Mark 1.21-39 & 1 Corinthians 8. 1-13 “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8: 1b There was a fairly typical chapel in rural Devon. An aging congregation, who were faithful and committed to chapel life. They did their best to look after the large building. One day the property steward noticed signs of decay at the bottom of one of the pews. After an initial inspection it was confirmed that it had been caused by dry rot. Subsequent investigations revealed the extent of the problem. The dry rot affected a significant part of the floor and pews. The estimated repair bill was £30,000. A Church Council was called, the situation explained, and a way forward sought. This faithful congregation had been prudent, and they had happened to benefit from a number of legacies over the years. The balance in their various accounts was a little over £30,000. Initially the way forward seemed straight forward. They had the money, the repairs could be done, they could even do some redecorating at the same time and finish with a lovely renovated building. There was a sense of pride in their stewardship of resources and knowing they could pass through this difficulty. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Then someone asked whether this was the best use of the money. What would they do with a lovely building but no money to fund mission or outreach? They asked what the vision for a renewed building was? As they talked they began to consider the congregation a few miles down the road. Its building was sound. It was in a better location, a natural hub. They wondered whether they could worship there. Could they serve their village from there as part of a wider presence in the area? They had worked together on various things before, what if they came together and used the £30,000 to enable work with the community? Then they realised it wouldn’t just be £30,000, but more as if they weren’t fixing the building they could sell it. The sense of excitement grew about what might be possible. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” This a true story, as I remember it, from 5 years ago of a church my friend was minister at. They did take the courageous decision not to repair their beloved building, even though they knew they had the money in the bank, as they believed that their community and God’s Church in the area would be better served by not doing something they could have. I share this story because I think it sharpens the focus on one key aspect of both our readings today. The need to act in love for the sake of others. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus is just beginning his public ministry. His calling is to proclaim the good news that God’s Kingdom has come near (v 14-15). It gets off to a good start. His teaching is authoritative. It astounds those in the synagogue. But it’s not just mere words. His words are performative – they accomplish what they announce – Jesus commands and the spirit obeys, falling silent and coming out of the man. And Jesus embodies the nearness of God’s Kingdom in his being and through his actions. He draws near to Simon’s sick mother-in-law, he touches her and holds her hand, and she is healed. And in hope, expectation, maybe even in faith, the people of Capernaum bring their sick to him. God’s Kingdom is seen amongst them, as Jesus is alongside them, and heals many of them. And news about him starts to spread around the region. Not a bad start. Yet surprisingly the next day, Jesus travels on. We could easily argue that Jesus should have stayed. There is much he could do, much he could capitalise on after this initial success. Yet after his early morning prayers, aware that there are more in the surrounding villages and towns who need to know God’s Kingdom has come close, he leaves. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” In his letter to the Corinthians about the food controversy – whether it was right to eat food that had been sold after being sacrificed to false idols – Paul could easily have settled the argument. Paul could just have outlined why it was OK to eat meat. And Paul, being Paul, does do that! But, says Paul, that’s not really the point; who’s right and who’s wrong. What’s more important than being right is love. What good is being right, if the effect of being right will lead to another stumbling in their faith? Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. Consider the effects on those around you. Will it build others up? How will it affect the vulnerable? Put their needs before your own. For many churches, and in our Circuit, it’s this kind of principle that has guided our response during the latest lockdown. Although we could open our buildings and gather in a restricted way we chose not to. We chose not to as an act of love. To protect those who are vulnerable amongst our congregations. To support those in our NHS and other services who are tired by not adding to their burden. To not add stumbling blocks into the path of those who would wonder why we are gathering to worship when their business is closed or they are struggling to home-school their children. To prevent others from falling, out of love, we accept a different way. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” And this, it seems to me, is a fundamental feature of discipleship. In Christ we have tremendous freedom. In Christ we are set free to discover life as God intended. In Christ we are released from all the sin that binds, that restricts, that seeks to drag us down and torment us, just as Jesus set free the man in the synagogue with the unclean spirit. But we are set free not to walk in our own way, but Christ’s way. The way of the cross. The way, as Paul reminds us, that means Christ gives up his life so that others may live. He dies for us that we might not be destroyed. This is the way, as Les reminded us last week, we are called to follow. A way that seeks in love to build the other up. But if this is fundamental to discipleship – walking the way of love that seeks to build others up – then it’s not just for a season. As we wrestle with what God is calling us as Church to be through the experience of pandemic and as restrictions ease, might this be a foundation? When we return to gathering together in one place not to ask what we want, but to be guided by love for others, and to ask what will build others up? How might this change the nature of our relationships? How might it transform our conversation and discussion at Church Councils, at home, and in the community? In love for those outside Capernaum Jesus leaves those he has taught and healed, and moves on. In love for those whose faith or theological reflection is weaker Paul will not eat meat. In love for God and those in their community the congregation in Devon leave their building behind. What might God, in love for others, be calling us to move on from, to refrain from, or to leave behind? Are we prepared to follow this sacrificial way so that all might know God’s Kingdom has come near?