Homily

Introduction

1. Acts: There is something very simple, beautiful and attractive about the way the first Christians lived together with one another.

Luke describes how, filled with the HS, ‘the whole congregation of believers was united as one – one heart, one mind! No one said, ‘that’s mine; you can’t have it’. They shared everything… And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy’.

I am a dreamer, and I have a vision of belonging to a church like this one day.

2. James: There is also something very direct, relevant and personal about the letter James, the brother of Jesus, wrote.

He said, ‘Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half starved and say, ‘Good morning friend. Be clothed in Christ. Be filled with the Holy Spirit’, and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God talk without God acts is outrageous nonsense?’

Isn’t it obvious that God talk without God acts is outrageous nonsense?

Development

At this time of year in churches we celebrate Harvest, we acknowledge God’s goodness towards us and thank Him for his provision.

A provision which gives us enough food to feed every person in the world 2 1⁄2 times over every day, and yet 3⁄4 of the world have to survive on 1⁄4 of the world’s food whilst the other 1⁄4 live with too much and just end up throwing the excess away whilst others starve.

A far cry from early ch where ‘not a person among them was needy’.

God talk without God acts is outrageous nonsense.

We cannot simply come to church to worship and say prayers, and not do something to help other people who are poor and in need.

Conclusion

What are we going to do?

What can we do?

If we have become Christians and enjoy a ‘new life’ in Christ, then how ought this new life to be lived out in the world, in our daily living… how should the way a Christian live be different from others.

John Stott, in last book The Radical Disciple, says that ‘Simplicity’, esp in relation to money and possessions is a charact of a radical disciple,

our lives and lifestyles ought to be more simple.

Do we need to re examine our income and our expenditure, what we spend on personal living, clothes, fashions, homes, travel, cars, holidays, and begin to distinquish between necessities and luxuries…

in order to live more simply, manage on less, so that we can be more generous and give more away and so share with others in need.

In this way, and as Ghandi once famously said,

‘may we live simply to that others may simply live’.

May I encourage you to support the work of Tear Fund who work in partnership with church based organisations throughout the world in the fight against oppression, injustice and poverty.

[You may collect a leaflet / offer envelope as you leave ch this morn].

May I encourage you to contribute to a retiring offering this morning, which will provide the children at Casa Girasoles Ica, Peru with a Christmas present this year.