Fifth Sunday in Lent

Draft Sermon/Sermon Outline

                Title: Embracing God’s Call: Sustainable Living in God’s World

Dear readers, today’s readings from the Revised Common Lectionary offer us profound insights into our relationship with God, nature, and humanity. As we look into Jeremiah, Psalms, Hebrews, and John, we find timeless truths illuminating the path towards sustainable living in God’s world.

God’s Covenant with Creation (Jeremiah 31:31-34): This passage from Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant, where God promises to write His/Her law on our hearts. This covenant extends beyond human relationships to encompass our stewardship of the earth. Our call to sustainable living is rooted in recognising our covenantal relationship with God and His/Her creation. We are entrusted with the care of the earth, and it is through our reverence and stewardship that we honour this covenant.

Repentance and Renewal (Psalm 51:1-12): Psalm 51 reflects on repentance and restoring our relationship with God. Acknowledging our shortcomings, we open ourselves to God’s transformative grace. Sustainable living requires humility and repentance for harming the environment and exploiting God’s creation. 

Let us embrace a spirit of renewal, seeking forgiveness and committing ourselves to responsible stewardship.

Christ’s Obedience and Our Call (Hebrews 5:5-10): The Epistle to Hebrews emphasises Christ’s obedience and sacrificial love. Through His example, we learn the essence of servanthood and selflessness. Our journey towards sustainability mirrors Christ’s obedience, as we align our actions with the will of God and prioritise the well-being of all creation. 

Let us heed the call to emulate Christ’s humility and obedience in our stewardship of the earth.

The Paradox of Growth and Sacrifice (John 12:20-33): In John’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the paradox of growth through sacrifice. As Jesus said a seed that must die to bear fruit, sustainable living often requires us to let go of selfish desires and embrace sacrificial love. Our pursuit of sustainability may demand changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns, challenging the norms of society. 

As we embrace the transformative power of sacrifice, we participate in God’s redemptive work.

Conclusion: Beloved community, as we reflect on today’s readings, may we be inspired to live out God’s call to sustainable living. Let us honour our covenant with God and His/Her creation, seeking repentance, renewal, and sacrificial love in all that we do. May our lives witness the transformative power of God’s grace as we strive to steward His/Her world with humility and reverence.