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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

 

Influential words and actions

Which examples of the use of power and influence in the news follow Jesus’ model? (Acts 4.5-12)

 

Context

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

  • The Laurence Olivier Awards are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. The event celebrates all those on stage, writers or those who work tirelessly behind the scenes who use their talents to cultivate the power of storytelling. Whilst the event might not draw as much publicity as the film and television’s Oscars or BAFTAs, it was this year’s host, Hannah Waddingham, who caught the attention of the media as she deftly deflected unwanted attention back upon one unsuspecting member of the press. In the midst of what should have been a celebration following the healing of the lame man, Peter and John caught the attention of the rulers, elders and scribes in Jerusalem. As the pair are grilled by the authorities about the origins of their authority, we might imagine the disciples’ superlative response in the style of Hannah Waddingham to be worthy of an Olivier. The dexterity of their words and the bravery of these two ordinary uneducated fishermen, as they counter those experienced in debate who have gathered to judge them, leaves their audience stunned. Their assuredness of their belief in Jesus, as well as their previous actions, speak volumes.
  • The two knife attacks in Sydney, Australia took place in ordinary, everyday locations to which most of us can relate, especially as we sit in church. Attacks and civil unrest would not have been uncommon in Roman-occupied Jerusalem in the days of Peter and John. How the civil (or religious) authorities respond to such situations is crucial for public safety and wellbeing. Explore how Jesus’ model of power – service, sacrifice, humility – would speak into or influence your behaviour in such situations.
  • Salman Rushdie this week reflected on his own experiences of being stabbed 12 times on stage as he gave a lecture in New York two years ago. At the time he thought he was going to die, and the experience has upset him every day since then. He says his latest book, Knife, is his way of fighting back against what happened to him. In it, he imagines a conversation with his attacker, and he dedicates the book to those who saved his life and those he loves. In his interview with the BBC he describes Knife as ‘at least as much a love story’ as a story of horror. "There were two forces in collision here. One was a force of violence, fanaticism, bigotry, and the other was the force of love," he said. "And of course, the force of love is embodied in the figure of my wife Eliza… And in the end, the way I understand what happened is that the force of love proved to be stronger than the forces of hatred." Consider the feelings and emotions that might have been running through Peter and John as they faced their accusers, those who had arrested them and who insisted that they stop speaking. Yet they stood firm in their belief in Jesus and professed their right to share that belief. But their assertions and barely shielded accusations against the rulers, scribes and elders put them in a very dangerous position indeed.
  • It feels almost like the world is holding its breath as we wait to see how Israel will respond to Iran’s attack last Saturday. It is difficult for many of us to imagine ourselves in the position of any governing authority for a nation, when they are under pressure from so many sides to be seen to make some form of response. As the authorities in Jerusalem two thousand years ago interrogated Peter and John, what pressure (and from who) might they have been under to make a response? What were the perceived threats to society from Jesus’ followers, as they saw them? What options for action lay before them?
  • Whilst many of us may be in church on Sunday morning when the London Marathon takes place, others will be exercising their ability to watch live on the BBC from their sofa whilst trying not to pull a muscle reaching for their coffee and croissant. For those thousands of brave/crazy (delete as applicable!) people who decide it is a good idea to run 26.2 miles through the streets of London, we respect your actions. Whether it be for a personal sporting challenge, or running for a good cause, or dressing up as a giant pink brain, the London Marathon is an annual event which brings with it a variety of painful and exhausting ways to make a statement. Yet whatever their end result, all the runners are amazing – putting themselves out there and not being afraid to give it a go. When Peter and John took a lame man by the hand and raised him up in Jesus’ name so that he might walk, leap and run, you can’t help but wonder if they knew what would happen to them as a result when they crossed the finish line in the Temple? Yet they weren’t afraid to act or to speak out in the name of Jesus! How about us?

 

Questions for discussion

  • If you were able to run the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon, what reason might you do it for: a physical challenge; to raise awareness or money for a good cause; or to honour a personal commitment to someone you are close to? In a similar way, consider what motivations drove Peter and John to act and speak in the way that they did?
  • If Peter and John were to put their thoughts and feelings down on paper in the form of a book, like Salman Rushdie, how do you think their accusers would react? Reading on in Acts 4.13-22, why do you think the rulers, scribes and elders felt they couldn’t keep the disciples captive, even when they refused to obey those in authority?

Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving in the Leeds URC Partnership. The closest Tim is likely to get to running anywhere this Sunday morning is from the church sanctuary to the hall for tea and biscuits after worship!

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

In the news this week we saw a Muslim pupil lose her case in the High Court that her school had discriminated against her and others of her faith by banning Muslim prayers in school. Whether you think she was right or wrong to challenge her school we can admire the courage it must have taken to stand up to her headteacher and to stand by her conviction all the way to the High Court. The school isn’t changing its position but everyone in the community has had to think about the place of prayer in schools and whether students should be supported by their schools in practising their faith. One pupil did all that.

What issue would you fight to the high court? How would you feel if people in power were telling you to stop, to back off? God gave Peter & John courage to stand their ground against the Jewish authorities over whether they should preach about Jesus in the temple - even though all the power was against them. What influence do you have? Where is God calling you to stand your ground this week?

The Revd Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James Alperton near Wembley. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two children, two cats and numerous fish.

 

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