40 Acts - Day 40: ' SACRIFICE '

Lent is usually marked by giving up: chocolate, TV, social media, whatever it is—we 'sacrifice' those everyday pleasures as a discipline. But how much of a sacrifice have we made? How far should our sacrifice go? Today – as Lent concludes and we look forward to the new hope that Easter brings - we’re turning it up a notch. We’re going to ask you to commit to a life of sacrifice, beyond just simple abstinence. It’s time to reconnect to the ancient view of sacrifice, to offer up our very best to God. The kind of sacrifice which opens our hearts and minds to a life of true generosity.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

Ephesians 5: 1-2

When Pastor Tony Morley heard about the desperate need for a new kidney facing a member of his congregation, he and his wife Joyce prayed. Seeing the impact that the three-times-a-week dialysis was having on the young woman, he offered himself as a potential live organ donor and started the lengthy process to determine if he was a match. Tony shared his story with the Stewardship team recently. In his own words:
“John 13 tells us to ‘Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.’

“Love is incredibly practical. Joyce and I discussed this. She is a nurse so we had an idea of what we were getting into, and we talked about the risk with major surgery as well as the practical recovery issues.”

The results came back – positive. Tony was a match and given the all clear for surgery.

The operation went well, but Tony’s recovery was far from perfect, taking twelve weeks instead of the usual six. From Tony’s perspective, this was also a gift, providing him time to reflect on how and why he chose to give his kidney. “We were connected by similar pasts” he discovered, with both having lost loved ones to kidney disease.

The transplant was a success and his recipient rejoices in a functioning kidney and a heart full of gratitude for the generosity and sacrifice of her donor.

It’s a big story and one that few of us can, or may get the chance to, replicate.

And today, this Holy Saturday, we stand in the shadow of an even bigger story - of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Many of us taking part in 40acts will be looking to tomorrow, recognising and accepting the hope that Jesus gave us by offering His best, His life, in place of our own. Some of you might still be exploring and questioning whether you believe the Easter narrative is true – our prayer for you this weekend is that you’ll discover comfort and truth in the resurrection of Jesus.

In Romans 12 v 1 we read: “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.”

It can be easy at times to fall into the trap of saying to ourselves, “What have I got to offer, that God might possibly want or use?” or “Is my gift good enough?” and limit our own experience of generosity as a result.

Today, we challenge you to go all in. To be a living, breathing, all-day-everyday sacrifice. Something alive and active – so much more than just a ‘giving up’. An offering, a giving of our best to God. And He, as creator of all things and originator of all gifts, is ready to receive them with arms outstretched.

Throughout 40acts, we have been blown away by the daily examples of you, us, our community, offering up our best. We have been humbled by the stories of those who felt God saying, “This is what I want from you today,” even if it meant stepping firmly out of a comfort zone, sacrificing self in favour of others, or stretching ourselves beyond self-imposed limits.

As we reach the end of Lent for another year, let’s look back and celebrate what we’ve achieved together, and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned about ourselves and our giving along the way.

We might not all give a kidney like Pastor Tony, but our best gifts are yet to come.

What generous act are you being called to make today, or commit to, beyond 40acts?

For the rest of the year? For the rest of your life?

What will you sacrifice to do Life generously?


Today's blog was written by the 40acts Team from Stewardship. 
Find out more about us here.

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Penal Substitutionary Atonement (PSA) - the beginning of a journey

My understanding of the cross and Jesus' place on it comes down to something like this:

• Jesus, the Christ, died on the cross in the place of sinners – as a substitute for them.

• On the cross Jesus took upon Himself our sins and endured the separation and punishment (the penal bit) that was ours.

• And the shedding of Jesus’ blood and His death pays the price of our sin – and cancels its debt.

• Thus man and God are reconciled and the relationship is restored (atonement making amend, restoring relationship) in this one atoning act.

Now this is great, news and pretty simple to understand, or so you might think, but in fact this is a most contentious topic!

In and around there are so many areas of disagreement and much debate (so any peace Jesus brought can immediately be tossed in the bin!). I’m going to try to see what safe passage through the rocks, sirens and storms might be found. I will undoubtedly (as some will tell me) get it wrong, but hey ho, wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t would it? I have been told by some that I adopt a classic PSA stance whilst others tell me that I need to adopt exactly that whilst more still tell me I'm  *!*!**  (well, shouldn’t swear, should we? So we’ll merely pass that one by)!

My understanding is that sin causes separation because, to quote that great theologian and engineer, Montgomery Scott (Star Trek), ‘You can’t mix matter and anti-matter!’ Indeed, as even the Gnostics realised, God is all good and man is corrupt and flawed and because of this the two had to have a degree of separation or else – kaboom!  So this is where we found ourselves separated and without any hope until Jesus decides to get down there and sort stuff out.

Now this is an important issue for I believe Jesus came as man because He saw the need and decided to do what was needed rather than found Himself merely following orders from the Father (with whom He [and the Holy Spirit] are equal) because if He didn’t then those who beat their breasts and scream about ‘cosmic child abuse’ might just have a point. So this is something we need to visit on our journey (Sent/Went).

Within this issue we come to the sticky issues of ‘satisfaction’ and ‘wrath’ because some would have it that in Jesus death on the cross ‘satisfied God’s wrath’ – now this is an area that causes some real angst because regarding ‘wrath’ and ‘God’ I have to say that I don't see God's wrath being aimed at, or poured out, on Jesus and with regard to sin have also to point you to Scotty once mor. But this does indeed highlight another issues for investigation (God/Wrath).

Some will point us to a quote from Hebrews 9.22 which tells us that:
‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.’

So Jesus is sacrificed for us to atone (pay) for our sins – handy that because this fits well with the Passover and stuff we derive from there. (Pascal Lamb/Shedding of Blood).

God wants to forgive but, as some would have it, He isn’t big enough to do so without the debt caused by sin and the rift being mended – So He holds His breath until it’s sorted (and He can you know). If we are not careful we can make God just a little petty here and yet it also makes Him pretty consistent too (and I like consistent) – but it’s a consideration we need to have had and resolved I reckons (petty/legalistic/loving).

All in all as I struggle with this (and believe me, I will struggle) there is the tension between the accountant and lawyer God and the loving and compassionate God to be dealt with. Cold and calculating versus warm inclusive – Not going to be easy is it?

It will not be a quick journey because I’m going to have to read and think (aaargh) and pray (phew!) and get into all that sort of stuff that makes my head hurt before we reach a conclusion that some/may/all* will disagree with. But it will be an honest journey and if on the way it causes you pain, frustration or something else – I apologise for being unapologetic.

Pax

ps. here's a little something to start the journey:

* delete as applicable

A love that speaks of sacrifice

A love that speaks of sacrifice
Comforting words at Easter as we speak of Jesus the Christ
Stirring words as He stands before the Sanhedrin
Intellectually challenging words as He stands before Pilate (twice)
Mocking words as He stands before Herod
Bloody awful words as the scourge bites and the nails pierce
Triumphal words as the tomb is found empty

Words that ring true as the phone rings at three in the morning
As someone across the square makes a beeline for you
Or the person who once stood shoulder to shoulder with you
(Or should have)
Denies and dismisses you before all who will listen
Challenges you to take up your cross too

And the pain
The barb that tears?

The believer who,
glibly,
easily,
carelessly says:

'I could never
 I would never
 I don't want to - It's not my calling'

The cruellest barb of all

Honouring the dead - Not glorifying war

Today I will have occasion to stand in silence with men, women and children as we remember, and give thanks for, those who have given their lives in conflict - peace being the prize they sought and death being the price.

We will remember those who, as civilians, have had lives, homes and lifestyles marred and taken away - and pray that wars will cease and justice, mercy and humility become the prevailing conditions within across this globe.

We will pray for those who have served and for those who serve, remembering those who find themselves on operational tours, those preparing for tours and the families and friends they leave (or will leave) behind.

We will pray for those members of NGOs and other organisations who leave the comfort and security of home to work for a better world; for those who work for peace.

Today is not a day when war becomes glorious - for it never has or will be (as those who promote the myth would know had they had the courage to serve or the integrity to dialogue honestly) - but a day to remember those who have 'gone to glory' (for that is what 'glorious dead' means. Today is a day to commit ourselves to bringing about the peace others have given their lives to win.

Please take a moment today to visit your local cenotaph or war memorial and pay your respects - visit your local church and be one of the many voices that pray for peace, remember the dead and commit to living a just and equitable life.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The words of John 15 above talk of the reasons we honour the dead and the reason that so many of us do so in the name of a man who did exactly what the verse says for us all.

May we learn to make the peace of the world a reality and may the peace of the risen Christ be with us all today. 

Thought for the Day: Seven Dangers

I love this and thought that it might just make a good point for reflection today - especially as it will also enable those who moan about me being 'too Christian' (like Duh!) to have someone who was not a Christian as the source for a change.

The word 'Church'

One of the biggest issues I have been confronted with for some time surrounds the word 'Church'.

Of course the reason for this is the British government's decisions over certain other (yawn) issues and I, for one, am perhaps not just bored to death with it all and the distractions that it brings but also in some small part just a little grateful.

Surprised? (of course you are - so let me explain)

The two 'churches'  that have been most quoted as being in favour of, and wishing to, provide 'religious' services for you know what are the Quakers and the Unitarians.

So we have to perhaps first and foremost ask ourselves what these two groups are and how we should regard them - and the answer to this is:

NOT CHRISTIAN!

So what we actually have is two non-Christian groups (and the use of the word 'church' is valid here in the context of relating it means and bunch of people who hold to the same views, beliefs (for atheists, political types and others all have tenets of belief and understanding). What they are not is (think I've said this) Christian and so it is perhaps not a surprise that they wish to do as they do.

Just to refresh memories (as I have said this before too - take a looks at VtV's past):

QUAKERS

Origins: England

Began in: Mid-Seventeenth Century Founder: George Fox (UK), William Penn (USA)

Membership: c. 200,000 worldwide

Bible: It's a good read and can yield some interesting and quite motivational stuff, but it's no more special than any other book out there. It most certainly isn't the inspired Word of God and although it might be found within a Quaker setting, it would only be one of many other books that might inspire or motivate and be merely equal to the rest.

Beliefs: To use their own words, "Quakers do not share a fixed set of beliefs."
They are essentially another brand of (universalist) Unitarians who meet together and have a 'shared understanding' but no common or unifying creed, concept of God and like the Unitarians find Pagans (of which there seems to be a lot of) rubbing shoulders with atheists and other philosophical and religious thinking.

Everyone has something (the light) of God within them and that all are equal regardless of belief, behaviour or practices.

This is one of the reasons they are pacifistic (another Unitarian characteristic), because all are right there is no need to defend or push one's views, just a need to protect those of others.

So, God is Love and the light of God shines through us all such that we need no person, creeds or books to guide us for we experience our own redemption from within and live it externally (think I've understood this correctly).

Like other groups, the key is on the outworking and so Quakers seek to make the world a better place (not a bad goal) and engage in human rights (because all choices are valid and all people are equally valid too), social justice, environmental issues, the peace movement and above all, the freedom to act and believe as one feels is right.

Conscience is all!

They don't have the Bible, they don't have the Trinity and they don't do anything that would otherwise be considered 'sacramental'.

As a bit of a parting shot, I understand that the name 'Friends' derives from John 15:14: where Jesus says: "You are my friends if you do what I command you." 

A bit of an enigma appearing here as they are doing what someone commands and yet not believing in Him, the One who sent Him, or the third member of the Trinity!

Are they Christian?
Obviously the answer is 'No'.!

I would be amazed at the number of people who assume that the Quakers (AKA Religious Society of Friends) are Christians if it were not for the fact that I also (a long time ago) used to assume the same thing!

Listening to a couple of Quakers on the Radio a while back, it appears that they were canvassing the general public regarding what opinions might be popular for the Quakers to have and were commenting on how popular being a Quaker had been last time they updated their attitudes. All very egalitarian and as damning as it might be applause-worthy (I fear)!

UNITARIANS

Origins:Transylvania and Poland Began in:16th Century

Founder: Francis David

Membership: c. 750,000

 Bible: Although regarded as valuable the Bible is fallible and therefore not regarded as authoritative. Or as one book I read on the issue stated, "It needs to be read with a degree of reason, logic and a pinch of salt. At the end of the day the truth within it is dependent upon that which the reader wishes it to have!"

The Bible is just one of many sources, sacred or secular, which can be used in the services for no one book has the monopoly on religious truth.

 Beliefs: There is a strong belief that there is only one God but it is obvious that this means little in reality. In fact, it appears that views regarding God are such that he is a cosmic force, a convenient name given for natural (and supernatural) forces, a hindrance to any unified existence and an unnecessary encumbrance.

Don't think we even need to consider their views from a Credal or Christian trinitarian setting as there simply isn't one. Jesus ranges from a freedom fighter, a pacifistic visionary and a poet and there's many other takes on Him besides.

The bottom line is that He is neither man made God or God made man, he's merely a bloke.

The Holy Spirit, like Jesus, continues the pattern in their non-trinitarian beliefs (understandable as they don't have a first member (God) either) but fares a little better than the other two (Father and Son) as the new age 'cosmic force' or as an eastern 'spiritual force'. But, at best, He's still an 'it'. Seeing unity in all things, no matter how apparently diverse, this is a group who try to bring all things together in a way that allows for a very wide range of beliefs and doubts. All are free to believe whatever they wish in unity with others and the more diversity there is the more there is an opportunity to also find some unity.

To this end it is possible to find a degree of pluralism that many faiths are embraced and lifestyles validated. So much so that within one group it is possible to find Jews, Christians, Pagans, Atheists, Buddhist and Hindus happily co-existing.

There are no creeds or set beliefs for all, or none, are valid.

There are no ministers, for all lead themselves as they make their own journey and plot their own beliefs because, obviously, there are no exclusive or primary truths. That said, there are core values of love, respect and unity. After all, unity with all things in all things is what they're about.

Seems also that the key evidence of being a unitarian is 'making a difference'.

Their motto should be 'actions not words' as I see it and it is because of this that we see them often in caring professions and roles within society.

Basically, for a bunch who are happy to admit just about everything, they omit or deny quite a bit!

They deny just about everything that is Christian: the Trinity, Jesus' Deity, sin (just ain't there and there's no need for redemption if that's gone - so no need of Jesus).

The Bible's dodgy, flawed, fallible and equal to everything (including Viz!) and yet they still call themselves 'Christian' (which I think in this setting means 'Humane' or 'kind').

Are they Christian? I have to fall back on something Donald Guthrie once said in a lecture:

"Those who believe everything in fact find themselves believing nothing!" and it is here that the answer 'No' becomes rather obvious.

So what's the problem? The government are happy to let gatherings or groups of people to exist in the religions of their own making and let these 'churches' conduct same-sex marriages. Not only that but they wish to make it illegal for Christian churches (ie. Church of England and the Church in Wales) to conduct same.

Personally, I'm more than happy to see that upheld by law - after all it does provide a measure of security as people strive to keep the law (God's and man's).

Simples methinks :-)

Church - our core is . . .

Loving others with a love like that which Jesus (the Christ) has shown us to form relationships with those with whom we come into contact (and whom we, like Jesus, seek to serve). Relationships which enable us to come alongside just as the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, does with us by revealing, reconciling, inspiring, motivating (and mobilising) and bringing healing.

This is our individual and corporate calling.

The gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit as He reveals those things to us which separate us from God and one another is no different from that which we are called to do also and this cannot be done from a distance or with those who are distant from us (or vv). It only comes through having a relationship and this means that we need to be accessible and outward facing.

Reconciliation is not what we do but who we are. Reconciling man to man and man to God.

Inspiring people to think, live and respond rightly. So often we fail to respond to others the way that Christ calls us to do and yet it is by our example that others will learn and if they're not in relationship with us, how can they see the examples we are [Mind you knowing the example I can be at times it might be better if they didn't see me ;-) ]  ?

Motivating (and mobilising) those around us, especially those who are distant from God in oh so many ways, is something that we do by being contagious Christians. People see the difference in us and the difference we make because of that difference and want to be part of it. We have had some people who have come into contact with us because of the things that they see and they want to make a difference too! Motivation comes from two directions but we take our model from the Great Shepherd (Jesus) rather than the Western shepherd.  The difference?

The sheep follow Jesus because they know His voice and trust Him whilst with the Western model the shepherd walks behind the sheep kicking them up the behindside until he gets them where he wants them.

Now there's a challenge for some who would be leaders!

Finally we come alongside and bring healing to those around us. Whether it is by affirming them or standing with them in their troubles; taking their part in courts, council offices, social services, debt agencies and the so many other places where being broken, beaten and worthless becomes heightened and despair reaches its lowest point. In weeping with those who are dying or just holding a hand and being a friend. Church and healing are synonymous but of course only where we have the the ability because we are alongside!

So, just to recap, the core business of the Church is:

BEING THERE WITH THE OTHER PERSON

BECAUSE OF CHRIST!

After all - Jesus didn't shout at us from a pulpit but got in the poo and, coming alongside us, swam with us to lead us out of it. New life in Christ comes about by obedient and sacrificial lives in Christ.

Pax

Francis of Assisi

Poor old St Francis. I have an overwhelming desire to paint a statue of St Francis with bird droppings on his shoulders and a goat munching at his brown habit. He's always seen with birds on his shoulders, sheep at his feet and other animals nuzzling and generally milling around him and because of this so many people miss the bloke for who and what he was.

Francis (AKA Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone) is more than this. A rich kid who touched a leper, bothered a bishop during his mealtime, gave away his clothes and walked home naked, gave up a rich and excessive lifestyle for a life of poverty and service. This bloke has it all and is for us a rich and demanding example should we but examine his life.

So why not look past 'All creatures of our God and King' and the 'must have' rendition of 'Make me a channel . . ' and take some pointers from the man and his life:

Dare to touch those who are outcast (this means get involved - don't go and poke the first Big Issue seller you see!).

Dare to challenge the possessions that possess and control you (we all have them).

Dare to take God at face value and live as He calls us.

Give thanks for a man whose life inspires and instructs should we but allow it.

Happy Frankie Day

Finished? It hasn't started yet!

Four O'clock in the morning and I see the words, "It is finished! all the debt is paid!"

My mind, full of being somewhere else, the turmoil of being betrayed by Judas, seized by men with mob, clubs and swords at the ready and dragged before the High Priest and Elders, has gone. The visits to Herod and Pilate are passed by and the cries of 'crucify him' are never aired.

Before it has even begun, Good Friday is done and we can rush, triumphantly, towards the victory of Easter Sunday.

Can we not watch with him these short hours?

Must we hasten past today to avoid the guilt, the pain, the sheer bloody horror of it all to embrace the triumph and the victory?

I think not.

Lord,
Snatched from the garden,
Betrayed by a friend,
Bound and accused,
Spat upon and beaten,
All for me - I love you.

Give me the courage to follow where You lead,
To stand before accusers and bless, not condemn.
To show in my life, just a little of the reality that is You.
To walk towards the Cross down a one-way street,
knowing - this is just the beginning!