CR5 Issue 157 June 2018

The Power of Love
Honestly I was not particularly excited about
the Royal Wedding. The hubris in the press
in the work-up to the big day had irritated
me: Yes they have chosen a cake, or flowers
or a venue – it barely seemed newsworthy. I
was certainly not a nay-sayer but merely
ambivalent.
However my mother was most certainly
going to watch the service and so we took
the opportunity to watch together. I find the
commentary sycophantic and cringe-worthy
but mercifully that was brought to an end by
the service itself. And what a service it was!
Much can be said about the music and
participants but it was the sermon that
seemed to cause the most interest and
debate. Many people loved it, others mocked
whilst others were offended. If he was trying
to get people’s attention the Rev Curry
certainly achieved it. Some of that response
was probably primarily directed at his spirited
and charismatic delivery – a style that, despite
commentary in the press, is not that unusual
in the UK church. However it was certainly
not what we have come to expect from a
vicar at a Royal Function. For many it appears
that the version of Christianity that is
preferred is meek, staid and utterly
predictable – a type of ‘lift music’ in sermon
form. Whilst I appreciate that people place
great value in the traditions of the church and
the Royal establishment I am fairly confident
that one sermon is unlikely to change public
perception of either for better or worse
(pun intended). However it is what he said
that interested me far more than simply his
animated style.
Rev Curry spoke of love; not confined to
a slushy romantic notion; but full-bodied,
powerful, redemptive love. Some people
commented that it was ridiculous to think
that love would deal with hunger – though I
would question what else if not love stands
any chance. Love is the best of human virtue
in its truest form. It has the power to move
people to change. It enables reconciliation.
As he emphasised, it is redemptive. This love
of which he spoke to fervently is found in
God; in fact the Bible boldly assets that God
is love. Not simply that he can be loving, but
that he defines its very nature. Better still, he
has shared his love with us and invites us to
respond.
I hope you had a chance to listen to the
sermon – it’s a worthwhile 15 minutes of your
time. I end with a quote from it:
“This is the way of love, it is the way of life…
He died to save us all. He didn’t die for anything
he could get out of it. Jesus did not get an
honorary doctorate for dying. He didn’t’ he
wasn’t getting anything out of it. He gave up
his life, he sacrificed his life, for the good of
others, for the wellbeing of the world…for
us. That’s what love is. Love is not selfish and
self-centred. Love can be sacrificial and in so
doing, becomes redemptive. And that way of
unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive love changes
lives and it can change this world.”
Have a great month.
Peter Russell
Prayer for Coulsdon & Old Coulsdon
Prayer for Coulsdon & Old Coulsdon exists to
encourage Christians to pray for the town and
its residents. If you are interested in praying
with us you are warmly invited to join us for
one of our prayer gatherings (which last an
hour) on:
Monday 4th June - 9am
– 183 St Andrews Road, Coulsdon
Tuesday 26th June - 8pm
– 65 Edward Road, Coulsdon
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