(no subject)
Just a long one about how services yesterday (and my sermon for those who haven't seen it yet who want to)
In our readings today we saw two different widows, from two different times and probably two different backgrounds. However, they have one thing in common: they made sacrifices to God. I’m not talking about the full-blown, bloody, ritualistic sacrifices that used to happen in the Temples, but rather their personal sacrifices of what they have and who they are.
Before we start looking at the two widows, let me explain what it was like to be a widow in Biblical times. In contrast to married women, who were completely subject to their husbands, widows were able to carry out their own financial affairs - and this is why we see the widow in Mark being able to make her own choice about giving her money to God at the Temple. However, there are two sides to every coin, and ultimately, the state of widowhood has a negative side in that it could also lead to poverty, as widows had no form of income, and they were in no social situation to get a job to earn money.
With this background in mind, let us now look at the two widows in question.
The widow in Kings is approached by what would have been to her a complete stranger, who demands of her a drink of water and some bread. Although this seems at first sight a trivial thing to ask for, it is clear to the widow that she cannot possibly give the food to Elijah, otherwise she and her son will most certainly starve. However, God promised that “the bowl will not run out of flour or the jar run out of oil before the day that I, the Lord, send rain”. Because of God’s promise to provide for the widow, her son, and Elijah, they all had enough to eat for days. It was because of the widow’s trust in Elijah and God that this was possible.
In Mark we see a different portrayal of a widow, who is described in contrast to the Teachers of the Law. The Teachers of the law are described negatively in this passage, as they are said to make a show of their prayers and to rob the widows and the poor of their possessions. Therefore the widow in this passage could either be seen to have been robbed of her last two coins, as she felt “forced” to give them to the Temple, or she was wholeheartedly making a sacrifice to the living God. If it was because she felt pressured by the Temple to give her money to them, this was wrong and they were indeed taking advantage of the widows. So what does this mean to today’s church? Are we encouraging free giving or are we forcing people to give what they simply cannot?
But, I hear you cry, there are lots of Christians who give a lot to God, and lots of Christians who don’t give as much to God. Neither group are wrong, or less holy, as it is our intentions that please God. Even that which could seem a little gift can be HUGE in Gods sight. I was reminded of this in particular in the aftermath of the Tsunami of Boxing day 2004. I saw in the Media that lots of people were giving a lot of money to help the survivors of the tsunami, and even the church council of my home church decided that there should be a collection for those affected by the Tsunami, and a lot of the older members of the church were giving a lot more money that I had given. However, as much as I’d have loved to have given more money, I simply couldn’t afford to. One person in particular reminded me that I was probably giving the same percentage as what they were, and also that it’s what is in the heart that matters, the intention behind the giving, rather than what is physically given. We shouldn’t give because we feel we ought to as Christians, we should give from the joy of our hearts. There are also other ways of giving, and other means by which people can be helped. For example, praying is a big way of helping someone in need, and is often the best thing one can do.
This leads me on to the next point, that the sacrificial giving of all that we have and all that we are does not only cover our material possessions, for example money and goods, all that we have. It also covers our time, our efforts, our hearts, and our spirits. God made us, and gave us our gifts, so we ought to thank him by returning our all to him.
Sacrificial giving is good and holy, but the key thing that comes hand in hand with this is striking the balance. I heard of a church which was criticised for being too focused on building repairs, instead of helping the poor and needy in places like the third world.
So let’s look at this hypothetically. Suppose this church looked again at its policies on giving and on building repairs, and decided to give all it had to spend on building repairs to places like the third world. What would happen to the building? Surely it would crumble and decay,
It is the same with us as human beings. If we gave all that we are to working for the Lord, we could end up burnt out and then we’d be good for nobody. We need to strike a balance in our daily lives so that we can continue to be fruitful in what God has called us to do. One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn since starting at University is knowing what God wants me to give to Him, and where he wants to be. I know that this will come through having a deeper relationship with him, and by talking with him in prayer.
We’ll sing in a moment the song “take my life and let it be”, but first let’s spend some time thinking about what God wants us to do in our lives, where he wants us to be, what he wants us to give.
Followed by silence and extemporary prayer along the lines of "Lord you have searched us and know us, stir up in our hearts you will for our lives"
AM- Stockton on the Forrest
This was the more stressful out of the two, as BOTH my mentors were there (i.e. home circuit and york circuit).
I was completely nervous, messed up the beginning because of it. However I felt the service as a whole went OK
CONGREGATION FEEDBACK
1) Its great to see a young person up the pulpit (usual comment, although I'm grateful for the positive feedback it seems they have overlooked the other bits- as if my only skill is being young [which i won't be forever])
2) I could hear every word you said (which is good as a rule!)
3) I felt rushed during the meditation (therefore in future i need to SLOW DOWN!)
MENTOR FEEDBACK
GLENYS (Home circuit)
1) I've come on such a long way since she heard me preach last
2) However, the service was only 50 minutes long, and the meditation and the prayers were quite rushed. (SLOW DOWN!!!!)
JOAN (York Circuit)
1) I was more nervous today than she has ever seen me- needed to calm down a little
2) agreed with Glenys that i rushed through a few parts of it
3) Could have used visual aids better- had picture and two bowls
HUNTINGTON
I love this church, theres such a good atmosphere about the place
CONGREGATION FEEDBACK
1) I loved the prayers, they were so moving. The hymns were also good
2) Could have had more time to think during the meditation
MENTOR FEEDBACK
Only Joan this time
1) So much improved from morning, so much more confident and relaxed. Could have spend more time on meditation still
2) Could have still placed some more focus on the visual aids
All in all, my confidence has been boosted considerably. I know now I can do a sermon, and a whole service.
GOD BE PRAISED!
In our readings today we saw two different widows, from two different times and probably two different backgrounds. However, they have one thing in common: they made sacrifices to God. I’m not talking about the full-blown, bloody, ritualistic sacrifices that used to happen in the Temples, but rather their personal sacrifices of what they have and who they are.
Before we start looking at the two widows, let me explain what it was like to be a widow in Biblical times. In contrast to married women, who were completely subject to their husbands, widows were able to carry out their own financial affairs - and this is why we see the widow in Mark being able to make her own choice about giving her money to God at the Temple. However, there are two sides to every coin, and ultimately, the state of widowhood has a negative side in that it could also lead to poverty, as widows had no form of income, and they were in no social situation to get a job to earn money.
With this background in mind, let us now look at the two widows in question.
The widow in Kings is approached by what would have been to her a complete stranger, who demands of her a drink of water and some bread. Although this seems at first sight a trivial thing to ask for, it is clear to the widow that she cannot possibly give the food to Elijah, otherwise she and her son will most certainly starve. However, God promised that “the bowl will not run out of flour or the jar run out of oil before the day that I, the Lord, send rain”. Because of God’s promise to provide for the widow, her son, and Elijah, they all had enough to eat for days. It was because of the widow’s trust in Elijah and God that this was possible.
In Mark we see a different portrayal of a widow, who is described in contrast to the Teachers of the Law. The Teachers of the law are described negatively in this passage, as they are said to make a show of their prayers and to rob the widows and the poor of their possessions. Therefore the widow in this passage could either be seen to have been robbed of her last two coins, as she felt “forced” to give them to the Temple, or she was wholeheartedly making a sacrifice to the living God. If it was because she felt pressured by the Temple to give her money to them, this was wrong and they were indeed taking advantage of the widows. So what does this mean to today’s church? Are we encouraging free giving or are we forcing people to give what they simply cannot?
But, I hear you cry, there are lots of Christians who give a lot to God, and lots of Christians who don’t give as much to God. Neither group are wrong, or less holy, as it is our intentions that please God. Even that which could seem a little gift can be HUGE in Gods sight. I was reminded of this in particular in the aftermath of the Tsunami of Boxing day 2004. I saw in the Media that lots of people were giving a lot of money to help the survivors of the tsunami, and even the church council of my home church decided that there should be a collection for those affected by the Tsunami, and a lot of the older members of the church were giving a lot more money that I had given. However, as much as I’d have loved to have given more money, I simply couldn’t afford to. One person in particular reminded me that I was probably giving the same percentage as what they were, and also that it’s what is in the heart that matters, the intention behind the giving, rather than what is physically given. We shouldn’t give because we feel we ought to as Christians, we should give from the joy of our hearts. There are also other ways of giving, and other means by which people can be helped. For example, praying is a big way of helping someone in need, and is often the best thing one can do.
This leads me on to the next point, that the sacrificial giving of all that we have and all that we are does not only cover our material possessions, for example money and goods, all that we have. It also covers our time, our efforts, our hearts, and our spirits. God made us, and gave us our gifts, so we ought to thank him by returning our all to him.
Sacrificial giving is good and holy, but the key thing that comes hand in hand with this is striking the balance. I heard of a church which was criticised for being too focused on building repairs, instead of helping the poor and needy in places like the third world.
So let’s look at this hypothetically. Suppose this church looked again at its policies on giving and on building repairs, and decided to give all it had to spend on building repairs to places like the third world. What would happen to the building? Surely it would crumble and decay,
It is the same with us as human beings. If we gave all that we are to working for the Lord, we could end up burnt out and then we’d be good for nobody. We need to strike a balance in our daily lives so that we can continue to be fruitful in what God has called us to do. One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn since starting at University is knowing what God wants me to give to Him, and where he wants to be. I know that this will come through having a deeper relationship with him, and by talking with him in prayer.
We’ll sing in a moment the song “take my life and let it be”, but first let’s spend some time thinking about what God wants us to do in our lives, where he wants us to be, what he wants us to give.
Followed by silence and extemporary prayer along the lines of "Lord you have searched us and know us, stir up in our hearts you will for our lives"
AM- Stockton on the Forrest
This was the more stressful out of the two, as BOTH my mentors were there (i.e. home circuit and york circuit).
I was completely nervous, messed up the beginning because of it. However I felt the service as a whole went OK
CONGREGATION FEEDBACK
1) Its great to see a young person up the pulpit (usual comment, although I'm grateful for the positive feedback it seems they have overlooked the other bits- as if my only skill is being young [which i won't be forever])
2) I could hear every word you said (which is good as a rule!)
3) I felt rushed during the meditation (therefore in future i need to SLOW DOWN!)
MENTOR FEEDBACK
GLENYS (Home circuit)
1) I've come on such a long way since she heard me preach last
2) However, the service was only 50 minutes long, and the meditation and the prayers were quite rushed. (SLOW DOWN!!!!)
JOAN (York Circuit)
1) I was more nervous today than she has ever seen me- needed to calm down a little
2) agreed with Glenys that i rushed through a few parts of it
3) Could have used visual aids better- had picture and two bowls
HUNTINGTON
I love this church, theres such a good atmosphere about the place
CONGREGATION FEEDBACK
1) I loved the prayers, they were so moving. The hymns were also good
2) Could have had more time to think during the meditation
MENTOR FEEDBACK
Only Joan this time
1) So much improved from morning, so much more confident and relaxed. Could have spend more time on meditation still
2) Could have still placed some more focus on the visual aids
All in all, my confidence has been boosted considerably. I know now I can do a sermon, and a whole service.
GOD BE PRAISED!