13th. September. 2020 Service
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Call to Worship
The Lord be with you,
And also, with you.
Praise the Lord.
Let us praise the name of the Lord together.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love.
As far as the east is from the west, so far God removes our transgressions from us.
Let us rejoice in God’s presence!
Let us praise the name of the Lord together.
The Collect for today
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Holy and loving One, God of might and mercy,
The heavens and the earth are full of your glory.
Your love transforms our lives.
You banish our darkness and give us light.
You take our grief and give us healing.
You take away our tiredness and give us strength.
You overcome our fear and give us courage.
You take death and give new life.
We come to you in our worship, and hand over to you everything that weighs us down, and await the refreshing presence of your Spirit
Renew us in this time of worship, we pray,
so that we may serve you in Jesus’ name.
O God, we confess that our lives do not always show evidence of your transforming power.
You are gracious, but we are ever ready to pass judgment.
You are kind, but we can be cruel.
You are forgiving, but we hold grudges and keep old wounds open.
You are filled with joy,
but too often we are full of dissatisfaction and complaints.
Forgive us, O God, and fill us with your Holy Spirit today,
and make us new in Christ Jesus, your Son and our Saviour.
Assurance of Pardon
The proof of God’s love for us is this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Know that you are forgiven by his grace and be at peace. Amen.
Prayer for Understanding
God of all knowledge we are ready to receive your wisdom. Still every distracting thought that we may be ready to hear your Word and be strengthened to follow your way. In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, we pray. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (in the words most familiar to you)
The Readings
Genesis 50:15-21
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 “This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.” Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Psalm 103:8-13
8 the Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbour his anger for ever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Matthew 18:21-35
‘21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’
22 Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 ‘Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold[b] was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26 ‘At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
28 ‘But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he demanded.
29 ‘His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.”
30 ‘But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32 ‘Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 ‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Amen. This is the Word of the Lord, to Him be all glory and praise.
Sermon
On his first day at school, accustomed to going home at noon in kindergarten, little Ryan was getting his things ready to leave for home when he was actually supposed to be heading to lunch with the rest of the class. When asked what he was doing he replied, “I’m going home.” The teacher tried to explain that, now that he was in primary one, he would have a longer school day. “You’ll go for lunch now,” she said, “and then you’ll come back to the room and do some more work before you go home.” Ryan looked up at her in disbelief, hoping she was kidding. Convinced of her seriousness, Ryan then put his hands on his hips and demanded, “Who on earth signed me up for this program?”
As believers, it’s easy to feel a little like Ryan when we consider the Christian life. The requirements are daunting—”Surely the Lord doesn’t expect me to forgive seventy times seven;” “Surely he doesn’t want me to turn the other cheek when someone hurts me;” “What does he mean, “take up my cross’?” It isn’t long before you want to say, “Who on earth signed me up for this program?”
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord many times shall my brother sin against me and receive my forgiveness. Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered Peter: “I am not asking you to forgive seven times. Seventy times seven is more like it!”
Does Peter’s suggestion that we might be asked to forgive someone who has hurt us up to seven times, seem reasonable? Maybe it might seem more than reasonable if we are hoping for forgiveness ourselves. Millions however do not find it in their hearts to forgive even once. And among the people of the church, twice, or three times, often stretches the limits of both our patience and our mercy.
Seventy times? Now it would be a remarkable person who could, from the depths of their heart, truly forgive another person that many times.
Seventy times seven, 490 times? Such mercy would truly seem to be well-nigh impossible.
So, what is Jesus saying to us here?
Hyperbole. He is using exaggeration to make a point. Stop calculating. The life of love and mercy does not keep score. With Jesus we have moved from the realm of legal condemnation, and legal self-justification, to the commonwealth of love.
God does not deal with us according to our deserving. God does not keep score of our sins and decide at what point we should be struck off his list. Jesus is the herald of the new kingdom, that commonwealth of abundant love, where forgiveness and healing are freely offered, and the impetus to make restitution (as far as is possible) is provided by God’s own Spirit I living within the frail temple of our lives.
Forgive seventy times seven. Live in the new realm of God as ushered in by Jesus Christ. Stop being legalistic. Cease keeping count of errors or virtues. Live by love, mercy and peace. And primarily, live with that same tender yet scalpel-sharp love that Jesus showed to those around him. Stop counting. Start a new way of life.
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord many times shall my brother sin against me and receive my forgiveness. Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered Peter: “I am not asking you to forgive seven times. Seventy times seven is more like it!”
Forgiveness, if it could be bought on the open market, would be extremely expensive, beyond the budget of even billionaires.
If the forgiveness we presume to offer others comes cheap, if it is not grounded in the costly love of Jesus, then it is false sentiment. If it is patronising and careless, then it is not the real thing. If it is offered without considering the welfare of the sinner and also the welfare of those around them, then it is not grounded in the love of Jesus.
Real mercy in many circumstances has to be tough. We do not help a person by not requiring accountability for their actions.
Before love can bring its healing work, confrontation may be necessary. Glossing over a wrong is not forgiveness. A truly forgiving person must be able to say “no” in certain situations.
Christ’s forgiveness was never indulgent. He loved people enough to confront them. Forgiveness must always stem from the strength of true love, not from sentimental or indulgent kindness.
Be aware that some people abuse the forgiveness that is too easily given. The repentant abuser who promises never to do it again, who is taken back and repeats the abuse. The convicted person who hopes that their penitence will gain them a more lenient punishment. Restitution is still a part of the picture where forgiveness is genuinely sought. Sometimes forgiveness involves cutting off a relationship for the good of both parties.
Because we believe in forgiveness, too often in the past the church authorities have allowed such people to stay in positions of trust after serious abuses. They have willingly (or unwillingly) obtained a “confession,” asked for some show of penitence, pronounced forgiveness, and returned the person to their former sphere of influence.
Cheap forgiveness does not stem from love and many have continued patterns of abuse for years that have seriously damaged the church and its reputation.
We cannot claim to love others while we allow them to avoid, or minimise, the evil and the pain they have caused. We cannot allow forgiveness to be a cheap gift. Christ’s forgiveness comes at an enormous cost. We must not devalue it.
This points to the main purpose of Jesus words. Forgiveness is a healing power, it extends salvation to the one who forgives. Yet it is not always welcome.
We have admitted the need for tough love but return now to the healing nature of forgiveness when it is given in the Spirit of Christ Jesus. This is something that does happen frequently within the church. Seventy times seven is sometimes a reality which touches each of us.
A good counsellor helping someone whose married partner has left them for another, will often reach a point where they have to ask the question: “When are you going to forgive them?”
It is a hard question to ask as it is much easier to sympathise, listen to the hurts repeatedly, and be “nice and kind.” Sometimes the reaction to it is one of anger because the natural egoistical self wants revenge or at least punishment, even though the counsellor may point out that the person they are really hurting is not the offending ex-partner but themselves. Some remain locked and miserable in their unforgiveness.
But thankfully, many move on as they reach a point where they let go of their pain and begin to allow forgiveness to flow through them from the heart of God. Considering and then extending forgiveness can be one of the most liberating and healing of experiences
You may remember the story of Lindy Chamberlain of the baby and the dingo tragedy. Falsely accused and incarcerated for killing her daughter. The cruel injustice, and grief upon grief that she suffered, was immense. Yet it is never quite over. The story gets re-visited. Some of the pain will endure as long as she lives. It took thirty years for her innocence to be established.
But is she bitter and twisted as many would be? Evidently not. a Melbourne man went on national TV with a story that on that fateful evening near Uluru in central Australia, he shot a dingo which had carried the dead baby away into the scrub. He and his three mates covered up the event, afraid that they might be arrested for shooting in a national park. Almost unforgivably, they kept silent, one of them buried the baby, and allowed Lindy to suffer shameful misjudgement and imprisonment.
When Lindy was interviewed on the matter and the question was put to her: “If this is true, can you ever forgive this man for keeping quiet and allowing you to go through hell.”
Lindy paused and thought about the question. This mattered too much to give a reflexive response. Then she said something like: “Yes. I can forgive him. If he has carried this guilt all those years he has suffered enough.”
That is an example of “seventy times seven.” There is a realm of love which is far better to trust and delight in, rather than become locked in the festering old kingdoms of anger, grudges, and bitterness.
It is not unusual to hear well intentioned people speak of giving unconditional love. No doubt, if we did indeed possess an unconditional love, then total forgiveness would always be possible.
However, such a perfect love may be impossible for us. A few saints may get close to it. The rest of us do not. God may be able to so love, and do so eternally, but not flawed creatures like us. We aren’t up to it. We are not capable of giving unconditional love even to our loved ones. Let alone to other people. It may be a wonderful ideal, but not easily realised.
Who can regularly achieve perfect forgiveness in every possible circumstance? The world of seventy times seven entices us. We can aim for it, practise it whenever we have opportunity. We can give it our best shot and pray for the Spirit of Jesus to indwell us and permeate all our thoughts and feelings. Yet we will often fail.
We have to be careful not to load ourselves with guilt over this. Imagine not being able to forgive yourself for not being able to forgive? People can struggle because of their failure to 100% forgive their children, and vice versa. Deeply hurt husbands or wives struggle to forgive their spouses, or friends wrestle with the matter of being merciful when they have felt betrayed.
The realm of seventy times seven (the kingdom of God in Christ) has arrived: it is upon us, within us and around us. The commonwealth of love has been inaugurated and established on earth. But we citizens in this realm are still learners in the school of Christ.
We should not ignore the prayer taught by Christ: “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” But realise that you will sometimes, rather like all who profess the Gospel, appear foolish or seem hypocritical.
If that happens, do not lose heart. The Holy Spirit who has begun the work of love in you will at some stage complete the glorious transformation. His work will not be in vain. Through life, into death, and in life beyond death, seventy times seven is being practised, in you, for you and through you. Fulfilment is not an empty dream. You will reach that goal where you will forgive as perfectly as you have been forgiven.
Then the moment will have arrived when joy and peace, wonder and praise will know no bounds. Then you will know why you signed up for this Gospel. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
From generation to generation, God calls us to participate in healing the world by sharing God’s redeeming love. Let us offer God our gifts this day as tokens of that love.
Prayer of Dedication
We thank you, O God, because you have blessed us with so much. And we know that others have too little and that stirs our conscience. May the offerings we bring today become a source of healing and justice in the world, for the sake of Jesus Christ, the One who sends us out in love. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
God of light and hope, we pray for people who face lives filled with darkness:
those who suffer in body, mind, and spirit,
folk who are struggling with burdens of grief and loss,
and others who cannot see their way forward in life.
We pray for people who accompany others in dark times and places,
For those who comfort the grieving, and work for healing and search out new possibilities in life.
May they all find their darkness transformed by your presence.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer
God of freedom and justice, we pray for people who suffer abuse, violence, or injustice at the hands of powerful people or forces in their lives,
and for others who have been betrayed by people who they have trusted for love and care.
There is a need in our world for deeper respect for the life you have given to all of us
Encourage everyone who struggles to bring freedom to people and works for truth to be heard and reconciliation to be brought about.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer
God of peace and hope for the future,
we pray for everyone engaged in establishing peace in the world,
for leaders and decision makers, for those who have power and can make a difference in their communities, and for all who make, interpret, and enforce laws.
Awaken respect for the needs of the most vulnerable, and an awareness of this the earth and the fragile balance of all life upon it.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer
God of wisdom and understanding,
we pray for people who misunderstand the words and actions of others,
and for those who are misunderstood.
We pray for every teacher, and all who learn,
especially those who find learning difficult and are afraid to ask for help.
In this challenging new school year, guide teachers and students into new ways of learning and keep each one safe and healthy.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer
God of forgiveness and reconciliation.
we pray for those whom we have hurt or offended
and for those to whom we have been unkind.
We pray for those who have hurt us or been careless with our feelings.
Work in our lives to redeem and restore broken relationships.
We each need your help to become gracious and forgiving people.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer and all our prayers in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Benediction
The peace of God be in your heart
The grace of God be in your words
The love of God be in your hands
The joy of God be in your soul
and in the song that your life sings. Amen.
Hymns
Here are some hymn suggestions to check on YouTube if you wish to sing along. Some may not be as familiar as their titles suggest and the ones marked “listen” do not have the lyrics on the screen:
Holy God we praise Thy Name (Listen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmGj6id7eU
We gather together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6gAE_ODosM
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCRCZMmnwZQ
Guide me O thou great Jehovah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4n1hGjDDg
All I once held dear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxpPIa-BskY
Be Thou my vision
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxvXGgSlRcs
May God’s blessing surround you each day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU
The Lord bless you and keep you (Listen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akT32E83zjI
For Children
Ask your parent to give you two slices of lemon and some sugar.
In today’s Bible lesson, Joseph had a choice. He could choose to punish his brothers for what they had done to him, or he could forgive them and reunite with them. Joseph chose forgiveness, and God wants us to forgive others, too.
Read aloud Genesis 45:4-7. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me.’ When they had done so, he said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
I’d like you to think about a time that someone wronged you and you got angry about it
Those things hurt us. We have to make choices every day about whether to forgive people. Let’s see what it’s like when we choose to forgive others.
Take a bit of a slice of lemon – What does that taste like?
Think about a time that you forgave someone.
Dip a slice of lemon in sugar and then take a bite of the lemon.
What does that taste like?
How is the bitter lemon like or unlike not forgiving others? How did the sugar change the taste of the lemon? How does forgiveness change our relationships to be sweeter?
The first lemon was bitter like the bitterness we feel when we don’t forgive. The second lemon was sweet and tasty like the sweetness we feel when we forgive others. God chooses to forgive us when we ask, and Joseph forgave his brothers for the horrible things they did. God wants us to follow Joseph’s example of sweet forgiveness and forgive others.
God, thank You for forgiving us. Please help us remember Joseph and find the strength to forgive people who wrong us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Here is a short video telling Joseph’s story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndETu4bzwAY
Intimations
Please remember to indicate to Joan More if you wish to attend worship in Inverkeithing. Owing to Government regulations, numbers will be restricted to fewer than fifty persons and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis each week. Please call Joan 01383 414515 on Friday between 10am and 4pm to indicate that you wish to attend. Please do not come without first ensuring your place each week as we do not wish to turn anyone away on the day.