Luke 21:25-36.                        Stand up and lift up your heads!!                   2/12/12

 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 People 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 “Truly I tell you, 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 carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on 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, as we are reminded of the inevitability of end of the world, we are encouraged to stand up and lift up our heads: to be ready and prepared with confidence and certainty; but at the same time watchful and cautious, so that we are able to stand in the face of terrifying events.  

 Now I know that this message here does not, and will not, register on most peoples thinking today. We are a society that is simply living for the moment, with very little consideration for the future, far less the end of all things. For many the future is far too uncertain so they refuse to consider what is ahead. So we will simply live from day to day: get what we can, while we can, to hang with the future.

 There are enough anxieties each day without having to think too far ahead. So we find already what Jesus is talking about here: there is much carousing and drunkenness, along with a desire to fill up our time with all kinds of pleasures and distractions so that we can blot from our thinking the realities of a life that disturb us greatly. We seem to think that if we don’t think about the problem it will go away. But it doesn’t. In fact it even gets worse.

For most people, global warming and the financial crisis and more, are insolvable problems. We have all these promises made with regard to them but we deep down know that they are not achievable. It is all smoke screen and mirrors: more spin. No matter what advances are made in our technological world, the problems just seem to be getting worse.

 To add to that, we are here told that we haven’t seen a thing yet: there are yet to come these monumental 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. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Really scary stuff ahead! Too much to think about. So give us another drink, or another pleasurable moment.

 But, the difficulty in all of this for most of these people is that there is no answers; no solutions; no way out; no hope. Since we have swallowed the lie that we are descendants of monkeys; a product of evolutions, there is no real truth; no master plan; no God over all. We are left to the chances of fate; and the ingenuities of sinful, selfish human beings.

 Also, the education system and the media of our day is controlled by this humanistic thinking and so does all it can to discredit God’s message and to dull the consciences of this adulterous world. It goes out of its way to portray the idea that God and the church are relics of a pre enlightened age of superstitious thinkers who were absolutely stupid. Instead now as we listen to the latest thinking we can finally move forward to this fantastic new era that we are beginning to create for ourselves. However we know that this is just more lies on top of more lies.

 So when the churches speak up to give a real word of hope, they are no longer listened to or trusted. We have been trained to shun all thoughts of God and the reality that this world will finally come to an end. The terrible sins and cover-ups of priests; the faulty teachings of the health, wealth and happiness theologies of the Pentecostal movement; the good works teachings of the self-righteous; the prophecies of another date in a few weeks times of the end of the world, all leave people to not listen to the churches message of the truth and hope that we have in the midst of the terrible situations that we find ourselves.

 As a result there is no hope and no future for these people. There is no truth that can tell us why things are the way they are, and what the way forward is. Instead they are left with their anxieties, carousing and drunkenness. So, as they continue to face the difficulties of a culture falling apart; and as they finally also face the catastrophic events of the end of the world they will find that it will close on them suddenly like a trap. They will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world.

 However, it is here in this situation that we are told: At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Jesus Christ will appear and every knee will bow and every tongue will finally confess that he is Lord: that he is for real, despite the world’s best efforts to rid him from their lives. Those who have chosen to ignore him and reject him, they will then receive the consequences of their decisions and actions, while those who have trusted in him despite all that was happening around them, they will be taken to be with him in glory.

 So yes, we here as Christians can, and need to, already stand up with our heads up, because we know that our Lord has provided a way through for us, to something far better and greater than the situation that we are currently facing. No matter how terrible the situation might be, either currently or the catastrophic events of the last day, we can lift our heads up. We can do this because we know that our redemption is drawing near.

 We know that Jesus Christ himself comes even now to be with us, week in week out, as we gather together in worship. Here he continues to remind us that he is here with us in the midst of all that is going on in this world. He has a message of hope that enables to see our way through all that which is ahead of us. He has good ways for us to live and act in the midst of a wicked and adulterous generation. He reminds of the things that we need to watch out for and be wary of in a world that has no time for God.

 At the same time he comes to be with us in the bread and wine of Holy Communion so that we can know for sure that we are forgiven and so have the assurance of life and salvation as well. There also, in a very practical way, he reminds us that he now lives within us as we live out our lives every day.

 Along with that, we are here reminded that our Lord will again, on that last day, visibly appear in all his power and glory to take us to be with himself in eternity. So even though everything is in turmoil and seemingly being destroyed, we will have our Lord Jesus with us to bring us through to his new and glorious kingdom where will be able to live with him, free of all troubles, heartaches, tears and death. There everything will be laid on for us in the very best way possible. The old is gone and the new has come.

So even now we can stand up and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near. We can stand up, strong and courageous, as we live in the face all adversities now and as our sinful world here comes to end: either soon or in many years to come.

 But at the same time let us be careful, or our hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on us suddenly like a trap: For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that we may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

 Let us not take our focus away from our Lord Jesus, for he is our hope and our salvation. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

John 5:21-29.              All honour to Jesus!!                           25/11/12

 ²¹ For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. ²² Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father, who sent him.

²⁴ “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
²⁸ “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

 Jared, you, along with all of the rest of us here today, are here presented with a very important message for us to consider as we go through life. We are called on to take Jesus Christ seriously. He alone is the one who determines the outlook of our whole life; here and for all eternity. So we need to see to it that he is all important in our lives.

 This reading tells us that all honour is to go to Jesus just as it does, or should and ultimately will, go to the Father. He is to be looked up to as the single most important and significant figure in all of history. This is the case, because as we are reminded here, he is the determiner of who will live with God forever and who will be condemned. Serious stuff! He is not just that nice guy up there somewhere who loves and accepts us all, irrespective.

 Now this is important that we hear this very clearly: Because we are living at a time when ‘I, me and myself’ is seen as number one. What I think and feel is what is all important. This is not just the case for the people out there who don’t go to church. All of us have been influenced by this thinking, and as a result fail give God the honour that is due to him. We all fail to hold Jesus up as the Lord over all: that is the supreme authority.

 Now if that is the case that Jesus holds the future of each one of us in his hands, surely we will seek to know and understand him; and in fact do all we can to be friends with him. We will take him seriously and we will seek to know what he has to say about our salvation and life. We will want to know what his criteria for judgment will be.

 What we think and what we would like him to think and do with regard to our acceptance by him, really counts for nothing. The popular views that abound in our society leave us in a very precarious position. We cannot make God conform to our wishes: rather we need to consider carefully what he himself says on this matter. And his views are really quite astounding, compared to the views of our culture around us. Many will be in for a very rude shock.

 Let us take seriously what Jesus himself says here when he says; a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice  and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. All will rise and all will have to face him as judge; being judged by what he has already told us. Elsewhere we are told that every knee will bow and every tongue acknowledge the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. Everyone will be left with no excuse. This is the harsh reality of the matter.

 So none of us will be able to excuse ourselves by saying, we were just going along with the popular view of the day. None of us will be able to say that we just got distracted by the busy lifestyles of the culture of the day. None us will be able to say that we believe in god [whoever he might be] but then not take Jesus Christ and what he has to say to us seriously. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father, who sent him. None of us will be able to stand before him on the basis of our own views and criteria.

 That then surely turns us back to taking him and what he has to say to us seriously. Here remember that as we do, we can face that day with confidence and certainty. Jesus is quite emphatic about that. He says: Very truly I tell you. In other words he is stressing the point.

 The point being whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. So with the right beliefs and absolute trust in God, the outcome is certain. As we look to Jesus Christ, trusting that he and what he says is of absolute importance for us then we can have the confidence that the outcome is sure.

In our hearing Jesus word and knowing that he truly did live here on this earth as a human being: coming as God’s very own Son to help us out of the mess that we have made for ourselves. He showed himself very clearly in his miracles and knowledge of the things of God, to be God come to us. Then he willingly goes to the cross so that he might take the punishment that we deserve on himself so that we in turn might be forgiven. Then he rose again three days later so that we can be absolutely sure that this is the case and that we too can have the assurance that we too will rise on the last day to be with him in heaven. So we can now know for sure that he alone is our Lord and Saviour.

 As we think about that, surely we cannot be anything else but absolutely amazed at his graciousness toward. There is no way that we deserve this grace and favour and yet he does extend that to each and every one of us. Even though we are worthless he extends his love, forgiveness and salvation to us. So surely we will be so overwhelmed by this that we will not only believe it, but we will hold Jesus up as our super hero.

 As the one who has saved us from eternal damnation we will now hold him up as the greatest thing in our life. We will want to regularly gather together in his presence. We will want to receive all the good gifts that he has to offer us. We will want to listen to his every word and want to do what he would want us to do. We will be ever so wary that we do not get caught up in all the false thinking that is ever around us. He will be our Lord.

 However we know that despite all of this, many have chosen to reject this Good News. Many are too wrapped up in themselves and their own lives that they couldn’t care less whether he is for real or not. Many pay lip service to him and what he has done, yet choose to, or have allowed themselves to be, so distracted that they have little or no time for him and his greatness. Their own here and now is more important.

Also, all too often, we ourselves get distracted by the pleasures, lies and distractions of our world that we fail to give him the honour and glory that due him. The seduction of our world around to focus on our selfish pleasures and desires often means that Jesus is ignored and other things take priority in our lives. So we constantly face the danger of turning our backs on him who is so important and necessary in our lives.

 So here again we need to hear what Jesus goes on to say. He again begins with the words:  Very truly I tell you. In other words, listen very carefully and take note of what he says. This time he makes the point that; a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. In other words, the time to escape from God’s negative judgement is right now, here already; not left till the last moment. Now, as we take Jesus and his word seriously we have the absolute assurance that we will live. No ifs, buts or maybes. We will live with God in eternity.

 Here also, however, the point is clearly made that it is Jesus Christ himself, who will bring this into effect for us. It is his voice alone that takes us from death to life. But it is also he who has been given the authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. He has been given the authority to send to hell all those who have rejected him and his word; all those who have not taken him seriously: all those who have become so distracted that they no longer have any time or reverence for him and what he has done for us.

 And in this regard remember that Jesus Christ cannot be fooled. He can see into our very hearts and lives and so he knows our every thought, attitude and action. He knows whether we are trusting in him or otherwise.

So Jared, and all the rest of us here, let us heed this message that Jesus Christ is so very important for our eternal destiny. Yes he has died and risen again for our salvation, and he will be our judge on the last day: so let us continually give him the honour and glory that is due to one who is so great in doing what he has done for us and for our salvation and also considering that he is at the same time our judge. So let us be sure to give him all honour and glory now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Mark 13:1-8.               Your difficult life ahead!!                  18/11/12

 (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 of us as Christians is not going to be an easy one. Between now and the end of time life is going to be tough for us. Now it would be nice if I could stand up here and say that if we stay with Christ, life will be easy for us: that all will now be well for us.

However this 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 ahead. For us to think that we as Christians, and the church itself, should be free of troubles and hardships, and yes even 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; not to mention the catastrophic world tragedies. 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.

 All along the way the church has battled with humanity trying to change God’s Word to suit its own whims and wishes. There has been a never-ending stream of people who have claimed to have a greater knowledge of God, teaching, practical living, and end of the world thinking that changes what God has given to us in the Bible. So there has been this constant struggle to hold to the truth in the face of deception. This present time is no exception.

 Then on top of that we have the ever present reality of wars and rumours of wars, as well as earthquakes, famines and other natural tragedies. Even here God and his church has been under pressure from a sinful humanity that does not want to accept the fact that these are the consequence of human sin.

 So 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 and accusation. But there you find the true Church.

 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 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 the 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 it is great to hold up the teachings of Luther and the Lutheran Church, but 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.

 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 finally eternal death in Hell.

 No, see to it that no one and nothing leads you 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. 

 Here however, remember that we are not travelling alone: In fact far from it. We have with us one 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 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

 

Mark 12:38-44.                       Giving out of our poverty?                 11/11/12

 (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 honor 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."

As Jesus watches in a few moments time when the offering is taken up, what will he see? I have a pretty fair idea: Some will put envelopes with $100/$50/$5, some with a couple of coins; some will pass the plate on without even putting anything in it, feeling a little ashamed; others without a care or concern. At the end of the collection he will see that there is not enough to cover what has been budgetted for. That, I have a pretty fair idea, is what our Lord will see.

 But our reading here tells us that there is much more to it than that. Here he tells us, that he not only sees what is put on the plate, but he knows what is going on. He knows what we are up to; whether we are giving a lot or a little. He knows how much we have in the bank and how much we have been blessed with. Even more importantly, he knows our motivation for giving. He knows why we are giving what we are giving. So we might be able to fool the people around us, but we need to remember that we cannot fool our Lord – He knows.

 Here also remember, that this same principle is there in every other aspect of our lives as well: both in our church and community involvement; as well as in our speech, morals and ethics. Throughout our lives our Lord sees and knows. He can see beyond the outward appearances to reality and our thinking and attitudes.

So that being the case, let us think a little more deeply about this whole issue; and in light of this reading, seek to understand what it is that he is looking for and what he has in mind as he sees and knows what we are  giving and doing. The issue is highlighted here in this reading by the poor widow and a number of well-to-do church people. Jesus points out clearly the contrast between the two attitudes.

 In the first instance, he reminds us of those who are putting a great deal on the collection plate; and outwardly it looked terrific. They were doing the right thing, supporting the work of the Church; helping to maintain the priests and the facilities, as well as supportting the needy. So the church’s future is well and truly ensured.

From this reading however we understand that for a number of them, here is another opportunity to let it be seen that they are fine, upstanding members who are doing the right thing. They are letting it be seen that they are giving a good deal to the work of the Church. We are jolly good fellows.

 In the verses prior to this, he warns us to watch out for those people who run around, well dressed and greeting people all over the place: sitting in gatherings were everyone can see them; making long, flowery prayers to the envy of most.

 All the while, they are about their business, building up their wealth and popularity. Yes, even taking houses away from the widows; because of course, they are not able to keep up the payments. Perhaps, more to the point, because they could not understand the fine print of the contacts. ‘But, hey look, it is all legal and above board. Look, God wants us to be good stewards and successful. And remember we are giving more than our share to the Church.

 But what was it that Jesus say of them: ‘Watch out for them’ and Such men will be punished most severely. At the same time, he says that their offering is nowhere near the value of the two insignificant little coins that the widow had put in. They were only giving the left-overs; a portion of their own abundance. In many ways they were self-sufficient – having all they needed – or the means to get it; and by trickery if necessary. But they could take care of themselves – they were OK. But our Lord says, they have there reward here, but they are going to miss out on eternal life.

 The widow’s story however is quite different. One wonders if she perhaps isn’t one of those widows that those fine up-standing members hadn’t taken her house from. Anyway, here she is putting her offering on the plate: two small copper coins. Let us say 20 cents or maybe a dollar. Anyway she puts it in and moves on quietly. That is nice, isn’t it – a poor widow doing her little bit for the Church. I mean a dollar – now of course we know that it won’t go far – but she is doing her bit. So it is really lovely – even if it is insignificant.

 Yet what does Jesus say? She gave more than all the others. Jesus draws attention to her offering because it is significant: greatly so. Those two small copper coins?? What is going on here? Didn’t Jesus see what she put on? But, he did see and knows. He knew how much she had and how much she put on the plate: everything – all she had – two little copper coins. And she gives it to God.

She gives it to him – because he is her only hope; her only source of salvation. She has no husband and no source of income or welfare payments; no money and perhaps even no home. So her only help and hope is the Lord God himself. She knows she is in trouble, without his help. At the same time, she knows that he is the God who is true to his promises: that he alone can give her the things that she really needs. So she gives out of her poverty, and is highly commended because her trust is not in herself and the things of this life – but in God alone.

 There we see the big difference between that poor widows offering and that of the rich. They were giving out of there abundance – basically trusting in their goodness; what their wealth and their hard work, good connections and their wiles in taking others down, could give them. While on the other hand the widows only trust was in God and his love for her.

 Now that brings us back to where we started; what does Jesus see and know as he watches you and me? Elsewhere in the Bible we are told, ‘what does it profit a person if they gain the whole world, yet lose their soul.’ We are also reminded that we have no hope of gaining eternal life on own, because, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But most importantly that, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’

There it is, that we find that which truly gives life its meaning and purpose: the heart of life itself. God and his love for us is supreme. He died and rose again for us, so that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation can be ours as an absolute certainty. He has shown himself to be the Lord of life: not just in the ‘great bye and bye,’ but here and now also. We can look to him and trust that he truly cares for us and our world around us. But at the same time, we can see what results from a world that turns it back on him and seeks to live by its owns rules. That in turn surely turns us back to him and makes us even more reliant on him and his Word.

 That then being the case, we now seek to ensure that he is of greatest importance in our lives and that his work continues to be carried out here in our world. We here in our community are totally dependent on our Lord, and this will be refelected in everything we say and do; including our offerings to our Lord and the work of his Church. So we continually pray that our Lord will help us keep our focus, trust and our priorities on our Lord  and his goodness toward us. May he help us to have the right thinking at attitude when the offering plate comes our way; as well as in every other aspect of our lives.

 To conclude, let us remember that no matter how much we have and how successful we are, we too in reality are in poverty. Our only sure hope can be in the Lord; and without him we are in big trouble. But at the same time let us also remeber that he promises help and blessing to all who trust in him and his promises. So let us always look to him as our Lord and Saviour and place our complete confidence in him. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always.         AMEN

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

 

Romans 3:19-28.                     Reformation needed!!!           4/11/12

 {19)  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. {20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. {25} God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- {26} he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. {27} Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. {28} For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

 Today we are again celebrating Reformation Day. Now, I am well aware, that in many ways, this almost a dirty word in our present culture. We don’t want reformation; we either want to completely change things or we want things to remain as we think they should be. All too often the attitude is, ‘I want what I want, irrespective; even in the church.’ In this regard our text here has much to say to us; and it is very important that we hear what God is saying to each one of us, wherever we are coming at this issue from.

 From the beginning we need to be aware that we as human beings are sinful human beings; and as such we will always tend toward wanting to do what we want to do: The focus will be on us and what we want. Ever since Adam and Eve we want to place ourselves and what we do, think or feel at the centre of life. We want to think that what we do is good and honourable and acceptable. We place great store on the works that we do. Along with that, we think that as we do new things we can and will improve things more and more.

 Or the other view is that it is only as we hold to what we currently do then we might be able to avoid having things deteriorate even more than they are at the moment. All this is a very diabolical way of thinking. It is all a clear indication that sin is ever so present in our lives; even though we don’t want to think that this is the case.

 So just as evident as it was in Luther’s day, so also today, much of Christianity has this arrogant idea that it is we and what we do, think, feel and experience that is important and is what makes for life. We have built up all kinds of practices and ways of thinking that make it very evident that it is what we do that makes us Christian and makes for growth in our lives and in the church. We use the name Jesus and Christian, but it is to glorify us and the things of this world. We change practices and teachings so that we are able to achieve what we believe is right and good.  

 Together with this, we have ingrained in our thinking, that, God loves us because we are basically good people. So, unless we do something really bad then we are OK, even when it comes to getting into heaven when we die.  But throughout life, why do we need to go to church, read our bibles and go to bible studies or any of that stuff; we are basically good Christians, so what does it matter. Even the idea that we can ignore or change this or that part of Scripture has the same idea; we are even above the Word. Not to mention the attitudes toward worship, where we think we can leave out, change or allow laypeople to do this or that part, all has underneath it this attitude that we are competent and able to do whatever we want; and as long as we are ‘sincere’ that is all that matters.

 So without going any further, I believe that reformation is just as important today as it was for Luther. Not the reformation of Luther’s day, but the reformation that is needed in our own lives and the life of our churches: Having said that, the Reformation of Luther’s day highlights the issues and truths that need to be central to the reformation that is needed today. Again I say, not change for changes sake, or simply a holding to tradition for traditions sake; but a reforming back to the truths of God’s Word and that which have been passed down to us through history.

 Theses truths are first and foremost; grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, and the centrality and sufficiency of God’s Word for matters of teaching and practice. Now I probably should go into detail on each of these, but time does not permit. However, as we apply this text that we have before us, we find that it speaks well into our situation today, bringing out these points.

 Now if we respectfully study God’s word as just that, God’s Word, carrying all the weight that this entails, we find that this Word very quickly points out that we do not measure up to God’s standards. We all are sinners from the time we were born; all of us. All us fail to come anywhere near good enough to be acceptable to God. God’s law in the scriptures very quickly silences any effort on our part to justify ourselves and enable us to pretend that we are good enough to be acceptable to God.

 At the same time Jesus makes it very clear that, even with his coming, the Law is not done away with: It carries the full weight that it always did. That means that we all are held accountable to God.  None of us will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. All of us deserve to be sent to hell and all of us can do nothing to work our way around it.

 However, now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. Throughout the Scriptures, God makes it very clear that the only hope we have is, the Saviour that he would send and ultimately did send in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross for our sin was the only solution possible. His death for the forgiveness of our sin is the one and only sure hope for humanity. Jesus Christ alone then is the one and only salvation for us.

 Now as Paul here says: This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

 So the point is made that it is by grace alone that we are saved. Not the rubbish that is peddled by much of the church today where we have to cooperate with and decide and all the rest; which in reality says God’s grace plus our works, goodness, cooperation or some such thing. We contribute nothing to our salvation: it is a free gift, won for us by Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

 All that is required is faith; that is, that we trust that Jesus is who he says he is and did what he did for our salvation. It is not that we simply know certain facts about Jesus and cross, or do the right things in worship, or have the right feelings and experiences. All we are called to do is trust that Jesus has done everything necessary: he died for us; he forgives us; he has won eternal life for us; he has a better way for us to live and act.

Here we are told that God is just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus: So all that is required is that we trust that this is the case, and seek to live that faith each day of our lives.

 It is that simple faith that God looks for in any person: a person who looks to Jesus Christ alone for their salvation and focuses their whole life on him and him alone. He is the one who is all important in life. We are justified by faith apart from observing the law.

 Here then is surely the heart of what the Christian Church today is to be on about. Here should be the heart of its teaching and practice. Here then is what each and everyone of us needs to be looking for and living in light of each and every day of our lives. If all we want is change for changes sake, or a holding to what we have always done for its own sake and because it makes us comfortable, then a reformation back to these central truths is what is needed. I pray that this is the reformation that we seek for and celebrate today. For here alone is what the Christian faith and the true Christian church is about.

 Christ alone, Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. There is what is important for us to remember today and always. To our great God; Father , Son and Holy Spirit, then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish