sermon excerpts: "Into the Light"

Paul is another biblical writer fond of using opposites. He appreciated the difference between God’s power and human power. This comes through in his contrast between light and dark, peace and destruction.

Reading through this part of his letter can, admittedly, be quite distressing. It is a fear-inducing passage that confuses us by a lack of forgiveness. It's disquieting to think we can't ever rest, that something will come to shatter the peace. Like labour pains, like a thief in the night, a day of judgment will burst forth.

Can’t we ever live simply in the moment and feel happiness or satisfaction without the threat of impending doom? Our history shows this trend is not new. From the enforced "peace" of Nazi Germany, to the construction of bomb shelters during the Cold War / Cuban Missile Crisis, it appears that we are being robbed of the joy found in happy moments.

This was the reality for the early church, living in a time of persecution, not knowing if, or when, they would be arrested and tortured and killed. Not knowing if, or when, Christ would return in a great and terrible of judgment.

When we baptize infants, we mark the beginning of a new journey through life. We recognize and value their faith, the questions they will have in the ever-changing world. One lesson they will painfully learn is that life is full of surprises, setbacks and distressing revelation. There will be a decision to make: respond in faith or not. Do we react to the disasters that befall us, bewailing our dilemma, or do we seek opportunities to help others, with loving service and compassion?

Hope is more than just merely optimism, it is a response born out of genuine belief that God’s purpose is greater than vengeance and wrath. Every child, every person of faith should know this. God is love, not fear. Not even our own insecurities, our guilty consciences or self-victimizing behaviours can stand in the way of a love that is greater, wider, deeper, unshakeable, than anything we can imagine.

As people of the light, let us encourage one another and build one another up. The world does a fine enough job on its own of tearing down and discouraging. We hold ourselves to a higher purpose, to a greater cause and more charitable conduct to one another.

Our destiny is for salvation, not for God’s anger. We are people called to move from the darkness through the shadows and into the light. We take to heart the last verse of the selection: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” It's easier said than done, encourage and building up one another, but that is the heart of the gospel of Christ. It is the gift of community, something those individuals seeking "spirituality, but not religion" miss having.

We are here together, out of hope, out of care and out of commitment to encourage one another and build up each other. Here is the place that we end up, it is where we need to be, here is the moment specially constructed for us.