John 16:12-15. All working together 30/5/10

(12) "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. {13} But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. {14} He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. {15} All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Here today in just these few verses we are given an insight into the workings of God and that which is important to him; and this then has an impact on who we are and what we are on about as well.

Now here in this reading we are reminded of how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the three members of the Trinity are at work in our world today. The thing that strikes us very strongly is that they are all working together, from their different positions and roles within the Godhead. That is they are at work making known to us that which is of God and which is important for us: that which is all truth. Very clearly, however the point is made that this knowledge has to do with Jesus and what he has said and done for us as he lived on this earth.

Now here Jesus begins by telling us that The Spirit of truth is come to guide us into the things that are important for us to know: the truth. This Spirit, we are told elsewhere, proceeds from the Father and the Son, and will make known to us only that which he hears from them. His sole purpose is to lead us to faith in Jesus Christ, which in turn brings glory to Jesus. He therefore, is sent to us, to make known to us all that Jesus said and did through his life, death and resurrection. The things yet to come, are a reference to Jesus death and resurrection which was yet to come, and which were of great importance for our salvation.

In that regard the Holy Spirit has often been regarded as the shy member of the Trinity. His focus is not on himself and what he does, but has come simply in order to make salvation through Christ, by grace through faith, known to us: to bring us to this knowledge and to help us to trust in this message, so that glory may in turn go to Jesus Christ and from there to the Father. He does not speak or act on his own behalf; as an independent agent, but only of that which he has received from the Father through the Son.

This then highlights the work of Jesus whilst he was here on this earth. God himself come to us, so that he might save us from the hell we have brought on ourselves through our rejection of God and our failing to live under his authority and Word. He took the punishment we deserve, on himself, so that we in turn might be forgiven and assured of life and salvation. Then he was raised from the dead so that we can be assured that he is for real and that eternal life is now there for all who are in Christ.

All this is from the Father. Every thing Jesus had and gave he had in common with his Father. The divine love and power is reflected from the Father through the Son, and then made know by the Holy Spirit. All are working together to bring forgiveness, life and salvation to us all. There we have the greatness of our God, and that which we truly thank and praise him for.

But this work and cooperation has continued on from there. This Good News of Jesus Christ has been proclaimed year after year ever since. It has brought life and salvation down through the ages to many, many people. Through the Word and Sacraments, the Spirit has made known all the truth that surrounds Jesus death and resurrection that we need to know. Around the world, people have come to faith in Jesus Christ. And glory is going to the Father for all the goodness that he has extended to us.

This goodness and work even now goes on here. The Spirit of truth is still at work, seeking to guide us into all truth. Salvation by grace through faith is still being proclaimed. The emphasis of Christ alone, grace alone, scripture alone and faith alone are still held up in some quarters as vital. Jesus death and resurrection is still the focus in preaching and teaching. The Triune God is continuing to work together to ensure that this message of Jesus continues to go on.

This is surely then also where we join in this important work of God. As we allow the Spirit of truth to work in our lives we too will be focussing all that we say and do on Jesus Christ and the importance of his death and resurrection for our salvation and life. Like the Spirit, we will not act as independent agents, but will act under the guidance of the Spirit and under the authority of God himself. We too will only speak of what has been passed on from Christ as of first importance. As we do, we can be sure that God’s work will go on and continue to bear fruit.

So today, we are reminded again that God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all working together with one purpose in mind: Each in their different roles and priorities, all with the same end in mind.

The Spirit of truth is sent to lead us into all truth: The truth and importance of Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us through his death and resurrection. In this, the love and power of the Father is extended to all people.

So also then, when we focus on that same message we know that we too are being joined into that work of God himself. We also know that where that message is, and is proclaimed, that it will bring blessing. But more importantly, glory will go to our Lord Jesus Christ. That in turn will bring glory to the Father. Here again as I conclude this message let us remember that to God alone, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Acts 2:1-21. Holy Spirit - for what purpose?? 23/5/10
(1) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. {2} Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" {12} Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" {13} Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." {14} Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. {15} These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! {16} No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: {17} "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. {18} Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. {19} I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. {20} The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. {21} And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Today we are reminded of one of the great gifts that are given to us by our God. His giving of the Holy Spirit would have to be one the greatest aspects of the Christian Church outside of Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. He is so important in our becoming and remaining believers in the Lord Jesus. But sadly, today, there is so much misunderstanding and wrong emphasis being given or attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, we have people overstressing some aspects of the Spirit’s work; and on the other hand he is almost ignored or is not given the opportunity to do his work. In both cases, it is to our detriment; and in fact, it can be very harmful.

Now this torch in some ways can illustrate this for us. Now it is a good torch – powerful and has a few little extras as well: But it has one main purpose - so that we can find our way around in the dark; so that we can focus on what is in front of us, so that we can see where we are going or what we are looking for. Now we have given to us here a super-dooper, special, Spirit: God's gift to us so that we can see our way through life: So that we can find Him who is life and be able to follow him.
But if all we are going to do is focus on the Spirit and the gifts that he gives, then he is no help to us. When he becomes the focus then we run into all kinds of dangers, as so many have today. Once again if we think of the torch: If I just look at the torch and all its gadgets as I wander along in the dark, then I will very quickly stumble and fall. Likewise, if all we do is look at what we can do with the Spirit, we will be looking in all sorts of directions other than where we should be, and again we will run into trouble.

On the other hand, we can have the Spirit there but not allow it to be of any help to us. If we deliberately walk in the other direction, he cannot be of much help to us. If we close our eyes, ears and lives to his work, then also we will be in trouble.

Sadly, there are many today who have placed themselves in danger by some of these ideas about the Spirit and his work. For us human beings there is the danger that we will over react one way or the other to this most special gift. So we need to continually be mindful of the fact that the Spirit is there with one main purpose in mind: to point us and others to the Lord Jesus and the path leads to and with him. Overlook that - divert the attention away from that central point and we will be on the wrong track - danger may well be in front of us.

What did Luther say was the work of the Holy Spirit, according to the Bible?
I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.
In this Christian Church day after day he fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers. On the last day he will raise me and all the dead and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.

Here on Pentecost Sunday we are reminded of the tremendous power that is there when the focus is in the right place: when the Spirit is allowed to do his work. Just look at those disciples - prior to this happening they were scared rabbits - hiding away in fear of their lives - only too ready to deny knowing Jesus, when trouble was near. But with the coming of the Holy Spirit amazing things started to happen. They began talking to people of other nations in their own tongue, even though they had never learnt the language. Now many tried to fob it off by saying that these disciples were drunk. Yet they stood boldly even in the face of the worst and most powerful of enemies: those who had Jesus crucified.

They stood boldly and proclaimed their message not as a show of the great and wonderful gifts they had; as if they were special. No, what was it that they focussed on and spoke about? Nothing other than Jesus Christ and the importance of what he had said and done. That was the mighty works of God they spoke about, stood up for and even eventually died for. They really laid it on the line - to the extent that thousands repented there and then and were baptized. As a result, they too were given the same Spirit in their lives.

Jesus in his Gospel reading for today again gives us direction as to what the Spirit’s work is all about. There off course, it refers to the forgiveness of sins being very closely associated with the Spirit’s work in and through the work of the Church. But again, Jesus Christ is central to this proclamation: It is by his death and resurrection that forgiveness is possible. Where this message is proclaimed the Spirit is at work; first of all enabling the people to stand up tell this message and lay these things on the line: That by nature we are, because of our sinful, selfish lives, wandering in the dark, lost and on a one way trip to Hell. Unless we are brought to the recognition that we have failed to live and be the people that God intends us to be; and unless we are turned back to God in repentance, then trouble is ahead; nothing is surer. Then having done that the Holy Spirit assures one and all that there is a way out. That forgiveness is possible because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Then having been made right with God, and incorporated into God’s family through baptism he helps us to live in the way that is right and good for us. Then through the truth of God’s Word and the right administration of Holy Communion, we are reassured of this forgiveness and of the certainty of eternal life in heaven: That sin, death and the devil now no longer has power over us, and that now nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
That is all the work and purpose of the Holy Spirit - to enable people to give and hear that message. It is he who enables us to stand up and speak this message, both verbally and in the way we live and act.

But then, it also the same Spirit that helps people see, understand and believe that important message of the Good News of Jesus Christ: It is he who empowers us to hear, listen and understand that message and its importance for our lives. Remember without that help we are doomed - we will remain spiritually dead; unable to help ourselves - unable to do anything about changing our situation - we will just cry out in our hopelessness - seeing nothing but despair. But the Holy Spirit steps in and says through the Word that Jesus has given us, that there is a God who loves us and has given a way out for us - not because we deserve it, but simply because he loves us. He places that message - that salvation - that help there for us; and then he niggles away at our consciences - coerces us - prods us – and does everything he possibly can to help us to believe - so that we might simply trust that what he says is true; instead of turning our backs on it, ignoring it, or pretending that it is a load of rubbish.

All this is the main work and purpose of the Holy Spirit. Now if we seek him to do otherwise than focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that he offers, then we are doing him a disservice and placing ourselves and others in danger. The Holy Spirit is nothing unless he makes it possible for us to see Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection, and what that means for us. So don't shut your eyes, ears and lives to what he is trying to do; nor allow yourselves to be diverted into looking elsewhere for the work and power of the Spirits work. Nothing can be greater or more valuable than that which the Spirit is seeking to do. That is, to get each and everyone of us to see Jesus for who is and what he has done for us: That done he has achieved the purpose for which he is here amongst us. Let us not get side tracked - or try to divert that gift of God from doing what he is sent here to do. But allow him to do his work in us and through us to others around us, so that we all may come to know of the forgiveness, help and happiness that God intends for us all, both here and in eternity. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Luke 24:44-53. Fare-Well - from Lord Jesus!! 16/5/10

(44) He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." {45} Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. {46} He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, {47} and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. {48} You are witnesses of these things. {49} I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." {50} When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. {51} While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. {52} Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. {53} And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Today’s readings remind us of Christ's ascension into heaven. But interestingly very little is said about the actual Ascension, or heaven for that matter. The emphasis here is on Jesus’ farewell speech. Fare-well in the true sense of its meaning. It is not full of good-byes and see-you-laters. But the focus is on our faring well as we go forward in life; on what we need in order to keep on going as Christians, - as we go on living without the visible presence of the Lord Jesus Christ with us.

You see, the danger for the disciples was that without Christ visibly with them they would become discouraged and uncertain, and perhaps even let go altogether. The same, of course, also applies to us today, and in fact, it is there. There are many people today who have become discouraged about being active and visible Christians; or uncertain about whether they are on the right track or not; or who simply have given up along the way, finding it easier to go along with the rest of society. Others again are just nervous and hesitant in being too open about their faith and their sharing of it with others; perhaps feeling as though they will make a fool of themselves; or else thinking that they can not do what is asked of us.

Now of course, because of our sinful, selfish human nature, we will try to avoid facing up to the reality of these issues. We will try to pretend that we are too busy – by filling our lives to the brim with endless pursuits of selfish enjoyment, and by placing a high priority on our work so that we don't have time to think about those things that are difficult and important. Or else we look to the weaknesses and failures within the Church; the pastor or others, in order to let ourselves off the hook. Or again, we look for visible proofs of Jesus presence in our midst, or the right feelings; and when tragedy comes our way, we scream out that obviously God is not here and that he does not care. Whatever it is, we all, are too quick to find excuses to hide behind, because we are not prepared to face the real issues, and the important facts of life. We hide the real issues behind many things. And then in the midst of the difficulties of life we struggle with the reality of God, because the visible presence of Jesus is not here with us, and so are unsure of the purpose of life.

To all of this our Lord Jesus says fare-well. Fare-well, however, not in the sense of goodbye, see-you-later, I am out of here, and you are on your own: But exactly the opposite. We (us here) can now fare-well in life because we have everything going for us. There is no need for us to be discouraged and unsure about the key issues of life anymore. We have got everything we need in order to be able to face life in whatever way it comes. We can be sure that Jesus is for real and that there is a purpose to life, and that we are not on our own – Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us: so we can now fare-well. We can fare very well in life - no matter what.

Those three points Jesus brings out quite clearly to his followers in that farewell speech. Firstly, he wants us to be quite sure that he is for real. You see he knows very well that there are many times in life when we doubt whether Jesus really is who he claimed to be, and that there will be times when we will just not be sure. Think of those first disciples: it was fine for them believing in Jesus. He has just performed miracles; he suffered, died and in particular rose again from the dead. So it was easy for them while he was still there with them: while it was all still fresh in their memory. But what happens down the track when life gets a little rough and they are under pressure. Their human reason starts to say, ‘hang on, are you sure you are not loosing your marbles,’ and ‘your imagination must have run away with you’, or that ‘perhaps a lot these other people are right, and this is just a good story’ or whatever.

No. Jesus here reminds us all: What you have seen, heard and know, is for real. Look way back in the time of Moses, and down through the ages since, there is account after account pointing to Jesus and all of these things that you now know about him. If he was a fly-by-night scam there is no way that all these things that have been written right back there, over a period of hundreds of years before, could all fit together with Jesus. What happened to him is no coincidence. It couldn't be. Way back, it was prophesied that he would die and three days later rise again; and it happened - this is for real - you can be sure. That is Jesus message to his disciples and to you and me. The evidence is all there so that you and I can understand and know that the Lord Jesus is who he says he is; and that he has died and risen again for the forgiveness of us all. So now, we can face anything and everything that comes our way.

Not only is the evidence there in the Scriptures, in the Books of Moses, the prophets and the psalms, as well as the New Testament books, but we are reminded week in week out that Jesus died and rose again for each one of us individually when we come to the Lord’s Table. There he gives us his very body and blood which he shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, life and salvation. So constantly through Word and Sacraments we are assured and reassured that Jesus Christ is for real and that he is with us in a very real way, even though we cannot see him. And in and through those means he constantly reminds us that he did die and rise again for each and every one of us.

And with that understanding, we now then can also understand the meaning and purpose of life for each and every one of us. This is the second point Jesus now gives for our faring-well on earth. To know the Lord Jesus, and his death and resurrection for forgiveness sins, is the basis of life. It being vital to our, and every human beings, very existence, then means there is a purpose for us here and now. The same Scriptures that points to and uphold Jesus as Lord and saviour of the world, also stress the need for all people, all over the world, to know this message and its importance for their lives. Jesus here points out that we are the witnesses he has to those around us of this Good News: Repentance and forgiveness is to be told and proclaimed and lived to all nations: that is our task.
Therein lies the purpose for which each and every one of us is still living here on earth. Each of us is to witness of these things. The word used here for witness in the original Greek, is martyros, from which we see the word martyr. You see – the idea is that we give our all for this purpose. Nothing else has precedence. Ultimately, nothing else matters. By the way we live, act and speak, in our giving our all for Jesus Christ and his Good News, we are showing the value and greatness of Jesus Christ - we are witnesses to what is important in life. As we continually turn back to God each and every day in repentance, knowing that he has forgiven us for Jesus sake, we are being martyrs: witnesses, to the only cause that is really worth anything at all.

So we are called to preach Christ and his death and resurrection, and repentance and forgiveness. Yes in preaching Christ we don’t just proclaim some lovey – dovey, sentimental, all-accepting Christ, and his power for new living. We preach Christ and him crucified, for the forgiveness of our sins. And we preach repentance: that is the need for people to turn back to him as Lord and saviour, recognising their sinfulness and failure to be the people God intends us to be, and knowing that without constant reassurance of his forgiveness they are in trouble. So we need to constantly turn back to him – daily- so that we can know the forgiveness that has been won for us, and then know also where our help comes to live out our lives every day. That is the message of our witness to the people around about us.

In living for this purpose, our lives have all the meaning we could ever want. And it is not as if we are left on our own to do this either. Jesus third point is that we have his Spirit to help us in this regard. Last weeks message, and next weeks also, emphasise that we can fare-well here as his people because we have this Counsellor with us all the time. He gives us the help, strength and power we need in order to be witnesses for Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that he has won for us all.

So my friends, let us be encouraged by this fare-well from our Lord Jesus Christ. We can now go forward confidently: knowing that we are on the right track; and so not be discouraged and uncertain. We have every reason to continue on with joy and hope, ready to face whatever is in front of us. Jesus has ascended physically from this earth, but he is ever present with us, as we hear, read and listen to Gods Word and here in Baptism and the Lords Supper. So fare-well one and all in Jesus name. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish