Sunday Novembe 4th 2007

. Do you ever get the sense, when you're reading the bible, that the writer has reached the limit of the power of words? That somehow the words are stretching out, yearning for something more, something that they just don't have the power to capture? There's a children's story that frames the same problem: the child says to the mother: how much do you love me? And the answer comes back-deeper than the deepest sea; higher than the highest mountain; brighter than the brightest moon. The words hint at what is beyond-they take you to their limit and say-go on, go further, there's more. The Biblical texts often do the same.

And why? - well, such words are attempting to express something inexpressible-they are attempting, at the limit of the created order, to convey a yearning, a desire for that which is beyond, that which transcends the ordinary, even the extraordinary, limits of our existence.

You can see it in this passage from the letter to the Ephesians-the give away is the word 'immeasurable'. Humanity knows how to measure all sorts of things. What we are being asked to contemplate is that which cannot be measured: the greatness of God's power. Words, as part of the created order, just can't capture this. But, says the writer, we can receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we can come to know him. We can develop eyes that enable enlightened hearts to see-what? the hope to which we are called; the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.

Sometimes-often-I'm left breathless as I contemplate what God must be like. The sheer goodness of God; the beauty, the truth-more than anything, the love of God for the world, for each of us, for you, for me. And how is that described, elsewhere in the Bible: God so loved the world that he sent his only Son … Words fail, and so God sends the only-begotten Son-to live among us, to die among us, to live again among us. It's breathtaking-such love.

Saints through the ages have responded to the beyondness of God-the immeasurability of God; the enormity of God. When you read of their lives and of their deaths, so often there's that defining sense of a person consumed by passion, their desire for God. Such love for God that death does not separate them from God: now they live with God in endless praise, caught up into the glory that is beyond any words we may use as we seek to capture the vision of the eternal splendour that is there beyond our imaginations: the glorious inheritance among the saints.

The riches of the glorious inheritance among the saints.

The letter to the Ephesians is full of a sense of the riches we have received-again and again, as you read it, you will be reminded of the rich life that we receive from God.

" Redemption according to the riches of his grace that he has lavished upon us...
" God who is rich in mercy-out of the great love with which he loved us...
" Immeasurable riches of his grace...
" The boundless riches of Christ...
" The wisdom of God in its rich variety...
" The riches of his glory...

- when you get home take some time to read through this incredible letter-a letter that seeks to capture the full abundance, the utter generosity of God's love. This is God's love that is felt by those with hearts and eyes to see it: in those moments of grace in the face of failure, in the gesture of friendship in the face of grief, in the dramatic metanoia, the turning around that transforms lives. This is a God who richly bestows upon us an overflowing love-the evidence of which we see all around us.

Such is the nature of this love that it does not demand a response. We are free to turn away. We can respond as we please-with as little or as much as we want. The inheritance of the saints reminds us of those who have given their all in response; we, mostly, don't reach their heights. But God values the smallest seed of faith in us; the acts of kindness; the heart that kindles with love. And humanity does respond-has responded greatly in all ages. Look at this building around you. Just as words strive to capture something of the glory of God, so do stone and glass, carved wood and colour. This building stands as a testament, a witness to the response that the people of this place have made in the past, and continue to make in the present. It stands as a witness to the ministry and mission of Christ, expressed through you and me today-the mission and ministry that is our response to God; our commitment to our desire to see God's kingdom draw closer in the world-the kingdom of peace and justice, of flourishing for all humankind. We belong to something bigger than each of us- a living tradition of response to God's riches bestowed upon us-a tradition of allegiance to a kingdom that is beyond this world-a kingdom that we pray will come on earth.

We need to work out, in different times and ages, what response we need to make to God's love for us. It will differ-depending on whether we answer as an individual before the face of God; or as a community, as the body of Christ in this place. That we are here this morning is a response-a response of faith to the God of love who calls us to worship, who counts us worthy to stand in his presence and serve him.

On top of the response we already give, this morning we're asking you particularly to think anew about your response to God's generosity, to the riches we receive from God. We're launching a stewardship campaign in this time leading up to Advent to take stock of our lives-whether there's anything more we can do or give in response to God's love richly bestowed upon us.

Since moving here to Yorkshire last year I've been impressed again and again by the open hearts, the generous spirit of the people we've met here in Bradford. People here know how to give. Yes, they might give shrewdly, astutely, but giving comes easily. We are asking you to think about your giving-yes, your money, of course. But not only that: your time. Your energy. Your flair and skill in all sorts of areas-from flower arranging to volunteering, from bell ringing to hospitality. There are so many ways of enhancing the ministry and mission of this Cathedral Church. Have a think. Pray about it. What can you offer that you don't already-in response to the love that is so amazing so divine.

And yes, money. Our greatest asset is this building-this wonderful building where the stones shout aloud of the past generations who have worshipped here; this building with some tremendous stained glass; this building that has soaked up the prayers of people through the ages. It's our greatest asset-a building that speaks of the importance of faith in a world that so often turns its back on God. It's a building that requires attention-that has been neglected for various reasons over the last decade or so. The architects and financial advisors reckon we need a million over the next ten years: that should sort out the basic requirements. It's not much, actually. Nothing more than we can manage between us, I'm sure. Think about it; pray about it. Know that you don't need to respond: God does not ask anything of you but faith. But do consider what you receive; and consider our responsibility to this city, to this building that it speak of the glorious abundance of God's love to present and future generations.

There are booklets around: God's generosity: our Response. In them you'll read that we are dedicated as a Cathedral to welcome, inspire and encourage the people of Bradford,the Diocese of Bradford and beyond-we aspire to be a cathedral for everyone, offering hospitality to all whatever their faith and circumstances; we want to serve all people in the name of God, commending by prayer, word and action the good news of the transforming love of God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Take one away. Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest its message. Pray. Consider what you might do-with your time and talents; with your money.

We face a new future in so many ways. Out of debt-just about; the past put behind us. Let us ask God to take us on into a future that is grounded upon God's love. That we might be enabled to respond to the inexpressible riches of grace that we receive. Knowing ourselves to be rich-in so many ways-let us respond richly, abundantly. Let us give as we have received-and more.

As you pray over the coming weeks, until Advent Sunday when we ask you to have responded, you might find helpful these two verses from the letter to the Ephesians:

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3: 20, 21