So here we are, who can tell me what today is? – I bet some on the children can.
Today is Guy Fawkes Night or better known as Bonfire night –who’s looking to have fireworks tonight?
Bonfire night is about celebrating something that didn’t happen.
Something that would have changed England a lot.
So what do we hear in the reading this morning?
We have Jesus telling the disciples that the Temple will not be left one stone on top of another, oh dear what would we do if that happened to our church?
Naturally they want to know when
Wouldn’t it be nice to know when it’s all going to happen – we could plan for it, make sure we’re ready.
Think of all the things we would need to find places for.
Have any of us been in that position, with all the floods we’ve had in the country there are lot’s of people like that. My daughter’s friends who live in Chesterfield have had to find somewhere to live because their house was flooded.
Hopefully it won’t be us .
Jesus also says that there will be lots of people who want to lead us astray, who claim to be the Messiah , perhaps the adults remember David Icke or David Koresh, who did just that.
We’re told that there will be wars and rumours of wars – sounds very familiar don’t you think.
If we look at our world today it would be very easy for us to say – help ‘ the end is nigh’ especially when we go on further in the Gospel reading and discover that we’ll be handed over for punishment and execution for our allegiance to Jesus .
( Children) have you ever been picked on because you come to church ? have you ever thought – I’m not going there anymore , I’ll have no friends left
It sounds an awful time . but Jesus goes onto say it will be cut short for the sake of God’s Chosen .
It says Whoever endures to the end will be saved !
Where are we in all this ???
A question we may well ask and one for which we might well want an answer .
We are indeed living in a time when it is more and more difficult to Grow the Kingdom – when people’s hearts are hard against God’s message . So what of us ?
Here in Amington are we reaching out to our neighbours trying our hardest to get the Gospel to them while we still can through the various things we can offer like Place of Welcome , Knit and Natter , Home groups – all places where we can invite people for a chat in a less formal setting and a chance to let people get to know us ‘
When we are at work , in School are we scared to say we belive in Jesu in case we are picked on , sent to Coventry etc.
Jesus tells us it is not for us to know when he will come again but to be on our guard .
In this present day we have become so wrapped up in our achievements as Mankind that we really think we have it sussed .
Do you remember reading of God’s people who thought so much of themselves that they thought they could build a tower to heaven. Perhaps some of the adults remember the song from the 60’s with the lines – and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.
There are times when that quest seems to be all that matters but we need to remember that Jesus gives us a task to spread the good news and that is something we could sometimes be accused of forgetting.
If we but believe in Jesus we need to worry about nothing – he tells as much but that needs to be our one focus .
Christmas is not far away, think of the presents but let’s remember it’s the time when Jesus came to this world ; it’s a wonderful opportunity to tell others what can and is to be for us as God’s people let’s not waste it .
In the early days when the church was in its’ infancy there was a real sense of anticipation that Jesus was coming soon and so the gospel was spread with real conviction and urgency to claim ‘ souls for Christ’ are we excited about Jesus’ return ? as we head towards Advent it’s time we thought hard and long about how effective we are at the task Jesus gave us so we can truly does God’s work in an excited anticipation of the arrival of ‘ The Kingdom of God’
We need not to listen to the fads of the day but to listen closely to what Jesus is saying to us ; individually and as a church , a congregation of people chosen by God to grow his Kingdom in this place to carry on the race started 159 years ago and to make sure we pass the baton on to those who will do it after us.
It’s a time to celebrate , just like we do with fireworks
I don’t think we can do fireworks in church but what about party poppers? Let’s keep on doing what Jesus asks and be ready to celebrate what he offers in spite of whether it makes us popular or not.