Matthew 7:21-29. 1/6/08
Words are cheap – where’s the substance???

{21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' {23} Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' {24} "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. {25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. {26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. {27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." {28} When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, {29} because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Again we are severely challenged as God’s people here in this reading. Here once more Jesus sees right into our hearts; and challenges what he sees. Over and over again it would seem that God is not comfortable leaving us to ‘cruise’ through life, blissfully unaware of the serious problems that are ever present in our lives. He is leaving no room for any form of self-righteousness and smugness on our part.

Here again I would say; take very careful note of what Jesus is saying here. The picture that he paints for us is very clear: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. {25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. {26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. {27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
What is the foundation that we are building on? What is the substance of our lives? Very basic; but very important questions. Without having that right; our lives could very easily come crumbling down around our ears. No, without the right foundation, our lives will come crashing down sooner or later.

Yet that is the danger that Jesus sees in each one of us. He knows very well what is going on in our hearts and minds. He knows that we like to build our lives in much the same way we build our houses: As long as it looks good and impressive: As long as it gives us standing with the people that matter: As long as we gain recognition.

As Christians we take that same attitude with us. Look I attend church regularly: I am involved doing this, that and the other; I talk about grace and Jesus when I need to. Maybe we don’t not prophesy in Jesus name, and name drive out demons and perform many miracles, but we do our best; we even talk about doing what we are doing, for God, and even though we are not perfect we are forgiven, so we are OK. As long as it looks good; as long as we are seen to be doing the right thing; that is all that matters.

Is that so? Is that what Jesus commends here? No, he says; Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Let me say that again: Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. And what is the will of the Father? Jesus says: everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice, is doing the will of the Father.

What are these words that Jesus is talking about? Here I would like to read the whole sermon of Jesus that he gave there on the Mount; but we do not have time, so I would suggest you go home and read it. However I will give you some examples of what he said.
(Mat 5:18-22) I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. {19} Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. {21} "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' {22} But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
(Mat 5:43-45) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' {44} But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, {45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
(Mat 6:5-8) "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. {6} But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. {7} And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. {8} Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
(Mat 7:1-5) "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. {2} For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. {3} "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? {4} How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? {5} You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

That is the kind of hearing and doing that he is talking about. That is the foundational stuff that he is talking about. That is the tough kind of doing that he expects from us all. Any attempts to do less than that is a problem. Any excuses, that are seeking to avoid having to live by those words is: ‘building on sand.’ Our spiritual lives will come crumbling down.

That radical living is what God expects of you and me. So surely that is what we will seek to hear and do. But is it? It is beyond what we are capable of doing so we make all kinds of excuses: and for us as Christians it is often along the lines of; I believe in Jesus and what he has done for me; so it doesn’t matter. Or I live by grace, so therefore I can make a few mistakes and be a ‘bit of a sod’ and she’ll be right. After all I ‘prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'

Anyway since we can’t live up to those standards that Jesus sets; surely he can’t expect us to. Yet Jesus says only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven, will enter the kingdom of heaven. So surely our cause is hopeless; we just can’t measure up. We are doomed to find any way out of our predicament by ourselves.

That leaves us only one option and that is to cling to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for us. He and his taking our sin on himself to cross so that we might be forgiven is the only hope and the only life that we have. Knowing that we can in no way measure up, means that we now hold Jesus Christ, alone, up as our Saviour and our Lord. He is the one who is now all important for us.

Then, since he is Lord, we will gladly hear his words and set forth with renewed zeal to do his will; we will gladly want to practice what he has told us; not in order to now gain acceptance, but because he has died and risen again for us and for our salvation. He will be our authority on life; not me and myself. He and his every word will be important to us. Then to him will be all glory and honour, forever and ever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Matthew 6:24-34. Worry says it all??? 25/5/08

{24) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. {25} "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? {26}Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. {29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32}For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. {34}Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

No one can serve two masters. That is the challenge that is laid in front of each one of us today by our great and gracious God. Now before you start switching off, I believe that here we have one of the most relevant issues facing us today as Christians, who are seeking to be true and faithful but also wanting to live well in our current society. The difficulty for us is to find a balance between what the world around us tells and presses us to see as important; and what God has in mind for us. We feel that it should be possible to have both; and not miss out on either.
But what are the results for us as we go about our lives every day? On the one hand, it would seem that we are being nagged and nagged by the pastor to lift our game and to seek to have our lives more compatible with what we believe and say is important. On the other our society tells us that we have all these other things that we need to have and do, that almost totally erodes any time and thought for those other things that we know should be important. Where do we go with all of this? How do we manage it all? It is all too hard! It is all too much of a hassle!
No, look we have to have all this money, or our kids will miss out on a good education, or be deprived because we haven’t given them the latest, whatever. Our children have to have the sport and the recreation time. We have to have latest clothes. We have to have control over what is happening. We have to … We have to … It’s all too much! It’s all a worry!

But we have to have it, otherwise we are in trouble. If we don’t we and or our kids will lose out. We will be told that we are losers and our kids will be told the have deprived them; and they will resent us for it. If you continue to hold to what is right and true, you will lose your influence over others, so you have ease back and be more tolerant. No, you have to go with the flow, or you just won’t ‘cut it’. If you don’t go for what looks good, you will certainly be bypassed.

So the pressure of master no. 2 has his way over us. We worry and fret; we work our butts off to keep up; we put ourselves under enormous pressure in order to have what the world tells us we need to have and do. And we swallow it all, hook, line and sinker. And it is tearing us to pieces. Saddest of all we are more and more giving up on that which is truly important. Along with that we are telling our children and the world around us what is truly important in life. Master no 2 is rubbing his hands all the way to hell.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. One or the other wins out; we cannot have it both ways. As much as we might think we have it all under control; after all, it is only a Sunday here or there that we miss church. Is it? Look around and see those who only missed a Sunday or two a few years back; they are now mostly gone. Even sadder where are their children, now grown up: God is not even on their ‘radar screen’, far less as he who is all important. Our Lord says; "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Surely the message is clear to us all. There is no having it both ways. One or the other is to be all important. Which is it going to be? Certainly many have already voted with their feet and their lives. But each of us has to make our own decision on this matter.

But before we go any further let us also be sure that we have heard the rest of what our Lord has said here.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

So God has promised that he will take care of you. He will give you all that you need for life. As we trust him to be true to his Word we find that this is the case: So all this worry and striving after having all of these things is totally unnecessary. In fact it is even harmful to the cause of us having a happy and contented life. Think over the history of this country of ours; we have been very blest. For much of our early history we were known as a Christian country; however we have departed from that in recent times and have now sought to build our own life and fortune. The results there too are clearly seen, as worry, frustration, emptiness and more grows as we correspondingly serve the master of money and mammon.

Now a common response to this is often given in order to ease the conscience and as an excuse for not taking God seriously is that of the terrible tragedies in Burma, China, Africa and the like. Surely God is not looking after them. Now I won’t go into the issue of God’s providence in those situations; but simply make the point that God is also working through there as well. However the issue here is that master no.2 has no answer at all to them, or to us and scrimping and saving in order to help us through such tragedies of life. They leave us completely stranded.

However or Lord says that no matter what you face as you live in a sinful world; seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So instead of worrying and striving, at all costs, to ensure that we have done everything in order to take care of every situation; we are challenged to first of all seek after the things of God and he will take care of everything else. Now of course that doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. That is ridiculous. But what he says here is, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Our number one priority is to look to God and what he has in mind for us. Serve him first and foremost then all these other things will find there rightful place.

Because of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for us, we know that he loves and cares for us; we know that he has ensured that we have eternal life with him in heaven. Therefore we surely can trust that he will take care of us as we live out our lives every day.

Worrying however tells us that we would sooner trust and serve master no.2. Here, we know what God says will happen to this who place their trust in anything else other than him. So let us take up the challenge to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, trusting that he is true to his word. All the while let us remember that for all eternity glory and honour will alone go to our great God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For he alone is God. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Matthew 28:16-20. God said so!! 18/5/08

{16) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. {17}When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. {18} Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

In recent times, if not throughout history, we as human beings have sought to be our own authority on everything; including God and things religious. We decide and judge everything through our own eyes and thinking. Yes, even when it comes to who God is and what he says, we decide what we want to be true and important for us and what we should believe. In other words we make God in our own image, rather than the other way around.

In so doing we have closed ourselves off from many of the great and wonderful things that he has in mind for us. Because God is made to fit our thinking, we are no longer able to see the possibilities and greatness that God has in mind. Along with that we then wonder why we struggle so much with life in general and the Christian faith and life in particular. We too, doubt then his existence and importance for life, as well as our meaning and purpose in life.

It is here, into this very situation, that these final words of Jesus to his disciples are so very important and relevant. As we hear them and accept them as given by Jesus Christ himself, and not try to impose our thinking onto them, then we will find much that will help us as we live out our lives every day. Of course much, much more could be said of God and what he has to say. Much more than our sinful human brain could accept or understand; but here we have enough to keep us going for our whole life here on this earth. Here we have what we need to know and what we need to do, as we live out our life.
Here we need to recognise that these words were spoken after Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection. So the disciples and us can be absolutely sure that here God himself is present and active for the good of us his people. Even though his death on the cross does not fit into our human way of thinking, with regard to dealing with sin and evil; here is God’s way of extending his forgiveness and love to us. In this way none of us are excluded or left out. God assures every one of us that he has made it possible for us to be in his kingdom: the he is the only true God for us all.

But from there he firstly wants us to know that: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. So since he is the One in whom all real authority is invested; surely we will look to him as such: we will listen to him and heed what he has to say. Since he, as God, was prepared to die for us, surely we will hold him in the highest esteem possible. We would certainly do that for someone who saved us from drowning. How much more so will we therefore hold Jesus Christ up as the One who is all important for us and for our lives.

Interestingly here we are told that not only on earth has Jesus been given all authority, but also in heaven as well. Think about what that means for you and me; since he loves us that much that he died for us. Surely he will be doing everything possible for our wellbeing. He will be allowing all that is happening to us, to be for ours and other people’s wellbeing: everything. Again, just as our mind cannot comprehend Jesus dying on the cross for our salvation, so also we will struggle to understand how good can come from much of what is happening in our lives. But he promise is that it is so; and he does have authority over all things; so we can be sure it is so.

But this is where it gets interesting for us; for he goes on from there to say; Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.



Because he has all authority and because that means good for us, he does not say; ‘Sit, back, eat, drink and be merry. Take life easy, enjoying yourself and do as you please.’ No, seeing as he is the One who is all important and since he has ensured good for us; now we are called to go and make disciples of all nations. In other words we are to do all that we can to join the people out there in our society around us, to this Jesus Christ. We are to make disciples, followers, of this One who is truly Lord and Saviour of us all. Surely this too is what we would want to be doing: we would want them to know of the good that he has done for us, but even more importantly, that he is the one is truly great and the Lord of all.

Here also let us take note of how Jesus says we are to make disciples. Since he has the authority and the knowledge of what works, let us listen and heed what he has to say, rather than follow the thinking of us self-centred, egotistical people. We think if the music is loud and entertaining and the message is sweet and pleasing to the ear, we will be able to attract others to Christ. Jesus however says baptise them and teach them.

Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Yes, that is right; we make disciples by baptising them into this God who is all important. There at the baptismal font, Jesus tells us, he is at work making disciples; joining us to himself and all that he has done for us through his death and resurrection. There we are washed clean by him from all that sin which clings to us all; and there we become members of his family; adopted by him as his very own.

Along with that baptism, before and after, goes teaching: teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Obey here has not just a doing aspect to it, but a holding to it; a grasping to that which Jesus himself has taught us to hold to. We don’t just want them to feel good and have warm fuzzies; but to know who this Jesus is and what he has done for us and what he has to say to us. We are to hold to and teach the truths the God has given to us, without adding to and taking away from what we are given.

Again this doesn’t always fit with what we think is best: We too often want to change God’s Word to suit the thinking of the day, rather than accept it for what it says as God’s Word. We want to focus on me and what I do and must do, rather than on God and what he has and is doing and has said.

Here remember that it is only as we hold fast to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, that we have the assurance that we are saved and have an eternal future. It is only as we look to him and trust in what he has done for us, that we can have certainty for our lives. So it is with his teachings; as we obey what he has commanded and hold to the truths that he imparted we are able to go forward with confidence and hope.

So then it is that teaching and baptism which enables us to make disciples. This is what Jesus has told us and so it surely will be what we seek to do as we go forward under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what he sees as being the main purpose for our existence here on this earth; therefore it is what we surely will seek to do.

All the while let us remember that this Jesus who has all authority in heaven and on earth has promised that: surely He is with you always, to the very end of the age. Remember that; and take strength from this wonderful assurance that he here gives to us. This almighty and merciful God is with us throughout our lives as his people. He is Lord over all, and yet he goes with each and every one of us. Why then do we need to look elsewhere and listen to every other wind of thinking? No let us remember and live the fact that here is our great and awesome God who does have authority over everything. Since he is such, let us heed what he says and go forward as his people.
To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13. Gifts for the community 11/05/08

{3) No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. {4} There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. {6} There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. {7} Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. {8} To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, {9} to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, {10} to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. {11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. {12} The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. {13} For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Today we are reminded of the wonderful gift that has been given to the Church: the gift of the Holy Spirit. His coming and activity was and is vital for the ongoing welfare of the Church, and therefore of us as individuals. Now it is interesting to note that he is God's gift to us; but also comes bringing gifts; gifts to help us. Many gifts - different gifts - great gifts – small gifts: all given to us – to you and me, his Church. And through that gift, life and growth occurs.

Now when we go back to that first Pentecost, we can see what this Spirit did through Peter and those other disciples and their standing up and telling other about Jesus and the importance of his death and resurrection. Thousands of people became Christians: Life was turned upside down: People then and ever since, around the world have been given life and hope; and especially the poor, widowed, disadvantaged and the guilty, because they were willing to accept what God had to offer. God's power to change life was greatly evident; Even, and remarkably so, in the midst of great persecution. Through, and as a result of, the Holy Spirits activity, immense growth has taken place, right through to this very day.

But therein lays a danger that has arisen again and again within the Church. It happened in the congregation at Corinth, and it is occurring in our own country today. The power and growth that was and is available and at work through the activity of the Holy Spirit, can be taken away and even reversed, and so instead of unity, there is division: and the growth is reversed. Troubles, difficulty and wrong thinking and living abounded as a result. At Corinth and down through history the Holy Spirit has been at work and his many gifts have been apparent amongst the people. We can see the evidence of this: the Church has grown and spread across the world. But when we look at the church in Corinth and around us today, we see what problems can and do arise; and also of Paul's reminder of the way it is meant to be.

Now in Corinth, as a result of the Spirits work, the Church came into existence and grew. Many people came to faith in Jesus Christ. But then the focus shifted from Jesus and what he has done for us, to the person who had the gift: and in particular those with the spectacular gifts. ‘Look what I have got: you had better listen to me and follow me’. The Spirits gifts were then used to highlight self and for selfish purposes, and as a result divisions and all kinds of practices which were not in accord with what God would have us do became more and more evident in the church. That is why Paul sat down and wrote this letter to them. The focus shifted from Christ to the individual, and troubles, disunity and a lack of growth was very much a part of life as a result. The church was no longer what the Spirit was seeking to build.

Now it is interesting to see how the same sort of thing occurs in our everyday world. Let us take football or some other team sport as an example. The team grows and wins as it works together and focuses on playing football or what ever the sport. The coach is very much at the heart of bringing about good results as he works with each of the players and the team to focus on what they are there for. However when the captain and players start to focus on themselves as individuals, and play that way, disharmony grows and the team goes downhill very quickly.

As an aside, it is interesting to see today how team sports are becoming less and less popular as the individualism of our nation grows. It is only because of the big dollars involved that they are kept popular.

Now sadly in the church we have come under the same influence. More and more we are tempted to think of faith as being something that is between me and God. More and more the focus shifts from Christ and what he has done for us, to me and what I must do and what I think. For the church to be effective we look to our giftedness: to the charismatic individual and leader: our feelings become more and more the determining factor in what is truth and whether we are on the right track. You see, we are looking inward – here – instead of to Jesus, and the results are not and will not be good. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit.

Now with that being the situation about us, we need to listen again, very carefully, to Paul here in our reading. We need to look again at that which God himself has given to us to help us in this regard. We need to consider again what the Spirit's primary work is and what really works in the Church.

Now the first thing we are reminded of here is that it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to say ‘Jesus is Lord’. ‘JESUS IS LORD’. That is to say, that he is our Master; our Boss; the one who is all important. In other words, he is the focal point of life for us. He is what life is all about. He is the one who saves. He is the one who has the right directions for living. He is the one who makes it possible for us to live, and move, and have our being, as Christians. Here, take very careful note of this point. Jesus is the one who is all important for us and our existence.

And that is what the Spirit enables us know and live by. That is his work in our lives. He wants us and all people to know that Jesus is Lord and Saviour: that he is the one who made it possible for us to know that we are forgiven and brought back into God's family: He unites us with Christ and each other, here and in eternity: and it is through him we are brought into and kept in the body of Christ – the Church.

To do this he gives gifts to his Church – through his people – you and me. Different gifts! Different services! Different workings! All activated by the same Spirit, with the same purpose in mind. Yes, many different gifts - our reading only mentions a few. But they are all given by the same Spirit, to different people, as he determines. Not all, or many, of the gifts, to this or that individual. But to one this gift - to another, a different one; to another a different one again. Spectacular gifts - ordinary gift - small gifts! And he gives them in a small way or in abundance. But to each of us he gives. All of us are given gifts to be used.

The Spirit gives these gifts to the Church through you and me, which are all to be used for the common good. And that in many ways is the key point here for us. All the gifts are given for the good of the body: the Church – for others and not simply for ourselves. The gifts that have been given to me are for your benefit - not mine. They are for you to be enabled to know and grow in the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and saviour of us all. So also are your gifts for benefit of the Body: each and every one of us are gifted for the good of us all, as a whole; with the same basic objective: Jesus Christ is Lord: The small and insignificant gifts, being just as important as the great and spectacular ones. They are all given by the one Spirit for the benefit of the whole congregation: for the Church: the body of Christ.

Here again the football team is a wonderful example. As each player uses their talents together, as a team: using their various strengths, ball abilities and the like: as well as looking out for each other, supporting, protecting, and encouraging each other they can achieve an enormous amount. It is what gives them the edge.

Now when we think of the Spirits gifts to us, we see the same thing working. As the gifts we are given, are used for the benefit of the whole, with the focus on Jesus Christ, great things happen: the congregation is drawn together and built up: more people come to know Jesus as Lord, and joyfully and thankfully confessing it: and the more we will live and be the people of God.

All of this has, and can happen in a greater way, because the Spirit has given you gifts: because he has given us, as Church, gifts: all sorts of gifts: all given by the same Spirit for us to use for the common good: for the benefit of others. So again we are reminded to not look here: not to my gifts, for my benefit, and for me looking out for myself. But instead to see that everything we are and have, comes from God himself. That he is the giver of his Spirit who gives us every gift we have, and that he has given them to us, to benefit others - us all. In so doing the body is built up and we all win, and all glory goes to Jesus Christ our Lord. After all to him alone will go all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Acts 1:1-11. Gone; to be with us all! 4/5/08

{1) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. {3} After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. {4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. {5} For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." {6} So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" {7} He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. {8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." {9} After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. {10} They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus could be physically present with us as we go about our lives every day? It would be great if we could consult with him on many issues; receive his help, strengthening and even miracles; as he physically goes with us every moment of our lives. To have our own personal Jesus walk with us throughout our life would surely help us; wouldn’t it? If only Jesus hadn’t ascended, and he could be with us always, then we would be OK.

But there is a problem with that: If Jesus was with me; then what about you; or the people in Sydney, or across the other side of the world? My own personal Jesus, walking with me, could not then be with you and everyone else at the same time, also. When I need him, [which is all the time]; he can not be with those on the other side of the world or where ever.

Whilst Jesus walked this earth as a human being he could only be in one place at any one time. Could you imagine the mayhem that would abound if Jesus went about performing miracles, preaching or whatever? There is no way that he could individually and corporately deal with all the issues that need to be dealt with. He had another way: Another far better plan.

That is why then, after he had completed that important work that he had come to do: that is to be the sacrifice which takes away the sin of the world; he ascended to heaven. From there he could then establish this special thing that would ensure that every human being could get that same personal attention that they needed, just as if he were with them.

So after his death and resurrection, he for a short time, appeared to his disciples giving them many convincing proofs that he was truly alive; and speaking further to them about the kingdom of God: But, also telling them, of that which would enable them, and every Christian around the world, to have this thing that would enable us to have the special attention that we need.

There would be a baptism which would ensure that God’s Holy Spirit was to come on us so that we could have all that Jesus was able to do while he was physically here on earth, at work in our lives. This was to be the Father’s gift which would enable us to not only receive what we need for our strengthening, but also to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

So to all who are baptised, God has promised that his Holy Spirit would be at work in them: This Spirit, being with each one of you, each and every moment of every day, to guide and help you. Just as if Jesus was there walking along side of you, there the Holy Spirit is guaranteed to be. You can be sure that he will do in your life what Jesus himself would want done. That must surely be an encouragement for us.
This Holy Spirit then will do in our lives what Jesus himself would do. Therefore he to will constantly be seeking to point us to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He will be reminding us of all that Jesus had said and done for us and for our salvation. He will be holding up Jesus’ death on the cross as absolutely central to our wellbeing and life. He will be reminding us that not only did Jesus die but that he also rose again, so that we can be sure, that he is who he says he is.

That same Spirit will continually be leading us into God’s Word, the Bible, reminding us again and again that here is all that we need to know for our lives as God’s people. Here we have the Truth given to us, so that we are able to discern right from wrong and good from bad. We don’t have to look elsewhere for our answers; taking on board every wind of doctrine that shifts the focus from God and what he has and is doing for us, to us and what we think and do. The Holy Spirit does not give us anything that is not in accord with what we find in the pages of the Bible.

Here remember that many people of Jesus’ day, refused to listen and believe in him who was present in their midst. So also today many do want to listen to or understand who he is or what he has to say: Even we ourselves to often don’t give the Spirit much of chance to do his work in and through us. All too often we want to do and listen only to ourselves and the world around us. In doing so we are quenching the Spirit and not giving him much of a go. Nevertheless he is there taking every opportunity possible to give us the help that we need.

Here let us recognise that this Spirit also is responsible for miracle after miracle, even today. Not just the spectacular healings and showy rubbish that is so often focussed on by many, who are looking for something more and different. But most importantly every time we have a little baby or an adult up here for baptism. This is the greatest miracle that God could ever perform. The Holy Spirit is the one who creates faith in each and every person. He is the one who thereby gives life to that which is dead and destined for Hell. There is the miracle that I long to see more and more.
However we recognise that he is also responsible for many other great acts across our lives as well. There are healings today [many of them]; there are miraculous escapes from accidents; there are great leadings and guidings; there is the carry of us across the threshold of death, into eternal life with our great God and Saviour. The Holy Spirit is at work throughout, again and again.

But again, most importantly, every time you and I are lead to recognise that we are sinful and unclean there the Spirit is at work leading us to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Every time we think of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, there God is at work. Every time we are moved to reach out to others in need, there the Spirit is at work. Every time we share and witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ to others around us, there the Spirit continues to do in us what our Lord would have us doing.

So we can see, that Jesus and his work has far from ceased with his ascension into heaven. He has physically removed himself so that his Spirit can be at work across the lengths and breadths of the earth. He and his work continues on, so that all may now know the Good News of his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, that he has won for us. He is at work in and through you and me, in order that all may come to know of what he has done for us so that we may share his presence in eternity.

So let us go forward with full assurance and confidence; that God himself is with us and at work in and through our lives, as we live them out day by day. Yes, Jesus has ascended and is physically removed from our midst; but he is ever present in and through his Spirit. He is here to bring glory to our great God as we witness to this Good News throughout our lives. So again, to him be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba