FROM THE PASTOR
little things - huge blessings
Aussie folk / rock singer / songwriter Paul Kelly once wrote a song called, “From Little things, Big things grow” (to find more about the inspiration, background, politics, and meaning please check YouTube and Wikipedia. You may remember the song by the recent TV commercial from Industry Superfunds; in essence, a small monetary investment can grow to a much larger sum. You can apply this to anything really. E.g. a small seed, grows to a large tree; an encouraging word, can lift a person’s spirits; a tiny bit of yeast working through dough, rises, and so on. St Paul wrote an interesting line, and it’s a favorite of many Christians: “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1st Cor 1:27). Or another way of putting it, God chose lesser things, or small things…”.
We see the evidence of this in the reformation too. Last Sunday we celebrated Reformation Day. By and large the Reformation should have failed. By any reasonable measure, any stretch of the imagination, there’s no way the reformation could accomplish what it did. How could this shabby, stocky, beer swilling, little monk, have possibly had any impact on the Roman Catholic Church? Now you have to think about this – in the history of humanity (to now), has there been any other powerful institution in the world? Arguably. Maybe. Not too many, right? Now think about this one solitary man! I mean, who would listen to Luther in the first place? In the bigger scheme of things (compared to the pope) who was he? Who would even dare take on an institution like that? Why would someone? Even if Luther had the leadership skills, or the charisma to attract and sweep followers of their feet, after his death would there even be any followers? People like Luther and his efforts would quickly be forgotten.
Of course, that did not happen! In spite of all the efforts to stop it, the Reformation gained strength and momentum, and its effects are still felt today. The question many people ask, and should ask is, “How?”. How could this all happen? No doubt Luther had extraordinary gifts, but it wasn’t Luther who brought about such incredible results. It was God. It was God and the power of God’s word. It seems like such a little thing, that "still small voice" which spoke to Elijah. Yet nothing is more powerful. God’s word has the power to save; has the power to change the hardest of hearts; has the power to move people to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness; has the power to move people to gladly and joyfully serve regardless of the personal cost.
On October 31, we remember the anniversary of the Reformation, and we remember that God accomplishes great things with the littlest things. With a splash of water, and a few quiet words, God forgave our sins and welcomed us into His kingdom in Baptism! Every time we open our Bibles in our bedroom, on the train, in the corner of the morning tea room at work; the power of God is there to strengthen our faith and assure us of the Lord's love and presence! With just a sip of wine and a piece of bread, along with the Word, Jesus incredibly gives us His own body and blood to sustain our life; body, mind and soul! With God’s word, as weak and uncertain as we are, we are nonetheless equipped to bring hope and healing to the community, to be a blessing to those around us. God uses the littlest things to bring about the greatest blessings! We see that over 500 years ago. We still see it today!
We Pray For:
† All Christians, that God would transform our lives by his word and we may be renewed each day in their baptism.
† Those who labour in the work of the church and for pastors and teachers of the word, that they may be faithful to the truth.
† People who care for the aged, the lonely, and the house-bound.
† Guidance for those who are confused or misled.
† Reformers in society and those who work for the changes that bring justice.
† All weighed down by guilt and sin, that they may be set free by the gospel.
† All who search for the truth, that God's Spirit may lead them to Christ.
We see the evidence of this in the reformation too. Last Sunday we celebrated Reformation Day. By and large the Reformation should have failed. By any reasonable measure, any stretch of the imagination, there’s no way the reformation could accomplish what it did. How could this shabby, stocky, beer swilling, little monk, have possibly had any impact on the Roman Catholic Church? Now you have to think about this – in the history of humanity (to now), has there been any other powerful institution in the world? Arguably. Maybe. Not too many, right? Now think about this one solitary man! I mean, who would listen to Luther in the first place? In the bigger scheme of things (compared to the pope) who was he? Who would even dare take on an institution like that? Why would someone? Even if Luther had the leadership skills, or the charisma to attract and sweep followers of their feet, after his death would there even be any followers? People like Luther and his efforts would quickly be forgotten.
Of course, that did not happen! In spite of all the efforts to stop it, the Reformation gained strength and momentum, and its effects are still felt today. The question many people ask, and should ask is, “How?”. How could this all happen? No doubt Luther had extraordinary gifts, but it wasn’t Luther who brought about such incredible results. It was God. It was God and the power of God’s word. It seems like such a little thing, that "still small voice" which spoke to Elijah. Yet nothing is more powerful. God’s word has the power to save; has the power to change the hardest of hearts; has the power to move people to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness; has the power to move people to gladly and joyfully serve regardless of the personal cost.
On October 31, we remember the anniversary of the Reformation, and we remember that God accomplishes great things with the littlest things. With a splash of water, and a few quiet words, God forgave our sins and welcomed us into His kingdom in Baptism! Every time we open our Bibles in our bedroom, on the train, in the corner of the morning tea room at work; the power of God is there to strengthen our faith and assure us of the Lord's love and presence! With just a sip of wine and a piece of bread, along with the Word, Jesus incredibly gives us His own body and blood to sustain our life; body, mind and soul! With God’s word, as weak and uncertain as we are, we are nonetheless equipped to bring hope and healing to the community, to be a blessing to those around us. God uses the littlest things to bring about the greatest blessings! We see that over 500 years ago. We still see it today!
We Pray For:
† All Christians, that God would transform our lives by his word and we may be renewed each day in their baptism.
† Those who labour in the work of the church and for pastors and teachers of the word, that they may be faithful to the truth.
† People who care for the aged, the lonely, and the house-bound.
† Guidance for those who are confused or misled.
† Reformers in society and those who work for the changes that bring justice.
† All weighed down by guilt and sin, that they may be set free by the gospel.
† All who search for the truth, that God's Spirit may lead them to Christ.