Friends
I lead a good life, a moral life, a Christian life. I go to Church, I pray, I serve others and I give to the poor. And when the slightest thing goes against me—the supermarket doesn’t have the product I desire, I miss the train by only a few minutes, I get a hole in my favourite pair of trousers—I start to question my faith: “Why me, O Lord?”
I become gloomy and despondent over these mere slight knocks. I do this because I have forgotten the Christian message—the Church is not there to provide me with my needs, as I determine them, according to the standards of this age; rather, the Church is here to guide us to Christ, reveal to us Christ, unite us with Christ, so that we may prepare here and now for union with him.
It is widely believed by many that “God will not give us more suffering and hardship than we can handle.” This is not, though, according to the testimony of Scripture.
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
Second Corinthians 1:8
The Apostle Paul did not suffer troubles and tribulations according to what he was able, but “beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” And I am forced to reflect on my own life: not only compared with the sufferings of St Paul, but compared with the sufferings endured throughout our world and even those endured in our country, the little trials of my life are insignificant.
And yet … yet they are opportunities where I can learn to face trials—however minor, however trivial—in a Christian way, in a loving way, in a way which allows me to grow into the likeness of God. And then when major difficulties do come I have learned to face them as did the Apostle. And, as the Apostle, we too can place our hope in God.
Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
verses 9–11
who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that he will still deliver us,
you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us learn to face the challenges of life according to the testimony of Scripture. And, whatever each of us is facing, let us share each other’s burdens with joy, carrying each other as we journey together to the joyous and blessed Pascha of our Lord who will not destroy suffering but fill it with his love so, even in great suffering,
that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
Romans 8:38–39
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our Christian life does not promise the end of sufferings, challenges or difficulties, rather that they are opportunities for us to demonstrate our loyalty and fidelity to God who reigns and offers us eternal Life.
Come and see.
Please note: there will be no email next week (3rd April). Weekend programme, 29th–31st March and 5–7th April, and beyond, will continue as normal.
We serve a meal following the Liturgy on Sundays. All are welcome.
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Sermon
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
I have discovered Christ and his Church, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, and I rejoice, I am thankful and I am strengthened by the Life I have received. And I speak to others about the truth of the Church, the beauty of worship, the depth of the theology, the profound dogmatic statements. I say all these and those around me are not interested: they smile and nod politely but really they are looking to escape from this awkward situation. They make their polite excuses and leave making me feel dejected and rejected. “How can they walk away from Orthodoxy?” I ponder in my heart.
But the truth of the matter is that I have walked away from Orthodoxy because I have walked away from Christ. I have transformed Christianity into dialogues and arguments on the topics of religion, of historicity, of the concept of truth, of the existence of God. But Christianity is centred on Christ. I have replaced Christ with “Orthodoxy” and the words of the beloved disciple apply to me,
“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” (First John 2:22)
Yet the Lord, for my sake and for my salvation, sets before me a different model.
“At that time, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.'”
And Philip did not prepare himself for philosophical arguments nor debates, he kept the encounter with Christ at the centre of his mind.
…
Read last Sunday’s Sermon, Christ is the centre.
Archive of Past Sermons.
Services this week
Friday 29th March
Discussion on the Gospel of Matthew, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 30th March
Great Vespers, 6.30 pm
At 3rd URC Scout HQ, Chandlers Ford
Sunday 31st March
Matins & Divine Liturgy, 9 am
At 3rd URC Scout HQ, Chandlers Ford
Online session is via Google Meet: please get in contact for the details.
Please join us: all are welcome, come and see.
Attending Church
We meet at 3rd URC Scout HQ, Kings Rd, Chandlers Ford SO53 2EY. The Scout hall is behind and to the left of the URC Church. Come and See.
Can I help you?
I am here for you, you need only ask. Is there a way I can support your life of faith? Get in touch.
Can you help the parish?
Yes, absolutely. Offer yourselves to the Lord: pray! Make available to him all your talents and ask him how he would like you to use them — listen for his reply.
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]