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Title: The Twelve
Scripture: Luke 9:1-6
Speaker: Bill Shirlaw
Date: 29 January 2012
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| Title: | What does 'The Way' mean? |
| Reference: | John 14:5-14 |
| Notes: | Now, I am not so sure when it comes to the church. Do we really know what way we are going? Now you see, even Jesus’ disciples had problems knowing the way they were going. In this passage we have one of the most well known saying’s of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Now, this is quite a challenging. Some might say quite exclusive, that only some that make it to the ‘club’ will get in. Some might ask what about the good people who don’t come to Church? People might say that don’t other religions show the way to God? I want to try and answer these questions and ask the question what Jesus was meaning when he said these words. Over the centuries people have used this phrase to convert people, sometimes even brow beat people. Is that what Jesus would have wanted? For this, we need to take account of the setting that he was speaking in. We stand here today in 2009 and are here in this Church. Did Jesus mean to start a Church? People sometimes forget that Jesus was Jewish, he didn’t come to start a new religion. He came to tell people about God, his Father in heaven. Some people think that Jesus was crucified for starting a new religion. But there were loads of religions. Jesus came to start a revolution. He wanted people to be 'the Way’ That’s how early Christians were known. What was this way? It was love your neighbour. Looking after the least. The way of equality. The way of slave and free being equal. Of Jew and Greek. Of woman and children being given a place in society. This was revolution. This is why Jesus is also the ‘truth’ By the way that Jesus was, he lived out this ‘Way’ in how he was. He didn’t live by the ‘don’t do as I do, do as I say’ motto. He lived out the example for people to see. He caused a stir when he ate with the tax collectors and sinners of his day. If only we could be so brave and radical? The way that children were ushered into the inner circle and people were told to be like them to enter the kingdom of God. We miss the symbolism of some of the stories told in the Bible. Most of us know the story of Mary and Martha (read Luke 10:38-40) As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" ‘...a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet...’ We might think that there is nothing special about that, but consider this. When a Rabbi was teaching his disciples. Where were they placed? In rows? In pews or seats? They sat at their teachers’ feet. What does that make Mary? Jesus is also the ‘life’ Jesus talks about having life to the full and having it now. Isn’t it true we are all searching for meaning to our lives? Again to think of the times and culture that this was being said. People would have the Psalms and Proverbs ringing in their ears. This was their education system remember Proverbs 6:23;For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. Proverbs 10:17; He who heeds discipline shows the way to life. Psalm 16:11. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Jesus is saying I am that path. I am that way. The world doesn’t have to be unfair, full of suspicion and hatred, full of elite wee groups that look down on the rest. It can be this radical life changing way that leads to revolution in your communities. ...and he makes this remarkable claim. “No one comes to the father except through me.” Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in Heaven, eternal life and all that has to offer. Some will say, but don’t all paths lead to God? My answer would have to be no. Jesus’ message is different from all the others. There is no other message like it. None so inclusive, forgiving, challenging. Every other makes second class citizens of someone. The way that Jesus points us is a way to freedom from the oppression that ruins the world. In our day, it’s freedom from consumerism, addictions, poverty, and so much else. That’s the way that Jesus points us. That’s the truth he wants us to understand. That’s the life that he wants to see is possible. The church when it is at its best. Get’s it brilliantly right, but when we have got it wrong, we have got it badly, badly wrong. Sometimes the Church has turned so many away by the double standards and hypocrisy that goes on inside its doors. People will sometimes say to me that they know people who have never been to Church and have been better Christians than they could ever be. What happens to them? So why should we come to church. Because together we are stronger. Because together we can achieve more. Because when the church is at its best it can change its community. Together we can be part of a revolution. |
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