John 8:31-36. Truth frees – False teaching binds!! 28/10/07

{31) To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. {32} Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." {33} They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" {34} Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. {35} Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. {36} So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

You are free! The truth sets you free. This is God’s Good News to each one of you. Yet how many of us here today are bound up in our living, thinking and even our spiritual life? How many of us here are feeling very tied down, frustrated and not able to do what is expected of us? Caught up in whole idea that we or others have to do this, that or the other in order to be acceptable to our community, church and above all to God? How many of us here have been deceived by Satan and our world into ‘having to’ conform and compete with one another in order to get ‘one up?’

Now this thinking is and has been a part of the lives of Christians and the church throughout history. So here as we celebrate the Festival of Reformation, we don’t just look back with thanks to God for Martin Luther and the much needed reformation that took place in the Church at that time; but we recognise the need for an ongoing reformation in our churches and in our own lives. We need to constantly be ‘reformed’ back into what God originally had in mind for us and as he created us in our baptisms. We need to go back to being free as God has made us free in Jesus Christ.

But unfortunately there is much thinking and teaching; even in the churches, which don't help one little bit. Unfortunately also our sinful human nature latches very quickly on to this thinking; loving it; even though it tears us to pieces. So often we hide the Good News of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, behind all kinds of requirements and expectations which bind and drag us down. We must ..... They must .... do this that or the other, or we are just not acceptable. We make all kinds of things requirements that have to be carried out in order for salvation and eternal life to be there.

So all that we end up doing is tying ourselves and others down with a whole system of rules and laws which have to be kept if we are to be Christians. But then we are really not Christian at all. That, is not Christ in us - but false teaching in us. It is Satan seeking to bind us and destroy us.

Ultimately when we go down that path it means striving and striving to be a part of something that in the final analysis is going to destroy us. If we want rules and regulation to determine our acceptability, then we are not believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Then we are told, that he will not have any part in us. All efforts to win God's favour and buy our way into heaven are in vain - wasted efforts – and in fact are disastrous. Instead of gaining the freedom we work for, we become slaves to selfishness, uncertainty and unhappiness forever.

Sure these churches and people that follow this line of thinking gather around them a great following. Our sinful human nature, though it wants to be lawless, it grabs hold of anything that will pander to our ego. But that doesn't mean that they are on the right track. In fact we are warned to be wary that we don't get bound into that type of thinking. It gets its following, obedience, and funding by operating with law; but its greatness belies its fall. It operates with human wisdom, not the truth of God's Word.

We however are called to hold firmly to that truth that is clearly given in the Bible: the truth that in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, we are free. God's love, acceptance, forgiveness and eternal life are a gift - freely given - not dependant on anything whatsoever that we do. At our baptisms we were made a part of God's family - whether as a child or an adult; not by anything that we do - but simply by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. We are accepted freely and fully without strings attached; Continually reminded that we are forgiven and that eternal life with God is now ours. Also that God's power, love and help is always there for us. Thereby we are free to live and be his children at all times.
No longer then, do we need to feel as though we or others have to earn any aspect of all these gifts that are given here. We are not bound to have to do one single thing in order to be acceptable in God's sight. Like a child that is a part of a family we know that we belong irrespective of what we have done or do; so also our being a part of God’s family is not conditional on our obedience, acceptance or any other thing on our part. We don't have to strive to continually be in the family. We are a part of our family and God’s family no matter what. Sure the patience is stretched from time to time; we don’t always perform to what is fitting for one who is part of the family; we don’t consider one another as we ought; and more; but we are still family – accepted and loved, freely.

There in the family we receive all the acceptance, help and care a family can give. There we are free to live as members within the family. Sure, as members of that family, we then seek to live within the guidelines of what is good and helpful for the family; to obey, respond and generally live for the wellbeing and good of the relationship of the whole family. Not to be accepted - but because we are a part of it.

Now sure, on the human level it doesn't always work out as it should. We parents or members of our families, are not always as good as we should be; but when it comes to God's family we know that our heavenly Father will never let us down. He forever and fully loves, accepts, forgives and cares for us perfectly. So he can be relied on.

So when he says at the Baptism of a little child, and each one us for that matter, that we are now a part of the family of God, we know that it is so. From that point on we don't have to strive to be accepted and loved - we are; we know that we will never be let down from our Lord's side; so then are free to live in that family relationship; assured that because of Jesus death, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Unless of course we ourselves choose to walk away and totally ignore and reject God and what he has done for us.

Sure, being free in the family means that we will then do the best we can to live by the family rules: Obedience, prayer, study, using God's gifts and all the rest will be an important part of our life; but not in order to be accepted - but because we already are. We will freely do these things because we know that they are good for us and for our relationship with others. We will freely want to into God’s presence because we know that our Lord has much good to give us there and reassure us of. Now we will seek to live a Christ-like life so that others may know the truth and so be free also; so that they too can enjoy the benefits, joy and peace that is there in the family of God. That means we will not condone sin, but at the same time we will love and do all we can for those with their faults and failings. We will correct, reprove and encourage, with great patience and careful instruction. We will live as is fitting for the family of God. This is what we as a Church and as individuals are on about.

We also hold firmly to the truth of the Gospel that centres on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and the freedom that he makes available to us. That, then is why we remember Martin Luther and the Reformation; and why we hold firmly to the Lutheran Confessions. That is why I stand before you here each week and work among you; and why I reject some churches and preachers. We want you and our community and all the world to know this Good News - this truth that frees. We do not want people to be bound up by all kinds of false teaching that are ever around - teaching that seek to put us back into slavery - you must do this, that or the other in order to be a Christian. No, we are Christian because of Jesus Christ and we live and proclaim that freedom for all the world to know.

Hold then to this teaching in the days and years ahead; and then you will know the truth and continue to be free. In the process I pray that we may be able to help others to see and know this truth also. So that even greater glory will go to our Lord, where it belongs. Truth frees— false teaching binds. Let us always be mindful of this. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

2 Timothy 3:14 Stick to what is right and good! 21/10/07

(2 Tim 3:14-17) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 4:1-5) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Here today as we think of our families and the important role that they play in our world, we have a message that is vitally important for them and for us all. As Christian we know what it is that Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. We know what it is to have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know that he loves and forgives us and assures us eternal life with himself in heaven. We know that the Christian life is important for us.

We know all of this and we agree with it, despite the fact that so many around us today say the church is dead; that it has lost its relevance and appeal; despite also the fact that there are many ways put forward as to how we can keep in touch with the supreme being behind the universe, whoever we want to call him. Here we face the situation where Eastern meditation, astrology and other forms of religious and spiritual activity are promoted as being acceptable. With post-modern thinking saying that we can accept a little bit of truth here and there and thereby make up a truth that is suitable for each of us individually. After all these truths are all equally valid ways of finding God and keeping in touch with him.

Perhaps, more importantly, they are simply ways that we can find and achieve the greatest benefit for ourselves and our happiness. So God becomes for many an abstract idea that fits our perception of what we want him to be and what he can do for us. Sadly this thinking has infiltrated right into the heart of the Christian church as well. Here all too often God is seen to be someone who allows us the freedom to do as we please; and as long as we are reasonable about it and as long as we say we believe in God, whoever and however we perceive him to be. As a result God looses his ultimate position as God Almighty and we merely find God within ourselves and in our finding fulfilment in life. Thereby the reality is that we are not Christian at all – and according to Scripture that thinking has only one end – Hell.

The other difficulty that is faced in conjunction with all of this is; what then is truly right and good for us? Can we really base our lives on a little bit of this truth and a little bit of something else; Because after all that is the thinking that abounds today? How much can we sit back and say; it is all too confusing, so we won’t be all that involved and we won’t impose any thinking on our children? Can we also assume that our children will automatically pick up what will be good for them? Can we say that as long as we believe, that is all that matters? Can we not be here, week in week out, and still expect that our children will grow up to understand that Christ and his Church is all important? These and many other questions along this line are very important for us to consider; even though it is difficult.

Remember that day will come when we all will have to stand before God, as judge, and we will be held accountable for what we believe, teach and pass on to the next generation. We will not be able plead; ‘look I was just going along with the crowd and the opinions of the time. After all, I did have these religious feelings and thoughts. I did try to be a pretty good bloke.’

No, that will not hold water. We are reminded that we do know what is right. He has given us his Word and his Spirit. God also warns us here, that there will be times when many will not listen to the sound and true doctrines of the Bible, but follow their own desires. That human nature will only want to listen to what they want to and what will allow them do what feels good. He tells us here that there will be many who will not listen to the truth, but go to those groups which sound good, even though they might be right off the track. We are living in one of those times now; and God says to us - don't fall for it - God will judge us all for what we take on board and teach to our children. And if we think we can ignore what he has told us here in the Scriptures - look out!

So here the true and only God - the real God - our Lord, says; Continue in truth that you were taught and which we have in the Bible – God’s Word in its entirety – and firmly believe it. Stick to what is right and true – and which has stood the test of time. Stick to the Bible and what it has to say, rather than listen to that which merely makes us feel good. Hold fast to the fact that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Know that we have been joined to Jesus Christ at the baptismal font; and that there we became his people who listen to and follow him, alone. Do this and we will not go wrong.

This was God's advice to Timothy and to us here today as well: to us as individuals; as families; as leaders and as a church. Stick to the Bible and the truths that have been handed down to us from it. Because it is the right way – the only way. Make sure that we and our families continue in and learn that which is able to make us wise unto salvation.

In this reading here this is all spelt out quite clearly for us. There is only one way to salvation for us and for our families. And that is through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. There we have the central, most important truth for us all. We and our families will only have life, salvation, hope, happiness and peace of mind through what Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. These things he gives to us all freely, out of his goodness - without us having do anything to earn it. We are saved by grace through faith – and there is no other way.

It is there that we have the truth of this whole matter: The central, basic point for us all, to hold on to and live in light of. Go to the Scriptures – that is God’s Word to us – and that is what you will find. This truth you will not find anywhere else; and it is the only truth that will lead to eternal life with God. It is all in the Bible; and that is what you have been taught; and that is what our church holds firmly to. And that is what we must stick to, all the way and make sure that we pass on to our children and grand-children.
Then because it is right and true with regard to that which is essential, we are reminded that it is right in all others aspects as well. So we need to take careful note of everything else that God has to say as well. We are reminded that God’s Word is the criteria by which we can see, understand and correct all the other thinking that is put forward for us to take on board. We need hold fast to that which is true and reject that which is false according to what God has to say, instead of the thinking of the day. We have no excuses for being dragged into being slack in our Christian life or to getting caught into other spiritual groups and churches which are on the wrong track.

There in the Bible we also find how God expects us to live and act as his people. There he calls for our obedience and commitment to what he sees as important for us as his people. As his people we are not free to do as we please. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Through his Word he wants to lead, guide and direct us each and every day. He wants us to love and forgive as we have been loved and forgiven. He wants us to be diligent in raising our families as Christian; and that means setting the example. There is no easy way around it and we cannot plead ignorant.

God - the only God - has given us all we need to know and believe: all that we are to stick to and to live in light of. So let us continue in the truth that we were taught; holding fast to that wisdom which leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and we will not go wrong. Keep control of ourselves in all circumstances - endure suffering – and do the work of sharing and passing his Good News on to those whom we have the responsibility of doing so - perform our whole duty as servants of God. And through it all may our families continue to give all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Luke 17:11-19. Freed to give thanks! 14/10/07

{11) Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. {12} As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance {13} and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" {14} When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. {15} One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. {16} He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. {17} Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? {18} Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" {19} Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

The people of Southern Queensland were called to pray for rain again and again through the extended severe drought. Finally the storms and cyclones brought the needed rain and filled the dams. The drought finally comes to an end, so they all headed off to the local to celebrate. Now they were free again to live without constraint: they finally had received the just desserts for the long years of hardship; so they all head off to live it up – all except a few.

These few went off in the opposite direction - they went to give thanks to God. They bent their heads low in gratitude for what God had done for them, even though our nation did not deserve this blessing. They recognised that it was the Lord Almighty himself who had given them the drought breaking rain. They appreciated the fact that it is the Lord who has given us everything that is good; and so their only reaction now was to give thanks to the provider once again for his goodness. And their thankful praise went on to ring out in every word and every action that came forth from their lives. Those few then went on in life with the full assurance from God that their life was truly blessed and had a wholeness to it: a wholeness that was sadly lacking in those many others who took it all for granted.

Now – there in lies a message for us all. In light of the fact that this is the message of our text here this morning, let us look to our own lives and see whether we truly do appreciate all our great God has done for us. Let us first of all check to see if we celebrate our successes as just that, our successes. Is it that we feel that it is our right to receive all the good that comes our way. Or again, are we so comfortable in our affluence that we even fail to see and appreciate the greatness of what God has and is doing for us. Where is the gratitude and thankfulness that should be seen and felt in every aspect of our everyday lives.

To help us think these things through, let us look at the Samaritan leper and what Jesus had done in his life; and there learn something for our own lives. That Samaritan, along with the other nine lepers, was a ‘dead’ man. He was dead even though the leprosy hadn’t executed him yet. His leprosy cut him off almost completely from his own people: his family – his friends – his church. He had to live outside town and not come into close contact with anyone else – except other lepers. When someone came near, they had to yell, ‘unclean, unclean.’ And there was no cure, so all they could do was just exist and slowly deteriorate as their skin gives way more and more. They were bound by something worse than death; and there was nothing to live for and nothing to hope in.

Then Jesus comes along into our world and he heals the sick and proclaims that God’s kingdom has broken into this world. Here Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die on the cross, when somehow this man, along with the other nine lepers, hear that this Jesus was passing by. From a distance, knowing that he was a leper and that he could not come near to the one who apparently was from God, he cries out simply for this Jesus to have pity on him.

Then by a word of command from this Jesus, everything changed. A word from this one who was on his way to be strung up on a cross to die as an outcast changed everything. This one who could see that day ahead when the whole world would turn against him and that he would be forsaken even by his Father in heaven: being punished and having to die for all our rebellion, sickness and sin; for all that makes us outcasts and untouchables. There he was to die the death of all deaths; breaking the power of all that would separate us from God and each other. By rights, his death should remain the only death; because there Jesus died the death of all people – all people. So that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He became an outcast so that there need never be another outcast. No one need be cut off from the land of the living.
So there on the border between Galilee and Samaria, a command from Jesus allowed all ten lepers outcasts to enter back into the land of the living. They all raced off to get on with their living: to get out of life what they could. All – but one. Because as he went off to do what Jesus had told him to do he noticed that his leprosy had gone: that this Jesus truly was from God and that it was he who had given him life again. So he turned and raced back – back to give thanks and praise to the one who had given him life - new life – and a new chance at living.

This man, we recall was a Samaritan – and it seems probable that he was the only Samaritan in the group. That may give us a clue as to the real reason why the others did not find it in their hearts to be thankful. As Jews and therefore members of God’s chosen OT people, wasn’t it their right to receive God’s blessing; wasn’t it God’s duty to care for his own privileged people; hadn’t God betrayed them by allowing them to get leprosy in the first place. It should never have happened to them; yes to the Samaritan perhaps – but not to them – not to them.

There perhaps that is the reason why it was only that one solitary Samaritan that had room in his heart for gratitude. He had nothing; and he knew that he deserved nothing. So to be given life – he knew he owed everything to God – everything. Then for him we find that there was more than healing of his leprosy; there was a whole change in his heart and life. For him life began that day; with Jesus becoming the very centre of all that he was and did; filling his whole life, being and eternity. He was free now to do all that God had in mind for him. His whole life was now one of thankful praise to his Lord and God.

Now what are the lessons here for us today? How easy is it for us to be like the nine: yes, we say that we owe God everything; yet how often isn’t it, that the moment something goes wrong we will tend to say, ‘God, why have you let this happen to me - I’m a Christian – I am faithful in my church life - I try to do the right thing – and all the rest. So what about you doing your bit and looking after me. Let the people out there get sick, loose their job and run into trouble if you must; but not me – it is my right – I deserve better.’ Again with that sort of attitude we have lost the heart of the Gospel: The real message of Jesus Christ and the lostness of us as a humanity without him.
No matter who we are – we have no claim on God. Of ourselves we have nothing that makes us acceptable. We are nothing – and we deserve nothing. Except to be a total outcast. We all too often have bound ourselves to ourselves and to our sin. Yet it is into that nothingness that the Lord Jesus Christ has come with his wonderful gift of life, love, freedom and rich blessings. He has come and made us whole; cleansed us through the washing of our baptism – connecting us to his life, death and resurrection. He has taken us out of a life that was bound to death and given us life, hope and every good thing that we have. He himself being that life and giving it to us freely out of pure grace.

Each day then surely we can only reflect on and appreciate with wonder, thanks and praise all that our Lord has done for us. Surely our life will be one of continually returning to him to give him thanks and praise; and also living that gratitude every day of lives, remembering that he is the giver of every blessing we have received. We will want him to be with us and to lead us and guide us as we face all the various situations of our life. We surely will want to be bound to our Lord and Saviour in all that we say and do; remembering that his promise and assurance is that he is with us and for us..

So as you go from here with that attitude; go with the same assurance that was given to the Samaritan leper – your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and serve the Lord. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts, minds and lives centred in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Habakkuk 1:1-4;2:1-4. God's answer to my troubles!! 7/10/07

{1) The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. {2} How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? {3} Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. {4} Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
(Hab 2:1-4) I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. {2} Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. {3} For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. {4} "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith--

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" was the cry of Jesus on the cross. There he takes up the cry of the Psalmist in the OT who also cries out to God; "My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent."
And this has been the cry of many a God-fearing person throughout the ages. ‘God why? - why these troubles? - why do you allow hardships to overpower us? God why don't you answer us when we call for help?

In light of the OT lesson from Habakkuk, I take up this thought this morning; where is God's answer to our troubles. First, let us hear again the cry of Habakkuk. How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

As we listen to that, we too, hear that as our own cry at various points through our lives. We also know what it is to be burdened down by trouble or some tragedy and despite our plea's to God, there seems to be no ready answer. We are weighed down by guilt - we cry out - but no relief. Some disastrous tragedy strikes our family and God seems so distant and uncaring. We face huge financial pressures and it appears as though God is not providing any way out. The drought continues on to the point of devastation for many of our farmers. Evil abounds in our society around us - attacking from all directions; and instead of any improvements - things go from bad to worse. The churches have lost their way and their focus and it only seems to be gettting worse.

We cry out to God, but receive no relief. Guilt wells up inside: the pressures keep coming: evil continues to hammer away at us. Is there no hope? Is there no way out? Has God deserted us; leaving us to fight our own battles? Is he so distant and uncaring? Often that seems to be the case.

Habakkuk along with many others in Scripture had similar concerns and thoughts. But like Habakkuk we need to listen to God's reply. In response, the Lord say; "Wait - wait for the Lord and he shall bring to pass all that he promises. So despite what Habakkuk was experiencing, he was told to wait. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Trust God and wait; your enemies will receive what is coming to them. Yes, it might seem as though it is a long time coming - but it surely will come. You will receive all that God has promised.

So, when we are burdened down by our troubles or some tragedy; crying to God for an answer - for help, we are asked not to go on feeling sorry for ourselves; but to wait for the Lord. We are to hang in there despite what is happening. God will come to our rescue when the time is right. So no matter how tough things might be - we need hang in there and wait.

Yes sure; I can hear you say. That opens us up to the accusation that we are fools. We are to trust God to help us and nothing happens, so we are seen to be crazy by many around us. ‘But look at them,’ God says. Look at them, as proud and arrogant as they are on the outside - within they are deeply troubled. Their spirit is not at ease - they do not have the answers. They in fact are the ones who are living in a make believe world. They are the real fools. No - the Lord says - you live by faith irrespective of what others are saying. Wait for God's answer. Trust that he will help you when the time is right. He has promised to do what is best for you and for his kingdom and he does not renege on his promises. So wait.

What then, is it that he has promised us? From the time of the Fall of Adam God has promised he will come to the help of his people in their need. He said he would send a saviour, even though we will have to suffer the results of sin along the way. Throughout the Bible we have recorded for us the promises of God and of how time and again he did come to the aid of his people; even if they had to wait awhile. And of course the greatest of those promises is that of his coming to rescue us all from our most serious problem of all - that of sin and alienation from God, which results from our rebellion. The promise that his own Son would come and take the punishment that we deserve, for our disobedience and failure to live as God would have us.

So as a result of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we are assured that God is now with us and for us throughout life. At our baptism God promised to be with us personally throughout our life - even in our hardships; and that we are a part his family here and in eternity, no matter what. And when we come to the Lord's Table we are assured in a very special way of the Lord's forgiveness, presence and help. Then through the blessing pronounced there, his presence will strengthen and preserve our body and spirit throughout. Even in our troubles he will be strengthening and keeping us in the true faith. When a fellow Christians visits, there the body of Christ is present and active also; and that help we receive from them, is help from God Almighty himself.

But too often, of course, we view what I just said as mere words and promises of what might be. Can we really wait for God's help when we are in real trouble simply on those promises - on these words? Yes we can. We can hang in there because God is faithful to his people. He has always been true to his promises in the past. In the Bible there are many, many accounts of God doing just that: fulfilling his promises despite the unfaithfulness, unworthiness and stupidity of the people involved. That is nowhere, more fully demonstrated, than in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There we have God's assurance that he does love us and care us in our mess, even though we are not the people that we should be. There on the cross we can know for sure that he is for us. That cross is his guarantee to you and me.

Even in our own lives we can see how many times God has helped us and blessed us. As we look back to our past difficult times see how he has rescued, cared and strengthened us. Even though at the time we could not see it: even though we might have gotten ourselves into the mess we were in, he was there, showing his care and suffering with us.

So we can again trust God in the future, in the midst of the troubles and hardships that we will face. We can be sure that he will not leave us fight our own battles; to struggle on in own mess; and to slowly go down the tube and be totally broken by what is happening. We can be sure he once again will be with us helping and encouraging us, despite what might look to be the contrary. He will use that situation for good: either our own good, or for the good of others.

However, there are times when he says, wait. There are times when the answer he gives doesn't always come just the way we think that it should, or when we think it should come. But it comes. He knows best. He knows what is of real benefit to us and to his kingdom in the longer term. So often he simply says, wait - wait till his time is right. We will receive help and even greater blessings than we can ever imagine. He simply says trust him - he will take care of the situations; he will bring justice and blessing.

So to conclude, there we have God's answer to us in our problems. Often when we cry out for help his answer is wait. Wait because God has promised that he will come to our aid. Wait because God is faithful to his people. Wait because he has helped and blessed us richly through Jesus’ death on the cross. Wait and trust that he will do what is necessary and what is best. And through it all continue to look to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and know that he is true to his word.

No matter what, look to our gracious and almighty God to give you the patience and strength to endure those times of hardship when they come our way, to help you to wait and never loose sight of his love and faithfulness as shown to us by Jesus on the cross. There remember that you are already richly blessed now and forever. Also there remember that all glory and honour will ultimately go to our great God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For he alone is our help and our salvation. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba