show of power.  We, us, everything of ourselves must be invested in that message.

By going out in pairs, the disciples provide support for one another.  In proclaiming the message together, they must trust each other implicitly.  Their enthusiasm will be captured by the hearers, and with gentle persuasion and by the grace of God, come to faith.

Our faith is built around the community of Carlingford Uniting Church – a community that supports and cares for each other.

As we emerge from the low points of the pandemic, hopefully we have seen that the super power of an action hero is not required.  Rather, it is our prayer that the message of Jesus has been seen and heard through the support offered by others in the community.  Carlingford has stepped up to the plate through providing support to others in the wider community.  For example, we have provided support to:

• Hope Connect (food and quilts);
• Parramatta Mission/ Wesley Apartments (Donation, quilts); and
• The outreach ministries of mainly music and Women on Wednesdays!

These practical activities, together with prayer, are important components (but not the only ones) of creating a community of faith here on Earth.

 

 

 

Let me draw out three thoughts from the passage we heard today, which started with the words: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few”.

1. We need workers
   If we all just go to church each Sunday and sit there and praise God, and then at the end walk out hopefully saying “thank you” to the worship leader, eventually we will end up with an empty church.
   Look at the situation we are confronted with here at CUC. We are an aging and declining church that is getting smaller each year.  Up there in the office one can find a Members’ Roll (2007?) containing over 300 names.  Now, the Members Roll has around 50 names on it!  That represents a decline of over 80 per cent in less than one generation.
   It is the experience of many churches and it is this situation that provides the platform for the discussions with WEUC.

It is no secret that Uniting Church congregations will probably continue
to merge or collaborate.  Of course, this needs to be done strategically.  At Carlingford and West Epping, we are praying that the decisions of our recent Joint Church Council meeting will be such that we will have a continuing presence in the Carlingford/ West Epping area.
We need to be connected to Jesus and draw inspiration from him and his Spirit at work in our lives.

We are to bear fruit, and as Gail’s message last week reminded us, this is in the form of the “fruits of the Spirit”- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness and self-control.  They can make the difference when we go out to God’s harvest fields.

2. Secondly, we have to go out into the field to reap the harvest.
   Who were these 70? Presumably they had been on the scene for a long time working quietly and efficiently in the background.  They were strong in both faith and spirit and were willing to work for God.  At this time in His ministry, Jesus was starting to plan for his last days; He was within six months of his crucifixion.
   
   
   I was reminded this week of the Old Testament reading brought to us last week from 2 Kings; the story of Elijah passing on his ministry to Elisha.  When Elijah told Elisha that his life was coming to an end, Elisha had two options:
            become a follower; or
   b.        be a fan
   Elisha could easily have been caught up in the questions of how, what and the why of this story and lose sight of all the nurturing that Elijah had been investing in him.   In this situation, Elisha would be a follower.
   
   Alternatively, Elisha could have got caught up in the moment and focus on his mentor’s greatness and celebrate his holiness and venerate him.  In other words, he could become a fan, not a follower. 
   
   However, we saw that Elisha asks for a double share of Elijah’s wisdom and in so doing he makes it clear that he wants to live the life rather than celebrate the memory.  He wants to continue the journey they have begun and take up where his mentor has left off.  And this wish is granted.
   
   It is important at this time in the life of our church here at Carlingford that we dedicate our gifts and skills to God’s Kingdom.  In so doing, we must also be equipped with his power and have a clear vision of what he wants us to do.
    
   The joint Church Councils have identified the primary goal of calling a Minister of the Word with experience in Asian culture to establish a new congregation sourced from the medium and high-rise apartment blocks in the Carlingford Precinct area.  We are setting out on a journey which requires us to consciously seek to connect with people in the wider community in service, in the name of Jesus.  Central to this ministry is the need to underpin it with a ministry of prayer, praying for the unsaved people in these apartments and that other concerned disciples will join the Church Planter in reaching out to them.
   
   Let me bold, as part of this transitional period of calling a new Minister of the Word, I want to ask you to review your giving to God’s work in this area.  The two Church Councils are going forward in faith into this area of ministry.  Whilst there are bequest and other working funds available for the next few years, these will slowly diminish without a substantial increase in giving to cover the establishment and on-going costs of the new ministry.  Whilst our Treasurer Trevor’s report at the Congregational Meeting on 17 July will provide significant detail, I invite you to prayerfully consider your current giving to ensure we have a strong platform upon which this ministry will commence.
3. Hard work brings rewards
   The work the disciples were asked to do was not easy. Not only was there opposition to their message, people were ridiculing them and calling them names.  Doors were slammed in their faces and backs were turned on them.
   
   Does this sound familiar – how do we respond when the Jehovah Witnesses and the Mormons come calling at our door?  You can’t knock them, at least they are going out to people and trying to engage them and talk about their faith. (When did we last speak about our faith?)
   
   In contrast, some people stopped and some listened, some began to think and some committed their lives to following God.  Whatever we say or do in telling others about God we will find both rejection and acceptance.
   
   When we face our enemies in this world, we should do so with love and gentleness, not aggression.
   
   The disciples put their trust and faith in God.  They took nothing with them because Jesus did not want them to be burdened with distractions or concerns.  Rather, he wanted them to be focussed on their mission and on God.
   
   And when they returned, having done what Jesus instructed, they were full of enthusiasm and excitement because they had seen fantastic results as they ministered in Jesus’ name and with his authority.  They were on an emotional and spiritual high.
   
   And what was their reward?  Their names were written in heaven – our ultimate reward as followers of our Lord Jesus.
   
4. The Outcome
   So, the next time we have the opportunity to help out, let us give unreservedly of our time. If we act in the name of the church, and of God, people can see that we are on a mission for God.  They can see that we are actually practising what we are preaching.
   
   A negative mindset does not help.  Rather, we need to be looking to God and actively seeking His guidance for the future.  Our faith needs to be joined by hope and love in order that we faithfully remain in Jesus and bear the fruit God wants us to bear.
   
   Let us be open to the leading of the Spirit….. for God is a God of newness and is not bound by the past or the present.  Let us not be anxious about the survival of the Christian faith or the closure of church buildings.  Be confident in your faith and be ready to share it with others.
   
   And perhaps that next time is when the placement of a Church Planter Minister of the Word commences their ministry here in the Carlingford Precinct.  Let us be preparing and let us be ready.

Amen