Roger's Postings

Friday, November 27, 2009

Luke 21:25-36. No doom and gloom!! 29/11/09

(25) "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. {26} Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. {27} At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. {28} When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." {29} He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. {30} When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. {31} Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. {32} "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. {33} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. {34} "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. {35} For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. {36} Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Today we are encouraged to look to the future; and to look to it with confidence even though we are aware, and need to be aware, of many difficulties along the way. We are to face what is in front of us with heads held high, and to do this even when, and especially when, we are surrounded by great turmoil and trouble.

Now looking to the future has always played an important role in peoples lives. What we do and how we cope is determined largely by what we see the future has in store for us. And in many ways our attitudes to, and our actions, are the results of our perception of what the future is going to be.

So with that in mind – what are our attitudes and actions saying about our perception of the future? Well many today are thinking and acting negatively – because they see the future as one of doom and gloom. Others again are going forward full of bravado – because they see a future where their money, technology and connections will give them the pleasures they want in life. Others seem to have their feet firmly planted on the ground, recognising that life is full of challenges, difficulties and tragedies, and yet they still go forward with hope and confidence. For all of them – it is their perception of future that is determining their attitudes and actions.

Now with that in mind, our reading has a message that will hopefully help us all to re-evaluate what the future in reality has in store for us, and so enable us to think and act with cautious confidence. Here in Advent we are reminded again of Christ’s coming: both his coming into our world as a little baby to live, suffer, die and rise again for our salvation; as well as his coming again on the last day to take us who believe in Him to eternal joy in heaven. And it is this coming of Jesus in both forms that should surely give us a different outlook as to the future than what many today have. And therefore also give us a confident way to think and act as we live out our lives every day in a world that we know will be difficult.

But it seems however, that far too often today, we are not looking at that future and what God has in mind. Instead, we have dropped our eyes and blurred our vision, by looking where the rest of world is looking. The furtherest we see is the poor economic situation; the declining morality and crime rate; as well as the corruption and selfishness that we are seeing all around us. Loneliness, rejection, sickness and frailty are considered to be the only future that there is. So we loose it, as we live out our daily lives. We struggle to live from day to day. We blot out thinking about it with busy-ness, drunkenness and a desire to live it up for the moment. We try to live in a fool’s paradise.

However, thankfully, God gave us this reading, along with many others, and so pulls our thinking back into line with a far more positive future, even though reminding us that there will be great difficulties along the way. Here he reminds us that even nature itself will show turmoil and unusual events, and that many people will be distressed and greatly so: that yes, it will even get worse before the end comes. In fact, Jesus says here that we haven’t seen anything yet: for there is a time coming when things will really fall apart and that the earth itself will even pass away.

So on the one hand, we are to be realistic about life and the future as we look at the world around us: all these things will take place: life will be difficult; in fact very difficult: What we see around us will not go on forever and ever, nor will it improve more and more as many would like to think. Nor is it going to get any better as we get smarter and smarter; richer and richer. We will not evolve into a better future here on this earth. In fact, it will all fall apart at the seams and then the end will come.

And if we look realistically at what is going on, we can see that this is very much happening around us. But that should not surprise us – if we think we can ignore God – it is inevitable. But above all, God tells us it has to happen before the end comes: in fact, it must happen.

But at the same time, we need not despair. There is no need to be afraid: Because these things happening are a sign: a sign, that something far better is not far off: The Son of Man is coming in all his glory. And for those of us who believe in him – the kingdom of God in all its greatness is about to be revealed to us. In fact, it will come because it already has come: Because Jesus has come into our world; and lived, died and rose again: and we now have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of life and salvation. At our baptism we were joined to Jesus Christ himself and all that he has done for us, and so we are assured that it will all work out for us personally. He has already accepted us as his very own.

That being the case, we know that on the Last Day he will take us to himself in all eternity: so there is nothing in all creation: trouble, tragedies and all, nothing will separate us from his love. So even when this world falls apart – there is something infinitely better awaiting us in and with our Lord and Saviour. So there is no need to despair or be afraid. We can face the future, and face it confidently: because with Jesus Christ we have everything that ensures a positive future. He promises it all and has made it all possible; even though we may not always be able to see it or understand it.

That is why he tells us to be on our guard. So that we do not become too preoccupied with eating, drinking and being merry: or too worried and uptight about all that is wrong and bad. He tells us to watch and pray because we do not know the day or the hour, or else we might get caught off guard and so loose out when the Lord returns. And that is the real danger for all those who become lax in this area: when they let their worship and devotional life slip, thinking that they still have time to make it all up later on – tomorrow.

The thing is; when we get caught up looking to and following what the world sees as important: money, sport, a social life and the like. When these things take precedence; or when we look only at the problems and hardships around us, that is when we do worry and despair – we blame God when things don’t go the way we think is right; and that is when we forget our Lord and think that he is not there or that he doesn’t care. And they are the danger signs. And they are the things that are beginning to abound in our community; and if we are honest with ourselves, we know too that we are falling into these temptations.

So we must be on our guard – we must lift our heads. The Day of the Lord’s coming will be sudden. He will come suddenly and as unexpectedly as a car accident or a heart attack: and there won’t be time to think about it, decide, or change our attitude and thinking. Today – now, we are to watch and pray: Now we are to lift our heads and look to the Lord Jesus and trust in him and the forgiveness, life and salvation that he makes available. Now we are to pray for and seek the strength, assurance, peace and power that comes from Christ alone; in order that we can stand firm in the midst of all that is and will take place in the world around us.

Now is the time to take it all seriously. Now we can face the future full of confidence: confidence not in ourselves and what we see around us and what our society sees as important; but in Jesus Christ and his coming to us. We can lift our heads and face what each day has to bring; knowing that there is something more – something far better ahead.

So now and always, let us remember that heaven and earth will pass away, but this Word of God will never pass away. Let us be on our guard – watch and pray, as we approach the day of the Lord Jesus Christ and his coming. Stand firm and confident in him, for he truly is our Lord and saviour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Revelation 1:4b-8. God over all history 22/11/09

{4}Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, {5} and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, {6} and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. {7} Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. {8} "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

God here says to us all, that he is the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end, - the One who is; who was; and who is to come - the Almighty. Now that is a powerful statement to us human beings: Particularly us who are living in this day and age.

It is almost as if we today think we have a monopoly on history: That it is us and our knowledge, technology and the like, that is what makes for life. That we are around which life revolves. Along with that there is a reluctance to acknowledge the past in any meaningful way; and are living as if there is no future: Just, an attitude of “I am No. 1” and go get what you can, while you can: and that is the way to go in life. In the end we are the judges of what it right and good and no one dare tell me otherwise. So there is a real arrogance to our approach life; and a dangerous one at that. We are now starting to see the results of this thinking.

Let me share with you what one high school student wrote, who had experienced one of the high school massacres in America.

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate more often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life , not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet our neighbour. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of tall men, and short character, steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce, of fancier houses, but more broken homes. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.

To this, we have God saying, ‘grace and peace to you.’ He wants us to know that there is true undeserved favour: true harmony and wholeness available to us. In other words, he extends to us true health, wealth and happiness: True contentment, security and all the rest. Yes the things that we really need, and which are truly helpful and good. And on top of that, and most importantly, he gives forgiveness sins, life and salvation. If we keep our head in these difficult times, it will all work out in the end.

This all comes to us from the one who truly is God, and who is able to give us these things and ensure that everything works out for good for those who love the Lord. The One who is; always was; and always will be: God Almighty himself here ensures that it is so. Not some fickle philosophy – empty promises from someone who is here today and gone tomorrow. Not something that money can buy – but fails to deliver the good that is wanted or expected. No, here is almighty God himself: The One who is from everlasting to everlasting.

Here is the One who created all things and is still actively sustaining creation. He is the one who so intricately put together all that we see around us: the universe; our body, nature; the whole bit. The more we learn from science, the greater we see it all to be. And it is God himself who put it all together and keeps it going: and he does so for our good; even though we continue to muck it all up.

Here he also reminds us that the Holy Spirit is also at work seeking to do all he can to bring his grace and peace to us. Constantly through the Word and Sacrament he tells us, and in fact, gives us his love; to reassure us of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that has been won for us by Jesus Christ. And through the Word to remind us of what is good for us, and how we can now live and act. He guides us in the way of peace and so much more.

Then we have Jesus most profoundly and clearly making it possible for this grace and peace to be ours through his life, death and resurrection. Through his life, he showed and told us that he was the Son of God come into our world. Then he died on the cross, taking the punishment that should have been ours and thereby extending God’s forgiveness to us. Three days later, he rose again so that we can be sure of this forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He has now ascended to be ruler over all things: every earthly leader: every power and every philosophy.

So now surely our only response can be, to hold this Jesus up as the only hope and the only way: the only one to look up to and recognise as our power for living. Surely since he is such a great and loving God we will want to be a part his family: living for him and one another: seeking to share this grace and peace with others around us: Knowing all the while that he still loves us today and always: Knowing that all the time we live under his forgiveness and that we have the certainty of eternal life with our great God.

But here also the Almighty God reminds us that he will come again as Lord and Judge. All those who have taken him seriously, looking to Jesus Christ and trusting in all that he has done for us and for our salvation, will be vindicated and ushered into heaven. But he also tells us that all who have not taken him seriously will mourn: in fact, they will be devastated because they have rejected him and what he has to offer. They will have brought hell on themselves. You see, just because we have not taken him seriously does not mean that he will not come to judge them and hold them accountable to him who is truly Lord over all.

Oh yes, there will be many who will say – ‘but- but we are Christians. We went to church occasionally. We lived a pretty good life. We tried to do right thing – most of the time. And look, we sort of believed in you, but we had to do all these other things: we got involved in other organizations: we had businesses to run; and we could go on. Anyway, we were just following the thinking of our day: everybody else was doing it: and it was claimed to be the right way.’

To which God will once again say, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega: the beginning and the end, - the One who is; who was; and who is to come – the Almighty.’ And they won’t have a leg to stand on. They knew that he was God, and they had heard the truth but chose to take their chances: they chose to place their trust in the here and now. They thought that they could get by, by being there own judges as to what is right and wrong. They had set themselves up as there own little gods and failed to listen and take heed to this true God who is Lord over all of history.

But to those of us who believe in him and have looked to him alone, as our one true hope in life; we are given here that wondrous assurance that in the end we will not be put to shame. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.

So to conclude, what is there that we can say: He is the Alpha and the Omega – the One, who is; who was, and who is to come; He is the Almighty: the great God of all of history. And all we can say is – ‘So shall it be. Amen. So shall it be. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Friday, November 13, 2009

Mark 13:1-8. Your difficult life ahead!! 15/11/09

(1) As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" {2} "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." {3} As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, {4} "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" {5} Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {6} Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. {7} When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {8} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Today we are reminded that the road ahead as Christians is not an easy one. Now it would be nice if I could stand up here and say that now your life ahead, if you stay with Christ, will be an easy one. It would be nice if I could say look at all the wonderful structures that ensure that the church has a strong, secure and easy time of life from here on.

However, our reading here, along with many others, remind us, that this is far from the case. The life of the church and us as individuals will not be an easy road. For us to think that we as Christians, and the church itself, should be free of troubles and hardships, and yes, even from lies and deception, need to hear again what our Lord has to say to us here, and what history has to say in this regard as well.

If we go back through the ages, it is not hard to track down the church; just follow the trail of blood, deception and difficulties. It already begins shortly after creation with the blood stained soil beneath the body of Abel; murdered not by a stranger but a brother; slain by one who hated the believer because he hated the believer’s God. And all the way forward from there, we follow the trail of blood. From the blood of the very old to the very young: from the infant boys in Egypt and Bethlehem to the grey-haired men and women who would not speak against their God.
In this world, the Church never has peace – peace as the world understands it. Yes wherever she goes, the Church leaves – or, rather, is forced to leave – the tell-tale sign of its existence: The trail of blood and deception. There you find the true Church. The Church that Satan wants to destroy at all costs.

Through your life then, see to it that no one leads you astray from such a path, painful though it may be. For many will come to tell your itching ears what they want to hear: ‘It doesn’t have to be like that. We can have peace; health wealth and happiness. No more blood needs to be shed. We just have to be more loving and tolerant of others beliefs and compromise here and there. We just need to pander to people’s feelings and egos, and all will be well.’ Then the world out there will put away its sword and the devil will not send in his false prophets, and the church will not suffer. But then, too, the true Church will come to an end. God will not be the Lord of that church.

Here we need to remember that sneaky deception is the way of the devil. It was he who enticed Eve to ‘a better way’, which allowed her to disregard the Word of God and receive that which would make her life freer and better – so she thought. It was he who persuaded Solomon to build temples to the gods of his many wives, in order to keep peace and harmony in the family and nation, which ended in disaster for Israel. It is he that tells us that teaching and doctrine is not all that important; and who laughs and pokes fun at those who seek to uphold those teachings, and who encourages ignorance and slackness to any serious attempt to follow those teachings and practices which are in accord with God’s Word. It is he who tells us that we need to be more tolerant and accepting of other denominations and religions, no matter what they teach.

And yes, it is much easier to go that road of least resistance: To go along with what the rest of society around is doing and thinking. It is much easier not to get too involved and miss church here and there, than to be ridiculed for standing up for what is right and true. It is much easier to not taking the teachings of the church all that seriously and flit to this church and that chasing after the feel-good worship that abounds. It is much easier to not take the Christian faith too seriously.

But here we need to remember, though it may look simpler and easier, and though the promise is of good feelings, freedom and happiness: this road leads to even greater disaster: this road leads to a complete lack of satisfaction and peace, and eternal death in Hell. Quietly and gently it lures us into a false sense of security which is absolutely deadly to our eternal future. These temptations are no less deadly than that which Adam and Eve faced in the garden.

So, we need to see to it that no one and nothing leads us astray from the narrow way that is set before us. The way that follows the truth of God’s Word and leads to life and salvation; and which alone leads us to true and lasting peace, and eternal life in heaven. Scripture makes it quite clear that God and his Word is not to be compromised.

Here remember though, that we are not travelling alone: In fact far from it. We have one with us who has gone before us. God himself came into our world, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of him and in connection with him we have nothing to fear, because he is the Good Shepherd who lay down his life for you and me. For all of our compromises, he made the good confession before Pilate. For all of our avoiding of the cross, he bore his own for us. For our silence in an effort to save face and be popular, he did not turn his face away from the spit and fist, and the blood and gore. He willingly did it all for you and me, so that we might be his own here and in eternity.

Now all we need to do is follow his trail of blood: the blood of him who died on the cross for us. There we will find the life of the Church, and our own life. There in Jesus is our life and the life of the Church; and in nothing else. Not in glory or fame; not in numbers or power: not in good feelings and popular thinking: nothing but in Jesus holy, saving blood. In that blood which speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. For Abel’s blood pleads to the skies. But the blood of Jesus for our pardon cries.

Jesus’ outstretched arms on the cross proclaim, ‘Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.’ ‘Come to me, all of you who are struggling and uncertain: pulled this way and that, and I will give you help and direction.’ Come to me all who have fallen and are guilty, and my forgiveness is yours.’

Come regularly to the Lord’s Table and feed on his body and drink his blood, so that you can have the assurance that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are yours in Christ. Week by week follow his trail of blood to the foot of the cross, and there find the strength and courage to go forward in life, standing firm in that which is right and true.

So let us all, be strong and full of courage. Let us go forward with confidence and hope, even though the times ahead may be rough. But also go forward warily because the deceptions are many. The devil will try to deceive you that, things are not all that bad: go with the flow and life will be easy.

Remember, as a result of our baptism we are a part of God’s kingdom, we are God’s children; brothers and sisters of Christ. Salvation has come to us: salvation from sin; from falsehood, from false hopes, from the false and crumbling structures that mankind builds. A mighty fortress is our God, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging, though devils all the world should fill all eager to devour us, we will not fear.

We are washed in the blood of the Lamb. We are fed with food that lasts to eternal life. We have Christ with us, before us and behind us. Christ on our right and on our left. Christ above us and below us. We all believe on the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he has promised that he will ever remain true to us. So nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. To him alone then, be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Friday, November 06, 2009

Mark 12:38-44. Dependant on whom? 8/11/09

(38) As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, {39} and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. {40} They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." {41} Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. {42} But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. {43} Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. {44} They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."

Here in this reading God gives us a very important teaching as we go forward in life. There is a very important lesson in the comparison between those rich church leaders and the poor widow that we need to remember as we live out our lives every day. The Christian life today, as it has been throughout the centuries, is strewn with well-respected, pious, good-living people, who are even active in their church, but whom here, Jesus warns us to watch out for: and whom will be punished most severely. Then he highlights the attitude of the poor widow, as that which we are to have as we go about life in our world and if we are to receive God’s blessing.

Now we are on a journey that will be a constant struggle for us if we take our Christian faith seriously. You have a society around us, and a human nature, that seeks to focus on self and what we do, and there is an attitude of self-dependence and self-promotion that is seen by the world as vitally important. Yet, here in this reading, along with many others, God warns that this attitude leads to disaster. But again and again, he lifts up the attitude that sees oneself as totally dependant on God and what he has to offer.

Think of this poor widow, she had nothing; well a few cents in terms of today’s finances, and that was all. It is quite likely that she was one of those widows that Jesus mentions here who had her house taken away from her by the wealthy leaders. She had nothing. She was old; a widow, no money; and no welfare system, and by worldly standards, no hope. She had no way to get on in life, from a human perspective; and yet the implications here are that she is blessed: that she is the one who God favours. Because she does not seek to stand in God’s presence, on her goodness, but is entirely dependant on him. The question that arises for us then is, does God let here down?

Here, let us remember the Old Testament lesson, of the widow of Zarephath. ‘When Elijah came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

God was true to his word there, and I am sure that he was also to the widow in the temple. Even if the very worst possible happened to her after she left that temple, and she died of starvation; we know that she was blest, because she trusted that her life was in God’s hands and that he would take her to heaven. She looked to him as her only hope in life, and she received the reward promised by God himself.

However when we look to those wealthy church leaders, we see that they were looking to receive the praises of the people around about them, and the glory of being great men in this life. Outwardly, they were doing all the things that indicated that they were great people of God. Now, they may well have, in this life, received that reward which they were looking for; the praises of the people around them. But certainly, they were not going to receive the reward of heaven. In fact the opposite: eternity in hell. But I am sure even in this life they would have found keeping up the image extremely difficult, and in fact a very lonely and uncomfortable struggle.

So we can see that it is not wealth and status that makes us right and acceptable to God. It is not a matter of how good or bad that we are. Nor how high up in the church we might be, or how good our feelings or even knowledge may be. It is clearly a matter of on whom we are focussed and dependant: On God, or on ourselves and what the world promises us. Are we going to trust in our money, good status, feelings, numbers and the like or are we prepared to look to God alone for our help and salvation.

Now how do we go about this? How can we see to it that we keep our focus on Jesus and not get side-tracked and led into disaster?

First and foremost, we need to remember that we are sinful and that anything short of perfection is just not good enough. We constantly need to hear God’s word of law so that we can see that we have fallen short, and need help from outside of ourselves. To do that we need to attend worship regularly, because the world out there will try to shift the focus; blame someone else; and try to say that it is not so bad; you are doing a good job and you are moving up the ladder. We will be told, to just to lift our game and try a little harder. But God and his word tells us that we don’t measure up: we are just not good enough and never will be.

Knowing then, that we are sinful, we need again to be regular at worship, so that we are reminded at the beginning of the service, with ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’, that, despite our sinfulness we have been baptised into God’s family and so he is happy to be with us. Then after confessing our sins, to hear God via the pastor say, ‘I forgive you all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. Then again, in Holy Communion, we hear ‘given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins’.

Then constantly throughout the service, we hear of all that Jesus has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. We hear that it was he who allowed himself to be punished in our place, so that this forgiveness may be extended to us all. Through his resurrection from the dead we know that he is the Lord of life, and that in him we have the certainty of eternal life in heaven. So are constantly reminded that Jesus Christ is our only assurance of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

There we have wonderful good news. There we have the news that enables us to go forward with confidence to look to God; to depend on him; to listen to him; and to survive in a world full of temptation and evil. Now we will listen to his Word as it is read and preached, so that we can hear from God what he wants us to know. We will seek to live as he wants us to each and every day: All the time looking to him and seeking his guidance and help. Knowing that he is there with us and for us, because of his promise at the end of the service; ‘The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look with favour on you and give you peace’.

With all of that, then we can depend fully on our God. We can focus on him: we will want to focus on him for he is our only true life and salvation. With this wonderful Good News, we will be wary that we are not sidetracked by those within the church and without, who seek to put the focus on ourselves and what we do, feel and think. We will ensure that we keep close to our God, knowing that he is there for us and has done everything necessary for our salvation and that he is the only who can truly get us through this life to be with him in eternity.

So let us go from here today watchful, but confident. Looking first and foremost to our God, and seeking to rely on him, throughout our lives. In our giving and our living, we will be like the widow in our reading, knowing that we are fully dependant on our God for our life and our salvation. Through our life and our life together, may all glory then go to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: To him alone be all praise and glory, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish