Deuteronomy 4:1,2,6-9. Call to obedience 30/8/09
Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. {2} Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. {6} Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." {7} What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? {8} And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? {9} Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Friends in Christ, it is interesting isn’t it, that even though we are living in such an advanced society, there is still so much suffering, hurt and difficulty. We are still desperately searching for peace, happiness and for a future which is somewhat easier and less stressful. The sad thing is, that, even though we have made tremendous moves forward in a lot of areas, the things we so desperately need, often do not seem possible. As we look around and forward, it seems even less likely; and as we look to leadership across the world, there is nothing that inspires confidence. Despite all the promises and good talk, there seems no likelihood of our society ever giving us what we so desperately need. Suffering, hurt and difficulty will continue to be a part of our lives as we go on.
But here we are reminded that we as God’s people are called on to be different. God has something to offer to a world in trouble. We who have been rescued from sin, death and the devil, and given a new life and the certainty of the Promised Land; we now are called to obedience: to follow all that God has decreed to us in his Word. We are not to add to it or take away from it: just keep his commands.
Now here I guess, the question is, are we going to go on being like spoilt children, insisting on own way- wanting and doing what we want: throwing our tantrums and blaming God and others for our problems. Or are we going to start listening to what God has to say to us: seeking to do what God wants us do in midst of a life that is and always will have its problems and hardships: and thereby witnessing to the fact that God has a better way for us.
Are we here wanting to be a wise and understanding people? A people who understands very well that our God is near us, particularly in our worship, but also as we live our lives every day? Do we recognize and uphold God’s decrees and laws as right and good? Do we really believe that God will punish all who disregard the Lord and his ways, and yet save those of us who hold fast to the Lord as our God and saviour?
And look it is no good our pointing the finger out there at someone else: we need to start here – at ourselves – we are the ones that are first and foremost called to heed these words from our God.
So let each one us as Christians, seek to obey God’s law. Not our own laws: not man’s or the world around us’ law – but God’s Law. That is the call for us today, and that is what is needed. It is there alone that we will find peace, happiness and contentment in the midst of the difficulties of life. And with that, we will be able to help our society see that there is something far better for us to focus our lives on. But it will only happen as we as Christians start seeking to living in accord with God’s will.
This reading is quite clear about this. When other people see how obedient we are, they will praise how good Christians are. No; when they see the wisdom and understanding that is evident in our lives, only then will they want to know what it is that enables us to live and act the way we do; and more importantly to know what and who it is that gives us the peace, hope and joy that we have in the midst of life. Only then will they look to our Lord and what he has to offer.
But how can they out there know it; unless we show it! They don’t know how good our God is, unless they see him in action through us. To them it so often seems a lot of mumbo jumbo: some outmoded and restrictive code of living from pre-history that is no longer relevant. To many of them, all they see and know of this Christianity is the additions, and more often than not, the subtractions that we have made to it. Moralism and a focus on ourselves is all that they see. They see a church that is watering down its beliefs and practices, and simply accommodating our teaching to the whims of the current society. They see a church that does not holds God’s Word as God’s Word.
So they don’t come to know the good, wise and all encompassing Law of God that is so great and life giving. They don’t realize that God is so near to us and that he has saved us through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. They need us to display it and its importance; not to mention the fact that we need it so much ourselves if we are to live at peace with God and each other. So instead of us following the ways of the world, we need to live and show the wisdom and understanding that God has given to us in his Word. This is what will enable the people around us to find that which is needed in life for them if they are to have that peace, hope and joy that is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is this Word that we are to heed in our lives, and that can make so much difference? First and foremost it is that understanding that God has come to us and rescued us through the Lord Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Why? Because we were born to slavery in sin, with no way out. We were turned in on ourselves and hopelessly in trouble, but God in his love for us came to our rescue and miraculously saved us. As a result, all now who trust in his death on the cross for their forgiveness, have him as Lord of their lives. He and what he says is what is important for us.
That being the case we now look to him to see how we are to live and act as his people. We regularly gather in his presence at worship to be strengthened and encouraged as his people, and reassured of his presence with us as go forward in our daily life. There we follow his directions, observing his commands carefully. These commands Jesus summed up very simply: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ Very simple. But for each one of us, I am sure, it still means a radical change in our thinking. Are we prepared to love that much? To love God as the one who is all important? To love all the people we come into contact with everyday, as we do ourselves?
The call is for us to do this perfectly? Because that is what is needed in order for there to be any improvement in our world situation, and for souls salvation. Nothing less is acceptable. Anything short of that will lead us and everybody else right up the garden path. It is only when we take that seriously that we and others will be able to see the wisdom and understanding that is there in our great God and his Word, and in his people. God’s Word, Law and Gospel, has to be taken seriously.
Only then will people see that the Lord our God is so near and helpful - so good and so great: That he is not some distant and abstract thing that is of no great value; But is the God who is living and active: That he is a God who answers when we call on him.
But what happens when we go out to love God and neighbour as we are called to do? We fail, don’t we – miserably? But we know that he expects us live by that Law perfectly, and so we are in trouble. Then all we can do is to cry out for mercy – for help – for forgiveness. And because of Jesus, we know that it is there. Because he has come near to us – dying on the cross and rising again – we know that he will forgive us and help us out. So we draw near to him – confess our failings, and are reassured of his forgiveness. Also, as we come to the Lord’s Table and receive Jesus Christ himself – his very body and blood, and know thereby that we have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of life and salvation – so we have peace, hope and life. It is there that we come to know how awesome and great is our God and his infinite love for us. And there we see his infinite wisdom and understanding, and are given the courage and encouragement to once again go out to be obedient to everything our God has said to us: to live and love as he has commanded us to.
So that being the case, let us get away from living as spoilt children: as selfish individuals: wanting to add to or subtract from what our Lord has decreed; not taking seriously his commands, and thinking that we can live and do as we please; and that somehow it will all come out right in the end. No – let us turn back to our Lord and seek to be obedient to his Law. Let us do ourselves a favour, and let us do a favour to the people and nation around about us. Let us with God’s help make a real effort to be obedient: Loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves. All the while knowing the Lord Jesus Christ has died and risen again for us and for our salvation. To him alone be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. {2} Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. {6} Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." {7} What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? {8} And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? {9} Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Friends in Christ, it is interesting isn’t it, that even though we are living in such an advanced society, there is still so much suffering, hurt and difficulty. We are still desperately searching for peace, happiness and for a future which is somewhat easier and less stressful. The sad thing is, that, even though we have made tremendous moves forward in a lot of areas, the things we so desperately need, often do not seem possible. As we look around and forward, it seems even less likely; and as we look to leadership across the world, there is nothing that inspires confidence. Despite all the promises and good talk, there seems no likelihood of our society ever giving us what we so desperately need. Suffering, hurt and difficulty will continue to be a part of our lives as we go on.
But here we are reminded that we as God’s people are called on to be different. God has something to offer to a world in trouble. We who have been rescued from sin, death and the devil, and given a new life and the certainty of the Promised Land; we now are called to obedience: to follow all that God has decreed to us in his Word. We are not to add to it or take away from it: just keep his commands.
Now here I guess, the question is, are we going to go on being like spoilt children, insisting on own way- wanting and doing what we want: throwing our tantrums and blaming God and others for our problems. Or are we going to start listening to what God has to say to us: seeking to do what God wants us do in midst of a life that is and always will have its problems and hardships: and thereby witnessing to the fact that God has a better way for us.
Are we here wanting to be a wise and understanding people? A people who understands very well that our God is near us, particularly in our worship, but also as we live our lives every day? Do we recognize and uphold God’s decrees and laws as right and good? Do we really believe that God will punish all who disregard the Lord and his ways, and yet save those of us who hold fast to the Lord as our God and saviour?
And look it is no good our pointing the finger out there at someone else: we need to start here – at ourselves – we are the ones that are first and foremost called to heed these words from our God.
So let each one us as Christians, seek to obey God’s law. Not our own laws: not man’s or the world around us’ law – but God’s Law. That is the call for us today, and that is what is needed. It is there alone that we will find peace, happiness and contentment in the midst of the difficulties of life. And with that, we will be able to help our society see that there is something far better for us to focus our lives on. But it will only happen as we as Christians start seeking to living in accord with God’s will.
This reading is quite clear about this. When other people see how obedient we are, they will praise how good Christians are. No; when they see the wisdom and understanding that is evident in our lives, only then will they want to know what it is that enables us to live and act the way we do; and more importantly to know what and who it is that gives us the peace, hope and joy that we have in the midst of life. Only then will they look to our Lord and what he has to offer.
But how can they out there know it; unless we show it! They don’t know how good our God is, unless they see him in action through us. To them it so often seems a lot of mumbo jumbo: some outmoded and restrictive code of living from pre-history that is no longer relevant. To many of them, all they see and know of this Christianity is the additions, and more often than not, the subtractions that we have made to it. Moralism and a focus on ourselves is all that they see. They see a church that is watering down its beliefs and practices, and simply accommodating our teaching to the whims of the current society. They see a church that does not holds God’s Word as God’s Word.
So they don’t come to know the good, wise and all encompassing Law of God that is so great and life giving. They don’t realize that God is so near to us and that he has saved us through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. They need us to display it and its importance; not to mention the fact that we need it so much ourselves if we are to live at peace with God and each other. So instead of us following the ways of the world, we need to live and show the wisdom and understanding that God has given to us in his Word. This is what will enable the people around us to find that which is needed in life for them if they are to have that peace, hope and joy that is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is this Word that we are to heed in our lives, and that can make so much difference? First and foremost it is that understanding that God has come to us and rescued us through the Lord Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Why? Because we were born to slavery in sin, with no way out. We were turned in on ourselves and hopelessly in trouble, but God in his love for us came to our rescue and miraculously saved us. As a result, all now who trust in his death on the cross for their forgiveness, have him as Lord of their lives. He and what he says is what is important for us.
That being the case we now look to him to see how we are to live and act as his people. We regularly gather in his presence at worship to be strengthened and encouraged as his people, and reassured of his presence with us as go forward in our daily life. There we follow his directions, observing his commands carefully. These commands Jesus summed up very simply: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; and you shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ Very simple. But for each one of us, I am sure, it still means a radical change in our thinking. Are we prepared to love that much? To love God as the one who is all important? To love all the people we come into contact with everyday, as we do ourselves?
The call is for us to do this perfectly? Because that is what is needed in order for there to be any improvement in our world situation, and for souls salvation. Nothing less is acceptable. Anything short of that will lead us and everybody else right up the garden path. It is only when we take that seriously that we and others will be able to see the wisdom and understanding that is there in our great God and his Word, and in his people. God’s Word, Law and Gospel, has to be taken seriously.
Only then will people see that the Lord our God is so near and helpful - so good and so great: That he is not some distant and abstract thing that is of no great value; But is the God who is living and active: That he is a God who answers when we call on him.
But what happens when we go out to love God and neighbour as we are called to do? We fail, don’t we – miserably? But we know that he expects us live by that Law perfectly, and so we are in trouble. Then all we can do is to cry out for mercy – for help – for forgiveness. And because of Jesus, we know that it is there. Because he has come near to us – dying on the cross and rising again – we know that he will forgive us and help us out. So we draw near to him – confess our failings, and are reassured of his forgiveness. Also, as we come to the Lord’s Table and receive Jesus Christ himself – his very body and blood, and know thereby that we have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of life and salvation – so we have peace, hope and life. It is there that we come to know how awesome and great is our God and his infinite love for us. And there we see his infinite wisdom and understanding, and are given the courage and encouragement to once again go out to be obedient to everything our God has said to us: to live and love as he has commanded us to.
So that being the case, let us get away from living as spoilt children: as selfish individuals: wanting to add to or subtract from what our Lord has decreed; not taking seriously his commands, and thinking that we can live and do as we please; and that somehow it will all come out right in the end. No – let us turn back to our Lord and seek to be obedient to his Law. Let us do ourselves a favour, and let us do a favour to the people and nation around about us. Let us with God’s help make a real effort to be obedient: Loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our neighbour as ourselves. All the while knowing the Lord Jesus Christ has died and risen again for us and for our salvation. To him alone be all glory and honour, now and forever. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish
posted by Roger at
2:18 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home