Sermon: Colossians 1: 15-20 Who is he, in yonder stall?

What is your favourite Christmas song? It seems like the shops have been playing Christmas songs for about the last three months, so when you’re out and about you hear all the secular Christmas songs - all I want for Christmas is you; or last Christmas I gave you my heart; or the Fairytale of New York. But which is your favourite Christmas song? We’ve sung lots of Christmas songs over the past few weeks at our carol services - which one do you like the best?

Silent night? Hark the herald angels sing? Away in a manger? Hopefully we’ve sung your favourite this year. If not, you can let me know and we’ll try to include it next year. When you’ve picked your favourite, then the next question is this - why do you like it? Is it the tune, that makes you feel Christmassy? Is it the words, that remind you of the reason for Christmas? Perhaps there are special memories connected to that particular song.

Well tonight, we’re going to look at another Christmas song. Luke, in his gospel, records four special Christmas songs from the original Christmas playlist - the song of Mary, the song of Zechariah, the song of the angels, and the song of Simeon. But in other parts of the New Testament we find other songs, old Christian hymns that express the faith. So, in Philippians 2, we have the song of Christ’s glory, which we sometimes use as our creed. Our song tonight comes from Colossians 1: 15-20.

These verses have been identified as an early Christian hymn - either composed by Paul himself, or else used by Paul here in his letter to the church at Colossae. We may not know who wrote it, and we may not know the tune they sang it to, but we have the words, and we’ll look at them together.

The focus is on ‘the Son he loves’ - as we see in the lead-up to the song. Back in verse 13 we read: ‘For he (God) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.’ So the focus is on the eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus. These verses are all about who Jesus is, and what he has done.

So let’s look from verse 15: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.’

I’m not normally very good at seeing family likenesses - especially when it comes to babies. There can be lots of chat about who they look like, whose eyes or nose or ears they’ve got. But normally I can’t see the likeness at all - it has to be very obvious for me to notice! But whenever someone notices that you look like a family member, they might say, ‘you’re the spit of your dad.’ Or maybe more politely, you’re the picture of your dad. [People normally think I look very like my mum - so maybe that’s why I’m growing my beard again!]

And this ancient hymn is saying that the eternal Son, the Lord Jesus is the picture of his heavenly Father. In Genesis, we read of how Adam and Eve were made in the image and likeness of God - but you don’t have to read much further to see how those image-bearers messed up, and marred God’s image in them. We all still bear God’s image, but it’s twisted and distorted in us.

But Jesus is the image of the invisible God. As John says in his gospel, ‘No one has ever seen God, but God the Only Begotten, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.’ When you look at Jesus, you see what God is like. Jesus shows us the invisible God.

That verse continues ‘the firstborn over all creation.’ And it’s here that some people get confused, reckoning that it says that Jesus was the firstborn of creation, that God made Jesus first, and then used Jesus to make everything else. [So, for example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses argue this]. But that’s not what this means.

At the time, the firstborn was a position of honour in the family. The firstborn would inherit a double portion of the inheritance. And so the picture is of Jesus inheriting all things. Notice that it doesn’t say he’s the firstborn of creation, or the firstborn in creation. He is the firstborn over all creation. He is over the creation, not a part of it.

And that can be seen in how the hymn continues, in verse 16: ‘For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.’

Again, did you notice how this hymn is closely echoing John 1? John says, ‘Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.’ (Jn 1:3). So here, the assertion is made, not once but twice, ‘by him all things were made.’ It’s there at the start and end of verse 16. All things were made by him. There are no exception clauses, no exemptions, no opt-outs. All things - in all categories - whatever their location (heaven or earth); whatever their visibility (visible or invisible); whatever their rank (thrones, powers, rulers, authorities). No matter how high the earthly or heavenly authority structures, whatever was made was made by Jesus.

And, as verse 16 ends, they weren’t only made by Jesus, they were also made for Jesus. Jesus made everything - including you; and everything was made for Jesus - to give him glory and praise. All creation exists for Jesus. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. If it weren’t for Jesus, his word of power (Heb 1), then our universe would be finished. Each atom was made by him and for him, and is controlled by him.

Yet so many refuse to acknowledge this pre-eminent position of Jesus. They won’t admit that he is their creator - looking instead for alternative theories of existence. People have turned away, and the creation suffers the effects of their rebellion. It’s why there has to be a second part to this ancient hymn. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, but he is now also firstborn twice over. (That sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it - how can you be firstborn twice over?) We see that as the hymn gives us its second verse, from verse 18:

‘And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.’

Jesus is head over creation, but he is also head over the new creation - the body which is the church. Have you ever thought of the church in that way? When we think of church, we maybe think of old buildings, and songs, and flower rotas, and cups of tea. But the church is the society of the new creation, the first glimpse of what the world will become. And Jesus is at its head, because he is the beginning of the new world, and he is the firstborn from among the dead.

Jesus, in his resurrection, has inaugurated a new world. He was the first to be raised to new life, resurrection life, but he won’t be the last. He is the firstborn, the one who starts it all off. And because he starts it, he has supremacy in this, as in everything else.

And why is Jesus in this elevated position? Why does he have the supremacy? Because of what he has done: ‘For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’

Jesus is the eternal Son, the image of the invisible God. And as the eternal Son, Jesus had something which Adam didn’t have - the fulness of God dwelling in him. Jesus is the God-Man, fully God and fully Man. And this means that Jesus is the perfect mediator, the only qualified go-between to bring about reconciliation.

You hear about reconciliation whenever a relationship has broken down. And we’ve seen how everything was made by Jesus and for Jesus, but people have turned their backs on God. There is reconciliation through Jesus. We can be reconciled to God, brought back to him, brought into relationship again with him. But notice that the reconciliation Jesus brings about is much bigger than just you and me being reconciled - it encompasses all things.

And it’s all things, echoing the all things created by Jesus in verse 16, only in reverse order. In verse 16 it was ‘things in heaven and on earth’ - here the reconciliation is ‘all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven.’

It’s a bit like an old piano. You can still play a tune on it, but occasionally there’s a duff note, and things are out of harmony. When the piano tuner comes, and works their magic, suddenly, the piano sounds like new. Everything is in perfect harmony again. And that’s how our world is, how our universe is. Slightly off-key, not quite harmonious. It still plays a tune, but it doesn’t sound quite right. But with Jesus’ work of reconciliation, the universe will sing with perfect harmony, and creation’s song, praising its maker will again sound.

And how does Jesus bring reconciliation? ‘By making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’ Jesus takes away the hostility that was due to us; the threat of eternal death; and sheds his blood to bring us peace.

They may not have sung this song at the first Christmas, but it’s a song about the Christ of Christmas. Who is he, in yonder stall? He’s the firstborn over all creation, who made everything, and for whom everything was made. And he’s the firstborn from among the dead, the head of the new creation, of which we can be a member, as we trust in him for our peace, our reconciliation back to God. As our next song puts it so well:

Who is he, in yonder stall,
at whose feet the shepherds fall?
‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
‘Tis the Lord! The King of glory!
At his feet we humbly fall;
crown him, crown him, Lord of all.

Will you bow before him? Worship him? Crown him Lord of all?

This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday evening 30th December 2018.

Knowing and Doing

How can I pray for you? So often we say that we'll pray for someone, but it's knowing what to pray for them that is normally the issue. In some of his letters, the apostle Paul gives us an insight into his prayer life, and shares some of the things he is praying for the churches and individuals who are receiving his letters. As we continue through Colossians, he has been thanking God for the Colossian Christians' faith, love and hope, before now moving on to reveal how he is praying for them:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God... (Colossians 1:9-10)

Paul is praying regularly for them so that they will be filled with the knowledge of God's will. God's will can sometimes sound mysterious, difficult to know, spoken of in hushed tones, especially when we reserve talk of God's will for the 'big' decisions of life - where to live, who (or if) to marry, what career to pursue, how to use our gifts etc. But as we see, it's simply how God wants us to live in daily life - God's will has as much to do with how we spend our time or money as it does with who we will marry. Sometimes in focusing on the big things we neglect the little things.

So how can we know God's will? How can we know what God wants us to do? Paul mentions 'in all spiritual wisdom and understanding' - which means that we need to see things from God's perspective. And how can we do that? By listening to God as he speaks in his word. I've heard it said that 95% of God's will for our lives is straightforward laid down in Scripture - things like don't steal (so if you have the opportunity to take something that isn't yours, then it's not God's will for you to do it - easy!), don't kill and so on; with the other 5% made up of things like who exactly to marry - it's up to your discretion, with advice from godly Christians, following the basic principles God has laid down in his word (a Christian of the opposite sex in lifelong faithfulness).

So are you listening to God in his word? As you read the Bible, you'll discover God's will for your life, as the Spirit illuminates the word and applies it to your life and circumstances. But it's not enough just to have a head filled with knowledge. It's not enough to know what God wants you to do, if you never do it!

Paul prays that the Colossians will be filled with the knowledge of God's will 'so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.' Knowing what God wants must lead to do what God wants. There's no point listening if you're not going to obey. Paul gives us three ways in which we can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord:

1. Fully pleasing to him - as we see the choices lying before us, we can do what pleases the Lord, or we can grieve him. Ask yourself - will how I am living my life please the Lord, as I obey him, or am I disobeying what God has said in his word?

2. Bearing fruit in every good work - will this decision/action help me to bear fruit for God (particularly the fruit of the Spirit), or will it cause me to be ashamed of the Lord?

3. Increasing in the knowledge of God - will this action help me know God better, perhaps as I step out in faith and obedience to his word, or will it turn me away from the Lord?

It can be very easy to know what God wants. It's another thing to do it. It's why Paul prays for the Colossians in this way, and it's why we continue to need to pray this for others, and for ourselves.

A Faithful Minister

Moving from college to curacy to incumbency has been a time of learning - all the time there are new experiences, new challenges, and new expectations. I've jokingly talked before about things they don't teach you in college, but the truth is that the whole of ministry is a learning curve. Just think of some of the things that (sometimes unexpectedly) come with being a minister: steward, car park attendant, cleaner, photocopier, graphic designer, webmaster, and most recently, talent show judge!

These and other things may be good to do and be involved in, as they help build community, and make sure some things are done. But could it be that sometimes good things are holding back from the best? That other things which are good can crowd out the most important thing? Could it be that sometimes ministers and pastors don't have enough time to do their primary task because of the other things on their to-do list?

Yet again, Paul's letter to the Colossians is so helpful when it comes to clarifying the task at hand. We're still in the introductory thanksgiving Paul has begun the letter with, as he gives thanks for the Colossian Christians coming to faith, hope and love; as he thanks God for the global gospel growth. He also thanks God for the way the Colossians heard of the gospel:

just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:7-8)

Did you see how he described Epaphras? 'He is a faithful minister of Christ.' Now why was Epaphras faithful? What was it that showed he was faithful? He taught them the gospel, the grace of God in truth. He brought them the good news of Jesus Christ.

This is always the minister's primary task - to study and proclaim the gospel so that men and women, boys and girls might come to be saved as they put their trust in Jesus. The diary can be a constant struggle to keep the main thing the main thing, so that nothing will distract from this purpose.

In the early church, they appointed deacons to help with the distribution of food to enable the apostles to dedicate themselves to 'prayer and the ministry of the word' (Acts 6:4) This enabled the life of the church to continue to develop, and the apostles to be faithful to their ministry.

If you're a minister, how are your priorities shaped and protected? If you're a member of a church, how are you helping your pastor to be faithful in his work? At the end of the day, indeed, at the end of that Day, it won't matter as much if the cars weren't parked neatly or the pews weren't polished every week; it will matter if we've been faithful to the Master in the proclaiming of the gospel: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'

Global Gospel Growth

When you think of the church, what comes to mind? Chances are, if you're not getting caught up in the trappings of stained glass windows, musty hymnbooks and blokes in robes, then you'll think of a local church. That small gathering of Christians you meet with regularly.

It's so easy to focus only on the local church, it's issues and problems, personalities and possibilities, buildings and budgets. It is, after all, how we do church. For many, it may be the only experience of church - local, small, and sometimes challenging.

Imagine that you're a newly converted Christian in the city of Colossae. You've heard the good news about Jesus and responded in faith. You have love for your fellow Christians, and you're enjoying meeting with them and learning more about Jesus. But in terms of the city, you're a small minority. People don't like you coming to faith, there are opponents ranged against you, the possibility of persecution. You're likely to feel small, threatened, and in a difficult position. Was your conversion real after all? Perhaps it's just a phase or a fad you're going through and you'll soon come to your senses.

What Paul says next in his letter to the Colossian Christians will continue to give them encouragement and boldness. Not only that Paul, the great apostle has heard of them, but that they're not alone in their experience. They're not alone in their faith:

the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing - as it also does among you (Col 1:6)

The church is bigger than the fifty or hundred that you're regularly meeting with in your local parish church! You're not the only one to be coming to faith in Jesus! Rather, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, all across the world.

How aware are we of the growth of the gospel? Do we rejoice at the news of many millions coming to faith all over the world? Do we recognise them as our brothers and sisters, united in the family of God, through the Lord Jesus?

God's gospel is growing globally, so that the vision John saw of a crowd that no one could number from every tribe and language and nation, will be achieved. Let's keep on praying for the mission throughout the world; give and help and support those labouring across the world; and keep doing your bit where you are - wherever you are - to ensure continued gospel growth. To God be the glory!

The Whole Truth

How should we think of the gospel? Is it one option among many? Is it just an opinion sincerely held? Is it just good for us, but others might find their own way?

In another arresting little phrase Paul won't allow us to get bogged down in religious pluralism or post-modern agnosticism. Here's how he describes the way the Colossians Christians heard of the faith in Christ, the love for all the saints, because of the hope laid up in heaven:

Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you... (Colossians 1:5-6)

Note the word 'the' there: THE word of THE truth, THE gospel.

The gospel is not, as pomos want us to think, possibly one truth among many truths; it's not my truth (if you'll tell me yours); it's not a truth which works for me; it's not an opinion. It is the truth!

A single truth, not just for one group in society, nor one society, nor one culture - but the truth, the good news which has come to Colossae and transformed these believers, which it is also doing across the world, as verse 6 continues:

the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing - as it does among you (Colossians 1:5-6)

The truth, delivered once for all to the saints, is changing lives. In a world of opinions, thoughts and ideas; in a world of confusion and doubt; in a world of heresy and false teaching; in a world of lies, half-truths (which are whole lies), and spin: there is such a thing as Truth: the truth - the gospel.

Reasons to be Cheerful: 1, 2, 3

I started studying Colossians again yesterday morning, and was quickly stopped in my tracks. Within the first five verses, I was arrested by Paul's words, which are God's words.

Following the greeting, Paul (as is typical) launches into a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the people to whom he is writing. Paul has never met the Christians at Colossae; has never visited the city; and yet he is thankful for three interconnected reasons - a triumvirate of thanksgiving - three reasons to be cheerful:

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. (Colossians 1:4-5)

Did you catch that? Faith, hope, love. This fledgling church is abounding in faith, hope and love, and it's getting noticed and talked about.

Their faith is in Christ Jesus - he is the object, the ground of their faith. Reason to be thankful, number 1.

They have love for all the saints - for other Christians. This isn't something that comes naturally or easily, yet it comes on conversion and grows as believers unite. Reason to be thankful, number 2.

But the one that seems to be driving the other two, their faith and their love, is the third element - 'because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.' Paul isn't speaking about their hopefulness, rather, he's talking about the certain, unshakable hope that comes through the promises of the faithful God - their future is guaranteed, and because they have grasped this, they have faith in Christ Jesus and they are being transformed to live a life of love.

I was arrested because I was challenged as to what it is we give thanks for these days. Are we captivated by numbers - just bums on seats? Are we poring over the offering plate to see if collections are up? Or are we looking for, and thankful for faith, hope and love? Offerings and attendances may be indications of an increase in faith, hope and love, but at the same time it may not!

If it's what we're looking for and thankful for, are we also working towards these things?

What are the things our local church is famous for - how are we being talked about in the community? What are the things we will give thanks for as we approach another Sunday, and as we reflect on our time together on Sunday morning?

May it always be faith in Christ, love for all the saints, because of this sure hope.

Sermon: Colossians 1:24-2:5 Him We Proclaim

How would you summarise the work of a gospel minister? What is the essential message each one of us has to share, because we’re all full time gospel workers?

In our Epistle reading today, we find one such summary, as Paul writes to the Christians in Colossae. You would be hard pressed to find a shorter summary - look at verse 28: ‘Him we proclaim.’ What is it that Paul has been doing, devoting his life to? Him we proclaim. As we see those three words in their context, we’ll see why this is the essential summary of all gospel work.

First up, him. Paul writes about a mystery, and I don’t know about you, but I naturally think of Miss Marple or Inspector Morse, a murder mystery. There’ll be a gruesome killing, and suddenly the hunt is on, meeting a variety of candidates, all possible suspects, all with hidden agendas and grudges. But you know, when you start reading or watching, that everything will be worked out by the last page of the book, or just in time for the 10 o’clock news.

The mystery Paul has in mind isn’t exactly like those - it’s more of an open secret. He writes about making ‘the word of God fully known.’ This was the task he had been given, he is a steward, given a deposit, to be passed on. It’s in making the word of God fully known that he speaks of mystery - ‘the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.’ God’s plan from all ages has now been revealed, it’s an open secret, but what is it? What is the mystery now being revealed?

‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ The Colossians Christians weren’t Jewish believers; they were Gentiles. They were far from God, aliens to the promises, without God and without hope. But when Epaphras (who was from there) heard the good news and believed, he went back home to share the gospel with them. These Colossian Gentiles also believed, and so they are now in the company of God’s people, but also, Christ is in them.

This was always God’s plan, for the Gentiles to share in the promises through Christ - just think of the promise to Abraham that in his seed all families of the earth would be blessed. We see glimpses of it in the Old Testament, where Ruth, a Moabite becomes the great-granny of David, or in the Gospel reading today, where the Centurion has more faith than Israel.

We too, have come to share in the blessings of Christ through faith in him. But learning about Jesus and coming to know him isn’t just for when we’re coming to faith, as if we can forget him once we become a Christian. You see, Paul is still committed to ‘Him we proclaim’ even when relating to these believers. He proclaims Christ as he shares the gospel, but also as he warns and teaches everyone with all wisdom.

Why is this? Why have we been (and will continue to be) committed to proclaiming Christ? ‘That we may present everyone mature in Christ.’ When we’re saved, we’re just babies in Christ - we have a long way still to go. Even after being Christians for a long time - perhaps even longer than I have been born! Still there are areas for each of us to grow; to become more like Jesus; to become more mature in Christ. It’s a long term project; the Further Education Colleges will be presenting their prospectus soon, lots of evening classes to get us involved in lifelong learning - it’s precisely the same in the Christian life - lifelong learning, becoming mature in Christ.

Now that might put you off. That might discourage you. How will I possibly keep going? Paul continues proclaiming, teaching, maturing ‘For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.’ God equips and strengthens us for his work. It’s not all down to me and what I can do. God is helping us.

Colossians is an odd letter - in most of his letters, Paul is writing to people he knows, in places he has visited. He has never been to Colossae; has never met most of the people who will hear his letter read. Yet that doesn’t stop him from struggling for them in prayer; praying that they wull be encouraged, knit together in love, and to fully appreciate the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

These past few weeks have been a odd time for us. Almost everyone we see, we’re saying goodbye to. The time is getting very short, the removals van is waiting, poised for Monday morning. We’ll not be around here much longer. But be assured that we will still be struggling for you in prayer, from the wild west.

Are we going on towards maturity? Are we helping others towards maturity? Paul proclaimed Christ, because in him we have all we need for salvation, life, contentment, wisdom and knowledge. My prayer is that Christ will be proclaimed here, and that you will indeed grow to maturity; will you pray for me, that I too will continue to proclaim Christ, and him only, and all for the praise of God the Father who is high over all. Amen.

This sermon was preached in St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald at the Midweek Communion service on Wednesday 3rd August 2011.

Sermon Audio: Colossians 3:1-11

On Sunday evening I was preaching on the Ten Commandments again, this time on No False Witness, primarily from Colossians 3. The audio is here to listen or download.

Sermon: Colossians 3:1-11 No False Witness

Have you ever noticed that sometimes small things can be very powerful? Just take the mobile phone, for example. Fairly small, and yet incredibly powerful. I hope you won’t, but you could be surfing the internet, checking your emails, receiving texts, looking at Facebook, playing games and a whole lot else - all on something very small. As well as being powerful, though, small things can also be dangerous.

I don’t know if you have flown recently, but if you’re wanting to take liquids onto the plane in your hand luggage, they have to be in clear bottles of 100 ml or less - terrorists having perfected very powerful and dangerous explosives in such small amounts. Small, and dangerous. Or think of a match. There’s the old saying that one tree can produce a thousand matches, but it just takes one match to destroy a thousand trees. Small, and dangerous.

The thing is, though, that each of us have something so very small in proportion to our body, and yet it’s very dangerous. It can get us into lots of trouble. Tonight, we’re going to think about the danger we face, and how the gospel of our Lord Jesus can help us.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. Tonight we come to the ninth commandment, and we’re confronted again with how we use our words, the danger of the tongue. You see, the Ten Commandments aren’t just a random arbitrary list of things; it’s not that there was some lottery where lots of good suggestions were thrown into a hat and the first ten out became the Ten Commandments.

No, the Ten Commandments were given to the people of Israel by God himself, after the people had been rescued from their slavery in the land of Egypt. God speaks directly to the people, so that they are afraid, and don’t want to hear the voice of God any more - they send Moses up to receive the rest of the Law.

So the Commandments are God’s directions for living, the basis of the whole Law, and they are perfectly designed. Look with me at the Ten Commandments (p 73). The first two (No other gods, no idols) and the last one (no coveting) are about your thoughts; the third (not taking name of Lord in vain) and the ninth (no false witness) are about your words; the fourth (Sabbath) and the sixth (no murder), seventh (no adultery) and eighth (no stealing) are all about your actions; and right in the middle is honouring father and mother.

So just as we saw in the third commandment, that we are not to take the name of the Lord in vain, either by using God’s name in flippant ways or as a swear word; so now we’re challenged again about our use of words. The original context of not bearing false witness seems to be in the court scenario, of not telling lies about your neighbour, but I want to expand that slightly into two related categories: how you speak of your neighbour; and how you speak to your neighbour.

So how do you speak of your neighbour? The commandment immediately takes us to the court setting, where witnesses are required to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. You can imagine the problems that would arise if false witness is given. In fact, you don’t even need to imagine it, because we see it far too often, even to this day. Over in Scotland, a former MSP has been facing perjury charges because he allegedly lied in court during an earlier civil case relating to his private life.

But most of us aren’t in court very often. Does that mean we aren’t affected by this commandment, that we can carry on regardless? Think for a moment - do you speak of your neighbours even when you’re not in court? Do you talk about them to others?

What is it you say? Do you simply report facts, or do you embellish the details, passing on the gossip, or share a matter for prayer?! You see, we can bear false witness in the way we talk about other people even if we’ve never been in court. Did you hear about those people in number 22? Even in the church, gossip can flourish so easily, a dangerous problem of the tongue that James describes as ‘a fire, a world of unrighteousness... setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.’ (James 3:6).

No false witness - we hear the word of God, and yet perhaps we aren’t challenged or troubled as we should be. You see, if we’re good with words, we’re likely to try to minimise our own faults and sins while maximising someone else’s. We downgrade our own lies, by rebranding them as fibs, or white lies, and sure, doesn’t everybody do it!

Why is it we lie? It might be self-preservation (to make life easier for yourself if you’re asked a difficult question, or are afraid to tell the truth); or self-interest (to make someone else look bad and to make yourself look good; or self-deception (as you make yourself believe that the lie is actually the truth). Our lies are mostly self-serving, centred on yourself, which is the very definition of sin. We try to bend or break the truth for our own interests and desires. It’s perhaps becoming even more of an issue in these postmodern days, when capital T truth is denied, and everyone has their own truths; their own version of events which is right for them.

Yet it’s clear that there is such a thing as capital T truth - the Lord Jesus was full of grace and truth, indeed more than that, he is the truth. In the face of truth, all of us are found to be liars.

Our reading from Colossians will, I trust, help us to not only speak of our neighbour, but also to our neighbour as well. And with the tongue, as with every other part of our life, it all comes back to who we are, and what God has done for us. Throughout Colossians 3, there are a couple of contrasts going on, and grasping these will help us to see how we should use our tongues as Christians.

The first contrast is between the things that are above (1) and the things that are on earth (2). Those earthly things are spelled out in verse 5 - the variety of sins and wickedness, such as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness. But Paul is saying that rather than setting your heart and your mind on these things, we have to put them to death. Instead, we set our minds on the things that are above, heavenly, good, Christlike.

Paul says that we are in Christ, that Christ is in heaven, so in a sense, we’re already in heaven, so it’s not fitting to continue to live as if we were sinful on earth. We are in Christ because we are united with Christ, have put our trust in him, believed in him, and through faith, have forgiveness of our sins.

But more than that, and this brings us to the other big contrast, we are so changed that we can talk of our old self and our new self. Look at verse 9, and we’ll see how Paul addresses both this theme of the new self replacing the old self, and also our very theme of not lying: ‘Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.’ (3:9-10)

Do you see what Paul is saying? The reason we don’t lie as Christians is because our old self, the way we were before we were converted and made new, all that has been put off. It’s like an old, worn, filthy, horrible jumper. You’ve taken it off and thrown it away. Instead, you’ve put on a new, clean jumper. It’s the new you, the new creation, so that it’s no longer appropriate or right for you to lie to those around you.

I’m not sure if you’ve heard or not, but there’s going to be a Royal Wedding next year - actually, on my birthday, but that’s another story. At the minute, Kate Middleton is just Kate, but following the wedding, she’ll be Princess Kate (or will it be Princess Katherine?). She’ll be part of the Royal Family, the wife of our future King, and so things will be expected of her. Life will completely change for her.

In a similar way, we have been changed, given a new self, and so we’re called to live up to our new self. We’re not the finished article - we’re still ‘being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator’. Renewed in knowledge - becoming more like Jesus as we come to know Jesus better, turning away from those earthly desires, living like a citizen of heaven, looking to heaven, from where Jesus will appear so that we appear with him in glory.

Think of the ways you use your tongue. The words that you say to others, and about others. Are you speaking the truth? The rest of Colossians 3 gives us some positive examples of how to avoid lying, to speak truth, and to be positive in our words.

Forgiving (13), being thankful (15), teaching and admonishing one another the word of Christ (16), singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (16), praising God, all of which leads to that great summary statement in verse 17: ‘And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’

Let’s pause for a moment or two, considering the ways in which we use our words, confessing those times we have failed to speak the truth, and resolving to turn, and speak the truth in the name of the Lord Jesus.

This sermon was preached in St Elizabeth's Church on Sunday 28th November 2010.

Sermon: Colossians 3: 1-17 Raised With Christ

Today, we’re thinking about the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. On Sunday past, we thought about what that meant in terms of Jesus being worthy to be praised, and worthy to rule over the universe. This morning, however, I want to focus in more on what the ascension means for us and our daily behaviour.

To start with, here’s a question to consider for a moment: Does the ascension make any difference to us in daily life? When was the last time that you thought about the ascension, and where Jesus is right now. Perhaps you haven’t really thought about it. We maybe don’t make as big a deal of it as we should, but for Paul, who (as you’ll remember) encountered the risen, ascended, glorified Lord as he appeared to him on the road to Damascus, the ascension means everything!

Look at verse 1. Paul is saying that where Jesus is, then we are too - because we are united with him, we are raised with him. (Read). Which changes our priorities - we need to seek the things that are above, to set our minds on the things above. Instead of being consumed by the things of this world to which we have died, Paul urges us to recognise that we are united with Christ, that our life is in heaven, and to live by the priorities and values of heaven. That the source and power of our life comes from where Jesus is, in heaven.

Right at the heart of the passage, we see the change that has been brought about in us, which now has to be worked out by us and in us - ‘you have put off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self.’ (9-10) We have died to this world, so need to put to death the sinful desires and actions that are still part of our life.

Notice, though, as we begin to think about this in more detail, that Paul isn’t saying that we just need to try harder, or that we need to do these things in order to be right with God - we simply cannot do that! Rather, our putting to death the sinful things in our life is the consequence of being saved. We have been justified - now we need to continue to be sanctified, becoming more like Jesus.

Verses 5-11 give us some of the things that we need to put to death - sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, lying. Sounds like a normal day... They come so easily and so naturally - but Paul urges us to put them to death, to put them off. It’s like if you’re out walking and you slip into a mucky puddle - you’ll want to get out of the dirty clothes, you can’t bear to stay in them.

But while we are to put off these things, our old self, at the same time we are to put on (like a fresh outfit) other qualities, putting on the new self - those things that belong in heaven, that are part of the new creation: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, thankfulness.

A complete turn around, I think you’ll agree - the former were all marks of selfishness, out for ourselves. The latter are marks of service, selflessness, generosity, as a result of what we have received from God himself. Verse 13 speaks of forgiving others because the Lord has forgiven you.

Verse 17 gives us the reason and motivation for all our actions as we seek to put on the new self. ‘Whatever you do... do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ Doing something in the name of Jesus means to do it for him, seeking to honour him by how we do it - we can’t sin in Jesus’ name - but we can do those things which please him.

What are those things that we need to put to death, which hold us back and hamper us from enjoying resurrection-powered life? Where are the areas we need to grow in love/peace/joy/patience/compassion? Having identified those areas, we need to look up - to see Jesus reigning, triumphant. We live because he lives - he has overcome our sin and gives us the power and means to defeat our sin. Let’s pray.

This sermon was preached at the Midweek service of Morning Prayer at St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald on Wednesday 12th May 2010.

David Cameron's Deadline

I've just watched David Cameron address a gathering of the Conservative Party faithful following the third and final Prime Ministerial Debate on UK television. He was saying that the workers have a message of change to communicate and take to every corner of the country. There's now less than one week until polling finishes in the General Election, so he's well aware of the deadline and shortness of time. Hence he said:

'Don't waste one minute; don't waste one hour; work to get the message out before the time ends.'

Well, the party workers nodded and clapped and left to get on with the job. If only we as Christians would similarly be motivated by the shortness of the time, and were using every opportunity and every day. Or as the apostle Paul says:

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Who Is Jesus?

Throughout my time at college, one of the questions that kept coming up was Who Is Jesus? In fact, there was even one whole module dedicated to the question - Christology. It's a question that is being asked again and again in popular culture, whether through The Da Vinci Code, or the Jesus is my Homeboy t-shirts.

Was he just a man? Was he God? How did the two fit together (if they do?)?

In our verse-by-verse journey through Romans, we've made it to 1:3-4. In these two verses, Paul sets out clearly that Jesus is both God and man. Here's what he says:

[in the Holy Scriptures] concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord...

Firstly, do you notice, as we saw in the last Romans posting, that the Holy Scriptures are all about Jesus! Jesus is the Son of God. This is the impact of the first tree words of verse 3. 'Concerning his Son' - this, even before it speaks of his being the son of David. Jesus is therefore the incarnate Son of God, who was present at the creation of the universe (Colossians 1:16).

Jesus is the Son of God who was also the son of David - descended according to the flesh. That's the claim to be the kingly Messiah, great David's greater son, the true King of the Jews. Blind Bartimaeus saw this clearly when he cried out to Jesus 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' (Mark 10:47)

But more than that, by his death and his resurrection, Jesus is declared to be the Son of God. No questions after this - Jesus is both God and man. This is why Jesus Christ can truly be called our Lord.

The Family of Jesus - Luke 8:4-21. Sermon on Sunday 17th August 2008 in St Elizabeth's Parish Church, Dundonald

I wonder how good you are at spotting family resemblances. As some of you will know, we got married last month. Weddings are a time when the families come together, especially some people you haven’t seen for a while. I don’t know about you, but when our family comes together, they start into the comparisons. I have one cousin in particular, who some people think looks a bit like me.

So in our reading today, when Jesus’ mother and his brothers come along, perhaps people noticed some similarities. But when they try to get to see Jesus, they can’t make it – the crowds are too large. Instead, they send a message to Jesus that they are there. They wanted to see him. Maybe they thought they had some priority over the crowds. Jesus would make time for them because they were his family.

Yet what Jesus says may seem surprising, perhaps even rude. ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’ (8:21) Jesus is redefining who belongs to his family. No longer is it on the basis of human relationships – being born into the right family. Rather, it is on the basis of hearing and doing God’s word.

We’ll see now as we consider the whole passage that this hearing and doing of God’s word is the key. In fact, you could say that the family likeness in the family of God is this very feature of hearing and doing. You’ll remember that in the Letter to the Hebrews, the author spells out how Jesus is our brother: ‘Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.’ (Heb 2:17)

For Jesus, therefore, the family likeness for his brothers and sisters is to hear and do the word of the Father. But before we look at the passage, we first need to do a hearing test. At the end of verse 8, Jesus cries out ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ It’s almost like a sound check, making sure that people are listening, and are really hearing him – not just hearing the stories he tells, but actually listening and understanding.

For example, a few months ago I was in Italy with some friends from college. I could have sat in the cafes or town centres all day listening to the voices speaking Italian. But just because I was hearing the sounds didn’t mean that I was hearing the people – hearing and understanding.

This is precisely what Jesus is talking about when the disciples ask him to explain the parable (of the sower). ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that “seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”’ (10)

When you listen to the teaching of Jesus, do you just hear the stories, or are you really hearing – hearing to understand the secrets of the kingdom? How is your hearing?

We see the importance of hearing in the parable of the sower (although perhaps it should be known as the parable of the soils). You’ve probably heard the parable before – the sower sows his seed, with it landing in various places, with the corresponding response.

Some people in the crowd may have thought that Jesus was talking about farming methods, as if he was from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. But there’s more going on here than just a story about a farmer. We get the hint in Jesus’ words in verse 8 – let him who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Notice, as Jesus explains the parable to his disciples, that the people represented by the four kinds of soil all heard the word – none can be excused for not knowing or hearing. Look with me at verses 12-15 – look at the repeated pattern in each verse of ‘those who hear (the word).’ All hear – that’s for sure. But not all do. Remember the family likeness we’re thinking of this morning – hearing and doing. It’s not enough to just hear the word of God – we also have to do it, obey it.

Otherwise, then the seed on the path would have been fine. But as we see, the seed, the word, is snatched away. (Notice that the devil will try to take the word away, to stop us from reading our Bibles – there are so many attractive alternatives!). The seed on rocky soil had immediate impact, but also immediate failing when the hard times came, because they weren’t building their life on the word. Or the seed among weeds, which began to flourish under the word, but then was choked by the cares and the riches and the pleasures of life. The Word wasn’t first priority for these people. It got crowded out. It’s easier just to watch TV in the evening rather than reading the bible. We would rather just read a novel or the newspaper, than spend time in our Bibles.

How’s your hearing today? Do you take the time to hear and understand? What about through the week? Do you immerse yourself in your Bible reading to hear God’s word? You could get involved in the fellowship groups when they begin again to share with others in learning and hearing and encourage one another to the doing of God’s word.

Yes, hearing the word of God is so very important. As if to underline that and put it in bold with flashing lights, Jesus says in verse 18 ‘Take care how you hear.’ And we need to take care how we hear, because it is reflected in our doing.

At first reading, it appears that verses 16-17 don’t seem to fit. It’s hard to see what Jesus is getting at. And yet, as we recall the twin themes of hearing and doing, it all makes sense.

Imagine, for a second, that there was a power cut, as there was at home yesterday. Everyone scrambles for the candles, trying to remember where they were left. But when you light them, you wouldn’t hide them down the back of the sofa. No, you would put them in the centre of the room, or up on a table so that everyone can see.

What Jesus is saying here is that when we hear the word, then we really have to do it – we have to obey. If we just hear the word and do nothing about it, then it’s like lighting a lamp and putting it away.

But more than that, if we have heard the good news of the word of God, then we need to pass it on. If we have been lit up by the gospel, then we should be shining so that others can see the light.

Think of Paul’s words to the Colossian Christians, reminding them of what God has done for them. ‘He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.’ (Col 1:13). So if we’re no longer in darkness, but in God’s marvellous light – ‘walk as children of light’ (Ephesians 5:8). Hearing God’s word should and must change us – as stark as moving from darkness to light. We’re called to live for God, to shine for him. I’m reminded of the old children’s hymn – ‘Jesus bids us shine with a pure clear light.’

This is all the more so when we consider verse 17 – we’re to shine, to show God’s word in our doing, because there will come a day when all the secret things will be revealed, and brought to light. It appears that this refers to the secrets of the kingdom (10). While some people are blinded now, there will come a day when all will see Jesus for who he is – the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. But on that day it will be too late.

This is why Jesus tells us to take care how you hear. You see, some people read verse 18 and think that it’s all about possessions or money or wealth. To the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.

But it’s all about hearing the word, and doing it! Here there are two types of people. First, there are those who have, and there are those who don’t have, but who think they do.

The first group are those who have the word of God. These are the people who hear the word, and obey it – like the good soil of the parable. They’re also the people who have heard the word, the light has been lit, and they shine, doing God’s word and telling others.

At the end, when the judgement comes, they will be rewarded with the promise of ‘more will be given.’ Those who delight in hearing and doing God’s word will be given more – they will spend eternity with Him, in close fellowship with Him. They are displaying the family likeness – becoming more like Jesus.

But the second group, well that’s a different story. These people may well have been good churchgoers. They maybe knew their memory verses off by heart at Sunday School. They could quote chapter and verse on any subject. They thought they had God’s word nailed.

But it turns out that they had not. Yes, they had heard the word, but they had done nothing about it. No obedience, just a building up of knowledge, a puffing up of pride. There’s no family likeness in them – they aren’t becoming more like Jesus, and in the end, on that day, even what they think they have is taken away from them.

Friends, this was me. I grew up through Sunday School and church. I was involved in Boys' Brigade, in the choir, and anything else that was going. At BB, I would always win the Scripture Cup. I knew my Bible. I knew about God. But here’s the thing – I didn’t know God. I thought I knew, but I wasn’t living in obedience and faith.

Thankfully the Lord saved me, and my life has been turned around. Hearing and doing God’s word is not easy – it’s so much easier to go with the flow with the world around us. But in the end, it doesn’t profit to go with the flow. Rather, we need to ‘hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.’

We’re called today to hear, to truly hear God’s word. But not just to hear, we’re also called to obey – to do it. Remember the words of James – ‘But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.’ (James 1:22).

Why not take a hearing test this afternoon. Take half an hour to pray, and consider how you hear God – and what you do about what you read in his word.

Jesus calls us to display the family likeness – just like my former church, which had the mission statement ‘more like Jesus’ – ‘my mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.’

He who has ears, let him hear… Take care then how you hear.

CITC Community Review - Senior Student's Column

Over the summer I had the privilege of travelling to Romania for my College Summer Placement. Through the two weeks with the Smiles Foundation, I saw the tremendous growth of the gospel where previously there had been oppression. One of the highlights of the trip was being in Tileagd Community Church, on the edge of a gypsy village. Together, we praised God – a small fulfilling of the vision of John where he saw every tribe, people and language (Rev 7:9). In the time of open prayer, people prayed aloud to God in English, Romanian, the Gypsy language, and even a flurry of Ulster-Scots! My time in Romania enlarged my vision of God, affirming that ‘Our God is a great big God!’ But more than that, it demonstrated the words of Paul to the Colossians – ‘All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth’ (Col 1:6). We who have been called to preach the gospel can find heart that the gospel of Jesus is powerful and effective, and is still bearing fruit!

Paul's ministry. A sermon preached in College Chapel at Late Evening Office on 6th April 2006. Colossians 1:24 - 2:5

Through the spring, I’ve been going through Colossians with my youth group back in Dromore, and recently, I was struck by the passage we’re using tonight. I want to make a few quick observations on the passage, as we think tonight about mission, and especially about our own ministry, as we prepare for the work of the gospel.

First, we notice Paul ‘became a minister [of the church] according to the stewardship from God that was given to me… to make the word of God fully known’ (1:25). It wasn’t Paul’s idea to be a minister, but rather, it was God who called and commissioned him for the work. And similarly, when times of discouragement come for us, we do well to remember that we haven’t come into this work of our own accord, but that we have been called of God, and we are his stewards.

It seems that this also encouraged Paul, even in the times he suffered for the church, for Christ’s body (1:24) – not in regard to any redemptive sufferings, because nothing can add to those that Christ suffered for us on the cross, but rather, his pains in labouring for the gospel and facing opposition and persecution.

We then find the heart of the message that Paul was called to proclaim. The message, the mystery which had been hidden for generations but was now revealed to the saints was this: ‘the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (1:27).

Christ is our message, in whom we trust, and who, by living in us, spurs us to the hope of glory, as we look forward to his glorious appearing, when we will be like him and be with him forever. In him, also, is ‘hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (2:3) – with the image of a mine being open, and all we have to do to obtain these treasures is to go and dig.

Finally, we find the purpose of Paul’s work. In verse 28, he says ‘him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.’ Paul wants to see this church in Colosse, as well as every Christian, to come to maturity, as they grow up in Christ. In verse 2 we find a bit more of how this will work in practice – ‘that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.’ This is the situation looked forward to by one of our readings from earlier this week, in Jeremiah 31: ‘And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying “Know the Lord”, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.’ (Jeremiah 31:34).

Let us all seek to do the work God has called us to, proclaiming Christ at the heart of our message, and indeed, the only message, and striving so that all may come to full maturity in Christ.