Easter 7: 4^th May

Preacher: Richard Dingley

Readings:

Acts 1, 6-14

1 Peter 4, 12-14; 5, 6-11

John 17, 1-11

Father, as we come to you, King of all nations, help us to see how to be involved in your purposes in our country. Amen

Today we are, as it were, in an Interregnum. Jesus has said his final farewell to his disciples and demonstrably left them to return to his Father in Heaven. His ascension up into heaven convinced them that he would not be around any longer; that he had indeed returned to his Father. The disciples now await the arrival of the replacement he had promised - the Holy Spirit. He had told them what they are to do in the period of waiting to prepare themselves for the work that he has challenged them to carry out in his name. They were expectant!

We are the inheritors of his instructions and we too are in need of the Holy Spirit to empower us and provide us with the courage and the skills needed to fulfil the command to tell those who as yet do not acknowledge him; that Jesus is both Saviour and Lord. We too have to start in our own locality; often the hardest place to be a witness! Then we are to look further afield, in increasing circles, Local Ministry Area, Somerset and beyond leading finally to the ends of the earth. We are all called to be witnesses; that means to demonstrate to others what we know about Jesus. We are to speak about him, to be prepared to acknowledge that we know him, that we have experienced his salvation and that his love and salvation is available to any and everyone who believes in him. We are not called to propagate the church except incidentally. We ARE called to admit our friendship with and relationship to Jesus, our own Saviour and to encourage others to look at him and follow him.

The Church has often got it wrong - a problem that started even in the time of the Apostles! But Jesus is always the same; always available; always approachable. Today we are going to hear something about one person who is doing just this in our own community area; in the Kings of Wessex School to which the young people of our village go for their secondary education. It is important that we should be able to support her in that work for in doing so we can help them and their families experience a fuller and more wholesome lifestyle; we can share through our prayers and gifts in spreading the good news of Jesus in our own area.

Amen.