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Bible Reading:
For those who
have been watching ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ on the BBC it has
been a week of high drama. John Sergeant, former BBC
political reporter loved by the nation, said his farewell
with thousands of people telephoning in to support him.
It can only be
in Britain when we are in a serious financial situation,
when job and mortgage prospects look bleak, when many will
be facing a poorer Christmas, that we find time to worry
about ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
There is no
doubt we are an extraordinary nation, but at the same a most
generous one.
Children in
Need broke all records, and people have been coming into
this Church yesterday saying that they are looking forward
to the Christmas Tree Festival which begins on December
4th and one of the numerous parents came into Church
were her daughter who goes to Stepping Stones Pram Service,
and said that this year she has saved up £20 in coins to put
in all the trees. She will not be the only one. I have no
doubt that if the weather holds we should have a bumper
crowd. I am certainly not dreaming of a ‘White
Christmas Tree Festival’.
Now what is this
to do with today which is Christ the King Sunday?
Everything
really.
Because as a
nation when we have been the poorest we are often the most
generous and this is what Christ calls us to do today
The Gospel is
all about the final judgement. Matthew’s Gospel like the
Koran is split into five sections, and here we have the
fifth part which prepares the readers for the Passion of
Christ.
In the Epistle
we are told quite clearly that we like the Ephesians are
called by God and chosen by God, that with all saints we are
being made holy to enjoy the presence of God and that we
have power, the limitless power of God working in and
through us.
The Ephesian
Church is told that Christ reigns in glory and that we who
believe have this privilege now, which is a foretaste of the
untold glory to come. In this service today we have a
foretaste of heaven and this is why our worship should be of
the highest quality.
But don’t let
this go to your heads. I can remember a headmaster of mine
welcoming first formers to school on the first day of term
and telling us that we were the cream of society – what a
ridiculous thing to say to an 11 year old boy. Actually many
of my friends wasted their time at school, and wasted their
lives. You may have gifts and privileges but it is what you
do with them that actually matters.
And what should
we do with our privileges as a Christians. It is quite
simple in the Gospel for today. We will be judged as
everyone will be judged by how they treat the poor and
needy.
It is very
simple.
So whatever you
think of the Christmas Tree Festival, charity table top
sales, Christian Aid sales, Our local Royal British Legion
poppy appeal or the countless charities that as a Church we
support during the year, the purpose behind this charity is
to follow what actually Christ told us to do.
No one said you
can’t have fun raising money, no one said you can’t support
the work of the local Church through charity giving.
Did you know
that once the Church Council took the decision to help other
people other than the Church then actually funds started
coming in the Church enabling us to do the work that has
been achieved so far.
In Matthew we
see Christ as King judging the whole world. Individual
rulers and nations will be judged on how they have cared for
the poor, the weak, the prisoner and the stranger.
The saddest
phrase used by so many in my opinion is ‘Charity begins at
home’ – which often means that you have no intention of
helping anyone except yourself. We have all probably had the
experience of collecting for a charity. It isn’t easy thing
to do. But Christ is asking more than that. It is not just
about giving money it is about our own spiritual poverty.
Today we
celebrate Christ the King who reigns in glory and as Martin
Luther once said, ‘This Kingship is a hidden glory veiled
to those who live by the world’s values.’ Christ will
only be recognised by those who know their own spiritual
poverty and need, and whose minds are open to receive him in
faith.
The final
judgement is inevitable and it is uncomfortable. You can add
it to the things that we really don’t want to think too much
about because we really have no personal solutions. For
example : global warming, oil running out, or the
populations explosion.
The key to a
good night’s sleep as a Christian is to do what you can help
people as, don’t walk by on the other side, be aware of the
world’s needs. Pray and support what you can, live as good a
life as you can. As my ministry team knows, ‘Perfect we do
not do’, but Christians ought to have a conscience about the
world needs. We can not solve every problem but we should
not ignore than either. Christians should know what is in
the news and to have understanding.
Two
organisations I love dearly even with their faults is the
Church of England and Rotary International. What I like
about them is that at the heart of a good Church or a good
Rotary Club is compassion. Compassion for all people
regardless of status and creed. Yesterday we had compassion
on all the special constables freezing in the Market Place
waiting for the switching on of the town Christmas lights –
we issued cake and tea to them all to say thank you as well
as 4 ATC Cadets giving out Christmas Tree Festival leaflets.
We made lots of friends. The Church was at its best.
Generous, caring understanding and having compassion. Little
cake was left over I might add.
Many may
criticise the Church here for being too involved in the
community in which we live, but all I can say to them after
the Christmas Tree Festival is that you can take a well
earnt rest after Christmas knowing that we have put into
operation what Christ commanded.
Some clergy will
spend St Stephen’s Day and St John Days and what ever
Feast you name after Christmas in their Church. That’s their
choice. I will be home with my family but of course I will
be available for emergencies – we always on duty if at home.
But we will have a break
Why don’t you do
the same – you have all deserved it. |
