Posted on September 7, 2008 - by Tim L

2 by 2

We bring together The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Christian band Delirious?, two middle aged women and the Gospel of Luke, to show how there is an alternative to the materialistic world.

Firstly, some lyrics from the Delirious? song “Kingdom of Comfort”

Save me save me

From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I built myself a happy home
In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand
I just forgot where I came from

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference
I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Cuz what I gain is someone else’s loss

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things
Save me save me From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king

Bible Reading: Luke Chapter 10, verses 1-3 (from ‘The Message’)

1Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. 2He gave them this charge:
“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
3On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.
4Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.”
 

Think!

What do we all have in common?

Our humanity?

We have deep connection with everyone we meet.  We are deeply connected with those to whom we are sent.  They are not aliens and neither are we for that matter.

Two middle aged women who worshipped at a city centre church in the heart of a red light district were chatting one day.  They asked a basic question, “What can we do?  Many of these girls are like children.  We can’t go on walking past them to church and look our Father God in the face in worship.  But what can we do?  We know nothing about drugs.  We know nothing about prostitution. What are we to do?”

 So, they did what they could.  They made up two flasks of hot coffee and began taking it out to the girls on the streets.  “You look cold out here, and we’ve brought you a drink.” That’s how it started.

Since then, the work has grown.  There is now a drop in place for prostitutes where they can get health advice and care and support if they want to come off the game.  And some of the young women have come to faith.  It all started with a compassionate ‘seeing’ and with a micro-mission, two by two, with two flasks of coffee and lot of warm human love.

 So often we have trouble believing that what we have is good.

The message we have is wanted.

The message we have is being sought.

So often a little like Lucy in our film clip we have trouble convincing people that there is an alternative.  That is more than make believe – the place we live in is real.  Too often we end up being portrayed as liars and people who have a vivid imagination and the only place the story lives is the back of the wardrobe.

So what is the message we have for others?

There is an alternative to lusting for material things.

There is an alternative to the chains of unforgiveness.

There is an alternative to the death of living by rules, laws and regulations.

Next week – Ask and it will be given