You will have heard me in the past describe Faith as a journey. It is a journey we are all on and it is a journey that we will find ourselves in different places. Each day, each experience and each person we meet will help shape our faith. And our own standing may change. One day, we may be in a place of confidence and in a place of doubt the next. We will experience both, but nevertheless the care and love of the Father desires that we will make our goal, that of absolute assurance in the divinity of Christ and his divine purpose to bring us life.

Mal Garvin was reflecting on the nature of the church, and commented that he did not think that our purpose was to get to heaven, but rather to reveal the kingdom. Now this is a significant thought for there is quite a difference in attitude between getting myself to heaven and that of showing others the kingdom.

One is introspective and self-seeking, the other looks outwards to the care and condition of others. Taking this on board, then our faith journey is not about getting ourselves to heaven, but rather the revelation of the kingdom to others. So our doubts and uncertainty (the lows) will help strengthen and reinforce our faith, testing it as we move on to the next level.

Well what do we mean when we talk about the kingdom? - We say it every week - your kingdom come - so what does this mean?

Simply put, this is about bringing the influence of God into our environment - about ordering our lives and touching the lives of others with the power of the love of God and the life giving influence of Jesus. Kingdom Theology is the understanding that the light will overcome the darkness and that the kingdom of light (the rule of God) will grow. This is indeed the thought behind the baptism service, and in each baptism we claim a child for the kingdom of light.

It is the transfiguration that is a hint to this true nature. Here on the mountaintop, the disciples experience a vision of the kingdom of Light without the shadow of Darkness upon it. This was in fact Jesus' true nature but his humanity hid from normal view, but that part of him clothed white than white was that which was in the kingdom and on the mountain he let it be known. Now this vision was not for general exhibition - but to strengthen these three chosen disciples for days ahead during which Jesus would reveal to them his forth-coming death and triumph in resurrection. It came after the confession of Peter - "You are the Christ - the Son of the Living God"

It is my understanding of Baptism that each person receives this spark of life and light that the disciples saw in Jesus on the mountain. Part of them is claimed for the kingdom, and our faith journey is the gradual expansion of the influence of God in our lives.

We are not all born trusting God, and there is in us a constant tension between our control and God's control over our lives. The ancient hymn - "All to Jesus, I surrender" claims the ideal but for most of us there is a struggle as we learn to trust God's control Placing God in control is a pretty good definition of faith, and taking control from God is a pretty useful definition of Sin.

Now this leads us to a particular understand of the nature of the church and each other. I said last week, that church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. With this in mind, then there will be times when we glimpse the kingdom of light in each other, but we not perfect yet. Perfection, as revealed in the transfiguration is our destiny in death and in life, we struggle with this battle between the kingdoms occurs. Our faith journey is just this, and our calling is that when we are strong, we will help carry the weak and vice versa.

Now the transfiguration is always a reminder for us that things are not always what they seem. To the disciples, Jesus was a great teacher and even though Peter had described him as the Christ and the Son of the Living God his reaction shows that he had not grasped the significance of this statement. We must look beyond what our eyes tell us and see the expanding Kingdom with the eyes of faith. See the transfiguration of each person, and the growing kingdom within them.

Christianity is not the adoption of a set of rules, but the inward discovery of the desire to have a relationship with God. Some of the most unlikely characters will find their way into the kingdom, unlikely, because we only observe the outside. The greatest gift that we can receive from God, is the ability to see others as God sees them.

Now I am not denying the rules, for these through many years have shown us the best way to stay connected with God, but we should not be so concerned with the rules, that we close the doors of the kingdom. My favourite symbol of the church is that of an open door.

The transfiguration is for us a reminder of the power of the kingdom in others. We need to look beyond the evidence our eyes, and seek to see with the eyes of faith and to reveal to others, the kingdom amongst us.

Our role as God's people is to reveal the light, and not to condemn the dark and to walk beside each other drawing each other into the kingdom. Faith, Christianity is not a one time experience, but rather a journey with each other and God. For some, there will be a sudden revelation of God walking beside in the journey and we call this conversion, but this is just one step on the journey of faith. For many of us the light of Christ gradually be revealed on the journey.

As we now approach the season of Lent, we have an opportunity to enjoy in this season a time of enlightenment. The disciplines of prayer, fasting and giving are of no significance, if do not help us draw close to God and reveal to us the kingdom. This can be for us a time of growth, as in this season, we have the opportunity to stop and reflect on the progress of the Kingdom in our own lives. To celebrate the areas of light, and to focus on those parts of our lives untouched by the kingdom, and to offer them to God and ask his help to deal with them.

But more than for ourselves, let us make this a season of care and concern for others. Let us take time to pray for the growth of the kingdom in others. In this season of opportunity, let us take positive steps and pray for the children baptised in parish, their parents and Godparents and for their growth in the kingdom. Let us not fear the darkness but rather drive it back as we proclaim the kingdom of light. Let us together be a beacon of light for those in darkness and draw them to love of God and the experience of Jesus. This is our mission from God. Will you share in this?

AMEN.