Second Sunday After Pentecost
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
My soul thirsts for God, thirsts for the living God.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Pentecost 2, 22nd June 2025
Welcome friends and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
In the coming weeks we’ll be spending time walking with Jesus during the somewhat quieter moments of his ministry.
We’ll see his compassion as he heals the sick and learn from his wisdom with the disciples as he teaches small groups and large crowds.
This morning’s Gospel (Luke 8:26-39) tells us how Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee, out of Jewish territory, to a place inhabited by Gentiles - the Gerasenes.
When Jesus stepped ashore, a man from the town met him. He was possessed by demons and for a long time had not worn any clothes. He did not live in a house but in the tombs. Yes, a naked man, tormented by demons, who lived in the local equivalent of a cemetery, comes up to Jesus.
Upon seeing Jesus, the the evil spirits within the man cry out in fear, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!” <PAUSE>
It’s fascinating that these demons can see in Jesus what no one else could. Jesus was no normal human being. He was God-made-flesh, and these demons in this man instantly recognise that this Jesus has the power to do things to them they would find very unpleasant, to torment them, returning them to a dark abyss - perhaps meaning “hell”.
No matter how much these demons did not want to have anything happen to them, in the end the best they could do was bargain with the Son of God.
We’re told, “the demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission.”
Permission. Fascinating, isn’t it? Demons can seem so scary, so powerful, so unnerving.
Yet we learn here that NOTHING is beyond the control of God. Every force, power, or being, no matter how daunting or dangerous, must submit themselves to the God who created and rules all things.
At Jesus permission and command, the demons flee the man and enter the heard of pigs and that drove them off the hillside and into the water. <PAUSE>
What a monumental moment for that man living naked and among the tombs. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man who had been freed from the demons and found him sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed, in his right mind, AND - - - they were, understandably, afraid. Can you even imagine what it was like for this man? We have no idea how long he endured this demon possession other than Luke’s comment, “for a long time.” This wasn’t something that had happened for days or weeks or even months; this was probably years of suffering under this burden. And then, in an instant, Jesus solves it !!
Jesus’ words were so powerful they created faith in this man’s heart. The miracle demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was not someone to fear, but someone to praise. <PAUSE>
Do you remember when YOU came to Christ?
Do you remember how powerful that was?
Do you remember how life-changing that was? <PAUSE>
With his new-found faith and gratitude, this man wanted to be one of Jesus’ disciples, to continue to be with Him. As Jesus got into the boat and started back, the man begged to be with Him.
However, Jesus had other plans. This man, this likely-Gentile man, would not be one of the twelve, or even one of the broader group of disciples who would travel with Jesus around Galilee and Judea. No, instead Jesus gave him a different, more personal mission: “Return to your home and tell how much God has done for you.” <PAUSE>
There are times during Jesus’ ministry that we see him tell people to be quiet about the miracles he’s done, largely because people might get the wrong idea about his goals and purpose. But not here. Here Jesus very directly tells this man to be a witness, tell others what God had done for him … and what a powerful message he had to share.<PAUSE>
You and I probably have not lived through the physical torment that this man did, but we all have God’s care in our lives. Maybe we can point to some very specific times where God made his intervention pretty clear - safety in a near certain accident, healing from a disease that surprised the doctors, daily bread coming to us in dire times from an unexpected place, release from an addiction … etc etc.
Yet, even if we don’t have some specific story from our lives to share, we all have the rescue that God gives not from demon possession, but from death to life eternal.
Jesus enters our mistake-ridden human lives not to torment, chastise or punish us but to save us. To bring mercy to us. To completely saves us from the eternal darkness of the abyss.
Jesus saves us not just from earthly strife and torment, but from eternal suffering.
Jesus’ words bring a faith to us to trust Him as our Saviour.
Whether we first heard those words as an infant in our baptisms, during childhood, or adulthood, the result is the same as it was for that man possessed by the demons: the Word of God creates trust in everything God has said and done. Our faith is a quiet confidence that knows that Jesus is our Saviour. <PAUSE>
Sometimes, we preachers can get overly theological in our interpretations of the words of Christ but not so today.
Today the message is clear, simple, and straightforward … and so I pray, sisters and brothers, we follow the words of Jesus that we hear today, “… tell how much God has done for you.” <PAUSE>
Bring your children into God’s family and his kingdom. Model the love of Jesus in your family. Live a life of thankfulness to God among your co-workers. Let your friends and neighbours see how you journey to prayer and worship. Comfort a hurting friend. Show kindness to a total stranger. Share the peace of Christ with those who don’t know it and remind those who had let it fall out of mind. Support those who publicly spread God’s Word in your community, in the other places of your nation, and around the world.
I don’t imagine that demon-possessed man in the land of the Gerasenes ever stopped thinking about the kindness Jesus did to him that day, and likely he continued to prioritise telling how much God had done for him.
May God give each of us that same heart and mind. Today, and every day, in your home and everywhere you find yourselves, tell how much God has done for you!
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Everlasting God, we thank you for the Good News we have been given; for all the good you have done for us, for all the blessings we have received.
Help us to remember that these things are not just for us, but that we are called to share them with the rest of the world.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Creator God, we pray for all who have influence and authority, through their political standing, fame or wealth; speak into their hearts with righteousness and justice, integrity and compassion.
We pray for the tolerance and understanding between nations that will bring peace to the world. We especially raise before you the conflicts in Ukraine and The Middle East - Prince of Peace, that let peace rule in the hearts of human-kind.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Father God, as the holiday season builds up in many parts of the world, once again we pray for the thousands of families who will journey to enjoy well-earned rest on holiday. Wherever they travel, ay they enjoy themselves, and enjoy each other. May their holidays bring not only pleasure but restoration and healing into their lives.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Loving God, we raise before You those in need of comfort and reassurance; all in pain and mental anguish. We pray for those who have lapsed in their faith, those troubled with doubt and those who need Your Good News at this time.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Merciful God, have mercy on those who have recently died and those who are on that last journey now. May those who have gone before us rest in Your eternal peace.
We also raise before you those bereaved by the passing of loved ones - give them peace and hope for the future in their time of loss.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Heavenly Father make us ready and able during the coming week and beyond to share our joy with others and to tell what You have done for us.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
