Roger's Postings

Friday, October 29, 2010

Romans 3:19-28. Reformation of the Church 31/10/10

(19) Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. {20} Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. {21} But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. {22} This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, {23} for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. {25} God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- {26} he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. {27} Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. {28} For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Today has been set aside for us to commemorate the Reformation of the Church. Traditionally, this has been a day when we have looked back with pride on our Lutheran heritage: at how people stood out against the odds and held to biblical teachings that are vitally important. In the past, we have sung the praises of Martin Luther and the work that he had done in reforming a church that had gone very much wrong. And yes, he was a great man, and did a great work, lead by God; which has stood us in good stead till now.

In the past, we have taken pride in the fact that we are a church that continues to hold firmly to Scripture and the teachings of the Bible: A church that has stressed the centrality of the Word and the Sacraments in the life of the Church. Yes, we were very proud to be Lutheran, and we fought very hard to maintain our Lutheran heritage.

It is here in our present time in this regard, however, that we need to keep in mind the message of our reading here which tells us that our righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Now that should make us stop and think about what we really are remembering today and what is important for us as we go forward as God’s people.
On the one hand, we are not to trust in our Lutheran church or we are standing for the very thing Luther fought against: the very thing this bible passage here speaks against. We are not justified: not made right with God by adhering to our Lutheran traditions as right as they might be. Remember the Pharisees and the Old Testament law. The law was good, but what the Pharisees made of it was all wrong. They put their trust in their keeping of the law and not in trusting the God who stood behind the Law.

That too, was the kind of thing Luther tried to correct in the church of his day. They again put their trust in their church; the pope and what he stood for: and they placed great importance on the things we do: on money being paid for God's forgiveness, and the like.

At the same time, Luther was equally concerned about those who did not take God and his Word very seriously at all. He had no time for those who chose to change God’s Word to suit their own way of thinking and who placed greater importance on themselves and their feelings and that kind of thing.

In all of this, he sought to ensure that the focus of our salvation and Christian life was not taken away from Jesus Christ and the cross, and placed elsewhere. He knew the absolute necessity of total trust in Jesus Christ alone and his work on the cross that our text here speaks of: Righteousness with God can not be gained by what we do, think or feel, but entirely by what Jesus has done for us. And we too need to see that our focus is in that very same place or we too are heading down the wrong track.

So, what is the situation for us here today? Where do we stand? Are we even concerned about what it means to be a true Christian: a Lutheran Christian? Are we here prepared to stand up for what is right and true? Or do we simply want to go along with the crowd and not take anything very seriously at all? Is our attitude like that of many today: she's right, we are all Christian; what does it matter, as long as what is done, is done in the name of Christian - whatever that might be? As long as we say we believe in God and go to church occasionally, wherever that might be, that is all that matters.

As we think of the Reformation and what Luther stood up for: as we think of this reading, and the whole book of Romans; we are left in no doubt, that we today need to be far more serious about all of this than is currently the case.

We very much need to reassess where we are at today and what we are standing for. The pressures and temptations are strong for us to not focus on these words here, but on other things that are not so important; and we are in grave danger of being lead down the wrong track. So we must beware, in case we too loose sight of the basics of the Christian faith. Again and again, we need to hear these words of St Paul; This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. We need to take these words to heart and integrate them into our lives.

This passage, along with many others, make it quite clear, that all have sinned and fall short of what God expects of us. Not one of us has any chance of getting to heaven if were not for Jesus Christ. If there is any reliance on us, even if in some minute way, then we are sunk; we have no hope - we just can't do it. Our works, decisions, living the good life, none of it will save us.

However, the thing is, we have been made right already, we are justified; freely, by the grace of God: His undeserving love that he extends to us. This all happened through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice, and made him to take the punishment that should have been ours. God in his justice had to punish all the sin of this world; and that punishment should have fallen on us as individuals. But no; God in his love for us sent his perfect Son Jesus to take that wrath of God on himself. So Jesus on the cross took all our sin on himself; removing it from each one of us; so that now when God looks at each one of us he sees the perfection of his Son. We are justified - we are right with God.

There is nothing we can do or have to do. All that is needed is for us to trust that Jesus has taken care of our salvation through his death on the cross: Looking to him as the one who has gotten us out of the mess that we are in. Believing that he has done all that is required for us to be accepted by God. Our faith in Jesus and what he has done for us, and our baptism, which joins us with him, makes us children of God for all eternity. There is now only one sin that will land us in trouble, and that is the sin of unbelief: The sin of not taking it all seriously: of seeing his forgiveness as a licence to do as we please.

But when we look to Jesus and his death on the cross, we are surely moved to love as he loves us. At the same time, we have no reason to fear: nothing to cause us to doubt. Whenever we are feeling low - uncertain of our salvation – all we need to do is look again to Jesus and trust that he has done everything necessary for our salvation. When we are tempted to think we need to help God out in this regard, we need to remember again that it has all been done for us: there is nothing more that we have to do. When our focus and pride turns toward ourselves, our gifts, our church; our heritage; we need to remind ourselves again that it is Jesus Christ alone who saves. Our only pride: our only trust: our only boast on this Reformation day, must be on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. That is what Luther and others struggled for: That is what I am here for and about: To maintain that we are right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ. He alone is our life and our salvation.

It is with that right understanding of what the Christian faith, and our Lutheran church, is all about, that we then have every reason to get out there and live our lives as true Christians. Prepared to stand up proudly for what is right and true: to let the world out there know that there is only one way to heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Let this reformation take place in our lives again. Let each of us us stand firm in this conviction. Our righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. Then this will be a true Reformation Day celebration. Then our church will be assured again of a strong future here in this community.

Yes, here again, we have every reason to be proud and to sing our praises on this day; but not in ourselves; not in our church and its heritage; but in Jesus Christ, and in him alone: Knowing and believing that he has done it all for us. Yes, let us fix our eyes firmly on our Lord and Saviour, now and always. AMEN.
Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Luke 18:9-14. A right focus?? 24/10/10

{9) To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: {10} "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. {11} The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. {12} I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' {13} "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' {14} "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

How many people go to church regularly these days? How many think that it is all a waste of time, because they don't get anything out of it? How many don't feel any different afterwards - except perhaps bored? It is a statistical fact that there is only a small percentage of people who worship regularly; yet most would say that they believe that there is a God? So for most people, even though they know that God exists, they believe church is not worth the effort.

Now here in this reading I believe we find the very much reason why this is most likely the case. Here we have two people who go to worship, but only one went home feeling, and more to the point, knowing that he was right with God, while the other didn't. For one, his attendance at church did him no good at all, while the other was greatly lifted up by it.

That being the case, let us think about how this applies to us. How can church and worship be a valuable experience for us, Sunday after Sunday? How do we get to know that we are right with God, instead of being let down and left feeling bored and empty?

So the first question for us then, is - what is it that makes us right with God? What is it that lifts us up or leaves us feeling flat and yuck about church? Now, if we think about the first guy in this reading – the Pharisee – we find out why so many do not get anything out of worship. This guy was a fine, upstanding, all round good fellow; not a thief, a cheat, or an evil person; he did not play around with other women; he gave as much as anyone, financially to the work of the church and charities; he fasted and did all the right thing religiously. So we would have to say that was one of the best good living guys around; a great example of how people should live and act.

But we are told that he went away from church that day, no better than when he went. As long as he continues to think the way that he did, he would not really get anything out of worship, other than an ego trip for himself; and in the end, he will not even get into heaven.

Why? Let us have a closer look; and at the same time, think about ourselves and our own attitudes as well. Let me read from our text: The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' Poor fellow - so full of himself that he had no need for God. All he was there for was to tell God how good he was and how much better he was than everyone else. No love and compassion for others; no thought of the fact that he was nowhere near good enough to be acceptable to God; no thought of listening to hear what God had to say to him. No, his only thoughts were of and for himself and how he feels and what he wants for himself. So he still leaves church that day with his eyes focussed on himself. He had done his religious duty; he was still a good fellow. BUT, we are told, that he was not right with God and that he will be humbled, one day. He would have a rude shock awaiting him in the future.

Now, what about you? What is your attitude and focus as you come to church? Are you listening for something that will make you feel good about yourself; listening for that which will enable you to do as you please; wanting merely to do a good deed and perhaps keep others happy; wanting to be seen and recognised as good person and wanting to simply feel good. Now, if that is the case, you too will be disappointed.

On the other hand, we perhaps can learn something from the attitude of the tax- collector. No, his life was not what it should have been; he hadn't been living a good life, and more importantly he had failed to live the way God expected him to; but thing was, he knew it; he was deeply conscious of the fact that he was a sinner and that he had let God down badly; he new he deserved to have God strike him down, chew him up and spit him out in little pieces; he knew he needed lots of help.

So he merely cries out from the back of church: God have pity on me a sinner. He begs for forgiveness and help: He puts his whole life into God's hands, to be dealt with and used as God pleases. And we are told that he went home that day in the right with God: He went home assured that God loves him and had forgiven him. What joy he experienced as a result and what a change occurred in his life.

Therein, we find how we too can get something out of church and worship. As we realize that our lives are not as good they should be; and that we have not lived the way that God expects of us; and as a result, that we have failed God, others and even ourselves, resulting in the fact that we need help, love and forgiveness from God almighty himself. Then we find that God is there and that he loves us, forgives us and is prepared to help us throughout.

So, if you are not getting anything out of church and find that it is boring and uninteresting; instead of blaming the pastor and others, first have a good look at yourselves. Have a look at your own attitude and see if you are only thinking about yourself and your own happiness and feelings. See if you think God and others owe you and should be giving you everything. Check if you are simply wanting to be reassured in your own rights and self-centredness. Remember the Lord is God almighty himself and he knows your thoughts and attitudes and he is also the one who has set down what is right and good for us.

Here, remember first and foremost, that our worship service is really, ‘Divine Service’; that is God serving us through Forgiveness of sins, Word and Sacrament. God Almighty himself is here to give us what he knows that we need. He knows that we are sinners, every one of us, and he knows how that has devastated our relationship with him. He knows that we need to be reminded of this along with the fact that he sent his Son Jesus Christ into our world to take the punishment that we deserve for it. So he comes to give and reassure us of these things week after week, so that we can know that we are right with God through Jesus Christ: That forgiveness of sins, life and salvation has been extended to all who repent and believe in Jesus and what he has done for us on the cross. This is his service to us.

So primarily our worship service is focussed on Jesus Christ and what he has to say and do for us. We come knowing that we are unworthy of such amazing grace, but we come on bended knee, knowing what he has to offer and do for us. We come to receive forgiveness for all the sin of the past week; and the Word and help that we need in order to go on in life, at peace with God and with renewed hope to live and be new people.

That is why the worship services are structure the way that they are. We begin with the reminder that we have come into the presence of the Almighty God of all creation. As a result, we too can only say, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' Then we receive the absolute assurance that our sin is forgiven, followed by his Word which reminds of the things that he wants us to know so that we can not only live happily in his presence but also how we are to live and act as his people. Then in the Lord’s Supper we receive Jesus very body and blood which he shed on the cross so that we can be absolutely sure that he forgives us, loves us, and goes with us as we leave church. The final blessing is a further pronouncement that God himself goes with to bless us as we live as his people in the coming week.

So, worship for us is an invaluable and absolutely necessary part of life for us as Christians. Because there we find God's presence, forgiveness, and all the love and help that we could ever hope to get. It is all here for us week by week. What an amazing thing it is for us to come and receive such wondrous gifts and love as this, even though we don’t deserve it.

I pray that each one of you will receive that assurance that you are right with God and that you can go away from this worship service with that confidence and assurance: So that you too may go home justified before God. May you all go with that assurance that you are God's people now and always. Go in the name of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, October 16, 2010

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. Stick to what is right and good! 17/10/10

(2 Tim 3:14-17) But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, {15} and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Tim 4:1-5) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Here today as we think of our families and the important role that they play in our world, we have a message that is vitally important for them and for us all. As Christians, we know what it is that Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. We know what it is to have been baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection. We know that he loves and forgives us and assures us eternal life with himself in heaven. We know that the Christian life is important for us.

We know all of this and we agree with it, despite the fact that so many around us today say the church is dead; that it has lost its relevance and appeal; despite also the fact that there are many ways put forward as to how we can keep in touch with the supreme being behind the universe, whoever we want to call him. Here we face the situation where Islam, Eastern meditation, astrology and other forms of religious and spiritual activity are promoted as being acceptable. With post-modern thinking saying that we can accept a little bit of truth here and there and thereby make up a truth that is suitable for each of us individually. After all these truths are all equally valid ways of finding God and keeping in touch with him.
Perhaps, more importantly, they are simply ways that we can find and achieve the greatest benefit for ourselves and our happiness. So God becomes for many an abstract idea that fits our perception of what we want him to be and what he can do for us. Sadly, this thinking has infiltrated right into the heart of the Christian church as well. Here all too often God is seen to be someone who allows us the freedom to do as we please; and as long as we are reasonable about it and as long as we say we believe in God, whoever and however we perceive him to be. As a result, God looses his ultimate position as God Almighty and we merely find God within ourselves and in our finding fulfilment in life. Thereby the reality is that we are not Christian at all – and according to Scripture, that thinking has only one end – Hell.

The other difficulty that is faced in conjunction with all of this, is; what then is truly right and good for us? Can we really base our lives on a little bit of this truth and a little bit of something else; Because, after all that is the thinking that abounds today? How much can we sit back and say; it is all too confusing, so we won’t be all that involved and we won’t impose any thinking on our children? Can we also assume that our children will automatically pick up what will be good for them? Can we say that as long as we believe, that is all that matters? Can we, not be here, week in week out, and still expect that our children will grow up to understand that Christ and his Church is all important? These and many other questions along this line are very important for us to consider; even though it is difficult.

Remember that day will come when we all will have to stand before God, as judge, and we will be held accountable for what we believe, teach and have passed on to the next generation. We will not be able plead; ‘look I was just going along with the crowd and the opinions of the time. After all, I did have these religious feelings and thoughts. I did try to be a pretty good bloke.’

No, that will not hold water. We are reminded that we do know what is right. He has given us his Word and his Spirit. God also warns us here, that there will be times when many will not listen to the sound and true doctrines of the Bible, but follow their own desires. That human nature will only want to listen to what they want to and what will allow them do what feels good. He tells us here that there will be many who will not listen to the truth, but go to those groups which sound good, even though they might be right off the track. We are living in one of those times now; and God says to us - don't fall for it - God will judge us all for what we take on board and teach to our children. And if we think we can ignore what he has told us here in the Scriptures - look out!

So here the true and only God - the real God - our Lord, says; Continue in truth that you were taught and which we have in the Bible – God’s Word in its entirety – and firmly believe it. Stick to what is right and true – and which has stood the test of time. Stick to the Bible and what it has to say, rather than listen to that which merely makes us feel good. Hold fast to the fact that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Know that we have been joined to Jesus Christ at the baptismal font; and that there we became his people who listen to and follow him, alone. Do this and we will not go wrong.

This was God's advice to Timothy and to us here today as well: to us as individuals; as families; as leaders and as a church. Stick to the Bible and the truths that have been handed down to us from it: Because it is the right way – the only way. Make sure that we and our families, continue in and learn that which is able to make us wise unto salvation.

In this reading here, this is all spelt out quite clearly for us. There is only one way to salvation for us and for our families. And that is through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. There we have the central, most important truth for us all. We, and our families, will only have life, salvation, hope, happiness and peace of mind through what Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. These things he gives to us all freely, out of his goodness - without us having do anything to earn it. We are saved by grace through faith – and there is no other way.

It is there that we have the truth of this whole matter: The central, basic point for us all, to hold on to and live in light of. Go to the Scriptures – that is God’s Word to us – and that is what you will find. This truth you will not find anywhere else; and it is the only truth that will lead to eternal life with God. It is all in the Bible; and that is what you have been taught; and that is what our church holds firmly to. And that is what we must stick to all the way, and make sure that we pass on to our children and grand-children.
Then because it is right and true with regard to that which is essential, we are reminded that it is right in all others aspects as well. So we need to take careful note of everything else that God has to say as well. We are reminded that God’s Word is the criteria by which we can see, understand and correct all the other thinking that are put forward for us to take on board. We need hold fast to that which is true and reject that which is false according to what God has to say, instead of the thinking of the day. We have no excuses for being dragged into being slack in our Christian life or to getting caught into other spiritual groups and churches which are on the wrong track.

There in the Bible, we also find how God expects us to live and act as his people. There he calls for our obedience and commitment to what he sees as important for us as his people. As his people, we are not free to do as we please. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Through his Word, he wants to lead, guide and direct us each and every day. He wants us to love and forgive, as we have been loved and forgiven. He wants us to be diligent in raising our families as Christian; and that means setting the example. There is no easy way around it and we cannot plead ignorant.

God - the only God - has given us all we need to know and believe: all that we are to stick to and to live in light of. So let us continue in the truth that we were taught; holding fast to that wisdom which leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and we will not go wrong. Keep control of ourselves in all circumstances - endure suffering – and do the work of sharing and passing his Good News on to those whom we have the responsibility of doing so - perform our whole duty as servants of God. And through it all may our families continue to give all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Friday, October 08, 2010

Luke 17:11-19. Freed to give thanks! 10/10/10

{11) Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. {12} As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance {13} and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" {14} When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. {15} One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. {16} He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. {17} Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? {18} Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" {19} Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

The people of Australia were called, again and again to pray for rain, through the extended severe drought. Finally, the seasons changed and brought the needed rain and filled the rivers. The drought finally comes to an end, so they all headed off to the local to celebrate. Now they were free again to live without constraint: they finally had received the just desserts for the long years of hardship; so they all head off to live it up – all except a few.

These few went off in the opposite direction - they went to give thanks to God. They bent their heads low in gratitude for what God had done for them, even though our nation did not deserve this blessing. They recognised that it was the Lord Almighty himself who had given them the drought breaking rain. They appreciated the fact that it is the Lord who has given us everything that is good; and so their only reaction now was to give thanks to the provider once again for his goodness. And their thankful praise went on to ring out in every word and every action that came forth from their lives. Those few then went on in life with the full assurance from God that their life was truly blessed and had a wholeness to it: a wholeness that was sadly lacking in those many others who took it all for granted.

Now – there in lies a message for us all. In light of the fact that this is the message of our text here this morning, let us look to our own lives and see whether we truly do appreciate all our great God has done for us. Let us first of all check to see if we celebrate our successes as just that; our successes. Is it that we feel that it is our right to receive all the good that comes our way: Or again, are we so comfortable in our affluence that we even fail to see and appreciate the greatness of what God has and is doing for us? Where is the gratitude and thankfulness that should be seen and felt in every aspect of our everyday lives?

To help us think these things through, let us look at the Samaritan leper and what Jesus had done in his life; and there learn something for our own lives. That Samaritan, along with the other nine lepers, was a ‘dead’ man. He was dead even though the leprosy hadn’t executed him yet. His leprosy cut him off almost completely from his own people: his family – his friends – his church. He had to live outside town and not come into close contact with anyone else – except other lepers. When someone came near; they had to yell, ‘unclean, unclean.’ And there was no cure, so all they could do was just exist and slowly deteriorate as their skin gives way more and more. They were bound by something worse than death; and there was nothing to live for and nothing to hope in.

Then Jesus comes along into our world and he heals the sick and proclaims that God’s kingdom has broken into this world. Here Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem to die on the cross, when somehow, this man, along with the other nine lepers, hear that this Jesus was passing by. From a distance, knowing that he was a leper and that he could not come near to the one who apparently was from God, he cries out simply for this Jesus to have pity on him.

Then by a word of command from this Jesus, everything changed. A word from this one who was on his way to be strung up on a cross to die as an outcast changed everything. This one could see that day ahead when the whole world would turn against him and that he would be forsaken even by his Father in heaven: being punished and having to die for all our rebellion, sickness and sin; for all that makes us outcasts and untouchables. There he was to die the death of all deaths; breaking the power of all that would separate us from God and each other. By rights, his death should remain the only death; because there Jesus died the death of all people – all people. So that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He became an outcast so that there need never be another outcast. No one need be cut off from the land of the living.

So there on the border between Galilee and Samaria, a command from Jesus allowed all ten leper outcasts to enter back into the land of the living. They all raced off to get on with their living: to get out of life what they could. All, but one. Because as he went off to do what Jesus had told him to do he noticed that his leprosy had gone: that this Jesus truly was from God and that it was he who had given him life again. So he turned and raced back – back to give thanks and praise to the one who had given him life - new life – and a new chance at living.

This man, we recall was a Samaritan – and it seems probable that he was the only Samaritan in the group. That may give us a clue as to the real reason why the others did not find it in their hearts to be thankful. As Jews and therefore members of God’s chosen OT people, wasn’t it their right to receive God’s blessing; wasn’t it God’s duty to care for his own privileged people; hadn’t God betrayed them by allowing them to get leprosy in the first place. It should never have happened to them; yes to the Samaritan perhaps – but not to them – not to them.

There perhaps that is the reason why it was only that one solitary Samaritan that had room in his heart for gratitude. He had nothing; and he knew that he deserved nothing. So to be given life – he knew he owed everything to God – everything. Then for him we find that there was more than healing of his leprosy; there was a whole change in his heart and life. For him life began that day; with Jesus becoming the very centre of all that he was and did; filling his whole life, being and eternity. He was free now to do all that God had in mind for him. His whole life was now one of thankful praise to his Lord and God.

Now what are the lessons here for us today? How easy is it for us to be like the nine: yes, we say that we owe God everything; yet how often isn’t it, that the moment something goes wrong we will tend to say, ‘God, why have you let this happen to me - I’m a Christian – I am faithful in my church life - I try to do the right thing – and all the rest. So what about you doing your bit and looking after me. Let the people out there get sick, loose their job and run into trouble if you must; but not me – it is my right – I deserve better.’ Again with that sort of attitude we have lost the heart of the Gospel: The real message of Jesus Christ and the lostness of us as a humanity without him.

No matter who we are – we have no claim on God. Of ourselves we have nothing that makes us acceptable. We are nothing – and we deserve nothing; except to be a total outcast. We all, too often have bound ourselves to ourselves and to our sin. Our sin is a big thing and cannot be taken lightly. Of ourselves, we are nothing and we have no claim on anything good. We have no rights and deserve nothing.

Yet it is into that nothingness that the Lord Jesus Christ has come with his wonderful gift of life, love, freedom and rich blessings. He has come and made us whole; cleansed us through the washing of our baptism – connecting us to his life, death and resurrection. He has taken us out of a life that was bound to death and given us life, hope and every good thing that we have. He himself being that life and giving it to us freely out of pure grace.

Each day then surely we can only reflect on and appreciate with wonder, thanks and praise all that our Lord has done for us. Surely, our life will be one of continually returning to him to give him thanks and praise; and also living that gratitude every day of lives, remembering that he is the giver of every blessing we have received. We will want him to be with us and to lead us and guide us as we face all the various situations of our life. We surely will want to be bound to our Lord and Saviour in all that we say and do; remembering that his promise and assurance is that he is with us and for us.

So as you go from here with that attitude; go with the same assurance that was given to the Samaritan leper – your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and serve the Lord. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts, minds and lives centred in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4. God's answer to my troubles!! 3/10/10

{1) The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet received. {2} How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? {3} Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. {4} Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
(Hab 2:1-4) I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. {2} Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. {3} For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. {4} "See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright-- but the righteous will live by his faith--

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" was the cry of Jesus on the cross. There he takes up the cry of the Psalmist in the OT who also cries out to God; "My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent."
And this has been the cry of many a God-fearing person throughout the ages. ‘God why? - Why these troubles? – Why do you allow hardships to overpower us? God why don't you answer us when we call for help?

In light of the OT lesson from Habakkuk, I take up this thought this morning; where is God's answer to our troubles. First, let us hear again the cry of Habakkuk. How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.

As we listen to that, we too, hear that as our own cry, at various points through our lives. We also know what it is to be burdened down by trouble or some tragedy and despite our plea's to God, there seems to be no ready answer. We are weighed down by guilt - we cry out - but no relief. Some disastrous tragedy strikes our family and God seems so distant and uncaring. We face huge financial pressures and it appears as though God is not providing any way out. Evil abounds in our society around us - attacking from all directions; and instead of any improvements - things go from bad to worse. The churches have lost their way and their focus, and it only seems to be getting worse.

We cry out to God, but receive no relief. Guilt wells up inside: the pressures keep coming: evil continues to hammer away at us. Is there no hope? Is there no way out? Has God deserted us; leaving us to fight our own battles? Is he so distant and uncaring? Often that seems to be the case.

Habakkuk along with many others in Scripture had similar concerns and thoughts. But like Habakkuk, we need to listen to God's reply. In response, the Lord say; ‘Wait - wait for the Lord and he shall bring to pass all that he promises’. So despite what Habakkuk was experiencing, he was told to wait. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Trust God and wait; your enemies will receive what is coming to them. Yes, it might seem as though it is a long time coming - but it surely will come. You will receive all that God has promised.

So, when we are burdened down by our troubles or some tragedy; crying to God for an answer - for help, we are asked not to go on feeling sorry for ourselves; but to wait for the Lord. We are to hang in there despite what is happening. God will come to our rescue when the time is right. So no matter how tough things might be - we need hang in there and wait.

Yes sure; I can hear you say. That opens us up to the accusation that we are fools. We are to trust God to help us and nothing happens, so we are seen to be crazy by many around us. ‘But look at them,’ God says. Look at them, as proud and arrogant as they are on the outside - within they are deeply troubled. Their spirit is not at ease either - they do not have the answers. They in fact are the ones who are living in a make believe world. They are the real fools. No - the Lord says - you live by faith irrespective of what others are saying. Wait for God's answer. Trust that he will help you when the time is right. He has promised to do what is best for you and for his kingdom and he does not renege on his promises. So wait.


What then, is it that he has promised us? From the time of the Fall of Adam God has promised he will come to the help of his people in their need. He said he would send a saviour, even though we will have to suffer the results of sin along the way. Throughout the Bible, we have recorded for us the promises of God and of how time and again he did come to the aid of his people; even if they had to wait awhile. And of course, the greatest of those promises is that of his coming to rescue us all from our most serious problem of all - that of sin and alienation from God, which results from our rebellion. The promise that his own Son would come and take the punishment that we deserve, for our disobedience and failure to live as God would have us.

So as a result of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we are assured that God is now with us and for us, throughout life. At our baptism God promised to be with us personally throughout this life - even in our hardships; and that we are a part his family here and in eternity, no matter what. And when we come to the Lord's Table we are assured in a very special way of the Lord's forgiveness, presence and help. Then through the blessing pronounced there, his presence will strengthen and preserve our body and spirit throughout. Even in our troubles, he will be strengthening and keeping us in the true faith. When a fellow Christians visits, there the body of Christ is present and active also; and that help we receive from them, is help from God Almighty himself.

But too often, of course, we view what I just said as mere words and promises of what might be. Can we really wait for God's help when we are in real trouble simply on those promises - on these words? Yes, we can. We can hang in there because God is faithful to his people. He has always been true to his promises in the past. In the Bible, there are many, many accounts of God doing just that: fulfilling his promises despite the unfaithfulness, unworthiness and stupidity of the people involved. That is nowhere, more fully demonstrated, than in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There we have God's assurance that he does love us and care us in our mess, even though we are not the people that we should be. There on the cross we can know for sure that he is for us. That cross is his guarantee to you and me.

Even in our own lives, we can see how many times God has helped us and blessed us. As we look back to our past difficult times, we see how he has rescued, cared and strengthened us. Even though at the time, we could not see it: even though we might have gotten ourselves into the mess we were in, he was there, showing his care and suffering with us.

So we can again trust God in the future, in the midst of the troubles and hardships that we will face. We can be sure that he will not leave us fight our own battles; to struggle on in own mess; and to slowly go down the tube and be totally broken by what is happening. We can be sure he once again will be with us helping and encouraging us, despite what might look to be the contrary. He will use that situation for good: either, our own good, or for the good of others.

However, there are times when he says, wait. There are times when the answer he gives doesn't always come just the way we think that it should, or when we think it should come. But it comes. He knows best. He knows what is of real benefit to us and to his kingdom in the longer term. So often, he simply says, wait - wait till his time is right. We will receive help and even greater blessings than we can ever imagine. He simply says trust him - he will take care of the situations; he will bring justice and blessing.

So to conclude, there we have God's answer to us in our problems. Often when we cry out for help his answer is wait. Wait because God has promised that he will come to our aid. Wait because God is faithful to his people. Wait because he has helped and blessed us richly through Jesus’ death on the cross. Wait and trust that he will do what is necessary and what is best. And through it all continue to look to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross and know that he is true to his word.

No matter what, look to our gracious and almighty God to give you the patience and strength to endure those times of hardship when they come our way, to help you to wait and never loose sight of his love and faithfulness as shown to us by Jesus on the cross. There, remember that you are already richly blessed now and forever. Also, there remember that all glory and honour will ultimately go to our great God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For he alone is our help and our salvation. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish