​Prodigal Son - Loving Father

Over the last few weeks Michael has been teaching us about real Christian love. How we should be less selfish, less proud, more patient, not keeping records of wrong and not delighting in evil. I have been very struck each week that the quality we look at is shown to perfection by God our Heavenly Father. I would like to spend a few minutes this morning looking at how God’s love for us is manifested by looking at the story of the Prodigal son. The parable is maybe better titled as the story of the Compassionate and Loving Father.
In the beginning we see the younger son ask his father for his inheritance. Our video showed an immediate response with a bag of gold being handed over. But in those times and also now getting a share of inheritance generally means selling land, livestock, building and property and shares. In doing that the remaining estate is less profitable. But the father in our story is willing to do that and give his son what he has asked for. The father is also willing to let his son go – a child he loves and delights in and also potentially an extra hand on the farm and someone to care for him in later life. Very unselfish traits. We see this again at the end of the story when the father is willing to put aside his own joy and celebration to go and chat and encourage the older son who refuses to come to the party. He puts his own interests aside for the benefit of his son. Also those words he says – everything I have is yours are again very unselfish. He leaves nothing for himself, no little nest egg for a pleasant life in old age, he has and will give it all away.
And God our heavenly Father does the same with us. He gave us His most precious possession- He beloved only Son, to come to this world and die to save us from our sins. We have heard it said that our salvation is a free gift , and it is for us, but it was a very costly act on God and Jesus’ part- it cost them everything, they kept nothing back. And just because they love us so much.  Our Father loves us with a truly unselfish love.
The younger son goes away, wastes all his money, eventually comes to his senses and heads back home. In verse 20 we read – while he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His father could only have seen him if he was looking out for him. I like to think that from the time the son left, the father spent a lot of his time sitting on his front porch or at the town gates watching and waiting and hoping that his son would come back. We are led to believe that he was a wealthy man and could have well afforded to send his servants to go looking for the son to see if he was ok. But he didn’t, he waited and waited, for weeks, months, years we don’t know but he waited patiently letting the son decide for himself when or if to return. A very patient love.
And our Heavenly Father is also very patient with us. He wants each person to come to Him, to be in relationship with Him, to fulfil the unique plans and purposes He has for everyone. But He is a real gentleman, He doesn’t coerce, force, push or pull us. It must be so hard for Him watching us struggle and go the wrong way, knowing all the rich blessing He has in store for us, that he could very easily give us. But He loves us and He waits for us to come to Him in our own time. He loves us with an amazingly patient love.
When the father sees his son, he runs to him. Men of his position and stature didn’t run in those days and certainly didn’t associate with dirty, stinking wretches which is what his son had become. But the father was willing to break all those cultural rules, without caring who saw him and run to his son, maybe even getting down on the dirty road, put his arms round him and kiss him. He probably got filthy and smelly in doing that, but he didn’t care, pride in his position didn’t matter any more because his son had come back. He was willing to humble himself in the eyes of his peers and get down on the same level as his filthy son.
And isn’t that what Our Heavenly Father has done for us. He the creator of the world, all powerful, all seeing, all knowing, everywhere present, King of kings. He was and is willing to come down to our level, to associate with us, human sinners, who really are filthy in His totally pure and Holy eyes. But He in Jesus came to this world to become one of us and as Philippians 2v8 tells us He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross- the worst and most cruel kind of death possible. And He did that because of His love for us – a love that is very humble and not proud.
The son begins on his prepared speech – Father I have sinned against heaven and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son. The message translation adds in some amazing words – But the father wasn’t listening, he wasn’t listening to the apology. I don’t know about you, but if I was in that position I would want to know that the son was sorry for all the wrong things he had done, and boy had he done a lot of wrong. He had forced the division of the estate. He had an arrogant disregard for his father’s authority as head of the family. He squandered his inheritance in wild living. He went to work for a pig farmer. Jews of that day did not go near pigs because they are seen as unclean. But this guy wanted to eat pig feed – he had really sunk to the lowest level possible. But his father wasn’t listening, he was not interested , he had no intention of keeping any record of the wrongs done to him. He was overjoyed to have his son back again.
And isn’t that a picture of how God deals with us when we come to Him in repentance. 1 John 1 v 9 tells us – if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes we do need to confess our sins to God and turn away from doing them again, But God will forgive us and cleanse us. And He even goes further. Hebrews 8 v 12 tells us – I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Our loving Heavenly Father keeps no record of our wrongs. What an amazing blessing- there is no list, there is no record, all our sins are washed away and forgotten because of the blood that Jesus the perfect Lamb shed for us.
The father in our story doesn’t take the opportunity either to show some schadenfreude, or as the message translates it – he doesn’t revel while others grovel. Again if it was me there would probably be a bit of well you deserve what happened to you because of what you did. Bad actions always have consequences.  Didn’t I tell you this would happen. But the father isn’t doing any of that. He isn’t listening. He is planning a party. The past is in the past and will stay there. The only thing that matters is that the son is home again.
And our heavenly Father is the same. He won’t revel while we grovel in our confession and repentance. He is just so happy that we have come back to Him and ask for His forgiveness. The past is forgotten and He is celebrating our return to Him.
There is another quality of love that I think runs throughout this whole story. Kindness. Or as the message translates it – love cares more for others than for self. The father in our story is really only interested in making his sons happy. He knows the proposed course of action of the younger son is not beneficial, but he lets him find out for himself that that course of action is not the way to make himself  happy long term. The father spends time with the older son as well trying to encourage and help him see the bigger picture. When the son comes home, the father doesn’t tell the servants to put his son in the bath, launder his clothes and return them to him. No. There is a clean set of clothes, new sandals and even a robe and a ring. The father is restoring the younger sons position to a son at the heart of the family and not just a servant. And the party – that wasn’t just a family dinner for the household, I suspect everyone in the town was invited and it was an amazing party, an amazing celebration.
Our Heavenly Father is just as kind and caring to us. He didn’t let us take the punishment for our sins, He let that fall on Jesus. He watches over us 24/7, doesn’t sleep on the job. He has our names carved on the palms of His hands so He can look at us all the time. He has even numbered the hairs on our head. When we repent of our sins and come back to Him in repentance, He restores us and He even goes further. He adopts us into His family and makes us His heirs, co heirs with Jesus. He is so kind to us. But He is also very generous. We read in the Bible the words – how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him. How much more – there is always an abundance with God in His dealings with us. Those lovely words in Ephesians 3 v 20 – God does more than we could ask or even imagine. That is how generously and kindly He loves us.
There is within each of us some of the qualities of the younger son. There is within each of us some of the qualities of the older son. But God wants us to become like the father, loving others with the same love that He loves us with. A love that is not proud or selfish. A love that is patient. A love that keeps no record of wrong and doesn’t revel while others grovel. A love that is kind and generous. And may God help us as we strive for that ideal. Amen.
I would like to close with some words of saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3 v 16 – 19)
 
 

APC 26th July 2020                 “Love is Patient”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud and that ‘love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.’  Today we will think about the fact that ‘love is patient’ and the areas of our lives where we need God to help us to be patient, particularly at this time.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are so patient.  You are not in a hurry and nothing ever takes you by surprise.  You see the beginning from the end in all things.  You knew when this pandemic would start and you know when it will come to an end. 
Thank you that despite the long wait, today we are able to meet again in church to worship you together.  Thank you for every way in which you have helped us over these last number of months and for every way that we know you will provide for us in the days ahead.
Lord, you know that these last few months have been extremely difficult for all of us, especially for those who have been critically ill, for those who have died and those who have been bereaved, for all those working on the front line, for parents, for people living on their own, for the elderly and for children and teenagers.  Lord for all of us in different ways, these days of uncertainty continue to be extremely challenging. 
Father, we admit that in the midst of that challenge there have been times when we have been very impatient.  We have been impatient with ourselves, impatient with our family members, impatient with our employers, impatient with our government, impatient while we’ve queued, impatient as we’ve sat in traffic, impatient with our computers, impatient with our churches and impatient with you.
Forgive us that at times we have lost patience with the restrictions and when our impatience has meant that we have put ourselves or other people at risk.
Lord, have mercy on us.  Please give us the strength and the grace that we need to keep being patient, especially if the phased return to normal life doesn’t happen as smoothly or as quickly as we might like.  Lord, help us to accept the challenges and the changes that necessary restrictions are creating for our day to day lives.  Lord, even though our worship today will look and feel very different to what we are used to, we pray that as we draw near to you, you will draw near to us.
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to be present with us individually and collectively.  May we feel and sense His presence with us here today.  Fill us afresh with your hope and joy and peace.  And may that make all the difference to us for the week that lies ahead.
This we ask in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,  Amen.
Please join with me as we gently say the Lord’s Prayer together…
And so we pray…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Isaiah 40 v 9-31
You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[a]
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[b] of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
    To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                               “Love is Patient”
Over the last few weeks we have been reflecting on what I think is the most important thing in life, especially life as a Christian.  That of course is love.  We have been learning more and more about what real love looks like.  It is not selfish, it is not jealous, it forgives, it is not proud, it does not take delight in other people’s misfortunes.  Today we want to think about the fact that love says Paul, is patient.   The word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greek word ‘makrothumia’ which literally means ‘long-burning’.  It describes how a decent log will last for hours on an open fire in contrast to light pine kindling which fizzes and sputters sending showers of sparks in all directions.  To be patient means to have a long fuse, to burn long and slow.  It describes a person who has deliberately determined to trust God and to wait His hand of intervention.  It’s this aspect of love that we need perhaps more than anything at this time.
I don’t know about you, but one of the hardest things I’ve found about the Covid 19 Pandemic is practicing patience.  I think most of us have felt the same.  All of us have been continually faced with situations that have required patience. 
There have been occasions when we’ve had to be patient with other people.  That might have meant queuing to enter the supermarket or waiting our turn to put petrol in the car.  It may have involved sitting for hours at the kitchen table encouraging our children with their online schoolwork.  For teenagers it’s also meant having to endure hours of being supervised by your parents rather than having the support of your teachers and friends in school.
There have also been times when we’ve had to be patient with ourselves.  In the initial days of lockdown many of us rejoiced at the opportunity to get some work done around the house that we wouldn’t normally have time to do.  We enjoyed spending extra time with our kids away from the constant demands of the office.  But as the weeks wore on, we’ve found ourselves getting deeply frustrated.  Perhaps we haven’t realized it until we’ve suddenly snapped at the kids or the dog or even just sat down and cried.  We must not underestimate how psychologically challenging this has been for us all.  And because of that, we need to be patient with ourselves.  We need to give ourselves a break and not beat ourselves up or get angry at ourselves when at times we’ve said or done something a little out of character or when we haven’t always been our positive and upbeat self.
In addition we’ve had to be patient with circumstances that have been almost completely outside our control.  Some of us haven’t been able to work.  Some of us have had to work in front-line situations which have been extremely stressful and where the goal posts have been constantly changing.  We haven’t been able to visit family in hospital or residential care.  We’ve had to bury our dead or celebrate a wedding in ways we would not have wished. We haven’t had the freedom to go to the cinema or a restaurant or to visit family and friends.  Holidays have been cancelled and sporting activities postponed.  We have had to be patient with so many circumstances.
But perhaps the hardest thing of all has been trying to be patient with God or as the Psalmist describes it to “Wait upon the Lord.”  It’s been really hard not being able to meet together for worship.  As time has gone on it feels as if our prayers for the removal of this virus and a return to normal life have got stuck in amber.  And for people who have lost family members to this terrible disease despite their prayers, it must sometimes feel as if heaven is silent.  At times we are all left wondering why God who is loving and who has the power to stop this virus in an instant, doesn’t do so.  It’s difficult for us in these times to be patient with God and to keep our faith.
So what are we to do?
Well one thing I find helpful is to remind ourselves that we are no different from all the people of faith who have gone before us.  At times they too were tempted to doubt and ask: “Has God forgotten us?  Does He not care? Can He help us?”
These are the exact questions many of the people of Israel asked when they were taken captive and were now living in exile under the rule and ridicule of their enemies the Babylonians.
The uncertainty of these circumstances had shaken their faith to the core! 
At this time the prophet Isaiah spoke the words that Edna read earlier to remind God’s children that because of who God is they could trust Him, even in the midst of great uncertainty.
In this passage we discover a number of questions that God’s people were asking in this time of uncertainty.  We also hear some very helpful answers that Isaiah gives.  Answers that enabled the people to love God by patiently waiting for Him. 
The first question we hear the people asking is- Does God not know the trouble we are in?
Here Isaiah reminds the nation of Israel that God knows the exact amount of water covering the earth, the size of the universe and the precise weight of all the hills and mountains.  There is nothing your God does not understand for He is all-knowing!
Whatever is keeping you awake at night whatever uncertainties with Covid 19 lie ahead let me encourage you – God knows about it, you can trust Him.
 
Having answered their first question, we hear the Israelites asking a second question…
Yes, we know God understands, but does He care?
Again Isaiah responds, “Yes He does!”  He reminds God’s people that God is the Shepherd who gathers the weak and vulnerable into his arms.  What a picture of who we are, and what God is like.  Here Isaiah encourages us that in the midst of our weakness, our failures and our difficulties, God still loves us, He lifts us into His arms and holds us close to His heart.
Whatever difficulties or however much uncertainty we will continue to face, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God knows best.  When we hurt, He hurts.  When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us.  Yes God understands, but the even greater truth is that He also cares.  He seeks us out, He lifts us up, and He holds us close to His heart!  Let me encourage you in these difficult times to sit in the presence of the Good Shepherd and let His love fill you with comfort and patience.
The last question the people ask is, “Yes I know God understands and cares but can He help me?”
Again Isaiah booms, “Yes He can!”
Today because of Covid 19 and Brexit there is a growing fear of another collapse in the global economy.  There is uncertainty about our jobs, our kid’s education and when people on waiting lists for operations will be seen.
But in the midst of this all, we must also listen to the voice of the prophet.  Isaiah reminds us that while caring deeply about our situation, God has no such fear, for somehow He is in complete control. 
Our God is in the driving seat of this world.  He is in control of the present situation we are facing as a country and in the situations that affect us in our individual lives.  In the midst of every circumstance of life, in every part of this universe, God is there, ever present, willing to help us, wanting to teach us to cling more closely to Him, wanting to strengthen the muscles of our faith.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!”
Finally Isaiah reminds God’s children that, not only is He in control, He is also all-powerful.  What’s more, His power never weakens and He is willing to share it!  Listen to what Isaiah says about God’s willingness to help us by His power (v 30-31).
 
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
Are you weary of this pandemic and all the uncertainties that still lie ahead?
Then let me encourage you to lift your eyes to God and pray.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!  God is all-powerful.  When you cry out to Him he will help you.”  Let me conclude.
 
Conclusion
God is love and love is patient.  That above all other things is what we need at this present time.  So we need to get on our knees and pray and ask God specifically – Please give me patience! If we do that, He will answer.  He will give us patience with other people, patience with ourselves, patience with difficult circumstances and patience to trust that despite the uncertainty of the future, God understands, he cares about us deeply, He is somehow in control and He is able to help us and give us the grace that we need to carry on.
Prayer for others
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many ways in which your Word has proved to be a lamp to our feet as we have walked the path of pandemic and lived through the days of lockdown.
We ask that you would continue to guide all those who feed us through preaching and teaching.
We thank you for all those who continue to give leadership in every sphere of life.  Give each one wisdom as they continue to decide on many difficult matters and carefully guide in days of ongoing uncertainty. 
We pray for those who manage others- Lord, please help them to be caring in every situation and to build increasing confidence in those who look to them for leadership as they resume working life.  
Father, we thank you for the many ways in which staff in care homes have shown great dedication and devotion to residents in a time of great stress and strain.
We pray for the ongoing battle to keep care homes infection free.  Be especially near to Hilda and Johe and all our family members who are in residential care.  Lord, please gradually restore normal patterns of daily life for residents and staff, and may all be kept safe as family and friends visit.
We pray for children and young people.  Lord, please use the summer months and a continued return to more normal patterns of life to restore peace of heart and mind. 
We thank you for those who are now recovering from contracting the COVID-19 virus.  Please continue to rebuild their strength and energy levels.
We pray for all who are sick or undergoing treatment for other illnesses.  We remember those who are terminally ill.  Surround all who are suffering or grieving with your love and comfort.
Father God, thank you for the lessons we have learned through the trials of recent months.  Grant us your grace to know our lives truly changed and wisdom in knowing how to better follow your ways.
Lord we pray that as individuals and congregations we would not lose the lessons you have sought to teach us through recent experiences in our rush to return to routine.
Take a few moments to pray for others…
We offer all our prayers in Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you areas where you are finding it difficult to be patient and asking Him for help.  There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us.  Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
Go now and proclaim the good news, not just through words but deeds – through what you say, what you do and who you are.  May others as they meet with you, meet with Christ and know His living presence for themselves…
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 

​APC 19th July 2020   “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’ and that ‘it is not proud’. Today we will be meditating on the truth that ‘love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.’  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Loving God, we are glad to come and worship you, glad to sit in your presence and give you the honour due to your name.
 
Praise and glory, thanksgiving and worship are yours by right.
 
You are greater than our highest thoughts, mightier than we can ever comprehend, before all, in all, and beyond all.
 
Praise and glory, thanksgiving and worship are yours by right.
 
So we come acknowledging your greatness, marvelling at your power, rejoicing in your love, celebrating your blessings and praising you for all the mercy you have shown to us throughout our lives.
 
Praise and glory, thanksgiving and worship are yours by right.
 
Accept now our words of prayer, the thoughts of our hearts, this act of worship.
 
Praise and glory, thanksgiving and worship are yours by right.
 
Teach us more of all you have done and will continue to do, and help us to show the sincerity of what we offer now by the way we live our lives tomorrow and in the days beyond.
 
Praise and glory, thanksgiving and worship are yours by right, now and for evermore.  Amen.
 
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither--
    whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-8                   The Nature of God’s Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.
 
 
Reflection  “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.”
 
Do you ever get a little upset when you read something in the bible?  When I read (red) the verse that I want to speak about this morning that was my initial reaction.  I’m sure that some of the Christians in Corinth who first read (red) these words felt the same. 
They were in a letter from the priest or pastor who started their church, a man named Paul.  He says to them, “love does not delight in evil, it rejoices with the truth.”
When I read (red) those words this week I thought to myself, “Why would Paul write something so obvious to a group of Christian people?”  “How could Paul think that you or I or any of the Christians in Corinth could delight in evil and not care about what was right?”
I felt insulted to think that I or any other Christian would need to be reminded of something so apparent.  So I asked myself, “What does Paul mean?”  “What point am I missing here?”
Having consulted a number of commentaries and several online articles I have discovered that what Paul is talking about is “Schadenfreude.”
That’s a German word that describes the malicious enjoyment of the mishaps or the misfortunes of others.  When I read that, the phrase that Paul used suddenly began to make sense to me. 
You see, it wasn’t that the Corinthians loved evil and hated everything that was good.  But it was true that because of petty rivalry, inner power struggles, hurtful incidents and the odd moral scandal within the congregation, many of the Corinthian Christians had probably begun to engage in post-worship gossip over coffee or in the car park.  The topic of conversation was “Schadenfreude” – taking delight in the weaknesses and failures and misfortunes of other members of the church.
Now that is something we can all understand!  Let’s be honest- all of us are familiar with “Schadenfreude.” 
It’s that inner urge to see our golf opponent land in the bunker, or our tennis buddy hit the net.  If you’ve ever wanted someone else’s child to mess up on the stage or the sports field so that your child looks better or gets an opportunity to play you have “delighted in evil and not rejoiced with the truth”
Newspapers and journalists love “Schadenfreude.”  And if we’re honest, so often, we do too.  We are thrilled by breaking news of the latest scandal among celebrities or politicians.  We secretly rejoice when self-righteous leaders fall from grace or opposition party leaders are caught in some misdemeanour. At one point in the early days of the Covid outbreak, it seemed to me that countries were almost gloating that their death rate was much lower than that of another nation because it proved that their decision making was superior.
All of this is “delighting in evil rather than rejoicing with the truth”.  And all of us, if we’re honest, at times engage in it.  We all love a bit of “Schadenfreude”.
St. Paul says to us this morning, “you need to stop it!”  “If you talk and act like this you are not emulating Christ, you are not acting in love.”
Now that makes more sense to me.  I may feel convicted by what Paul says, but I don’t feel insulted because I know it’s something that all of us struggle with.
But why do we do it?
Well, I suppose in some strange way all of us seem to be interested and fascinated by the misfortunes of others.  We’re easily drawn to the darker aspects of life and what goes on behind closed doors.  It gives us something to talk about during our lunch break.  It brings some excitement into an otherwise ‘same old’ of a day.  None of which makes it right by the way!  And perhaps there is also a defensive mechanism within it too.  It gives us something to feel morally superior about.  It makes us look and feel that little bit better, our lot in life that bit easier to bear, and not so guilty about our own moral failures.
Ultimately, it’s because, like everyone else, we are sinners.  We have an inner bias that causes us to roll towards feeling delighted when our enemies suffer. It’s not that there shouldn’t be justice- of course there should.  But often our personal attitudes go beyond justice when we indulge in feelings of deep satisfaction when someone who has hurt us or our loved ones drops dead or is imprisoned.
None of this, says Paul, is acting in love.
You see Christian love, God’s love, can never delight in evil.  It can never enjoy listening to the latest scandal or someone’s fall from grace.  It can never rejoice in seeing pain inflicted on another human being even if they seem to deserve it.  However much the punishment fits the crime, love takes no joy in seeing others locked up forever or killed in revenge.  That’s why Jesus tells us to visit those in prison and to leave justice to the courts and to God.
You see it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us.  God loves us and forgives us even though we don’t deserve it.  When we contemplate that and when we transfer that love to our enemies or to those who have fallen into sin, even serious sin, then the whole equation changes.  It’s not that people who have hurt others should be left unpunished.  It’s not that the laws of the land or the feelings of those who have been hurt don’t matter.  We should do everything we can to ensure that people who have been deeply wronged receive justice.  For many that is part of their healing process.  But in addition we must apply God’s love and His grace and mercy to every situation.  When we do that we cannot rejoice in evil.  We weep with those who weep, we remind ourselves, “but for the grace of God there go I” and we long for the truth of the good news to have the final word.
For me this becomes very personal as someone whose grandfather was killed in the troubles.  For me it would be so easy to continue to hate certain people because of their past associations and to wish them nothing but harm.  But that is not love.  So I rejoice in any moves people make away from violence.  And I rejoice in the thought that these people might also discover the liberating freedom of knowing that in Christ we can receive forgiveness for our sins, and the power of the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.  That is the truth that all of us are to rejoice in!  That is the hope that we are to hold out and desire for all people, even those who we consider to be our enemies or who have sinned very seriously.
And so we must all pray today that God will deliver us from “Schadenfreude.”  May he enable us not to take enjoyment in the mishaps or the misfortunes of others.  And may he help us to rejoice in the truth that Jesus Christ can set the worst of sinners free!
 
Prayer
Lord thank you that an increasing number of people are gradually returning to work.  May they find pleasure again in fulfilling God’s calling in their employment.
We pray for all who are returning to work, either from home or in the workplace.  May we be fruitful and effective in playing our part in getting daily life and the economy back to more normal patterns.  
Thank you for the return to life of local communities as shops and services begin to reopen and become the focal points for friends and neighbours meeting once again.
We pray for business owners as they continue to grapple with the limitations of social distancing.  Father God, enable them to be creative and imaginative in ensuring safety and profitability.  
God, we thank you for the patience and perseverance of those who have had to shield and exercise greatest caution and restraint during lockdown due to underlying health conditions.
We pray that as some shielding restrictions are relaxed, a greater freedom and confidence will be enjoyed by those gradually beginning to edge back to a more normal rhythm of life. 
We pray that those waiting for important scans or medical procedures may be able to be seen more easily in the days ahead.
God, we thank you for all the work that goes on behind the scenes in our church even during lockdown.  Thank you especially for our Kirk Session and Committee and for all the work that they have done to get our church ready for reopening next Sunday. 
We thank you too, for Alison and for all the members of our virtual choir and for every way that they have added to our online services and encouraged us.
Lord, for those of us who are able, give us the courage we need to return to church on Sunday and how ever different it will seem, may we find that as we draw near to you that you draw near to us and bless us in a very special way.
Lord, we thank you for the prolonged spell of good weather which has been your gift to us and how it has made bearing the restrictions of lockdown easier.
We pray that the summer period will bring much needed rest, renewal and relaxation to a society that has suffered stress and been stretched by the circumstances of this pandemic.
Take a few moments to pray for others…
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  Don’t forget we are planning to reopen our church on Sunday 26th July.  You should have received an email from us last week.  If for any reason that hasn’t come through to you please do contact us as soon as possible to let us know.  That email contained 3 attachments – a letter outlining all the plans for safe return to church, a letter from our treasurer and our Covid 19 policy which we need you to sign and return by email or else bring with you to church on the first day you return.  I want to say a huge thankyou to our leadership and our committee who have put in an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to enable us to return to church safely.  I also want to thank Alison and all the choir members for all their fantastic recordings and Dave for all his uploading of services to the website and Facebook.  Thanks also to Tara who will be preparing a special activities pack for each of our young children which they can use during our Sunday services.
 
I do hope that many of you will feel confident enough to come to church on the 26th.  Please do read through my letter of guidelines a few times so that you are familiar with all the protocols.  I know it’s going to be different for a while but it’s another step forward and it will be special to be able to meet and worship together again all be it in a socially distanced way.
 
We have put in a lot of effort to make reopening possible so it would be a great encouragement to me to see as many of you as possible there.  You can be sure that every step has been taken to make our church a safe environment for everyone who is able to attend.
 
The service will only last about 40-45 minutes but I will try to make it as engaging for us all as possible using interactive and pre-recorded readings, choir pieces and prayers on the screen as well as live reflective pieces of music and video clips for the kids.
 
For those of you who are still in a vulnerable category and are unable to make it, there will be a recorded service online at 10.00am as usual.  In church and online we will be learning more about what it means to really love.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you if you are prone to gossiping or taking any pleasure in the downfall of others.  There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  I will need more time this week to finalise all the details for reopening as well as planning and coordinating the extra elements for the reopening service on the 26th.  I hope to see you at church on Sunday.  We will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​APC 15th July 2020                 “Love is not proud”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our midweek worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love.  This is probably the most important subject for us to understand and with God’s help to put into practice.  We have already discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ and that ‘it is not jealous’. Today we will be meditating on the truth that ‘love is not proud’.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Great and wonderful God we come before you in humility, in awe, in faith, in hope, in love, in worship
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
We come to praise you, to bless you, to adore you, to acknowledge you, to thank you.
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
We come recognising you power, your authority, your wisdom, your faithfulness, your goodness, your love.
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
We come confessing our weakness, our unworthiness, our faults our failings our faithlessness, our lack of love.
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
We come seeking your mercy, your guidance, your strength, your renewal, your inspiration, your word.
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
We come to commit ourselves to your service, your purpose, your Kingdom, your will, your people, your world.
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
Great and wonderful God, we come to you now in the name of Christ.  Receive the worship we offer this day,
 
In your mercy hear our prayer
 
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
 
 
 
 
Bible Readings      
Proverbs 16 v 18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 3 v 34
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-8                   The Nature of God’s Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.
 
Reflection                       “Love is not Proud”
As you may or may not know I’m originally from a place called Lisburn which is not too far from the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland.  If you’ve never been to Belfast I would thoroughly recommend a vacation there once places are open again for business.  In recent years one of the most popular tourist attractions has become the Titanic Centre.  There you can find out the history behind one of Belfast’s most famous feats of engineering – the RMS Titanic.
This was the largest and most luxurious passenger ship of its time. The ship’s keel was laid on 31st March, 1909. For the next twenty-six months, the workforce of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated ship building firms - Harland & Wolff’s labored to construct her massive hull. This flagship vessel of the White Star shipping company would have both reciprocating steam engines and a turbine engine to power the center of Titanic’s three propellers. In addition, she was equipped with a double-plated bottom and sixteen watertight compartments on the hull of the ship with doors that would close if water entered them allowing the Titanic to stay afloat.
Three thousand carpenters, engineers, electricians, plumbers, painters, master mechanics, and interior designers fit Titanic with the latest in marine technology, and the most extravagant fixtures and furniture. Once finished she was not only the pride of Belfast, but also of much of the world.
On June 1, 1911, the Irish News and Belfast Morning News contained a report on the launching of Titanic’s hull. The article described the system of watertight compartments and electronic watertight doors and concluded that Titanic was practically unsinkable.
In 1911, Shipbuilder magazine published an article on the White Star Line’s sister ships Titanic and Olympic. The article described the construction of the ship and concluded that Titanic was practically unsinkable.
One passenger Margaret Devaney said “I took passage on the Titanic for I thought it would be a safe steamship and I had heard it could not sink.”
Another passenger, Thomson Beattie, wrote home “We are changing ships and coming home in a new unsinkable boat.”
Phillip Franklin, The vice president of the White Star shipping company said this- "There is no danger that Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable and nothing but inconvenience will be suffered by the passengers."
There’s no evidence to suggest that anyone ever boasted using the words, “Not even God could sink this ship” as the Hollywood movie would have us believe.  Nevertheless, sadly the pride of many was not enough to prevent the sinking of this ship on its maiden voyage with the consequent loss of hundreds of lives.
They say that pride comes before a fall.  Often that fall brings hurt not only to ourselves but also to the people around us.
It’s because of this reality that in writing to the Christians in the city of Corinth that St Paul reminds them that ‘love is not proud’.
You see, the Corinthians had divided themselves up into little groups or cliques within the church.  Each group prided itself on being more spiritual than any other group.  This opinion was largely based on the particular preacher that they most admired. “We follow Paul”, some boasted.  “We much prefer the teachings of Peter” retorted others.  “Well, we are much more spiritual”, said a third group.  “We only follow the teachings of Christ!”
Their spiritual pride had created so much division and hurt within the church that people were arguing and fighting among themselves.  Paul knew that if this was not rectified soon, they would simply implode and would sink without a trace.
So he writes to them with a warning – “You need to start loving and appreciating one another again.  That will mean swallowing your pride.”
You know, if we’re honest, all of us struggle with pride.  If we find that hard to admit, that in itself is all the evidence we need!
If we don’t recognize our pride and if we don’t take steps to change, then we will inevitably end up hurting ourselves and hurting the people who love us most.
The problem is pride is not always easy for us to spot.  So what are some of the warning signs?  Well I’m going to ask you a few questions and as I do, I want you to answer them honestly inside.
Do you find it hard to admit that you are wrong?
Would you rather speak or listen to others?
Are you a taker or a giver?
Do you trust or doubt people?
How easily do you ask for advice?
Are you more likely to criticize or encourage?
Do you hold grudges or forgive?
How do you react to constructive criticism?
Do you enjoy diversity and celebrate different ideas?
Are you fearful or at peace?
Are you more likely to ask or to tell?
Do you find it easier to blame or to apologize?
Are you more likely to assume or try to understand?
How easily do you find it to let others decide or take the lead?
Do you regularly say, ‘Thank you’ to others and to God?
How often do you ask God for help?
 
If you’ve been honest with yourself, by now you should have been able to notice a few spots of pride.
So what are we to do?  How can we get rid of the rot of pride that threatens our happiness and personal relationships?
Well, may I suggest the Monty Don approach to Clematis.  I learned it while watching Gardener’s world with mum during the week.  Apparently if your Clematis has ‘wilt’ the only solution is to cut it right down to the ground.  It seems drastic, but because some of the stem remains underground, the new growth will be completely healthy.
If we are to stay on top of the pride in our lives the only solution is to humble ourselves by literally bringing ourselves to the ground as we kneel in prayer.  There, as we ask God to show us ourselves as we really are, He will remind us again that we are sinners, that we actually deserve only His judgement and that everything we have whether that’s our wealth, our looks, our intelligence or anything else, ultimately comes from Him.  He will also remind us that despite our constant waywardness, He still loves us with an unconditional and everlasting love.  A love so great that he Himself in Christ took our judgement upon Himself so that we might be set free from our guilt and liberated to think more of others than ourselves. 
It’s only when God humbles us in this way that we will find most security in ourselves and a peace and contentment that will set us free from the need to think that we are any better or any worse than anyone else.  Living like that will mean living in love.  That way we will be less likely to hurt ourselves or the people around us.  I hope you do take a trip to Belfast some day and before you go, book yourself into the Titanic Centre.  As you read the story of this marvelous ship remember… “True love is not proud”…
 
Prayer
Sovereign God, we confess to you with shame that sometimes, all too often, we have been guilty of the sin of pride.  We have thought of ourselves more highly than we should, boasting of our own achievements and looking down on those around us.
Have mercy upon us.
We have not listened as we should to your voice, or to the voice of others, believing that we know best, preferring our own way, trusting in our judgement alone.
Have mercy upon us.
And we have been guilty of pride in more subtle way, trying to be independent of those around us, hiding our frailties behind a mask of self-sufficiency, denying our fears and refusing support when it has been offered.
Have mercy upon us.
Sovereign God forgive us when we try to live life alone, when we think more of ourselves than of you, when we put ourselves before others.
Have mercy upon us.
Give to us true humility and true lowliness of heart – the ability to take proper pride in ourselves where it is due, but a willingness also to listen to your voice and the voice of others, accepting our faults, recognizing our limitations, confessing our mistakes and recognizing that ultimately all we are and have is a gift from you.
Sovereign God, Have mercy upon us.
 
Take a few moments to pray for others…
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  Don’t forget we are planning to reopen our church on Sunday 26th July.  You should have received an email from us last week.  If for any reason that hasn’t come through to you please do contact us as soon as possible to let us know.  That email contained 3 attachments – a letter outlining all the plans for safe return to church, a letter from our treasurer and our Covid 19 policy which we need you to sign and return by email or else bring with you to church on the first day you return.  I want to say a huge thankyou to our leadership and our committee who have put in an enormous amount of work behind the scenes to enable us to return to church safely.  I also want to thank Alison and all the choir members for all their fantastic recordings and Dave for all his uploading of services to the website and Facebook.  Thanks also to Tara who will be preparing a special activities pack for each of our young children which they can use during our Sunday services.
 
I do hope that many of you will feel confident enough to come to church on the 26th.  Please do read through my letter of guidelines a few times so that you are familiar with all the protocols.  I know it’s going to be different for a while but it’s another step forward and it will be special to be able to meet and worship together again all be it in a socially distanced way.
 
We have put in a lot of effort to make reopening possible so it would be a great encouragement to me to see as many of you as possible there.  You can be sure that every step has been taken to make our church a safe environment for everyone who is able to attend.
 
The service will only last about 40 minutes but I will try to make it as engaging for us all as possible using interactive and pre-recorded readings, choir pieces and prayers on the screen as well as live reflective pieces of music and video clips for the kids.
 
For those of you who are still in a vulnerable category and are unable to make it, there will be a recorded service online at 10.00am as usual.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you the areas of your life where you are struggling with pride which is causing you or others hurt.  This will be my last Midweek recording for a while.  I will need more time next week to finalise all the details for reopening as well as planning and coordinating the extra elements for the reopening service on the 26th.  I hope you’ll join me again online this coming Sunday as we reflect on another characteristic of true love. In the meantime, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 
 
 

 
We hope to recommence Sunday worship in the church on Sunday 26th July 2020.
 We do hope as many of you who wish to attend will feel confident to do so.  However, if you are in an ‘at risk’ category the guidelines would still recommend that you do not attend.  If you are displaying any of the symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in close contact with anyone displaying such symptoms, within the last 14 days please do not attend church.
To continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to safeguard the community we would ask all of you who are intending to come to church to read and to respect the following guidelines.
 

• Please book your place and the places of family members in advance by texting Aleida on 0868036518 by Friday (at the latest) prior to the Sunday morning you wish to attend. 
• We recommend that you wear your own face covering when coming to church.
• Make your way from your car along the ramp and stand at one of the designated cones as you would when queuing to enter a supermarket.
• When ushered in please wash your hands for 20 seconds using the hand sanitiser that is provided in the foyer, attached to the wall.
• You will be ushered to your seats either in the church or in the hall (The service will be relayed into the hall on a large screen).  The seating arrangements are to facilitate social distancing of 2m.
• Please remain in your seats until the end of the service, until you are ushered to leave.
• People who are seated in the church will be ushered to exit by the rear door past the lectern and those in the church hall will leave by the main entrance door. Please use hand sanitiser on your way out.
• If using the toilet facilities please follow the protocol of one person at a time and keep safely distanced.
• If you wish to contribute to the ongoing work of our church there are non-touch boxes provided at the exit points.
• Initially there will be no congregational singing, no Holy Communion and no refreshments after the service.
• To facilitate contact tracing your name and the names of your family members will be recorded each week that you attend.
• All people attending church are asked to sign the Arklow Presbyterian Church Covid 19 policy below and to return it by hand or email to aleidavanderflier@gmail.com  prior to attending.
• Online services will continue to be provided on Sunday morning at 10.00 a.m. for those people who are still unable to attend.

 
Arklow Presbyterian Church COVID-19 Policy
 
Arklow Presbyterian Church is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and worship space for all our workers and parishioners. To ensure that, we have developed the following COVID-19 Response Plan.
 
All workers and parishioners are responsible for the implementation of this plan and a combined effort will help contain the spread of the virus.
 
We will:
●         continue to monitor our COVID-19 response and amend this plan in consultation with our workers and parishioners.
●         provide up to date information to our workers and parishioners on the Public Health advice issued by the relevant authorities.
●         display information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and correct hand-washing techniques.
●         inform all workers and our parishioners of essential hygiene and respiratory etiquette and physical distancing requirements.
●         adapt the workplace and worship areas to facilitate physical distancing.
●         keep a log of contact / group work / weekly worshippers to help with contact tracing.
●         have all workers attend an induction / familiarisation briefing and brief all parishioners through email, social media and regular announcements.
●         develop a procedure to be followed in the event of someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 while at worship services or in the workplace.
●         provide instructions for workers and parishioners to follow if they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during work or services.
●         intensify cleaning in line with government advice.
 
All workers and parishioners will be consulted on an ongoing basis and feedback is encouraged on any concerns, issues or suggestions.
 
Signed: ______________________              Date:  _________________
 
 
Signed: Michael Anderson                                              Emily Kearon
                        Minister                                                       Clerk of session
​

​APC 12th July 2020                 “Love is not jealous”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday Morning worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love.  This is probably the most important subject for us to understand and with God’s help to put into practice.  We have already discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ and that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’.  Today we will be meditating on the truth that ‘love is not jealous’.  But as always, let’s pause to centre our thoughts on God. Let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Loving God, we thank you for this new day that you have given us- for the opportunity it brings, the things we will enjoy in it, the times we will share with family with friends and with you, the beauty we will see in the world around us, the people we will meet and the life we will live.
 
Loving God, receive our thanks.
 
We praise you that we have so much to thank you for, so much that is good, that brings us pleasure, that causes us to rejoice.  We praise you that you are always looking to bless us, to help us to celebrate life in all its fullness.
 
Loving God receive our praise.
 
Forgive us that we sometimes fail to count our blessings – that we let familiarity blind us to how fortunate we are, and fail to thank you for your many gifts.  Forgive us that we fail to make the most of all we have received, constantly seeking more and more instead of appreciating all that we have and everything you have made us to be. 
 
Loving God, receive our confession
 
Lord of all, assure us once more of your loving mercy, your constant forgiveness, your continuing love.  Teach us to accept everything you have given us, every way that you have made us.
 
Enable us to show you our thanks not just in our words but in our daily living – Create within us hearts that are truly grateful, mouths that celebrate all that is good and spirits that have learned to be genuinely content in every circumstance.
 
Loving God, receive our worship, in the name of Christ, Amen.
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings      
Exodus 20 v 17                      Don’t be jealous of….
17 “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-8           The Nature of God’s Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.
 
1 Timothy 6:6-10               Godliness with Contentment
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
 
 
Reflection                       “Love is not Jealous”
 
I once got the privilege of visiting Kenya for a couple of months.  I went out with a mission team when I was in my mid-twenties.  One of our main tasks was to help rebuild a primary school in a rural village.  We thought it would be a good idea to bring the children at the school a gift.  So we produced a football.  It was clear from their excitement, wide eyes and broad smiles that many of them had never seen a real football before.  It was such a novelty in fact, that lessons were suspended for the day.  In less than half an hour a volleyball net had been constructed out of plant fibres and the game began.  We were delighted at how much pleasure such a simple gift could bring.  But then something happened that took us by complete surprise.  The children began to fight over the ball to such an extent that the game had to be abandoned.
Afterwards, I couldn’t help thinking how foolish we’d been bringing only one ball among so many children.  We’d greatly underestimated the internal human desire to want something that we’ve never seen or touched before, or that somebody else owns.  That desire is called coveting, being jealous or becoming green with envy.  I saw the strength of that desire that day in a way that was both surprising but also frightening.
It’s because our internal desires can be so strong that God says to us “Do not covet.”  It’s because of the potential to cause hurt to ourselves and other people that St Paul reminds the Corinthians that true love is not jealous or envious.
 
But why does envy have such negative potential? 
Well, one reason is because jealousy can so easily overtake us that it causes people to fall into even greater sins.
 
We see this in operation in the biblical account of King David.  He seriously broke both the 6th and the 7th commandments of God.  He committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his soldiers.   Then when he discovered that Bathsheba had become pregnant, he arranged for the murder of her husband to try and cover up his own sin.
 
But all of this began with David seeing Bathsheba sunbathing and desiring her within his heart.  It all began with envy; the desire to have something which he knew belonged to someone else.  And if we think, “well I would never do that” remember David was described in the bible as “a man after God’s own heart,” a spiritual man, a man of great faith.  Yet unguarded desire within his heart caused him to commit adultery and murder.  Despite receiving God’s forgiveness, David’s life and Kingdom were never the same again.
 
Of course having strong desires within is natural and not necessarily wrong.  It’s what attracts us to our husband or wife.  Having ambition and vision are excellent, if the motivation and method are right and good.
 
But internal desires for things we don’t currently possess can easily develop into the wrong type of jealousy.  This sort of envy can happen in every area of our lives.  That’s why in the 9th commandment God warns us not to covet our neighbour’s house, our neighbour’s spouse, his servants, or his ox and donkey.  His house represents his security, his wife represents his marriage, his servants refer to his leisure time since having servants freed someone to do other things.  In ancient times, the size of your herd represented your wealth, so the ox and donkey is a reference to a person’s wealth and status. 
Nothing much has changed.  Over 2000 years later since this commandment was first received and recorded, security, marriage, leisure, wealth, work and reputation are still the 6 main areas of life that cause the most envy and strife in our society.
 
One great problem of our western lifestyle is not that we don’t have things, it’s just that other people have more or have a particular image or talent that we don’t.
 
Unfortunately the marketing industry fuels this envious desire by brainwashing us into thinking that we need more and more of everything.  In his book ‘Born to Shop’ Mike Storey suggests that modern advertising doesn’t encourage us to keep up with the Jones’s’ but rather to ‘keep upset with the Jones’s’. Apparently, aggressive coveting causes people to buy more than merely wanting.
 
Whether it’s feeling ugly in comparison to the photo-shopped images we see on Instagram, feeling short changed if we can’t afford a foreign holiday every year, being jealous of the preacher up the road who seems to be able to fill their church every week, or like the Corinthian Christians who wanted the spiritual gifts and
position of power that someone else had been given, all of us are tempted to become deeply jealous.  This inner attitude can cause us to say or do other things that are wrong, whether that’s cheating on our taxes or speaking badly about someone else.  Both are unloving, because they bring hurt to ourselves and to other people.
 
But perhaps the greatest danger of our inner jealousy is that it tempts us to become deeply dissatisfied with the life that God has given us and the people that God has made us to be. 
 
Coveting can blind us to the goodness of God and cause us to distrust the promises that He has made to care for us and to provide for all our needs.  Jealousy can also be an expression of a lack of faith in a loving heavenly Father who has made us the way we are and has put us where we are for a special purpose. 
 
In effect, when we constantly hanker after another life we’re saying to God, “you must have made a mistake!”  But God makes no mistakes.  Each of us is special to Him.  Each of us is unique.  Each of us have been placed in particular circumstances with individual abilities to do something good for God right where we are, just as we are.  When we are envious and jealous of others, we are not loving God the way he deserves.
 
But does this mean that every desire to want something else is wrong?  No it doesn’t.  Not all coveting is bad.  It is not wrong to want the things that make life good, more fun and more enjoyable.  It’s not wrong to want to change career or car or hairstyle!  It’s not wrong to have ambition, to set new goals and achieve them.  Providing that our desires are not causing us to break any of the other commandments or damage our faith and trust in a loving and caring God, it is normal and right to desire things that make life fine and good.  Life is to be celebrated and enjoyed, not just endured.
One final thing remains to be said.  While it is always right to be content with what we have, in one sense we should never be content with who we are.  We must always covet the knowledge and the goodness, the mind and the character which so far we have not attained.  In the NT the apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth encourages them to covet the best spiritual gifts.  The example of Jesus is always before us, and we must always with the help of God’s Spirit be trying our hardest to get closer and closer to this standard.  It is always right for us to say, “I wish I was more like Jesus.” And it is right to do everything we can to be more like Him.
 
Conclusion
 
Love is not jealous.  When our envy causes us to say or do things that cause hurt to ourselves or to other people we are not acting in love.  But it’s still ok to want things that make life more fun or enjoyable and to have ambition.
And it’s always right to want to be more like Jesus every day.
 
Reflect    What are you jealous for?  Which of those things are good and which of those are unloving?
 
May God give us all the grace that we need to recognise and covet that which is right and good.  Let us pray…
 
Prayer
Oh Lord, You are our shepherd and we should not be in want,
but so often we struggle to be content and we do want;

We forget that you have graciously provided us with every spiritual blessing in Christ and everything we need for life and godliness.
Thank you at times, for not giving us what we want
because often our desires would draw our heart from being satisfied in You.
Help us to be content in You with what You have given us.
Help us not to be so focused on our earthly desires or what the marketing world tells us we should have.
Protect us from coveting possessions or people,
talent or influence, relationships or prestige.
Keep our hearts from being anxious for what we don’t have
and make us thankful for the numerous gifts that You have already given.
According to Your Word and steadfast love,
fill us with the joy and satisfaction of contentment in Christ.
Help us learn to be content in any situation like St. Paul
and to quickly reject the idolatry that dwells beneath the surface of our jealousy.
We ask you to continually bring to mind your faithful provision for all of our needs,
that Christ died for the sin of coveting,
that in Christ we are free to be content and live righteously,
and that godliness with contentment is greater gain than pleasing our appetites.
May we be humbled and changed by the ultimate example of contentment of Christ; becoming poor in order that we could become rich, and being content to go to the cross to fulfil the Father’s will to rescue a people for Himself who can be free from discontent and zealous for good works.
Help us to be deeply happy with how we look and with the gifts and abilities you have given us however different we may be to anybody else.
 
Help us to celebrate the beauty, the prosperity and the talents in others, recognising everything as a gift from you.
 
Take a few moments to pray for family, friends and circumstances that need God’s help…
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  Don’t forget we are planning to reopen our church on Sunday 26th July.  You should have received a letter by email by the end of today letting you know our plans, to enable you to sign our Covid 19 policy and return it to us, and to give you plenty of time to prepare for what will be a wonderful opportunity to meet together again for worship.
 
If after reading the letter you have any further questions, then please do feel free to give me a call.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you the areas of your life where you are struggling with envy and jealousy which is causing you or others hurt.  I hope you’ll join me again on Wednesday as we reflect on another characteristic of true love. In the meantime, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…

Benediction
 
May the love of God surround you.  May the love of God uplift you. May the love of God stand with you through the challenges ahead. May the love of God convince you, in every situation, to love. Go now to love others, even as Christ loves you.
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

APC 8th July 2020           “Love keeps no record of wrongs”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Midweek Worship.  Today we continue our series on the most essential characteristic of the Christian life – that of course, is Love.  Jesus says it’s by the way we love others that will show the world that we really are God’s children.  St Paul reminds us that if we fail to love we will leave no lasting impression on the lives of those around us.  On Sunday we reflected on the reality that ‘love is not selfish’.  Today we will discover that true love ‘keeps no record of wrongs’.  But to begin, let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Almighty and all loving God, in awe and reverence we come to worship you – to proclaim your greatness, to acknowledge your power, to recognise your sovereignty, to declare your goodness.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
 
Compassionate and caring God, with grateful hearts we come to praise you – for your love that constantly surrounds us, for all the blessings of our lives, for the wonder of our world, for the hope of our faith in Christ.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
 
Merciful and forgiving God, in sorrow and shame we come before you – to confess our unworthiness and your goodness, to confess we have not loved you or one another as we should, to confess we have failed to appreciate your many gifts and often disregarded your guidelines for living.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
 
Living and life-giving God, in faith and trust we come to petition you – to pray for ourselves, for one another and for our world; to bring the concerns of daily life before you; to lift our loved ones into your presence, to commit the affairs of the world into your hand.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
 
Lord of all, we offer you this time of worship – our praise, our thanks, our confession, our petition.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
 
Respond to us we pray- touch our hearts with your living presence and fill our lives with your grace, so that our love for you may grow, our faith be deepened, and our love and service to others be strengthened.
 
Lord of all, hear our prayer.
In the name of Christ, Amen…
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
Bible Readings      
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-8           The Nature of God’s Love
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.
 
Matthew 18 v 21-35        The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’
30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
 
 
Reflection               “Love keeps no record of wrongs”
 
I want to begin this morning’s sermon by telling you two stories.  The first is the reading of a will by a lawyer in the presence of all those mentioned within it…
 
A lawyer was reading out the will of a rich man to the people mentioned in the will:  "To you, my loving wife Rose, who stood by me in rough times, as well as good, I leave the house and $2 million."  The lawyer continued, "To you my daughter Jessica, who looked after me in sickness and kept the
business going, I leave the yacht, the business and $1 million."  The lawyer concluded, "And, to my cousin Dan, who hated me, argued with me, and thought that I would never mention him in my will - well you are wrong……………….Hi Dan!"
                   
The second story is a letter written by one man to his neighbour after many years of a difficult relationship….
“Dear Frank. We've been neighbors for six tumultuous years. When you borrowed my power washer, you returned it in pieces. When I was sick, you blasted rap music. And when your dog went to the bathroom all over my lawn, you just laughed. I could go on, but I'm certainly not one to hold grudges. So I am writing this letter to tell you that your house is on fire. Cordially, Bob”
 
It’s good to laugh at stories like these but behind the smile/humor is the sad reality that all of us are tempted to hold grudges.  For all of us, unfortunately, because accidents happen, because people are not perfect, including ourselves, things will happen and we will be deeply hurt.  At these times, we will be faced with a choice.  We can choose to ask God to somehow help us to let go, to forgive, or we can choose to try and get our own back on the people who have hurt us.  This might mean talking about them badly to as many people as will listen.  It could involve ignoring them completely, or continually reminding them of what they did or didn’t do so that they feel guilty.  All of which will keep the replay button of what happened permanently switched on in our hearts and minds.  Our grudge may even be with God Himself- gradually eroding our desire to pray, read the scriptures or get involved in church.
Hundreds of years ago, the Christian missionary Paul, wrote a letter to the members of a church situated in the cosmopolitan city of Corinth. Like any family, club, school, sports team or business, where people work at close quarters with each other, the members of this church had hurt one another.  They had formed little cliques or factions based on who their favorite preacher was.  Others thought that the spiritual gifts they possessed were more important than anyone else and they weren’t afraid to say so.  Some wanted to be seen and heard and their ideas to be promoted no matter how others felt, and no matter what effect it had on their worship services.  Many were extremely selfish, even to the point that they refused to share their family picnic with the poor members of the church who had nothing to contribute to the community lunches at which they celebrated Holy Communion.  People were hurting, relationships were strained, the unity, public witness and future existence of the church were under threat.  In this case, as in all cases, the hurts and grudges that existed in people’s hearts were no laughing matter.
So, as any good pastor would, Paul writes to this group of people whom he deeply loves with the following advice – “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”
 
The word Paul uses for “keeps no record” is the Greek word ‘logizeshthai’.  It is an accounting word describing the process of entering an item into a ledger so that it will never be forgotten.  Interestingly, Paul uses the same word to describe how God ‘imputes’ or puts a record of the righteousness of Christ down to our credit when we repent and believe.  In the moment that we cry out to God for forgiveness and we believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, God writes “Paid in full” into our debit book in heaven.
So what Paul is saying is “If you call yourselves Christians, if you claim to understand that God in Christ has forgiven you for all the wrong things you have said and done even though you don’t deserve it, then you are to love others the way God loves you.  That means you are to keep no record of wrongs.  You are to forgive.  You are to let go and not hold grudges.  You are to leave your reputation and your vindication to God.”
But why does Paul say this and what about serious cases where even if theologically and intellectually we can agree with Pauls’ advice, in practical and emotional terms, it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible to forgive?
Well, as we’ve already mentioned, Paul says we are to ‘keep no record of wrongs’ because when we love like this we reflect the image of God for the world to see.  When we seek to forgive as God has forgiven us, the amazing, unbelievable, transforming grace of God shines brightly in the darkness of our world.  For the message of society is very often the opposite of the Jesus’ way.  Society says, “Get even, stand up for your rights, make sure they get what they deserve and they ought to feel guilty and be continually reminded of what they have done wrong.”  While the there may be an element of justice underlying some of these attitudes, the problem is that there is no mention of forgiveness, no concept of mercy and grace.  Justice without mercy cannot bring true reconciliation or peace.
When we act like the world and hold grudges, not only is the image of God hidden from people’s view, but ultimately the person who gets hurt the most is us, not the person who has wronged us!
God loves us, he cares about our emotional and physical well-being.  That’s also why He tells us to forgive.  You see it’s the enemy of God who tries to convince us that if we can get our own back we will feel better.  He persuades us that if we can think negative thoughts about the person who has hurt us, if we can ruin their reputation the way that they have ruined ours, and if we can make them feel guilty by reminding them of what they said or by just ignoring them altogether, our hurt and our pain will begin to ease. 
The problem is, as many people have discovered, exactly the opposite is true.  When we keep reminding ourselves of wrongs. When we refuse to forgive, when we try to vindicate ourselves rather than leaving that to God, we start to become infected with bitterness and hatred.  This can lead to making us deeply unhappy, angry, anxious, fearful and lead to physical effects such as insomnia, high blood pressure, aches and pains.
God calls us to forgive, not so the person who has hurt us can escape justice, but so that we can experience the ‘shalom’, the deep emotional and physical peace that He desires for us.  The truth is when we choose to hold on to our hurts we suffer, but when we choose to let go and to forgive we are set free.  We must learn to leave justice and vindication to the courts and to God.  Even when the hurts we have received have been unbelievably traumatic, even when the loss that we have suffered can never be replaced, nothing is impossible with God.  There are countless stories of situations where it would seem impossible to forgive, where people have cried out to God and asked Him for the grace and the help to somehow let go and God has answered in miraculous ways. What God has done for many others, He can do for you and me.  He does not expect us to forget, but He can and will give us the grace to forgive and open the door to us finding inner peace.
The last thing I want to say about the importance of not keeping a record of wrongs concerns love for ourselves.  One of the hardest things for many people is not forgiving other people- it is forgiving themselves for what they have done or for some major failure in their lives.  Even though they may have been reconciled to others and confessed to God, they still can’t manage to escape the guilt they feel and the devil’s whisper in their ear – “You’re no good, you’ve let everybody down, what use are you to anyone going forward!”
Jesus knew this is how Peter must have felt.  When Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death Peter was not only shocked and confused, He was afraid for his own life.  So when questioned about his involvement with this insurrectionist, he lied 3 times saying that he had never even met Jesus.  When Jesus was crucified, Peter thought it was all over.  He never even got a chance to say ‘sorry’.  He went back to the only thing he knew- fishing.  Jesus loved Peter.  He wanted Peter to know not only that He was alive, but also that He had forgiven Him, that He valued Him and had work for him to do.  So he advised Peter and his fishing crew from the beach where to cast their nets.  When they caught so many fish, they realised it was the Master.  Having hauled in the nets and rowed to shore they ran to meet him.  He barbequed some of the fish they had caught for breakfast.  Then as they were eating, he took the opportunity to restore Peter emotionally and to set him back on the path of ministry… Three times he asked him, “Peter do you love me?”  Three times Peter replied, “Yes Lord you know that I love you.”  On the third answer Jesus commissioned him again for his life’s work, “Then I want you to be a pastor.  I want you to feed my lambs and my sheep.”
Listen, maybe you’re listening today and you’re like Peter.  Maybe you’ve made some ghastly mistake at some point in your life and you’ve never got over it.  I want to say to you this morning, God loves you!  He forgives you!  You are valuable to Him and He has a purpose for you that will bring you great satisfaction and that will also be of benefit to many others.  Do not listen to that negative voice in your mind anymore.  Listen to Jesus and ask Him to touch you in a deeply spiritual way that will heal your emotions and give you the confidence to live again!  You know, they say that those who never make mistakes, never make anything!  Isaiah also says that “God will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten!”
“Love keeps no record of wrongs!” and that includes forgiving yourself.
I want to end my reflection this morning by playing you a song. 
The song is about Renee, who lost her daughter Megan in a car accident at the hands of a drunk driver, a 24-year-old named Eric who was by all accounts a great young man, but made a tragic mistake. Renee experienced years of hatred, and bitterness, until she eventually learned how to forgive the young man who took her beloved daughter's life. In a miraculous way, after Megan's death in 2001, Renee began giving presentations, and in time, God put it on her heart to forgive this man and reach out to him in prison. She learned that until she was set free of the anger and bitterness she held towards Eric, she was going to be the prisoner even though he was the one behind bars. 
 
As a result, Eric found his own personal faith in Christ and they developed a unique friendship to the point where she feels like she gained a son, and she even went to the courts to cut Eric's sentence in half. He made a terrible mistake taking the life of two young girls, and yet he's been forgiven. Renee told Eric that she serves a God who commands her to forgive and she needed to be set free as much for herself as for him. After Eric left prison in November 2012, he stood by Renee's side at her presentations to groups about forgiveness.  Renee's story is life-defining as we all need to think about how forgiveness can set us free.
 
The song is written by Matthew West and is called, “Forgiveness”
 
Prayer
 
Merciful Father,
Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. Your only Son loved us enough to come to earth and experience the worst pain imaginable so we could be forgiven. Your mercy flows to us in spite of our faults and failures. Your Word says for us to “clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony”.  Help us demonstrate unconditional love today, even to those who hurt us. 
Gracious Lord Jesus, thank You for the power of forgiveness.  Today we choose to forgive everyone who has hurt us. Help us set them free and release them to You. Help us bless those who have hurt us. Help us walk in righteousness, peace, and joy, demonstrating Your life here on earth. We choose to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others, just as You forgave us.
 
Comforting Spirit, today we ask forgiveness of all the negative and harmful words we have spoken about ourselves. We do not want to punish ourselves in such a way again. Transform our thoughts and let us understand how marvelously you have made us. Change our habits so we use our tongues to speak hope and favour upon our lives. In Jesus' name. 
God, what we pray for ourselves we also pray for all others.  Please give all people who have been deeply hurt and are finding it hard to forgive, your grace and mercy and power to let go.  Help them to find freedom from their bitterness, anger and hatred.  We pray too for people who, for whatever reasons, find it very difficult to forgive themselves or who can’t understand how you could possibly forgive them because they don’t deserve it.  Lord again we pray that these people will find release from these chains.  May they know that you value them, that you forgive them and that you have a purpose for them in life and that they can make a great contribution to the lives of others.
Lord help us to really understand the gospel about Jesus and help us to believe it.
Take a few moments to bring your own prayers to God…
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  Don’t forget we are planning to reopen our church on Sunday 26th July.  We will be sending all of you a letter by email before the end of this week to let you know our plans, to enable you to sign our Covid 19 policy, and to give you plenty of time to prepare for what will be a wonderful opportunity to meet together again for worship.  If after reading the letter you have any further questions, then please do feel free to give me a call.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you the areas of your life where you are struggling to forgive others or to forgive yourself.  I hope you’ll join me again on Sunday as we reflect on another characteristic of true love. In the meantime, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 
 

APC 5th July 2020           “Love is not selfish”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday Morning Worship.  Today I want to continue with the second part of our new series that will take us through July and August online and in church once we reopen on 26th July.  This series is about the most important thing in all of our lives and especially if we call ourselves Christian.  What I’m referring to is ‘Love’.  Over the next two months, we will be digging deeply into what real Christian love looks like using St. Paul’s description that we find in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.  Initially while we are still only online, we will consider some of the more difficult aspects of this subject.  Later when we return to church, we will look at the more easily understood sides of love because our services will be shorter and geared to all ages.  Today I want us to consider what Paul means when he says that ‘love is not selfish’ and to help us to understand some of the background to what was happening in the Corinthian church that prompted Paul to write these words.  But first, let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Eternal and gracious God, we come before you in the name of Christ, setting aside time and space in our lives to reflect on your greatness, to rejoice in your goodness and to respond to you with gladness.
 
We come in awe, in wonder, in reverence and humility.
 
We come with praise with thanks, with joy and celebration.
We come to share fellowship, to make our confession to you and to each other, to pray for ourselves, our world and our loved ones, to offer you our service.
We come gladly, obediently, hungrily, confidently.
We come seeking your presence, your guidance, your strength and your mercy.
Loving God, we are here before you in the name of Christ.  Receive our worship.  Receive our faith.  Receive ourselves.
And help us to receive all you would give us and teach us in these moments through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
1 Corinthians 13             The Importance of Love
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
 
Philippians 2 v 1-11       Imitating Christ’s Humility
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death--
        even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”
 
Reflection                       “Love is not selfish”
A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane. Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble. In spite of the best efforts of the pilot, the plane started to go down. Finally, the pilot grabbed a parachute and yelled to the passengers “You’d better jump!”, and he himself bailed out.
Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes remaining.
The doctor grabbed one and said, “I’m a doctor, I save lives, so I must live,” and jumped out.
The lawyer then said, “I’m a lawyer and lawyers are the smartest people in the world. I deserve to live.” He also grabbed a parachute and jumped.
The priest looked at the little boy and said, “My son, I’ve lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace.”
The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said, “Not to worry Father. The smartest man in the world just took off with my back pack.”
We can all laugh at this story, and it’s good to laugh at ourselves.  I would hope that if we ever found ourselves in such an unfortunate situation we would offer our parachute to the little boy.  Like the priest, there are many examples throughout history of remarkable examples of self-sacrifice and selflessness.  I’m sure all of us can recall times in our own lives when we have genuinely put the needs of other people before ourselves at home, in school, at work, in our neighbourhood and in church.
But this story also highlights something that lies within the hearts of all humanity, including those who are well educated and deeply respected in society.  I’m talking of course about selfishness. 
Selfishness can express itself in so many different ways.  It can raise its ugly head at any time and in many different aspects of our lives.  At home it can show itself in expecting someone else to always empty the dishwasher, walk the dog or wait for the TV remote. 
At work it can mean rushing to get our holiday dates in first, leaving others to do work which should be our responsibility, calling in sick just because we’ve been out late the night before, or always organising meetings at a time that is convenient for us. 
In our leisure time, it can involve rocking up weekly to a sports club without ever volunteering to help out, or block-booking a tennis court even though you know there will be weeks when you won’t be using it, and using whatever influence we have to make sure our child makes the team. 
In church it can involve enjoying all the activities on offer without ever rolling up our sleeves to help out or without contributing as generously as we ought.  It can include not being willing to celebrate and interact with styles of music that are outside our own personal preferences, parking in a disabled spot or grabbing all the best sandwiches first. 
On a world scale we are selfish when we care little about the impact our personal lifestyle choices have on people in other parts of the world.  Whether that involves the number of flights we make, constantly buying things that are new, the amount of plastics and water we consume, or the companies that we invest in.
The reality is that as well as the good within us, there are areas in all of our lives which are deeply selfish and which we are often blind or oblivious to.  While having God in our lives can certainly help us to be more considerate of others, we would be unwise to think that as Christians we are completely immune from acts of selfishness.
 
Reflect    In what ways, at home, at work, in church and in the world do you act in selfish ways?
 
Unfortunately a spirit of selfishness was permeating the church in Corinth that St Paul founded and kept in touch with through correspondence.  In his letter of 1 Corinthians we discover that sadly many of these Christians were acting in extremely selfish ways.  In particular, they were using their God-given spiritual gifts for their own pleasure and to parade their own spirituality, rather than out of a desire to be an encouragement and blessing to the other people in the church.
Paul mentions how some people in the church who had gifts of prophecy or the gift of speaking in other world or even angelic languages were exercising their gifts in the middle of church services without any thought for how it was impacting on the congregation or on people who were visiting.  It seems that some of these people were getting up in the middle of the church service and speaking in unknown languages without allowing time for someone else to use the gift of interpretation to explain what had just been said.  Others were getting up and prophesying, bringing a message from God without running it past the leaders or even while another prophet was already speaking.  This, as you can imagine, was causing chaos, confusion and great disruption within their worship services.  It was creating tension, anxiety and division within the church.
These people were being deeply selfish and their actions and attitudes were having an extremely negative effect on the whole congregation.  The saddest thing is they seemed to be oblivious to this reality.
Hearing what has been going on, Paul writes to them and says – “However spiritual you think you are being, whatever great gifts God has given you, and as important as the exercise of those gifts are, you have forgotten the main thing.  The most important thing for any church and any Christian is love.  Loving God and loving each other.  That means considering others and their needs and feelings even more than yourself.”
The word Paul uses here to describe Christian love is the word “Agape”.  It is actually a word that the writers of the New Testament had to invent to describe the love that Jesus displayed.  The word ‘radar’ was similarly coined to name a new reality that previously did not exist.  Even though Jesus was God, the Creator of the universe, He left the splendour of His heavenly home, He took upon Himself our full humanity and He entered our world so that He might be with us and teach us and show us what God is like.  Ultimately He died on a Roman cross to take the judgement that we deserve for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God.  This complete disregard for oneself, this sacrificial love for another person even though they don’t deserve it, is how God has loved us.  This is “agape”.  This is God’s love and this is how God calls us to behave towards one another.
Above all other things, this is God’s vision for our church family her in Arklow.  We are to ‘agape’ God and we are to ‘agape’ one another.  Over the next number of weeks, we will discover that like a cut diamond or crystal, this agape love has many different sides.  Today Paul reminds us that at its very heart, Christian love is not selfish. 
In case you think I’m overemphasising the importance of not being selfish or the seriousness of the consequences of not loving each other, let me tell you what Paul says to this church who were not loving and who were being selfish and inconsiderate in their interactions with each other.
He says, “No matter what else you do if you don’t love you are just like a clanging cymbal”.  What does he mean?
Corinth was famous for its bronze which is an alloy of copper and tin and which, like Coca Cola, was manufactured to a secret formula.  It was locally produced and used in the pagan cults and processions.  During worship services in pagan temples and during pagan processions in the streets, these large bronze cymbals would be struck making a dull, tuneless metallic sound.  For the uninitiated, this sound would have been as annoying as a continually barking dog.
What Paul says to us this morning is highly significant.  He says, “It doesn’t matter what amazing programs we run, it doesn’t matter how good our church facilities are, it doesn’t matter how wonderful our music is or how slick our online communications are.  If we don’t love one another sincerely and deeply from our hearts and in our words and actions, we will simply put people off Christianity and Christ!” 
You know, there is no greater sin!  In fact, Jesus says elsewhere that if we cause anyone who believes in Him to stumble in their faith, it would be better for us to have a millstone cast around our neck and for us to be thrown into the depths of the ocean!
Paul goes on to say, it doesn’t matter what gifts we have, how wise and intelligent we are and even the magnitude of our faith.  If we don’t exercise these things unselfishly and lovingly we are nothing! 
All of us like to feel that we will leave a legacy, at work, in our family and as a church placed in this community.  St. Paul reminds us that if we do not deeply love God and each other, we leave nothing of any lasting value behind us.  Paul says that even if we should give everything we own to the poor or even end up sacrificing our lives for Christ, if our motivation and actions are not characterised by unselfishness and love we will gain nothing.
The scary thing for me is that the history of the Corinthian church suggests that it is not enough just to hear these messages about love and to understand them intellectually. 
After Paul’s initial letter it seems that Timothy brought a report to Paul in Ephesus that things were still not good in Corinth.  So Paul made an impromptu visit to them.  After he left it seems that he wrote a second letter which we do not have, probably warning the Corinthians that if they didn’t change he would not be back.  The fact that Paul visited them a third time as evidenced in the letter of second Corinthians suggests that there was some change in the lives of the Corinthians.  Sadly however, history suggests that this change was only shallow.  50 years later, Clement in Rome writes to the Corinthians telling them to renew their love for each other.  Long term the church in Corinth never amounted to much and had no significant impact for good on its community.  It seems that their lack of love for each other was a continued obstacle to the work of God among them and their community.
Look, what happened to the Corinthians can happen to us.  It will not be enough for us to hear and understand these talks on the importance and the nature of love each week.  We must get on our knees and ask God by His spirit to show us the areas of our lives where we are not acting in love.  And when he shows us, we must cry out to Him for forgiveness and plead with Him to give us the courage and the power to change.  It is only as we begin to love God and to love each other again the way that we should with unselfish, ‘agape’ love that we will achieve anything significant for the Kingdom of God now and in the future.
It is my prayer that each of us will take this seriously and may God have mercy on us all….
 
Prayer
 
Loving God, you have called us to be your servants – to offer our service to Christ, to one another, to your church, to your world.
 
Forgive us that we have so often failed you.
 
Forgive us that so often we are concerned to serve only ourselves – our own interests, our own needs, our own desires, our own ends.
 
Forgive us that we have so often failed you.
 
Forgive us that we are sometimes more concerned with what we can get out of faith than with what we can put into it; more concerned with what you can do for us, than what we can do for you; more concerned with what we can receive from others, than what we can give to them.
 
Forgive us that we have so often failed you.
 
Teach us to serve, seeking no reward, to live without expecting love in return, to give without counting the cost, to follow without holding back, to live each day as your people, offering ourselves in glad and joyful praise.
Father we pray for those congregations who resume meeting for worship today with social distancing and other limitations to navigate. We ask that they will know your presence as they gather together again.
We remember congregations like ourselves who continue to worship digitally.  Lord we ask that we too will continue to know you working in and through our online services while they remain physically apart.
We pray for everyone who has found lockdown exhausting because they have had to pick up extra responsibilities in their family or working life.  Lord, please renew their strength.
We think of those who have found lockdown frustrating as they have been unable to work, have been unwell, or who have experienced the angst of waiting.  Lord we pray that you will bring renewed motivation and re-energise their lives. 
We pray for continued progress in stemming the spread of coronavirus through observation of necessary restrictions which remain.  Lord, in your mercy spare us from local outbreaks or a second spike.
We thank you for all our government and health care leaders who have guided us up to this point.  We give special thanks to you for the sacrificial work of Dr Tony Holohan.  Please draw near to his whole family, particularly his wife in these days of very serious illness.  May they experience your comfort, your strength and your love surrounding them and giving them courage at this time.
We pray for continued research into finding drugs to treat coronavirus and a for a vaccine.  Father, please continue to use the gifts and skills You have given to scientific researchers to bring your healing and health to the world.
Take a few moments to bring your own prayers top God…
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  Don’t forget we are planning to reopen our church on Sunday 26th July.  Over the next week or so we will be sending all of you a letter by email to let you know our plans, to enable you to sign our Covid 19 policy and to give you plenty of time to prepare for what will be a wonderful opportunity to meet together again for worship.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed this first reflection on what it really means to love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you the areas of your life where you struggle with selfishness.  I hope you’ll join me again on Wednesday as we reflect on another characteristic of true love. In the meantime, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
 
Go into the world in peace.  Be full of courage and hold on to what is good.  Don’t pay back evil for evil.  Strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak.  Help the afflicted, honour everyone, love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of His Spirit.
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”
 

APC 1st July 2020           “The Power of Love”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Midweek Worship.  Today I want to introduce our new series that will take us through July and August online and in church once we reopen.  It is perhaps the most important series that I will ever speak about.  I say that, only because the apostle Paul himself says that this is the most important thing in the Christian life.  In fact, he says, if we don’t have this thing everything else we do will be worthless.  If you haven’t guessed it already – I’m talking about ‘love’.  Over the next two months we will be digging deep into what real Christian love really looks like using St. Paul’s description that we find in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13.  But today I simply want to whet your appetite for this wonderful topic by sharing a few thoughts about the ‘Power of love’.
But first, let’s take a moment to talk to God, let’s pray…
 
Prayer
 
Almighty God we thank you for your great gift of love – the love that we are able to share with those around us, which gives us a sense of self-worth and belonging which enriches our lives in so many ways. 
 
You have opened your heart to us, help us to do the same to you.
 
We thank you for your love which defies all expression, constant, total, inexhaustible, flowing out to us like a never-ending stream.
You have opened your heart to us, help us to do the same to you.
 
Almighty God, we thank you for loving us before we ever loved you and for continuing to love us even when we fail to love you in return.
 
You have opened your heart to us, help us to do the same to you.
 
Deepen our love for you and for one another.  Help us to be faithful and true in all our relationships, and most especially in our relationship with you.
 
You have opened your heart to us, help us to do the same to you.
In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.
 
Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Reading s     
Matthew 3 v 13-17          The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
 
1 Corinthians 13    The Importance of Love
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
 
Reflection                       ‘The Power of Love’
 
A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys.  They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy’s future.  In every case the students wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.”
 
Twenty- five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study.  She had her students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys.  With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen.
The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further.  Fortunately, all the men were in the area and she was able to ask each one, “How do you account for your success?”  In each case the reply came with feeling, “There was this teacher…”  The teacher was still alive, so the professor sought her ought and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement.  The teacher’s eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile.  “It’s really very simple,” she said.  “I loved those boys.”
 
1      Love - The Power to keep us going
 
Most of us will never experience the difficulties of growing up in a seriously deprived environment, but all of us will experience challenging circumstances at some stage in our lives.  We’ve all said to ourselves on occasion, “I can’t do this, it’s all too much, this is hopeless, how am I going to manage?  So what is it that will enable us to overcome the difficulties that life throws at us?  What will enable us to continue to persevere and remain positive despite the continued difficulties posed by the threat of the Corona virus?  I believe it is the same thing that enabled Jesus to overcome His temptations in the wilderness.  The knowledge that no matter what, His Father loved Him.
 
It was specifically at His baptism that Jesus received this assurance.  Mark tells us that as Jesus went into the Jordan to be baptised by John, the heavens opened up and a voice spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, I am pleased with Him.”  Immediately the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to face forty days of testing and temptation from the evil one.  As well as the company of the angels, I would suggest that it was the security of knowing that He was truly loved by God the Father, that enabled Jesus in His humanity to go through His wilderness ordeal.
 
And it’s the same for us.  When we were baptised and received into the community of God’s people, God our heavenly father said to us, “You are my dear child, I’m delighted with you.”  But it’s not only at our baptism, but every day of our lives, God says to us, “You are my dear child, I love you.”  Even if we’ve wandered far from God He still loves us and stands with open arms waiting for us to come home.  It’s only when we really start to believe deep within our hearts that God loves us, no matter what, that we’ll have the confidence to face the problems that life throws at us.  It’s only when we really start to trust that God loves us that we’ll find the security to live for Him no matter what other people think.  And of course if we ever doubt God’s love we only have to look at the cross to know that the Father did not spare His own Son so that we might be made God’s friends.
 
Are you in the middle of a wilderness experience?  Lonely, desolate, disorientated.  Are your circumstances unfamiliar causing you fear or threatening to harm you?  Do you feel at a low ebb physically and emotionally, in pain or vulnerable to temptation?  Do you ever think “How on earth can I stay the course in this Sahara of life?”  
 
One biblical scholar answers that question like this, “If we imagine that our God is a bully, an angry threatening parent ready to yell at us, slam the door on us, or kick us out into the street because we haven’t quite made the grade, we will fail at the first whisper of temptation.  But if we remember the voice that spoke those powerful words of love, we will find the way through.”
 
Hear again the words spoken to Jesus at His baptism, “You are my wonderful son, you make me very glad.”  Now listen as God speaks them to you whatever your wilderness, “You are my wonderful child, I delight in you.”  May the knowledge that God loves you deeply and has done since the day you were born, give you the assurance, courage and strength to carry on.
 
2      Love - The Power to make a difference:
 
Not only are the Father’s words to Jesus at His baptism an encouragement to us, but they are also an example to be followed.  If we realise that words of encouragement help us feel secure and to cope in the desserts of life, then we need to be encouragers of other people.  We must never underestimate the power of love to rejuvenate a wilted spirit.
 
Each of us through Christ has the power to love and by doing so we can make a real difference in the lives of others.  The apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth fighting and divided over who possessed the greatest and most useful spiritual gifts says,
 
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”
 
In other words Paul says, “Loving God and loving each other is the most important thing.  In fact it doesn’t matter what else you do or say, if you don’t really love people your life and witness will make no difference.”
 
As I’ve meditated on the power of knowing God’s love to sustain in the midst of difficulty and sharing that love with others, I’ve asked myself, “Do I regularly tell Emma something that I appreciate about her?”  Do I tell my children, “I love you” every day?  Do the people in Arklow know that I care about them, that it thrills me to see them in church and that I appreciate all of their efforts?  Does the way I treat people really show that I love them?
 
Lee Shapiro is a retired judge.  At one point in his career, he realised that love is the greatest power there is.  As a result, Lee became a hugger.  He began offering everybody a hug.  His colleagues dubbed him ‘the hugging judge’.  The bumper sticker on his car reads, “Don’t bug me!  Hug me!”  About six years ago Lee created what he calls his hugger kit.  On the outside it reads, “A heart for hugs.”  The inside contains thirty little red embroidered hearts with sticky backs.  Lee will take out his hugger kit, go round to people and offer them a little red heart in exchange for a hug.
 
One- day Lee’s friend Nancy showed up at his doorstep.  Nancy is a professional clown and she was wearing her costume, make up and all.  “Lee grab a bunch of your hugger kits and let’s go out to the home for the disabled.”  When they arrived at the home they started giving out balloon hats, hearts and hugs to the residents.  Lee was uncomfortable.  He had never before hugged people who were terminally ill, severely retarded or quadriplegic.  But after a while he found it easier as he and Nancy acquired an entourage of doctors, nurses and orderlies who followed them round the wards.  After several hours they entered the last ward.  These were 34 of the worst cases that Lee had seen in his life.  The feeling was so grim it took his heart away.  But out of their commitment to share their love and to make a difference, Nancy and Lee started working their way round the room followed by the medical staff. 
 
Finally Lee came to the last person, Leonard.  Leonard was wearing a big white bib that he was drooling on.  Lee looked at Leonard and said, “Let’s go Nancy, there’s no way we can get through to this person.” 
“Ah C’mon Lee,” Nancy replied.  “He’s a fellow human being too isn’t he?”  Then she placed a funny balloon hat on his head.  Lee took one of his little red hearts and stuck it on Leonard’s bib.  He took a deep breath, leaned down and gave Leonard a hug.  All of a sudden Leonard began to squeal, “Eeeeh! Eeeeh!”  Some of the other residents in the room began to clang things together.  Lee turned to the staff for some sort of explanation only to find that every doctor, nurse and orderly was crying.  Lee asked the head nurse, “What’s going on?”  He will never forget what she said.  “This is the first time in 23 years, we’ve seen Leonard smile.”
 
Conclusion:
 
When Jesus was baptised, His Heavenly Father said to him, “Son, you delight me!”  It was this assurance of His Father’s love that enabled Jesus humanly to face His temptations in the wilderness.  When you and I were born God said to us, “My wonderful child, you delight me!” 
 
When life becomes a wilderness remember that you are precious to your heavenly father, He will carry you through.  If love is so powerful, then we need to love one another.  I’m not suggesting we automatically become a hugger, but through our actions, our words and our attitudes we can love those we rub shoulders with. 
 
Mother Teresa said, “Spread love everywhere you go:  first of all in your own house.  Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbour…Let no-one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting..”
 
Go out and love this week.  You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in the lives of others.
Prayer
 
God of love we pray for those many people in our world who have been deprived of love, who feel unloved, or for whom love has been painful.
Touch their hearts with the love of Christ.
We pray for those for whom love has involved pain- those who have faced the trauma of breakdown in their marriage, or experienced the collapse of friendships or romantic engagements; those who have come from broken homes, or who have become estranged from family and friends; those whose children have moved away to begin new lives of their own, or whose parents have become  frail, confused and infirm, those whose loved ones have been taken from them by death, or those who have been forced to leave those they count most dear.
May the knowledge of your unending love be a constant source of  comfort and inspiration
Touch their hearts with the love of Christ.
We pray for those who find it hard to love – those whose love has been betrayed, those who are scarred by bitter and painful experiences, those who have been subjected to abuse, those afraid of showing their true feelings, those oppressed by mental illness.
Touch their hearts with the love of Christ.
Loving God we bring before you the complex world of human relationships capable of bringing such joy but also such sorrow, so much pleasure yet so much pain.  We thank you for your gift of love and all the love that surrounds us, but help us never to forget those who have lost love or been hurt through it.  Restore their faith in what love can do, and help them both to find love and share it.
Touch their hearts with the love of Christ.
Grant to us all the knowledge that your love will never fail and never let us go.
Thanks be to God, in Jesus’ name, Amen
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  As I said last Wednesday, we had hoped to reopen our church on the 5th of July but currently since only 50 people would be allowed to attend we have decided to wait until July 26th when 100 people will be allowed to attend.  That way, we won’t have to turn anyone away, even if only 51 want to come.  We will be sending all of you a letter by email shortly to let you know our plans, to enable you to sign our Covid 19 policy and to give you plenty of time to prepare for what will be a wonderful opportunity to meet together again for worship.
 
I also want to say a big thank you for all your support and prayers for my mum who has been moved into hospice care in Belfast which means we are now able to see her.  Please do remember my dad Ivan and my sister Karen and the whole family circle at this time.
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed this taster and that you’ll continue to join me again on Sunday as we look deeper at what it really means to love as Christian people.  To close today, let me lead you in a benediction after which I invite you as is our tradition, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
 
May the beauty of God
be reflected in your eyes,
the love of God
be reflected in your hands,
the wisdom of God
be reflected in your words,
and the knowledge of God
flow from your heart,
that all might see,
and seeing,  believe
 
And May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”