I have to confess that when I first read the passage of scripture, which was
to be the source of my first sermon, I felt somewhat daunted, but at the same
time, highly privileged. To preach is to be given the responsibility of either
fostering or hindering the spiritual progression of another. Throughout the
Church's history, priests and ministers, lay and ordained have, week by week,
fed their listeners with food that has nourished and sustained. However, the
opposite is also true. Untold damage has been wrought by the administration
of advice, and the upholding of convictions, which have caused many to stumble,
or even deny their faith.
In today's gospel reading, Jesus shows us that he is also aware that there are those who, albeit with good intention, have led women and men to stumble. But we are also told that the sheep did not listen to them. Jesus then goes on to say that he is the gate, and that the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
For many Christians, especially those in positions of authority, there is a tendency to exaggerate the threat posed by those of other denominations; to claim superior knowledge, or worse, to claim to be the sole guardians of Truth. For such people, Jesus' promise of salvation becomes part of their manifesto. In other words, to be saved, one must adhere to the rules of one's own particular Church. And yet, the blame does not rest solely at the feet of those who offer salvation by fear. We ourselves are quite content to listen to the voice of fear in our own lives. Most of us gathered here will recognise the times when we have listened to the voice of fear, only to be sorely disappointed when its promises are not delivered. We then remain in a state of perplexity, waiting to be saved and yet, through our own fault, denying ourselves life. Jesus promises us that whoever enters by him will be saved, and will come in, and go out, and find pasture.
'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' As children of God, Jesus has through his life, death and resurrection, saved us from sin; from the punishment of death, which we are too hasty to inflict upon ourselves, and has opened the gate to life. For many believers, to live a life open to God does in fact equate to denying oneself that life which Jesus has won for us; that life which God wills us to live.
I am reminded of a sermon I once heard preached in a Roman Catholic church, and a rather traditional Roman Catholic church at that! In the gospel, we had witnessed the act of Jesus turning water into wine, at the wedding in Cana. The priest then invited the congregation to be challenged by acknowledging the fact that Jesus' ministry began by turning that which is mundane, into something which is vibrant and joyful; turning water into wine. I wonder how many of us have recognised the fact that Jesus' first sign of his glory, was given at a party! In a society which tends to overstate the importance of much that is trivial, a society which by all accounts, if we are to accept as progressive, leads to a denial of that which is life-giving.
As Christians; as partakers of the resurrection, we have been raised to new life with him who turns water into wine. 'Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture.' We are indeed saved if only we will but listen to him who leads us to pasture. As Christians, we believe in a life that is full; in a life that is rich, vibrant, and death-denying.
And so let us not deny ourselves anything that is good. Instead, let us with Christ, begin to recognise our life as a party. A party where we are invited to sing, to dance, and to love! Let us remove the shackles of fear, and refuse to listen to the voices that bring deception and death. Rather, let us listen to the voice of Jesus, leading us, loving us, and saying to each one of us: 'I have come that YOU may have life, and have it abundantly.'
Amen.
(Matthew Horton)
This
sermon was first preached in the Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester.
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