(Sunday nearest to St Patrick's Day 17 March)

Preached by Rev. John Faris at Castlerock Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland on 'Home Mission Deputation'

The Home Mission is the agency of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland which supports small congregations in areas where the Presbyterian Church is not strong.

Acts 16.6-14

On Tuesday south of the border normal daily life is suspended holiday for St Patrick's Day parades services celebration. This side of the border? Sad that the man who brought Christianity to Ireland should be treated so differently Did some of you react negatively when I spoke to the children about Patrick? What we know about P apart from the legends about snakes etc. shows that he has a lot common with us a lot about him that we ought to seek, a man steeped in the scriptures, a man willing to show forgiveness to his enemies, a man profoundly committed to God three in one, a man willing to suffer, "I, once rustic, exiled, unlearned, who does not know how to provide for the future this at least I know most certainly that before I was humiliated I was like a stone lying in the deep mire; and he that is mighty came and in his mercy lifted me aloft and placed me on top of the wall. In the light therefore of our faith in the Trinity I must make this choice. Regardless of much danger I must make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, without fear and frankly."

That commitment to mission passion for God is entirely Presbyterian, in the best sense of the word but Ireland is a different country from P's day. How do we communicate Christ now? Look at obstacles and then at opportunities

Obstacles to Mission in Ireland

SECTARIANISM

don't need to dwell on this, must not restrict God to 'our side' every person entitled to hear about Jesus every person entitled to respect for their beliefs A genuine settlement in NI, reached with honour & integrity would do great good for the gospel throughout the land Pk crossed sectarian barrier, went back to his captors moment in Philippi where Paul & Silas accept Lydia's invitation they cross boundaries

'SPlRITUALIIY'

If sectarianism is the heresy of saying my side has God & no-one else 'spirituality' is the attitude that says that no absolute truth every way is right, mystic, 'new age', 'any dream will do' and you are narrow minded to proclaim Jesus only. Pk clearly defied the paganism & superstition of his day Paul delivered the slave girl from the spirit of fortune telling and we need to offer the pure water of Christ to the increasing number of different beliefs and philosophies

SACRAMENTALISM

Why are other spiritualities so attractive? Because the institutional church has offered superficial social religion 'Ireland has been sacramentalised but not evangelised' a former moderator spoke of 'baptised paganism' in PCI. Jailer rejoiced with his family that he had believed in God get to situation where sacraments & worship of church convey sense of nearness of God, 3 in 1 and the need to give ourselves to him. We are planning an alternative evening service reaching out to people who are not naturally Pres.

SECULARISM

Not in NT modern weariness with God affects young people Have they seen in us a faith worth having: a life that is different If the house is dark, don't blame the dark, ask: where is the light?

Service suffering love that sits down beside people & earns the right to share Christ with them 2 of our oldest members, retired from full time evangelism, still serve and love.

SEARCHING

The Ethiopian and Lydia were looking for God.

Pray that the Lord will open more hearts and that people will be there to explain the scriptures to proclaim Christ and to welcome into close supportive fellowship.