Genesis 11:1-9/Acts 2       To the glory of Mankind or to glory of God??     15/5/16

(Gen 11:1-9)  {4} Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." {5} But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. {6} The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. {7} Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other." {8} So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth,

(Acts 2:1-21)  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them

{12} Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

{17} "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

{21} And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

In our readings this morning as we celebrate Pentecost, we have two contrasting pictures of human life, both running parallel with each other, but in opposite directions. One seeking the glory of mankind – the other, the glory of God. One showing mankind in its sin – the other, people living in the realm of God's love and the influence of his Spirit. They express two realities for us to live by.

Perhaps without going any further, lets us look at the situation at the tower of Babel. In this situation we see something of what is happening today in our own society. In light of what God’s view of this event is, we should really stop and think. There are serious consequences at play here.

Now the situation at the Tower of Babel was that the people went out to build a great tower in order to make a name for themselves and to hold themselves together as a society. They thought that it was through their own great achievements that they were going to be able to solve all problems and have security and peace. They, by their own achievements, were going to make the world a better place to live in; and they were going to be able to find their own way to be with God.

Now doesn't that all sound just a little bit familiar. Our society today is very little different, and in many ways our own lives mirror some of this. We today are out to make our world a better place to live in, by our own efforts without regard for what God has to say: we want to find and create peace, harmony and happiness on a united front according to our own rules and thinking. We are constantly coming up with all kinds of new inventions and technologies to make things better and easier for ourselves: But above all to make a name for ourselves; and to hopefully somehow be a someone, so that we might be acceptable.

There it is, I believe, that we come to the bottom line of it all. It is all being done for the glory of mankind. No consideration for God and his ways in any of this. In fact, it is back to the very sin of Adam and Eve; wanting to be equal with God and to have control over our own lives. The old, sinful human spirit is up to the same old tricks over and over again. Yes, on the surface, so often, everything looks very good and above board; but scratch the surface and we find that which is very deceptive and dangerous.

It is most dangerous when we look at the end results. Ah yes, we are able achieve all sorts of great things, but God knows that all we end up in doing through it all is to destroy ourselves and most importantly our relationship with God. Our sinful human nature cannot do otherwise. Yes, we today have the capabilities of doing tremendous things: just by way of one example; in the area of genetic engineering, science is making all kinds discoveries in this human area.

One wonders how far we are away from creating a monster that will do untold damage to our world. We certainly are wanting to play God – we are wanting to be lord and master - dictators of life on earth - without regard for God and his Word. Euthanasia, abortion and now the creation of life to destroy it, are good examples of where we are heading in this area. Deep down what we are saying, is move over God, we are going to do things our way. God and what he has to say is irrelevant, to what we want to do.

The result of all of this, though, is, as we are beginning to see, that the more the emphasis is placed on the glory of humanity, the more we see misunderstanding, disunity and loneliness. The more our Lord and his ways are ignored, the more that confusion reigns. Unfortunately, this sad picture of the tower Babel is also so prevalent in our world today.

Even in the church we are placing more and more emphasis on what we are doing. We focussing on and pandering to our human goodness and desires, rather than Christ and his Word. We are not wanting to talk about sin and what God has done about it, but on ourselves and the good we can do. We are wanting to change what God’s Word is saying so that we can appeal to the culture of the day. The focus and motivation is all wrong.

So the same end result in the church and the world, is happening over and over again; and we are not coming to our senses. We are not waking up and realizing that this Tower of Babel is the picture of much that is happening today. Here again we can see the sin of mankind coming very much to the fore.

Here we need to remember that in this picture there is no good news - no hope for the future. As much as all these so-called advances promise us much, if we leave God out of the picture we find nothing but chaos and the destruction of society and humanity as a whole.

But here today as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday we are reminded that there is also another picture; another happening that runs directly parallel, but in the opposite direction, to that which we have just explained. Here, of course, we are reminded of God’s work in the whole Pentecost event to help us to get a right perspective on all of this. And of the continuing outworking of the Holy Spirit in our world today to lead us in a direction that is good and helpful for us. In so doing we are also reminded of what it is it that the Holy Spirit is all about.

As we think of that first Pentecost day in the midst of the confusion that abounded in that city we see people being drawn together. Though people were there from all over the world, they heard in their own language all the wonders of God as seen in and through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. They heard plain, ordinary people saying incredible things, not for the glory of mankind, but for the glory of God. God has sent His Holy Spirit to be with his people to lead and guide them in a good and helpful direction.

His whole aim is to lead and guide people to Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins that he has won for us so that we can once again be united to God and one another. Then the flow on from that is to give us a way that we can live and approach life that is helpful, encouraging and that will benefit us all. It is all possible for us as God’s Spirit works amongst us.

So where the Holy Spirit is truly at work we have something that draws people together and unites them in good way instead of scattering and dividing. There is a whole reversal - people drawn out of their loneliness and confusion because they are loved, forgiven and accepted; and are given an understanding of what life is really all about. They are given a new spirit which alters their whole focus of life.

Instead of the focus being on self and what we humans want out of life, Jesus Christ is the name that is held up. His Word is held up as all important and followed, instead of being changed to suit ourselves. Here there is the desire to live for and please this one who is all important: this one who has done so much for us. In Jesus and his death on the cross we are united to that which builds up rather than tears down.

Here we are not only given the desire to love, but are united to the One who himself is Love. The more that he and his love becomes a part of and the focus of our lives, the more that peace and harmony comes into our hearts, homes and communities, and a transformation begins to take place. Then instead of everything being done for the glory of self and mankind, it is done for the glory of God.

So we see the Holy Spirit was sent so that our focus is taken away from ourselves and brought to Jesus Christ alone. There in his death on the cross and his resurrection, and our connection to him in baptism, we are united with him and one another. The Holy Spirit uses the Word and the sacraments to help us to know that we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in Jesus Christ. As a result, we have everything that is important.

We don’t need something more, so as to be seen to be OK, or as an assurance that our name is recorded alongside Jesus’. No, the Holy Spirit in giving us faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross has given that which gives the unity, peace and name which we need, for this life and the next.

So there we have briefly two pictures of life. The first one we are all a part of - we know that all too well. Too often we think and live only for self and the glory of humanity which leads us to confusion and loneliness. But the second picture has also broken into our lives here. The Holy Spirit is at work here in this congregation. The Spirit is at work through the Word and sacraments, taking the focus off of us and placing it where it truly belongs; on our Lord Jesus Christ. The more we allow the Spirit to centre our lives on Jesus the more we will glorify God by living, acting and speaking in accord with his Word.

So today I pray that the Holy Spirit will increase his work in each one us, so that more and more we may be drawn together with our Lord Jesus Christ; and above all, that greater glory can go to our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For to him alone, belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale  Lutheran Parish

Acts 1:1-11.                         Jesus commissions us to go as he ascends                             8/5/16

(1)  In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach {2} until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. {3} After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. {4} On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. {5} For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." {6} So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" {7} He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. {8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." {9} After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. {10} They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. {11} "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Today’s readings remind us of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ up into heaven. But the interesting thing is that they say very little about the ascension, but a lot about Jesus commissioning his followers and their reactions to all of this. It would seem, as we heard this reading, very little has changed over the years. Christ’s followers both then and now, keep asking all kinds of theological questions, trying to delve into areas that we have no need to know: we keep looking to the skies hoping for who knows what; maybe some other special revelation. Too readily we like those first disciples forget the whole purpose of Christ’s ascension; to sit at the right hand of the Father interceding for us; and to ensure that we set about being his witnesses to those around us.

So there is much for us to think about as we remember Christ’s ascension. Some of it will hopefully, shake us out of our complacency; yet at the same time encouraging and sending us to do what God would have us do.

Now all of this reminds me of a few years ago!! when I left school at the ripe old age of 16. Harvest had just begun and dad told me that I had to go out and drive the header. Now for me at that age, and with no experience, that was very scary. Such large equipment; so much responsibility. There was so much to think about and keep one’s eye on, that I didn’t think I could do it. Yes, dad had told me all that I had to do and watch out for, but I wanted to be able to avoid having to do it. Dad went with me on the first round of the paddock and then said he would leave me to it and go and do something else.

It was then that the thoughts got all the worse; he can’t leave me to do this on my own. How am I going to cope? What if something goes wrong? I can remember asking all kinds of questions; what if? How about? Wanting to know plenty, but inevitably try to stall off having to do what had to be done. Even once he had gone, I can remember continually looking back to see if he was coming back. I was nervous and hesitant.

But I managed, and became more and more competent as time went on. Eventually, that year already, I was able to cope with even rough country and difficult conditions. Yes, I made a few mistakes along the way, but thankfully they were not serious ones.

Now isn’t this how it is so often in our Christian lives as well. We know Jesus Christ is for real. We know the importance of his death for us and for our salvation; but we hesitate to be the kind of people he wants us to be. We are nervous and unsure; even scared at times; at other times we are afraid that we will make a fool of ourselves. Mostly we don’t think that we can do what our Lord is asking of us. So we try to find ways to avoid the real issues and purposes of life.

As a result, we get caught up in endless questioning about things that are not important. Wanting to change things to make it easier for ourselves. We want to focus our attention on ourselves and our work and play: filling our lives with endless other pursuits of selfish enjoyment so that we haven’t got time to think about and do what is important.

We look for Jesus presence and miracles instead of stepping out to do what we are called to do. We want to see a united, peaceful and ‘successful’ church before we feel confident to do what we know is expected of us. But whatever it is, none of us are fully prepared to step out and do what Christ would have us do.

But again Jesus assures and encourages us, his followers, in the midst of our uncertainties to get on with the task that is before us. He encourages us to not get caught up in endless questioning and worrying about less than vital things. There is work to be done. “You are to be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth. But you are not on your own. My going means that I will send another power who will be able to help you wherever you are.”

He says. But you will receive power from on high. That is why he ascended: so that he could give us that power that would enable us, wherever and in whatever part of the world we are, to be able to be his witnesses. So we can get on with the job that is before us; not because we have the ability and the power, but because his Spirit has. His Spirit will achieve great things as we set about being his witnesses.

But here again is where so many today are getting off the track. They are looking for the Spirit’s power to give them the big and the spectacular: they are looking for the Spirit to give something extra, over and above what God has already given us. They think that this is what will make the Church more alive and make it grow. Yet Scripture is quite clear that the Holy Spirit works through the Word and the Sacraments. For it is there as the Good News of Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, is proclaimed, that there the Holy Spirit can draw people to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved. What did Jesus say in the Gospel reading?

(Luke 24:46-48)  He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

That means that we ourselves will see, and use those things as of greatest importance in our own lives and in our mission to others. Divine Service: Word and Sacrament; Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection will be all important for us. When that happens it will also be that which we will want others to be a part of.

His promise is that as we witness to that, then the Holy Spirit’s power will be at work. Yes, in much the same way as Jesus greatness and glory was shown in his suffering and death; in the lowly and seemingly negative things of life, so also The Holy Spirit is at work in the ordinary and the mundane. So we don’t have to wait around until we have it all together in our brain, and we are feeling on top of it all, and we have something spectacular to present to others.

All we need to do is plainly and simply tell of Jesus and how important his death on the cross is for us all. As people are called back, to take, Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins seriously, there the Spirit will quietly but powerfully work in their lives. There he is able to take people who are in trouble and on track to an eternity in Hell, and give them life and salvation. Nothing is more powerful than that. Yes, it happens as each of us in our own quiet ways shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.

So we can get on with the task that Jesus has set down for us: whoever we are and wherever we are at in life. We can now live and work for the benefit of others, and know that because Jesus has ascended, he has also sent his Holy Spirit to work his power through our weak and fumbling attempts of sharing the importance of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. So we can go forward with confidence and be willing to do what is being asked of us. Not because we have the power to change peoples lives; but because the Spirit will do that in his own quiet but powerful way.

At the same time, we know that we have failed in the past to do this, and we will in the future also fail to do what we aim to always do; but here Jesus’ ascension still encourages us. For we now know that Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. He has a place prepared for us, won for us by his death and resurrection, waiting for us. So we can pick ourselves up and get on with being his witnesses even after we have failed. For as we look to Jesus, his Spirit will continue to be there with us to help and guide us all the way along.

Let us remember that Jesus ascension does not mean that we have been left all alone. His Holy Spirit is here amongst us in the Word and in the Sacraments working his power for our good and for the good of his kingdom. So let us keep his commission and his promises ever before us as we seek to live and be the witnesses that he wants us to be. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish