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Serving God and Sharing Good News |
Weekly Bible Notes
Ordinary 15 Year A (Trinity 7)
| Opening Verse |
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Flood our lives with your grace, O Lord. Fill our whole being with your radiance, our innermost souls with your presence, and our very wills with your strength. Let us shine with the light of Christ, let us preach by example and let us carry nothing in our hearts but your love; through Christ our Lord. Amen. John Henry Newman, 1801-90 |
| Collect Prayer | ||
| First Reading: | ||
| Second Reading: | ||
| Gospel Reading | ||
| Post Communion Sentence | ||
| Commentary: | ||
| Meditation: | ||
| Hymns | ||
| Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead: | ||
| Intercessions from our Sunday worship | ||
| Sermon |
Introduction
The Gospel reading today tells the parable of the sower. God is at work in the world, but there is a snag, God expects us to co-operate in order for his will to be achieved. This is important, we have within us the ability to work with God, or to completely do or own thing. God does not control us, he seeks to co-operate with us. We all have that free decision, do I accept and follow God or not?
So ask yourself, how fertile is your life to allow God's seed to grow ?
Opening Verses of Scripture Romans 8:14
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not
receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you
received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The
Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Collect Prayer for the Day — Before we read we pray
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Eternal God, giver of love and peace, you call your children to live
together as one family. Give us
grace to learn your ways and to do your will, that we may bring justice and
peace to all people,
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Collect for NCH Sunday
First Bible Reading
Genesis 25; 19-34
This is the account of Abraham's son Isaac. Abraham became the father of
Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of
Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac
prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD
answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies
jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?"
So she went to inquire of the LORD. The LORD said to her,
"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be
separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will
serve the younger." When the time came for her to give birth, there were
twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was
like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came
out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was
sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. The boys grew up, and Esau
became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet
man, staying among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved
Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau
came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me
have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" That is why he was also called
Edom. Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look, I am about to
die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear
to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and
then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
Isaiah 55: 10 - 13
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields
seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from
my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be
led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the
thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will
grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which
will not be destroyed."
Second Reading Romans Chapter 8 :1 – 11
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me
free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in
that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in
the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in
sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be
fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but
according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have
their minds set
on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the
Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful
man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the
sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it
do so. Those
controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are
controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God
lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not
belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin,
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him
who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from
the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who
lives in you.
Gospel Reading Matthew
Chapter 13 : 1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
Post Communion Sentence
Lord God, whose Son is the true vine and the source of life, ever giving
himself that the world may live: may we so receive within ourselves the
power of his death and passion that, in his saving cup, we may share his
glory and be made perfect in his love; for he is alive and reigns, now and
for ever. Amen.
Commentary
The parable of the sower is very familiar and you will have heard many explications of it over the years. I must confess when I hear the parable, I think of my own little attempt to grow lettuce or sunflowers in the garden. When things don’t grow it isn’t of any importance. But Jesus was trying to tell his people that the barriers to growth, spiritual growth, were real and frightening and could mean the difference between life and death. In Jesus’ time the population as a whole were much more keenly aware than most of us now are, of the vital nature of agriculture. The people around Jesus all knew that if the seed did not flourish then starvation, illness and death would shortly follow. This brings a new urgency to the parable.
In his explanation of the story Jesus spoke of the parable as meaning that the types of soil meant different types of personality and their ability to grasp and retain the meaning of the Word. I wonder too, if Jesus’ story might be applicable to each one of us: that we are across our lifetimes quite differently able to be receptive to God’s word? What if we move in and out of being strong healthy productive plants and revert to becoming spindly or drooping plants at others?
People in this congregation often speak to me about their sense of grief about their children or grandchildren either not having any faith or not a faith which takes them to church. I do not feel we should despair. Many people return to regular worship at key change points in their lives: when they have their first child, when their children do not need them quite so much, after a bereavement. I firmly believe that God calls to us. I believe that our hearts are restless till they rest in God, and that we are pulled gently back to Him, if not in our lives then at the end. God will never let go of us, though we may not always be conscious of it. To return to the metaphor that Jesus uses. I think there are times when we are barren soil indeed. Perhaps when we are very sad or vulnerable. We become barren when we are disappointed or feeling lost.
But the sower, God, just keeps on patiently sending out the
seed until we are ready to receive it aright! Rev Dr Joan Crossley
Meditation
York. The debate about how to legislate for those who cannot accept Women
Bishops was all over the news for days, so if you read a paper or watch
television news you could hardly NOT know! It was our own lovely Bishop of
St Albans’ last time at Synod before he retires and he made a speech to
remember. He pointed out that 90% of our time in Synod was spent on debating
and legislating on domestic issues such as church fees, clergy discipline
and the women bishops procedures. This leaves only ten per cent of our time
to work on mission, social justice and the other big issues of the day.
Bishop Christopher rightly pointed out that Jesus did not commission his
followers to go forth and legislate and debate! Once a national church has a
large membership, a legal framework and financial responsibilities, then all
the rigmarole of management naturally follows. And of course Synod is the
legal body responsible for all that administration and management. It is
disheartening to note that all the good people gathered together at Synod
are focussed on issues of gender and sexuality almost to the exclusion of
anything else. In my sermon today I shall be talking about the challenges of
global climate change, which formed the basis of a carefully researched
document presented to Synod. The other main external issue this time was a
motion on Christian in the workplace, and the spiritual implications of work
in general. The tone of this debate was simply uplifting, showing the Church
at its very best. A great many wise and experienced people from all walks of
life are represented on Synod and they brought their experiences to the
floor of the debating chamber. The special challenges of excessive work and
the stresses that arise from Britons working the longest hours of any
country in Europe were discussed. Another member of Synod spoke movingly of
the evil of unemployment and the feelings of desperation, dislocation and
worthlessness (as well as the obvious economic hardships) that arise from
unemployment. The very good work done by ministers in secular employment
(like Sam) were mentioned: the very special role they play in presenting a
Christian perspective in the business world and the opportunities they have
for ministry to colleagues and contacts.
Several speakers mentioned chaplains, in city centres, shopping malls and
commercial centres. The chaplain to Canary Wharf in the economic heart of
the city minister to thousands of overworked city employees, retail outlet
and catering staff in that densely packed centre of stress and opportunity.
The general feeling of the debate was that Christians are already alert to
the need to spread the Good news and Christ’s love beyond the limitations of
Church and the time frame of Sunday. But that we should be alert to the need
to support those whose ministry is in this new areas and to divert funding
in these new directions. Rev Dr Joan Crossley
Hymns
- Praise to the Lord the Almighty
- Bind us together, Lord
- Lead us, heavenly father lead us
- Breathe on me breath of God
- O for a thousand tongues to sing
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead
Give us that peace of being at rest, that sabbath peace, the peace which knows no end. (St. Augustine)
Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed. Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking. May we put away all pretences and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice. May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous. Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle. Teach us to put in action our better impulses-straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one. Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind. Amen. (Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots)
I arise today through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendour of fire, speed of lightning, swiftness of the wind, depth of the sea, stability of the earth, firmness of the rock.
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me; God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's way to lie before me, God's shield to protect me, God's hosts to save me afar and anear, alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today against wounding Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation. Amen (Traditional.)
Additional Material
Commentary
The Gospel today has a message. We most usually ask ourselves ‘what kind of soil am I’? Are we rocky ground into which God tries to sow his seed, are we weak and feeble Christians lacking in courage? Are we so preoccupied with cares and worries that we are ineffective and useless soil? Perhaps we should also ask ourselves, ’how effective am I as the seed which God wishes to sow‘?
The sower throwing the seed is the Creator sending out the word. We are that word, we are the seed he scatters. Planted in different communities, families, marriages, work situations, ministries, vocations, God scatters us and plants us in the midst of a variety of situations. The creator sends us forth and expects us to be fruitful.
The question here for us is: Am I fruitful? In the midst of this community, in this marriage, as a father or mother in this family, as a Christian in this church community, as a minister, as a brother or sister, son or daughter, am I a blessing to the people I live among? Am I a fruitful word in their midst? Am I a good seed sown that raises up good fruit, great yields? What message do I carry to them, what message has God given to them through me? If God has scattered me to this place, these people, this situation, am I his word being creative and bringing forth life? Or will I return to him, barren and void?
The following prayer by Hildegard, expresses the thought that we go out as Christ and must seek to be visible expressions of his body on earth. Charles Royden
O eternal God, turn us into the arms and hands, the legs and feet of your beloved Son, Jesus. You gave birth to him in heaven before the creation of the earth, to become his living body. Make us worthy to be his limbs, and so worthy to share in his eternal bliss. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Performance Targets
From the parable of the sower we can see that even 2000 years ago Jesus had performance targets for Christians. As seed, the message of God’s kingdom is planted in your life, how do you consider God is producing a crop. What yield are you producing, a hundred, sixty or thirty times ?
Hymns (Mission Praise)
- Be thou my vision,
- After confession—When I feel the touch
- Beauty for brokenness
- Like a mighty river flowing
- And can it be
- Lift high the cross
- Begin my tongue
- He’s got the whole world
- As man and woman we were made
- Love divine
- May the mind
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead with special prayers for NCH Sunday
Lord Jesus, you showed us how to put the child at the centre when they were pushed to one side to be seen but not heard. You were encouraging, positive, gentle generous with your time patient in your listening and loving in your response. Let us put the child at the centre and give them safe space and boundaries to grow and develop a sense of themselves of others and the world. Let us give them courage when they need it freedom to play, laugh and cry and above all, let us give them the same endless love that you offer each one of us. Help us to find the child in ourselves and put them at the centre of who we are so that we rediscover the trust, honesty and vulnerability in our relationship with you and so come closer to seeing and bringing about your kingdom. Amen
Eternal God, giver of love and peace, you call us your children to live
together as one
family. Give us grace to do your will, that we may bring justice and peace
to all people, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
O Lord who loves us as a father, who cares for us as a mother, who came to share our life as a brother; we confess our failure to live by your principles. We have not always shown your love. We have not seen or have chosen to ignore the needs of others. Reminds us what it means to be your children. Make us worthy of you. We want you to be proud of us. Help us to see ourselves and others as you see us. Fill our relationships with compassion and love, fill our hearts with faith and hope for our world. Amen.
Eternal God, we believe your purpose is joy for all your children. And we come with our prayers and our fears for this world, where so many have no taste of joy, or have their joy knocked out of them. We pray for parents—the seeds of whose hope of joy and security in their children are never given ground in which to grow. Give us your help and healing. Help us to discover through our difficulties the grace of your Spirit and the power of his liberating love, that comes to its full strength in our weakness. Broken relationships and broken spirits are healed, new starts are made. New hope is given.
Loving God, we thank you for every family where loves nurtures, where forgiveness heals, and children grow and flourish. We remember families in trouble where things have gone wrong and need time and patience, love and forgiveness to be put right. We thank you that we are all your children, heirs to your kingdom. Your love for us is conditional and will carry us safely through fear, anxiety and difficult times; and will also share our happiness and pleasure. We are all your children; secure in the love that you show us through others, and the presence of your Spirit to guide us. Amen.
Give us confidence to learn and grow together, to take our place in your world. Fulfill your purpose in us, your children, and grant us your grace now and forever. Amen