Acts 2 42-end
1 Peter 2 19-end
John 10 1-10
The description of the early church we had in our reading from acts, sounds wonderful at first, but maybe I am getting cynical in my old age I just don't see it working. I mean it sounds nice sharing everything and giving to everyone what they need, but how do you define need? I mean I would argue that I need books and teddy bears but others in the community may disagree and argue that say, having a train set is more important.
There are and always have been some people who are called to live in community to a much greater extent than most people and these people became monks and nuns. However, I think for most people, being the varied and individual people that we are this type of close community living is too hard.
However, as the church of St Mary Magdalen, Chapel Fields, we are a community. We are not a community that has chosen each other, one where people are checked out when they walk through the door to see if they will fit in. Instead we are an odd assortment of all types of people, with all types of views, all with different things going on in our lives. Yet Sunday by Sunday we choose to come and spend time with each other. Whilst the main reason we come, I hope, is to worship together. We also share in drinks and biscuits after the service, choosing to continue spending time with each other. Talking, possibly arguing, but also sharing our lives and supporting each other. In a world which seems to be becoming ever more polarised, where some people seem to think they can't like or have anything to do with someone they disagree with, the church can be a radical community showing that a different way is possible.
The early church in Acts, was in a very different time and place to us, but some of how they lived out their faith can still provide an example for us today. The early church spent time together in the temple. So we should spend time together, in worship, but also in learning about the bible and about our faith with and from each other.
They also had glad and generous hearts, now I know we are in England and English people love to moan and grumble about things. However, maybe we should try finding things to be happy about instead. Finding things that bring us happiness, and that can be anything from enjoying the sunshine on a warm day, spotting a rainbow on a wet day or spending time with people we like, or achieving something that we have been working for. We can be grateful for these things and that can lead on to us being thankful. Thankful both to people who have helped us and to God who is the source of all help.
The early church is also recorded as being generous. Being generous doesn't just mean in terms of giving to charity, or giving money to the church, although that is very helpful, as am sure our treasurer will agree. We can be generous in our time, many of us are generous in giving of our time and skills to the church or other charitable organisations. However, we also be generous to each other, giving our time to help or even just to listen. We may have skills that can be used to help each other and we should be happy to offer and receive help. That is how we can grow as a community, in our relationships with each other and with God.
In our gospel today Jesus tells us that he comes that we may have life and have it abundantly. A life that is abundant does not only mean a life rich in material wealth and physical things. An abundant life is one that is filled with relationship, with each other here, with friends and family and with God. An abundant life is also one that will bear fruit. By living a generous and thankful life, even in the midst of life’s storms, we can show others the hope of abundant life that can be found in Christ.
To gain and keep this abundant life isn’t always easy. Building relationships and a grateful mindset requires work and effort. In our gospel the sheep are at risk of bandits and thieves, but what are the bandits and thieves that may impact our abundant life?
What takes our time and attention from the important things, how many hours are spent scrolling on social media, playing addictive mobile phone games, watching repeats of old TV shows or whatever our particular vice may be.
Now, I am not saying that any of these things can be bad in themselves. Relationships can develop on social media as much as in the “real world”, games and TV show can be ways to relax. The problem comes when these things take over time that could be better spent. When we ignore relationships in the here and now for the internet or fictional worlds. I must admit I am very guilty of replying to Andrew asking me something with, just let me finish this chapter, I am putting the fictional world of whatever I am reading before the real relationships that I need to nurture. I am going astray like many sheep do. So who is the shepherd that can stop me going astray? Well, of course, the obvious and one of the correct answers is Jesus. Reminding myself that I am trying to follow him can help, but there are others.
A priest is called to shepherd his flock, but soon, sadly, we will be a flock without a shepherd of our own for a while. In that gap we all may need to be shepherds as well as sheep. To support each other, in the task we have of being God’s visible presence in Chapelfields, to show his love and care to those around us, to provide opportunities for worshipping and learning about God and his relationship with us.
We need to keep following the example of the early church to live generously, thankfully and as a radical community that can attract others to come and join us and find relationship with God and with us.
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