Sitting comfortably/uncomfortably

Today I preached again. It's 12 weeks since my left leg gave way and I shared my gloom with you my kind readers as I staggered through rehab. The progression (and yes, definitely progression) has been slow and painful. Through crutches, splint, rollator, excruciating physiotherapy, I am now using a stick this last week. This gives the appearance of normality but with wobbles and pain So, for my return to preach in the sermon series on James in Bluntisham today, I needed to sit. My set passage was James 3:13- 4:6 with the title ' Living Wisely.'

I began with a brief explanation of why I had to sit in comfort and then remarked that making you comfortable is not James' specialty! Indeed for much of his letter he lobs out very uncomfortable practical challenges. On the dangers of favoritism, snobbery, uncontrolled tongues, trusting in material prosperity. It's often noted that the book's themes echo the Sermon on the Mount, but this step brother of Jesus likes to add his own punch.  Oh Yes!

And what is the central issue in this reading. James is concerned that people cannot seem to get on with each other. 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Why is it that in every group of people whether at work, at play, at home, at worship, tension and division arises? We've probably had enough of the Gallagher brothers and Oasis reforming (though I never know who might have patiently got tickets). I saw a newspaper spread with the headline: Inside Story; the Greatest Breakdown and Reunion of the Century! But the truth is we all know about breakups, sometimes we have been sadly involved. People cannot seem to go along in relationships without trouble. In my first job as a teacher in a Junior School when as a keen young man I was introduced to the staff I very quickly learned that so-and-so didn't speak to so-and-so, and that there was history between two others.  I found, as the newcomer, different sides tried to coopt me as their friend!

It's much more tragic that James is writing to the church: What causes fights and quarrels among you? The very group that should know about forbearing one another in Jesus' love, with great themes like reconciliation. That we should be riven with breakdowns, fights and quarrels is tragic.  But it happens. And James is concerned to confront it. 

How does he teach us? His answer is a surprise. In answer to the question what causes fights and quarrels he says it's a lack of wisdom.  Christians who fight and quarrel are not being wise. Really? Is that the reason?  Let's see.......

Bookends

I chuckled when two large volumes came through the international post ($60) last week.  They speak of a beginning and ending to a chapter in my life. In 1994 I was invited to be a guest lecturer in the E.Y. Mullins preaching conference at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville.  That conference was  my first intensive experience of spending a few days (yes, a few days!) focused on preaching and, best of all, I shared the seminary's luxurious hospitality house with two of the best known preachers in the US - Tom Long and William Willimon. That honour has remained with me ever since. There I was a mere junior on my first US preaching encounter sharing meals with two gracious giants.  I had to give a lecture and share each evening preaching session with Will Willimon, as both of us gave consecutive sermons to an extraordinarily attentive packed auditorium.  Several times I asked myself why I was there?

As a first it is burned in my memory.  At the conference's conclusion I was shown into a study where some duplicate homiletical volumes occupied a shelf, and I was invited to select whatever I could manage in my luggage allowance. I had so little specific preaching literature.  Among the volumes was the Handbook of Contemporary Preaching (1992). a dense book comprising essays from leading teachers/preachers covering a wealth of counsel. I looked at the authors and recognized so few. Dipping into its sections I felt overwhelmed.  

Big surprises continued. The following year I was invited to be the main speaker at the E.Y. Mullins conference and returned to share in a memorable US opportunity.  I was quickly growing up in a new preaching world.

But why the chuckle when these two books arrived?  Well the second edition of the Handbook of Contemporary Preaching has just been published.  As I review it this time I am thrilled to know so many of the authors. And, as you might guess I have a chapter in this one. It's in the section Preaching and the Ministry entitled: The Role of Preaching in Ministry.  So my little story has come full circle bookended by the first and second editions of this book.  Actually it does mark the conclusion of my writing on preaching. Yes, I'll still keep bible reading notes (if invited again) and some preaching (if invited) but this is my swansong. And I am so so grateful to God for his calling and guidance on this surprising journey.