Have you ever tried to predict the future? Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, in 1943 said, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."

Popular Mechanics magazine in 1949 made this prediction: "Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and weigh only 1.5 tons."

The inventor, Lee DeForest claimed that "While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility."

When I arrived in Canada the prediction was that our diocese would be bankrupt within two years, I would be back in England after three years and this congregation would be left with no money, no buildings and may be merged with another church.

1n 1962 the Decca Recording Co. also made a big mistake when they said: "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." That was their prediction concerning a few lads form Liverpool. A band called the Beatles.

What does the future hold for us? Dare we dream to see what God desires for this church or for our diocese. Is it destruction? Is it mediocrity? More of the same? Or is it growth, renewal or even revival, the likes of which we have never witnessed before?

For the Temple in Jerusalem it was to be destruction. Jesus paused, looked back at the Temple and predicted, "Do you see all these great buildings. Not one stone will be left on another." To the disciples this was their bedrock. Nothing could bring down these walls. "Look, teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" they said. Little wonder they were shocked. The smallest stones in the structure weighed 2 to 3 tons. Many of them weighed much more. The largest existing stone, part of the Wailing Wall, is 12 meters in length and 3 meters high, and it weighs hundreds of tons! The stones were so immense that neither mortar nor any other binding material was used between the stones. Their stability was attained by their great weight. The walls towered over Jerusalem, over 400 feet in one area. And inside the four walls was 45 acres of bedrock mountain shaved flat and during Jesus' day a quarter of a million people could fit comfortably within the structure. No sports arena in North America today even comes close.

You can then understand the disciples’ surprise. Surely, this of all things would stand the test of time! As they walked down the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives Peter, James, and John wanted to hear more. Jesus' prediction that a structure so immense would be leveled to the ground seemed implausible. But they pressed Jesus for more information. They wanted to know when. What would be the sign that this was about to take place? In their voice was fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear that their lives were about to change forever. Jesus had not made any predictions like this one. This was different. This, they could understand.

Forty years later the prediction came true, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Rome. So what are we to learn from this prediction?

We learn that the bedrock of our faith is not in Temples. As much as I believe the renovations are needed in our hall and foyer. As much as we love our church home, if it all disappeared tomorrow the real church, you and me, would still be here. No our faith is not in Temples, our faith is founded on our bedrock, the Lord Jesus Christ and no other. “Yet not my will but yours be done” Jesus cried. And through his blood shed for us on the Cross of Calvary a greater church was built on that same Temple mount, a church of epic proportions; a church that spread world wide; a church none can measure nor could any have imagined – a church built in every believers heart; the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Pride of building turned peoples hearts from God and made the Temple itself their focus of worship, as a result, God withdrew his protection, and the seemingly impossible happened, the destruction of all they held dear.

So what does our future hold? Well, I do not believe God would have blessed us so much in these past years if it was all about to be destroyed. We have gone through hardships and trials. But we have, in these past years, also witnessed spiritual, financial and influential growth and have learned a lot about where our true focus should be.

For example, as we consider our renovation plans today, we do so, soberly, with the knowledge that this is not so we can brag to the community, “Look what fine buildings we have” No this is about what material building blocks we need to aid our ministries for this church and community. Its about providing resources which will help build the Spiritual Temple in peoples lives – its about providing the environment where people feel welcome, loved and appreciated – its about giving people good tools and excellent facilities here to do the ministry they are called too.

In Canada it is clear that the Church is at a crossroads, but it is a crossroads similar to where the disciples stood. Those who trust in Temples, in buildings of their own making, will see the destruction that is coming, but for those who keep faithful to the teachings of our Lord and Saviour, and trust not in their own strength, will see growth unparalleled in the history in this land. The re-aligned church, faithful to Christ and His teaching, will grow ever stronger.

I truly believe that if we remain faithful, if we continue to desire to grow Spiritually, if we always be open to receiving the word of God, if we desire to reach out and share the love of God, we will see blessing upon blessing for this is special to God’s heart.

No, my prediction for St Stephen’s is not for destruction, but for growth and I, and the vestry, honestly believe the renovations in the hall and foyer, costly though they will be, will aid our mission. So long as they do not become ‘our’ property, but God’s, to do with as He pleases.

I like the story told about Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) in his later years. On a special evening at the Vienna Music Hall his oratorio “The Creation” was being performed. As the majestic work moved along, the audience was caught up with tremendous emotion.

When the passage "And there was light!" was reached, the chorus and orchestra burst forth in such power that the crowd could no longer restrain its enthusiasm. The vast assembly rose in spontaneous applause in the middle of the piece. Haydn weakened by age and confined to a wheelchair struggled to stand and motioned for silence. With his hand pointed toward heaven, he said, "No, no, not from me, but from thence comes all!" Having given the glory and praise to the Creator, he fell back into his chair exhausted.

Perhaps that is the lesson Jesus would have the disciples learn. Haydn directed the crowds attention away from his talents to God’s, away from the beautiful music to a majestic God. Whether a great oratorio or majestic Temple, neither deserves our devotion, only the One from thence comes all!...

And one day, true to His word, Christ will return. And we all will stand, not in the bedrock of a Temple made with human hands which is here today and gone tomorrow. No! We will take our stand with Christ, the head of his glorious church, you and me, and if we are faithful to our task, our reward will be an eternal ‘thank you’, “Well done, good and faithful servants..”

Amen.