Preacher: Canon Graham
Date: 23/01/2022
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” What an incredible piece of scripture and what a powerful illustration of the outpouring of God’s love. So many questions start to flood my mind, inspired by the theological writing of Robert Brearley.
Luke recapturing the events and involvement of the Holy Spirit in the early days of Jesus’ ministry.
Here we have Jesus in the Temple reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. Preceded by the account of Jesus Baptism and then the somewhat longer account of his temptations in the wilderness.
Holy Spirit stories where the Spirt, claims, tests and empowers Jesus for the ministry that lies ahead.
In reading this account and Luke’s recording of it; it makes clear that it is the Spirit that is leading Jesus to be an agent of mercy to the downtrodden, he is good news to the poor and release for the captives, sight for the blind and frees the oppressed.
Some interesting challenges come from this and challenges that are just as real for today’s church, as they were in Jesus’ time.
These days often the question that people ask of us is
“How are we doing as a church?
Obsession with statistics and growth… anyway what is the measurement of success? Surely the real question is “As a church, what are we doing for God?”
Jesus steps forward:- he declares the truth about his life: he has been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and anointed to bring good news to the poor. This is mission in action. If we turn this question around and face it ourselves… are we clear about our mission; and do we understand what it is that God has given us to do?
If we fail to grasp this and we step away from mission, there is a corresponding depletion of the life and vitality of the church.
We know that we belong here because we want to belong to God, if what we do in the life of the church is simply for our own ends, then no wonder the well of life-giving spirit in the church starts to dry up!
We don’t do this for ourselves. Surely it is that we do it for God, whatever it is that we do in the life of the church, if that makes sense?
The question is how can we know that we have the power of the Spirit? … Tom Harvey a Presbyterian ministry suggests…We know because the Holy Spirit gives us something to do for God, and what’s more a time to do it!
There is a sense of urgency in Jesus’ mission, he rolled up the scroll and said. Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!
The time of God’s Holy Spirit is today, right now.
It is the Holy Spirit speaking when you hear God whisper to you, “Child of God live this day as if it were your first day, as if it were your last day, as if it were your only day!”
What does this say to us in our context?
We are reflecting gently in this Parish on our stewardship, and we know that finances need to be secured, but far more importantly than securing the finance is the task of energising the church. We know that the church is you and me…not the building… it’s you and me…
Our Stewardship is also primarily about what we can offer in time and talent. What is it that God has given us to do in terms of building and equipping his church?
What is our mission? What is our purpose?
I am thrilled that very soon 6 West Market Place will be launched, our Parish Forum, indeed linking into the Roman connotation… it is our Market Place and what’s more it is the opportunity for gathering together in the market place. What could be better in terms of our Mission?
In today’s Gospel, this is our wakeup call, this is the Spirit whispering, the time is now and we need to be ready.
Combine this with the Life vision that we sign up to as the Diocese of Gloucester. As a parish we need to provide vibrant leadership, to use the Parish Forum with real imagination as we engage with this community as a lively witness to our faith. This is such a fantastic opportunity for us as a parish and indeed for us as individuals.
Every one of us has a ministry, every one of us has our part to play, as we live this day
As if it were the first,
As if it were the last,
As if it were the only day.
This is the day when we note that Jesus said yes to God. This is the day when we need to say yes with a real sense of urgency to working Gods purpose as we develop the Mission of this Parish and proactively engage with the ministry of all people, yes in the market place.
To do this will ensure that we have
a vibrant community of faith,
and a vibrant group of people who live their Christian discipleship seven days a week in so many varied ways. This is truly church.
The Holy Spirit comes when we have something to do for God, and indeed a time to do it.
Following this Jesus means accepting his mission and his time.
What would change in our lives and in our churches if we stood on the pews on Sunday morning and declared to God and to one another, God gives us no other day other than today to bring good news to the poor,
release to the captives,
sight to the blind,
freedom to the oppressed
and the new beginnings to all who have failed?
Jesus went forth in the power of the Spirit as an agent of God’s mercy… and if we believe in the church, then so do we!
Are you ready for Mission?