7th. March. 2021. Service.
March 7th 2021
Third Sunday in Lent
Prelude: “Lord of all power and might”
https://youtu.be/5VElIA2prNc
Let us Worship God
Hymn “The Law of the Lord is Perfect” Psalm 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcNTZF1EH9c
The Collect for today
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOnjmr9Ah0
Call to Prayer
The heavens are telling the glory of God.
With the whole firmament, let us proclaim God’s handiwork.
One: The law of the LORD revives the soul.
May God’s teaching bring us wisdom in our worship.
Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you, O LORD,
For you are our rock and redeemer, and so we praise you!
Prayer of Adoration and Confession
Almighty God,
you have set the whirling cosmos in motion
and called all creatures into being.
All that exists speaks of your majesty,
And no detail misses your care and attention.
You know each of us by name,
And you reveal yourself to those who look for you.
Your wisdom delights the human heart and purifies the soul.
We gather to enjoy your presence among us,
and to listen to your Word for our times and our
God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
to you alone all worship, honour and glory are due,
today and every day, now and always.
God of majesty and mercy,
we are aware that you are present here and everywhere,
drawing near to us.
We confess that we are often distracted from your presence.
Many things compete for our attention.
We are tempted to pursue our own ends and things that cannot truly satisfy.
We envy those who are successful in the world’s terms,
and prefer to pursue our own desires,
without questioning the cost to the earth or those in need.
Forgive us, O God.
Send us your Holy Spirit to awaken us to your purposes that we may
pursue them with renewed commitment, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
St. Paul declared that the message of the Cross is foolishness to many, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. By this power, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God for wisdom to live as forgiven people.
Prayer for Understanding
God of wisdom, you have spoken in the Law and the prophets to teach us how to live. Move in and among us by your Holy Spirit as you open our minds to your truth and help us to take to heart your life-giving Word. Amen.
The Lords Prayer (in the words familiar to you)
Hymn: “There shall be showers of blessings”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_y0IuCU8kQ
Invitation to the Offering
When Jesus grew angry at the money changers in the temple, he reminded God’s people that our offerings are intended to express our commitment to God’s ways. They are not just a financial transaction. As you present your offering to God this day, consider what commitment to God’s purposes your gift expresses.
Prayer of Dedication
Lord Jesus, you challenge your followers to give to God with commitment and thanksgiving. Receive our gifts as an expression of our commitment to you and your ministry. Bless them and us and use all that we can give to offer hope and healing in the world you love. Amen.
The Readings
Exodus 20:1-17
And God spoke all these words:
2 ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 ‘You shall have no other gods before me.
4 ‘You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 ‘You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 ‘Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 ‘You shall not murder.
14 ‘You shall not commit adultery.
15 ‘You shall not steal.
16 ‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
17 ‘You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.’
Amen.
John 2:13-22
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’
18 The Jews then responded to him, ‘What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’
19 Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’
20 They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. Amen
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
When Jesus grew angry at the money changers in the temple, he reminded God’s people that our offerings are intended to express our commitment to God’s ways. They are not just a financial transaction. As you present your offering to God this day, consider what commitment to God’s purposes your gift expresses.
Prayer of Dedication
Lord Jesus, you challenge your followers to give to God with commitment and thanksgiving. Receive our gifts as an expression of our commitment to you and your ministry. Bless them and us, and use all that we can give to offer hope and healing in the world you love. Amen.
Hymn: “Focus my eyes on you, O Lord”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj8LCSNssmg
Sermon
John 2: 13-17
It is ironic that only a few days ago, we had a devotion about the dangers of anger, particularly when we do not deal with it properly. Now we encounter a story about Jesus’ anger, what we call “righteous anger.”
The Bible can at times appear to be contradictory and whilst some use that fact to discredit its message, it is in fact a signifier of its truth because it reflects the reality of life in which truth is often dictated by circumstance. Classic examples are in Jesus words: “Whoever is not with me is against me,” Matthew 12:30; and “for whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:40.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tackles the unholy market for oxen, sheep and pigeons, and the busy money changers that had developed in the Temple of God in Jerusalem. He plaited a whip of cords and drove all of them, along with their sheep and oxen, out of the temple. He tipped over the tills of the money changers and overturned their tables. He ordered the pigeon sellers, “Get those things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace.” “My zeal for your house, O God, burns me up!”
What burns us up? What inflames us and makes us angry?
It is clear that not all anger is sinful. While a lot of anger may be dangerous or evil, or is at least tainted by self, there is also good anger. Good anger is that which stems from love. It is the anger which flows from our love of God, respect for our own integrity, and our compassion for misled and mistreated humanity.
Love is the root of good anger, and Jesus has sanctified for all time anger which is fed and shaped by love.
Paul wrote “Be angry and sin not.” Ephesians 4:26. In the temple Jesus displayed that good brand of uncontaminated anger.
Much anger is allied with evil and is to be avoided by those who follow Jesus. But not all anger is to be renounced. There is good anger. There is godly anger. There is the type of anger Jesus displayed when he entered the temple courts and confronted the marketeers in there. Making a whip leaves us in no doubt about how he felt. Grabbing the cash boxes and flinging them across the paving stones, driving men and animals out of the temple court, ordering the pigeon sellers to clear out, is enough evidence of the anger of Jesus. And John tells us the disciples remembered the text: “Zeal for your house, O God, will burn me up.”
There may have been a number of reasons why Jesus was so angry about that temple market, a market which was established and managed by the priests, and the money from which ended up in the grasping hands of the elite, priestly hierarchy. We all abhor those who exploit people’s faith for riches.
Maybe he had been pondering this abuse of the temple ever since he visited the temple as a child and stayed behind to ask awkward questions of the temple staff. Perhaps one of those childhood questions had been, “Why do you allow any part of God’s house to be turned into a market?
It is possible that for years, Jesus had been waiting for an opportune time to challenge this sacrilege. Perhaps like a young Abraham Lincoln, who on observing a slave market, vowed: “If I ever get the chance to hit this thing, I will hit it hard.”
We could think of a few reasons for Jesus’ words and actions that day. With the good cause of love for God and humanity, he was an angry young man
It certainly was not the only time when Jesus became angry.
Do you remember that occasion in a synagogue on the Sabbath day when Jesus noticed a man with a withered hand? As his enemies looked on, he openly offended them by daring heal that man. Mark says: “Jesus looked around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness of their hearts.” Because he loved the underdog, cared about sick and poor people, Jesus was angry with those who put their fussy religious regulations before compassionate action.
On another occasion he was angry with the disciple Peter. Last Sunday we saw the anger of Jesus when Peter tried to dissuade him from talking about the cross that lay ahead of him. Peter was tempting Jesus to surrender his own spiritual integrity. Out of respect, or love for his own true soul, Jesus turned on Peter and rebuked him. “Get behind me Satan.”
Matthew tells us that one day Jesus became frustrated with some of the Pharisees. He turned on those who not only despised the lower classes but put impediments between the poor and their God. Jesus poured out a torrent of condemnation on them. You will find his extraordinary, angry attack on hypocrites in Matthew chapter 23. Jesus was angry out of love. He fulfilled the Scripture: “Be angry and sin not.”
If we are to follow in the footsteps of, Jesus, then some anger should have a place in our lives. It is hard to see how we cannot at times get angry.
How can we not get angry when we find devious deeds in the high places of religion. When sexual abuse is covered upon and the victims made the scapegoat. There was a horrifying article in Saturday’s paper about how in certain denominational schools in Sydney girls were actively taught to blame themselves for allowing sexual assault.
How can we not get angry when finicky points of church dogma are allowed to outrank the value of Christian love, and as a result keep Christians separated? When in some cases one denomination will castigate and ridicule another?
How can we not become angry as citizens of a nation where normally 50 times more is spent each year on pet food than on donating to feed the hungry and starving peoples of this world?
How can we not get angry when our politicians (no matter what party is in power) appear only develop a social conscience for the underprivileged when an election is in the offing; or when the cause of some individual is taken up in a burst of publicity by a self-serving TV network and existing tensions are inflamed?
How can we not get angry if churches judge themselves as successful by the size of a congregation rather than by their quality of love to everyone, and especially to the neediest members of the community? When respectability is prized above getting hands dirty, or being misjudged, in the service of our fellow sinners. Whenever in some churches “all people are treated as equal, but some are treated as more equal than others.”
How can we not get angry when in our elderly can get bashed for their weekly pension.? Again, there was an horrific picture this week of an elderly woman’s bruised face after such an attack. Or when little children are exploited by the obscene child pornography industry, or when the sex trade makes prisoners of Eastern European women?
How can we not become angry with our self-centred society? Where do many not care for anyone but themselves? We hear often about communities devastated by the damage done by industry, mining, fracking, rail projects or discrimination among occupants in mixed housing projects in some cities. It is hard to read the news these days without something causing us anger.
Of course, we could go on and on. “Be angry and sin not.” Lent is a good time to be angry. But not if we use our anger wilfully. It’s not a good anger unless we focus on practical things that we might be able to do to redress wrongs.
Our anger needs to be focussed on attainable targets. It must be carefully and worthily applied.
This is the difficult part. Getting angry is not difficult. Expressing our anger in appropriate ways, that is where the potential for sin, for making things worse comes into play.
It is rarely easy for us to confidently focus and use our anger to the glory of God. Our motivation can be corrupted, we might mistake the true target, our timing can be wrong. What guidelines do we have?
Love is the only guideline we have. Not any old brand of love, but Jesus’ brand. It must be the kind of agape love that Jesus lived. It must stem from “Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and love your neighbour as you love yourself.” Such love can be costly. Sometimes it will mean “taking up our own cross and following Jesus. That is, being ready to suffer in the cause of Christ.
Only with the love of Jesus as our template, can we dare to be angry and not sin.
With that tough yet tender quality of love in mind, let us use Lent, not to deny and suppress our indignation over wrongs, but to face it and use it for good. Take the initiative and focus your anger in practical ways, no matter how small. You and I might only be able to strike what may seem just minuscule blows against evil, but that is worth it. It is from the pool of those who are faithful in the little things, that God can find the right people to tackle larger challenges.
There are times of course when righteous anger may make us enemies Here is a quote from a commentary: This was an act of shocking disobedience towards the powerful rulers of the Temple, even if at the same time an act of great obedience to the justice and truth of his Father, whatever the cost to himself. John, no doubt, places this powerful story so early in his gospel because he wants to give a clear indication right from the beginning that Jesus’ Way would replace what people had known. Just as Jesus overturned tradition with the good wine served last in Cana, so he overturns the tables in the Temple. The world is changing by the acts of Jesus, but in doing so, Jesus reveals the way the world is supposed to be. Where law shackles and binds people unnecessarily and in order to maintain a system of abusive power, then love comes to turn it on its head.
And here are some quotes from Proverbs which give us additional material for thought and ancient suggestions for managing anger wisely.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
A wrathful man stirs up discord, but one slow to anger calms strife (Proverbs 15:18).
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).
A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:3 – 4).
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife (Proverbs 26:20 – 21).
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered. (Proverbs 28:25).
Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath. (Proverbs 29:8).
Look again at that angry young man making a whip. See again the money boxes spilling their coins out across the paving, and watch the table being overturned, and hear him shout: “Get these things out of here! You shall not make my Father’s house into a marketplace.” Be angry but be careful not to sin. Amen
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Loving God, we thank you for the world you created
and for every opportunity we are given to enjoy its beauty and its life sustaining promise.
When we take time to breathe in fresh air and exercise outdoors as spring approaches, remind us of our calling to care for creation along with you
As the days lengthen and the sun shines longer every day,
reawaken our joy and pleasure in the promise of new life they herald and so
sustain us as the weeks of the pandemic stretch on.
Ever present God,
we thank you for walking with us through days of uncertainty
as well as times of pleasure and satisfaction.
In times of risk and stress, you provide a still point of calm.
In times of challenge, you are for us the source of courage and confidence.
Thank you for hearing us whenever we pray,
and for the wisdom and encouragement we receive from you.
Today we pray for people who are struggling with the isolation and frustration the pandemic brings to so many. Give them peace and patience as well as your grace and love.
We pray for churches whose common life has been changed so much by months of distancing. Keep us strong in faith and fellowship, that we may serve as agents of healing and hope in our communities.
We pray for our own nation and all the nations of this world. May leaders confront the challenges of this time with courage, wisdom, and compassion. Guide our citizens to know the difference between conspiracy theories and truth telling.
We pray for victims of violence around the world. Work through all who advocate for peace with justice and bring change where it is needed, with daily provision for those whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted.
And we pray for all those who are enduring pain and illness, those who are facing grief and loss, and those who work on the front lines in our community, in health care, education, retail, emergency and public service. So many are exhausted by these months of pandemic. Be their comfort and encouragement day by day.
Hear us now as we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Hymn “A new commandment I give unto you.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X8m9tVR0_Y
Benediction
We proclaim the crucified and risen Christ,
who is the power and wisdom of God.
May God the Father bless us with mercy, the Son of God strengthen us and give us wisdom and the Holy Spirit comfort and sustain us.
Go forward in the name of Christ!
Amen!
May God’s blessing surround you each day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU
Postlude: “Creating God your fingers trace”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cXrvx_4uQ8
For Children
Mops, brooms, and window cleaner…what do we use these things for?) We use them when we clean houses. Do you ever help your parents clean your house?
How do you know it’s time to clean house? Here are some signs that will let you know.
- It’s time to clean house when your feet stick to the floor when you walk through the kitchen.
- It’s time to clean house when your mother can’t find you when she comes into your room to wake you up in the morning.
- It’s time to clean house when the kids in the neighbourhood use their fingers to write “wash me” in the dirt on your windows.
- It’s time to clean house when there are more dishes in the kitchen sink than there are in the cabinets.
- It’s time to clean house when you have enough dust bunnies under your bed to start a bunny farm.
I think you get the idea! Today we’re going to learn about a time Jesus did some house cleaning. It was time for the annual Passover celebration, so Jesus travelled to Jerusalem. When He went to the temple, He couldn’t believe what He saw. People were selling cattle, sheep, and doves to be used as sacrifices in the temple. Some men were even charging people to change their money so they could pay their temple taxes. It looked more like a flea market than a place to worship God.
Jesus was so angry that He made a whip from rope, and drove the cattle, sheep, and those who were selling them out of the temple. He also turned over the money changers’ tables. To the ones who were selling the doves, He said, “Get out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” Jesus did some serious house cleaning that day!
As we think about Jesus cleansing the temple, we can also be reminded that there is some other cleaning that needs to be done. The Bible tells us that we are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in us (1 Corinthians. 3:16). This season of Lent is a good time for us to think about how our hearts might need cleansing.
God, help us to remember that we are Your temple and that Your Spirit lives in us. Help us to keep our lives clean and useful for service to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Here is a video about this story: https://youtu.be/tHyI9au3-4E
Intimations
The minister has received permission from the Trustees of the General Assembly to live in his own house whilst continuing in ministry. The new address is 32c Townhill Road Dunfermline KY12 0QX. The telephone number remains 01383 621050.
The Bible Discussion Group will meet via Zoom on Tuesday 9th March at 7:30 pm. Please contact the minister by email: calston@churchofscotland.org.uk if you wish to be added to the zoom contact list.
The Inverkeithing Session will meet via Zoom on Thursday 11th March at 7:00pm for an in hunc effectum meeting re: the annual accounts.
The North Queensferry Congregational Board and Session will meet via Zoom on Wednesday 17th at 7:00pm for regular business.
Next Sunday March 14th, the minister will hold a virtual communion service for both congregations at 11:00hrs. The text will be incorporated in the published service and you are invited to prepare some bread and wine or juice in order to participate at home via Zoom, or by following the text in the service at 11:00 am. The Zoom details will be included with the Devotion on Saturday and the Service on Sunday. They will also be on the Facebook or Congregational Websites.