All Saints Anglican Church Prebbleton, 9 Blakes Road, Prebbleton (2026)

21/06/2026

Towards a Long Life of Faith
Sermon • Rev’d John Shoaf • 21 June 2026

Romans 6:1-11 • Matthew 10:24-33

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of our hearts give glory to you, O Lord. Amen.
Today’s passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans makes definite statements about faith. Paul is trying to encourage the new little church at Rome, by reaffirming what he taught its people when he was with them. He is worried that their faith will slip away when he’s not there to reinforce it. They are like his children. He wants them to mature in faith, but he doesn’t think they are mature yet. So he explains at great length what baptism means: literally dying to sin and being resurrected as a new creation, in parallel with Christ’s resurrection, and due to it. We are resurrected and freed from sin because Christ was resurrected and took our sins to the grave with him. Our sins are dead and gone, but we have new life.
Paul makes definite and definitive statements, which must elicit a response from his readers and hearers. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3) “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed” (6:6). Paul urges Christ’s church to learn what Christ has done for them, and to be sure of their salvation: to know and be sure. There is no two ways about it for Paul: we have died with Christ, and we have been resurrected with Christ. We know it.
But sometimes, being human with our human frailties, we doubt. Can all of this be true? Can this wonderful unseen God love us and save us from ourselves — and Satan?
I think of my own faith. Sometimes, the logical part of my brain thinks: ‘How can I believe in a God whom I cannot see, hear, or feel? If God doesn’t talk to me or show himself, how can he be real?’ But when this happens, the next thought quickly comes: ‘I hope God won’t be angry with me for thinking this!’ It’s automatic — when I doubt, I also confirm. It’s like a little boy boasting to his friends: ‘I can do what I want. I don’t care what my mother says!’ Then, as he walks away, he thinks to himself: ‘Gosh, I hope mum didn’t hear me say that!’ The boy really does recognise his mother’s authority, just as I recognise God’s existence and presence. And I recognise it deep down inside me. Surface thoughts will not budge my faith, and the proof of this is what I am feeling deep down when the surface thoughts appear. That’s how I know I really believe in God.
Listening to someone like Richard Dawkins, atheist and author of The God Delusion, can at times cause us to doubt. But his arguments are only on the surface, in the day-to-day cold logic of the conscious mind. God lies deeper than that. God lies inside our subconscious as well, inside our very hearts and souls. God is there inside us because we accepted Christ as our Saviour. God has written his word on our hearts. A few scratches on the surface will not mar the beauty of the treasure which lies within us. And years of thoughtful belief will only make our faith grow stronger. Eugene Peterson speaks about “a long obedience in the same direction.” Faith reinforces faith, and faith deepens through years of prayer and believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. It’s a phrase he borrowed from Friedrich Nietzsche:
The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is … that there should be long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living.”
It is the life in Christ which is the life worth living. From our faith in Christ flows everything we most value: love, friendship, family. In our Christ-centered life, we are obedient disciples, apprentices to our master Jesus. When we have once made that commitment, and confirmed it and reinforced it continually for years, then we will know what Paul means when he says that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).
Peterson was concerned about the fast pace of life in the modern world. Instant gratification is a phrase on everyone’s lips: we recognise that people want results now. Long study is not popular. We flip from one thing to another. The drive is always for “new and improved.” And computers and smart phones don’t help the situation, as useful as they are; they just make it that much easier to spend a minute on sixty things, when we should be spending an hour on one thing. But God is worth our long study. I’m a relatively new Christian, but I’ve spent time every morning for over fifteen years reading my Bible. I’ve missed, I believe, no more than a handful of mornings in all that time. And I’m sure some of you can boast of much longer engagement with the word (remember, we’re allowed to boast in Jesus Christ!). What else have I spent that long doing, besides sleeping, eating and breathing? Well, I was married to Melissa for almost 40 years, that’s longer. I’ve played guitar for fifty years, and I’ve driven a car about that long too. But even if I were to become a Segovia on the guitar or a Michael Schumacher in a car, my time with the Bible has been far more valuable than any of that. For it has taught me about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
We all need encouragement from time to time. For that reason, God made churches. Just as Paul encourages his friends in Rome and the other churches he started in various places, we encourage each other. Faith grows in congregations. I have been terrifically encouraged many times through conversations with you. Seeing your faith bolsters mine, and we both benefit. When doubts creep in, and they will from time to time, I think of you all and the strong faith I can see in you. As Paul often said, grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

21/06/2026

Lame Man Healed
Sermon • Rev’d Andrew Hoggan • 21 June
John 9:1-12, Acts 3:1-10
Part 3 inActs series

Let’s pray: open our hearts and minds to the truth in your word, and what that can mean for us and those around us, amen.

“I have no silver or gold, Silver or gold but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and walk.” Imagine!

Here’s the situation as we move through acts. The church in Jerusalem is growing. Day by day the Lord is adding to the number those who are being saved. Ch 3 begins with a remarkable healing miracle. A sign that God is not just saving souls, but healing bodies.

In Luke 7 John the Baptist is sitting in prison wondering if Jesus was the real deal. Jesus response? “Go and tell John what you’ve seen and heard, the blind see and the lame walk.

The lame man in our story. All his life dependant on others for charity. Dropped off at the temple gate in the hope that passing worshippers would give him a few coins.

Along come the apostles, Peter and John. They look intently at this man. I would guess he was more used to people avoiding his gaze, people pretending not to notice him. And this is no passing glance. The word used “atenizo” literally means “to stretch one’s eyes to the limit. Like the old cartoons where you sometimes see eyeballs popping out of their sockets.

The Holy Spirit must have spoken to Peter and John. Their attention is laser sharp as they look intently at this man. He rightly assumes it’s his lucky day. He’s going to get something. He does. But not what he expected.

“I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth stand up and walk.” You would have to be pretty sure you have heard from God to say something like that, wouldn’t you.

Imagine stepping out in faith, speaking healing into a vulnerable persons life. People are watching. You back up your words, giving this person a hand up, not just a hand out. So far so good. You pull him to his feet, only to have him crumple in a heap.

To do what Peter does you would really want to know you were hearing rightly, and God had really spoken to you. John and Peter were well practiced in hearing.

Let’s back up a little. This is not the first wonder and sign spoken of in Acts. Pentecost was a spectacular sign of God's presence and it kicked things off. We read further that the community of faith that exploded into being that day was marked by generosity, fellowship, worship, wonders and signs. At this stage the HS is only working wonders and signs through the Apostles. This validated the Apostolic word and teaching. It shows they have the authority of God.

So this healing is not the first miracle. But it is the first one where we are given details of what happened. Why? Because this event, and what follows triggers opposition, ch4, and then persecution, ch 5.

Let’s just say, when the Word of God is at work, and the Spirit of God is at work, and the people are at work, you can bet your bottom dollar the enemy, Satan, will be at work as well. We need to be aware, prepared and equipped to fight the battle we are in. Here’s the truth. Get serious about the Gospel, get serious about seeing people saved, and you can guarantee the enemy will get serious too.

Always remember though, it is not an equal battle. The gospel declares both the victory of Christ, and the ultimate defeat of the enemy.

So to the incident that triggers a move towards persecution and opposition.

I’m walking down the footpath and I see a homeless person. I rarely have cash on me. I can still acknowledge them, say hi, smile. I might say “sorry I haven’t got any change.” It would be unusual, not to mention rude, for me to say “look I’m not made of money.”

Why does Peter mention silver or gold? How often would you think passing worshippers would put silver or gold in the begging bowls? The most any beggar could hope for on a good day was a loose coin or two.

What Peter says about silver and gold is somewhat unusual, unless Peter is trying to make another point. What Peter has to give is worth much more than just silver and gold.

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” Let’s note Peter does not leave room for misunderstanding in regards who’s responsible for what happens next.

So too in the next chapter when the people are looking in amazement at what’s happened. Peter makes it very clear who’s responsible. He does his very best to firstly, deflect glory from himself and secondly, make sure the people know that God, through the name of Jesus, is at work.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It’s a pretty full description. Like John Shoaf of Halswell Prebbleton parish.

I’m speculating as to why the clarification, but it may have been because Jesus was a common name in the day, especially in Jerusalem. “Joshua” from which we get “Jesus” means, “the Lord saves, or Yahweh is my help”.

Here’s the thing, if you’ve got lots of Jesus circulating. Lots of supposed saviours, and there are always plenty who say they have the answer.
Its important then that the real saviour, the real Messiah, is pointed to as the source of this remarkable healing and sign.

Let me say there are many versions of Jesus being peddled today, even in our churches. Some of them don’t look like the Jesus revealed in the scriptures. Let me also say, a distorted gospel is no gospel at all.

As the apostle Paul says, “do not presume to be a teacher.” “The teacher will be judged more harshly.” I would take that to mean woe betide any who preach a different Jesus than the one found in the scriptures.

There is so much at stake. Nothing less than people’s eternal destiny. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel”. Said Paul. And about false teachers, “let them be a accused”.

Strong stuff, but we are in the realm of salvation.

As we seek to share the Gospel, always in our minds must be the question, are we pointing to, and promoting the real Jesus. Peter wants to make it clear he is speaking in the name of the true and only saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Secondly. The gospel is not just about words. It’s not just head knowledge and having the right theology. Words so often need to be followed by actions. Vs 7 . Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up.

In this miracle we see a number of things working together.
Peter and John listing to the HS, and again you would want to be pretty sure you were hearing correctly.
Peter stepping out in faith when he says “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth stand up and walk”.
Peter backing up his words with action as he takes the man by the hand.
The man himself as he takes Peter hand and stands to his feet.
And most of all, of course, Jesus.

What a remarkable sign this is. This man has never been upright. His whole body would be kind of configured to a sitting or laying down position. He wouldn’t have any muscle strength or the balance needed to be able to instantly stand up, let alone leap around.

If we were lay in bed for just a couple of weeks and suddenly leap out of bed, we would probably do ourselves and injury because even in that short time our muscles would’ve atrophied.
What of this man 40 years a cripple, never having used his legs. There must have been something going on as Peter and Paul were looking intently at him. God must have been doing something in his heart and mind as well.

In the normal course of events, say this man had an operation to strengthen his feet and ankles. That would be followed by a long period of physio and rehabilitation. not in this case. This is a multifaceted miracle.

God is not just strengthening his feet and ankles. He’s recalibrating his whole system of balance. He is strengthen all the muscles and ligaments that he can stand upright leap around. He is putting faith in his heart to even take Peters hand. No wonder then that the people see they are filled with amazement. Vs 10.

What of us? At this stage in the Acts journey it is only the Apostles who are performing these signs and wonders as a way of enhancing their authority as the foundational teachers.

But 2000 years of Church history prove to us such things were not limited to Jesus and the Apostles.

“what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth………how might you finish that sentence if you were to bring the need of someone you know to mind?

My own faith journey was certainly stretched by attending the John Wimber signs and wonders conferences in Auckland in the late 80s.

Our Church, under the leadership of Derek Eaton, was known for it’s dramatic growth and expository, working through the text vs by vs, preaching. No surprise then, that many in the vestry, and in the leadership team would be encouraged to put the Word into action and be open to the supernatural.

It was terribly exciting. A bit scary. And challenging. It seemed somehow appropriate that there were about 3000 at Wilber’s first NZ conference. All packed into a great warehouse, or something. I remember thinking at the time, just like Pentecost.

John Wimber wasn’t just a great bible teacher. He was a practitioner. He would stop every so often and say. Let’s put this into practice. Pray for each other. However, it was pretty unfamiliar territory for me at this level. Sure we would pray for each other in church and in our home groups. My faith and expectation was high but in a reserved kind of Anglican way, if I can say that. That said, I did witness God working at that Wimber conference and I thank God for that experience.

To wrap up this story of healing and make it practical for us. I find it a great challenge in my discipleship journey to stay fresh and expectant and hopeful.

Further, I find accounts like the one we read about today challenging, not because I don’t believe they happened, but because I believe they did. And let me add they still do.

To use the imagery of the passage, I wonder if Jesus is not always standing before us, directing us with his word, and offering us, as it were his hand, to lift us, or someone else up, and set us leaping and praising, given his work in our lives. Even more challenging. What if Jesus were to say to us “do you see that person”. “Really look at them.” “Really see them.” “Stretch your eyes to the limit.”

“Now in my name, and in my authority tell them how their life can be changed.” “Help them on the journey by helping them understand the gospel as you unpack the Word of God for them.” “Help them on the journey in whatever other practical ways are possible as well.”

That was the early church in Acts. That’s the kingdom.

As we finish ch 3 and get ready for things to heat up in ch 4:& 5, Think of someone you know who has a need.

How would you finish this sentence if you were speaking to them, “what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth………….….. ”

Let’s pray. Set us free Lord Jesus that we, and those around us might experience what it means to know you, Amen.

14/06/2026

Why Are We Chosen?
Sermon • Rev’d John Shoaf • 14 June 2026

Romans 5:1-8 • Matthew 9:35-10:15

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of our hearts give glory to you, O Lord. Amen.
The Lord works in mysterious ways — you may have heard this! Day to day brings new examples, as things we don’t expect to happen, or to work out well, turn out for the good. You get turned down for a job and then find a better one. The person you least expect to help you in a time of trouble turns out to be a true friend. And we see this also in the people that God chooses to be his servants.
In our Gospel today Jesus is sending out his disciples, and what a mixed group it is. We have Matthew, the tax-collector. Tax-collectors were hated at the time because they often collected more than they should. The Emperor demanded a certain total sum from each collector, and he didn’t care how the collector got it. So if the collector could get more from each person, it made his job easier. Plus, anything extra he collected was his to keep. It was a system which seemed designed for fraud. The collector was also hated just for working with the occupying government. Why would God choose such a person to go out in the service of the kingdom?
We have Simon of Canaan, who was reportedly a Zealot. To us, a zealot is someone who shows great enthusiasm, or zeal, for something. But Zealots with a capital Z were a group of rebels, working for the overthrow of the Emperor and his government. Is this the kind of person to go out as a humble representative of our Lord? And how would such a person get on with Matthew, the representative of the hated government? One would not expect them to work together well in the same cause. “Think what it must have been to have a collaborator with the Romans side by side with a Zealot, dedicated to the ousting of the Romans!” It would hardly make for good teamwork.
Then, of course, we have Judas Iscariot, specifically identified as “the one who betrayed him” (Matthew 10:4). At the time, his future betrayal was known only to Jesus. God would select him to betray Jesus; here he selects him to carry his Gospel to the people. According to John, Judas was always dishonest; “he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it” (John 12:6). John also wrote that Judas did not care about the poor. If this was the way he was, one would hardly think that he would put much effort into bringing news of hope to distressed people.
And then, several of the disciples were fishermen. Fishing was an honourable profession — no problem there. But were fisherman typically well-spoken or persuasive? Were they people who would be listened to? Would not an orator or someone with good pastoral skills be a better fit for this job? On the other hand, the disciples were going to the common people, and fishermen would understand and know the kinds of lives they lived. Perhaps they went to the fishing communities along the shoreline, and talked to the people they knew.
This is a good thought. Jesus told the disciples to avoid the Gentiles and the Samaritans, and “go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). It’s much easier to talk to people of your own kind, isn’t it? This is a lesson for us. If we are to bring more people to a knowledge of Christ, we do well to start with the people we know, with whom we have many things in common. It is surely a challenge for those of European descent to go as missionaries to Asian countries — that is challenging work. Jesus doesn’t ask us all to do that. Jesus does ask us to spread the work in our own communities, and surely his sending out of these plain fishermen is an example to follow.
So in looking at those Jesus chose to send out into the harvest, the harvest of souls, he made some unusual choices. Later, he made perhaps the most unusual and frankly unpromising choice to spread his Gospel: the apostle Paul, who had been a persecutor and a scourge of the new followers of Christ. He persecuted and arrested many new Christians and brought them in to the authorities, where they were likely tortured and/or killed for their beliefs. In Acts we learn that, after Peter and others began preaching in Jerusalem and winning followers to the new faith, “Saul (Paul) began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). Later, he was
still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)
This was when the Lord caught him, on the road to Damascus. We all know this story, of the blinding light and the voice of Jesus calling Paul to his new mission, that of carrying the Gospel to the world. But what a man to choose! If ever there was an unworthy vessel for the Lord’s purpose, it would be Paul.
So it is clear that the Lord doesn’t always make the obvious choices for his servants. When I think about this, it gives me hope, for few of us are ideal servants, and none of us is perfect. I was chosen after half a lifetime of not believing in God, of not caring about God’s church; indeed, of speaking against it as nonsense. And I know I am not alone among God’s servants for feeling rather unworthy of the selection. But he did choose me, and sent me off to a far distant and beautiful land to preach to the natives I found there. It makes me feel humble, and cautious about speaking out against others whose Christianity I may doubt. For God may choose anyone to serve him and further his goal of the establishment of the kingdom. We all may do our part, and all our parts are important to God. Let us be ready, then, to respond when God calls on us; and be certain that God will give us the ability to serve him as he chooses. Thanks be to God. Amen.

07/06/2026

Truth Matters
Sermon • Rev’d Andrew Hoggan • 7 June
Isaiah 64:1-8, John 16:4b-15

In the vs we just heard read, Isaiah is trying to covey something of the awesomeness of God, and how far above our comprehension God is. Further, if we were to compare ourselves with God, if we think that we are anything other than sinners and we fall short, Isaiah makes a graphic point by saying our righteousness is like filthy cloths. Literally menstrual cloths.

To be aware of such things helps us understand why the gospel is indeed good news. And so to John’s Gospel we turn. John 16:4b-15

Let’s pray, Lord open our eyes and hearts to the truth of your Word that we may indeed be recipients of the good news working in our lives, amen.

A Question as we begin: Is there a place for the church in today’s world? Many would say no. They may well point to declining numbers and church scandals prove their point.

Such ones may not be aware that the church is in fact growing and thriving in various parts of the world. And if one were to compare churches that are growing, with churches that are shrinking, something would stand out.

Churches that proclaim the Gospel, and help their people understand the gospel, tend to grow.

As I have been emphasising in our lead up to, and including Pentecost, at Prebbleton. Where the word of God is working, and the Spirit of God are working, and the people of God are working, things will happen.

This morning want us to look into this thing truth and say clearly and as strongly as I can “Truth matters.”

In John 14 & 16 Jesus makes a strong connection between the Holy Spirit and truth. In fact he calls the Spirit “the Spirit of truth”.

Let’s see how true Jesus was to his Word.
Before Jesus Crucifixion he promised 4 things would happen.
He would rise from the dead.
He would ascend to his rightful place of glory at the right hand of the Father.
He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit.
And we would be his witnesses.

Easter and Pentecost proved all those promises to be true.

Truth Matters: That the gospel is true matters. That we can trust it matters. Resurrection. Ascension. Sending the Spirit. Witnessing to Jesus. As Jesus said it would happen, it happened.

We often bewail the fact that the church is not advancing, and congregations, at least in our part of the world, are aging and shrinking.

Let’s just note that on the day of Pentecost the first thing the 120 Spirit filled believers did was to leave the house where they had been waiting, and praying for what Jesus had promised, and when it happened they hotfoot it outside to where the people are.

Then when the people want to know what’s going on, Peter stands, and boldly proclaims the gospel. He shows that what the people are seeing and hearing is God at work by his Spirit.

We know the result. 3000 are converted and filled with the Spirit. Luke tells us they devoted themselves to four things. The first being apostolic teaching. That apostolic teaching heads the list is, I think, significant.

Why? Because unless we are taught well, we will not do the other three things on the list well.

You may have noticed I like reading from my bible. The reason? As helpful as having the words on the screen are, one of the potential consequences of seeing text on a screen, and having the bible passage printed on bits of paper, is we can fail to appreciate that what we are seeing and hearing is part of a bigger story.

And without a bigger understanding, and a bigger context it’s hard for us to understand, or understand rightly.
I personally would love to see folk bringing their own bibles to church. Or having a grown up translation of the bible like the NIV or the NRSV in the pews. I would love it if folk follow through the passage we are looking as they hold the bible for themselves in their own hands.

So what’s the difference between a growing and a shrinking church? There can of course be a multiple reasons. But let me simplify say, when the Word of God is working, when the Spirit of God is working, and the people of God are working things will happen.

No wonder or surprise then that the first attack and strategy of the enemy, as recorded in Genesis, was to undermine God’s word. “Did God really say you should not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden?”

Satan’s aim was to distort and discredit the truth of God’s word. The end result? A breakdown in trust, and a breach in relationship.

Move forward to our day and some of the things people believe. It’s hard to comprehend how the very concept of truth has been so distorted and discredited.

And while in our secular age folk might shun the idea of God and forces that are in opposition to God, our discrediting and denial of truth is at its heart a spiritual matter. It’s a part of the spiritual battle we are in.

A little social history. We are 30 years or so into a way of thinking and living that has been labelled Post-modernism.

Very quick summary. Modernity was the period of a hundred or two years prior to about 30 years ago. It was a period where rationality and logic were highly regarded.

If you couldn’t take it apart, analyse it, test it, you could not say it was real and objective. Science was king. Science was “objective and trustworthy. As for faith and spirituality? Well you can’t subject it to scientific analysis, so you can’t really trust it.
The upshot of this? Science became the leading influence of our culture. Faith was a private matter and should be kept private.

Imagine, imagine if on the day of Pentecost the 120 had followed that kind of thinking. That faith is a private matter. Imagine if the 120 had stayed in the house having a happy clappy time.

Death and Resurrection. Ascension. Sending the Holy Spirit, witnessing to Christ. Easter and Pentecost proved Jesus true to his word.

Now as unhelpful as modernity was in respect to the Gospel getting a hearing, at least modernity was governed by logic and rationality. You could argue a case for the gospel.

Not so much in Post modernity.

The Post Modernist will often challenge the idea that there is an overarching truth. A truth by which you can test and examine other truth claims. You have your truth. I have my truth. What's to say your truth is any more true than my truth?

It can even reach the point were people believe reality is shaped by perception. In other words, if I believe something to be true then it is true.

Now forgive me I don’t want to be insensitive. We are to love and care for people whatever they believe. But as an example of perception supposedly shaping reality. If I wake up tomorrow and believe I’m a women……. . I’ll leave it there.

The majorly of us sitting here this morning might be thinking to deny that things can be true or false doesn’t make sense. It’s either true or false that I will drown if I have no way of breathing underwater.

Well, the fact is the majority of us are over 30 years old, so we are shaped more by modernist, not post modern thinking.

But lest we think it’s just younger folk who have rejected the idea that truth is important. In 2016 a new label entered the political vocabulary. “Post Truth Politics”.

In other words, at least in some folks minds, in the political realm, truth is expedient. When it comes to politics we have gone beyond the need for truth.

It now seems you can now say anything you want to get, and or stay ahead. You can exaggerate. You can even get caught out in tens of thousands of falsehoods and lies. A bunch of folk will still vote for you. Listen carefully and ponder.
In such a post truth world, what of the one who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life”?
What of the one who is called the Advocate, the spirit of truth?
What of the one, Satan, the who is called the father of lies?
Who seems to be running the show sometimes?

How does the gospel get a hearing in our topsy-turvy world where if I believe the world is flat, it won’t be long before my social media feeds will be reinforcing that idea.

I’m tempted to say, and I admit I’m somewhat nervous to even say it.

How does the Gospel get a hearing when some sections of the church have become so power hungry and politicised, that they support the one who is by en large responsible for this term “post truth politics” popping up in 2016.

The upshot of all this. If someone were to ask me if the Gospel is relevant today I might ask them a few questions by way of answer. I might ask;
What do you trust in?
Do you think truth is important?
What happens in a world where anything goes, and truth is simply the label I give to permission myself to do whatever I want?
Do you think such a world would be just, or fair or safe?

In a world where it seems to be ok that truth is fluid and unanchored to reality, do we need in the church to cry “enough”. And say that there something concrete and rational to lead and guide us through life?

And importantly, that something, is really a someone. God who leads and empowers by His Word and His Spirit.

Vs 7 “I tell you the truth” Jesus said . “It is to your advantage that I go away.” That might have seemed like a very uncomfortable, even unwelcome, truth at the time. But it was true.

It was to their advantage because Jesus would come back in a new and even more influential way. Jesus spoke of the Advocate, the one called the “Spirit of truth” doing three things. Vs 8-11, When he comes he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.

About sin because they do not believe in me.
About righteousness, because I am going to the father and you will see me no longer.
About judgement because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

There is some debate about the what “proving the world wrong” means. Some translations have “will convict the world”. As best as I can understand it, the general idea is this. The world, that is those who are not under the rule and reign of Christ, will be made aware of their situation and what that means.

In Jesus day, the so called righteous ones. The Jewish religious leaders, conspired to end Jesus life. Jesus resurrection proves them wrong. As the prophet Isaiah graphically illustrates, righteousness that is based on our actions rather than God’s, is as filthy cloths. Menstrual cloths is the literal translation.

In John 16, as Jesus talks of the work of the HS, he is saying this. When the Spirit of truth comes he will make the world aware that any claim to righteousness outside the work of Christ is empty and ineffective.

What of this judgment? “About judgment because the ruler of this world has been condemned.” The judgement here is in relation to the enemy of souls, of Satan. When Jesus rose from the dead, that was the sign of Satan’s defeat and that condemnation and judgment are his future.

The Father of lies has lost. That is the truth of the gospel. That’s why the enemy hates the gospel so much. It is both a declaration of the victory of Christ, and the defeat of Satan.

How do we sum all this up. In many ways we live in a world of make believe. That’s the effect if truth is sidelined, and people construct their own reality.

At its heart the assault on truth that has ramped up over the last 30 or so years is a Spiritual matter. It’s a continuation of what the Father of lies started in the garden of Eden. It is a way of waging war against the one who says “I am the way, the truth and the life”.

As Jesus talked of the Spirit proving the world wrong, or convicting the world, did we not see that happening in the most wonderful and encouraging way on the day of Pentecost.

As the Word worked. As the Spirit worked, 3000 were cut to the heart. The were convicted and they cried out for help. And they got it. What Jesus said would happen happend.
In our day and in our setting we need to remember who is in control. We stand in, and we guided be and live by the truth.

I mentioned earlier that from 2016 a new term had entered the political arena “post truth politics.”
Imagine if you can, what it would be like if our doctors could just make stuff up when they were treating us.
Imagine if we could not trust the contracts we enter into because words can be reinterpreted to suit our purposes.
Imagine next time you go through an intersection, what it would be like if red can mean either stop or go.

We can’t say, when it comes to truth, that what is happening today is unique, as much as getting more extreme.

I remember in the 70’s, Nixon looking straight at the camera and saying “I am not a crook”. I remember in the 90’s, Clinton’s looking straight into the camera saying “I did not have s*x with that woman”. I’m not sure what I would pick if I were to think of the current context.

Thankfully, we still get somewhat upset when a public figure is caught out and they try to lie or spin their way through it.

I think, that that says something about the way God has made us in his image. The one who is truth, has put a longing for truth within us.

So to finish, as mixed up as our world is, as much as we might wiggle and squirm when God’s truth challenges our truth, God is still in control. And God has given us his Word and His Spirit to help us.

As I have said a few times this morning, and I suspect it’s a drum I will keep beating.
When the Word of God is working.
When the Spirit of God is working.
And when the people of God are working….

Finish the sentence for me, “things happen.”

Let’s pray, Lord Jesus in a world that in many way seems unanchored to reality, we thank you that truth, your truth wins out, and we can stand secure. Whatever the cost may we hold fast to the truth of the Gospel and give witness to you, amen.

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