John 6:1-15. Is the gift more important than the giver?? 26/7/09

(1) Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), {2} and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. {3} Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. {4} The Jewish Passover Feast was near. {5} When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" {6} He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. {7} Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" {8} Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, {9} "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" {10} Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. {11} Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. {12} When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." {13} So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. {14} After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." {15} Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

What a miracle we have here in the feeding of the five thousand! What a tremendous feat to feed so many with just one little boy's lunch! And not just give them a light snack, but fill then right up and have heaps left over. Far, far more than they started out with. This surely has to be a great miracle - something truly special. Certainly, it was that, despite the fact that many today would only say that it is just a great story. It never really happened like that. “No one can tell me that that sort of thing could really be true. At the very best it was a display of how one little boy who was willing to share his lunch encouraged all the others to do the same.”

However, here we need to be certain that this truly was a great miracle beyond this sort of thinking. The peoples reaction before and after this miracle are a good indication of the authenticity of its happening. Nobody, far less a great crowd, goes roaming all over the countryside into remote and out of the way places following someone, if there is no substance to Jesus’ miracles. Certainly, they wouldn't have wanted to make him king if he wasn't capable of, and have shown that he can, do extraordinary things.

That then is where the real crunch comes in the reporting of this event. Here we have a damning shot at the people who were out there that day; and which must surely make us sit up and start thinking. Because we today are no different than the people way back there in Jesus day. They see a miracle and off they run trying to get a piece of the action: So that they and we can get the sorts of things out life that we want and think are good for us. For all of us there is the danger of the gift being more important and valuable than the giver. The giver becomes important, only in so far as he can give us what we want.

There is a real danger that we love to see miracles, so that we can sit back and enjoy life and know that we have someone there who is going to see to it that everything goes well for us: so that we can sit back and enjoy life, doing what we want: thinking we are OK because God has done all these great things in life for us. Once again, we see the me, first, last and only, syndrome coming into play.

When are we going to wake up? When are we going to understand that those miracles that Jesus performed are signs: Signs, which point us away from ourselves to the direction that we should be looking and going. Signs, pointing us to the One who is all important. Here again in this miracle we have a sign which clearly says; “I am the Almighty God who loves you and cares for you. I am here in your midst to help you to see that I and what I am about to do on the cross is what is all important for you. Repent, and believe the Good News that I have for you. Trust in me alone.' 'I am the One who is most important in life, not the gifts I give.' The gift itself, means nothing, if it doesn't lead us to faith in Jesus Christ and the importance of his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The miracle is nothing if doesn't lead us to believe and trust solely in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is nothing if doesn't awaken in us true faith.

So we see that these miracles are given for a purpose, and that is not just to help us out and make life easy for us without taking us to another level in our thinking and living. They are an important way that God shows that he is for real and that he has come to help us out of the mess that we have made for ourselves. His miracles assure us that God is the Almighty Lord over all things and that he wants us to look to and trust in him.

Here today we need to understand that there are many miracles happening around us every day. Many miracles. Not just the big spectacular ones like healing from some incurable disease or escape from some disaster, as we hear of again and again. But what about the fact that God has been very good to us for many, many years, here in this country. We are still doing very well thank you - despite the drought and the recession. We have all got a good roof over our heads and enough rags to cover our bodies. We still get a lot more than three feeds of bread and dripping. And here, don't tell me it's because of how good we are and how hard we have worked, that we have these things. We don't deserve to be in the position we are in. We don’t deserve to have the baskets full of riches left over, that we have. It is a miracle that God should give us all of this and more. It is the goodness of God that enables us to enjoy these many things; which is way in excess of what most people in the world have.

Now what have we done in response those many miracles. We seem to be far worse than the people of Jesus’ day. At least they wanted to make him king. In this country, all we seem to want to do is ignore him and pretend that he is not there. That is until we get into some sort of trouble; and then we expect him to perform some great miracle to help us out once again.

Yet despite all this, we see that Jesus continues to take the initiative. Even though he knew that the people were, and still, only seem to be following him because of the miracles; he again takes the initiative and gives them and us another chance. Out of his love for us, even though we do not deserve it, he gives us another chance – he performs another miracle as a sign that points us to him and helps us to see the giver as the one who is important and valuable.

Then he goes on and performs an even greater miracle to give us more than another sign that helps to believe in him as the all-important One. Through this sign, he makes it quite plain who he is and what he is on about: On his own initiative, he does become king and takes his place on the throne. There on the cross he shows us what his kingdom is all about. There on the cross he shows us what is all important and truly needful in life. There we have the sign which lights up our world and leaves us, surely, in no doubt as to the extent that God is prepared to go for us. There is the sign that says; 'I forgive you all your sins:' the sign which says; 'I am the way and the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but by me.' And 'God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.' Once again he has given us the opportunity to turn to him and believe in him as the only way of salvation: As the only One who is truly important.

Then following that comes, the greatest of all miracles -the rising to new life. The power of God here works the truly incredible. Now we know that there is a living, loving, saving, all-powerful Lord at work in our lives. There is life and salvation there for us in connection with this Jesus Christ. Now then, we can look away from ourselves to the Lord Jesus and glorify him. In the time left here on earth, he now gives us what is necessary for us to spread that message of his love: to help us to help others to see that the Giver is far more important and valuable than the gift. Therein we receive the greatest blessings of all.

So again, we see why miracles occur. Always and ever, helping us mere mortals to lift our eyes from the here and now; and focus them on the One who is all-important: on Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. There it is that we find and are a part of that which is truly great for this life, as well as for the next. In Jesus, God Almighty has come to us, to help us to be a part of that which is truly great and important. To him alone then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Ephesians 2:19-22. As Solid as a Brick Wall!!! 19/7/09

(Eph 2:19-22) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

From our readings today we can see something of God's concern for the safety and security of us, his people, in the midst of our difficulties and of a godless and corrupt world. He is not only concerned about our rescue from our sin and the hideousness of what is happening in the world around about us, but also for our continued protection and wellbeing. He knows that his people will face all kinds of pressures as they live in a world that is full of all kinds conflicting ideas and selfish attitudes. He knows that we all long for peace and a sure sense of belonging.

So here in this reading, God reminds us that we have peace through Jesus Christ. In fact, he is our peace, and he gives us what we need in order to maintain and keep that peace. He alone is the one around which everything else hangs. In the latter part of this reading, we are shown one aspect of this ongoing care that God provides for us. It speaks of us being built together into a solid structure: into the holy temple of the Lord: Built on a solid foundation to keep us strong and secure and on the right track. As Christians, each one of us is formed into one huge interlocked building, with Jesus as the chief corner-stone; or mainstay; and that is what gives our lives the security and peace that we need.

Now I am sure you all have heard the saying, "as solid as a brick wall." A well built, brick building, made with good mortar, on a solid foundation can withstand many pressures. It is a structure that will hold up when many others fall to pieces or rots away. When we have a building that is set on a good foundation, with solid corner pillars, and using good mortar is extremely hard to push over: hard to knock around. It is only with great difficulty that you can even remove one brick, that is well interlocked with others and with good mortar holding it in place. Every part of that building is there strengthening and upholding the rest: so the building itself is solid. It is a haven where people can feel safe against the battering storms of life: secure from intruders who are up to no good.

Now this is very much the image that is used here to encourage us at this time. To help us feel safe and secure as we receive a battering from the storms of life. We are reminded that there is no need to feel as though we are left all alone; having to cope with all our troubles and difficulties on our own: Or that there is nothing concrete and solid that can hold us together: Or that there is no one structure that is right and good.

This is one of the terrible lies of our modern world. By the promotion of rights, individualism and selfishness, we have lost that sense of community that is so important; and of that understanding that there is something which is solid that holds us together. Too many are building their lives on a wrong foundation, or more particularly, are trying to build on a number of different foundations at the one time, and as a result are getting badly hurt in the process – as their lives fall apart at the seams.

But that is not the way that God intends for his people. We are reminded that we are joined together into a solid structure were we can have the help and support; the protection and security we need. As we stay and are involved in the Church, we can know that we are interwoven into a fellowship of believers that makes it hard for any serious harm to come our way. God has here in his Church a place where each one of us is connected to that which is important, and where we can experience and give the experience of being part of a Christian community that is as solid as brick wall.

Now let us look a little closer at what it is that is involved here and what it is that gives this security and strength.

First of all this reading says that we are, 'no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.’ And that is what we are - by the fact that we are Christians – we are members of God’s household. At our baptism we became a part of God's family. We are united with Jesus Christ and all that he stands for.

Now each day that baptism is worked out in our lives, by our being what we now are: by being a part of that holy temple in the Lord: by being a part of something that is bigger and better than ourselves and our own wants and desires. Here in this church family there are no strangers and aliens, even though at times we may feel that way. We are all in this together; sharing each others joys and sorrows and hardships. Here we have the mortar of God's love, binding one another together, and holding each other in place; so that we can have that strength and solidity that can keep us from falling apart.

Now we need to remember that this love that comes from our Lord and that flows around and through us, begins from the foundation up. Here the foundation on which we are built and which stops us from cracking apart is God's Word as we have it in the Scriptures. That Word is always there and always stands solid and firm – it never changes. As we cling firmly to its central truths, nothing can move us or tear us apart. It is only as we depart from that Word that we find that weakness and separation occurs. It is only as we try to interpret that Word to suite ourselves that we find cracks appearing in the life of the church. And when we ignore that foundation altogether - or next to – trying to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that; then we find in time that we are in big trouble. On the other hand as we allow ourselves to be guided and cemented into those central truths of Scripture, then we find great strength and stability, to help us and each other, through times of great difficulty.

Of course, rising out of this foundation is that strong and imposing pillar of our Lord Jesus Christ: Everything in Scripture points and leads to him. He is the only thing that gives strength and the ability to stand firm, and which holds us together. Being joined and built into Christ means we do have one beside us who keeps us secure and strong - God himself. His death and resurrection are our guarantee of his love and help. His outstretched arms holding us firmly in his holy temple; assuring us of his ultimate victory over all that wants to tear us away from what is good and eternal. So throughout we need to stay firmly and closely connected to the Lord Jesus Christ: keeping him as our mainstay: the cornerstone which holds everything together: Seeking his forgiveness - his power to hold us aright: Looking always to the cross and the empty tomb as his assurance that all is well for us in connection with him.

In our being joined to Christ means that we also have become interlocked with each other, and there is a bond now which joins and holds us together firmly. His love and his person, and his death and resurrection; his Word, all cement us together: Giving us the where-with-all to love and care for each other, to help each other through thick and thin – good and bad. So that all can remain 'as solid as a brick wall,' in Christ.

This is what is needed and what is given to us; and which we need to work at as we go forward as God's people. Let us be reassured of what God has given to help us this morning. Let us use this to keep, support and encourage each other, and to watch out for each other so that we can remain strong. In particular, let us know this so that we do not hinder the strength of this congregation or weaken it by pulling one another apart. Let us use the person, love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word, as the foundation, cornerstone and cement for our life as his people. And then having in him the security of knowing that we are part of that which has strength and the protection that we need, let us go forward boldly and confidently; standing tall and imposing – ‘solid as a brick wall,’ offering safety and security to all who come near. Let us allow the Lord Jesus Christ to keep us as his holy temple. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Ezekiel 2:1-5. Difficulty facing a Christian!!! 5/7/09

(1) He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." {2} As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. {3} He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. {4} The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' {5} And whether they listen or fail to listen--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them.

We are living at a very difficult time in the Church here in Australia. We are being challenged with all kinds of thinking with regard to the teachings and practice of what it is to be Christian. Every individual, it seems, can have his or her own version of what the truth is, and we are to accept that they are right. Everyone wants to be free to do their own thing, but at the same time they are willing to blindly follow the mob/crowd. Yet nobody really wants to hear or know what the truth really is.

Along with these problems in the church, we live in a society that has no regard for God or any sense of religiosity. Even though we are still in the midst of the worst drought on record and our lakes and dams are running dry, we still stubbornly want to find our solutions to the problem in our technologies and ingenious theories, without even giving God any consideration whatsoever. Also we want to be able to get away with doing whatever our heart pleases, without regard for anyone or anything. Now are beginning to reap the rewards of this thinking.

All this is making it very difficult for us as Christians, who seek to be true and faithful to God Almighty. It would be very easy for us to crawl into our shell and hide, or to simply go with the flow. Yet here God tells us also: I am sending you to ..... to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them.

This along with the other two readings this morning, remind us that doing this is going to be tough. There will even be rejection, rebellion and stubbornness from people who claim to be ‘christians’. Jesus himself, faced rejection as he sought to help those around him see what was important. Paul struggled with his weaknesses, insults and persecutions. Ezekiel faced people who were rebellious, obstinate and stubborn. But nevertheless they got on with the task that was set before them.

So also is there this task for us as well; even though we may feel that we are up against it. We here are called to go out to those who are around about us and to do the best we can - despite the difficulties of the task in our present environment; and despite our weaknesses. Sure, we are living at a time when it is not easy to be a fair dinkum Christian. Sure, we are facing all kinds of pressures in a church which is struggling to know what it is on about. Sure, not too may people are interested in taking God seriously any more, but instead they are looking to the stars; to the society around them, their sinful desires; and all the rest for guidance. As well there is a push by some to ignore the basic teachings and doctrines of Christianity and proclaim them as being irrelevant or not to be taken too seriously. They would sooner ‘shoot the messenger’ than have to take the message seriously. So to stand up and be counted is not easy. But that is what God is calling us to do.

Here God says 'mortal man, stand up.' Weak, frail, faulty people – you and me - stand up. Stand up and be God's people- be God's messengers, in the midst of a society that is stubborn and has no respect for God: of a society that is openly rebelling against God. Stand up! Stand up and be prepared to first of all listen to God and be strengthened by him. Learn from him what is good and important. Then receive his help and encouragement to share God's Word with those out there who are stubborn and disrespectful rebels.

Here remember, God knows that we are weak and sinful human beings; and he knows the difficulties that we are facing and will have to face. Yet knowing this, he still sends us out. Despite the frailties and the enormity of the task, he still asks that we stand up and be counted: that we be his messengers: that we get on with doing what he has called us to do.

But we are also reminded here again, that we do not go alone and are never standing on our own, by our own strength. Just as the Spirit of God entered Ezekiel back then - he is with us. As baptized Christian, we have that assurance that the Holy Spirit is with us and enables us to stand and go to do what is asked of us. Again we are reminded that the Spirit is at work when God speaks: that is, when his Word is read, spoken and preached. In our hearing of God's Word, the Holy Spirit is active in getting some action into our lives. So we and others need to be constantly in contact with the Word of God: the Scriptures. Then we are assured that we are not on our own as we go forward to do what he commands of us: But that his Spirit is there strengthening, enabling and guiding us along.

With that, God sends us out to all those people out there around about us: To all those who God wants to see in his kingdom, and that is all of them. We are to go to all of them who have and continue to rebel against God and what he wants of them: To all who have turned against God and who are seeking to push Christianity aside as being irrelevant: To those who are stubborn; and to those who have no respect for God. And that is what God says of those out there who don't think that they need to be here - they are rebels – stubborn and disrespectful people. They might like to think that they are OK; but that is how God sums them up.

It is to these people that we, weak, frail and faulty Christians that we are, are called to help them to see and hear all that God is saying to them. We are called to stand firm in the truth and to share the love God has for them, and that means helping them to know the Good News of Jesus Christ. So that they may know that he has died so that they might be forgiven and that eternal salvation is theirs. To do this is not easy - we are called to a difficult task; but that is what we need to do.

Here we are told that they may listen, but more than likely they will not. We are told that we will get ridiculed and be ignored. We'll hear yes, yes, but see few changes. People will be offended by what we have to say when we stand up for the truth; and they will not want to understand; and will not want to change. They will give us a hard time. Yet we are called to stand up and be a Christian to them: To be God's messenger - no matter what their reaction.

If we do our job, even half well, we are told they will know that prophet has been among them: they will know that we are true Christians and that God is speaking to them through us. They will have heard the truth that God wants them to hear. Then they will have to acknowledge, at some point, that they have rejected God Almighty himself, if that is what they choose to do. And that is as much as he calls us to do - as difficult as that is for us.

But in our weak and feeble attempts to do this, let us learn something from Paul in our second reading this morning. As he set about doing what God had called him to do in the face of his failings and weaknesses he constantly sought God’s help. So also let us call on God in prayer, to get rid of those weaknesses of ours, or that might give us the strength go on despite them: But most importantly, that at all times we might see to it that Christ gets all the recognition. To ensure that in everything we do and say, that others do not see and focus on us; but on Christ and what he has done for us and says to us. So that they see that it is God alone who is the one who enables us to do what we are doing, despite our weaknesses and failings.

So in conclusion, let us again, hear God speak to us who are here this morning. "Son of man, I am sending you to the people of this community, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Let us now get on with what we are called to do; recognising that it is a difficult task that faces us as Christians in the present times. But let us always remember, that we do go with God's blessing and his Spirit. Through it may all glory continue to go to our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish