Colossians 1:15-28.         In Christ we have what is all important   21/7/13

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
²⁴ Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

 What a special text this is for me to share with you today. Here our attention is brought to that which is the heart and soul of life for us as Christians and also of that which God has called me to share throughout my time in the ministry. Here again our focus is drawn to that which is vitally important for us all. The centre of life is Jesus Christ himself. Without him our ultimate existence is shot to pieces and life is ultimately meaningless.

 Now by-and-large I would say that most of us here agree to this. We are happy to acknowledge that we are Christian and that Jesus is where it is at. But have we really thought it through and do we know what we are saying when we say what we do about Jesus. Sadly it would seem that most of us haven’t really thought through the implications of what we are saying. For most of us our confidence and hope is not what it should be or what we would like. We are not as sure as we could be and our lives are all over the place.

So here let us from this reading consider again who this Jesus really is. What did our reading begin by saying?

 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

 Just think about what that is saying to us. Here in Jesus is God almighty himself; the creator and ruler of all things. This is not somebody that can be messed with. This is not someone we can use and manipulate to our whims and wishes. Can we, miserable, sinful, creatures tell God what he should be and do, rather than the other way around? Is he here for our benefit or are we here for him?  And if he is God almighty shouldn’t we be living in obedience and awe to him; looking up to him as the one in whom life revolves around?

 These are serious questions that we need to come to terms with; for we are living at a time when the prominent thinking is that I am the centre of the universe. I and what I want is what life is all about. I can do or not do what I think is right and good. All too often,  then God becomes a god of our own making, to do and act the way that I want, rather than the other way around.

 What does Paul say here in this reading: he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. He is Lord. In other words, he is boss; he is what is all important, and we need to take him seriously.

 Here remember what God said to humanity: if we don’t take seriously, him and what he has to say to us, we will surely die. So as we look around us at the troubles, heartaches, tragedies and death all around us we surely are reminded that God is true to his word. We cannot treat God lightly and think that we can get away with it. Thankfully, however, that is not the end of the story. Thankfully, when God deemed that it was the right time, he sent his Son, Jesus into our wold to give us a way out of the mess that we make for ourselves.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 Thank God that he did not leave us to stew in our own juice, but sent his own Son to be a human being so that he could take our sin on himself and die in our place. By shedding his blood on the cross we can once again live in peace with God. He took the punishment that we deserve, on himself, so that we can be freed from that horrible guilt that hangs over us all because of our disobedience. Now, together with Christ, we can look God in the eye, without fear of rejection and condemnation.  We have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ death on the cross. God can now look at us through what Jesus has done for us and accept us as holy, without blemish and free from accusation.

 In this regard what did Paul go on to say here in this reading?

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—  if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

 Now then we can go forward in faith, trusting that Jesus has done what is necessary for us to be forgiven and accepted once again as a child of God. Now we can get back to seeking to live as God intended for us in the first place. Not so that we can now simply live as we please, and then be able to go to heaven when we have made too big a mess of our own lives. But no, so that we can go forward boldly to live as God deems it good for us to do.

 We can now go forward with a sure hope, knowing that we are loved, forgiven and accepted as God’s own dear children. Come what may, now our lives are safe and secure, so now we can seek to live according to what God himself says is good and right for our relationship with him as well as with our fellow human beings.

 Now surely Jesus Christ will be supreme not only in our thinking but also in our lives. We will want him to be Lord of our lives, not just for a couple of hours on a Sunday but all the time in all that we do. When we fail to live as he would have, we will be deeply sorrowful for it and turn again in repentance and a desire to again live as he would have us.

Here today as I reflect back over the last 60 years I do so with humble awe and amazement at who this Jesus and what he has done in my life. Who would have thought some thirty years ago that I would be here today doing what I am doing. I still strongly believe that it was not humanly possible, but God has been true to his Word. All the good that has occurred over these last years can only be attributed to Jesus Christ and his working in and through one who had and still has little to offer.

 God has worked amazing things for the good of his church. He uses ordinary people to do his important work and somehow turns their ordinary work into that which helps and changes people’s lives. All he has called for is, for people to faithfully look to and point others to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, then the Holy Spirit does the rest. Amazing, humbling, but vital for his ongoing work and supremacy in our fallen and broken world.

 The challenge has and continues to be for me and surely for all of us, is to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Because he is all important we will want not only ourselves but all people to be connected into and live under this one who is so great and so important for our lives and our salvation.

 As we look at our present day society we are now more and more, seeing the results of life gone horribly wrong for so many around us who have failed to take Jesus Christ and what he has done for us seriously.  More and more we are seeing the whole fabric of our lives and our society unravel, and so many lives lived in turmoil and ruin. Yes we are still trying to put a mask over this tragedy and pretend and tell ourselves that it is not really all that bad. However we don’t even have to scratch the surface any more to see that this is the case.

 In light of this, our task and privilege is to focus our own hearts and lives on this Jesus Christ who is all supreme and then be willing to share this wonderful Good News with those around about us. For again all glory and honour belongs and shall surely go to him and the Father and the Holy Spirit. May he and his blessing be with you and go with you always. Amen

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

 

Deuteronomy 30:9-14.                        True Prosperity Theology??                14/7/13

 {9)  Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, {10} if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. {11} Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. {12} It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" {13} Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" {14} No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

 We today in our society and in our Christian circles hear much about how to become prosperous. Health, wealth and happiness thinking is rampant. In fact it would seem that this is what the core of life is all about: everything else comes a distant last. Everything else, including our religion, has to fit into this thinking.

 Now if you think that I am somewhat exaggerating this, look around you and the society we live in; listen to what is even being said in some of our churches; and look into your own hearts and lives. Look and ponder! Is not health, wealth and happiness the goal of much of what is going on? Do we not all long for and believe that this is necessary for life? Think about it.

 But already, I can sense the unease that this question poses in our hearts and minds. Already we are seeking after some justification for what is inherent in our lives. Surely these things are important? Surely, God wants us to be blessed in this way? Surely we have to work at these things? Surely ....... Even here in this reading God clearly indicates that he wants to make us prosperous: He wants to bless us: He wants us to be healthy, wealthy and happy? Surely...?

Let us listen again; Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

 So yes God here does talk about prosperity and giving us many blessings. But is that what he says is the core and the basis of life? Is that primarily what Life is all about? Is, us having everything in earthly terms, what makes for the essence of life? Surely not?

 Instead he makes it quite clear that it is He who is all important and our obedience and keeping of his Word which is important. So the focus and centre of what life is all about, is what is brought into sharp focus for us today. Here in this reading as well as in our Gospel reading from Luke, chapter 10;25-37., that same point is made. It is not what I do and think that is important, but God and his Word and our adherence to it that is important. We need to recognise that the blessings of life are just that, his blessings to those who look to him and trust him. The ultimate blessing is that we are connected to and live in accord with him. Not ourselves and our wants and desires.

 In this reading and the verses preceding it, God himself makes quite clear the connection between obedience and his blessings. We were created to live with God who is creator and Lord and in that relationship we will be richly blessed. However because we have chosen to ignore God and his Word and instead choose to do that which we want and to follow the desires of our sinful heart, then we bring poverty and hardship on ourselves.

 We want the blessings; health, wealth and happiness, but not the God who makes it possible. We worship the creation and not the creator: making an idol of the blessings, whilst rejecting and keeping the true God at an arms distance. Then we wonder why health, wealth and happiness becomes a curse instead of a blessing: Why our striving after these things brings the opposite to what we want. Without the Lord they are nothing and they are fruitless.

  Even worse than that is the fact that we are clearly told that if we choose to abandon the covenant that he has made with us; that he will be our God and we his people, and that we are to look to him, trust him, and follow his Word. If we abandon that and go our own way we will bring destruction on ourselves. God’s anger will burn against us. And as we look back through history we see this occurrence again and again. To be sure, we do see great patience on his part, but we see also when he says enough is enough.

 But, it is there also that he says, if we turn from our wicked ways and seek after the Lord and again desire to be obedient to his Word, then he will again bless us richly. When he become truly our Lord and the centre of our lives: when we turn to the LORD our God with all our heart and with all our soul: as we obey  the LORD our God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law, then he will make us prosperous again.

 So it is no longer ‘I and the ‘I wants’ that drives us and is the focus of life, but God and what he wants. We don’t even think of striving after ‘health, wealth, and happiness,’ for we have something far more important to think of. We want to ‘love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind; and, Love our neighbour as ourself.’ 

 Here we need to remember what God goes on to say here.  Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

 Yes, we know, that God is for real, and we know what he wants us to do. The problem is so often just want to do our own thing. We want what we want. That is why we need to continually challenge ourselves and one another, to recognise that we are sinful and that we need to turn back to God and take him seriously. That is why we need to regularly gather together here in his house, so that we can be continually reminded of the things that are important to us. That is why we have a strong focus on Jesus Christ and the cross.

 For it is there in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we know that we have a Lord and Saviour who loves us, forgives us, and has a better way for us to live. There we know that we have eternal life with God in heaven. So now we no longer need to have an abundance of ‘health, wealth and happiness.’ For we know that our gracious God will give us what is good for us and for our witness to the people around us.

 Most importantly he gives us that which helps us to continually look to him, trust him, and live in accord with his Word. Sometimes He even takes away some of that ‘health, wealth and happiness’ in order to help us or others to turn back to him. So always he gives to us what helps to focus us on the cross and our relationship with him.

 That being the case we can always be thankful and content for he is blessing us, either through plenty or little. Always we can know that the fullness of God is with us here, just as it was for his Son Jesus as he walked this earth: even as he approaches Jerusalem and the cross. But above all we know that we will share in his glory and plenty in eternity. So to him be all glory and honour, now and always.  AMEN

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Galatians 6:7-16. Weary in doing good???

Galatians 6:7-16.                                               Weary in doing good???                               7/7/13

 {7)  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. {9} Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. {10} Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. {11} See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! {12} Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. {13} Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. {14} May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. {15} Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. {16} Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

 This morning we focus on God’s encouragement not to become weary in doing good. Now I am sure many of you, like myself, many times, over recent years, have become weary with regard to the Christian life. It’s all too hard. There is too much conflict; too few results; too many different view points: too much encouragement to be open to all kinds of heresy: too much apathy; and the list goes on. It is all such a struggle at times. As a result we become weary.

 We half give up and go with the flow. So what if we give way here and there? So what If my life doesn’t match up with how God expects me to live? So what if our teaching and understanding is a little different from what the Scriptures tell us? After all everyone else is doing it and they seem to be more successful and happy, so it must be alright. And we know that it is not popular to stand up against the current trends, even when they are not right and good. As a result of this giving way we become tired and lethargic; and that which know we should be doing, becomes a burden.

 Along with that is the whole focus of our society and our church on, results. We have to see the fruits of our work or else what we are doing is not right. Prosperity theology and thinking abounds all around us. Unless we are seen to be achieving something remarkable we are not up to the mark. Unless we have the right feeling, we cannot be sure that we are on the right track. There has to be something more: something better. Unless our numbers are increasing we have to find a different and more popular way. The entrepreneurial way is rife in our society and church. And it is very difficult to stand up against, because it fits very much into our ego-centric way of thinking. It is all so wearying.

 Then there is the view that we are free to live as we please, and we can determine what is right and wrong, irrespective of what God’s Word says. Homosexuality, abortion, divorce, living together, worshipping when are where it pleases me, and all manner of things are considered as no big deal. After all God loves and accepts everyone irrespective. And I could go on.

 So it is right here, to us today also, that these words are directed. Let us hear again what God has to say: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

 We too need to be discerning with regard to what is going on around us. There is much that is happening that is far from good and helpful, even though it is portrayed as being the ‘best thing since sliced bread.’ We need to beware that we are not deceived by much of what is going on around us in the name of, and pretence of, ‘good.’ Not everything that is promoted as good and Christian is what it is claimed to be. In fact there is much that is a mockery of Christianity.

 However, we are reminded here again that God cannot be mocked. God knows what is going on. He knows what has been asked of us; and of our faithfulness or otherwise. And as a holy and just God, we all will be called to account and we all will reap the rewards of what we have sown.

 The fruits of those who have chosen to do their own thing will eventually be seen for what they are: ‘wild oats.’ That God makes quite clear when he says; A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. You sow wild oats and even though we might like to say we have planted oats, it is still wild oats. It make look like good oats while it is growing, but at harvest time it is seen for what it really is, wild oats; which is good for nothing.

 Now that same principle applies to our spiritual lives; we will reap what we sow. If we want to live our lives according to and for our selfish wants and what our society around us calls ‘good,’ then the results of our life will be, that we may look good as we go through this life, but the final results will be corruption and destruction. As the Scriptures often remind us, we may have the earthly reward that we are looking for, but we will not receive any reward beyond this life.

 However for those who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Those who seek after what God wants, they will reap the reward that God has in mind for us; eternal life. So as God’s Spirit is allowed to direct our lives, instead of the ‘I wants’ there is a fruitful outcome, whether we can see it at the moment or not. Because God is true to his promises we can be sure that this will be the case for us.

 So Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We thereby are encouraged to ‘hang in there’ and continue to be faithful. There is no need for us to become discouraged, or to slacken off. We can continue to hold onto and do that which is good and right according to God and his Word. So let us not relax or give up, for we do have God and his Word with us.

 
Here let us remember again who this God is and what he has done for us. This God did not give up on us, despite our waywardness and rebellion. And when the time was right he sent forth his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we might be forgiven and assured of eternal life with him in heaven. He did not weary in carrying through on what was necessary for us and for our salvation.

 Then on top of that he gave us his Word and Sacraments so that we can be constantly reassured of all that he has done for us through his life, death and resurrection. He washed us clean personally in the waters of baptism and joined us into his family so that we can be constantly reassured that we are forgiven and are a part of his family. So day by day his Spirit leads us to readily acknowledge that we are sinful, but that we are forgiven, and so be able to go forward to live the new creation that he has made us.

So also his Spirit works in us as we read, hear and meditate on his Word. There we are constantly focussed on and have our attention drawn to our sinfulness as human beings, and then to the Good News of all that he has done for us through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. As a result we are reassured that we have been made a new creation with a new and better way to live.

 Then as we face our trials, difficulties and failures in life he constantly draws us to his house here for further help, encouragement and reassurance. As we are weekly drawn by his Spirit into his house we receive Jesus very body and blood which he shed on the cross, so that we can know for sure that we are loved, forgiven and have Jesus with us as we live out our daily lives. We have thereby the sure promise of eternal life with him in heaven.

 Now then, we have every reason not to become weary in doing good. Our God is with us and gives us everything necessary to sustain us and keep us strong.

 So while we still have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Let us first and foremost encourage one another to remain focussed on our Lord and all that he has done for us. Let us encourage each other to regularly gather together here so that God’s Spirit can keep us all strong and faithful in our Christian walk. This sharing of the things that are important is to be the seed that we sow in our daily lives: first and foremost with those who belong to the family of believers but also with those whom we come into contact with in our daily lives.

 Throughout our lives, let our focus and boast be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to us, and we to the world. What truly counts for us is the new creation that he has made us. As we continually look to him and what his Spirit is working in our lives, then we will not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. And through it may all glory and honour go to him whom it belongs; our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish