Presidential Address 2010
Sermon preached by the newly installed President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Paul Kingston
OUR CALLING TO FULFIL
I have chosen as my theme, "Our Calling to fulfil" because for me this phrase based on a line from one of Charles Wesley's hymns sums up much of what Christian life and Christian Ministry are about.
There are many aspects to this theme and I hope to explore some of them during this year. This evening I want to focus on the final command of our Lord to His disciples because I believe it expresses His purpose for His church in every generation.
Many people have been given exciting commissions in their lifetime. For example, Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design many great buildings, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a task that took ten years. But you and I have been given even a greater commission. Jesus commands us "Make disciples of all nations...." Think about it! Christ himself commissions us to be fellow-workers with him in this great creative never ending task. It is new and vital in every generation, because without obedience to it the church is ever only one generation from extinction.
Picture the context in which this commission was given - Jesus had spent three years ministering in Galilee. He had gathered a group of disciples around him. He had taught them about the Kingdom. They had observed his ministry. He had sent them out on mission. One of His main goals throughout this time was to prepare them so that they could carry on the work after His Ascension. But when Jesus was arrested, they were scared and ran away. When Jesus was crucified, they were devastated, disappointed and confused. They met together behind closed doors, no doubt asking, "What do we do now? Is this the end of it all?"
But, then their hopes were rekindled. The Risen Christ appeared to them a number of times. The final appearance took place back in Galilee where for them it had all begun and where now this Commission is given. He is saying in effect. It is over to you now.
Luke tells us in the book of Acts of how their lives were transformed and empowered by the coming of the Spirit and then the impact of their work and witness. If Christ could do what He did through those eleven weak, uneducated men, what could He not achieve if each person here was committed to fulfilling their calling in Christ as it is stated in His final command? In our church Building in Ballingrane, one of the Societies in my present circuit, there is a Memorial Tablet to the Rev Thomas Walsh. He is described as a Preacher and Evangelist. Thomas Walsh was converted to Christ through open air preaching on the streets of Limerick. He went throughout the length and breadth of this country - offering Christ to the people - and died at the age of twenty seven, burnt out in the service of Christ. John Wesley said of him, "Give me half a dozen men like Tommy Walsh and I will turn the Kingdom upside down". God has given us in this gathering far more than half a dozen dedicated men and women. There is immense potential right here.
The Spire of this beautiful church in which we are met is visible from quite a distance out to sea and has been a landmark for ships coming into Belfast harbor. It has helped bring them safely to their destination. Here is a parable of our Calling in Christ. We are to be as light in this dark world, to stand out morally and spiritually to guide others to Christ.
A college student became a Christian. Shortly afterwards he had to leave home for a few months for work experience. His friends feared he might be teased and ridiculed because of his faith or be tempted to abandon it altogether. When he returned home, they asked if others had given him a hard time because of his faith. He answered: "I handled it well. They never found out that I'm a Christian!"
The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. It was a name given by others who observed their way of life. Can others see that you are a followed of His? Or, do you just blend in?
This island North and South needs men and women who truly live out their Christian faith and bring Kingdom standards and values into every area of life. We face political uncertainty, difficult economic circumstances and spiritual impoverishment. Many feel let down and betrayed by politicians, financial institutions and indeed the church with all the scandals that have unfolded. Enquiries and tribunals have been costing millions, which ought to have been available for health care and education.
There are times when we hear or read the news and we almost despair.
We ask what hope is there for our children and grandchildren?
Our hope is in God and in the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. God has not given up on Ireland.
God has commissioned us to be His representatives, those through whom He seeks to fulfil His purpose.
In the Great Commission there are four "alls". The first is "ALL authority"
Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." The authority Jesus Christ commands is complete. He is Lord in heaven and on earth. He is Head of His body the Church. His is the authority to which His followers must submit and allow Him to be truly Lord in their lives.
So with all the authority Jesus commands, He says "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you, and Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age." The great commission was not given to an individual. It was given to His followers then and equally to the church, his followers now. His marching orders still stand.
I love the story of a raw army recruit standing at attention in the exercise yard. The drill instructor yells, "Forward, march!" And the entire ranks begin to move, all except this one recruit. He's still standing there at attention. So the instructor strolls over to him and yells in his right ear, "Is this thing working?"
"Yes sir. The recruit replies. Then the drill instructor walks around to the other ear and yells, "Is this thing working?" "Yes sir." The soldier says.
"Then why didn't you march when I gave the order?"
"Sir, I didn't hear you call my name."
Sometimes we are like that recruit standing around waiting for God to call our names. But the great commission is Christ's command to His whole Church. It has everyone's name on it. The commanding Officer, Jesus sends us out with His authority into the world. Last year was the Tercentenary of the arrival of the Palatines in Co Limerick and since a large proportion of my present congregations are their descendents, I was invited to a celebration meal at which I met the German Ambassador to Ireland with whom I had a long conversation. We discovered we had much in common since we were both accustomed to going where we are sent. But it was most challenging to discover just how excited and pleased he was to represent his country. It is what an ambassador is sent to do. We are ambassadors for Christ. We go out with His authority, in His name, with His stamp of approval. We need to make very sure that all we do is worthy of Him and His Kingdom. We must be obedient to His will and His purpose, wherever He has placed us. We must remind ourselves again and again that whereas it is wonderful to come and to invite others to come and join with us, we must go out into the world, with the authority of the Master to be his faithful ambassadors.
The second all is "Go to all Nations."
When we talk about going to all nations it means "everyone, everywhere". It includes every individual. It means all people in your community. In our Methodist theology we emphasize the fact that all men need to and can be saved. Jesus loves each one. He longs to see each one brought into a vital living relationship with Himself. That is true in respect of each and every person in your community. Hold on to that great truth. We must share the love of God, the Good News of the Gospel with all people.
It is the task of each person. God reaches people through people, through their friendship, through their prayers, through the witness of their lives. Surveys show that up to seventy-five per cent of those who come to faith in Christ do so through personal contact.
There are people all around you who have not yet found real fulfillment in life. They may tell you that they are getting along all right, but deep down many of them know that something vital is missing. Surely in such circles we must take our Lord's Commission seriously and seek by life and word to proclaim the Good News.
Thirdly, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
Notice he didn't call us to make converts or church members, but obedient disciples!
You cannot follow Jesus Christ and live your life as it has been. Faith brings a challenge to our relationships and our lifestyle.
So as we share our faith we must be honest about the cost: The cost of putting God first; The cost of following Jesus; The cost of allowing the Holy spirit to guide and direct our path; The cost of loving others when loving is hard. "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." A disciple is not only a committed person, surrendered to Christ, but also an obedient person, instructed and taught by Christ. Believing must lead to doing. "Teaching them to observe" not some things, says the Master, but "all things that I have commanded." The Lord Jesus Christ has called us to demonstrate the power of His transforming grace and love in the world.
Jesus was asked on one occasion - What is the greatest commandment and He responded - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. That is the first and greatest commandment. That speaks of a loving relationship with God. And Jesus said, "Go out and teach them that. That is crucial for every person - A love relationship with God. Because God so loves each one to send His only Son to die for them, says. Teach them to love God.
The second is like it, He said, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
Our neighbour is everybody who is hurting. Our neighbour is everyone who is in need. Our neighbour is everyone who is living without Christ. And we are to love them as we love ourselves.
Jesus also said to His disciples; "You are to love one another as I have loved you". Why was that so important? Because if the fellowship of God's people is torn asunder by bitterness, jealousy and resentment and all the other things that can so easily creep into a Church then there is going to be no blessing and there is going to be no growth.
Bishop George Appleton was the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem. He became good friends with a Jewish professor at the University. This Jewish scholar told Appleton that he prayed for Christians every day. He said,
"I pray that you Christians may be more like your Jesus,
that your love for one another
will be made more plain."
Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. Love God. Love your neighbour. Love one another. In doing that we are fulfilling our Christian calling and showing that faith applies to every area of life. Jesus said, "By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
People don't just want to be told they want to see the difference Christianity makes in daily living.
Fourth ALL - I am with you always. I am with you for all time, said Jesus.
The Late Rev George Good was President when I entered the ministry. I have very fond memories of his teaching ministry. I recall hearing him preach on the promise, "I am with you always" and referring to a hymn from the children's section of the Old Methodist Hymn Book.
"I think, when I read the sweet story of old,
When Jesus was here among men
How He called little children as lambs to His fold
I should like to have been with them then"
He said "No, I wouldn't like to have been with them then, because I could only have been with Jesus in one place at one time. Because when He was restricted to human flesh and He could only be in one place at one time. But now that He is glorified and His Spirit is given to the world, He is here in this place, He is with others on other continents and islands all over the world at the same time and that is so much more wonderful.
We have His abiding presence: "Lo, I am with you always." That's a wonderful promise. By His Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ abides in your heart and mine. His presence is with us in every situation
He calls us. He commissions us as He did the eleven. He assures us that we are never alone. He is constantly there enabling us and showing us the way forward.
The emblems on my preaching scarf encapsulate our task; The Sower scattering the seed, which represents our proclamation and sharing of the Good News of the Gospel; The Shepherd's Crook; which is a symbol of our care for people; The Basin and Towel, which symbolizes our humble service and the Descending Dove, the reminder that we can only fullfil our calling in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The words of Thomas A. Jackson are a fitting conclusion;
May each of us as we leave this place know the presence of the risen Lord with us as we seek to fulfil our calling. AmenWe are called to be God's people,
Working in His world today;
Taking His own task upon us,
All His sacred words obey.
Let us rise, then, to His summons,
Dedicate to Him our all,
That we may be faithful servants,
Quick to answer now His call.
