CANON GREEN’S MISSION

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 2

CANON GREEN’S MISSION

4200 PEOPLE HEAR SERMON

“The wages of sin, of self centredness, is death, but the gift of God's friendship is freely offered,” said Canon Bryan Green, Rector of Birmingham, in a sermon in the Christchurch Cathedral last evening. There was a congregation of 3200 in the Cathedral, and another 1000 people heard Canon Green’s sermon relayed to the Civic Theatre.

“Everywhere man is seeking to be absolved from sin and to become right with himself and with God,” said Canon Green. “That is why men go to church, to be absolved. And their sins are forgiven, but there is still a hangover. Forgiveness does not mean a complete letting-off of punishment. Character is a continuous process, and when one sins, that sin becomes part of one.

“A young man and woman that I used to know once thought of going away together for a week-end, and they wanted to know what I thought about it,” Canon Green said. “I said, ’lf you do, the week-end will be yours for ever. That shook them. They hadn’t realised that the experience would stay with them always. “When we are forgiven we become one with God, one with Jesus Christ. Let me give an example of what forgiveness means. During the war, I lectured on the flying bomb to troops in Canada, and in the evening I gave talks on religion. When I had spoken about forgiveness, an officer said, Tm very happily married, but if my wile was unfaithful to me I couldn’t forgive her. I couldnt live with a spoilt bit of goods.’ I couldn’t let that one past,” Canon Green said. “ ‘What a mercy it is,’ I said, ‘that when we sin, God doesn’t say that to us afterwards. God can live with a spoilt bit of goods.’ "The Gospel tells us,” continued Canon Green, “that God says to us. ‘Here is my friendship.’ ‘lt’s too good to be true,’ you say. But God has made it as easy as He can. He Himself has paid the price of sin by dying on the Cross.

“Can you enter into Christianity by a ladder of your own making? No, only by the blood of Christ. Our forgiveness depends not on our own merits or efforts, but on God’s love, freely offered. The only thing that you can do if God th Christ is to be real to you, is to do nothing and accept what He,offers. Stop saying, ‘Please, God, for my forgiveness.’ “But it is not so easy to live as a Christian,” added Canon Green. “You can never escape from the gratitude that comes into your heart.” Luncheon Address

In ap address to the Canterbury Junior Chamber of Commerce yesterday, Canon Green spoke on “Christianity and Politics.” “To defeat Communism, we must keep our own standard of living static, and bring the standard of those not so fortunate up to our own level,” he said. Politics was something in which people were involved, whether they liked it or not. People could not have only an abstract interest in politics.

Canon Green said that every person was unique, but everyone might not have the same capabilities. “Man must not only be unique and free—he must be responsible, responsible to himself and to his country.” he added. When Canon Green preaches in the Christchurch Cathedral oh Sunday evening, seating will be provided for a congregation of more than 5000. The Cathedral service will be relayed over a loud-speaker system to the Regent Theatre and Trinity Congregational Church, as well as another theatre and church.

The Junior Chamber of Commerce will provide ushers to assist.in controlling the crowds at Canon Green’s services.