Roger's Postings

Friday, August 28, 2009

Deuteronomy 4:1,2,6-9. Call to obedience 30/8/09

Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. {2} Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. {6} Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." {7} What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? {8} And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? {9} Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Friends in Christ, it is interesting isn’t it, that even though we are living in such an advanced society, there is still so much suffering, hurt and difficulty. We are still desperately searching for peace, happiness and for a future which is somewhat easier and less stressful. The sad thing is, that, even though we have made tremendous moves forward in a lot of areas, the things we so desperately need, often do not seem possible. As we look around and forward, it seems even less likely; and as we look to leadership across the world, there is nothing that inspires confidence. Despite all the promises and good talk, there seems no likelihood of our society ever giving us what we so desperately need. Suffering, hurt and difficulty will continue to be a part of our lives as we go on.

But here we are reminded that we as God’s people are called on to be different. God has something to offer to a world in trouble. We who have been rescued from sin, death and the devil, and given a new life and the certainty of the Promised Land; we now are called to obedience: to follow all that God has decreed to us in his Word. We are not to add to it or take away from it: just keep his commands.

Now here I guess, the question is, are we going to go on being like spoilt children, insisting on own way- wanting and doing what we want: throwing our tantrums and blaming God and others for our problems. Or are we going to start listening to what God has to say to us: seeking to do what God wants us do in midst of a life that is and always will have its problems and hardships: and thereby witnessing to the fact that God has a better way for us.

Are we here wanting to be a wise and understanding people? A people who understands very well that our God is near us, particularly in our worship, but also as we live our lives every day? Do we recognize and uphold God’s decrees and laws as right and good? Do we really believe that God will punish all who disregard the Lord and his ways, and yet save those of us who hold fast to the Lord as our God and saviour?

And look it is no good our pointing the finger out there at someone else: we need to start here – at ourselves – we are the ones that are first and foremost called to heed these words from our God.

So let each one us as Christians, seek to obey God’s law. Not our own laws: not man’s or the world around us’ law – but God’s Law. That is the call for us today, and that is what is needed. It is there alone that we will find peace, happiness and contentment in the midst of the difficulties of life. And with that, we will be able to help our society see that there is something far better for us to focus our lives on. But it will only happen as we as Christians start seeking to living in accord with God’s will.

This reading is quite clear about this. When other people see how obedient we are, they will praise how good Christians are. No; when they see the wisdom and understanding that is evident in our lives, only then will they want to know what it is that enables us to live and act the way we do; and more importantly to know what and who it is that gives us the peace, hope and joy that we have in the midst of life. Only then will they look to our Lord and what he has to offer.

But how can they out there know it; unless we show it! They don’t know how good our God is, unless they see him in action through us. To them it so often seems a lot of mumbo jumbo: some outmoded and restrictive code of living from pre-history that is no longer relevant. To many of them, all they see and know of this Christianity is the additions, and more often than not, the subtractions that we have made to it. Moralism and a focus on ourselves is all that they see. They see a church that is watering down its beliefs and practices, and simply accommodating our teaching to the whims of the current society. They see a church that does not holds God’s Word as God’s Word.

So they don’t come to know the good, wise and all encompassing Law of God that is so great and life giving. They don’t realize that God is so near to us and that he has saved us through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. They need us to display it and its importance; not to mention the fact that we need it so much ourselves if we are to live at peace with God and each other. So instead of us following the ways of the world, we need to live and show the wisdom and understanding that God has given to us in his Word. This is what will enable the people around us to find that which is needed in life for them if they are to have that peace, hope and joy that is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is this Word that we are to heed in our lives, and that can make so much difference? First and foremost it is that understanding that God has come to us and rescued us through the Lord Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Why? Because we were born to slavery in sin, with no way out. We were turned in on ourselves and hopelessly in trouble, but God in his love for us came to our rescue and miraculously saved us. As a result, all now who trust in his death on the cross for their forgiveness, have him as Lord of their lives. He and what he says is what is important for us.
That being the case we now look to him to see how we are to live and act as his people. We regularly gather in his presence at worship to be strengthened and encouraged as his people, and reassured of his presence with us as go forward in our daily life. There we follow his directions, observing his commands carefully. These commands Jesus summed up very simply: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ Very simple. But for each one of us, I am sure, it still means a radical change in our thinking. Are we prepared to love that much? To love God as the one who is all important? To love all the people we come into contact with everyday, as we do ourselves?

The call is for us to do this perfectly? Because that is what is needed in order for there to be any improvement in our world situation, and for souls salvation. Nothing less is acceptable. Anything short of that will lead us and everybody else right up the garden path. It is only when we take that seriously that we and others will be able to see the wisdom and understanding that is there in our great God and his Word, and in his people. God’s Word, Law and Gospel, has to be taken seriously.

Only then will people see that the Lord our God is so near and helpful - so good and so great: That he is not some distant and abstract thing that is of no great value; But is the God who is living and active: That he is a God who answers when we call on him.

But what happens when we go out to love God and neighbour as we are called to do? We fail, don’t we – miserably? But we know that he expects us live by that Law perfectly, and so we are in trouble. Then all we can do is to cry out for mercy – for help – for forgiveness. And because of Jesus, we know that it is there. Because he has come near to us – dying on the cross and rising again – we know that he will forgive us and help us out. So we draw near to him – confess our failings, and are reassured of his forgiveness. Also, as we come to the Lord’s Table and receive Jesus Christ himself – his very body and blood, and know thereby that we have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of life and salvation – so we have peace, hope and life. It is there that we come to know how awesome and great is our God and his infinite love for us. And there we see his infinite wisdom and understanding, and are given the courage and encouragement to once again go out to be obedient to everything our God has said to us: to live and love as he has commanded us to.
So that being the case, let us get away from living as spoilt children: as selfish individuals: wanting to add to or subtract from what our Lord has decreed; not taking seriously his commands, and thinking that we can live and do as we please; and that somehow it will all come out right in the end. No – let us turn back to our Lord and seek to be obedient to his Law. Let us do ourselves a favour, and let us do a favour to the people and nation around about us. Let us with God’s help make a real effort to be obedient: Loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves. All the while knowing the Lord Jesus Christ has died and risen again for us and for our salvation. To him alone be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, August 22, 2009

John 6:66-69. Who do we follow/serve? 23/8/09

(66) From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. {67} "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. {68} Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. {69} We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Josh 24:14-18
"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. {15} But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." {16} Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! {17} It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we travelled. {18} And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."

This morning we continue with our theme of Jesus as the ‘Bread of life.’ But here we are faced with the question, where to from here? In the face of people falling away from following Jesus and the truth of his word; we too are being confronted with the same question; "You do not want to leave too, do you?"

Yes Jesus’ words with regard to eating his flesh and drinking his blood, is a hard teaching. It doesn’t fit into our way of thinking. Yet as we heard last week, it is truly a great and awesome thing that he has made available for us, and the sustaining of our faith. But despite this, many people back then chose to walk away and seek to be god’s people by some other means. They wanted to follow that which was pleasing to their senses and to their self-centred thinking: Probably reasoning that, surely being God’s people must fit into the kind of thinking that is reasonable and readily seen to be acceptable.

Today we face the same thinking on this same issue of Holy Communion and on many other issues as well. It would seem that we want to follow the line of least resistance and which is the most sensual on many different issues that are facing the church at this time: whether it be worship, women’s ordination, lay involvement in worship, ecumenical issues and many others. What seems good to us as human beings and which panders to our selfish way of life is that which we will hold to and follow. We would sooner focus on what we do and think, rather than follow our Lord and that which he has to say to us.

We therefore today, have many turning their back and no longer following Jesus. For many there is still the desire to be religious and spiritual, but it seeks to follow that which fits into our way of thinking and which is reasonable to us. The name Jesus is used, but it is a Jesus of our own making. It is a Jesus whose death on the cross is barely mentioned. It is a Jesus who inspires us to live in a way that we think is pleasing to him and to us. It is a Jesus who avoids anything we think is negative and unpleasant. It is a Jesus who is ‘outwardly loving,’ but which downplays his truth and doctrines.

In our western world today, we have a mass exodus from the Church that has been passed down to us from the early church and which was centred very much on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and his resurrection. Along with that, there is a move away from baptism as the means whereby God connects us to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection; and from the eating of the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion. Also, the inerrant truth of God’s Word is no longer deemed to be as important as it really should be. It is all too hard for us as human beings and it does not fit our cultural thinking. As a result, many no longer follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

But it is here that Jesus’ question is put to us: "You do not want to leave too, do you?" We here need to come to a clear understanding of where we stand and who we need to follow and serve. I believe that we like the children of Israel in our reading from Joshua need to decide very clearly, who we are going to follow. Is it the gods of our society and self, or is it the true and living God? Is it the God who has revealed himself in the Scriptures, or is it a god who is moulded to suit ourselves? Is his word, the Bible, the truth, or can we pick and choose what we believe?
Is Jesus Christ and his death on the cross absolutely necessary for our salvation, or do we have to also contribute something toward our salvation? Is Jesus the bread of life or do we need something else? Important questions for us to think about at this time.

Surely, we too can only say along with the disciples; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Or with Israel; "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! There is no other sensible and reliable alternative. There is no other means of being sure and certain.

Surely Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, mean that he alone is our one and only source of salvation. He alone is the true and living God. Here in Jesus Christ, it is clearly seen that God has come into our world: he has taken on our human form so that he could be the sacrifice which enables forgiveness of sins to be extended to each and every one of us. He knew that there was no way that we could make up for our lostness and sin by our own means: even in some small way. Yet he came and did everything that was necessary for us and for our salvation. He was raised from the dead three days later so that we can be absolutely sure that he is God Almighty himself and that he has won eternal life for us.

He has made it quite plain that he is the bread of life which came down from heaven. He has given us all that we really need for this life and the next. In our baptism he promises that there he connects us to himself and to his death and resurrection. He has given us his flesh and blood to eat and drink so that we can have eternal life. All guaranteed by he himself; who died and rose again for us.

So now we can simply look to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and trust that he has done it all for us: we do not need to look anywhere else: we don’t need to ‘have to’ do something extra to make it all valid: we don’t even need to have the right feeling and emotions. He has done everything necessary. We can simply trust that it is all just as he said.

So also then can we simply trust that the Bible is God’s word: every word of it. There he has given us everything that we need to know as his people. It tells us all that we need to know with regard to our sinfulness and utter depravity because of our rebellion against God. It ever points us to the centrality of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for our salvation. It reveals to us all that we need to know for our living as his people, while we live here on this earth.

Throughout its history, the true Christian Church has always maintained that it is God’s Word alone that should guide and direct us as church. Scripture itself says that we must not add to or take away anything from his Word. So in thinking through any changes that we face in the church, it must be Scripture alone which determines whether it is allowable or not.

Here we need to look back through the history of the Church and see how God has maintained and grown his Church as it has held to the truth of the Bible. Whenever it has done otherwise it has gradually lost its way. But before I sidetrack again, we can hold firmly to the truth of the Bible, because it is God’s Word, and it has proven to be correct over and over again. Jesus is the fulfilment and centre of all that is written in there.

So then we can entrust ourselves to Jesus Christ as the bread of life. We too can say; Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Or with Israel; "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. And Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!

Yes, I pray that in these difficult days ahead, we can look to, follow and serve Jesus Christ alone. The temptation to follow the crowd will be great, but surely our great God and Saviour, is far more important than following the crowd. Then as we go forward with this as our conviction, I pray that he will bless us as he did his own disciples back then. Then as we do, may all glory and honour go to him whom it belongs; our great God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2. Imitators of God! 9/8/09

(Eph 4:25-32) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. {26} "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold. {28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. {29} Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. {31} Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph 5:1-2) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children {2} and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Here in this reading God is laying a serious challenge before us all. It is a challenge that has not and will not come easy to us, but is one that we are called on to take up because we are Christians. He does not make it an optional extra that we can take or leave: saying as long as you have faith, all these other things are just nice extras. He says, ‘you must;’ ‘do not,’ and ‘be:’ All imperative words. So here we are challenged in a very serious way.

Up to this point in the letter to the Ephesians, we have been reminded of what God has done for us through Jesus Christ: How we were dead in our sin and unable to help ourselves and yet God made us alive through Jesus and his death and resurrection. How, we are all now made one in Christ: that we are all now in this together as a part of his holy temple, and are now to continue to mature into the fullness of Christ. So we are reminded and assured that Jesus Christ is the all important one in our lives: that we now live in him: that he is the one who gives our lives meaning and purpose, and has good directions for us in our living and acting as his people.

By virtue of our baptism and faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for us, this new life; this Jesus and our unity in him, is now the centre of our lives. We are Christians; we are people who are dearly loved by God, and are a part of his family.

Therefore! Therefore each of you must, live as Christians: must live as people who have been claimed and saved by God himself: must live as people who are in Christ, and that he and his teachings, ways and living is what is important.
This however is where we start backing off very quickly isn’t it? Hey, look, I have my faith, and I want to make sure that I don’t get caught up in ‘good works’ thinking. Or look, we can’t really live up to that standard, so as long as we try a little bit and are a reasonably good person that is OK. Or look, we now live under the freedom of the Gospel and so as long as we have these positive and loving feelings then we are right. We must not take the Bible too seriously and literally, but interpret it light of our culture and our enlightened reasoning. And I could go on and on.

Let me illustrate what this kind of thinking is. Say I was an employee at MacDonalds, and I worked at the front counter and part of my task was to promote sales for the company. Yet I turn up for work, when I felt like it or when I didn’t have something else I wanted to do. So I was there only every second or third day, and then I came in wearing a KFC cap which was given to me last week because I frequent their shop regularly. Then when someone approaches me and asks about our burgers, I say, ‘Well yes they are good and tasty, but so are the ones from the shop next door, and in fact they are cooked as you order them, they are fresh and healthy: And look anyway why get too hung up on food anyway, why don’t we just go out and have a good time instead.
A bit ridiculous isn’t it? In fact, I am quite sure I would be out of that job very quickly. Yet that is the attitude we have toward our Christian life, and there we think it is OK: that it doesn’t matter. Who are we trying to kid? Ourselves, only; and in the process are doing immense harm to the witness of the church: and most importantly are thumbing our noses at the one who has done so much for us.
Let us be reminded again that, “Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We are his! He is now the one in whom our life has its meaning and purpose. He is in fact that only real life that we have. Therefore …..
Therefore, we must surely act in accord with what we say we believe. We really are to live what we are. We will have him as Lord of our lives, instead of ourselves and our wants. We will allow him to work in and through us what he wants. We will take his Word as the truth, without trying to twist and turn it to suite ourselves. We will come to worship to receive what he has for us and not what appeals to me. We will live our everyday life as people who are guided by his Word. We will take what he says here seriously with regard to proper living in unity.

That means we will put off falsehood and speak truthfully. The inclination both to tell a lie and to live a lie must be drowned daily in the waters of baptism. In Johns Gospel we read Jesus thoughts on lying, (John 8:44) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. We however now are God’s children and so will now in all things, speak truthfully to one another. (Mat 5:37) Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; This truthfulness will be there in both word and action as distinguishing marks of those who are in Christ. As we look to Christ and live in the security of his grace we can be confident in being truthful, because we know that we don’t need to be something that we are not, or that we will be less than forgiven if we own up for doing something wrong. In Christ, we are a part of all that is truthful.

The second challenge here is to be in control of our anger. God knows that we all get angry. Even Jesus got angry. But in our anger, we must not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Here he is saying that we must not dwell in our anger and let it stew away in our minds so that it all grows out of proportion and leads us do things that are harmful for our relationships: to abuse and violence. In your anger stop and think before you speak and act. If there is good reason for the anger, control it so that the issue is dealt with, without attacking the person. In our anger, stop and first remember that we are in Christ, then act in a way that is appropriate to the situation. God said to Cain in Genesis, (Gen 4:6-7) "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Look to Christ and seek his help and guidance when you are in those situations.

The third issue that Paul deals with here is that of stealing. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Because Christ has loved us and given himself for us, we are not to be takers: not to be people who seek to get by in life without working honestly to obtain it. This occurs not just by outright theft, but in many other ways as well: cheating on our taxes, charging higher prices than necessary, not putting in an honest days work, by allowing others to contribute more in their offerings for the work of the church while we skimp on our giving so that we can have more to spend on ourselves, to just name a few.

Instead Paul says that we must work: we must be prepared to put in and do our fair share; so that we can share with those in need. It is interesting that here the rationale for working is not self-satisfaction, or even for the provision of our own needs, but in order to give to those in need. We work to meet the needs of the needy. This really gives us a different aspect to that of our society: The world demands and expects self-centred living, whereas God’s Word encourages sacrificial living. (Rom 12:1-3) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Next, we are to watch our speech. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. The word unwholesome has very much the meaning, ‘rotten’ or ‘bad.’ It is speech, which is complaining, sneering, cynical, sarcastic, malicious and slanderous: speech, that jeopardies the harmony and unity of a community. Instead, we are to speak in a way that builds others up according to their need. Very much, here is the idea that in our speech the needs of the other person is to be in the forefront of our thinking. Our speech is to be for the benefit of those who listen.

In addition to these, we are told that we must, Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God. There is much that could also be said here, but time does not allow. But the challenge goes out to us who are in Christ, to see to it that our life matches that with which we are. We are to no longer live as self and world focussed people, but God’s dearly-loved children: people who are in Christ.
So let us not grieve the Holy Spirit of God; let us not be hypocritical in our Christian life; by not matching our way of living to that which we are in Christ. Let us continually seek to go back to our baptism to be assured of forgiveness of our failure in this regard, but also to receive the strength and courage to go forward to live as we are here called on to do. Let us continually look to our Lord Jesus Christ, and imitate his love and his life: allowing his love and life be ours so that his fragrant offering and sacrifice to God may reach out to others around about us, and that all glory may go to him who is all-important. Yes, let us imitate him who is all important; and I pray that this all important one is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ; our great and awesome God. To him be glory and honour now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, August 01, 2009

John 6:24-35. Jesus, bread that lasts!! 2/8/09

(24) Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. {25} When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" {26} Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. {27} Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." {28} Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" {29} Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." {30} So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? {31} Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" {32} Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. {33} For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." {34} "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." {35} Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

This weeks text follows on from that of last week; and seeks to deepen our whole understanding of Jesus and how we need to see him. He is much more than a miracle worker. Much more than someone who is simply here to make our everyday life easier. Here we are reminded that Jesus is the bread of life. He is the one sent by God, to feed us with food that truly lasts. Yes, he has come so that we may find and have that which we need most of all: love, forgiveness, peace and life here and in eternity. He then, is what life is really all about; and we are called on to believe in him: to trust in him as the Lord of all of life.

Now, last week we heard how Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with one little boy’s lunch. But then, how he turned his back on the people because he knew that they wanted to make him king; merely for their own earthly benefit. Then here in today’s reading, they went looking for him and when they find him, he hits them with a few home truths.
He tells them straight out, that they are only interested in their stomachs; and that they really need to start thinking a little more deeply about life: Thereby to work for food which lasts. This then is something that we also need to consider here this morning.

Now what is life all about, as far as we are concerned? What is it that we focus so much of our life on and that we work so hard for? It also seems that when the pressure is on for us, we work even harder in these areas: Too often at the exclusion of that which is even more important. So we are left unsatisfied - feeling that something more is needed. Yet even then, we continue to look everywhere else but where we really need to be looking.

So what is it really, that we work at in life? Is it merely for this? - a piece of bread and what it symbolises. Look at it - is this all there is to life – food and a few outward pleasures. How long is this going to keep you going for? It wouldn't even keep the worms happy for a day. A loaf of bread wouldn't be too bad; but it still wouldn't keep us happy and satisfied for long. So we work hard to accumulate much more; too often at the expense of other more important things. But then, if we think about it; what good is 50 or a 100 loaves in the cupboard. To work at accumulating such a lot is also stupidity. It would soon go mouldy and useless; and then we are left even less satisfied.

But too often that is the attitude we have got - isn't it? To have and to accumulate; so that we can basically, eat, drink and be merry. This bread, [by that I mean, materialism and all that it stands for] is often all that is important to us. And we will do any amount of work to see that we have plenty of it.
But here Jesus reminds us; and in fact seeks to hit home the truth of it all to us. To look only at that aspect of life and work only for earthly benefits, is to let ourselves down badly: Because if that is all that there is to life for us, then we will have disappointment after disappointment. We in our search for happiness and fulfilment will be badly let down. In our desire for more and more from life, we will find less and less satisfaction. If you don’t believe me, have a good look around you and see the number of broken, spoilt lives in our community: ruined because our society has led them to think that this material aspect is all that there is to life. Here remember, that if this is all we strive for this is all we will receive: Thereby be loose out on eternal life. The reward you have worked on you have received to the exclusion of that which is even more important.
Here look at the priorities of many who are seeking at all costs to have and to gain, at the exclusion of all else. Look at them and learn something. Then listen to what Jesus goes on to say with regard to working only for that which is here today and gone tomorrow. Here remember also that there is one thing for sure in life and that is that we will all die sooner or later. Then it really doesn't matter how much bread we have got; whether we have got none or plenty. It can no longer help us.

So remember; this bread; materialism, is only one part of life. There is more - much more. There is another food, which has lasting value. There is another bread which we can eat and never be hungry: and which will never spoil or let us down. And here Jesus asks us to work for this food which has eternal value; and which is given to us freely by our Lord.

And what is this food? It is of course, nothing more or less than Jesus Christ himself. He is this bread of life, which lasts forever; and all who come to him will never go hungry. All who believe in him will never go thirsty. All our real and lasting needs are taken care of, in and by him. Yes, Jesus Christ is the answer to all of our real and important issues of life. Believe in him and there is fullness of life there for us: Life that lasts beyond this slice bread: beyond a full stomach: beyond a chequebook full of money: and beyond our three score and ten years that we have here on this earth as well. With the Lord Jesus, we have it all. With him, we have that which we can not and will not find anywhere else. And be sure that no one and nothing can take all of this away, that Jesus has to give.

So if we want to work at something valuable and lasting: If we want to search for something that gives real meaning to life. If we want to find satisfaction in life: then wake up and stop looking out there where the rest of our society is looking. Stop chasing after those things that they see as important, but which quickly spoil and let us down. Instead let us do the work that God requires - believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; and there we will have bread that lasts.

Now this believing in Jesus is not just remembering a few details about him, which we learnt in Sunday School and Confirmation lesson. It is not just sitting back and thinking that we have been baptised and thereby are somehow connected to the church; so she's right, we can do as we please. Believing is trusting in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. It is trusting that he is here as the bread of life. Trusting that he does know what life is all about: Trusting that he has taken care of our most important needs: Trusting that he has forgiven us because of his death and resurrection: Trusting that he is here for us in both the good and bad of life; and that he will not let us down. Trusting that no matter what, eternal life is ours in Jesus Christ. Yes, believe that he is what life is all about.

That now being the case, what is important to him becomes important to us. Now we can and surely will, stand up and set Sundays aside for our Lord and our worship of him, seeking all that he has to give and say to us: Now we can and will seek to treat others in a loving, forgiving way: Now we try to go about our business honestly, and know that it will still work out. Now we can live for the benefit of others and for God's kingdom, instead of being so selfish: and know for sure, that no matter what – we will never go hungry. Now we can even face death and know that there is a far better living, beyond; because with Jesus Christ we have the bread of life – the bread that lasts.

But how do we know? How can we be sure? There on the cross, you have God's sign that this is for real. Because of his death and resurrection, we can be absolutely sure that he is for us and that he wants only our good and the good of others. Here in this wafer of bread we have Jesus himself, given and shed for you: entering our body - our life and assuring us of the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. So we can take him seriously. We can trust him and follow his way; and know that it will all work out just as he says it will.

So then let us now feed regularly on this bread of life. Let us look to Jesus Christ and know that in him there is bread that has lasting value and which truly satisfies. Come to him and never go hungry. Believe in him and never go thirsty. That is his guarantee to you. Believe him and be blessed. Amen.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish