Lenten Call
We are here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Halleluia!!
Like a cup overflowing this is great news that just can’t be contained! We are saved! We are forgiven! We have grace! God’s love for us has no limits!
Let’s shout this happy news so the whole neighbourhood can hear us!
All: Happy Easter!
Acts 10:34-43
Imagine the most improbable thing that could have happened in the years after Jesus’ crucifixion. To Luke’s mind, and he is the author of the Book of Acts, the most improbable thing that could have happened is that an Italian soldier in the army of the Roman Emperor would invite Peter, a disciple of Jesus, to visit his home. If that doesn’t seem absurd enough, Peter accepted the invitation, sat down with the man and told him that he was forgiven. What Jesus did by dying on the cross would make even an enemy soldier a forgiven man! What kind of God do we have???? Let’s find out.
34Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! 35It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. 36The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
37“You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. 38Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39“And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. 40But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. 41Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. 42He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. 43But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
THANKS BE TO GOD!
Sermon – “Overflowing good news”
Have you ever watched the entertaining performances at any produce market?
You’ve all seen them – the people who pick-up, turn, examine, tap sniff the fruit or vegetables – put back and reach for the one part way down the carefully constructed pyramid of apples which invariably tumbles down while they get the one “perfect” fruit!!
This kind of thinking about the resurrection of Jesus and the grace that arises from it has spawned a multitude of Christian jokes that all sound like a version of this:
A person dies and is met by St. Peter at the gates of heaven – St. Peter offers to give them a tour.
The first door opens to a raucous crowd playing bingo: – The Roman Catholic section.
They carry on down the hallway and open the next door, from there comes the sounds of rock music and demonstrators chanting “No more nuclear war!” – The United Church of Canada section.
Venturing further, St. Peter turns and puts his finger to his lips – the person looks confused – why do we have to be quiet at this door? St. Peter says this is for the Christians who think they’re the only ones here!
We read the story of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion and we miss the scandal and the outrageously good news it contains.
Cornelius was the last person anyone in his own time would expect to be told that Jesus died to save him.
If a member of Hell’s Angels roared into our parking lot right now and plunked himself in the front pew and I said; “Welcome, the grace of Jesus is yours, rejoice and be glad.” => This gives you a taste of what was happening between Peter and Cornelius.
The message of Easter = salvation – God’s limitless love witnessed in the miracle of the empty tomb IS NOT for a select few – not just for those who look or act the part – not simply for those who are like us or meet our criteria.
-> as Peter said: “The door is open” -> perhaps it would be more correct to say “The floodgates are open and there is no shutting them!!”
We are here today celebrating the audacious news that God loves us.
Even if we are not perfect.
Even if we may not be particularly faithful.
The Easter good news is not just for those of us in our regular pews in our Sunday best => IT’S FOR EVERYONE.
And, we regulars need to open our hearts, our lives and our churches to this unusual assortment of folk whom God loves!
If it’s crowded in heaven – it’s certainly crowded here on earth with people whose lives are washed to overflowing with the grace of Jesus.
So, as we leave here this morning, bear this in mind – resurrection is for you and me – praise God for that!! - and Jesus’ resurrection is for the street person and the angry driver and the gang member and the child in the food bank line and the prisoners at the Remand Centre and that relative you dread running into at a family gathering – this is how expansive God’s love is.
=> this IS the good news – let us love as outrageously as God does!
