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Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues
Fearless or a bully?
When can being fearless in interaction with others be recommended (Luke 5:10)?
Context
- Jesus said ‘do not be afraid’ of catching people (Luke 5:10). But certain fearless ways of interacting assertively, currently in the news, arouse consternation and ‘overshadow’ discussions.
- Is Donald Trump’s ‘brinkmanship’ paying off? We are often, it seems, encouraged to feel that colourful belligerence is somehow better as well as more interesting than, for example, the circumspection of Keir Starmer or the measured utterances of Ramaphosa.
- Is the idea of ‘catching’ people in itself problematic? Populist politicians can allegedly cause panic when their push for support by more subtle means, sometimes characterised as manipulative, succeeds.
Ideas for sermons or interactive talks
Is Christian mission outreach manipulative? Whatever is true of actual fish, people choose to engage and to come into the ‘net’, whether via a vast evangelical mission or a quiet church hall bible study. Mind you, there is no room for diplomatic tweaking of Jesus’ message. He later tells the disciples what to do about those unwilling to engage. Call them out! Shake the dust of their town off your feet! (Luke 9:5). Is a degree of fierce certainty therefore OK in Christian mission?
I’ve always thought of Christ’s disciples as ‘boldly going’ (showing my age by riffing on a phrase featured in certain long-running film/TV series), guided by that inner light ignited in Peter when he was called. But does this light justify a laser-focus on the target with never a nod to other people’s feelings or a hesitation over the content of the message? I have friends, even relatives, where I would tread very warily when trying to inch them toward my own very different views. Vehemence can damage a relationship rather than progressing it. Christ himself, and the disciples after him, were fearless of putting themselves in peril for a good cause. But they didn’t, so far as I recall, ever endanger or hurt others. Remember the case of Paul after the earthquake, refusing to escape as that would imperil his gaoler (Acts 16:25)! Perhaps being ‘other-focused’ is as important as being mission-focused?
Being able to be, ’shrewd as serpents’ among ‘wolves’ was another piece of advice for his disciples from Jesus (Matthew 10:16). If Trump the unpredictable might offer the way to a peace-deal in Gaza, or keep the UK or the EU out of recession, or hold back from cutting US aid then it would surely be wrong not to see what diplomatic niceties rather than confrontation might achieve. The safety and prosperity of an awful lot people in the months to come may depend on our politicians’ wiles. When then is being ‘wily’ compatible with Christian integrity?
Questions for discussion
- You’ve got an important cause, campaigning on climate change, for example. What approaches or tactics are acceptable?
- How well does your church or congregation handle internal differences of opinion over e.g. Holy Communion arrangements in a local ecumenical partnership (LEP) or attitudes to LGBTQ+ people?
Brenda Vance is a URC Elder and a retired university teacher
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Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
Saturday nights during winter are special evenings in our household. As a family we gather together with a specially made meal, and snuggle down to watch our favourite shows. The season starts with Strictly Come Dancing and ends with The Gladiators. During that time other shows entertain us along the way including Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.
Those of you who watched the most recent show (Episode 3) will have seen a guy called Gary. His family wanted to throw him a surprise because of all his incredible fundraising efforts since his son died. Gary, thinking he was about to head to watch a darts tournament, suddenly found himself in the darts tournament playing against World Darts Champion Luke Littler! A true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
None of that could have happened if Gary hadn’t done one important thing…said yes! When asked to step in to help he had no idea what it would lead to. Our Bible passage today highlights the importance of saying yes and putting our trust in the right place. Let us open ourselves up for once-in-a-lifetime experiences by saying yes to God this week.
Lindsay Wright is a freelance writer and designer based in Lancashire www.lwcreative.co.uk
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