Roger's Postings

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Colossians 1:15-28. In Jesus – everything holds together 22/7/07

{15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. {18} And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. {19} For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, {20} and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. {21} Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. {22} But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- {23} if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. {24} Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. {25} I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- {26} the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. {27} To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Having just been on holidays and having travelled through different parts of our country: Sitting alongside the river fishing, walking through the Bunya mountains and the like leads very much into the thoughts of our reading here today. Creation, nature and our world certainly is a marvellous thing. To look around us and see what we have and to be able to have enjoyment in it, is really great. However, I wonder in light of our text here, whether we have lost the correct perspective to all that we have about us.

I certainly believe that most people today no longer see our world and all that we have available in it, as is intended for us do so. As a result, we have lost the true order and harmony that should be in it there for us. We have used and abused all that has been made available, in ways that are far from satisfactory. Because we do not understand, or even want to know the purpose of creation, we lose much of the greatness and the benefits that are there for us.

You see, in our day and age, humanity and more particularly the individual is seen to be very much the centre and hub of everything. It is us who determine what is good, useful, and important. What we have around us is there merely for our good and enjoyment. Our whole world is seen simply in terms of being there for our benefit; to use and abuse as we see fit. And sadly that is way it is for many. They have lost sight of the bigger picture; and the order, harmony and purpose of creation thereby is lost; hidden under our desire, our selfishness and self-centredness.

As a result we spoil and damage much of what we see; and more particularly we don’t find the true beauty, greatness and value that is there for us. Because we put ourselves in the centre we run into all sorts of trouble. Even though we think we are so clever and enlightened, we lose out on many of the things that are important.

Even those who go to the other extreme and say that the environment and nature are the be all and end all, also lose sight of the true order and purpose of creation. They over-emphasise the importance of what we see around us. They lift up the kangaroo, whale, tree or whatever as being all important. Global warming is seen to be the result of our chopping downs trees and digging up the coal and the like. We should have left our environment just the way it always was: what ever that was! So for them far too often the environment becomes the centre of life. So again we lose the plot – we fail to see the true meaning and purpose of what we have around us.

That being the case we all need to listen again to the message that we have here in this reading. It only with this understanding that we will see nature and the world around us as it needs to be seen; and that we will truly appreciate it all as it was intended. Only then will everything – environment, us, God and our enjoyment and every other aspect of life – be in harmony as it should be.

This important point and message is, that it is only Jesus Christ that gives value to all of these things. It is only in and through him that it all fit and holds together. It is only in him that each and every part has it’s meaning and purpose. It is by him and for him that all this exists and holds together; not us or anything else.

In this reading we are told that it was by him that all things were created – everything, by him and for him. The Father worked through his Son Jesus to create everything in the splendid form that it is. So every other thing and being – other than God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are here as something that has and finds it’s reason and purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ – no where else. So to find where each part fits we need to look first and foremost to him who had a hand in placing it there.

Unfortunately that is where most of us come unstuck. We live and act as if much this world stands separate and that it has no real connection to God or the Christian life. We think we have to control and manipulate it – and that it is there purely for our benefit. We far too often fail to consider that it is the Lord Jesus who stands supreme over all; and that is only in and under him that it all exists effectively.

So we are reminded here that creation in whatever form it comes then, finds it’s proper use and purpose as it focuses and works and is used for the glory of its creator. All is here so that Jesus Christ may be upheld and centred on as being what life is all about: that he might be glorified.

We can and need to give him that glory because God through Jesus Christ has not only created this world, but then went on and restored that relationship that existed at the beginning of time but was broken by are sinfulness and our desire to use what we wanted to for our own selfish pleasure. Through his death on the cross he destroyed that barrier that sin places between God and us and our world around us. And his rising again from death gives new hope and new life to all who would have it.

Even though we still live in a world suffering as a result of sin we now can have the certainty of knowing that we have been reconciled to God: that we will be presented to God perfect – without blemish and fault. Not because of ourselves – but because of the Lord Jesus – to him be glory now and always. That then in turn enables us to now look to and use all that around us, in a way that is good and helpful for all.

As life begins anew for all who believe – that is, all who trust that Jesus has done everything necessary and that through our baptism we have become part of his body. So now in and through him we find that everything holds together and has a purpose. Now it is possible for us to live as we should be living. Now we can see that life is not meant to be centred on ourselves or on any created thing. Instead our whole life can focus on our God and give glory to our Lord Jesus. At the same time we use what we have before us to help alleviate the suffering of our fellow human-beings and to assist them to also know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Then as we look at the beauty of creation, we can remember our great God. Also as we go about our work and as we use the things that God has placed around us to use, we do so in a way that we might give some glory to our Lord. Even our money and material possessions, sport and leisure are gifts to us to be used in order to help us and others keep our focus on him who gives us all these good gifts. As we face difficulty and even tragedy we do so knowing that it is the result of sin; and that our Lord Jesus has defeated it’s power to hurt and harm us. So even that turns us ever back to looking to him as our helper and friend. Everything now is held together by and for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therein we find that all things then work together in harmony: all finds a meaning and a purpose that is good and wholesome. Then not only will glory go where it belongs, but we ourselves will find a far greater sense of peace and belonging; and yes especially much joy and happiness. Nature and all creation will be seen and used in a way that draws us together, and give a sense of wellbeing and peace.

So then let us remember this important lesson - that it is in connection with the Lord Jesus Christ that everything holds together, and becomes a blessing rather than a curse. It is all created by him and for him. So again, to him be all glory now and always. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba

Peace God passes ….
Hymn 454

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Galatians 6:7-16. Weary in doing good??? 8/7/07

{7) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. {9} Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. {10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. {11} See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! {12} Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. {13} Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. {14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. {15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. {16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

This morning we focus on God’s encouragement not to become weary in doing good. Now I am sure many of you, like myself, many times over recent years, have become weary with regard to the Christian life. It’s all too hard. There is too much conflict; too few results; too many different view points: too much encouragement to be open to all kinds of heresy: too much apathy; and the list goes on. It is all such a struggle at times. As a result we become weary.

We half give up and go with the flow. So what if we give way here and there? So what if our teaching and understanding is a little different from what the scriptures tell us? After all everyone else is doing it and they seem to be more successful and happy, so it must be alright. And we know that it is not popular to stand up against the current trends, even when they are not right and good. As a result of this giving way we become tired and lethargic; and that which know we should be doing, becomes a burden.

Along with that is the whole focus of our society and our church on, results. We have to see the fruits of our work or else what we are doing is not right. Prosperity theology and thinking abounds all around us. Unless we are seen to be achieving something remarkable we are not up to the mark. There has to be something more: something better. Unless our numbers are increasing we have to find a different and more popular way. The entrepreneurial way is rife in our society and church. And it is very difficult to stand up against, because it fits very much into our ego-centric way of thinking. It is all so wearying.

So it is right here, to us today also, that these words are directed. Let us hear again what God has to say: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

We too need to be discerning with regard to what is going on around us. There is much that is happening that is far from good and helpful, even though it is portrayed as being the ‘best thing since sliced bread.’ We need to beware that we are not deceived by much of what is going on around us in the name of, and pretence of, ‘good.’ Not everything that is promoted as good and Christian is what it is claimed to be. In fact there is much that is a mockery of Christianity.

However we are reminded here that God cannot be mocked. God knows what is going on. He knows what has been asked of us; and of our faithfulness or otherwise. And as a holy and just God we all will be called to account and we all will reap the rewards of what we have sown..

The fruits of those who have chosen to do their own thing will eventually be seen for what they are: ‘wild oats.’ That God makes quite clear when he says; A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. You sow wild oats and even though we might like to say we have planted oats, it is still wild oats. It make look like good oats while it is growing, but at harvest time it is seen for what it really is, wild oats; which is good for nothing.

Now that same principle applies to our spiritual lives; we will reap what we sow. If we want to live our lives according to and for our selfish wants and what our society around us calls ‘good,’ then the results of our life will be, that we may look good as we go through this life, but the final results will be corruption and destruction. As the Scriptures often remind us, we may have the earthly reward that we are looking for, but we will not receive any reward beyond this life.

However for those who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. These who seek after what God wants, they will reap the reward that God has in mind for us, eternal life. So as God’s Spirit is allowed to direct our lives, instead of ‘the I wants’ there is a fruitful outcome, whether we can see it at the moment or not. Because God is true to his promises we can be sure that this will be the case for us.

So Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We thereby are encouraged to ‘hang in there’ and continue to be faithful. There is no need for us to become discouraged, or to slacken off. We can continue to hold onto and do that which is good and right according to God and his Word. So let us not relax or give up, for we do have God and his Word with us.

Here let us remember again who this God is and what he has done for us. This God did not give up on us, despite our waywardness and rebellion. And when the time was right he sent forth his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life with him in heaven. He did not weary in carrying through on what was necessary for us and for our salvation.

Then on top of that he gave us his Word and Sacraments so that we can constantly be reassured of all that he has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. He washed us clean personally in the waters of baptism and joined us into his family so that we can constantly be sure that we are forgiven and are a part of his family. So day by day his Spirit leads us to readily acknowledge that we are sinful, but that we are forgiven, and so be able to go forward to live the new creation that he has made us.

So also his Spirit works in us as we read, hear and meditate on his Word. There we are constantly focussed on and have our attention drawn to our sinfulness as human beings, and then to the Good News of all that he has done for us through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. As a result we are reassured that we have been made a new creation with a new and better way to live.

Then as we face our trials, difficulties and failures in life he constantly draws us to his house for further help, encouragement and reassurance. As we are weekly drawn by his Spirit into his house we receive Jesus very body and blood which he shed on the cross, so that we can know for sure that we are loved, forgiven and have Jesus with us as we live out our daily lives. We have thereby the sure promise of eternal life with him in heaven.

Now then, we have every reason not to become weary in doing good. Our God is with us and gives us everything necessary to sustain us and keep us strong.

So while we still have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Let us first and foremost encourage one another to remain focussed on our Lord and all that he has done for us. Let us encourage each other to regularly gather together here so that God’s Spirit can keep us all strong and faithful in our Christian walk. This sharing of the things that are important is to be the seed that we sow in our daily lives: first and foremost with those who belong to the family of believers but also with those whom we come into contact with in our daily lives.

Throughout our lives, let our focus and boast be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to us, and we to the world. What truly counts for us is the new creation that he has made us. Then as we continually look to him and what his Spirit is working in our lives, then we will not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. And through it may all glory and honour go to him whom it belongs; our great God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Toowoomba