Sermons from St Faith's
Hope for the Future
Revd Denise McDougall, December 9th, 2013
Matthew 3:1-12
I’m so pleased to see you all again; it has been very
different worshipping elsewhere and not being a part
of the community here at St. Faith’s. However what a
perfect time to pick up some of the threads as we
begin a new church year and as we prepare the way for
the birth of our Lord and Saviour by sorting out our
own hearts and minds for this great event. Advent is
an exciting time, it is filled with the anticipation
that comes from waiting, preparing and repenting or as
the word means, ‘turning around.’ As Fr. Paul told us
last week it is a solemn season and today’s Gospel
message is just as relevant today as it was over 2000
years ago and since then every age of Christianity has
had something to learn from John the Baptist and his
very powerful message about repentance.
Last week I was travelling home from Liverpool by
train and as it pulled into the station I saw huge
letters across the carriages which read Hope
is the future. It was referring to Hope
University but for us as Christians Hope is our
future.
This new season heralds new beginnings and fresh hope,
and what huge strides we have already taken in this
first week of Advent. Think back to last Sunday
morning when so many generous people gave their gifts
for needy children, then in the evening when members
from our local Churches joined to worship and
celebrate this holy season. Since then we have had
maybe thousands of people young and old coming through
our doors to see the Christmas Trees, to enjoy Rick’s
amazing pipe organ and to donate to the various
charities; for some of them it was their first visit
into a church. Many people commented about how they
were warmly welcomed, inspired by everything and
hopefully they were able to experience a feeling of
spirituality in this holy place. Last week was a week
which brought hope into lives and futures and never in
our history whether it be locally or globally has hope
been needed as much as it is now. Earlier we heard
verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans, how he wanted
God, the God of hope, to fill them with so much joy
and peace in believing that they may abound in hope.
Last Sunday we met Paul, Jennifer, Olivia and Sophie
and today it is wonderful to welcome them and their
family and friends as they bring Sophie Iris to be
baptised. The water of baptism symbolises new life in
Jesus Christ, a new sign of belonging and new hope and
this is just what John the Baptist was offering to the
hordes of people from all around the Jordan.
However don’t let’s confuse desire or optimism with
Biblical hope; an optimist speaks of concrete changes,
the expectation that things such as….. the weather,
relationships, the economy, the political situation
and so on will improve or at least change in the way
that we want them to; Nelson Mandela one of the
greatest and most loved leaders of our times said, ‘I
am not an optimist but a great believer of hope!’ how
he inspired others by his great words and acts of
forgiveness after 27 years in prison and what hope he
gave to millions of people throughout the world.
Christian hope is fundamental to our faith, the person
of hope lives confidently in the moment with the
knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands,
God’s hands!
And of course all the great spiritual leaders in
history did just that, they handed their lives over to
God, they were people of great hope! And no one more
so than John the Baptist, the fiery preacher and
recluse who lived in the wilderness, people travelled
great distances to hear John’s words and be baptised
by him. John baptised with water from the river Jordan
but he made it clear that the one who followed him
would baptise with the Holy Spirit. And through the
water of baptism today Sophie Iris will be filled with
the Holy Spirit and become part of a much bigger
family, the world wide Christian family. Baptism
although only a once ever event is commitment to a
life in and through Jesus Christ. Sophie like all of
us, her baptised brothers and sisters is called to
live as a child of God and member of one spiritual
family with God as our leader.
John came on the scene when the people of Israel had
been without a leader for a long time and they had
lost their way, and he wanted them to sort themselves
out and make a fresh start. John didn’t mince his
words and the aim of his preaching was to challenge
people to mend their ways, to get themselves ready for
the Messiah, to come back to lead them. At the heart
of John’s message is the call to repentance.
Participation in the kingdom of God requires a change
of heart and this means living in a new and
challenging way.
Today’s Gospel reading is very powerful but it is also
disturbing, are we so busy with earthly things that we
fail to recognise what God is doing in our
lives? Like the Israelites do we need to get
back on track, examine our consciences and reach out
for divine grace and forgiveness so we can sustain the
right relationship with God and with one another?
Through this past week we have seen lots of expectant
and very excited children singing like angels,
enjoying the trees and the wonderful music and all
behaving very well. I suspect that at home and
school they are no doubt doing their best to behave as
perfectly as possible for the next 3 weeks so that on
Christmas morning all the presents they hope for will
be there to be opened. If we’re honest I think many
parents amongst us have probably been guilty at some
time of a touch of bribery during the run up to
Christmas. Behave yourself, change your bad habits, be
kind to others and you’ll get what you have asked for!
And aren’t we as Christians hoping to receive a
precious gift this Christmas the greatest gift of all;
God’s own son, the word made flesh to enter our hearts
afresh. But before Christ’s light can fully enter our
hearts we first have to work at clearing obstacles in
our minds.
It is imperative that we are prepared to turn around,
use lessons learned from the past to help us shape the
future and turn darkness into light and despair into
hope.
Through our baptism and a way of life which shows
repentance, compassion, generosity of Spirit and
forgiveness we too can share John the Baptist’s Advent
mission. Then we, with Paul, Jennifer, Olivia and
Sophie will be able to receive God’s Son, the best
gift ever and live with joy, hope and love in our
hearts and minds this Christmas.
And to borrow the university’s strap line HOPE
IS OUR FUTURE!
When we walk in the wilderness searching for meaning
May God baptise us with mercy and grace.
When we walk in the city thirsting for justice
May God baptise us with integrity and hope.
As we walk towards Bethlehem seeking a Saviour
May God baptise us with holiness and joy. Amen.
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