Acts 10:34-43.                    Risen to be judge???                                      1/4/18

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. ³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

³⁹ “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, ⁴⁰ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Yes, the Jesus who died on the cross has now been raised from the dead. This is absolutely amazing news for us here in this world of ours. It gives us a sure and certain hope in the midst of a world that has lost its way. When we are becoming more and more cynical with the realities of life, we have here today again news that gives us a sure and certain hope.

Jesus’ rising from the dead now gives us the assurance that there is something that can lift us beyond the troubles, misery and death of life in this world. Because this is a certainty and not just some concocted story we have here that which gives us a whole new way to face life.

There are many, many, proofs that this really did happen. Jesus did rise from the dead just as he said he would. Some years ago, an unbelieving lawyer set out to examine the evidence for the reality of this event. He came to the conclusion that even today if it as brought before the courts it would have to be accepted that it did happen. Even after all these years, the evidence is clearly there for us to be sure that this is not a made-up story.

Even though it is beyond the realms of what science would say is possible, Jesus rose from the dead after three days. Even though our world today does not want to recognise that it did happen and would prefer to simply think of it as a myth; here we have news that turns life upside down.

As well, we have promises that were given by God and written down hundreds and hundreds of years before this event, here in Jesus and his death and resurrection they are being fulfilled. On Good Friday was a clear example of this in the reading from Isaiah depicting very clearly what would and did happen to Jesus all those years later. Archaeology clearly shows that these writings were written hundreds of years before and so are not some concocted story.

So again, here is a lot more proof to this reality of Jesus death and his resurrection. So, we can be absolutely sure that this is all for real. Jesus’ ‘it is finished’ of Good Friday now means that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation is absolutely guaranteed for us. Jesus has done everything necessary for our salvation and life. He also was raised from the dead so that we can be absolutely sure that this is all for real.

Here God has stepped in and done the impossible. Here God wants us to know for sure that he has done something truly remarkable for us. He is for real, and he has that which gives us what we need in order to get through this life and into the next. Jesus rising from the dead has extraordinary ramifications for each and every one of us.

The message here is that God has now made it possible for us to be lifted beyond the realities of our day to day world. A world that lets us down over and over again. In so many ways our world promises us so much; but fails to deliver over and over again. The more it focusses on great achievements, the more the failures are even more tragic. We see this happening all around us, and it leaves us sad, disillusioned and finally hope-less.

This last week we have had an event that exemplifies this so clearly. Even though cricket is just a game, it portrays quite clearly the problem of life in our world, and also in many ways the message of Easter. Here I would to read to you our Bishop Altus’ message to our state this weekend.

Betrayal, denial, blame, condemnation, shame, public humiliation, the demand for heads to roll…..

Last weekend all that and more was being said about the Australian cricket team.

This weekend those same words describe what happened to Jesus Christ.

He had done nothing wrong. His life had been marked by selfless love and integrity. Yet Jesus was the one cheated on, publicly shamed, humiliated, and hung out to dry on a cross in a field for all to mock. Even his friends ducked for cover.

At stake on Good Friday was more than a game; or saving face for the Aussie public before the eyes of the world. At stake was the saving of humanity in the eyes of God.

What happened last weekend and what we remember this weekend have connections we might reflect on, not by pointing the finger at others from the hill of our high moral ground; but seeing in the mirror our own self-centredness and where it can lead.

If we are honest it is not just our cricket team who have “crossed the line” when it comes to attitude and behaviour. Who hasn’t sought the advantage in a relationship, put self-first, sacrificed integrity for expediency, attempted to get ahead dishonestly, cheated the tax man or even their life-partner, or attempted to lie and cover up something? Have we always spoken out, stepped in or stepped up when we should have? The damage our own actions or inaction causes is at least as hurtful to people around us as the consequences of tampering with a ball during a game have been to us.

Good Friday is about seeing Jesus hanging his head on the cross, taking our guilt and shame away from us in the eyes of God. Easter is discovering the joy and freedom of God’s forgiveness, and the new beginning and life.

Now we can get on with life with confidence and certainty. Now we can be absolutely sure that we are loved and accepted. Now we are able to be a part of God’s family for all eternity. We have been made holy so that we can now seek to live this holy life, both here and in heaven. All guaranteed by Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.

As a result of that now we can live hopefully, in the midst of a world that has lost its way. Instead of being selfish and self-centred we can now look upward and outward. We can with God’s help now live in accord with what is good, right and helpful. We no longer need to follow the world and its ego-centric living.

While our world around seeks to cheat, deny, blame and all the rest in order to get on in life, we now can set about seeking to do what is good and right; even when everything is going wrong. Even if the world and life seems to be against us, we now know that everything will work out for good, for sure. So, we can do our utmost to live in accord with the fact that we have been made holy by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We can in the face of it all recognise our own weaknesses and failures and readily admit them. We repent of our sin and readily seek forgiveness from our Lord and others. Knowing that he has died for our sinfulness and has forgiven us, we readily turn to him so that we too might be forgiving of others. We recognise that this side of death we are still sinful human beings.

This however does not mean that we condone sin or disregard it as not worth being concerned about. It does not mean that we live as we please because we are forgiven. For we know that unless we live according to his commandments we will be only bringing more hurt and harm to ourselves and others around us. So, we now will ever seek to live as he tells us in his Word. We will constantly seek his help and guidance to live as he would have us.

But even more importantly we will be witnessing to the world around us of that which is good and helpful for us all. We acknowledge our sinfulness and our assurance of the love, forgiveness and salvation that has been won for us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we ourselves are so amazed and overwhelmed by what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection, it will be seen by others. Then we pray that they too might seek to know and be a part of the wonderful Good News that we have been reminded of again this weekend.

Yes, we now know for sure that because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead after three days, this is all for real and is essential for us. We can be absolutely sure then that all this that we have been reminded of this weekend about Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection is for real. It is all vitally important for us and for our salvation. So now we can go forward with confidence and certainty in the midst of a world that has lost its way.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has done it all for us. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

He is risen! His risen indeed!

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Jeremiah 31:31-34.          We live under a new way/covenant??                    18/3/18

³¹ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
³² It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.
³³ “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
³⁴ No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

The days are here, not coming, where we have a new way to live in God’s presence. God has made it possible for us live in his presence with a sure and certain hope and confidence. But sadly, it would seem again, as though many just do not want to be a part of it. God gives us all that we need so that we can have life in all of its fullness, and we all too readily turn our backs on it. How sad indeed!

Sure, many in the church have not been a good witness to Jesus Christ and the sure hope that we have. In fact, there have been far too many cases of people doing horrible things that have turned people away. But even that should surely not turn people away from this great hope and future that we have. Surely, we would be wanting to do what our God wants because of who he is and what he has done for us.

At the same time though, we have many who are preaching and teaching a message that is not this new covenant message but one that is very akin to the old covenant. That old covenant and the message of many today is that we have to do our part, if we want God’s approval. We have to keep our side of the bargain and live a good life. And the Old Testament is full of examples of God’s people failing to do what God wanted them to do.

Today is no different; when the focus is on us and what we have to do, there will be a never-ending list of our failures. We don’t come anywhere near good enough to be acceptable. Yet we are far too often persistently having the focus put on ourselves and what we must do. The message is far too often centred on me, myself and I, and God is simply there to help me on my way.

Now of course there is element of truth to it. But unlike the Old Testament that is not the expectation of God toward us. Nor is it to be the centre and focus of our faith either. If there is any expectation of our having to measure up by our own deeds we will never be certain of our salvation; and in the end, we will fail.

Along with that we have the message and attitude that it doesn’t really matter all that much what we think and do. Because after all God is a loving God so we will be okay. So what if we don’t go to church much or take the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant Word, as long as we are loving and tolerant, that is all that matters.

Here however we are reminded that God already way back in Old Testament times promised that he would provide another new covenant for his people. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
 No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

In other words, God himself will give us all that we need in order for us to be his people. He will do everything in order for us to have salvation and eternal life. He will give and make available to us all what we need in order to get through this life and to be with him in heaven. He gives us the law that we need in order for life to go well for us, in our relationship with God and with one another.

However, being a holy and just God, he has to deal with our failures and sin; our rebellion against him and our insisting on doing our own thing. He said death was to be the punishment of our disobedience, so he has to bring that punishment to bear. He has to be true to himself and his Word.

Again, he has written the hearts of each and every one of us, the knowledge of what is right and wrong. We know that we don’t measure up to his expectations. We are told here that his law is now written this on everyone’s hearts. Also, we know that there is a God and that he is a just God. It is as plain as the nose on your face. It is there. We know that this punishment then is what we deserve.

In many ways these people do not need you and me to tell them this. They know it. They just need us to remind them of it all. To put it under their noses so that they can smell the stench of what they and we have all done and are doing. They don’t need us to tell them that God is there; and that he is a great and awesome God: and that he will be judge of all. But again, God is using us to bring it to the forefront of their thinking.

However, that is a very challenging thought for many of them and for us also. We don’t want to hear these things. We want to ignore and push this thinking far into the background of our lives. There are also many who are actively and boldly saying there is no God. They are desperately trying deceive themselves and others that God is simply a figment of pre-historic man’s imaginations, and not relevant to their lives today. Yet God makes it quite plain, that they know. They will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. So, it is even more damnable for them.

But sadly, for so, so many today, they know but have sought to ignore and block out this knowledge of God and his law. Their pride and arrogance means that they do not want to face up to the fact that they don’t measure and they don’t want to change or do anything about their predicament. They would prefer to simply live as they please and hope in the end that somehow, they will be ‘up there somewhere’ because they have been a reasonable good person.

But again. we have no excuses because we all have sinned and fallen short of what God has said is acceptable. We all, far too often, ignore God and do not give him much thought at all. We all simply want to do our own thing and live our own lives. So, the penalty of punishment and death hangs over our heads.

But even here God does what is necessary for us. He himself comes into our world; takes our humanity and then our sin on himself and allows himself to be punished in our place. There on the cross he takes on himself what we deserve. God’s holiness and justice is served. The payment for the sin of us all is taken on himself, so that God does not punish us for our sin.

There he reminds us again and again that: I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. As far as the east is from the west he removes the punishment for our sin from us. He does what is necessary so that every single one of us can be released from the guilt of our sin - from the least of them to the greatest.

There on the cross then we have that which turns everything upside down and gives us all that we need in order to go forward with hope and confidence. There is no need for us to perform in order be acceptable. Now however we seek to do what his law commands because we are loved and accepted.

Now all that is required is that we trust that he has done everything for us. He has not only put his knowledge of the law on our hearts and minds. He not only has put in minds that there is God out there. But now he has shown to us that he loved us and has done everything necessary for us to be a part of his family for all eternity. We are forgiven and assured of eternal life with him. His Spirit has even given us this faith and trust that is needed.

So, all of us now freely have the opportunity to be with God now and forever. In connection with him we now can be absolutely sure that life will work out for us and that eternal life is assured for us in heaven. We can know that we are loved and cared for, even in the midst of the mess of life that we human beings have made for ourselves. He is there using it all now for good, Maybe, to keep us or others looking to him and seeking his help and presence. We can have a sure and certain hope that it will all work out in the end.

However, the sad thing is that so many just do not want it. They still don’t want God and all that he has to offer. They turn their backs on him and reject all that he has made available. Yes, they want the ‘goodies’ but not the relationship with God that goes with it. They went everything to go well for them but don’t want to listen and follow our Lord. As a result, they do not receive eternal life in heaven.

Their unbelief and failure to look to and trust in Jesus Christ means that they will not receive all the goodness that God has extended to us. The one unforgivable sin is rejection and unbelief. Instead of heaven there is hell.

But for us we can rest easy with the full assurance that God has done everything necessary for us to have forgiveness of sins and life forever more. We can look to and trust that in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross God has won it all for us. So now out of praise and thankfulness for this love that he has extended to us, we will seek to live under his Lordship and seek to live according to his law – with his help.

So, to him then be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

John 3:14-21.                      Lift our eyes and live!!                                                    11/3/18

(14)  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, {15} that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. {16} "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {18} Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. {19} This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. {20} Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. {21} But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Here in the midst of Lent we again have a message that puts a very clear point and challenge to each and every one of us. The implications are far reaching and profound: God’s approval or condemnation; living in light or darkness; eternal life or eternal death. Serious implications indeed! So, we need to listen carefully here to what God himself has to say.

Here we are pointed to the great and glorious hope that we have as Christians. John 3:16 would have to be one of the most well-known verses in Scripture. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is God’s Good News to us in a nutshell.

Here, this Good News is placed right into the very heart of the rough and tumble of life: the darkness, death and hell that is all around us. In our mixed up and troubled life we are pointed to the one sure hope that there is. In contrast to the consequences of a sinful, selfish world, we are reminded of the glorious salvation there is there for us. If only we would not ignore or close our eyes to it.

In many ways, the problem is that we don’t want to see the depth and extent of the problem that is before and all around us. ‘They are minor flaws that can be overcome with a few more dollars and a little more human technology. If we become more open and tolerant we will do away with fights and squabbles, sickness and death. If we work at it we will be able to evolve into a better future.’

However, the reality is otherwise. Humanity right from the fall of Adam has been trying to insert its independence from God and build its own utopia. All along the way however, our selfishness and sin has continually brought our endeavours to nought. No matter what we do or how hard we try, it always has and always will come unstuck. No matter how good the idea, selfishness and sin will always bring our best efforts to nothing.

So, darkness is continually hovering over humanity. We grope around in the darkness hoping against hope that we will get through life safely. We want to see and make a way through for ourselves. We want to hope that the next bit of research and a few dollars will make the difference. But any realistic look will point to the opposite.

God in his Word makes it quite clear to us that no matter how hard we try and whatever we attempt, our sinfulness always messes it up. He tells us again and again that we cannot and will not ever achieve for ourselves the utopia that we long for. Above all he tells us that these endeavours of ours are deadly. They are not minor problems and difficulties but have huge and deadly consequences. Especially eternal death in hell and separation from God.

But he reminds us also, that as we look to Him, then there is a light and a way through it all. As we look to him we are told there is a way through and the certainty of eternal life in heaven with our Lord. In him there is a light at the end of the tunnel; and it even helps us here and now in the midst of this troublesome world. There is meaning and purpose to our lives here and now.

However, so many today do not want to see or be a part of this Good News. One so often wonders why it is that many don’t want to see and take advantage of this one sure hope that there is. Why is it that they don’t want to live in the light of a good and glorious way of life? Well here in this reading God is very clear as to their reasoning?

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. They don’t want to listen to or know God’s Word, because they don’t want to know that what they are thinking and doing is wrong. They want to do their own thing irrespective.

But again, they don’t want to know how serious the implications are. Darkness, condemnation and an eternity in hell is there for all who turn their backs on God. ‘Surely it is not that bad. After all I am a reasonably good bloke.’ Here today God uses the image of the snake on the pole that Moses was commanded to use when many, many people were being bitten by deadly snakes and were dying as a result.

For the people of that day the situation was quite clear. They knew that if they were bitten they were dead. There was none of this thinking that ‘it won’t hurt me: I’m okay Jack’. This was life and death. The results were right there in front of them on a daily basis.

But God gave them a way out: Moses put a snake on a pole and whenever anyone was bitten they were to look to that pole and they would be healed. And it worked! Even though it would have seemed stupid to human reason, it happened just as God said it would. So, they learnt a valuable lesson: look up to the snake – look up to God and you will be saved. God alone could get them through. To those who trusted him they lived. To those who considered it and God stupid they died. Clear and simple.

 So, Jesus uses that as an illustration to the people of his day and to us today as well. First of all, to remind us of how deadly a game we are playing when we think that we can ignore God and seek to live by and for ourselves. But then to point us again to the miraculous and wonderful Good News that he extends to us through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. So again, the point is made with regard to the absolute necessity for Jesus Christ to die on the cross There alone do we find that which saves us from impending doom and hell. There we hear in the clearest possible way what is vital for us all.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God gives his own Son to die so that all who look up to him and believe in him will live. Trust him and eternal life in God’s family is assured. There is acceptance by God instead of condemnation. His Son takes the punishment so that we might be freely and fully forgiven.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. God has come in Jesus Christ to deal with the problem of our sin. He takes the punishment that we deserve on himself so that we might be forgiven. Look to him and believe in him and salvation is guaranteed. We are freed to live for ever in God’s presence. How wonderful. How amazing. To him be all glory and honour forever.

However, let us not forget what he says immediately after saying those words.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. The consequences of not looking up to Jesus Christ and trusting in him is deadly. Eternally deadly!

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Yes, the Light has come into our darkened word. Now we can see the problem and the way that God has provided through it for us all. God has done a truly marvellous thing for us. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Now we can go forward boldly and confidently looking up to and trusting in our great God and all that he has done for us. He has given us, all that we need in order to face up to our selfishness and sin; to be brought back into God’s presence and light; and also given us what we need in order to now live in a way that is good and helpful for us in the midst of the serious problems of this sinful world.

So, this Lenten season let us endeavour to continually turn to him and look up and live. Let us hold closely to this promise from our Lord:

 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  

To him be all glory and honour now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Romans 4:13-25.                               Trusting the promises of God!                    25/2/18

(13)  It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. {14} For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, {15} because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. {16} Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. {17} As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. {18} Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” {19} Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. {20} Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, {21} being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. {22} This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” {23} The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, {24} but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. {25} He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

As we continue on our Lenten journey our Lord Jesus says, “Follow me,” and promises that he will be with us always. He says, “Live as children of the light,” and promised to give us the strength and power to do so. He says, “Love as I have loved you,” and has also promised and given us the love that we need in order to do so.

These are among the many commands and promises that have been given to us. But how often are we not like Jonah, and turn and run the other way. Where is our effort today to live as Christians who have been given these commands and promises? Where is our love - Christ’s love that is concerned about the welfare; and especially the spiritual welfare of our fellow human beings? Where is this Christian living that is in accord with God’s will?

Instead it is here today that we are in danger of going through the motions of being a Christian without our hearts being really in it. We are looking too much to ourselves and the world around us for our life, rather than looking to and trusting our Lord. We do what we want to do, instead of listen and following what our Lord has to say.

Once again, this lack of real Christian living in our lives is evidence of a life that has little trust in our great God; but instead, of self-centredness and self-righteousness. Again then, we are reminded that faith and belief in Christ is verified by a changed life: a life that is directed away from self, to our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is evidenced by a life that is prepared to take God and His Word seriously: to step out and do what God is calling us to do. Now that is where we struggle, don’t we: to trust God and take him at his word? As we look at ourselves we just feel as though we can’t do it, and we therefore don’t seem to think that it is possible, even for God; if we even think of him.

For us to live as God expects, is like Abraham and Sarah having a baby when they were a 100 years old: it is like being called to go off and start a new life in a foreign and hostile country when they are at that age, in anticipation of having a family, when the wife’s womb would long be considered dead and useless. For us this is all crazy: it is an impossibility, even in our day and age.

Now in reality, this is exactly the way it so often is  for us, when it comes to our living as God expects: when it comes to living, loving and making disciples in God’s kingdom. At the moment we are living in a heathen society that has only one interest: self and the almighty dollar. And when it comes to love and living, all we seem to think of today, is sex and pleasure.

When it comes to making disciples, well that is out because we have to be tolerant and respect other people’s rights and all the rest. When it comes to other ‘Christians’ and denominations; and even religions; well, we are all on track to the same God, so how can we say they are wrong, or need to change, or need something more. Not to mention the fact that we are no longer sure whether we ourselves are right.

Yes, we just can’t achieve the perfection that is being asking for; and so, we either do nothing, or as little as we possibly can. Of course, we still expect God to accept us never-the-less. Or else we are like Jonah, and turn and run the other way. We look here, to ourselves, and in reality, only see failure.

But it is here that we are reminded that Abraham stepped out and did what God was calling him to do; trusting Him, despite the impossibility of it all. ‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” He was not like us in saying, ‘Yes I believe in you God, but look I will just stay here for now and wait for something to happen. You know, it might look a bit foolish if I head off now and die in nowhere land, without any family at all. After all, I am way too old for this kind of thing. I am sure you understand God. I’m close to the end of my life. And because I have basically been a good fella - even if nothing happens the way you want - you’ll take care me - won’t you? You know that I am only human, with all my faults and failings, so you understand if I don’t head off now.’

No; Abraham didn’t act the way we so often do. Instead he listened to God and trusted him despite everything. So, he went off, knowing that God was with him. Knowing that God had the power to do what he said he would do. At the direction of God, he went off to a far country and the Lord blessed him with a family.

 As a result, we are told here that this faith was credited to him as righteousness. He was considered to be in a right relationship with God: not by society or himself - but by God himself. His trust in God; that was evidenced by his stepping out in faith, is what put him in a right relationship with God.

That, we are reminded, is the way it is for us also. Despite the difficulties and impossibilities that lay before us in living out the Christian life: despite our weaknesses and failures; we are called to trust that God will carry through on what he has promised, if only we would give him a chance. Here let us remember that if we look at every other stage in human history, God has not failed to bring his promises to fruition. If we take a look at guys like Peter, Paul and Matthew, Luther, and many others, God turned their lives around and produced great things through them.

If his Son can die on the cross and come to life again three days later for us, we can be sure that he can do as he has promised for us as well. So, when God promised to make us his children and give salvation and eternal life to us in our baptisms, we can be sure it is possible - even if it is impossible to us. As we believe in God who raised Jesus from dead; and as we believe that Jesus was delivered to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification, then we are assured that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God.

When he promised to be with us as we go and make disciples of all nations through baptism and teaching, we are assured he will assist us in every way possible. As we go out and live and love as the people of God - as true Christians – we know his Spirit will be with us guiding and helping us to make Jesus Christ known to those we come into contact with. And so, we today are also assured that God does have the power to do all that he has promised to do in our lives here and now.

Even when we are facing changes and challenges for you here in this parish, and myself and Julie as we go into retirement, we still have God’s promise that he is with us and that he will use us to extend his kingdom. Remember Abraham was a hundred years old and God still worked through him. We too can continue to trust the he is with us always and will bring blessing through us.

So, let us step out in faith, knowing that our God is faithful and true to his Word and promises. Let us trust that he will do all that he said he would do for us. So, when we are feeling uncertain about salvation and as to whether God really does loves us, wondering even if we really are Christians, let us stop and trust again that Jesus’ death and resurrection has done it all for us, and that he has connected us to himself through baptism.

And when we are tempted to doubt that his Word is clear and that we need something more and different, let us trust him when he says that he has given us all that we need to know in the Bible. Where our life needs to be changed so that we become more Christlike in our living and loving, let us look to his Spirit to help and direct us, instead of trying to do it on our own. When we are called to speak up for God, let us trust that God will give us the words to speak, instead of thinking of our insecurities and weaknesses.

Then as we trust that he is true to all his Word and promises, we also along with Abraham and Paul have that assurance that our faith will be credited to us as righteousness: that we also can be sure that we are right with our Lord. So, let us go forward every day, seeking to live and be true Christians; trusting that he is with us always. And may our gracious and trustworthy God give you that trust and the help that you need in order to achieve great things for him.

To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

2 Corinthians 4:3-6.                                         Gospel veiled???                                              11/2/18

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

This morning our focus is on the transfiguration of our Lord up on the mountain, and its implications for us here today. Jesus revealed himself to three of his disciples so that they could catch a glimpse of who this Jesus really is. That was then recorded for our benefit after Jesus had died and risen again from the dead.

This was done in order that we can be certain of the fact that this Jesus truly is God come into our world for the express purpose of dying on the cross. So that we might have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life with God in all eternity. This Jesus Christ is truly then Lord of life for us here today.

However here is where the problem then is for us today. If Jesus really is Lord of all, how come our churches today are in such a dire situation as they are? Why is it that we have so many around us that do not want to ‘pitch their tent’ in the presence of God’? Who want to be with him as much as possible? Why do they want to live in darkness instead of the glory of Christ?

This reading here this morning from 2 Corinthians gives us a clear indication as to what is going on. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Ouch!

The minds of so many today are being blinded to the truth. They cannot and do not want to see that which gives light to life for us. They are so caught up in the things and attitudes of this world that they are blind to reality. They are so ego-centric and narcissistic they cannot see beyond their own lives and thinking that they have no idea as to what is truly good anymore.

Very much that is the god of this age. The idol of me, myself and I, is so worshipped and adored by the world all around us. This idol is now also having a big influence in the churches as well. What I think, feel and want is placed way above even what God almighty is and says. We in the western world have put this idol up on a pedestal as sacrosanct. Surely if I think something is right and good, God must surely think the same things. If he created me the way I am, then surely, I am right. How disastrous!

The really sad thing is that our thinking is so veiled that we cannot even see how wrong and bad this thinking is. This self-glorification of ourselves has so clouded our thinking that we cannot even see the problem. Any half-thinking on our part surely shows how much this narcissistic thinking is destroying our society. The mess in each of our lives is an ever-present reminder of the sin that is there.

So, our society is perishing rapidly and we don’t want to see it or acknowledge this is the case. We accept all the technology because of the good that is there, but turn a blind eye to its many disastrous and tragic fruits. We are rapidly dying as a society, but are desperately try to pretend that we are developing into a better one. History is fast repeating itself.

However, here today we are reminded that there is a clear and bright answer to this for those open to receive it. For our reading reminds us that: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. God therefore has and is a Light that can overcome the darkness that is in our world. It is ever there, if only we would not close our eyes to it.

This is where it is interesting. Just as when we come into a very bright light, we will often close our eyes. The light is too bright for our eyes to immediately cope with, so we close them. The same goes for the glory of our Lord; our sinfulness cannot bear to take God seriously for it hurts too much.

We know the punishment that we deserve, so we close our eyes to the problem. We pretend that God is not there, or that he is a loving God who accepts us irrespective. At best, we will just take little glimpses here and there; not get involved too much; not listen to carefully. Then we might be okay.

But in this regard God has given us another way for us to see the glory of God, in all of its fullness. He shows us very clearly who he is and what he is like. He shows us that he knows our problem and does something about.  He proves that he is with us and that he cares. In this way we can look up to him without his glory being more than we can bear.

Jesus and his disciples did not stay up there on the mountain. They came down from the mountain and travelled through mess of this life to Jerusalem and the cross. Because of the sin of each one of us there is all kinds of problems and disasters to face in this life. Because of our disobedience toward God and his Word, this will be for as long as this world stands. Without Jesus coming down off the mountain we would also have had to endure God’s eternal punishment for our sin.

That is why he comes down and goes to Jerusalem. There he allows himself to take the punishment that we deserve on himself. He becomes the Sacrificial Lamb which takes away the sin of the world. He does what is need for us to see the glory of God in all of its fulness.

So yes, there on the cross he comes right down into our sinful world and gives us a way through and out of the mess we have made for ourselves. There he takes our punishment on himself so that God can now look on us without his glory burning us up. There we can see the extent that he is prepared to go to so that we might have forgiveness and salvation.

Then three days later he rises again so that we can know that he is truly of God and that his death for us was valid. So now we too can know that in connection with him we too will rise from the dead to be with him in all his glory to enjoy the very best forever more.

So now as we look to and are connected to Jesus Christ through baptism and faith we are able to go forward with boldness and confidence. For in him we now can see the glory of God, in the death and resurrection of our Lord. We can face the troubles and hardship of life with a sure and certain hope.

So, God in this way has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. We who are truly Christian are enabled to now have that certainty of knowing that there is a clear way through the mess of this life, to then be able to enjoy the rest of eternity with our Lord in heaven.

The face of Christ on the Cross is our enduring confidence of God’s glory. There is the glory that enables to stand in the midst of a world that refusing take it seriously and is thereby living in darkness. Though the unbelieving world is heading to eternal darkness, we already are living in the light of Christ.

This sure and certain hope then helps us here today in the midst of the world that we are living in today. We know that: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  But with Christ we can hold our heads up and seek to do the best we can in the face of it all.

Even though many have openly turned their backs on God; and many within the Church not heeding what he says in his Word, we can continue to hold to Christ and his Word and know that we are safe. When many worship the idol of me, myself and I, we can look to our Lord and know for sure that that is where our hope for the future lies.

Even when many in the church try to change and ignore what God has said, we can know that it is Christ and the cross that is central. When the focus is on society and what I think, we are careful, and instead continue to know that it again is all about Christ and what he has said and done for us that is all important.

So, what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Our aim is to give all glory to Jesus Christ and acknowledge that his glory is very closely associated with his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

So, to conclude, here today we are reminded of the importance of the recognition of the true glory of Christ.  He has revealed himself as God and as one who on the cross, ensures forgiveness of sins, life and salvation to us. May God continue to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. In the midst of a world where the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, may we not succumb.

Christ is not hidden from us. His Word and Sacraments are our constant assurance and confidence that there alone in Jesus Christ is our hope and our certainty. So, to him alone then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Isaiah 40:21-31.                 The Triune God is still God.                                          04/2/2018

²¹ Do you not know?    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
²² He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
²³ He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
²⁴ No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

²⁵ “To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
²⁶ Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?  Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Here this morning we have another important message for our society and in fact the whole world. And it is a message that we here need to consider as well. Do you not know?  Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? That God is for real. That he is the only great and eternal God who controls all of history. No one and nothing can compare with him.

With that in mind consider this very carefully; for our future depends on it. We only need to think about what is happening around us in our own country. People left, right and centre have thrown belief in God out of the window. Others, though the say they believe in him, they make no effort to worship him or take him and what he says seriously. Only a very small percentage attend Church on a regular basis.

It would seem that we want to make God in our own image. In other words, to be a God who fits into our own way of thinking or caste him aside completely. Even in the churches there is the temptation to make him and what he says, fit into our way of thinking. In this way we are making ourselves the centre of the universe instead of God Almighty himself.

At the same time many of these people will read their horoscopes, tarot cards, clairvoyants and the like. They dabble in yoga, mysticism and semi spiritual endeavours, thinking nothing of it. They treat the dollar and technology as though it is where life is really at. And above all else, the me, myself and I is what is so important today. So, what I think, do, feel and say is where life is really at.

Yet what is happening to our society as a result. Very quickly we are seeing a growing breakdown in community. Selfishness, greed and corruption are becoming more and more prevalent: more and more people are hurting, lonely and depressed: drug abuse, suicides, road rage, deviant behaviour, and the like are on the increase: and we could go on.

Sure, you don't need me to tell you the way things are, and that they are getting worse. But here let us remember that there is a direct connection between our attitude toward God and the health of our society. Again, that comes right down into the church as well.

Here I would like to remind you that this is a very similar situation to that of the people of Israel, years before this was message given. They had turned their backs on God. Yes, they still claimed to be God's people – they felt safe and secure with the temple and God’s presence with them.  But they no longer took him seriously.

There was no thought to seeking to live as he required. They chose to ignore much of what he had to say to them and how they should live. In fact, they thought that they could live and do as they please, and it would all be okay. As a result, things started going all wrong for them, and they began to face the kind things we are in our society. But instead of changing, they kept going further and further. So, things went from bad to worse, till they lost their country and were sent into exile.

There they faced the harsh reality of what they had done. But even there they blame God for letting them down and for bringing this disaster on them. It is everyone else’s fault but their own.

But here God through Isaiah tells them: come on, don't you know? Haven't you heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Look all the along the line you had been told that God is for real. You know that you are dealing with a great, all-powerful God. A God who is way beyond this world and yet has control of history. He is a God who cannot be taken for granted. Who is far greater than any human being, who is here today and gone tomorrow. So, he cannot be compared with what we have and see around us.

This true God is almighty and all-powerful. So instead of sitting there and complaining against God and blaming him, and saying that he doesn't care and has forgotten them. He reminds them that Lord is the everlasting creator, who never gets tired. He doesn't fall asleep on the job. He is not to blame. He wants what is best for them, even if that means their having to suffer for their rebellion, so that they wake up and turn back to him.

He also tells them that if only they would look again to him there is hope for the future. He can again make them strong. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. So    just lift your eyes and take the Lord seriously again. He will save them and restore them. And we know from history that is just what happened.

Now we here today, need to listen to this important message. Our church needs to take heed. Our country needs us to help it to see this message also. Our future depends on it.

History has reminded us again and again that God is in control. Nations have arisen; but when they have lost sense of the things that are important, they either have destroyed themselves from within or where taken over by others. They and their great rulers were reduced to nothing. Let us be sure that the same thing will happen again if we are not careful.

The almighty dollar will not sustain us and give us all that we need. Technology does not have all the answers and their time will come. Pandering to our ego alone will not give us the happiness that we long for. They do not compare with the Lord and what he can and does give. They are nowhere near his equal.

We need to continually remind ourselves that our Lord is the everlasting God – the creator of all things. He gives power to the weak; strength to the weary – and he lifts up the broken- hearted. He gives forgiveness for our failures and rebellion against him. In him there is salvation. He gives life here and in eternity. So, he is our only real hope, now and forever.

And how do we know? Surely, we too have heard time and again of God's love for us. We have been told about Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. Through our baptisms he has connected us to everything that he did for us through the cross and empty tomb. In Holy Communion Jesus gives us himself - his very body and blood which he shed on the cross. He has given us this so that we can be sure that he loves us, forgives us and has won eternal life for us with himself.

The Bible is God’s Word and can be relied on. Archaeological science clearly indicates that it is reliable and that it has been handed down for thousands of years without change. Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection from the dead is also clearly attributed to in history. The beauty and intricacies of nature attest to how wonderfully our world is created: way beyond what could ever happen by chance and evolution.

So, yes, God is the Almighty Lord over all; and we know that he loves and cares for us all, and has done what is necessary for our salvation. We also know that his ways for living in relation to him and each other is God and right. But we also know that sin – our selfishness and desire to live by and for ourselves, has created all the troubles, heartaches and tragedies that we experience in this world.

So, the call here this morning is not to take the Lord for granted any more - leaving him in church merely for when might need him. But that he truly is over all and truly the only one who is God who is to be taken seriously. Let us turn back and look up to him as the Lord of life: as the eternal, all-powerful, all- loving and forgiving God that he is.

Then to him be all praise, honour and glory for ever and ever.   AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish