Colossians 1:11-20.          In Jesus – everything holds together        24/11/13

 ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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.

 As we conclude another church year our focus is again drawn to the centre of all things: to that which is most important of all. Here it is made clear that this centre is way above and beyond anything else and yet gives meaning and purpose to everything that we see around us.

 Now having just been on holidays and travelling through different scenic country: Sitting alongside the water fishing and the like, leads very much into thoughts of our reading here today. Creation, nature and our world certainly is a marvellous thing. To look around us and to see the magnificence of our natural world and to be able to have enjoyment in it is really great.

 However I wonder in light of our text whether we have lost the correct perspective and understanding of all that we have about us. I certainly believe that most people today [certainly in our country] no longer see our world and all that we have available in it as is intended for us do so. As a result it has lost the order and harmony that should be there. We have used and abused all that we have available to us in ways that are far from satisfactory. Because we do not understand, or even want to know what the purpose of creation is, we lose much of the greatness and benefits that are there for us.

 You see, in our day and age humanity and the individual is seen to be very much centre and hub of everything: it is us who determines what is good, useful and important. So what we have around us is there merely for our good and enjoyment: it is seen simply in terms of being there for our benefit. Sadly that is way it is for many, many people today.  They have lost sight of the bigger picture and thereby the order, harmony and purpose of creation. It is hidden under our desire - our selfishness and self-centredness; and as a result we all too often spoil and damage much of what we see around us.  And more particularly we don’t find the true beauty, greatness and value that is there for us. Because we put ourselves in middle we run into all sorts of trouble, even though we think we are so clever and enlightened.

 Even those who go to the other extreme and say that the environment is the   be all and end all also lose sight of the true order and purpose of creation. They over-emphasise the importance of what we see around us; so they lift up the kangaroo, whale, tree or whatever as being all important. So for them the environment becomes the centre of life. So again they lose the plot and fail to see the true meaning and purpose of what we have around us.

 Even in the spiritual aspect of life we see the same thing happen over and over again. The focus is put on something that we see or do; saints, angels, speaking in tongues, or this or that program, and they are seen as vitally important. So these things become idolized at the expense of what is truly important. So again we run into trouble because these things are not kept in their proper perspective. When we lose sight of the bigger picture and that which is truly central to life we come unstuck and life fails to be what is intended for us.

 So with all of this in mind, we all need to listen again to the message that we have here in this reading. It is only with this understanding that we will see everything as it needs to be seen, and that we will truly appreciate it all as was intended. Only then will everything – the environment and enjoyment of it, us, God, and every other aspect of life – be in harmony as it should be.

 The main point of this message here is that it is only Jesus Christ that gives value to any of these other things. It is only in him that they all fit and hold together. It is only in him that each and every part has its meaning and purpose; and it is by and for him that all this exists and holds together; not us or anything else.

 In this reading we are told that it was by him that all things were created – everything: By him and for him. The Father worked through his Son Jesus to create everything in the splendid form that it is. So every other thing and being – other than God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are here as something that has and finds it’s reason and purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ – nowhere else. So to find where each part fits we need to look first and foremost to him who had a hand in placing it there.

 Unfortunately however, that is where most of us come unstuck. We have taught ourselves that we are descendants of monkeys.  We live and act as if much of this world stands separate: that it has no real connection to God or the Christian life. We think that we have to control and manipulate it because it is there purely for our benefit. But not that Lord Jesus Christ stands supreme over all and that it is only in and under him that it all exists effectively. Creation in whatever form it comes then finds its proper use and purpose as it focuses and works for the glory of its creator.

 The same goes for our church and the Christian life. We need to see that Jesus Christ and his death on the cross is central to all that we say and do. This is not just the case in our Sunday worship, but in everything that we do as his people. It also has much to say with regard what we believe. In everything Jesus Christ is to be seen and upheld as being what life is all about: He alone is to be glorified.

 We will give him that glory not just because he is God and was there at creation and that he is supreme over all things, but also because God through Jesus Christ has restored that relationship that existed at beginning of time but was broken by our disobedience and our desire to do our own thing. Through his death on cross Jesus destroyed that barrier that sin places between God and us. Then his rising again from death gives new hope and new life to all who would have it and the God who stands supreme behind it.

 And even though we live in a world suffering as a result of sin we now can have the certainty of knowing that we have been reconciled to God: that we are presented to God perfect – without blemish and fault; not because of ourselves – but the Lord Jesus Christ – to him be glory and honour now and always.

 Now then, life begins anew for all who believe: all who trust that Jesus has done everything necessary and that through our baptism we have become part of his body, the church: his family. In and through him we can now find that everything holds together and has a purpose. Now it is possible for us to live as we should be living, [even though we often fail]. Now we can see that life is not meant to be centred on ourselves or on any created thing. Now we are able to see that everything around us is not be used and destroyed simply for our own ends; but instead our whole life can focus on our Lord Jesus and give glory to our God for all he has done.

So as we now look at the beauty of creation we remember our great God. As we do our work, play or whatever, we do so in a way that we can give glory to our Lord. Even our money and material possessions; our sport and leisure are gifts to us to be used in order to help us and others keep our focus on him who gives us all our good gifts. And yes, even as we face difficulty and tragedy we do so knowing that is a result of sin, but also of the fact that our Lord Jesus has defeated its power to hurt and harm us. Even that he uses these to turn us ever back to looking to him as our helper and friend and as the supreme being in whom everything now is held together.  

 Therein we will find that it all works together in harmony and it all finds a meaning and a purpose that is good and wholesome. Then, not only will the glory go to where it belongs, but we ourselves will find a far greater sense of peace and belonging; and yes much joy and happiness.

 So now especially we will heed this message and see to it that what we believe and are a part of when it comes to our church-life, is all centred on and focussed on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. There is no something more than that. Then we will also allow this Jesus Christ to be supreme in everything else.

 So as we complete this church year and then begin another let us remember this important lesson - that it is in only connection with our Lord Jesus Christ that everything holds together. It is created by him and for him. To him then be all glory and honour now and always.  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Luke 21:5-19       Watch out that you are not deceived!!  17/11/13

 ⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
⁸ He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
¹⁰ Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
¹² “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. ¹³ And so you will bear testimony to me. ¹⁴ But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. ¹⁵ For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ Everyone will hate you because of me. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹ Stand firm, and you will win life.

 “Look! Look at the magnificent structures of our society! Look at the wonders of our modern technology and the achievements of mankind. Look at what our money has been able to buy us. Marvel at all the great things we have around us; for we have almost got it all. And with what we are capable of; think of what the possibilities for the future are. We are on the right track to a successful and positive future.”

 Yes, this is the attitude of many in our society today. More and more our attention is being diverted to look at the things that we have and do: and to place great importance and store on them. We only have to think of how our society has placed so much emphasis on money and the economics of everything; as well as, on keeping up with the Jones, by having a bigger and better house, car or whatever. We also have great importance placed on the achievements of medicine in alleviating our illnesses and creating eternal youth.

 The more that we look to these kinds of things around us, the more we begin to think that these things will help us to stand up to anything: that they will be there forever and give us all that we want from life: In fact, even to think, that they are what life is really all about.

 But if we honestly look at the situation, we can readily see that this might not in fact be the case. This then makes us a little cynical about some the structures of our society that try to promise us much, but more often than not, because they are just too great, we shrug our shoulders and put up with almost anything. But at the same time we find ourselves putting more time and effort into thinking, talking and being involved in these areas, than into that which is most important of all.

  How often don't we put our involvement in our spiritual life and our Church second to many of these other things? Now here I don't need to point to those who are not here today, for we all have a problem in this area: we all give too much importance to the things that we see around us; rather than to our Lord Jesus and the things of his kingdom. We all see and want to focus, on ourselves and our world around us, as being the centre figure of life, rather than our Lord.

 It is here that we need to consider carefully what Jesus has to say in response to this sort of thinking. To all who look to the magnificent structures and think that they are what life is all about; and that they are what gives us our security and everything we want: Jesus says; ‘Don't be so stupid! They will all be thrown down sooner or later. They all have their place and time; but they will all come to an end also. There is no point putting all your effort and trust in what you see around you, because it won't last. None of these, so called, great structures are able to help in the long term: the big picture. They can not give that which is most necessary of all.’

 Jesus also went on to say that we should not be deceived by all those out there who claim to have all the answers. Even this ‘new global world order’ which is touted as being able to bring lasting peace to our world, will not fulfil its promise. People again and again are coming forward and suggesting that if we can get our democratic process and economics right, that this is where it is all at. But Jesus says, 'nation will continue to rise against nation,' but do not be alarmed by that. This earth that seems so stable; remember that it produces it's earthquakes, famines and typhoons, its droughts, floods and fires. And as for its great legal system, just look at how it is also destroying our society. Even family relationships are no guarantee of safety and permanence any more.

  
No, as good and as useful as all of those things are, we are not to put all our effort or trust in them; because they are not lasting and are liable to let us down when we need them most. The fact that we constantly have problems and difficulties with finances, technology, medicines and every other area, is a constant reminder that they will all come to an end. None of them, in the final analysis, can help us to gain what we really need and which is truly important. Remember no matter how rich or poor, young or old, or what your standing is in society, we all will still face death; and all will have to stand before the judgement seat of God.

 Jesus is very clear about the fact that all that we see around us will come to an end. Nothing is surer. Yes, he says that we don’t know when it will be. But it will happen. The fact that we still have nation rising against nation, as well as earthquakes and typhoons, droughts floods and fires; they are all signs that the end is coming: no matter how clever we might think we are.

 That being the case we need to be very clear in our own minds as to where we place our trust for this life and the next. If it is in our magnificent structures and the things of this world, then we are in for a rude shock when all of this comes to an end. However we as Christians are continually encouraged to shift our focus to Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

 There in the Good News of the forgiveness of all of our sins and the assurance of eternal life, that has been made possible through his life, death and resurrection, we now have every good reason to look to him. We can now place our trust in him and know that in him and the crude structure of the cross, there is every good in store for us.

 Knowing that through our baptism we have been cleansed and united with Christ and his death and resurrection we can now have the assurance that we are a part of that which is true and lasting. In Christ then we do have great confidence in the future. Not because of our magnificent structures, but because of Christ and the cross. So whether we have much or little, earthquake or ease, war or peace, feast or famine, life or death, we now have that sure certainty that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

 So now we can get on with life with hope and confidence. Even when our earthly structures fail us, we can continue to look to Jesus Christ and give him the glory and honour that he deserves. Because we accept, believe and trust in this Good News, we will put first things first. We will stand firm to the end and not allow other things to distract and deceive us.

 Also because we now trust Jesus and his death on the cross as being the centre of what life is all about, we will then look outward to the people around about us. We will seek to assist those around us who have been let down by this sinful world of ours. We will help them to see that there is much more to life than those shallow structures that are here today and gone tomorrow. We will help them to know what Jesus Christ has done for them through his life, death and resurrection.

 Yes Jesus Christ will surely now be the centre and focus of our lives. He is the one that we look to and rely on, as we go about our daily lives. The challenge however, is to live in accord with this faith each and every day, in the face of a world that looks elsewhere for it security and hope. Knowing that the Lord Jesus is the only way to what is truly lasting, valuable and important, we will look to him and his help at every opportunity.

 As much as we want to, and do, get involved in these other aspects of life, we surely are now determined to set time aside for our Lord and our worship, devotion and study of what he has for us. We will heed what Jesus said at the end of this reading: Stand firm, and you will win life, and so not to take our Christian life so casually. Surely we will seek to do all we can to live as our Lord would have us; having in mind that which is truly lasting and valuable. So let us go from here and continue to focus our hearts, minds and lives on him who is truly important and magnificent, even if humble and hanging on a cross.

 To him again then, be all glory and honour, now and always.  AMEN

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

2 Thess. 2:1-5, 13-17.    Hope for the future - despite!        10/11/13

 {1)  Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, {2} not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. {3} Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. {4} He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. {5} Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

{13} But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. {14} He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. {15} So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. {16} May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, {17} encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

 What a positive and encouraging message we have here in this reading: A message of hope, for people who are facing uncertainty and difficulty. Something that is able to help us forward, even though we may have much to be concerned about. Despite the presence of many dangers, we are pointed to that which is good and important and which is truly helpful and lasting.

 I believe that at this time for us, this is so important for us all to hear this message. There is pressure coming to bear on us from all directions: Things that we have come to rely on in the past are beginning to collapse around us: the attitudes and morals of our society; global warming???; corruption in financial structures; and perhaps the most difficult of all, the changing emphases in the Christian church; even too often, our own Lutheran church, where less important issues are being stressed as all important and it would seem some basic teachings are being ignored.

 There is the desire for something more than what we have already been given: The proclamation of something other than Jesus Christ and his death on the cross; as that which will give us the true blessing and certainty that we need. All of this is shaking the faith of many, many people: Causing many to become disillusioned and to pull back. We only have to look at the decline in membership in many churches to see that many are falling by the wayside as a result. Not to mention the growing disillusionment in our society as a whole.

 Now this was much the same sort of situation that faced the congregation at Thessalonica. They were facing trials and persecutions from the government of the day;  ridicule from the society around them; the  morality of their day was something quite shocking; and to top it all off, there were people within the church who were encouraging them to follow issues that were not so important and which were taking their focus off of the real issues of the Christian life. They were being shaken from every direction. The devil was getting at them.

 To all of this Paul writes, that they: that is those very people who were being shaken by all of these troubles, were loved by the Lord. They were chosen to be saved and to believe. They were called through the Gospel – the Good News of what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection, so that they might share in and with the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, here as well as for the rest of eternity. So they have every reason to hang in there - to hold on in the face of adversity.

 He there, turns their attention away from themselves; their problems and the distractions that they were facing, and points them to that which really counts. He points out to them and to us, that the persecutions, wrong teaching with regard to the end of the world; the problems with false teachers and the work of the devil; the moral decline in society; nothing is as important as Jesus Christ and the salvation that he brings.

 After all he is the one who truly does love us; has chosen us; saved us; who through the Spirit helps us to believe; and who wants us to be with him and share in his glory in eternity. Having done all of that for us, he is not going to let these other things shake us into unbelief. As long as we trust him - look to him for help - nothing will cause us to fall. When he is the source and focus of life, hope and all the rest, we are safe. It is only when we look here - at ourselves – or the world around us; that we are in danger.

 This reminds me of a time as a young lad when I was asked to climb a high windmill tower on our farm and do some running repairs. The wind was blowing and the tower waving about somewhat. From halfway up, it did not look at all that stable and the platform up on the top, where I was to work from seemed so small and unsafe. It was quite scary – I can remember that my knees were shaking - shaking quite badly. How was I going to be able to go on! How was I going to be able to do the work up there that I had to do. I wanted to climb back down. It was all too much. That was when this old guy – a neighbour - said up to me; Just keep looking up - keep your mind on what you up there for. And whatever you do don't look down and you'll be right. And he was right.

  So it is with the Christian life.  If we keep looking up to our Lord, we can be sure it will all work out: we can then stand firm and confident; we can go forward and know that it will all work out for good. Because with the Lord as the source and centre of our focus everything else will be seen in its proper perspective; including any hardships, problems, or false and misleading doctrines will all be seen in the light of that which is truly important. They will be seen for what they really are; distractions.

 We are reminded that our God has already given us all that is important in and through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. Through our baptism we were joined to him and all that he has done for us so that we can be sure that we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. He week by week gives us his Word and his body and blood in the Lord’s Supper so that we can be constantly reassured that these wonderful gifts are for us, for sure.

He has thereby given and gives us all the encouragement and strength that we need to withstand the stresses and difficulties that we face in life. We do not need something more. In fact that something more will only distract and lead us astray. It will lead us to place our trust in something other than what he has given us already: which is again, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.

 Paul goes on to tell us here that God is the one who encourages our hearts when we are feeling faint and feel like giving it in. We don’t need to look for something more, elsewhere. Our God in and through Jesus Christ is the one who strengthens us and gives us the ability to stand up and do what needs to be done in order to be the people that God wants us be. Our Lord is faithful to his people and will not let them be shaken to unbelief. Because he loves us and chose us and called us and wants us to share in his glory, we can look to him and trust. We don’t need something more and something extra.

At the same time as we look to him and his Word we find all kinds of help and instructions that truly helps us to make sense of this life and be able to have a good moral compass in the face of a society that has lost its way. So instead of blindly following the crowd in doing what we deep down know is not quite right, we now can know what is good and important. We can find that which truly does give meaning and purpose to each day of our lives.

 So with all of this, let us have confidence as we go forward - whatever is in front us: Confidence however in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is faithful - he is true. He is the only God and Saviour. So let us get on with our life as Christians standing firm and strong, ready to face whatever it is that is in front of us. Not focussing on our own problems and our own and our worlds desires; or giving way to the current trends and fettishes of an ego-centric society.

  But prepared to stand by the truth of God  and his Word; prepared to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and salvation that he brings; prepared to gather in worship on a regular basis in order to be strengthened and encouraged by him through Word and Sacrament; prepared to help, support and pray for each other as God's people.

 Knowing all the while that this is our Lord's call for each and every one of us. And to do it because we know that our God is faithful and true: that he is what is all important in a world that has lost its way. He is the Almighty Lord of all, so our future is certain; we have every reason to go forward with confidence; knowing however that it will not always be easy. This is the encouragement that our God gives to us here today.

 And my prayer is that you will always keep Jesus Christ and his work of salvation through his death on the cross central to all that you are and do. Along with that to share that Good News with others around us. Trust in him alone and you will not go wrong. The Lord will bless you and keep you. He will make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. He will look on you with favour and grant you his peace. So to him again then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Ephesians 1:11-23.                                           All Saints!!                                                           3/11/13

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 put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you 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.
¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

 As we draw close to the end of the church year our focus is turned more toward the end of this world and what lies beyond. Here today particularly, we reflect on and remember those who have gone before us in the faith. We give thanks to God for the great assurance that he gives to us in knowing that those who have died in the faith have eternal life with God in heaven. Our loved ones who have gone before us in the faith are saints in eternal glory.

 It is good for us to have this time of reflection for it seems that we all have this inbuilt knowledge that there is more to this life than what we see around us: There is more to life than the short period of time that we have on this earth: there is more that we are experiencing at the moment. This understanding, we are reminded, is what God has put into our hearts and minds from the very beginning. So our hearts are uneasy until they find and are joined to that which is truly life in all of its glory.

 This is why there are so many restless souls in our society today. Even though we have got so much and we from an earthly perspective are living quite comfortably, there is an aching emptiness in people’s lives. We long for the ongoing togetherness and peace that we know deep down is what life is all about; despite what is peddled about in our society today. We are meant to be with our loved ones and God for all eternity.

 This is why nearly always in the face of death people speak of the one who has died, as going up there, somewhere: they are shining star in the heavens: they are now looking down on us: they are now forever playing golf or whatever. We know that there is something more and we know that there is a God out there somewhere.

 However because of our choosing not to listen to God and follow his ways, but instead live our own selfish lives, we have brought disharmony and death on ourselves. So now matter how hard we try to make life good for ourselves it always fails to deliver what we know should be there for us; and our relationships are torn apart by death or other means and our aching loneliness increases.

 The uncertainty that surrounds death is so unsettling, because we know that there is a God, but also that we have not heeded what he has said to us, and so have no right to a better life beyond. But we hope and speak that they are with God because the alternative is too unbearable to think about. We want to believe and know that somehow it will be all different and better.

 However that that is why the Christian message is so comforting and life-giving. Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection does give us a sure and certain hope in the midst of the emptiness of this life. For those who are prepared to look to and trust in Jesus Christ there is no uncertainty or fear: The whole future does end well. Not because of who we are or what we do, but because of Jesus and his death on the cross.

 That is where this reading here today is so encouraging and helpful for us, but also so challenging for those who think ‘she’ll be right Jack’. So let us work through it and so again be strengthened by this wonderful Good News.  The reading begins: In him [Christ] 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,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Yes, there is a plan and purpose to our lives. Despite the mess we humans make of things, God still chooses to work for our good. Right from the beginning his plan was for us to put our hope in Christ and so that people then will be drawn to acknowledge and praise God for his glory and greatness, rather than trying to simply live for the glory of humanity. We are chosen to look to Jesus and what he has to say to us so that we can truly live in a right and good relationship with him, as well as with our loved ones and others around us.

And [here remember that] you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

 Then the more we allow the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to work in our lives, the more we may know him better. Following on from that the eyes of our heart will be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

 So the more God’s people gather in his presence the more the Spirit enables us to know the things that are important and which will keep us strong and focussed on the sure and certain hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  Then we can have a greater sense of peace that comes from the certainty that we and our loved ones who die in the Lord will be raised up on the last day to join with our Lord in eternity where there will be never-ending goodness and permanent relationships.

 Those who regularly remember their baptism find great assurance in knowing that they were marked in him with a seal. They have the Holy Spirit working in their lives, ever seeking to remind them of that which is important and that hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

 Then as they regularly hear and read God’s Word and receive Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion they are further strengthened and encouraged as his people. They come to rely on the incomparably great power of God not only for this life but also for the next.

 That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

 Yes now we as God’s people have the assurance that our Lord is greater and more powerful than any other force or thing. The powers, technology and dollars of this world are nothing compared to this God who is so much greater and more important. Yes he can even raise this Jesus who was punished and killed for the sin of every one of us; raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. No one or thing can stop him from also raising up all believers who have died in the Lord giving them a place in heaven as well.

 However not only did he set Jesus alongside himself in heaven, but he placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

 This even further assures us of the fact that all believers will be in heaven. Surely if Jesus died for our salvation and is now head over his church, he will also ensure that his people will be with him in eternity. So we can have every confidence as we look to him and place our trust in him to know that we will be in heaven with all of our loved ones who have died in the Lord as well as all the other saints who have gone before us as well.

 So now as we go about life in a world that is longing for a better future beyond and merely hoping in a very uncertain way that somehow even though they have not taken God seriously, but simply tried to live reasonably good lives, that somehow that will count for something when it comes to dying and going to heaven or not; we on the other hand now have the full and certain assurance that in connection with Jesus Christ we will be together with all the saints in heaven. Not because we are good and saints in our own right, but that through Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection,  and our connection with him in baptism and through faith.  He alone is our source of hope and confidence that this is right and true.

So again to him then be all glory and honour now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish