Word Count 2513
Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 Psalm 119:33-40
This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, and St John in Girvan, Scotland on the 23rd February 2014 (Scottish Episcopal Churches in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries)
{this was an easy sermon to write, but extremely difficult and emotional sermon to deliver}.
Summary: This sermon supports the understanding of humility, which use properly is one of the best weapons in a Christian’s arsenal; by travelling a second mile on a difficult, lonely road; a road Jesus knew and travelled, a road he want us to travel also.
INTRODUCTION:
Today’s gospel reading is taken from the very well known “Sermon On The Mount”, … a sermon very early in ministry of Jesus and his Disciples … so we can conclude that this reading is fundamental, you know, it is the basics, the A B C of Christian life, and yet … not many Christians apply this principle themselves.
Now last year I gave a sermon on humility, where I said that humility is one of the most powerful attributes a Christian can have; it is not a weak attribute as the world thinks, but a true understanding of Christian humility leads to victory in so many ways.
Simply put, we Christians can display a character of humility because … we can. We have our faith in the Lord, as he guides us … and protects us … he also commissions us for his service; so humility used as it is meant, delivers all the power and strength we need to overcome.
And so today’s reading, supports that understanding on humility, by talking about travelling a second mile on a difficult, lonely road.
The King James says in Matthew 5:41”And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile … go with him twain”. Now the word “compel” here carries with it the idea of “an enthusiastic readiness, and a willingness to support someone who demands your services … and expects us to comply with their unreasonable demands.
If you are like me, and Christine too, our first reaction normally is, “what”! “Who the hell are you to demand that”? But Luke 6:30 says “Give to every man that asketh of thee”; so you can see straight away, that we are in trouble with this one.
The word “twain” here means two as you know, and according to Roman law, a Roman soldier could, and did, demand that a Jewish man carry his load for a mile … a full Roman mile: but notice the words Jesus uses here … because he does not say anything about any Roman Soldier, he says, “And whosoever shall compel you”, so to us today this would mean, anybody; and knowing Jesus … it would probably mean someone that we do not like; and where common sense tells us, to stay well clear. Ok.
But this command from Jesus does mean anybody, anybody could compel us to do their bidding, whether we agree with them or not; … and then … we do twice as much again as they have demand; … and then; further still … we carry out their orders, with a smile on our face.
This is exactly what today’s scripture tells us to do. … I don’t like either … but we are ordered to it. Why? Well because … just like the powerful humility attribute … it is not well understood. Jesus understood it though … and that is why he wanted his disciples to understand … so that they could release the power within.
So let us face up to it now, and at least examine it and see what it entails; … We will start with, the negatives to get them out of the way first.
1. Anybody means anybody.
The first point I want to make, returns us to the term “anybody” because there are full studies on this point alone, but simply put, to someone experienced as Jesus, anybody to him meant anybody.
However, I would suggest that somebody new to the Christian life should stick with their common sense for now, until they gain their confidence. If you are not sure, don’t, … it is as simple as that, but please be aware that we are not to think as the world thinks, but to start preparing ourselves to help and support those who come under the heading of anybody; whether we like them or not.
2. The second mile is a lonely road.
My second point this morning is that the second mile travels along a lonely road, where few people actually tread … and so … there must be a reason for this. The best topical examples I can give are the Olympic athletes. Do you honestly think they were selected for their country on talent alone, or do you think they travelled that second mile, training with every spare second they could, in ways that we would not believe, in order to win at their sport and get a medal. They travel that second mile with their trainers guiding and pushing them for self gain, but with trainers who are not actually on the road with them.
For us Christians, we too will travel the second mile whether we like it or not … however we will have our own personal trainer within us … guiding and protecting us on every step of this journey, because he, the Holy Ghost, has a special interest in us, as it affects him. … …
Ok we start the second mile grinding our teeth … kidding on we are doing it willingly, but with the Lords help, he eventually transforms that pain into pleasure, as he revels more and more of himself as we go, … and to continue from Andrews sermon last week, … we are the lights shining in the darkness; … we do not need to try and be the light, we are automatically the light shining … as he is already within us.
Have you every said to yourself, “I wish I could just stay in the background like everybody else”, I know I have, and I know I still do, … but the Lord within, puts us right into the front line whether we like it or not; … and forces us to travel that second road. Notice I do not say encourages us, but forces us, because he has put that light within us, and he wants that light to shine. And … the brighter it becomes, the more he can provide his shield of protection around us, when the bullets start firing; God truly protects his own.
3. The second mile is always under attack.
This takes me to my third point which is that the second mile never ends for a Christian; it continues unto death … it continues in preparation for death … in that readiness to meet our Lord in person. So … if that is our destination, it is therefore reasonable to meet with the Lord on that road.
I will now give you three reasons why should we expect to meet the Lord on this road? The first is:
1. Because we need him, it is a lonely dangerous road,
and we need all the help we can get?
2. The second reason we expect to meet him is because even he
Jesus himself, needed the help and protection of his father
on this road when he was alive on this earth and
3. and because it is the exact same road that Jesus himself
travelled on his way to Calvary and the cross.
Are we here in this church this morning on the second mile? Well yes … why else would we all be here this morning, because as you know, Christianity is not as popular as it once was, and today, it takes faith to come to church?
And let be blunt about it, all churches have their problems, and sometimes we all get discouraged in coming to church, and sometimes we have to force ourselves to attend; but because we love the Lord, and know that he is our saviour, we drift back; or even drift to another church.
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Now … there are some people in this church, I won’t name them, … I certainly do not want to embarrass them if I get this wrong, and please forgive me if I miss anyone out, but these people, these individuals do more for this church than anyone could possibly realise, and those people whom I refer have certainly travelled along the lonely second mile on this difficult road … in duty to serve the lord, through serving his church.
These individuals all know the road is dangerous because all of them at have at some stage, or even many stages … have been discouraged … let down … and left feeling totally unappreciated. They are all human, and they all have their off days … yet through the pain, they gritted their teeth, and have continued in hope that their efforts will be acknowledged.
Yes I know they are doing it for the Lord’s glory and not their own, but sometimes we all need that encouragement to keep us going, you know that wee pat on the back that says well done; your time and effort it is so appreciated. To these people, let these words be my appreciation of their dedication and hard work; thank you, you are much appreciated, more than you would believe.
To move on, have there been any successes to show for this hard work? Well yes, look around you; the church as certainly changed. Is there hope for the future, of course there is? Think about what we were like five or six years ago! Do you know how close we came to being closed down?
Where are we now, with all the hard work and dedication, well look at our Map problem, and then compare that to other churches in the dioceses or even in Scotland. Are we getting by, or are we holding our own, or are we leading the other churches? Well, I have certainly been amazed by our reputation and success in the diocese. A church who was nearly closed is now leading the field on many areas … including the Service of the Word, … with a music group … and with a Sunday school which we still have. We do have our church in order, it is well maintained, and our accounts are in the black, ok, just, mind you look at what we have just done.
Ok I am saying this tongue in cheek … but it has to be said in order to give us a foundation to grow. For those who are cynically minded, they can certainly point the finger and will find fault, but we not only have survived, we are ready to grow, and we are ready to welcome more people, and that cannot be denied.
We also have hope for the future, and that only came from prayer and listening to the lord and hard work, and then going that extra mile. Do you see where it all fits in now? It has all been for a reason.
We have been ordered by God to do certain things, and sometimes these things become difficult, and that is why we must face up to them, and when we do face our demons in the second mile, they somehow flee; because our demons just do not like to be challenged, and in the second mile we are more focused and determined.
4. The second mile leads to joy.
And that takes me to my fourth point, and that is, the second mile leads to joy. The first mile is required by law as a minimum, but the Second Mile is voluntarily and up to us; because Christian joy and victory never comes from being served, but from serving. You won’t find one Scripture that even hints that we should be on the receiving end of serving, unless … we are receiving in order to bless others, and even then … we are still serving.
This is so fundamental, yet so hard to do or even understand, but homes are transformed when we go you go that extra mile. … You certainly know the opposite to be true. How many homes had you seen wrecked by those who do nothing, unless there is something in it for them? Selfishness always destroys, and those who cannot see further than themselves will never see the power of God in their lives.
I love Matthew 20:28 where Jesus says: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life as a ransom for many”. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and I can easily see Jesus serving with joy in his heart.
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For me, as you know, I still keep in touch with Holy Trinity and I used to get very discouraged when they kept going on about Ian Meredith taking advantage of me, by getting me to take so many services. How do you explain to people, that even though I work during the week at school, I love nothing more than preparing … and taking services? It is a joy for me to do, I have never turned down a service, and I have always found the time to do these services regardless of my circumstances. … Maybe that is because I too, have travelled that second mile to the stage where I actually receive great joy for serving; … and I will intend to continue, as long as I am welcomed.
5. The second mile leads to a reward.
And finally, this takes me to my last point before I close … that if we are properly motivated, and guided by lord, the second mile leads to a reward as well. … But our reward however, is not instantly recognised by the world, it is recognised only by ourselves … in those small quiet times that make us.
The world’s idea of helping someone is to do so in hope of being rewarded financially or mentioned in despatches … normally by those who can afford it. The Christian attitude of help however is so different … as the true Christian will sacrifice their own time and money to help someone who cannot pay them back. The true Christian will help them for the love and glory of God and nothing else.
And I will add this in brackets, {the Lord then … will help and support these Christians, so that they in turn, will have the ability to reach out and help even more people who are in need}. … Not many have arrived at this place … but many are working towards it. You see the reason we fail, is that somewhere in all this, we twist it slightly … we take our eyes off God glory … and somehow promote ourselves, and that is where it all falls down.
I could go on for ages on this subject, I love it, but for now, I will finish with this one thought. If we have the ability and the desire, to help those who cannot pay us back, how strong and secure and resourceful do we need to be? … … … Well it should be obvious, that we need to be very strong, … completely stable, and extremely resourceful … and I for one … want some of that; I hope that you do as well.
Amen. Let us pray.
Father, we thank you for Jesus, and thank you for supporting him on that second mile on the road to the cross … where all our lives changed as a result.
Father we know that you want us to travel this road also, so please enlighten us on this doctrine. Explain to us why you want us to do it, and show us the power that is released on this second mile, both for your glory … and ours.
Father when we do travel the second mile on one of these many roads, please meet with us … encourage us … tell us what you want us to do … and strengthen us to continue, as we will probably be afraid of where it takes us.
Because of Jesus, let your love shine on us today Father, as you know it is our desire to please you. Let you love shine … let it shine onto us, and through us into the darkness … and let that light bless those whom we meet.
We ask in Jesus name, Amen.
For St John’s this sermon was altered to be more specific to them, and hopefully more encouraging to others.
Are we here in this church this morning on the second mile? Well yes … why else would we all be here this morning, because as you know, Christianity is not as popular as it once was, and today, it takes faith to come to church?
And lets be blunt about it, all churches have their problems, and sometimes we all get discouraged in coming to church, and sometimes we have to force ourselves to attend; but because we love the Lord, and knowing that he is our saviour, we drift back; or even drift to another church.
Now … there are some people in this church, I won’t name them, … I do not want to embarrass anyone if I get this wrong, and please forgive me if I do, … but these people, do more for this church than anyone could possibly realise, and they have certainly travelled along the lonely second mile on this difficult road … in duty to serve the lord, through serving his church.
They all know the road is dangerous because all of them at have at some stage, or even many stages … been discouraged … let down … and left feeling totally unappreciated. They are all human after all, and they all have their off days … yet through the pain, they gritted their teeth, and have continued in hope that their efforts will be acknowledged.
Yes we know they are doing it for the Lord’s glory and not their own, but sometimes we all need that encouragement to keep us going; you know that wee pat on the back that says well done; your time and effort it is so appreciated. … To these people and that is most of you, let these words be my words of appreciation, of your dedication and hard work; thank you, you are much appreciated, more than you will ever know.
To move on, have there been any successes to show for this hard work? Well yes, the church as certainly changed; St John the building has gone, and so too would this church had you not travelled that second road to keep it going … and it is going well.
Doubts do crop in all the time, but that is what the enemy does, he wants you to be discouraged; and if you are discouraged just now, remember you are the light in Girvan for our church, for the Lord; it is a small light, but a light non the less, a light shining in the darkness.
And is there hope for you in the future, of course there is? Think about how far you have travelled … you have kept something alive that many thought was dead; the Episcopal Church would never open another in Girvan, at least in my lifetime.
This Church is very much alive and I am very honoured that I am allowed to preach here … I am very grateful for you dedication, as it inspires hope in me, and hope in others also. Yes I know it has not easy, but you must focus on your success, focus on what you have achieved … in order that you may grow.
None of us knows what is in front of us; for example, and one bad act of terrorism or another financial plunge or something else that is equally devastating will fill the churches again, and you need to be ready; and you are ready to grow, and ready to welcome more people … and that cannot be denied and I feel that must be said. I am not trying to be patronising here, I am trying to be real as we have a similar situation in Maybole, and we too must be ready for growth and sustainability.
We both have hope for the future, but that only came from prayer and listening to the Lord, and putting his ideas into action. Yes I was hard work, particularly in the second mile, but we are both ready for growth. Do you see where it all fits in now? It has all been for a reason.
We have been commissioned by God to do certain things, and sometimes these things become difficult, and that is why we must face up to them … and when we do face our demons in the second mile, they somehow flee; … because our demons just do not like to be challenged; and in the second mile, we are more focused and determined.
