Roger's Postings

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Mark 1:9-15. Jesus baptism and our Lenten journey 1/3/2009

(9) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. {10} As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. {11} And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." {12} At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, {13} and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. {14} After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. {15} "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Here at the beginning of Lent we are again reminded of Jesus’ baptism, and the call for us to repent and believe. Now this raises many questions for us at this time. What has Jesus baptism got to do with Lent, and what is the significance of his baptism, and then what is the connection with repentance and believing the Good News? Surely, for many of us here this does not seem to be such a great and important topic for us to think about. We think that we need to be more positive and up-lifting, and life applying than talking about these issues. Yet here is something that is absolutely essential to the lives of each and every one of us. Unless we take on board what is given to us here, we are in big trouble.

Now first of all surely, Jesus did not need to be baptised: after all, he was sinless: he was God's Son. But then, what has it got to do with us and peoples lives today. Yet here we need to remember that what is happening here in Jesus’ baptism is vital for us and for our salvation: if there was no baptism, there would be no salvation for us: no hope at all. At the same time, it helps to remind us of what baptism really is all about, and to understand our own baptism and baptised life far more clearly. With that also comes that very important connection with repentance and belief.

So let us spend a little time thinking about what is happening here and the importance of it for us so that we may receive the blessings that God has in mind for us. The situation back then was, that, as a result of John the Baptist prophesying of the saviour's coming, and preaching of the need for people to repent - to turn away from their sin – that is from living against God's will and in rebellion against him; and to begin anew as God's people - focussed on him; many people came out to John recognising that here was a prophet sent from God. They knew that they were far from what God expected them to be, and as a result were being baptised - washed clean from their sin. Now here Jesus joins them in their repentance and baptism.

Now we know that Jesus was without sin, and yet here remarkably, he joins with humanity in repentance and baptism. And this is what he came for and to do, and in many ways, what he now does there at the Jordan river and what takes place in the rest of his life, and in particular on the cross and in his resurrection; they are all joined inexplicably together: They are all part of the same event.

Here he comes into our world and takes our humanity and our sin on himself. He identifies with us in every way, knowing that God must judge and punish all of our rebellion and sin: His holiness determines that this has to be; so in order to be able to help us Jesus enters our world, and even though he was sinless, takes our sin on himself.

Then he goes down into the water and up to the cross, taking that sin to its ultimate conclusion, punishment and death. There sin and he as a sinner in our place, is drowned; punished; taking the full brunt of God's wrath on himself. Then as he rises up out of the water; and the grave, he and thereby we also are washed clean: our sin is removed from life forever. With that, the heavens are torn open; the curtain dividing sinful humanity from God was torn, from top to bottom, making it possible for humanity to be in God's presence and to be a part of his family for all eternity.

Then, we are reminded, that out of heaven comes God's Holy Spirit descending on Jesus and his people, giving direction, help and guidance as we go forward in life as a part of God's family. God's own Spirit descending on Jesus and us to lead us forward in a close personal relationship with God: helping us to live and be what is intended for us: to lead him and us through the temptations and hardships: suffering and death – to eternal life. And with that also comes God voice of approval and acceptance. 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'
Acceptance as a true Son - as true sons and daughters of God himself: people whom he loves dearly and is pleased with: people he wants to share life fully with in every way. And this all takes place at Jesus baptism – and in his death and resurrection.

Jesus’ repentance, death and resurrection was all for us, so that the opening of heaven, the gift of the Holy Spirit; God's acceptance and approval, comes to those who are identified and joined to him. It is at our baptism that we in turn are joined to the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation he brings: there we are joined to his death and resurrection: there is our turning away from sin – our living against God and his will; a turning away from selfishness and a wanting to live and do our own thing without consideration for what God would have us do. There is our turning from following the devil and all his works and ways. Jesus Christ and his will now becoming all important for us his people.

There we acknowledge God's condemnation and judgment against this life of sin, and our need to be rid of it all from our lives: there is our turning back to God in repentance, and our assurance of forgiveness, and our being given the ability to go forward and live as the people of God, with Jesus Christ as our Lord and master. There in our baptism we died to that former way of life, and have sin and it's consequences washed clean from our lives, so that we can live this new and wonderful life with our Lord forever. There also comes God's Holy Spirit into our lives to help us believe this Good News: to trust in all that he promises us: and lead and guide us to live this new life in close connection with our Lord each and every day. At our baptism also comes God's acceptance of us as his own sons and daughters, and the assurance of his love for us. All of this and more is ours through our baptism, as we are joined with Christ and his work of salvation.

Then just as Jesus baptism, life, death, and resurrection are joined together so also is our baptism and our living life each day as God's people, and our death and rising again in eternity. That is why we as Lutherans stress the need for us to daily go back to our baptisms. Daily we need to live in repentance; and daily we need to turn away from sin to God: daily we need to be cleansed from the wrongs that we are and do. And daily we begin anew to live again focussed on our Lord and in living in a close personally relationship with him: daily seeking to have his Holy Spirit lead and guide us: daily listening for God's word of acceptance and love.

Yes daily we need to listen to our God as we spend time in his Word so that we can be continually reminded of the things that are important for us: So that we can be refocussed again and again on the Lord Jesus Christ and his Good News for us. Then the Holy Spirit can help us to believe and to remain strong in our faith; so that we can look to him and trust him as our Lord and Saviour in the midst of a world that wants to put the focus everywhere else. Then we will be able to go forward confidently into life, knowing that even though we might be out of step with the rest of society, we have that which is important and necessary. Our focus then can be on the Lord Jesus, and so be able to face life in whatever way it comes, and know that our Lord is with us and will help us through.

All of this began at Jesus’ baptism and continues on throughout our life until we finally die and rise again in eternity to then see and hear in all its fullness God's love and approval first of all for Jesus and then for us who are connected into him. Yes, in Jesus baptism all this takes place for us, and at our baptism we are joined to his baptism; his life, death and resurrection; his identifying with us and we with him. He gaining and giving us all that he won for us, and we in turn, living in light of it.

Now then, throughout this Lenten season let us again and again, daily, go back to baptism: Jesus’ baptism and our baptism. There again may we be drawn to that which is necessary and important, and be enabled to turn our focus away from ourselves and the things of this world, back to God where it belongs. Then may our faith; our belief in the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to go forward boldly and confidently to live as God’s people here on earth. To God be the Glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

2 Cor. 5:20 - 6:2 Ash Wednesday 2/09

(20) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. {21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. )6:1) As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. {2} For he says, "In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:3-10) We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. {4} Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; {5} in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; {6} in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; {7} in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; {8} through glory and dishonour, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; {9} known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; {10} sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Here we are again at the beginning of another Lenten season - a very important season in the life of the Christian Church, even if it is one that has fallen out of favour with most people. But, perhaps that has something to do with what Lent is perceived to be about: For many, it is too negative; with too much of a focus on repentance and a change of heart and life. All too often we prefer our life to just go on normally with us doing what we want with our own life. Yet in the end we still hope to receive all the benefits of being a Christian. By doing this we loose out on the benefits of Lent and face some real difficulties in our Christian life.

Now if you didn't already know, Lent is an Anglo-Saxon word, meaning 'spring’; so it is associated with that time of the year when new growth appears. It has then the suggestion of new life and growth; but off course, before new life and growth occurs, something has to happen. There needs to be a winter before we can have spring: or as 40 days suggests from history of God's people – Israel’s 40 years in desert – Jesus’ 40 days in wilderness - rain for 40 days and 40 nights – all indicate a time of cleansing and preparation for a new beginning in a promised land of milk and honey.
However, there is another more Australia image that is very appropriate for Lent; and it is one that we know very well. Now Lent begins with Ash Wednesday; and for many Ash Wednesday is about bushfires. Yet the bushfire has some real symbolism for the season of Lent. We know that bushfires have been a part of Australia’s history from the early days: regularly bushfires have swept through the forests and landscapes of our nation. Where I grew up, this was seen as very much a part of nature. The mallee scrub would grow and then after a period of time start to die off: it would get diseased and become overgrown with other vegetation and then struggle for its life. Then a thunderstorm with lightning would start a fire and burn through that scrubland; cleaning out the undergrowth, dead wood and disease. For a short while the landscape would look scarred, barren and seemingly dead, but very quickly new growth would begin to appear; the mallee would shoot out fresh, green and healthy. Then before very long the landscape would look a real picture once again. In many ways, the fire helped cleanse and rejuvenate the native vegetation.

Now in various parts of Australia, people have realized this and have had managed fires to do this work of cleansing and rejuvenating: This controlled burning was often done at cooler and more favourable times. As a result, they have avoided disaster and loss of life and property that results from a raging bushfire on a nasty hot summer’s day. Where this work had taken place, great benefit has occurred; yet when it has not happened through the desire not to harm nature, or because it looks unsightly, or for whatever reason; invariable at some later point a bushfire strikes with disastrous results as we have seen recently. By trying to avoid a little pain, disaster strikes further on, effecting even nature itself; where even the trees themselves have not survived.

Now there is a real lesson here for our spiritual lives: it is very much a Lenten picture that can be applied to our lives as Christians. We all at different times become tired; overcome by our failures; hassled, swamped and overgrown by sin, people and situations around us. Our lives become a long way from what we know they should be and what we know deep down God would like them to be. There needs to be a cleansing and burning up of the ‘dead wood’, so that a new beginning can take place. If this cleansing doesn't happen we eventually wither and die.

Now God, throughout our life, has given us opportunity for those cleansing fires to take place in our lives. Here Lent is one such occasion. At this time as we are led to reflect on that which is sinful and bad in our lives; and to see that confession, absolution and a daily going back to our baptism, there in a gentle way we are given the opportunity to get rid of those bad aspects of our lives, which hinder our growth and living. And we all have them in our lives. Here in this reading we are told that now is the time to do this changing of life - this turning away from that which is bad and evil and that which threatens to slowly choke us to death. Now again is the time for a new, fresh and healthy life to begin.

But like the bushfire; if it is not controlled and used wisely, it happens in the heat of life and then instead of a controlled cleansing; a ‘raging bushfire with searing heat’ brings on a disaster: sickness, tragedy and death may occur; all in an attempt by God to rejuvenate us – to get as back to what we should be. Of course, there is more damage when this happens; and not all survive as we so often see. But when we allow God to use Lent as a time to help us see our weakness, sin and need for this cleansing; then through repentance there can be a turning away from that which is harmful. Then we can have the reassuring message that through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, there is a new and healthy life in store for us.

Here let us remember that God wants us all to go on and live joyfully and happily in our relationship with him and with one another. He has a lot to say as to how we can do this: it is all very simple, if only we would listen and take seriously, what he has to say to us. But when we let other things: sport, work, education, a good time and all those kinds of things, to swamp us and take over our lives, so that we no longer go to church regularly and to live the way he wants then he needs do some cleansing. Sure, it hurts - but it is necessary if we are to continue to grow as we should.


If this cleansing however, is allowed to take place, it takes us back to God and he removes the ‘rubbish,’ then great things are in front of us – beauty and joy awaits: a new, fresh and healthy life begins once more enabling us again to have that peace, joy and contentment that we so desperately would like to have. Then also, other people can begin to see the true glory of God at work in our sinful world.

Yes, like the Australian landscape after a fire; it takes time – but as time goes on, the landscape again looks a picture. In the same way; the more that sin is removed from our lives,; and is seen to be removed by God, then more people begin to see the beauty of God and the importance of Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.

Again, that is where the season of Lent is so important for this to all take place in our lives. As we are drawn to see our sinfulness; and to see that without God we do not have the life and living that is so needed; then our focus is drawn forward to Easter; to Jesus’ death on the cross. There we see the real cleaner of sin at work for our good; for there Jesus gets burnt, for you and me: There forgiveness is extended to each one of us. Jesus’ resurrection is then our guarantee that this is for real: that there in our connection with Jesus’ death and resurrection through our baptism, there is our death and new life as Christians. There we truly see the glory of our great God, giving us that which we really need.

So may God at this time light his cleansing fire within us, so that this new life may spring forth in the landscape of our lives. Then as he works in this way through us may others again see the beauty of what it is to be Christian and so may be drawn to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour as well. So may God bless this Lenten season for you all. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Matthew 6:25-33. Seek first his kingdom?? 15/2/09

(25) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? {26} Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? {27} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? {28} "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. {29} Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. {30} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? {31} So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' {32} For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. {33} But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Here today we are celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving, and this year again we are broadening our thoughts beyond simply the produce that we get from the land, to include the many blessings that we also receive through other work that is carried out in our society. This we also need to do so that we recognise and give thanks to God for all the good that we have received in those areas as well.

At the same time we do so with the cloud of tragedy that has struck our nation through the rages of bushfires, hanging in our midst. Our thanksgiving is surely tempered with awfulness that has struck these people affected by this disaster. At the same time we must not forget the smaller tragedies that beset many in our society day after day in one way or another. Yet in the midst of all of this we need to keep in mind God’s Word given here: God speaking to us knowing full well that our lives are confronted by these awful things again and again.

Through tragedy and suffering which is brought about by the sinfulness of humanity, God seeks to turn us to himself and the good that he has in mind for us. He wants us to see that his gifts and blessings stretch far beyond the difficulties and the struggles we face in this life. As we are connected to him and live in him we find that the sufferings and death that we face in this life is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of God and all that he has in mind for us.

We all here, in the face of this tragedy, as well as the fact that we are still in the midst of one of the worst droughts for many, many years; and on top of that we are in the midst of a major, world-wide financial recession, we need to remember that we are still blest and still have much to be thankful for. Here in Glandore/Underdale we are still getting our three feeds a day, a roof over our heads, and clothes on our backs, and for most of us, in luxury. We have so much to be thankful for: so much that we should surely be going forward confidently with and looking forever to our God, knowing that he is looking after us very well.

Yet what do we find? We are worried and upset by many things: we are looking with consternation at many of the things that are going on around about us, and we are wanting more and more, while doing less and less. We expect that everything should go well for us, while at the same time thinking that we can live and do as we please. Throughout much of our life, most of our efforts are focussed on what we want and what we do; and our society is pushing us further and further down that track. ‘You have to have the latest and the greatest: your house must be a huge mansion; and you must have a superannuation scheme that will allow you to retire in your fifties and travel the world and all the rest’. We are told to go for the very top and to let no-one and nothing get in our way: to be very selfish in our approach to life.

The more we are looking and going down that path, the more we find life a struggle, and unfulfilling. When things like fires, droughts and recessions hit we worry and worry. As we face more corruption, fraud, and violence we become more and more uncertain and frustrated. As selfishness increases, so does the lack of fulfilment and satisfaction with life. The picture is not good and it is getting worse.

But it doesn’t need to be that way. Here our Lord Jesus is reminding us how stupid it is for us to go down that track in our thinking. Even from a mere practical point of view, he says, why worry? Nature takes care of itself. The birds don’t sow and reap and store away in bigger and bigger barns and yet they survive. The flowers look splendid without labouring and spinning. He says in the scheme of things we are far more important and valuable than they, so don’t worry: we will be taken care of.

Instead he says, Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and then all these other things will be added unto us. Yes seek God’s kingdom first and foremost. Remember this world that we see around us and our short time here in it is not all there is to the picture. What this world says and sees as important is something far more insignificant than God’s kingdom which lasts for ever. This is but a blinking of the eye: it is not lasting; Whereas God’s kingdom is eternal.

But what is this Kingdom? God’s kingdom is where God rules: where he is in control, where he determines what is good and right, and where his people live as his loyal subjects, and he supplies their needs and safety. God’s rule is good and perfect and lasting, and so we can rely on it; we can look up to it, and know that it will be true to its word. His kingdom is his ruling as king over the whole universe as well as his church on earth and in heaven. In other words his kingdom extends over all things.

However the problem is we have forgotten to look up to him as King over all. We have rebelled against him: failed to listen to and follow his ways: chosen not to receive from him what is good; and have placed ourselves and what we want in his place. We haven’t allowed him to rule for our good, and so is it any wonder that things do not go as well as we would like; or as we think God should do for us. We haven’t given him a chance.

However instead of the King sending in his army and destroying all of us, who have rebelled against him: and by that I mean every single one of us; instead he sends his own Son into our world, and then punishes him instead of us. He allows him to be strung up on a cross to die in order to satisfy God’s wrath for our rebellion. Then he extends forgiveness and a renewed chance at living at peace in God’s kingdom with the King. He declares us righteous once again: holy and perfect in his sight. He again promises to rule graciously over all he has made. It is all there once again for us, so that we no more need worry, or be hassled with the rough and tough of life.

To guarantee that this is so for us, he gave to his Church baptism, so that we can be sure that he forgives us and accepts us as his very own. He there accepts us as his loyal citizens and members of his family. He gives us his Word to remind us again and again of his forgiveness and love for us; and gives us Holy Communion so that we are constantly extended and reminded of the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that is now ours through Jesus’ body and blood which he shed on the cross for us.

So now we are able to go forward confidently in life. We can seek this kingdom of God and his righteousness because we know that it is there; and it is for us. The King guarantees our safety and wellbeing for all eternity; he assures us of life and salvation, so we can now live as his loyal subjects; looking to him. We can actively seek to live according to his rules and guidelines.

We can forget about striving to gain and maintain our own food, drink, health and welfare. We don’t need to worry about whether we will survive, or things will work out for us, or if we will have enough, or any of those things. We now know that our gracious and caring King has it all under control, even if things may not look too good on the surface. We know that the King is using it all for a good purpose.

Yes we will however do our work and be responsible citizens, because we know that is what our King wants of us. We will work together at looking out for and caring for one another. We will constantly seek to do what is right for Him and his kingdom and also for the people in need around about us. We will share our wonderful, and many blessings with those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. And above all we will thank our Heavenly Father for all the goodness that he has sent our way.

Now instead of looking inward and downward, we can lift our eyes and look upwards and outwards. We can constantly seek after God’s kingdom: his good and gracious rule, and the righteousness that he has extended to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and we can then go forward boldly and confidently, to live and be his citizen and giving thanks to him at all times.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

May each one of us then give thanks to our gracious God in the face of difficulty and tragedy as well as the good, and in so doing go forward looking to our Lord at all times and knowing that in him and through him we have everything going for us. God’s blessings continue to go with you now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, February 14, 2009

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 We share the message of Christ crucified
15/2/09
{18} For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. {19} For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." {20} Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? {21} For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. {22} Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, {23} but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, {24} but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. {25} For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. {26} Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. {27} But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. {28} He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, {29} so that no one may boast before him. {30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. {31} Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

As I begin ministry my here among you we have here a message from God that is central to what I and all us here need to keep in mind as we continue to be God’s people. And in light of where much of our society and sadly much of the Christian church is today, we have an important role to play here in this community. A very important role. As Christians we are the only ones who are able to give our society what it needs, in order find to find the peace, happiness, security, and eternal life that it so desperately seeks and desires. It is up to us. They will not find this message from any other source other than from God through his people. So the challenge is up to you and me.

Here in this reading we are pointed in the right direction in order to do so. Paul points out that it is the preaching of Christ crucified that is of vital importance for us all. That is to be our boast as Christians. That is to be what is to be proclaimed over and over again. Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. God working through weakness and seeming failure and tragedy to make available to all, what we need. God accepting and working through us not because of our goodness and wisdom; our influence and nobility, or any other such thing; but simply because of Christ and his crucifixion on cross. And there it is that we have the basis of what we are to be on about. There we have what is needed for us in the Church, and especially what those in the community around us need to hear. It may not be what they want to hear – but it is what they need to hear.

But the problem is, how are they going hear that message. Who is going to tell them this Good News? It definitely won’t be the community out there. That would be the last thing they want tell you. It doesn’t fit the wisdom of our present age. It is not cool to talk Christianity.

At the same time it will not be the other religions of the world today either. As much as it is being proclaimed by many today that we are all paths to the one God and eternal life; they do not tell us of Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, or of the need for us to place our trust in him alone. No – they also then are not able to help us, and the world around us, with regard to that which is of utmost importance for us: That God himself wants us to know.

And sadly today even from many quarters of the so-called Christian church you will not hear proclaimed loudly and boldly Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Instead the focus is placed on us, and what we must do;
on us using the wisdom of this world to grow the Church, and the like. The claim is made that we must not proclaim and follow God’s Law, but simply share the Gospel – whatever that is without the Law. And I could go on with how the claim is made that we are so much wiser today and have a better understanding of God’s Word, and the like; but they have become fools because they have neglected the essential message of the cross.

And if you do not think that I am right – listen to the people out in the community. What is the message they have received about what it is to be a Christian? Yes, it is all about being a good, moral person; it is about feeling good and happy and in control of life. Many people out there simply have the understanding that as long as they are reasonably good people they will be OK – they will get to heaven. And yet they have no understanding of Jesus and his death on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins.
And where did they get that thinking from?

No – we here are called to preach Christ crucified. We are called to look at cross so that we see ourselves, and the world around us as it needs to be seen. And that we see Christ and Christianity as it needs to be seen. And it is there alone that we find the wisdom to live our lives every day. And it is only there that we will find the peace, joy and hope that we really need. Without the cross - our lives and our living is nothing. They are flounderings in a sea of disillusionment and searching.

And to see why, look closely at this cross. There we see what needs be seen and understood, as God would have us. And there, yes – first of all, we see our human predicament; our society as it needs to be seen. Because there on the cross the reality of each one us hangs. That is the sum total of what we deserve; the sum total of where we get to if want to ignore God and live life by our own thinking. That is where all human wisdom and striving ends.

As we look at that cross we see hanging there a person being punished in the most horrendous way. And in fact he is receiving the full force of not just human punishment and death, but God’s judgment for all sin; all that we deserve for our failure to live and be what God intended us to be; for failing to heed the importance of God in our lives. Look - we might think that we are not too bad – that we are living pretty reasonable lives – better than most anyway. Well look again - there is the sum total of the very best that we can do. There is where our wisdom leads. And that is what God's righteousness and justice pronounces for you and me - guilty to death. And if we are honest with ourselves, in light of God and his Word – we have to agree.

But look again. Who do we see on that cross? Is that you and me? When it comes to judgment day it should be. But no - there hangs God's own Son, Jesus Christ. Completely innocent - not deserving that in any way. But he is doing it voluntarily so that it doesn't have to be you and me. He is taking the punishment we should have coming to us. And there you have utter foolishness to our human way of thinking. But there is God's wisdom at work. Yes, he loves us so much that he wants to free us from that. He doesn't want us to go to Hell forever. Instead he wants to free us from the chains of sin and guilt that hold us down, and open up for us, and give us free access to God - membership in his family now and forever; peace, joy, security, and oh so much more. And it is there on the cross, and only there, that all of this is made possible. Nowhere, or in no other way, can God's love and forgiveness be ours.

Yes there on the cross we see and are brought face to face with the reality of our lives, and of God's love which frees us from our human predicament and changes our future possibilities. There we soberly see where our human striving leads, but also joyfully see God at work freeing us all. And then along with Jesus' resurrection we see and come to understand something of the power that is at work in our lives.

Now, all who are connected into Christ through baptism and faith in him and what he has done for us through his death and resurrection have a most joyous peace and hope that we could ever hope to have. In Christ and through his crucifixion, we become wise. We become wise because we know that our righteousness, our holiness, and our redemption – that is our salvation – are not something we can or have achieved ourselves. But that it is a gift of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So our only boast now is in Christ and in the salvation he has won for us. All that we say and do as his people, points in that direction. To him be glory and praise now and always.

That now is the central message of our faith as we go forward as God’s people. It is the core of all that we say and do as pastor and people here at Glandore/Underdale. It is to be the basis of the message that we share with those we come into contact with, in the hope that they too will be brought to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and his death for the forgiveness of our sins, and so be rescued from an eternity in Hell.

So as we go forward together as God's people, let us encourage one another in every aspect of life, to look first and foremost to Jesus Christ and the cross, and then we will know what it is to be wise: Because in Christ we see the power of God, and the wisdom of God. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish