Roger's Postings

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Luke 23:33-43. Christ the King! 25/11/07

(33) When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. {34} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. {35} The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." {36} The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar {37} and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." {38} There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. {39} One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" {40} But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? {41} We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." {42} Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." {43} Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Here at the last Sunday of the Church year our focus is shifted to the end of time – the final outcome of life and the fulfilment of all things; and of who and what is ultimately important. Now off course, this is something most people don’t want to think too much about. They would prefer to live for the moment – live for what they can get and have, here and now; they would prefer to make up their own rules and to do as they please; without any real regard for the future and for the truth and reality. When it comes to the end; well they will take their chances and hope for the best. And as to who and what is important in life; well naturally it is me and my freedom and happiness. Everything for them, revolves around self.

Now this thinking is very much in line with the story about this guy who inherited his way into a hardware store. He was raised with all the trappings of a moderately wealthy lifestyle and being spoilt along the way. Well, now it was his turn to take over the running of the store and training the next generation. Now he thought this ‘was it and a bit;’ strutting around in his self-importance; telling the workers and others what he thought, even though he had little idea, since he paid no attention to his father’s advice along the way. He would then spend on the outward and showy things. He would take time off again and again to do his own pleasurable things; But never taking the time to think about and manage the important aspects of the business. Along with that he would never listen to others and particularly the people who should know and who kept reminding him of things that he should be considering.

So as the money came in, he would spent up. His accountants told him that he must put some aside for the tax bill at the end of the year. But of course, he had it all under control - it would all work out - don’t worry. Instead he kept thinking of the moment and himself and what he wanted from life. Well, tax time came around and with it a bill of $1/4 million; and hardly a dollar in the till to pay. He was in trouble. He was then eventually brought before the courts and was about to be declared bankrupt, when his father steps in and pays the debt and averts a disaster.

Now the truly tragic thing was that he went back to the store and continues on just as before; not listening to his father and others around him – not thinking about his near disaster. Then of course, the next tax time comes around, but this time he was left on own and he finished up out in the street with nothing – not even a friend in the world.

Ridiculous isn’t it? Very few people would be that stupid; would they? Yet, that is just the attitude that many, many people have; and in a far more important area of life. They think that they can go through this life without any consideration and thought for the spiritual things of life – to that which has lasting value. There they think that life is free and easy; and that somehow it will all work out.

These people are like those who were there at Jesus’ crucifixion. Some are there watching, but not involved; looking on from the sidelines. But don’t ask them to commit themselves. Then there are those mock and scoff; openly ridiculing Christ and the Church. Others I am sure just walked on by, without much thought at all. Only a few people were taking seriously what was happening there on the cross, understanding that something very important was taking place.

Yet for all that, did Jesus stop being the Christ? Did he stop being the King of the Jews and of us? Did he ‘pull the pin’ on dying on the cross for us? Does it mean that the end and Judgement Day; heaven and hell, will cease to be a reality? Does it mean that God’s views on what is important and what will happen at that time, change to suite us? No it won’t – none of it!
The end will come and we all will have to face the Day of Reckoning. At that point we all will have to face reality. We will not be able to stand on our good name, reputation or our living a reasonably good life. We will not be able to face that day simply with an attitude that we will be able to take our chances and be let off somehow. Me and my desire for freedom and happiness on my own terms, will count for nothing.

The only thing that will count will be the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This account here of Jesus’ death on the cross, is only thing that can give any one us any real hope and any certainty when it comes to that day. Jesus’ death on the cross is the one single thing that will enable us to face that day with confidence. Confidence not in ourselves or any other single thing other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

It will be no good us saying simply that we are members his church; as much as that is important for us as we live between now and then; so that we are strengthened and encouraged through Word and Sacraments; and so that we can support and encourage one another. At the same time it is no good us saying simply that we followed Jesus’ example in living the good life. Again, yes, that is something we need to strive after and seek to do the best that we can, because he is our Lord and Saviour. Nor can we simply say that we know certain stories about Jesus and what the Bible says. But here again it will be another of our aims along the way through this life, to know as much as we can about Jesus and the Christian Faith. All of those kinds of things ultimately amount to nothing on that last day.

All we can then and now do, is to say, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ All we can do is look to him and trust in him. Knowing that because of his death and resurrection there is forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life with our gracious Lord and Saviour. Jesus Christ alone is to be and will be seen by all to be King of all and Lord of lords. Yes, there are and will be many who reject this message, but they will still have to stand before the Lord on the last day, and acknowledge that he is God’s Son after all, but then to go to their damnation for having rejected him throughout this life.

Now if that is to be the situation then on that last day – the day of fulfilment; then surely now we can and will hold him as King above all kings and Lord of all lords. We will look to him now as our saviour and friend; and we will hold up Jesus Christ and his death on the cross as central to our lives as Christians. We will regularly gather together in his house to be strengthened and encouraged through his Word and Sacraments. We will seek to live and be his people each and every day of our lives. We will trust him in the present and for the future.

Then we will be able to go forward, full of hope and confidence. We will look to Jesus Christ our King, enthroned on the cross, reigning in his humble glory. That is our encouragement here today and as we look forward in life and to the end of time. The Lord Jesus Christ is King; to him then belongs and will be all glory now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba




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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Malachi 4:1-2a. The fire season approaches!! 18/11/07

{1) "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. {2} But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' (Mal 3:14-15)
Those words were written in the chapter prior to our text here. Yet how much do those words not express the sentiments of many people around us today. “What’s the point in being an active Christian and going to Church regularly.’ After all it is money, technology and pleasure that is important. The people who connive and cheat that are the ones who seem to get on the world The proud and arrogant ones are the ones who appear to be enjoying life to the full. The violent and evil ones seem to get away with blue murder. Nice people don’t win, today. So what’s the point in being a Christian? What is the point in serving God and doing what he says?

But Lord Almighty says here and elsewhere in Scripture that the time will come when, ‘my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and the wicked: To person who serves me and the one who does not.’ "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

The day is coming! Sooner or later it will come.
Here, we can draw the analogy with the approaching summer. Nothing is surer than the fact that it is coming. And with it the fire season approaches. For much of our country when the summer comes so then the grass and bush dries off. Making it tinder box dry. Then before we know it, the dangers of a raging fire are at hand. So in this country we are well aware of the dangers that a hot summer will bring. We know that with summer comes that real danger of a raging fire that leaves in its path death and destruction. We know that without proper precautions and care how vulnerable to being burnt to the ground we are. We know that we can easily be left with nothing, but ashes and memories. Complacency has led many a person to live to regret their lack of attention to the proper precautions. They have paid the price for their inactivity when they had the opportunity.

That is the same message that is given to us here, quite clearly this morning, with regard to our spiritual lives. Be assured that the time is fast approaching when the results of peoples lives will be shown for what they really are. The fire season, with regard to the day when all people will be held accountable for their lives, is just around the corner.

Surely that day is coming! As surely as Jesus lived on this earth, died and rose again, that day will come. The Lord Almighty has promised it; and he has never failed to carry out any of his promises in the past. So be assured that the day of judgement and fire is coming. The day when the wicked and the arrogant will be burnt like grass in a stinking hot northerly fire.

The proud and the evil who have failed to give their attention to the things that matter, face the raging fires of destruction which will wipe them into extinction. Those who have cut the sap of God's Word off from their lives and that have not allowed the freshness of new life in Christ to renew and bring growth to their lives are dried off; like grass waiting for that bushfire to happen.

Unfortunately the good times of present day Australia has left far too many facing the inevitability of being burnt to nothing - totally annihilated. Their prosperity, pursuit of pleasure and disregard for God will come to an end and they will have to pay the price for theirs attitudes and actions.


When that raging fire comes, then the difference will be seen between those who live in a right relationship with God and the wicked: between those who live in obedient service to their Lord and Saviour and those who don't. On that day the Lord will vindicate his people. He will bring to light the orientation of a persons heart.

On that day, while some are burning to nothing, others however will be restored to full health, freedom and happiness. They will be as free and as happy as calf or young horse that has just be released from its stall. They will kick up their heels and dance with joy. They all will join together in eternal happiness with their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There to live in the eternal Garden of Eden; enjoying the pleasure of all the goodness of God.

Yes, these will be those who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have been humble enough to know that without God they are nothing and have nothing. They believe that Jesus is their only hope of true life and salvation. That his life, death and resurrection has made it possible for us to be right with God; and to be children of God. As a result of this they willingly and thankfully live as God now wants them. In response to what Jesus done for them they now seek to be obedient to the Word of God: to live a life of love, forgiveness and service.

For these people there is no concern of a raging bushfire; for their lives are lived in the eternal, early spring, where the grass grows lush and green; continually being fed and irrigated by the goodness of God's Word, and the body and blood of Christ. As they continue to grow up toward their Sun they need not concern themselves with withering and drying off as they continually receive the life-giving sap that comes from their Lord. As they wave in the breeze of thankful praise, surrounded by the life-giving Lord, they need not be concern about the coming fire season.

So take heart, it not useless to serve God. There is very good reason to be and live as children of God, despite what we see around us; the prospering of the wicked; the absolute disregard for God and his Word; the apathy and self-centredness of their living. There is however, very good reason not to become disheartened; nor to wander from the narrow path. It may seem at the moment that the non-church going person is no worse off than you or I. It may seem as though those many people who have neglect and disregard for God and his word are doing very well at the moment.

BUT, 'once again my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked, to the person who serves me and the one who does not.' The Lord Almighty says, "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.

So take heart and remain faithful to your Lord. Serve and obey him for he has great things in store for you. Look to him at all times for he is your only hope and salvation; and may you continue to wave in thankful praise, as green grass in the breeze, continually looking to and trusting the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Be thou faithful, unto death and I will give you the crown of life.’ Says the Lord God Almighty. To him then, be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Saturday, November 10, 2007

2 Thess. 2:1-5, 13-17. Hope for the future - despite! 11/11/07

{1) Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, {2} not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. {3} Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. {4} He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. {5} Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?
{13} But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. {14} He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. {15} So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. {16} May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, {17} encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

What a positive and encouraging message we have here in this reading. A message of hope, for people who are facing uncertainty and difficulty. Something that is able to help us forward, even though may have much to be concerned about. Despite the presence of many dangers, we are pointed to that which is good and import and which is truly helpful and lasting.

I believe that at this time for us, this is so important for us all to hear this message. There is pressure coming to bear on us from all directions: Things that we have come to rely on in the past are beginning to collapse around us: the attitudes and morals of our society; droughts and global warming; corruption in financial structures; and perhaps the most difficult of all, the changing emphases in the Christian church; even too often, our own Lutheran church, where less important issues are being stressed as all important and it would seem some basic teachings are being ignored.

There is the desire for something more than what we have already been given. The proclamation of something other than Jesus Christ as our God; as that will give us the true blessing and certainty that we need. All of this is shaking the faith of many, many people. Causing many to become disillusioned and to pull back. We only have to look at the decline in membership in many churches see that many are falling by the wayside as a result.

Now this was much the same sort of situation that faced the congregation at Thessalonica. They were facing trials and persecutions from the government of the day; ridicule from the society around them; the morality of their day was something quite shocking; and to top it all off, there were people within the church who were encouraging them to follow issues that were not so important and which were taking their focus off of the real issues of the Christian life. They were being shaken from every direction. The devil was getting at them.

To all of this Paul writes, that they; that is those very people who were being shaken by all of these troubles, were loved by the Lord. They were chosen to be saved and to believe. They were called through the Gospel – the Good News of what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection, so that they might share in and with the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. So they have every reason to hang in there ~ to hold on.

He there, turns their attention away from themselves; their problems and the distractions that they were facing, and points them to that which really counts. He points out to them and to us that the persecutions, wrong teaching with regard to the end of the world; the problems with false teachers and the work of the devil; nothing is as important as Jesus Christ and the salvation that he brings. After all he is the one who truly does love us; has chosen us; saved us; who through the Spirit helps us to believe; and who wants us to be with him and share in his glory in eternity. Having done all of that for us, he is not going to let these other things shake us into unbelief. As long as we trust him - look to him for help - nothing will cause us to fall. When he is the source and focus of life, hope and all the rest, we are safe. It is only when we look here - at ourself - that we are in danger.

This reminds me of a time as a young lad when I asked to climb a high windmill tower on our farm. The wind was blowing and the tower waving about somewhat. From halfway up, it did not look at all that stable and the platform up on the top, where I was to work from seemed so small and unsafe. It was quite scary – I can remember that my knees were shaking - shaking quite badly. How was I going to be able to go on! How was I going to be able to do the work up there that I had to do. I wanted to climb back down. It was all too much. That was when this old guy – a neighbour - said up to me; Just keep looking up - keep your mind on what you up there for. And whatever you do don't look down and you'll be right. And he was right

So it is with the Christian life. If we keep looking up to our Lord, we can be sure it will all work out: we can then stand firm and confident; we can go forward and know that it will all work out for good. Because with the Lord as the source and centre of our focus everything else will be seen in its proper perspective; including any hardships, problems, or false and misleading doctrines will all be seen in the light of that which is truly important. They will be seen for what they really are; distractions.

We are reminded that our God has already given us all that is important in and through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. Through our baptism we were joined to him al all that he has done for us so that we can be sure that we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He week by week gives us his Word and his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper so that we can be constantly reassured that these wonderful gifts are for us for sure. He has thereby given and gives us all the encouragement and strength that we need to withstand the stresses and difficulties that we face in life. We do not need something more. In fact that something more will only distract and lead astray. It will lead us to place our trust in something other than he what he has given us already.

Paul goes on to tell us here that God is one who encourages our hearts
when we are feeling faint and feel like giving it in. We don’t need to look for something more, elsewhere. Our God in and through Jesus Christ is the one who strengthens us and gives us the ability to stand up and do what needs to be done in order to be the people that God wants us be. Our Lord is faithful to his people and will not let them be shaken to unbelief. Because he loves us and chose us and called us and wants us to share in his glory, we can look to him and trust. We don’t need something more and something extra.

So let us have confidence as we go forward ~ whatever is in front us. Confidence however in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is faithful - he is true. He is the only God and Saviour. So let us get on with our life as Christians standing firm and strong, ready to face whatever it is that is in front of us. Not focussing on our own problems and our own and our worlds desires; or giving way to the current trends and fettishes of an ego-centric society. But prepared to stand by the truth of God and his Word; prepared to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and salvation that he brings; prepared to gather in worship on a regular basis in order to be strengthened and encouraged by him through Word and Sacrament; prepared to help, support and pray for each other as God's people.

Knowing all the while that this is our Lord's call for each and every one of us. And to do it because we know that our God is faithful and true. He is the Almighty Lord of all, so our future is certain; we have every reason to go forward with confidence; knowing however that it will not always be easy. This is the encouragement that our God gives to us here today.

And my prayer is that you will always keep Jesus Christ and his work of salvation through his death on the cross central to all that you are and do. Along with that to share that Good News with others around us. Trust in him alone and you will not go wrong. The Lord will bless you and keep you. He will make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. He will look on you with favour and grant you his peace. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Luke 19:1-10. Not too small for Christ 4/11/07

(1) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. {2} A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. {3} He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. {4} So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. {5} When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." {6} So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. {7} All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" {8} But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." {9} Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. {10} For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Here in this reading we have probably one of the best known narratives of the New Testament. The account of Zachaeus is one that probably all of us are familiar with. But have we really thought about what its message is for us; or is this just one of those nice stories that we like to hear?

Mind you, it is something that is tremendously uplifting and encouraging when we think about it. Unless we are one of those self-righteous, self-centred people who like to think that we are not too bad; and who have no place for those who are in trouble – the little people of our world and those on the outer in so far as society is concerned.

But when look at it from Zachaeus' position – a little person, who though he was wealthy, was considered inferior; and who knew deep down that he was in trouble - from that perspective this is a remarkable story. This account of Zachaeus shows us the real heart of God and the one sure hope that we as a humanity have got.

With that in mind let us look more closely at this whole event. First of all - who was Zachaeus and what do we know about him? He was a chief tax collector – in other words the head of the local taxation department. He was rich and it would seem that certainly some of his wealth came from ill-gotten means. So in today’s language he could be called, to a greater or lesser extent, a white-collar thief, or a cooperate criminal who has not been caught up with. He obviously had the favour of the Roman government to be in the position he was, and so was not likely to get into trouble from them. The indications are that the tax-collectors were recruited by the Romans from the local community to collect their taxes for them. Along with this it seems that often these collectors then would add on more than their fair share for themselves, as well. As a result, they were not popular on two counts: one – for collecting and supporting the Romans; secondly - they were ripping off their own people for their own selfish gain.

So Zachaeus was not the most liked person in town. In fact the opposite. No one was prepared to make room for him to see Jesus; and they were even more disgusted that Jesus should choose to go to his house for lunch. After all he was a rotten sinner; a traitor and a crook.

The interesting thing then is the fact that, despite who he was Zachaeus, wanted to see this Jesus. He had obviously heard stories going around, about this Jesus who was going about the countryside, healing and helping people; accepting those who were outcastes; giving hope to those in trouble - telling them that the Kingdom of God is breaking into our world. So here was someone quite different. Here was one who obviously came from God himself; with some already saying that here may be the Messiah himself – the one whom God had promised to come and save God's people.

So probably, Zachaeus goes for a look, hoping that this might all be true. Maybe he knows that not all is well in his life and that he needs God. Maybe he has come to the realization that his own self-centred - selfish way of life is not the answer; and that his riches were not giving him the happiness that he thought it would. Even more so the fact that some or much of it was ill-gotten made things even worse. Certainly he would not have been comfortable with the fact that he was on the outer within his own community. Probably what he had done in the past had caused lots of problems. But he was trapped - caught up in a real mess and not able to get out of it. Deep down he knew that he needed help – he needed a way out - he needed God. But would God want to have a bar of him, after all that he had done. Certainly the locals and the church leaders did not think so.

But if anyone can help him, surely God can. So when he hears that this man Jesus is coming his way - to his town – he races off to see him. Hoping for a glimpse. Hoping that just maybe – maybe – something might be of help to him. But when he gets near, the crowd is just too great and he is such a short man. On top of that nobody makes way for him to get near and so his heart drops. That is until he gets the notion to run ahead and climb a tree on the edge of the road. Then to his and everyone else’s surprise, when this Jesus comes by, not only does he see him, but turns and looks up at him in the tree and tells Zachaeus to come down out of the tree because he wants to come and have lunch with him.

In that instant, Zachaeus realizes that this Jesus knows all about him – he knows him and yet he accepts him. God has come to him to help him – to save him. He has given Zachaeus a way out. He has given him a future. God accepts him and is with him. This is great. This is the very best. Everything now will work out somehow: God has take care of it.

So Zachaeus’ first reaction is joy; but very quickly it turns to concern for all those he had wronged and those others less fortunate than himself. So he vows to pay back fourfold all that he had stolen, as well as give half of what he had to the poor.

Then we hear that amazing statement from Jesus: 'Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.’ Zachaeus has salvation because he has faith in God – he trusts that God alone has the answers and help that he needs. Jesus has saved him and provided a future for him. God will take care of him. Jesus concludes by saying that he came to seek and save what was lost. That is all such people as Zachaeus and you and me.

Yes, Jesus has come to help and save us also. For without God we too are lost: We too are little people - whether we have many talents or few; great or little wealth or influence; whether we are looked down on by others or not; we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. None of us live the way that God wants us to or are good enough to be acceptable to him. We all deserve eternity in Hell.

But God does not want it to end that way for any of us. That is why Jesus came and died on cross; so that we might be forgiven; so that we too may know for sure that God has saved us: that he comes to us again today – to you and me; no matter who we are or what we have done. Yes he also says to each one of us that he wants to stay in our house and in our hearts and lives, today and every day. He has come to assure us of the forgiveness of all of our sins. He has come to give us a better way of life and a great future for all eternity.

So go from here today knowing that Jesus to wants go with you and to give you all that is good and important. Trust him - trust him. For he did come to seek and save the lost. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba