The Chapel @MCC Calicut: August 2011

Monday, August 29, 2011

Photo of congregation - 28 Aug 2011

Sermon - Easy Access - Sunday, 21st August 2011

Mt 16:21-28 · Ro 12:9-21 · Ex 3:1-15 · Ps 105

Easy access

There is this story of a young man, eager to make it to the top, who went to a well-known millionaire businessman and asked him the first reason for his success. The businessman answered without hesitation, "Hard work." After a lengthy pause the young man asked, "What is the SECOND reason?"

We want to deal this evening with the lure of the easy way. Jesus and His disciples were at Caesarea Philippi. Their ministry to this point had been a stunning success. Crowds pressed in on them everywhere they went. People eagerly reached out to touch this attractive young teacher from Nazareth. The disciples themselves were caught up in the excitement of it all. Jesus asked them, "Who do you say I am?" and Simon Peter answered enthusiastically, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" It was one of the most dramatic moments in the disciples' pilgrimage with Jesus.

Then Jesus changed the subject. He began to tell them that the crowds would soon turn against Him; He would be crucified, on the third day he would be raised. The disciples didn't know what to make of all this. Simon Peter took Jesus aside: "Forbid it, Lord that these things should happen to you." Jesus' response to Simon Peter is as harsh as any words in the New Testament: "Get behind me Satan! You are not on the side of God but of man." Perhaps Jesus called Simon Peter 'Satan' because of Jesus' experience in the wilderness immediately after His baptism by John. In today's parlance, it was there that Satan revealed to Jesus the way to make Crores of Rupees in three easy steps turn stones to bread, leap off the pinnacle of the temple, "Bow down and worship me!" . How do you visualise Satan here? Many picture hi, as one who is clothed in red with even two horns. But when he appears before Jesus – if we imagine the modern context, Satan would be dressed in smart, suave clothes and he would be offering Jesus in a glib and polished tongue instant success, instant glamour, instant gratification. I think in this context we can see Satan almost anywhere today. Jesus encountered him this time in Simon Peter: "Forbid it, Lord, that you should have to suffer and die."

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If there is any doubt that Jesus is resisting the lure of the easy way, listen to the words that follow: "If any man would be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

We are the devotees of the easy way even though everyone in this Chapel knows two important truths.

The Path to Personal Success Is that of Self-Denial.

Self-Denial Is Essential to the Salvation of the World.

Let me pose these questions before you

Can we leave everything and follow Jesus?

Can we relinquish everything and gain salvation?

If we can, Christ will enter in our lives, take up the burden we that we bear and we have to do will be to follow him.

Lord, open our hearts so that we can allow Christ to enter our hearts. Help us to ‘leave everything’ and follow your teachings and examples. Take charge of our lives and lead us onward. We entrust ourselves in your care.

In Jesus’ name we pray – Amen

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sermon - 21 August 2011 - Who do you say I am?

Mt 16:13-20

Who do you say I am?

Jesus and his disciples ventured into the District of Caesarea Philippi, an area about 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The region had tremendous religious implications. The place was littered with the temples of the Syrian gods. Here also was the elaborate marble temple that had been erected by Herod the Great, father of the then ruling Herod Antipas. Here also was the influence of the Greek gods. Here also the worship of Caesar as a God himself. You might say that the world religions were on display in this town. It was with this scene in the background that Jesus chose to ask the most crucial questions of his ministry.

He looked at his disciples and in a moment of reflection said: "Who do men say that I am?" The disciples begin sharing with Jesus what they have heard from the people who have been following Jesus: Some say that you are Elijah; others say John the Baptist, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. It's always been this way Jesus as seen by the masses is seen in so many different ways.

You can speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher, or spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of Him as Son of God, divine, of the same nature as the Father, and people will line up to express their disapproval.

Who do people say he is? Who do you say he is? And what are we called to do? Let's take a look at the answers to these three questions:

Who Do People Say He Is?

Is he just an ‘everyday’ person that one sees on the road and does not bother about? Or is he a person who really matters? Jesus referred to himself as the Son of God in John 5:25 and twice the voice of God declared of Jesus in his presence and others around – “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased – Mathew 3:17

Who Do You Say He Is?

Is he your living God? Can he enter your hearts without knocking? Will you accept him whole-heartedly? Is he your Messiah? Jesus clearly said that he was the Messiah. When the Samaritan woman said that she knew the Messiah was coming, Jesus said to her ‘I who speak to you am he” – John 4:26

What Are We Called to Do?

We are to go out and proclaim the news that Christ is Lord and Saviour. He is risen.

There are people that can go to Church almost their whole life and have not heard the gospel nor heard who Jesus really is. They can carry a bible and be convinced they are doing is what Jesus asked them to do. In John 6:28 the Pharisees asked, “What shall we do that we may work the work of God?” Jesus replied, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

Who do you say that I am?

Is he your personal savior – the one in whom you trust? Let us make him ours.

Lord Jesus, help us to understand you more. Help us to renew the promises made and we dedicate ourselves eternally to your love and service. Amen

Monday, August 15, 2011

Thirunaamakeerthanam paaduvanallengil sung at MCC Chapel Calicut

Sermon - Great is your faith - Sunday, 14th August 2011

Great is your faith

(Mathew 15: 21 - 28)

Famous epitaphs

1. Beyond is the infinite morning of a day without tomorrow. (W.S. Abbott)

2. Death is the golden key that opens the palace of Eternity. (Milton)

3. Life’s a voyage that’s homeward bound. (H. Melville)

What would you think if I told you that on your tombstone would be inscribed a four-word epitaph? Well, you might respond, it would depend on who would write this epitaph--an enemy or a loved one. It might also depend, you might say, on how well this person knew and understood you. If a newspaper critic wrote of a concert pianist the four words: "He was a failure," you could always say: That was his opinion. But if one of the world's great musicians wrote, He was a genius, then you will take his remark more seriously.

There was a character in the Gospel who Jesus once described with four immortal words: Great is your faith. She was a Canaanite woman who came from the country to the north of Palestine, a country hostile to the Jews. She was presumably married, she had at least one child; but that is all we know about her. We don't know whether she was a good woman or a bad woman. We don’t even know her name. All we know of her is that in this single encounter with Jesus he spoke to her this four-word epitaph: Great is your faith.

Only four words but they are enough to make her immortal. We can trust these words as being true because the expert on faith spoke them. Jesus searched for faith, as a gem collector would fine jewels. He did not always find it in his disciples. On no occasion that we know did he ever say of Peter, James, and John: Great is your faith. More often the words he spoke to them: You of little faith. On only one other occasion did Jesus praise a person for their faith. Interestingly, that was a Roman soldier stationed in Capernaum.

We regard this Canaanite woman with more than just an academic interest. She awakens in us a feeling of admiration, perhaps even envy, because she stands where most of us would like to stand. What faithful Christian would not like it said of him or her: Great is your faith? Think of what it would mean if an aspiring young artist had Picasso place his hand on his shoulder and say: You have a great talent. How wonderful it would be then to a believer in God, if Jesus would place his hand on our shoulder and say: You have a remarkable talent for faith. But how does one qualify for this praise? What does one have to do? There are two things:

1. To firmly believe and never refuse to be put off in spite of all odds. Stand like a rock – firm – with the conviction that God is with us – all the way.

2. Going in Faith and Humility – trusting in the Lord and also be humble. Humility is what is required. Shed all ego and accept the cloak of humility – just as Christ suffered for us, humbled himself, died on the cross for our sins.

Let us pray: Lord, help us to accept our faults and overcome fear. Help us to develop a faith that can move mountains. Help us to reconcile with the fact that you are the Supreme- the one and only who has the power to understand us and one who can strengthen our beliefs. We humbly bow before you. Amen

Acknowledgement

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