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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

The cost of following Jesus

Matching words with action. (Philemon 1-21)

 

Context

• Angela Rayner has referred herself to the Prime Minister's ethics adviser.
• Toiletries chain Lush closed down for a day in protest at the destruction in Gaza.
• Martha's rule, a way for families to seek an urgent second opinion if they are concerned about the care their loved ones receive, will be rolled out across all English hospitals delivering acute or short-term treatment.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• The last government was brought down to a large extent because of a widespread dissatisfaction with both how the country was working but also because of a feeling that those in power were working for their own benefit and not for the good of the whole population. The Labour government came into power promising change and that government would make a difference to the lives of working people. In that context, Angela Rayner’s admission that she misrepresented the use of a flat she bought in order to pay a lower rate of stamp duty is really damaging. The accusation of hypocrisy is all the sharper when levelled against a group that has said it will do things differently. In a similar way, as Christians, we are often accused of hypocrisy when we are seen to be falling short of our own high standards. It is right that people expect more of those of us who are following Jesus and we should all be prepared to own up and make amends when we fall short. There is no condemnation from Jesus but he calls us to ‘Shine like stars’ in a society hungry for people to live with integrity.
• The high street chain, Lush has closed its doors for a single day costing it over half a million pounds in lost sales and staff wages. They say they are doing this to try to send a message to government that the loss of life and destruction of Gaza must be halted. Whether you agree with them or not, it is clearly not just an empty gesture. Those who run the business have followed through their heart-felt belief with concrete action which costs them in a material way. Whether it has an impact or not is immaterial for our purposes which is to reflect on what we are willing to sacrifice as we serve Jesus. Paul was asking Philemon to forego his desire to punish Onesimus and to take him back into service - or to go even further and to release Onesimus to serve alongside Paul preaching and teaching the gospel. It’s great to be able to talk about our beliefs but the world around us will be looking to see what we do with our time and with our money when they judge our faith.
• Marope and Paul Mills lost their child Martha when she was 13. She died after developing sepsis in hospital and the family’s concerns were not heard at the time with a coroner later ruling that an earlier move to intensive care would have saved her life. They have campaigned for the last five years for a means for families to communicate concerns about a loved one who is receiving care. In a pilot scheme of a phone line for families there have been around two hundred and fifty life-saving interventions. The Mills’ campaign has been time-consuming and frustrating but, ultimately, successful. We can imagine the struggle to be heard, to get appointments with those in authority and the well-intentioned advice of friends to let things lie and to stop beating your head against a brick wall. They had information they felt would change others’ lives and they weren’t going to stop until they had done all they could. As Christians, we know that our lives should be shaped by God’s truth but too often we focus on our own comfort and peace of mind. God’s call on us is to match our prayer, “your kingdom come” with action each and every day.

 

Questions for discussion

• Have you ever been accused of hypocrisy? Have you ever owned up to it?
• What do you expect from other Christians in terms of behaviour?
• What have you had to give up or sacrifice because of your beliefs?
• Have you been isolated from others because of a choice you made because of your faith?

 

Steve Taylor shares the job of joint-vicar of St Paul’s CofE Church, Harrow with his wife, Ali. They share their home with their youngest child, two cats, three chickens and numerous fish.

 

Check-in

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

When we think of the word ‘cost,’ we often associate this with money. We are surrounded by a world where everything has a cost and value which we must pay to enjoy: food, bus fare, TV and music subscriptions, our phone contracts. For many of these things we may be in a position not to have to think about whether we can pay for them. If it's something we want, we get it!

In the news this week there has been a spotlight on our deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who has admitted avoiding paying the cost of tax on her second home. This means she has not paid the cost for the luxury of owning a second home, yet she has benefited from the perks of living in it.

Where in our lives have we felt like we haven’t paid the full cost? Or we've cut corners? Would we blame someone else as Rayner appeared to be doing at first, or would we own up and make it right?? Would you only be willing to pay a cost if you were caught out?

In Paul’s letter the cost he speaks about concerns the treatment of his brother in Christ, and former slave, Onesimus. He hopes that Philemon would welcome Onesimus as a brother, thus paying the cost of losing his slave. Paul is calling Philemon out on how he can make things right - at a cost to his household. Although not stated in the passage, biblical scholars believe that Philemon does in fact do so after receiving Paul’s letter. Redemption for both stories we hope, once the cost is called out.

How might the cost of following Jesus look for you as you enter your first few weeks of a new term, perhaps in a new school or college? How much of a cost does it feel to not follow the crowds many of whom may not be living in Christ? How much of a cost is it to sacrifice your time and your talents to serve the Lord over other activities which those around you might be doing?

Although working with Christ may sometimes feel like it’s coming at a cost, please take heart that it is not a cost at our expense, but at his. It was Christ who paid the cost for our salvation in full and, in following him, we don’t lose anything. In fact, we gain eternal life and no-one can ever put a cost on that.

Natasia Bullock is director of Christian theatre company The B Tales. 

 

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