Roger's Postings

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Romans 6:1-11. Live your baptism?? 22/6/08

{1) Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? {2} By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? {3} Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? {4} We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. {5} If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. {6} For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- {7} because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. {8} Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. {9} For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. {10} The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. {11} In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Here this morning we have a most challenging and yet a most encouraging message for us to consider carefully. It has much to say to us and to the church today. It has much to say to those who are seeking after an easy, soft Christianity, where we can have and do what we want. It challenges those who think that they can presume on God’s grace and it doesn’t matter how they live and act in relation to their fellow human being. It also challenges those who think that we can attract members by giving them a soft, feel-good, all-tolerant accepting church. Yet it is most encouraging to those who are burdened by their weaknesses and the failures of humanity and facing death or a life that seems to be ‘death warmed up.’ It helps us to focus our attention were it needs to be.

I believe we desperately need to hear this message, for much of our life we focus on ourselves and the world around us; even when it comes to the Christian faith and life. “I have my faith; therefore I can do [whatever].” ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, so it doesn’t matter if I make a few mistakes.’ ‘Surely I have every right to get even with someone who has wronged me.’ ‘We mustn’t speak out against error: after all, they have their understanding of the truth.’ ‘Don’t you tell me what I can or cannot do; after all we live in the freedom of the gospel.’ ‘I don’t need to go to church regularly, or Bible Study, or even desire to know the truth, because I think I am doing OK.’ ‘We must liven up our church services or else we will lose our young ones.’ ‘We mustn’t insist on people holding to the same beliefs that we have.’ And the list goes on and on.

We all too often want everything to fit into our own criteria of what we believe is right and good. We want to make and find our own life. We want to live life to the full, and have that which we believe is good for us. After all, life and living is what it is all about; us and our happiness is paramount. Surely that is what God wants for you and me.

Yet the reality of life is far different. The more we hanker after life and its pleasure; and the more that we strive after the ideal life; the more we find that we are left short; over and over again. We want our life to go well for us, but we experience pain and frustration: we want love and acceptance and are left more and more alone: we search for fulfilment and find only meaninglessness and emptiness. The more that we strive for the things of life the more we experience the opposite. We long for life and only find death. We are living, walking death; and we are totally unable to make any sort of life for ourselves.

But then, as we come to this understanding of life, we are pointed to exactly the opposite. We are pointed to the baptismal font. We are pointed to that fact that there we are drowned and died, but have in that been given life. There we find that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

So as we as death-bound sinners come to the baptismal font we are connected to Jesus and all that he had done for us on the cross. There we were drowned; killed with Jesus Christ for that sin and to that sinful nature that clings so closely to us. There we are given the new life of Christ. Just as surely as he rose from the dead, so we also are assured that this new life of Jesus Christ is ours. Our whole life and living is now found in him and in him alone.

Our old life and orientation in life was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. We have been freed from sin; that means that life that has to strive in order to have to be able to find the life that we know should be there for us. In connection with Jesus Christ it is now ours already. Completely! Fully!

‘But; but ….’ I can hear you say; ‘Where is it? Where is this new and good life?’ Where, in this world, do we find that which we so desperately need?

Look again at the baptismal font; it is there in our connection with Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. When Jesus walked this earth, did he have life good and easy? I think not! And he certainly didn’t promise us that it would be the case for us either. In fact he said that we could expect quite the opposite. Along with that he says; as we bear our cross, doing what he would have us be doing, he will be using it all for good; that is for people’s soul’s salvation. And we are able to bear it all because we now have the full assurance that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. So also, it will be the case for us. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Along with that assurance and knowing that we are now connected in Christ, we now take note of those next words that are spoken. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. That surely is now the positive challenge then that we have before us today: To count ourselves dead to that old self-centred, I want to do my own thing and get my own way, type of attitude. That surely is not what is important to us. We are a part of something infinitely better; and it is guaranteed for us.

So we are now alive to God in Christ: we will allow him to have his way in our lives, at all times. He and what he says and wants is what will be all important in our lives. As we do allow him to have his way we will find the life that is needed. God himself will work great things, for his kingdom. In that we will find all the meaning, satisfaction and purpose that is needed for us as we live out our lives in the midst of a sinful, hurting world.

So, shall we go on living as if we are the centre of the world? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? We know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

We now therefore know that we are dead, our life counts for nothing. No longer do we find, chase, or make our own life. It is nothing. What is important is the life that we are now baptised into; Jesus Christ. There we find the life that we truly need, and which gives all that is necessary for us as we live out our lives every day. Jesus Christ is surely the centre of our world and the centre of our activity; whether that is at home, at work or when we are with our friends. As we focus on that life we will find that all our petty selfishnesses are nothing and mean nothing. We have something far more important; and far more life-giving.

So let us remember, daily, our baptism and what God has done for us in it. Then let us go forward to live this new life that is given to us; all the while giving all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to whom it belongs, now and for all eternity. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Matthew 9:35-10:8. The Kingdom of Heaven is near!! 15/6/08

{35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. {36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. {37} Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. {38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
{1} He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. {2} These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; {3} Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; {4} Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. {5} These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. {6} Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. {7} As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' {8} Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Today's society is struggling; and in many ways has given up on the whole idea that God is here, with us and for us: It has put aside the whole idea that the kingdom of heaven is near. I am sure that we all here struggle with this from time to time. I know that I do. Often we wonder where in the world is God?

What is our answer for the family and friends of a little boy tragically taken in an accident? Where is God in the prayers that we send up time and time again, with nothing seeming to happen? What has the kingdom of God got to do with the here and now, in the midst of all the tragedies and hardships of life? Where is God working, when nothing results from the preaching and administration of the Sacraments week after week, when the Bible says that it is through those means that he will grow the Church?

We all struggle with these and many other thoughts along this line. There is a whole world out there and in here, crowded with worried, helpless and hopeless people; people caught in the web of life, from which there seems to be no escape. So we bury ourselves in our work, pleasure, drink or drugs; anything as long as we don’t have to think about these issues. This is our world today; harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Interesting, here in this reading, Jesus is sending us out to them all - with the clear message; the kingdom of God is near. We who ourselves are often struggling and grappling with this idea, are the ones Jesus is sending out to help those around us. We are called to go out to these people and tell them this simple message; the kingdom of God is near. In fact he says; As you go about your daily life, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' No - more than that - we are called to take the kingdom of heaven to those people; to be the presence of Jesus for them. That is what is being asked of you and me.

So we need to ask, what does it mean that we are to go and preach that the kingdom of heaven near? Does it mean that we go around like some and stand on the street corners or knock on door after door, proclaiming that the end is near and that the prophecies of Revelations are coming true, so you had better watch out or you will get caught out. Telling them that God will judge them for their rottenness; so repent and turn back to God for the Kingdom of heaven is near. Telling them that God expects us all to live better lives and that we are to do this and that if we want to be saved.

Well, yes, there is an element of that in this call for us; but there is much more; and a far more important message involved in these words. It is not judgement and judging that Jesus is primarily concerned with. We are told that as he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. It was pity that motivated Jesus to send his disciples and us out with love for those who are struggling and lost. There is a whole harvest of them out there in the community.

In Jesus day they maybe weren't contemplating suicide; maybe they were not caught in a web of domestic violence or hemmed into an anti-social, self-centred society; but they were still harassed and helpless never-the-less. Today there are crowds of them; we are only too well aware of that, if we read and listen to the news; if we lift our eyes beyond our own self-centred, egotistical little world of our own.

The message that God has here for them all, is, that despite what might seem to contrary, the kingdom heaven is near – that God is not very far away from each and every one of us. He and his mercy is every present for us; it is just that so often we are not aware of it; and we don't recognise what is plainly obvious. Let me illustrate.


Jim was a farmer who was struggling under all the pressures of modern farming life: a prolonged drought; high costs and low commodity prices; growing regulatory requirements and constant do-gooders calling for change; and much more; all placing a huge stain on his management skills and brain power, causing him to wonder whether all the long hours, hard work and uncertainties were worth it. He became so wrapped up in the difficulties and struggles, that he no longer considered the working of God in his life. He had too many other things to think of and hassle with. He became more interested in the fact that his neighbour had a new 4WD tractor, than the fact that his was giving him no trouble at all and was doing the job adequately. The rain and sunshine was no more seen as a blessing from God, but as that which seemed to also be giving him a hard time. The growth or lack of it in his crops was seen only in terms of the work that he had put in, and the costs that he had to outlay. All the wonder and beauty of the growth and God's hand in it all was lost.

Along with that, he failed to see how God was upholding him and keeping him going through his family, his friendships and the encouragement of his neighbours. He saw the big salaries of his brothers in the city, but didn't stop to think that he also had a roof over his head, three good feeds a day, and a lot less traffic and other stresses; not to mention a far better life style. He failed to see the pleasures and joy of country living with all of its benefits, as compared to the de-humanising effect of modern city life. The kingdom of God was at work all around and through his life, but he couldn't see it – he didn't recognise that it was there.

Jim was also unaware of the love and forgiveness of God that was available to him. He had long since rationalized to himself and others that it was OK to rip someone off in a business deal if you can get away with it; after all everyone else is doing it. He could slander others around him, because he felt that he might be better accepted by others; he had to fight for his own rights.

However, deep down Jim knew that these sorts of practices were wrong and was what is wrecking the morality of our nation. It bothered him; that his relationships with others; and with his wife and children in particular was a long way from what it should be; that the false front of strength and a man who has got it all together, belied the frailty and uncertainty that lay below the surface. He was harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He longed for peace, love and contentment, but could no longer see that it was all there for him.

God was near to him. He was connected to the Church and had heard God's message many times, but now it did not sink in, for he was distracted by many things. As a result he no longer considered that the Kingdom of heaven was already drawn near to him. His distractions meant that he failed to listen to the true significance of Jesus' death and resurrection for his own life. When told again and again of the fact that Jesus has died for him and everything he had done wrong and that in connection with Jesus there was a whole new aspect of life there for him to take hold of and live in light of, it never sunk in.

The kingdom of heaven was ever so near to him and so many like him. But the workers to help him see it unfortunately are ever so few. Here though, is where Jesus reminds us that we have our part to play. We are sent out to help those around us to see again that God is not afar off. We are to remind each other by the little things that we say and do, that God is involved and active in every part of our life. We have received without paying from all the goodness of our Lord. In our baptism we have been freely made children of God - heirs of eternal life; forgiven, healed, restored; given new life. Thereby we know and experience the presence and blessings of God Almighty himself - every day. We certainly have received greatly without deserving it or having to pay for it; so let us give without being paid – without expecting anything in return.

We do have something to say - something share - with others as we go about our daily lives. We do have an important message for the harassed and helpless - the kingdom of heaven is near. Jesus Christ and his death on the cross alone is what gives life and gives meaning to life. Without him we are nothing. With him and the salvation that he has won for us we have that which enables us to live with and cope with whatever it is that we face in life. Jesus Christ alone is what our world around us desperately needs to hear. Here, remember, that we are the only workers God has to get this message of love and forgiveness to all those around us who need to hear it.

So pray that the Lord will not only send you, but go with you, help you and bless what you do in his name, as you go and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. For to our great God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN