Ephesians 2:11-22.                  Division and unity!!                22/7/12

 (11)  Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- {12} remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. {13} But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. {14} For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, {15} by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, {16} and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. {17} He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. {18} For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

 Also Jeremiah 23:1-6. and Mark 6:30-34.

 Our readings today deal with the issue of unity where division has been inflicted on humanity by sin and those who have been placed in charge of God’s people. Once again a very challenging topic: but also a very timely one for us here in the Lutheran Church today. However, here he especially gives us and reminds us of that which brings and gives true unity in the midst of this division. Right at the outset, we are reminded through these readings that it is Christ Jesus: the Lord our Righteousness as the Old Testament reading calls him; that is the chief cornerstone that holds us together, along with the apostles and prophets: in other words, the Word of God. It is there that we find and have the true unity that God would have for us as his people.

 Now we all know and feel deeply the hurts of disunity and division. We know that it is not good and right for these things to be there. But we also know full well that they are a fact of life in a sinful world. However, in the Church we believe that they should not be there. But they are. They abound in our day as much as they did in the days of Jeremiah. They are also just as destructive as they were back then. So it hurts and grieves us that there is this disunity that is thereabouts in our community and in our church in particular.

 But the greater danger that we face today, is the same one that God’s people faced back in the time of Jeremiah and also at the time of Jesus. The shepherds of God’s people were not leading the people through their troubled times. In fact they were doing just the opposite. They were proclaiming; peace, peace, when there was no peace. They were telling the people what they wanted to hear, not what they needed to hear. They twisted God’s Word to suit themselves. The people were left, like sheep without a shepherd. They sought to maintain unity at all costs.

 But what did God say of the leaders of Jeremiah’s day: they are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture. Despite their seemingly good intentions, they were producing results that were destructive for God’s people. Instead of peace and security; which was being proclaimed to them, the people were left feeling very much afraid and terrified, because they were not warned of the need to take God and his Word seriously. For this the Lord has a harsh message for those who are scattering his people. But at the same time he promises he will keep his remnant that remains faithful.

 However, it is when we now turn our attention to today, that we surely are concerned and challenged. Now, as we are being encouraged to accept women as pastors, homosexual marriage, watering down what our church believes and practices, and many other issues, there is increasing pressure on us to give way. At the same time all kinds of things are being done to maintain the unity of the church and to avoid conflict, and to build a unity with other churches [which in itself is a good thing, if it is a unity around that which is important.] However much of the unity that is being built, is an outward unity which ignores and downplays the truth of God’s Word. Doctrine, we are told is not important; it is love that counts. God’s Word is to be interpreted in light of today’s society. Truth is relative: in other words, if it is true for you it is true; but we can’t push that on to others. And much more.

 Now then, what is to be our attitude in the midst of, and toward, this thinking? It is here that we need to again reflect on our readings here today. For they along with many other sections of the Bible make the same point; as well as the history of the Church down through the ages.

 The first point is that it does matter when false teaching and leadership arises amongst God’s people. God again and again tells us and warns us that he will be extremely harsh on those who lead his people astray. Jeremiah here is not an isolated case, we read again and again through both the Old and New Testaments that this is the case. In the Gospels, Jesus also is very critical of those who depart from his truth, and seek to lead people to place their trust in anything else other than in the Lord and his truth. He also warns his people to guard themselves against false teaching.

 Secondly we need to remember that it is those who turn to a different teaching that are the one who are scattering and destroying. Those who neglect what has been handed down through history from the early church and seek to bring in new teaching that is not in accord with Scripture that are the ones that we need to be careful of. Those who neglect the teachings and doctrines of the Church and instead promote that which peoples itching ears want to hear, are the one we need to be wary of. Anything which shifts the focus off of Christ and the cross and places it on us and what we do, with regard to our salvation is to be discarded.

 Thirdly we need to understand very clearly that true unity in the church is always around Jesus Christ and the truth. We only have unity when we are ‘one in Christ.’ Yes he has preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Through his death on the cross alone we have forgiveness of sins and are reconciled to God. However any who reject that love and forgiveness and seek to place other criteria as more important are not ‘one with Christ.’ They do not have his Spirit, but the false spirit. There are only two Spirits active in the world; God’s Spirit and Satan. There is no middle ground that we can take or leave.

 God’s true Church is based very clearly on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. The Scriptures in its entirety are to be upheld as the Divinely inspired and inerrant Word of God. Law and Gospel are vital for us and for our salvation. Nothing is to be added or taken away from the Scriptures. That means that Jesus Christ and his death on the cross will be seen and proclaimed as central, for it is through the blood of Christ that we who once were far away have been brought near. Everything is to finally point to him and to him alone.

 Having accepted that, we also then accept every other key teaching that he gives to us in his Word as right and important. That is why ‘original sin’, infant baptism, the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, the Office of the Ministry and many other things are vital for the unity of the Church as well. They are all part of God’s life giving Word that centres us on and in Christ and him alone. That being the case we must hold these things up as central to our being, our unity and our existence.

 Then with this knowledge and understanding, we go forward seeking to maintain the unity of the Church as best we can. Remembering that it is Christ and his Word that makes us one, we keep calling for all to repent and receive his Good News. We uphold his truth at all costs. That means that we also reject that which is not in keeping with this truth. A church that cannot reject; cannot bless; is a statement that has always been valid throughout history. So through this period ahead of us we must clearly hold all these truths up before all, so that we are able to see what makes for unity, and what is a ‘sham’. We will work for unity wholeheartedly, but not at all costs. We will bear criticism, but maintain our stand. We will continually look to and place our trust in the Lord, and seek his wisdom, guidance and strength, so that we can do that which is in accord with his will.

 Yes, divisiveness and disunity is a tragedy. However, false teaching and error is even more so. We need to remember that our Lord has told us that these things will always be with us; and he also said in the latter days they will get worse. In the midst of it all though, he continually calls and encourages us to look to him and place our trust in him and his Word, and we will not be put to shame. Remain faithful to him because he has been faithful to us, and he will gather the remnant of his flock to himself, and he will give us the crown of life. So to him alone then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

John 6:1-15.                            Jesus - miraculous gift!!                      29/7/12

 (1)  Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), {2} and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. {3} Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. {4} The Jewish Passover Feast was near. {5} When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" {6} He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. {7} Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" {8} Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, {9} "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" {10} Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. {11} Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. {12} When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." {13} So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. {14} After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." {15} Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

How many of us here today would like to see a great miracle. For some it may be that they would like to see some sickness or other problem removed. I am sure that there are many others who would like to have lots of money and material possessions, and plenty to eat without having to work to hard to get it. Others again would like the world’s trouble spots to be miraculously fixed. Yes we look for miracles in many and various situations of our lives.

 In some instants that is good and right: and for many of us I am sure; and hopefully all us, have looked to God and prayed for him to help us out in our dire situations and in the not so serious as well. And this is good is it not? Maybe - maybe not.

 Here in this reading we have a pretty amazing event. Masses of people in great need and looking to Jesus for help in many and various forms. Here he provides them with food - more than enough in fact. He provides it without the money and hard work that we associate with obtaining such a great amount. He knows the need and he fulfils it. Now it all sounds really good – this is a top event – a real miracle - an inspiration. Wrong!! Listen again to the final verse: 'Jesus knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force withdrew again by himself.'

 Think about it: masses of people wanting him to be their king and he turns his back on them: he turns his back on them and walks away. How shocking! That really rocks us in our boots. He gives them what they need and then because they get the wrong idea he has to leave them and go off elsewhere. The bottom line here is a very sobering thought. Perhaps we need to listen again to this reading and ask a few serious questions. Perhaps when we look to God to help us out we, need to think a little more deeply.

 Why was it that Jesus turned his back on the people and walked away from them? Yes they were looking for miracles for sure: and they were over the moon when he provided all that food miraculously; and yes they even wanted him to be their king. But: But it was only for their own benefit: so that they could have an easy way through life, and so that their physical needs: the here and now could be taken care of. A few verses on from here he says: "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Yes, they didn't really want to know Jesus personally. They didn't want to take him too seriously. They just wanted what he could give them. So they wanted him as their king for all the wrong reasons.

 Here was a sign that God himself was present in their midst, and they wanted to use him for their own ends. They did not bend themselves with humble and contrite hearts, knowing that the very presence of God was there amongst them and they were sinful human beings. They were not prepared to lay themselves before him and look to what he had in mind for them. They were not prepared to believe in Jesus and the truth that he was speaking. They were not prepared to accept that his body and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins was the real food that they needed for their lives. What did he say in this regard, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. As a result what did many of them do? They turned their backs on him and walked away. This was not the king they wanted.

 In light of that, we then need to ask ourselves the same questions. Are we just looking for miracles: looking for God's earthly blessings: thinking only of the here and now, without taking into account that which is of lasting value. Not really wanting to know Jesus personally, or to live in a relationship with him: not wanting to set regular and frequent time aside for him and his service to us in worship: not wanting to really know about what he has said and done for our lasting benefit. Not wanting to live in accord with how he would have us live and act. If we are honest with ourselves, I think we have say that too often this is the way that we think and operate.

 And if that is as far as we are prepared take Jesus and think of him: merely looking to him for our earthly gain, then we too are in danger of having Jesus turn his back on us and withdraw his loving, saving and miraculous presence from our lives: Our lack of true spirituality resulting in Jesus moving away from us. That would be a truly terrible thing - tragic in fact.

 But thankfully Jesus has come again and again reminding us that he has something more to offer us. And that which he has to give, he is prepared to give in abundance. This account of the feeding of the 5,000, reminds us that there is so much of his goodness that there is enough for everyone and even more left over, despite the fact they started out with so very little. Later in the chapter he goes on to speak of himself as the bread of life: the bread which does not perish, but gives life in all its fullness here and in eternity.

 We also know that in light of his death on the cross, we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Every time we come to the Lord's Table we are given this bread which is for all: we receive Jesus Christ himself and everything he won for us: we receive that assurance of forgiveness; enough for us and for us to share with others. But most importantly of all, we have Jesus himself here with us; dwelling in us - living with us: encouraging us - assuring us - empowering us. Here to listen to our every prayer; wanting to be in a close personal relationship with us: wanting to bless us, in every way possible: So that we may be fully satisfied and then in response give all glory to him who has given it all to us.

 So now instead of merely following the crowds of our society, and looking for earthly blessing which are here today and gone tomorrow; which satisfy only momentarily; we have here with us and for us one who has much more to offer. In Jesus, we know that we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life: we know that we have a friend who cares about our every need; so we can go forward with confidence - getting on with being good citizens of our community; looking for healing and other blessings; but never forgetting to set time aside to thank and praise, serve and obey him who has given us everything; Coming to Divine Service - to the Lord's Table - recognising his most important work of all for us. And in so doing also proclaiming to the rest of our society around us, that it is in Jesus Christ alone that we live and move and have our very being; and that it is he alone who is all important; and not just for the material blessing that he gives, but for that which is all important.

 Then with Jesus beside us and the assurance that in him we have everything, we can for the benefit of others and for the good of God's kingdom, wait patiently for the material blessings of this life: endure our sickness and pain: be satisfied with that which we have: we can also recognise that there will always be wars and rumours of wars: we can give of ourselves for the benefit of those less fortunate than ourselves. Yes, we can even take up our cross and follow Jesus' example in helping and caring, praying and doing what we can for others and society, not just for ourselves and our own little earthly kingdom. At all times we will have as the centre and focus of it all, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and his death on the cross for our forgiveness.

 As we go about doing this, we have here the assurance that we have been given baskets full of Jesus – the bread life - to share with others. We have everything going for us. So let us go out with our heads up, joyful hearts, and baskets full of the Lord Jesus and his love for us: looking to Him as our saviour and our friend, and give him all glory and honour now and always.  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale  Lutheran Parish

Ephesians 1:3-14.        Chosen; so we can be bold!!                           15/7/12

Amos 7:7-15

 (3)  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. {4} For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love {5} he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- {6} to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. {7} In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace {8} that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. {9} And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, {10} to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. {11} In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, {12} in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. {13} And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, {14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

 What are we going to do about all the various situations that we face in life: both within our church and in our everyday life? How far are we prepared to go in righting those things that we can do something about? In standing up for what is right? And for calling people back to God and what he has to say to us? Are we prepared to listen, also? Above all, what is the basis from which we will set about doing these things? What is it that is going to enable us to step out and have the confidence, boldness, and ability to do these things?

Now our readings today suggest that we are a chosen people, with a special task at hand. A special task that is far from easy: and in fact which can be very uncomfortable and difficult. Here we are called on to be bold: Called on to get on with the job which is before us even though it will be difficult, and is not what is in step with popular thinking today.

In the Old Testament reading today God tells Amos – a farmer – a very ordinary bloke – that he has to stand up and warn the people, and the leaders of the country, that they are going to lose their country because they refuse to listen to God and live according to his word. He has to stand up in the king’s church and condemn his actions. Even the established church leaders disapproved of Amos because he was making things uncomfortable for them and their popularist teachings. He was saying things which did not allow the people to sit comfortable and think that all in the garden was rosy, that they could live as they please and it doesn’t matter.

 Now maybe that is what we are called on today to do also. To stand up and warn others that the present direction is wrong and that we need to turn back to God in repentance and seek again to live in accordance with his word: If not we as a nation are finished also. Now that is not a comfortable message to give: but I believe a most necessary one today.

In the Gospel reading, we heard how John the Baptist lost his head, because he dared to stand up to the king and tell him that he was wrong in marrying his brother’s wife. Because he dared to speak God’s word into the situation, he did not win the favour of many people and in particular Herod’s wife, and so lost his life. Jesus also did the very same thing. He proclaimed to the people that they too needed to heed God’s word, which declared that they were sinful and did not measure up to God’s standards, and so needed to look to God alone for their salvation rather than in their own goodness, and he to lost his life for doing so.

 So can we today expect any less, for standing up and proclaiming the truth of God’s word? Standing up for the truth and continuing in the way that God has set down for us has never been easy, and will not be for us either. However, I know I for one, can do no other. That is what he has saved us for and called us to do.

 The message here from Paul to the Ephesians is that we can go on and do what has to be done as faithful Christians. We can face whatever comes our way when we stand up for the truth and proclaim God’s word, because we are chosen by God. The whole message here is that God has taken care of our lives; our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. So, in God’s realm and scheme of things we have everything that we could ever possibly need. We have everything that is important.

 Yes, we are told, he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. He chose us for perfection. That is you and me that he is talking about. God himself had his eyes set on us, to be his special people. He has forgiven us, and given us what he need so that we can go forward and do what has to be done.

 But I can hear you saying to yourselves; something has obviously gone horribly wrong. That is not the way we are. We are anything but perfect and holy and blameless. We are not and cannot be these special people that he has in mind. Is that so? Are we really that far off being what God has in mind? Well yes, and no. When we look here [at ourselves] we don’t even come close to it. We in fact have missed the mark completely. But no, let us here take note of what God himself tells us. He chose us IN CHRIST before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

 So, in our connection with the Lord Jesus Christ it is a whole new ballgame. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. Through Jesus’ death on the cross we have been bought back: the price has been paid for our forgiveness. We are now accepted by God as his perfect people. We have been adopted  back into his family, through baptism. So the whole situation has been reversed for us. In Christ; through Christ; by Christ; in his grace, we are holy and blameless. We are his perfect people: his very own sons and daughters. So now, despite what we see when we look here, we know that we are new people; holy people. In Christ we are what he is.

 Now that surely turns the tables on everything for us. Now then we can look to him, wanting to be close to him: in him. Now we can seek to do what he wants; with him being what is all important for us. All of our praise: our focus: our lives are centred in him. Not in ourselves and our thinking. Not in our world and what it sees as important. No: In Jesus Christ and in him alone. He himself has chosen us, and cleansed us; and adopted us; and blessed us with every spiritual blessing. So that side of life is secure. It is all together: thanks be to Christ and to the praise of his glorious grace.

 With that then, we can now go forward with all boldness and hope. We can, and now surely want to, live in him. We want to uphold his word and his truth. We want others to know and be a part of all of this that our great God has done for us. We will want others to hear the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation. We will want them too to be adopted into God’s family through baptism. We want to do and say what God wants us to do and say.

 When God commands us to live and act differently we will do so as best we possibly can. When he calls us to look away from ourselves and what we want to do, and instead focus on what he has in mind, we will seek to do so as much as we can. When he calls us to remain faithful to the teachings of his Church which have been passed down through the ages, we will listen and humbly seek to do so. When he calls us to warn one another of the dangers that are before us, we will gently and yet boldly do so. When we need to stand up against the lies and deceptions of our society around about us, we will now try our very best to do just that.

 When we are placed under serious pressure we will look to him who is the author and perfector of our faith. For we know that in him we are holy and blameless because of the forgiveness that is extended to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has extended his grace to us and he will be there for us in the most horrendous times, for he has chosen us to be his now and always. He will be at work for us and through us and our weakness.

 That being the case let us be as bold as Amos; as trusting and dependant as the twelve disciples; and all the while remaining in the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time may all the “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish