Roger's Postings

Saturday, September 28, 2013


Luke 16:19-31.                    Listen or you will burn in hell!!!                                      29/9/13

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

 Here this morning we have a very sobering parable for us to ponder over. Anyone who thinks that they can quickly brush over the message here without taking it seriously will be in for a very rude shock when they die: they might not be ending up where they thought they would. The rich man here in this life was very comfortable in his existence and life; and obviously had an understanding that he was one of God’s chosen people, yet he did not end where he thought he would.

 So Jesus is making a very strong point here so that we are forced to think carefully about our spiritual lives because of the eternal consequences involved.  He doesn’t want us to go comfortably through this life without any real consideration for God and others, and then end up in hell.

 It is so easy for us to go through life without taking many things seriously, only to find that the end consequences are not good. Let me pick just one example: We today think that we can do as we please when it comes to our relationships with others. We ignore what God has to say and so we sleep around before are married; we live together with a person before we even think of marriage; we quickly get divorced when things don’t quite go the way we think they should; and we think this is all OK. Yet what do find when we look down the track; we are lonelier and more unsettled; our children have greater problems; and life for everyone gets more dysfunctional; to name just a few of the results.

 Our living our selfish, self-centred lives, without any real regard for God and his Word and the welfare of others brings untold heartache in this life: Not to mention the tragedy that we face in the next. We like the rich man in the parable can all too easily say that we are Christians, but do not listen to Christ and what he has to say, far less even try to live as he would have us. And here Jesus reminds us that this has dire consequences.

 So listen to God and his Word or you will burn in hell. So with that in mind let us look a little more closely to this parable and draws its connections with what is going on around us.
 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

 Here we have a man living very comfortably without a care in the world. Everything was going well for him in this life and he was living and doing what he wanted without any real thought of God and others. So much so that he gave no thought at all to the poor beggar who was lying at his front gate, covered in sores and longing for just a little food: Day in day out he would walk pass this man without a second thought for him and his need.  Even though he had more than enough to share with him, he did nothing.

 Now we know from further into the parable that this man considered himself a believer: As a good Jew he called Abraham his father. So as he went through life he was quite comfortable with where he was at in his spiritual life. However, even though he may have gone to church regularly, or not so, the parable makes it quite clear that he did not listen to what was being said. He did not take seriously what God was saying to him in and through that word: and he was not applying it to his life and his dealings with others and especially the poor beggar. He was not listening to what God says about what constitutes a believer:  His faith was not in God and his word but in himself and his good life. He was doing and believing what he wanted and he thought that this was good enough.

 However as the parable goes on we hear that:  “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

 So, like will happen to all of us, both of these men died.  At this point they are taken to either heaven or hell, depending on where their faith was. So because the beggar trusted in God alone for his salvation he was taken to heaven. Whereas the rich man, who lived as if the here and now was that which was all important and his trust was in the good life that he was living, rather than in God, he is sent to Hades.

 There in hell he finds the reality of what he had not taken seriously: there is a hell and it is not a nice place at all.  So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

There he looks to Lazarus across the chasm and now seeks for him to help him out in his time of need.  But Abraham tells him that unfortunately it is not possible.
 
“Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

 He is now caught and there is no way out for him. His life is now one of eternal  torment. There is no opportunity any longer for him to change his ways and change his eternal destiny.  He is receiving the just reward for the life that he chose to live here on earth and his not listening to God when he had the chance.

 With that he then wants to see to it that his brothers and we here today do not make the same mistake.
So,  “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

 So here is the crux of the parable for us here today; listen and take to heart what God has to say in his Word, the Bible. Once we are dead there is no chance to make amends for our lack of taking God seriously in this life. In the Bible we have revealed to us what we need to know in order to gain eternal life in heaven.

 There is no excuse for any of us. We all have opportunity to hear and read what God wants us to know in order to live well here on earth and to gain eternal life in heaven. Sunday after Sunday he calls us into his midst so that he can give us what we need through Word and Sacrament. He gives us what need in order to recognise the futility, danger and tragedy that we bring on ourselves through our selfishness and our desire to live our own comfortable lifestyle that disregards God and what he has to say to us. He then gives us what we need in order to turn away from this focus on ourselves and to seek God‘s forgiveness and help to live in the way that God would have for us. Then he helps us to focus on God and the needs of others around us.

 To do all of this he enables us to have faith in him and all that he has done for us through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. So here we are reminded that he has actually sent to us one who has risen from the dead so that we can have proof that he is for real. It is interesting that in our recent bible studies we have actually looked at Jesus’ resurrection from the dead from a historical perspective, and it is unanimously held by reputable scholars, even from outside of Christianity, that it actually happened. There is strong evidence even today that this was all for real.

 Yes, as Jesus says here in this parable, there are many who will not believe even if there is proof beyond dispute. Sinful humanity will readily reject this Good News because it wants to be free to live their own selfish lives, to hang with the consequences. Sadly we see this all around us. So the self-same people will not want to listen either to everything God has to say to us or to how he would have us be concerned about others as well.

 However we have heard his message, so let us actually listen to it, and be led to trust in Jesus alone and then live accordingly toward those around about us.  Let us look to Christ and follow him as we live out our lives each day, and recognise that he alone is the one who enables us to get through this life in the way that God would have us and to gain eternal life with him in heaven. So let us not look to ourselves and our comforts in this life, but to Jesus Christ and all that he has and is doing for. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and forever. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, September 21, 2013


1 Timothy 2:1-7.                                Importance of prayer!                   22/9/13

 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

 As we go through life we face all kinds of situations – from the good and comfortable through to the uncertainties, fears and even serious problems. In our personal lives; our society; and on an international basis, we are confronted on an ongoing basis with so much that is happening that we often find it quite overwhelming.  When we look at the seriousness of it all we can easily be left feeling that we are being swamped by all that is going on around us. How can we have peace, quiet and everything going well for us in our present day world? We want a life where everything goes along well for us, but it seems an impossible dream.

 Even as Christians, we too, are so often prone to the same concerns and thinking. However as Christians we think it should somehow be different for us. We also know that we should be setting an example and being a witness to a better life and helping others through it all. Yet too often it seems as though there is little or no hope of us even coming close to getting it right. In fact so often we are caught going in the other direction – caught up in the thinking of our world around us.

 So what are we to do about it? How can find a way through it all? Are we still able to hold our heads up in the midst of all that is going on in and around us?

 Here I would like to share with you a modern day parable that might be of some help. Bob worked with a group of men on a construction site and tried hard to do what was expected of him. He preferred to work quietly and efficiently without to many hassles, but found that very difficult – there were arguments and squabbles regularly between some of the other men: gossiping and laziness appeared be the norm. Even the foreman didn’t seem to be doing his job properly. So Bob found it difficult to just do what was expected of him. When he tried to do his job well, the guy alongside messed up and made it look bad for him. Along with that a major accident happened in his area and nobody was willing to take any responsibility.

 Now when the boss came on site to talk with him and the others, Bob was not willing to share his concerns and the situation as he saw it. As a result, as time went on Bob became more and more uptight: the hassles and problems became the only thing that he could think about: but he was still not willing to share his thinking with anyone. So he became more and more frustrated and lethargic – less cooperative – and began to make more mistakes himself, and blame others for it.

 Eventually the boss found him not only grumpier but his work was no longer up to standard; and again when he tried to talk to him and help him Bob would still not open up. Finally things got so bad that the boss had to dismiss him. He had let his hassles and problems distract him from what he should have been doing; but most importantly he was not willing to share his thinking, problems and issues with anyone; particularly to his boss when he was given the opportunity to do so. His failure to do so meant that nothing was done to rectify the situation. The outcome was the Bob and his family were the only ones that suffered.

 In similar sorts of ways, we too can find ourselves in difficulty in our Christian lives, as we face the uncertainties, hassles and problems of life. Far too often we fail to share what’s on our minds with God in prayer and as a result our problems all too easily control our lives and get us down.

 Here again we need to note what God has to say to Timothy through Paul here in this reading. The situation for Timothy was not good – Paul had left him in charge of the Church at Ephesus and to try and sort out some of the problems that were there - specifically the problem of false teachers in their midst. So here we have a young man trying to sort out some very difficult people; and from the tone of the letter one gets the understanding that the pressure was getting to him and that he was feeling some of the same kind of things we face when we are under pressure. Here he was encouraged to keep his mind on the job – on what was important. And with that he would find what he needs in order to cope and do what was required.

 So here Timothy, and us, are urged to pray – pray not just for ourselves as we so often do, but for all people. In this respect our reading says that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

 So there are four different aspects of prayer to be used.

-          Our own personal requests for specific needs

-          prayers for things more general

-          interceding and praying for others

-          and thankfulness for all that God has and continues to do for us.

It is by each of these aspects of prayer that Paul is suggesting to Timothy and to us as well that we will find the peace and quietness that we are looking for. Yes, even in the midst of difficult times. Primarily that is case because it not our toil, effort and might that is going to calm the troubled waters and overcome difficult people and situations. It is prayer first and foremost that will bring the change that is needed.

 This is so because it turns us away from our own self-sufficiency and self-importance – and places ourselves and the situations that we face into the hands of God: the one, almighty God who can do something about bringing the peace and quiet that is needed.

 As the One, who does have control of all things; and is the true super-power who can bring that change that is needed; and who sent his Son to die on the cross so that we can be assured of forgiveness and access to the Father, we can come to him in prayer with confidence.  We can share with him our needs and concerns – our general issues – the needs others – and give him thanks and praise for everything he is and does.

 Instead of bottling things up and worrying about it all – instead of relying on ourselves and our human strengths and abilities; we can, and need to, hand it all over to him who has the answers and power to do something about it. All our military might – human strength – worrying will not give us the peace, security and hope that we seek after.  God alone is our strength and shield; and to him we are encouraged to call on for all that is important.

 This pleases our Lord – that we use prayer in this way, as our first means of living and working out our Christian life: that we look to him as the true source of strength and hope.

 Again we have that confidence and certainty because of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. It was through his entering into our world of pain, suffering and sin; and his dying in our place for our sin; and then rising again from dead, that we know that we have a God who loves us, forgives us and has given us that certainty of life eternal. So we can face the future with confidence and we can give of ourselves for the benefit of others; and we can be sure that God is using these situations for good.

 And since he has done all that for us, surely then it is to him we will look and turn to in prayer as we face each and every day of our lives, no matter what we are experiencing and facing. We will call on him for our needs, the needs of others, for the situations of life, and thanking him for his concern, interest and help.

 So it is in prayer that we find a way out of our negative feelings and find the help and hope that we need. It turns us away from ourselves to look to our God and place our reliance on him and what he has done and will continue to do for us. In him alone we can find the real answers and confidence that we need for ourselves and for all of humanity. So let us not lose sight of this in these times of difficulty and apathy. It is so easy to allow all these negative things in and around us to take over our thinking and to drag us down.

 In concluding then we are encouraged at all times, and particularly when we are struggling, to pray. And pray not just for ourselves, but for all people. Instead of complaining and grumbling, let us find our strength, encouragement and help not in what we do, but in what our Lord has and continues to do for us. In him we find not only our salvation, but also the truth that is needed to give light to everything we face in life, and at the same time the help that only God himself can give. He is our friend and helper: our strength and shield. So turn to him in prayer now and always.  AMEN

 
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

             

 

 

 

 

Friday, September 13, 2013


Exodus 32:7-14.                       Will God relent for our golden calf??             15/9/13

 {7} Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. {8} They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' {9} "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. {10} Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation." {11} But Moses sought the favour of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? {12} Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. {13} Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'" {14} Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

 Here again we have a message which calls us to take heed to the thinking that is very much a part of the world we live in. The making of ‘golden calves’ is just as much an issue today is it was back in the time of Moses. The question is, are a part of it or not? Do we recognise that it is going on around about us? Do we care? Or do we simply want to enjoy the eating, drinking and revelry? And perhaps most importantly do we happily go along with it all presuming that God forgives us anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

 Whatever might be the case, we need to keep in mind what the Almighty God has to say with regard to these things. It is not a matter of, it is all a bit grey, so it doesn’t matter too much, and after all God is a loving God who is for us. This reading reminds us that it does matter: it is serious business!

 That being the case let us think through what was going on back then and question whether this may not be the case today as well.

 In the lead up to the ‘golden calf’ we have the people growing concerned that nothing was happening. We read: When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him." Because nothing was happening the thinking seemed to be that ‘they were backing the wrong horse.’ Obviously this God, Yahweh, was not really the true God after all. Let us make ourselves another one.

 It is incredible, isn’t it! They had seen and experienced God’s almighty power again and again as he brought them out of Egypt: the plagues; the angel of death and the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea and the water from the rock, to name just a few. Now just a short time later when things had gone quiet for a little while, they were ready to discard this great God for something of their own making. How stupid can they be? Really?

 Look around us here today; are we any different? We too have seen and experienced God’s great love and power, and yet are we not doing exactly the same. Maybe we are not taking off our golden rings and melting them down into the image of a young bull, but we have turned and made other gods for ourselves. We have made many things that which we look to in order to have life and fulfilment. We too have become impatient with God and his seeming inaction and are looking elsewhere for our answers to life.

 Our leaders, even within the church, struggle with the same problem that Aaron faced: on the one hand to remain faithful, and to give the people what they want. Aaron got them to gather their gold and made it into a golden calf; then said this is a representation of the Lord. The people however saw this golden calf as their god and then set about enjoying themselves as they saw fit: eating, drinking and revelry. Aaron seemed to think that he could have a little bit each way and it wouldn’t matter: that he could give the people what they wanted but still keep to the faith. It did not work!

 They had God’s Word written on tablets of stone: “You shall have no other gods before me. And; You shall not make for yourself an idol .....” This would have all still been very fresh in their minds; yet they could very quickly ignore and overlook it all. They wanted results and they wanted it when they wanted it.

 Today it is little different: we just as easily forget and ignore what God has written for us. We also quite readily listen to the words, ‘did God really say,’ and then go on to say and do that which is actually contrary to what God has really said. As leaders the temptations is there to give the people what they want to hear and justifying it by saying we are still being faithful. We make grey areas out of many teachings and practices. We look to society and we change our teachings so that we are not seen to be so different. We say that we are Lutheran, but have drifted far from the teachings that have been passed on to us. With all of that, the people are then left to go their own way into crass idolatry and paganism, even if it is in the name of christian.

 To this we would have to say the Lord must have similar thoughts to that which he said to Moses: “They have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.' "I have seen these people, and they are a stiff-necked people.”
 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.

 Lord have mercy on us, for that surely is what I – we deserve. Lord, turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Lord we are in trouble; remember your Son and what he has done for us through his death on the cross, and draw us back to your Word. Help us to remember all that you have done for us through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and the importance of your Word for us; as well as our Baptism and Holy Communion. Help us all to see that there in those means you have given us all that we need in these difficult times.

 Yes let us be reminded again that our help and our life is in God alone. Through and in connection with Jesus Christ we have everything that we need that is of importance. His death on the cross alone is what has given us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Nothing more is needed for our salvation. It is not Jesus plus something else that you or I must do that makes this salvation ours.

 Through him and his grace alone we are brought into the family of God; not through anyone or anything else. His love for us, even though we in no way deserve it, is what has made it all possible. Not one of us can do anything to ensure that it is extended to us. God’s grace alone is sufficient.

 And it is by faith alone: that is simple trust in the fact that he has done everything necessary for our salvation that is required. We are forgiven: we are saved by Jesus alone; all we are called to do is to trust that in Jesus it is so.

 This we know, for that is the message of the Scriptures. That is why we also say that it is through Scripture alone that we are reliant for these truths. In the Bible we have God’s infallible and inerrant Word for us. We, throughout history can see that, where it is Scripture plus the reasoning of sinful man that we shift the focus away from that which is essential, and that we start changing God’s Word to suite ourselves.

 However as we hold fast to God and his Word we are assured that the Holy Spirit is at work constantly in our lives through this Word and Baptism and Holy Communion. Through those means we can be sure that God is at work bringing that forgiveness, life and salvation to each one of us. They are the means that he has promised to work through for our good, so we need to regularly avail ourselves of them, so that he can work good in our lives.

 All this being the case, let us then not look for something more than what God has given. Yes at the moment there does seem to be a delay in God’s activities in our society. Not a lot of great things seem to be happening like we might expect. Yet he has done great things for us through Jesus Christ, and he has promised that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. So let us not compromise that which God has given and said to us, so that we become even more corrupt and stiff-necked.

 No let us look to Jesus Christ alone as our source of life and salvation, so that we can go forward with confidence and hope. Instead of looking to the ‘golden calves’ around us, let us trust that in connection with Jesus we have everything necessary for this life and the next. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

 

 

Thursday, September 05, 2013


Luke 14:25-33.                   The cost of being a Christian                                      8/9/13

 {25)  Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: {26} "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. {27} And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. {28} "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? {29} For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, {30} saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' {31} "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? {32} If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. {33} In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

 One of the key problems in our society today is that of the rising costs of producing a quality product. As a society we are demanding high quality products and services; but the cost of doing so is beyond what we are prepared to pay. Too often we are prepared to pay less even though the quality is not up to standard; as long as it looks good; but then we grizzle and complain when it doesn't live up to expectation.

 Now in many ways, this is the same issue that Jesus is raising here in this reading with regard to our Christian lives. He too, in this regard, is concerned about quality products and whether we are prepared to pay the cost of it: But here in a far more important area of our lives. He is pointing out the need for quality control in our spiritual lives as well. And is suggesting that there must not be any thought of cutting quality in order to keep the costs down. He is also concerned about whether we are prepared to count the high cost of maintaining that quality: Then after realizing the high cost, whether we are still prepared to follow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

 I believe this is an issue that we all here need to consider very carefully. A question here is, are we really all that concerned about the quality of the Christian life of this congregation, and even more particularly, our own spirituality for that matter? Have we individually perhaps counted the costs and decided that we are not going to commit ourselves to it? Opting instead to try and get away with as little commitment as we possibly can; yet hoping to still achieve a place in heaven?

 The indication given here by Jesus is that this is very dangerous thinking. Elsewhere in the Bible God is quite vocal about those who are lukewarm: he will spew them out of his mouth. So the quality of our Christian life is vitally important. So if that is the case, then we need to consider carefully this reading here this morning.

 Our text begins by saying; large crowds of people were travelling along with Jesus and turning to them he addressed this whole issue. Jesus was concerned by fact that a large crowd was following him and what the reasoning was for their doing so. Now that is a real change from the attitude of many today in the churches. They delight in having masses of people following and sitting in the pews. They thrive on having large crowds in their midst - even if their attitude and reasoning may be all wrong.

 Now off course, we know that Jesus wants all people to be saved. In fact he wants large crowds to be saved. But the situation was that many where following simply out of curiosity – to see someone perform miracles; perhaps thinking that he might be a greater leader and provider who will make life easy for them as a people: giving them health, wealth and happiness, without them having to lift a finger. Perhaps some of them were hedging their bets; having a leg in the Christian camp, just in case.

 But whatever their thinking, Jesus was not prepared to accept a superficial following of him by the masses. So he turns to them and lays down his absolute demands for those who would be his disciples.

 Then what he says next must surely make us all stop and think. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

 Not loving father, mother, husband, wife, children; and even self more than  - or should I say instead of God - is the central issue here. Those who follow Jesus, must choose him so unconditionally as Lord, that all other loyalties and ties are subordinate. Nothing must come before total allegiance to Christ; neither family, business, sport, anything. Nothing must distract us from complete devotion and obedience to our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. In fact he even goes on to say that those who are not willing to die even the most hideous of deaths for the sake of love and loyalty to Jesus Christ cannot be a disciple of his. That is the quality that we are called to have in our Christian life: complete and whole-hearted loyalty to Jesus Christ. Nothing less will do. And that is what God is asking of you and me.

 Now that does not mean that we cannot be involved in and with many of these other things. In fact we need to be; and will find greater fulfilment in them if we take God and what he has to say to us seriously. It is a matter of where our priorities lie. When God is first then all these other things find their proper place and will then be a blessing rather than a curse.

 It is here then that Jesus goes on and uses two parables to emphasise this point; each with a slightly different thought. In the first he asks us to sit down and reckon on whether can afford to follow; just as we would sit down and work out the cost of a house before we build it; making sure that we have enough to finish the job. We are called to spend time working out what are the costs - what it means to be a Christian - what is involved. And then whether we are prepared to follow through with it, all the way. Remembering the same sort of ridicule is there for the half-hearted Christian who drops out along the way as there is for the person who sets out to build a house but can't complete it because he hasn't got the money.

 In the second, Jesus asks us to stop and think if we can afford to refuse the cost Jesus is asking of us. The king and his country are being invaded from outside; and if he can't reckon on beating the invaders with his smaller army, he had better do some fast talking: he had better accept the terms put forward by the invader. Likewise, Jesus has invaded our lives and places a huge demand on us; calling for our unconditional loyalty and trust. Can we afford to refuse? Can we afford not to be prepared to give up everything else in order to be his disciple? Remember eternal life in either heaven or hell is at stake here.

 Then Jesus concluded his address with this message; "Salt is good, but if it loses it's saltiness , how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor the manure heap; it is thrown out. The person who has ears, let them hear." What good is flavourless salt on our Sunday lunch? What good is a Christian with no substance to their discipleship? Jesus says they are only fit to be thrown out. So take good note - says Jesus.

 What a tremendous challenge then he puts in front us - an enormous one - an impossible one - but one that we have to have. Total loyalty, commitment and trust in and to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. And there are no excuses!

 Thankfully and of great encouragement to us in regard to this, is the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our forgiveness. Our failures have already been taken care of; so we can set our hearts on doing the very best we can. We also know that through and with Jesus Christ we have top quality on our side all the way: we have all the very best help that we could ever possibly want. With the Holy Spirit working through Word and Sacraments in his Church we have all the help that we need to have a top quality Christian life in the midst of the troubles of this sinful world and even our own weaknesses and failures. Yes the cost is high - it cost Jesus his very life on the cross for our forgiveness. It also costs us heaps in commitment and cross bearing. But with Jesus we can do it.

 So in conclusion; count the cost of being a Christian and don't be found wanting. Look for a quality Christian life that focuses on Christ and holds to his truths; and see that the price has been paid so that we can now give our all and not go short. Don't follow the way of the world in giving half-hearted support and in cutting the quality in order to keep the costs down. Let us continually call on Jesus to give us the strength and courage needed to be totally loyal to him: Asking the Holy Spirit to help us be wholehearted in our attempt to follow. Then with that help guaranteed to let nothing stand in our way and hinder us in our discipleship. With Jesus with us, let us take up our cross and follow wherever he leads, faithfully living a quality Christian life. Then through it all God will bless us and our whole community. To him then be all glory and honour now and always.  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish