Cell Church August 2013 – our theme was “I have a dream”

We used this month’s Cell Church to think about dreams. It seemed appropriate as 28 August marked the 50 year anniversary since Martin Luther King gave his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech. 
We thought about our personal dreams when we were younger. These included being a dancer, singer or being a parent. Mine was to be land surveyor but failed Maths A Level so had to re think but wouldn’t change my current job even though not what I expected to be doing.

We then considered what our dreams were now for ourselves. These often include being happy, healthy enjoying life to it full. We thought about our dreams for the world these included peace, food for all and end to conflicts, famine and other catastrophes.

Finally, we considered our dreams for the church. There were ideas such as growth, being part of the bigger picture with other denominations where all get on.
Whatever our dreams for now or the future we are encouraged to dream for a better future and to keep these God centred and listen to Gods voice. We read this in 1 Samuel 3 1 – 10 God called Eli and eventually he heard. How many times are we called? How many times do we miss the voice? We can be called whatever our age and whoever we are.

Martin Luther King had a dream to live in a country and world where people are equal, where everyone is valued. He gave a powerful speech which is still relevant to us today. His can be seen on ******.At the time people thought he was mad with his head in the clouds. Dr King was criticised for being a dreamer who needed to wake up to the nightmare faced by African- Americans. He was critised for believing in a utopia that would never happen. What was wrong with that, his dream was God centred and he maintained that whatever happened he would get to this dream though peaceful methods. He had strong Christian beliefs which he stood by. 

Jesus came to the world people expected him to fight the Romans and bring about a new life. He did but not as they had expected through violence he walked with us, talked to us, and taught us. He got to the authorities and was crucified, Jesus was a threat. Martin Luther King died for his beliefs, he was a threat. 

It’s 1943 my grandad was 21, he has been married 12 days when he was posted to Blackpool for destination unknown. It was WW2 and he was posted to South Africa. He was dropped into a strange place that he know nothing about, left his new wife and family. His faith kept him going he found a Salvation Army near the base and they welcomed him in. It was a time of apartheid but he was welcomed by black and white people and learnt a lot about local culture and learnt Africans. He wrote about his experience whilst there and here is the last extract. ‘After 3 years the adventure had come to an end….I phoned Colonel Von Kleist this week. He had just undergone an operation but is now well and active again at the age of 95. News from Pretoria corps; the old hall has gone and a new one built. 60 years ago there were two corps – Pretoria 1 for the whites and Pretoria 2 for the blacks. This was all finished when apartheid ended. Now there is a thriving corps there. I like to think my efforts were not wasted 60 years ago, that I helped to build it what it is today….TOT SIENS ‘N ALLES VON DIE BESTE.’ 

We have come a long way with a dream for equality and justice in America, South Africa and other places, but there is still a long way to go. There is no harm in having good dreams for the future they help to bring a better world. We have started to realise our dreams but there is still some way to go to make sure heaven is a place on earth. 
Jesus didn’t accept the world he lived in he looked to challenge it and dream for a better future. He came to bring about a better world for everyone. Acts 2: 17

Jesus came to make a difference Luke 4 16 – 21. If our dreams are rooted in God we should never give up on them – however far off they seem. That’s how things change that’s how we make a difference and as Christians do God’s work on earth.

Let us pray:
loving God
You know all our hopes and dreams before we even say them.
We have such different dreams as we await exam results, look forward to university, to new colleges or courses. We might dream about new jobs, meeting new people, finding new relationships or trying new ventures.
Whatever our dream, help us to never give up on them.
Help us to keep them rooted in you and to listen to you as you guide us.
We put our hopes and dreams in your hands to mould and fit into your will.
Give us the courage to act on them just as Martin Luther, Jesus and others have and not ignore them or think they are out of our reach.

Amen