1 Cor 9 16-23 Drifting 10.30am Sun 5^th Feb 2006

Have you noticed anything different about me from this time last year? Have a think about it for a minute. I won’t ask you to shout out what is different. It might upset me, especially if you say some thing like, “You look five years older!”

Actually this change is something I hadn’t planned. Until a couple of months ago it was just the result of not deciding what to do. Then two or three months ago I realised the result.

Do you know what I am talking about? I did mention it to two or three people when I realised what was happening.

It’s my hair. It’s grown, LONG! Can you remember what it was like 12 months ago?

Show picture!

Hands up if you had noticed.

When something happens slowly to you, you don’t always notice do you. Well I didn’t! It is mainly behind me.

You see, sometime, early in last year I was in a dilemma. My hair had grown, so that when I played badminton, it fell in my face when I tried to hit a low shuttle cock. It is very difficult to hit a shuttle cock you can’t see.

I was wondering whether to have, what was then, a more modern hair style, where it is short at the front, and long at the back with layers. Do you know the style? But I wasn’t sure my fine hair would suite that particular style. And there would still be, the badminton problem.

So what did I choose to do. Nothing! But in life, nothing stays static – change happens. Not choosing or not deciding is a choice. My hair grew which was useful as I could then tie it back in a pony tail for badminton.

As the months went by I thought, “I must decide what to do”. Then I started to worry, “What will the hair dresser say when she sees me?” . . .“You should have your hair cut every six weeks or split ends will damage your hair”, I thought.

Maybe, if you haven’t been to the dentists for years, you are worried about what he will say. Or maybe you haven’t been to visit that relative for a long time. What will she say.

Or maybe you haven’t been to church or your Real Group for ages, and are worried about what people are thinking. Half hoping people haven’t noticed, and planning your excuses, and half hoping you have been missed.

Or maybe you have let your Bible reading and worship slip, and wonder what God thinks of you.

The thing is, in all these cases, be it the dentist, a fellow worshipper or God, the other person is actually concerned about you. It is your feeling of guilt that is preventing you from looking after yourself.

Last summer, I was brave. I went to the hairdressers, and asked for a trim, as I still couldn’t decide.

“I had better cut off 1.5 ins to remove the spilt ends”, the hairdresser said, smiling. Phew, not too bad!

It was such a relief. With no split ends the pressure to decide on a hairstyle was off. So I didn’t decide and my hair got longer and longer. Maybe others noticed.

It can be others who notice us changing first, in other ways too, can’t it.  May be, because of changing family commitments, you take more and more Sundays off church, visiting the family. Or, perhaps, there is so much you must get done that your quiet time is being slowly eroded by other activities.

Think about how you spend your days. Is there some aspect of your life that has been slowly drifting away from God, and you haven’t even noticed? Others may have noticed, and along with God are concerned for you.

Perhaps it is because you don’t really see yourself as others do. I didn’t notice the length of my hair until November. Well, I can’t see the back of myself. Then I caught a glimpse of, the reflection of the back of my head in a free standing mirror, in the dressing table mirror.

“God . . ., my hair as grown”! Do you ever make stupid comments like that to God and get the impression he is laughing at you?

God replies: “You have only had it cut, once this year, remember. You have just drifted along not making a decision, and well. Hair grows!”

I wondered whether I should have it cut, short again, and realised it would be such a contrast, such a shock, I couldn’t.

It is like that with other things isn’t it. For instance, if once you once ate chocolates, crisps, biscuits and other unhealthy food only on ‘special occasions’, but since have slowly built up, to having them regularly, a result will be, you have put on weight. It is difficult to stop eating and diet. Isn’t it!

Slowly drifting along habits, of all kinds, can be dangerous to our health.

Maybe you are in the habit of getting up in the morning, with just the right amount of time available, to get ready for work. In fact you have cut the amount of time it takes down, through repetition, to a minimum.

Also you have a fixed routine each evening, lunch time, and other times when you are free. Well more or less fixed. You hadn’t considered if you were unintentionally squeezing God out.

I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. (1 Cor 9.21) says Paul in today’s reading. Make sure you aren’t drifting away from Christ’ and his commands.

I am sure Many people here today wouldn’t deliberately disobey God’s laws.  As it says in

Jeremiah 31:33  "This is the new covenant I will make with the people . . ," says the LORD. "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

You have been so close to God, you, just couldn’t, deliberately upset Him.

But ask yourself ,“Am I drifting from my First Love of God?”

God has temporarily taken the dilemma from me about what to do with my hair. I get the impression he has told me NOT to Have it CUT for a while as an illustration to everyone here today of what happens if you just let things drift.

Paul says in today’s reading that he is “compelled to preach”.

I would have said God “suggested” I leave my hair to grow. But since the request, it has been more difficult. It seems to need constant combing, and attention, and gets pulled by shoulder bags, high backed chairs, and my granddaughter.

God of course realised the - “Don’t have your hair cut.” Wouldn’t be that easy.

Oh fine”, I thought. But wondered why God had added, “Just be thankful you aren’t Hosea.”

If you remember Hosea was a prophet who was told by God to marry an unfaithful prostitute, as an illustration to the people, of how they were being unfaithful to God.

Did anyone ever say it was easy to follow God’s leading?

You can’t follow God in neutral. God usually is quite neutral about me having long hair or short, but there are ways he does want us to follow or not follow.

I read a sermon that asked, “Do you have an inclusively passionate love to see those around you come to a life changing awareness of Jesus’ personal love for them?”

God wants you to have. Have you?

If you are not sure, may I ask if you,

 “Do you have a passionate love for God?”

“ Why are you here today – to gain brownie points with God OR because you love him?”

 The truth is you can’t win brownies points, because he loves you anyway.

 But do choose to accept and reciprocate that love. You won’t regret it, and you will find that you develop a passionate desire to see others coming closer to God.

Paul shows he has that desire to see others “in love with Jesus”, when he says, in today’s passage –

I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.  I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings. (1 Cor 9.22-23)

As a church we have been having similar services at 9.00 am 10.30 am and 6.30 pm for 8 years. We must  prayerfully consider in which ways we  have moved on in that time, and ways in which we haven’t. Change isn’t necessarily good or bad; the same as short or long hair isn’t good or bad. But drifting thoughtlessly along isn’t wise.

We have all been thinking of ways to get on common ground with the people in the parish. What can we do, and say to reach them?

We had our first FamilyTime last Sunday at 4.30 pm. We hoped this event would be, culturally, more relevant to young parents and children, who may not have ever been in a church. We chose a time we hoped wouldn’t clash with children’s football etc.

 120 people came, half of whom were children. Pray they will come back next month.

I am sure there are other ways of getting on common ground with those around us, we should consider as a church.

As individuals, how have things changed over the years in your personal life? Are you meeting different people now? Have the same people, got different needs, desires, and interests than a few years ago? Are you trying to have a meaningful relationship with them, by showing interest in them? Are you pointing them to Jesus? You can’t do this if you are simply drifting along.

Maybe there is something that you always do at lunch time, when out at work. You are drifting along in the same way. Nothing sinful. But there are new people at work, people who don’t know Jesus. May be they like to eat lunch in the pub or chat in the canteen over a sandwich.

Or maybe there are other Christians at work you could encourage with a little thought or spark in your Christian walk.

Do you know how Jesus wants you to live and what He wants you to do with your life? Do you know how he is leading you to change? Are you making adjustments in your life, to make sure that nothing stands in the way, of you doing exactly what Jesus wants you to do? Or do you often drift, relax and watch life go by?

Once upon a time there was two robins who liked to relax in the sun, just watching life drift by. One day they were sitting in a tree. "I’m really hungry", said the first one.

 "Me, too", said the second. "Let’s fly down and find some lunch."

So they flew to the ground and found a nice plot of ploughed ground, full of worms.

They ate and ate and ate until they could eat no more.

 "I’m so full I don’t think I can fly back up to the tree," said the first one. "Me neither, let’s just lie here in the warm sun and let the rest of the day drift by", said the second.

"Mm! OK", said the first.

They flopped down, resting in the sun. Soon they had drifted off to sleep.

 Then a big fat cat sneaked up on them and gobbled them up.

Do you know what that cat was thinking? "I love resting, drifting robins."

Guess what! Satan likes resting, drifting Christians. Don’t do it!

Are you feeling sorry for the robins? It’s only a story, but don’t make their mistake.

Paul as a preacher had rights. He says in verse 15, “I have never used any of these rights”. He had a choice, he could ask for what was his by right or not. In today’s culture we are encouraged to demand our rights.

A few days ago, I had an unsolicited phone call from someone asking, if his company could help me sue anyone for my rights!

Rights these days can be innocent like, “I have the right to have long or short hair.”  To something questionable like “Should a criminal have the right, to compensation from his victim for injury.

We should thoughtfully choose when, and when not to, use our rights.

We have the right to come to church or not. The right to give to God as little or as much of our time and money as we wish.

But just because we have a right to do something, should we do it?  Firstly ask yourself ,“Am I drifting from my First Love of God, with this proposed action?”

We need to ask ourselves, ‘what rights do we have as a church or individuals that we cling to and protect, or simply drift along in’, when ‘our rights’ can actually get in the way of others coming to know Jesus and ourselves maturing in faith?

God as given us the right to choose, and his forgiveness when we have sinned and are repentant. But sometimes people talk to him like this -

If It Don’t Rain

I would climb the highest mountain
Swim the deepest ocean too
I would crawl through the hottest desert
I’d do anything for you!
I would leap the tallest building
I’d bear any trial or pain
There’s no limit to my love.
And I’ll be there on Sunday morning.
If it does not rain!

Think honestly, about how you treat God, and don’t drift through your life.

Remember HIM, stop drifting, and as today’s passage says, In doing so (I) enjoy its blessings. (1 Cor 9.23)