Luke 13:6-9. Grace for another year! 31/12/07

{6) Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. {7} So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' {8} "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. {9} If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"

Well here we are at the change of years once again - one concluding and another beginning. Often this is a time when we think back over the past year and look at the achievements, happenings and disappointments that we have encountered through the course of the year. Here we often wonder and dwell on what might-have-been; and all to often we look with a certain sadness at the passing of the year because of one or a number of events in our lives. But at the same time we look to the coming year and wonder what in store us, with hopes that there will be a change for the better. Here we think about how we are going to fair in a life which seems to give so many disappointments; hoping with a sense optimism to the future that things might be better.
Along with this, the end of another year is also often a time when many simply look to New Years Eve as a time to drink and have a good time: another chance to blot out the past and to escape the realities of the future; another chance to merely live for the moment and for a few fleeting pleasures. Which only makes for a worse hangover the next day.

Our reading here however, gives us another perspective with which to look at the end of one year and the beginning of another. Perhaps it is a very sobering perspective, as it also relates to the other thoughts that we might have at this time. Certainly it makes us sit back and take a second look at ourselves and how we view life. But surely it also helps us to realize how grateful we should be, that we have this opportunity to face and carry on into another year.

Most definitely we can not help but understand the meaning of the parable in this reading. The picture used is very clear; even when it is translated to our own lives. The message is there. We might want to protest about the picture it paints for us. We might not like the implications of it for us. But we can not fail to get the idea that Jesus gives to us; and in particular the grace that is extended to us as we conclude one year and enter another. Though we do not deserve to be allowed another year; through Jesus and his love for us, life has been extended for us. We have much to be thankful for.

As we think about all of this, our situation today is very little different from that of the people that Jesus was speaking to here. We too are looking out there for our scapegoats: it is stupid governments fault that we are in the mess that we are in today; if only we didn't have this extended drought; if only my husband or wife was a little more understanding; if only someone out there would have or will do something different or better, then all would be well. Yes, we too, are often looking beyond ourselves, and see the faults and failings of other people and things, as the cause of our problems. Meanwhile we sit back smug in our own self assurance and self-righteousness. Just as those people of Jesus' day were doing, by saying, ‘look at those people suffering - gee they must have been bad people, or that it is them who are causing us to be oppressed by a foreign nation.’

But Jesus does not let them or us off the hook so easily. He says; ‘No, unless you repent you too will perish.’ He places the focus squarely back on each individual – you and me. Unless we have a good hard look at ourselves; and turn back to God, then we deserve more and worse; We don't deserve to see the light of another year.

Now before we start protesting that we are not so bad; Jesus gives us this parable. So let us have another look at the picture that Jesus is portraying to us. The owner of an orchard goes out as usual in the fruit season and inspects his crop. When he gets to the fig tree and sees that it again has failed to produce any fruit: for three years now this tree has not given him a thing. So one can almost hear the chainsaw start up in his mind. The tree is just not worth having. Why should he waste the good soil, water and effort on it? So we would have to agree when he says to the gardener; ‘Get rid of that useless tree.’ But the gardener, Jesus, pleads with the owner; ‘Give the tree another chance. Give it another year.’ Meanwhile he promises to give it special attention – digging and fertilizing around it. Then if it doesn't produce, then we will see about getting rid of it.

It is rather a simple, but graphic picture, isn't it? But we need to remember that this is the picture that is painted of you and me. We are the unproductive tree. God comes to us again at the end of this year and looks at us and in reality, he sees nothing good; he finds nothing in the way of the fruit that he wants from us. We might think that we haven't done too badly; even if it is not a lot. Surely there is something good there in our lives. But when God looks; what does he find? Nothing? Yes there were some tiny withered up woody specks that should have been good fruit. There were those things that we think are good works. But as the Scriptures says; Our best efforts, are the same as a filthy, stained, pair of old underpants. Not only are they just not good enough. But in fact, they are revolting. Our last years efforts of living up to God's expectations are just not acceptable.

Sure, God has brought a lot of good out of last year. There has been a lot good happening - despite the difficulties, frustrations and tragedies. We have been richly blessed, despite the ongoing serious drought and all the rest. But we can't claim to have done that ourselves. We only deserve to be cut off from God and all that is good. We deserve the axe being taken to us and to be discarded to Hell.

But thankfully, Jesus steps in again and again. He offers us a reprieve. He extends his grace toward us and allows us another year here on earth. He offers us again all his goodness and mercy. He reminds us again of his love, forgiveness, peace, joy, power and all the rest, as we go forward. In the coming year he will see to it again that the Holy Spirit is there digging around our roots, in an attempt to help us grow and bear fruit. Sure that might mean that he will make things a little uncomfortable for us from time to time as he tries to get rid of some of those false supports that we have: That is, some of those other things that we hang on to and see as so important in our daily living, but which in reality are only leading us away from living and being the people that God wants us to be. It also may mean that he will allow us to suffer the consequences of our own bad habits and stupidity, so that we can see our faults and failings and so then weed them out of our lives.

At the same time he will provide every opportunity for us to avail ourselves of the fertilizer of his Word to help us to grow and bear fruit. Now, many people today might call my preaching and the reading of the Bible and devotions as a load of manure – a heap of you-know-what, but it is that goodness that we need if we are going to avoid the axe. We need to hear again and again the Good News of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and what that means for us now as we live out our lives every day of the week.

It is all of this that is laid on for us as we begin another year. But I guess the big question is; will we make use of it? Will we allow him to work in our lives so that he can bear fruit in our lives? Will we give him a chance? Certainly we are reminded here that he gives us another chance; But will we simply presume on his grace and simply go on doing as we please?

Now, this is the picture that confronts us again as we end this year and begin another. Let us not ignore the importance of what he tells us here. As we begin another year let us do it with thankfulness for his grace, that the Lord Jesus has extended to us again. And as we look forward, let us not presume on our Lord's slowness to punish; but make every effort to make use of the means that the Holy Spirit presents to us, so that we do grow more and more into being the people that God has created us to be in Jesus Christ.

Our Gracious God wants to bear fruit in and through our lives. So let us continually look Jesus Christ and the gifts and help that he wants to give to us. We have been given another chance; so lets go forward into 2008 with repentance and thankfulness; and the desire to live and be what God wants us be. Let us forever look to our Lord Jesus and the cross so that we never forget the grace that he extends to us.

Finally I would like to encourage you as you face another year, with the words Paul in Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. {13} Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. {14} And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. {15} Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. {17} And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Matthew 1:18-25. God with us!! 23/12/07

{18) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. {19} Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. {20} But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. {21} She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." {22} All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: {23} "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." {24} When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. {25} But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Today, as we draw near, once again to the celebration of Christmas, our focus is turned to what is the meaning of all of this. What is Christmas all about? Who is this one whom we celebrate year after year? And what is the significance of this event?

Now I could go into detail as to what our society today, sees as the significance and meaning of Christmas. Here again our media has given us everything but the true meaning and significance of this most amazing event. But suffice to say, once again, it is all about us and what we make of it. We and what we do is what makes Christmas, Christmas.

However our readings this morning draw our attention away from our self-focus and points us to him whom Christmas is all about. It focuses us on the babe that was to be born in Bethlehem. It is all about him. He alone, is what makes Christmas truly Christmas. It is only as we firstly focus on him, that we in any way are able to understand the blessings that are associated with this wondrous and joyous celebration.

The gift of Christmas that makes for a truly blessed Christmas is the Gift that God himself gives to us. It is not first and foremost what we give, share, or think that makes Christmas truly special. However as we receive this Gif t that God has for us, we find all the warmth, love and assurance that we could ever want or hope for. Which in turn, refocusses us away from ourselves and automatically works love, sharing and the drawing together of us into a fellowship that is what we so desperately long for. The Gift of Christmas enables us to first of all have everything that we need for ourselves and others, but then also uses us to spread this Wonder to those around about us so that we can all have that which makes for a truly blessed Christmas every day of the year.

But it is here that we need to take note of the Old Testament reading [Isaiah 7:10-16.] where God tells the king that he will give him a sign so that he can be sure that God would protect him from his enemies; instead of putting his trust in earthly alliances to save him. However the king was not prepared to take God at his word, but instead made his alliances, which eventually became his downfall completely. Even though he had God’s sign, he chose to do his own thing, and so did not receive the blessings that he was longing for.

Today also we look to our earthly alliances with money, technology and what we do, to give us a Christmas that will give to us all that we need. But then we become even more disillusioned when we a left way short; when Christmas becomes only a fleeting escape from our troubled life, and then are left even more hollow the following days. Christmas in this way promises so much, but ends up leaving us even more fragile than before. Christmas without a focus on that which truly is what Christmas is all about, is empty, futile and destructive. The only ones that gain out of that christmas is the big companies and financiers.

Here however the interesting thing is, that God has given this sign; this Gift, even though we so often look to these other alliances. The sign given to king Ahaz is the gift of Christmas that has already been given to us. There in this Gift we have that which we long for; and which will give to us the peace, hope and joy that we yearn for and cannot find in these other alliances.

Here let us remember what God has promised to us in this Gift. Here to Joseph before the baby was born and hundreds of years beforehand to Isaiah, God has told us what is truly special about this Gift. Now because it is come true we can know that Christmas has these wonderful things for us, so that we can live with confidence and hope in the midst of a frustrated and frustrating world.

So what is it that God has said about this Gift? "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." Think about that for a moment. "The virgin will be with child. This baby does not have an earthly father. Here don’t get caught up into the thinking of so many today who think that because it is just not humanly possible for that to be the case; therefore we can either dismiss it as some fanciful story, or we change it to suit our thinking. Here God’s Word is very clear: what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. God can do the impossible.

But even more than that, here is the very clear reference to the fact that this baby is also God’s Son. So not only is he in every way human, just as we are, except without sin; but he is God’s very own Son. He is God Almighty come to be with us and to give us what we really need. God, come to live amongst us, so that we can know for sure that he loves us; and loves us deeply, despite our sinfulness. He came as a little baby in a manger so that he can identify with each and everyone of us; no matter how lowly we might be.

So here we can be very sure that this Jesus is in every way human just as we are. But at the same time we are clearly taught that here also is God Almighty himself. How this can be is beyond our human comprehension, but it is so because God himself says so.

Now even more significant than that is, the news that was given to Joseph, that he was to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. There we have the real ‘crunch point’ of this Gift that has been sent to us. God come ‘to save us from our sins.’ So God’s coming to us was not one of, wagging his finger at us and telling us to lift our game; nor was it to come and judge us because we just have not even come close to measuring up to his standards. Nor was it to come and simply show us how to live, in the vain hope that we might strive even harder to be the people that we were intended to be.

No this Jesus came to save his people from their sins. He came to take the punishment that you and I deserve, on himself: he allowed God to forsake him, so that we would not be forsaken. He went to hell so that we might not. He shed his blood as the sacrifice for our sin, so that we in turn might be forgiven and so have life and salvation.

There is the true greatness of this Gift that came and comes to us this Christmas. This God-man come so that we might have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. God come to be with us so that we can have hope and certainty in an uncertain and hopeless world. That surely surpasses the gifts that we give and receive, the family times that we have and the goodwill that we share with one another.

Now knowing that, we can truly celebrate Christmas, knowing that through it God has come to be with us so that we can have meaning, hope and joy in our life each and every day. We are loved. We are forgiven. We have been given life and salvation. This Christmas we will want to focus first and foremost on him as a lasting gift who truly does make a difference to all of life. We will want to receive him and all that he has to offer, into our lives and we will surely want to worship him, making him the centre and focus of our Christmas celebrations.

Jesus is Christmas – Christ with us. With that our lives beyond Christmas day will be as rich as that special day of the year when we celebrate his coming into our world. God has come to be with us and to give us that which is good and lasting. So we will be reassured again that we will richly blessed again this Christmas and beyond. To him then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Isaiah 35:1-10. Looking forward with hope 16/12/07

{1) The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, {2} it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God. {3} Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; {4} say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." {5} Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. {6} Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. {7} The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. {8} And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. {9} No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, {10} and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Here again we have another important message for us as we approach Christmas. Already we are caught up in the so-called silly season; running around like mad things; finishing off our work commitments for the year; buying gifts, putting up the tree, cleaning house and thinking about all the cooking; then there are the seemingly never-ending round of parties and breakups; hurrying to and fro – getting hassled and run down; but then on top of all of that, there is the high cost of presents and the Christmas pudding turns out a flop, all adding to the frustration of this time of the year.

Yet despite all of this – for us as Christians - there is an underlying hope and happiness. Not just, because with Christmas comes family gatherings, gifts, a good feed and a few drinks; but our hope and joy lies much deeper and is of far greater consequences. For us, there is again the reminder of the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which gives us a whole different perspective of life. And it is this which I want us to focus on today.

To begin with, let us look at the hope that we have in the midst of a hopeless world. Here how well do the words of our text this morning fit our world today. The difficulties and tragedies that we encounter in our world today are acknowledged by implication in these words, when we read: Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts. In our world today, with all that is happening, there are many who are sick, anxious, frightened, discouraged and who see no future; nothing to live for. I could give example after example of this, but never-the-less these threats are facing us from all directions; even within the church. Today, instead of enemy soldiers and deserts, there are concrete jungles and bureaucrats; instead of unclean things and wild beasts – there is materialism and traffic; then there is the constant focus and peddling of an ‘I focussed’ religion.

So for many today caught in the midst of all of this kind of thinking, what hope is there? Despite all the rhetoric that goes around, there is really very little for many of these people to live for in the present; and even less to look forward to in the future. They are friendless aliens in someone else’s world. When speaking of despair, a few years ago, one writer wrote: “it is a state of dejection which gives rise to apathy of mind, and feelings and spirit, to a sluggishness or, as it has been put, a poisoning of the will; to despair, faintheartedness and even desirelessness, a lack of real desire for anything, even for what is good. At the root of it all …. Is despair of the mercy of God and therefore a despair of his creation.”

Now off course, there are many who do not appear to be in despair. They have placed their hope in their wealth, materialism and technology. They have wrapping themselves in their own desires and wishes and are going full steam ahead. Sadly however, making it even worse for themselves and others. Because in the end all these false hopes still end in despair: One suffering will be replaced simply by another. As we have seen; the end of the war to end all wars has been replaced by many other wars and even more terrorism. One persons financial gain has been someone else’s loss. The win on the Tatts has destroyed the family. And the list could go on.

Then to all those who have placed their hope in these things there is a final despair which will come at the end of their life – when there is nothing more to look forward to – except to face a God they had refused to listen to. Then they will have nothing of their own to stand on. A world without God – that is, the true God who has revealed himself to us in the Scriptures – is still finally hopeless and without any real happiness.

However we know that it is right in the midst of this hopeless world that hope can be found. Despair in what this world has to offer is also the breeding ground for hope. For it is only when we know that we are in deep trouble and that on our own, as human beings, there is no way out. Then the riches of God’s grace can be found. When we are at our weakest, God’s mercy is sure to be there. Then the baby in the manger becomes that which is vitally important for us.

Remember it is into this kind of hopeless situation that these words from Isaiah were originally written. To a people who had every reason to believe that all was lost, this promise was given that there would be a rescue and a new and better life in front of them. Your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

God will not let them be destroyed – even the weakest of them. So with these promises, they had hope - they had the confidence to keep on going. So it is for us! We have every reason to keep up the struggle; and to do it with hope and confidence. Not only that, we can do this with a sense of underlying joy, because we have this and many other like promises from God. But not only do we have these promise, but in many cases we also have the fulfilment of them.

Because with the coming of Jesus “the eyes of the blind were opened, the deaf were made to hear, and the lame walked and the dumb, spoke. With Christ’s life, death and resurrection we have been rescued from despair – and have every reason to be hopeful. Through our baptisms our life has been connected to Jesus and his death on the cross and his resurrection. We have his guarantee that we are forgiven and have eternal life with him.

Yes, our life here on earth, will still be one which is encompassed in hardships, struggles and suffering; and we will still have to die. But we now know for sure that we will also rise again to eternal joy. That being the case we can go forward with hope – a sure and certain hope. Just as Christ lived, died and rose again, so also will we. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

That being the case: Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come. He has already come and will come again.

So, that being the case, let us live our lives to the fullest. Now however, not simply for ourselves, but for our Lord and Saviour who has joined us to himself and all the good that he has in mind for us. Also we no longer need to look to our own selfish interests, for we have these promises, and so can now look out for those around us as well. We can go forward with hope and confidence – to strengthen and encourage those around us who are struggling. Pointing them to our Lord Jesus Christ and all that he has and continues to do for us.

So in your preparation for the Christmas celebrations, lift up your hearts – lift up your spirits. Be joyful and full of hope and confidence, for we have the full assurance of the forgiveness of sin, life and salvation that has been won for us through this Son of God who came as a little babe in a manger all those years ago. Yes, be involved in all these other things that you do in the lead up to Christmas, but do it looking and thinking of our Lord: knowing that in him we have every reason to celebrate: every reason to be hopeful, as we look forward to the future. So a happy, blessed and hopeful Christmas to you all. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Matthew 3:1-12. The World’s Only Way Out!! 9/12/07

{1) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." {3} This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" {4} John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. {5} People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. {6} Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. {7} But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? {8} Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. {9} And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. {10} The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. {11} "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. {12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Our world is not in good shape at the moment; drought, violence, loneliness, murders, divorce and the list could go on. These are all evidence of a moral and spiritual cancer eating away at our society. And in many ways it would seem as it is terminal; after a number of wake-up calls in recent years nothing has improved. In fact it is going from bad to worse; even though we keep trying to fool ourselves that we have got it all under control. Unless there is a major change soon our society will self-destruct. Any realistic look at history will show us this.

However it would seem that we want to continue to be blind to the realities of life itself. Some can see the problems; but they despair for a way out. They have given up and are basically just existing from one day to the next; going through the motions of life, but without their heart in it. So the slide into complete moral decay continues. In many ways, even we ourselves, are caught up in this decline.

But what is the answer? Can we pull ourselves out of this moral and spiritual disaster that is before us? Is there a way out for us and for our society and our world? Well, John the Baptist here in this reading this morning suggests there is. There is way out of the predicament that faces us at the moment.

But unfortunately it is not found in the areas that we are accustomed to looking at as a society. It will not be what we earn that will solve the problem; as much as prosperity and a higher standard of living is promoted as the way to go. Surely we can already see that even though we have incredibly high incomes and all the technological gadgets under the sun, we are really no better off morally and spiritually than say 30/50/100 years ago. With our wealth and materialism we have become busier, greedier and more selfish and unhappier; as well as less at peace with ourselves, our world, and above all God. So what we earn is not the way out for our world. How much or little we have is not the way to go; it will not solve this problem.

Nor is answer to be found in what learn. Education is another part of life that is held up as an area that we need to concentrate on if we want to make this world a better place. We are told that we need to become the clever country. We are encouraged to spend more and more time at school to improve our skills and overcome our shortfalls. Yet the more educated we are becoming the more we seem to be getting ourselves further and further into the moral and spiritual dilemma that we are in. Today we have many people with a great deal of knowledge on many subjects, but not the wisdom to use any it properly. So once again division, sadness and the breakdown of society continues. What we learn is not going to be the way out for our world.

Nor will burning everything and starting again. Certainly at times we think of getting rid of everything and seeking to make a new start. Then perhaps we will get it right next time. By destroying capitalism, the education system as have it, or whatever, will not solve our problems. Capitalism, communism, fascism, a new world order, one world Government; even a society that is based on Christian principles; no system at all can right the situation that we are facing as a humanity. Getting rid of one system of living and replacing it with another is not the answer.

Whatever system is put in place, no matter how good will still come undone; the same basic problems will surface again and again. Sinful, selfish humanity will always mess things up. No matter how hard we try, it will all come unstuck because we have this flaw in our makeup that always comes to the fore.

The answer for our future is not going to be found in any of these areas:
Earning, learning and burning are not solutions; nor is it in any other brainwave scheme that we might come up with. It is only as we turn back to God that we find the way for our future. John here has the only answer; "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." To repent, is to turn around; it is to turn away from a focus on ourselves and our wants and desires or problems, to God and that which he wants to do through us.

And why should we and can we do this? Because the kingdom of heaven is near. There is the answer! There we and our world has something to turn to that really does make a difference. There we have that which our world is searching for and trying to create, but can't. It is all there – peace, happiness, good government and all the rest. No more guilt, pain loneliness, death; even good directions for us to live by so that we can live happily with one another and God, as well as have all the security, contentment and fulfilment that we could ever want. It is heaven – the ideal place that we are all seeking after.

And here we are reminded that it is so near. So near for each and every one of us. It is not something that we have to work hard for in order to get it; requiring a certain amount of money, education or any such thing in order to gain it. Even our failings and shortcomings are no barr to our having a part in it. It is so near!

Jesus has come into our world; died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins; and now through our baptism; the Lord Supper and his Word, he now physically lives with each one of us. He has chosen to come and live in our lives, and to give us all the help and hope that we could ever possibly need. Jesus Christ now goes with us into our future; and guarantees the very best outcome possible; eternal life with our God in heaven.

However, even though it is so near, yet for many it is so far! It is there for everyone, but for so many they are unwilling to repent and therefore it is unattainable. It is just a matter of turning back to God and trusting in him, recognising that he alone has the only way out for us. But this is where so many have trouble. They want to live as if there is no God. They still want to hang on to the old things of life. They still want to keep one foot on the track of a worldly life; living and doing as everyone else is.

Yes, everyone of us wants and longs for this kingdom of heaven; this new and ideal world. But at the same time we still want to live life our way; and then we wonder why things don't go so well. We are trying to walk through life with ‘a leg on each side of a barbed wire fence’ and then wonder why it doesn’t work out. We too often act toward God as we do our doctor: when says that we are to go on diet or give up drinking or smoking because it is killing us, we make only a token effort, but then wonder why we end up in hospital and on our death bed. The doctor is supposed to be ‘the miracle worker’ just so that we can go on living our comfortable lifestyle.

The real danger, of course with God, is that we lose out altogether. A foot in both camps will not do. That is not repentance; it is not ‘wanting out’ from the troubles of this world. It is merely trying to use Jesus Christ as an excuse to live as we please; using him for our own ends.

We need to remember again that when Jesus Christ comes to us; and comes to us as the Lord of life, he comes as King of this heavenly kingdom. His call to us is to allow him to produce in us fruit that is in keeping with one who is a part of this kingdom. If there is not that desire - that repentance - then he warns us that his axe is ready. We can’ t have it both ways.

This world is in trouble. Any blind fool can see that. So it is no good hanging on to our sin and the failings of this world. That is like holding on for dear life to the handle of the poker machine on the Titanic as it is sinking. So also the systems of this world will pull us down if we put too much emphasis on them as the saviour of our society. The only way is to turn to the Lord Jesus and allow him to pull us through.

So let us again prepare for his coming by turning away from our sin, so that the dangers of life don’t get in the way. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. And therein find the way out of this world's troubles, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belongs all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Matthew 24:36-44. Jesus – coming ready or not?? 2/12/07

{36) "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. {37} As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. {38} For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; {39} and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. {40} Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. {41} Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. {42} "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. {43} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. {44} So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Today we begin the season of Advent - the time when we focus on the preparation for the coming of Jesus. Usually this is about when we start looking forward to and thinking about Christmas and preparing for it. From here on the children’s excitement begins to grow. The parents become more frustrated with all the things that have to be done. The workers and businesses don't even have time to give much thought to what Christmas really is all about, because of all of the things that have to be completed before the holiday season.

It is into this context that our reading here has some very sobering thoughts for us this morning. Just as Christmas may well come and go without our giving much thought to its real meaning; so also there is this warning that we don't have a similar attitude to the second coming of our Lord. For here our reading is quite clear on this matter. Jesus is coming again - ready or not!! And it will happen when we least aspect it. So we are encouraged to watch out - to be ready, because we do not know the day or the hour of his coming.

Now I am sure that we all have heard this message before. However, we have also had those who have stood up and given dates of when this is going to happen: which, naturally, have came and went without it coming to pass. At the same time we know that we will hear many more of these prophecies as time goes on. Of those who try and tell us that they know when this shall all happen, we must be wary.

But at the same time we must be careful that we don't fall into the same trap as in the story of the ‘boy who cried wolf.’ Having been told time and time again that the end is here and it has failing to be so; we then don't even think about it all. So when it does come [and it surely will] we get caught out. The end will come - be can quite sure about that. But we are clearly told, that it will be at a time that none of us know.

Neither should we be like the owner of their house, who knowing the danger of someone breaking in and burgling their home, installed a burglar alarm system. So he was ready and prepared. Then he sat back and gave no further thought to the matter. He just went on enjoying life, thinking all was well. A number of months later he came home one evening to find that his home had been ransacked – he’d been cleaned out. You see, he forgot to check the batteries and so the alarm didn't work. His complacency was his downfall.

Now in many ways we are in danger of falling into the same trap. ‘She's right. I have been brought up in the Church. I have been baptized and so are a member. And look, I am still young yet. I have got a lot of time in the future to think more about these things.’ So we become complacent and ‘let our batteries run down;’ We get so involved in our business, family or leisure life that we haven't got time to think about the end; as if the end will only happen when we are ready for it, anyway.

It is so easy for us to be like those in the days of Noah; they all had their business life to get on with; their eating, drinking and being merry. Only a crackpot would build a huge boat miles away from the sea. Anyway, look we live up here on the top of a big mountain range. She'll be right! But for them, the end of their world came their way as the water went over their heads. For us too, the danger is there, that we will get so caught up in our living our pleasurable life, that we will give little thought to what God has to say to us here.

Let us remember again that the end will come for us too, whether we are ready or not. Whether that will be our unexpected or expected death, or the second coming. Nothing is surer. It will happen. So let us be ready and prepared for when it does come. And to be ready means that there is an expectation of it happening at any time. It could be this day - this week - this year. Yet it might not happen for many years. But always to be ready and prepared for it take place now, for we never will know. That means ever being ready to face the Lord and judgement day.

Now, if that were to happen now or any time unexpectedly, would you be sure that you would be going to heaven? Would you? Could you be so sure? Absolutely sure? There are many today, even in our churches, who say that they are not sure. While others again will of course say; ‘Yeah we'll be right. We live a reasonably good life. If God is a loving God, he won't turn us away.’ We have a world full of people who simply think that when they die they will go to heaven, even though they have not taken Jesus Christ seriously.

Once again, however, if we think that it is what we do and are doing that has a bearing on what happens at the coming of the Lord, then we are in trouble. No amount of goodness or lack of it, on our part; or our church membership and even knowledge of the Bible, will make any difference. If we rely on anything other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, then we don't need to worry about being uncertain; We can be quite sure that we will not be going to heaven; but instead, hell. Nothing can be surer.

Jesus Christ alone, stands as the one sure hope of eternal life with God. In his coming that first Christmas and at each one since; our God comes to us; into our world. His very own Son came in order to die in our place. He allowed his Father to punish him on the cross, so that we might be forgiven. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, then being the one thing that opens up the way of salvation for us. Each of our baptisms join us into this Jesus and his death and resurrection for us. Our constant gathering in his presence reassures us and reaffirms this message in our hearts and lives so that we can be forever sure that it is he alone who has won a place for us in his kingdom. So now the way is clear for each and every one of us. Our goodness or lack of it, counts for nothing. As we cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in him and his work of bringing salvation to us, we are assured that judgement day is not something to be feared. Now we have that assurance that Jesus stands with us ready to usher us through.
So the only question, for us is; do we believe and trust that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour. That answered in the affirmative, we are ready and prepared.

But that of course does not mean that we can now sit back and take life easy; thinking that since we are baptized and are members of the church - so all is well. We can now get on with the business of our life, doing whatever we want to. That would be falling into the same trap as the householder who was burgled. Complacency could very well mean that in time we will, like so many around us, forget about Jesus Christ and the importance of the salvation that he has made possible for us and for our children. It is so easy for us to get into the situation where we lose sight of what is important.

In our living for the moment, Satan very easily drags us further and further from the Lord and our reliance on him. That is why the second reading makes the strong point about living in light of the fact that the end may be very near and that we are to make every effort to live the Christian life every day. God wants to ensure that we never lose sight of Him who enables us to stand on that great and glorious day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be ready. Be prepared. The Lord is coming, ready or not. Believe on the Lord Jesus and the second coming will not be a problem. Let us then, make every effort to live in light of this wonderful assurance, and at the same time encouraging one another stand firm and ready. Then we will not get caught out, like so many around us will.

May this Advent season be blessed one for each one of you. Not by letting the cares, hassles and pressures of this time of the year get to you. But by preparing your hearts, minds and lives with and for the continual presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May the blessings of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit then be with you always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba