1 Corinthians 3:10,11,16-23.                         One lasting foundation!!              23/2/14

 {10}  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. {11} For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 {16} Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? {17} If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple. {18} Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. {19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; {20} and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." {21} So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, {22} whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, {23} and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

 Here again Paul is building on his call for us all to be careful and certain about what lies at the very basis of our life. There are many who are thinking and even claiming that they are pretty smart in their approach to life, but in fact are utter fools. They boast about what humanity is doing, but failing to realize what is truly important. This is a huge issue for most people in this country today; and it has crept into all of our churches and lives to a greater or lesser degree.

 Now in this reading Paul begins by liking what is happening to the building of some big structure. In many ways the picture is this: one person comes along and puts down a very good and suitable foundation that is capable of holding up this structure, no matter how big it gets. However, the next person comes along and only uses a part of the foundation, while also extending beyond that foundation onto nothing but clay.

 Now it all looks good and functional and in fact looks quite grand, even though it is not an essential part of the true intent of the building. Then another person comes and adds out in another direction doing much the same thing. Soon there is this grand structure that is a mish-mash of additions, that while looking good, has become somewhat dysfunctional and already starting to fall apart at the seams.

 Yet each of the different groups claim that their part of the building is what is truly special and better. All the while, the central foundation and its importance is neglected and overlooked. Instead of the strength coming from that foundation, the focus was on their part of the structure and what they thought was important.

 Now we know that if the foundation does not undergird the whole building; and in fact more of the building is simply sitting on the ground, there will very quickly be enormous structural damage as time goes on. It is basic common sense, yet in our day and age we too often only go by what looks good, rather than the substance and basis of it.

 This same thinking, all too often, carries over into our spiritual and church life. Here also much of the same thinking goes on. We have our Christian faith, but we also add to it all kinds of thinking that are not based on the Christian faith. Often this is done to the point where much of our thinking is not Christian at all. In our own eyes and in the eyes of the world around us, it all seems good and grand – we might even call it ‘christian’. However, because it is not based on Jesus Christ and the centrality of his death on the cross, it places that person on shaky ground. It looks and sounds good, but it has little to do with that which is important.

 Is it any wonder then when many Christian lives come crumbling down? Is it any wonder that many have dropped out of the church in recent years? For too long now we have built our faith only partially on Jesus Christ and the cross, but then much of our thinking outside of that; for which now the results are there for all to see.

  Just as in Corinth at the time, so also today, as we look to entertaining worship, smooth talking leaders, elevating women’s role in the church, homosexuality, and many other things, we start to think that this is what the church is all about. We don’t talk about sin and hell, because we think that this will put people off. We talk very little about Jesus and his death on the cross, but when questioned, we say, ‘that is a given’.

So in order to win and keep people in the faith we try to build a church that looks good, but we are spending all our time and effort painting over the cracks and fractures in the community. We are trying to give the people what makes them feel good, rather than what they need to make them good. We foolishly think that this will build the church, yet in the end it does the opposite.

It is not a lasting structure because much of this is building alongside the central foundation and is based on the wisdom and thinking of our world around us. Jesus and the cross is no longer central, and the structure of their faith is based on feelings and all kinds of other things, which will let us down when we need them most of all.

So here we need to listen to what Paul is saying: Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. Instead of trying to build the church using the wisdom of the world, he is saying that we need to hold fast to that which is ‘foolish’ in the eyes of the world: That is Jesus Christ and the centrality of his death on the cross. Stay firm on that foundation and you will not go wrong.

 He goes on by saying: "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." So remember, God knows what is at the heart of our thinking. We can make things look good in our own eyes and the eyes of the world, but God knows what is really going on. So we must be careful that: If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

 Yes this church is God’s temple; not some human structure, where we do what we think is good. Here we remember that it is Christ and what he says that is what is to be the basis of our life. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. He, not we is first and foremost what the church is all about.

 After all he is God almighty himself come into our world to rescue us from the mess that we have made for ourselves. Because we have chosen to not listen to God and instead do what we think is good in our own eyes, we have brought death and destruction on ourselves and our world. When we build our lives and our society on what humanity thinks, rather than on what God says we have brought nothing but trouble and hell on ourselves. This has happened over and over again throughout history. Yet we don’t learn!

 However, God sends his Son to not only give us a way out of this death and destruction: He dies on the cross, taking the punishment that we deserve on himself, so that we might be forgiven and once again be a part of that which is life as it was meant to be and which is ultimately good for us.

 Through our baptisms and our faith in him we are incorporated into him and his church. We are built into his temple; a place where we are sustained through Word and Sacrament so that we can continue to be a part of that which is good and lasting, both here and in heaven.  As long as we stay on that foundation and do not try to build our own little worlds and kingdoms, we have a sure and certain life ahead of us, which will not fall apart when the going gets tough.

 As we stay on that foundation we have the assurance that:  All things are ours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. We are all interlocked together so that we can stand firm and strong in the face of a world that is crumbling around us. With Christ and the cross as the basis of everything that we do, we know that we will not be shaken. We also are held together in a unity that enables us to stand firm in the midst of the shifting sands of time. We are all then giving glory and honour to Christ and see the cross as central to not only our salvation , but also to our life as his people in a sinful and fallen world.

 All this takes our focus away from ourselves and the ‘foolish’ thinking of world around about. It helps to keep grounded in that which gives life, strength and hope in the midst of the falling apart that is going on in the world around about us. In him and the cross alone we find all that we truly need for this life and the next.

 So may our Lord, through Word and Sacrament, keep us grounded on the foundation that will keep us standing firm and strong. Let us not boast in or look to the foolishness of human thinking which takes the focus of that which is basic to our existence – Jesus Christ and the cross – and place it on what we do, think, or feel. Even though it looks good in the eyes of many around, it easily leads us to place our trust on a different foundation, which is no foundation at all.

 No, by the grace God has given us we have a foundation that has been laid by an expert builder. Let us remember that no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

Pastor Roger

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

2 Corinthians 9:6-15.                         Harvest Thanksgiving                        16/2/14

 (6)  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. {7} Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. {8} And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. {9} As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." {10} Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. {11} You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. {12} This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. {13} Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. {14} And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. {15} Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

 Today as we look around us [at the display here, as well as the countryside and society around us] we are surely reminded again of the fact that we have a lot to be thankful for. This harvest thanksgiving day we here need to be exceptionally grateful. Our reading here reminds us of just how good God has been to us and how richly he has blessed us.

 But - but we had such a hot summer and terrible bush-fires, and there is climate change; and Holden and other manufacturers are closing down; and more, I hear some saying. The Aussies are not winning the medals at the Olympics. The Governments are racking up our debt levels. The population is aging. And the list goes on. So where is this great blessing? Why should we be all that thankful?

             
Well let me remind you again of what God has to say here. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Think about that. Remember also, that there, he is not just talking about farming and gardening. He is talking about the whole broad range of life. So perhaps we here need to think a little more deeply and honestly.

 The attitude today in Australia seems to be, that it is our right to have the good harvest, a good, high-paying job, good food, good health and that everything should go our way. We think that we should be healthy, wealthy and happy, whatever our vocation. The worker still expects his substantial cheque at the end of week, plus superannuation, workers comp and all the rest, even if the company is doing badly; it is the unemployed’s right to receive all the benefits that they get, even if they don’t seriously want to look for employment. And again the list could go on.

 So yes, we today believe that we deserve to have all of this and a great deal more. But at the same time we cheat and scrounge in order to avoid paying tax; we put very little back into our communities in the way of service and assistance; we want everything for ourselves, but are prepared to do very little for anyone else; and then we wonder why we have these tough times and that things go so horribly wrong in our society. We are planting only a couple of seeds, but expecting a bumper crop; then when we don’t get it we whinge and complain.

 With this attitude throughout our nation – the droughts, financial and other problems we are facing; they are all reminder of our selfishness and our lack of taking God seriously. And it is high time we all wake up. And we need to look again at what we really deserve. For our attitudes so often today, we don't just deserve the fires and droughts, and other kinds of problems that we are facing; but we deserve the worst that life can throw at us. We deserve be even worse off than those suffering in Africa at their worst.

 We have no right to cry poor. Instead we should be mighty thankful that things are nowhere near as bad as they could be or should be. And before we start thinking that we are not as bad as next person or many others around us; and so why me, we need to remember that we are all in this together. It is just that kind of attitude which isolates us from others and creates many of these problems. The attitude which says that we are free to think and do as we please; and that I am not responsible for what is happening around; is just the sort of thinking which indicates a sowing of only a few seeds on our part. Along with that attitude is the fact that God doesn't rate a very high mention by so many today as well: Far less a little of our time and commitment to him and his kingdom, or to living as he would have us live.

 So really if we think honestly about this issue, we have received much, much more than we deserve. For a few fires or whatever that we have had we are still doing very well as a nation. We all still have got food on our tables and are able to have more than a few luxuries as well. This is not because of our management or goodness, but because of God's grace and goodness. This we need to remember over and over again. God is the giver of all that we have - even though we don't deserve it. It is simply because he loves us and because he wants us to share with one another; not just so that we can sit back and enjoy ourselves in luxury and selfishness.

 This is the big point of this reading: God has richly blessed us – he has given us a great deal more than we deserve; and he has done so for a purpose. He has saved us and given us all these goodies, not primarily so that we can simply enjoy ourselves; but so that we can enjoy our God and enjoy our life with others as we share with them God’s gifts. We are here now as Christians to carry on the work of our Lord and Saviour: to bring the Good News of God to those around us: to use that which he has given to us out of his goodness, for the benefit of us all here in this community and world. But most importantly of all, so that others may know of his saving love for them also.

 This reading reminds us that the more we use our time, treasures and talents for God's kingdom the bigger and better the harvest will be. The more we use that which God has given to us, the more we will have – and the more we won't have to worry about going short ourselves. God is able to give more than we need for ourselves and for every good cause. In his generosity, he gives more so that we can be even more generous. Now that surely is a challenge for us.

 But all too often that is where we start backing off. We are not so confident that this will happen. Too often we think that we are battling ourselves at the moment. So when we get a bit more time and money then we will think about it. Or we think, why should we help them out there when they won't make proper use of it – they won't appreciate it – or they will keep on expecting more. So often we think that there are plenty of others out there who are better off than I am, that can help them out. In other words, we are not sure that God will come to the party and keep his side of the bargain. And when he does, we want to keep it all for ourselves, so that we can keep up with the Jones and for our own selfish enjoyment. After all it has been given to me because God has blessed me for being who I am.

 The challenge however is for us to take God at his word. Instead of looking to ourselves and to those around us in an envious way, we need to look to our God and trust him. After all he has kept his promise to us up to this point. Now even though things may be a little tough for us from time to time, he has not let us down. Even though we may have tough times, we are not dying of starvation. In fact compared other droughts, fires and tragedies in other countries we have come out very well. God has still taken good care of us.

So as we look to the future we can go forward confidently. We can plant many seeds and have the assurance of a large crop. Seeing what has happened when, despite our sowing sparingly, God has still given us much more than we deserve, imagine what would happen if we were to sow generously. My mind finds it hard to grasp how much God would give and how richly we would be blessed. Then with that amount of blessing the thankfulness and praise that would go to our Lord, from not only us, but also from those who receive those gifts that we share with them would be just unbelievable.

 Here we are reminded that this thanksgiving begins as we share what God has given us. Our thankfulness will be shown only as we share generously with those less fortunate than ourselves. Then the more we share the more that the thanksgiving and praise will increase. What does Paul say here; This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

       
Now that gives us an indication of what is possible. So as we look and think today about how richly God has blessed us and at how much his goodness is there in our lives, let this be the beginning of an increase in praise and thanksgiving to our God. Let us learn from what is happening around us and start trusting a little more that God is true to his word: that we can sow generously and still reap a rich harvest. After all, God promises that he will give us far more than we are prepared to expect of him in order that we might share his love with those around about us.

 Finally, remember, Jesus gave his life on the cross so that we have that which is most important of all - eternal life with God. That should surely inspire us no end to give our all and to be thankful, no matter what. Knowing how important he views everyone’s soul’s salvation and knowing that we can't lose ourselves, because Jesus has gone before us and won the victory for us, we surely are motivated to thankfulness and generosity. That being the case then, surely this is a great harvest thanksgiving day. We have so much to look forward to as we face the future. So let us thank God for his priceless gifts, now and always.  AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

1 Corinthians. 2:1-12.      The Foundation of the faith?                                       9/2/14

 1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. ⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

⁶ We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,  what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—  the things God has prepared for those who love him—¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

 Here this morning we again have a message that really throws the cat among the pigeons - so to speak - with regard to a lot of thinking in the Church today. It has a lot to say with regard to growing the Church and church life; about how to bring people to faith and even what constitutes faith.

 Paul here makes it quite clear that much of this kind of thinking that is about today is barking up the wrong tree: leading people down the wrong track: and is ultimately destructive to the church; just as it was in Corinth in his day. He says our faith does not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power: on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.

 I believe this is a message that needs to be heard loud and clear today; because the Church today is in many ways heading the down same track as the Corinthian congregation of Paul’s day. We are in danger of placing greater importance on human wisdom and understand and learning, than on Christ and the cross. And this is showing up again and again.

 Listen to what was going on in Corinth and reflect on what is happening today, even in our own lives. In Corinth Paul originally came and simply proclaimed the Gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ, and especially the importance of his death on the cross. Despite the ordinary way that he did this - in weakness,  and with nervous fear, a good number of people trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour: they were brought to faith.

 Later as the congregation grew and listened to different views on what the Church was all about, all sorts of ideas and divisions sprang up. Many people became full of themselves and their own ideas of what was important. Many got the idea that that they knew what Christianity was all about; that they had the Spirit; and that others should listen to and follow what they were saying and doing.

 So, they had some living very immoral lives, but claiming that because they had the Spirit it was all OK. There were people claiming that they could speak in tongues more and better than others and so were better Christians. There were women wanting take over leadership in the worship services. The rich and influential felt that they could simply think of themselves, since obviously they were better Christians than others because they were healthy and wealthy. So division, strife and lawsuits were ever present.

   On top of all of that, they ran down Paul, claiming his ways as weak and lacking power; that to talk about the cross too much was offensive and not a good way to get people in: that Holy Communion was a bit of an odd thing to have and meant that the rich had to join with the poor. People were more influenced by powerful speaking and the phenomena of tongues, gifted leadership and great learning, freedom to do their own thing, tolerance and much more. Get the techniques right and all will work well  and get the people in.

 It all sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Well - Paul knew what it takes to making a living in life and how to get on in life. He was a maker of tents; a university student who sat under one of the great teachers of the day; he knew his Bible thoroughly, as well as the philosophies of the day. As a young man he had already worked his way up in Jewish circles. He knew everything there was in how to get on.

 But after Christ had appeared to him he knew otherwise. From that point on he now knew what making a life was all about. He knew the difference between making a living and making a life. When it comes to faith and to life in the Church, Paul made up his mind, [or more to the point, was convinced by the Holy Spirit] to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and especially the importance of his death on the cross. There was what was all important - there was a lasting message for God's people.

 All other ideas, techniques and issues are all only secondary and of no lasting value. This also applies to big words and great learning: human wisdom will let us down when we need it most of all. At the same time these things only bring division. Whereas Jesus Christ and his death on the cross  creates and sustains faith and eternal life, and so makes for real life.

 You see – Jesus Christ and the cross gives us a real revelation of God. If we want to know who God is and what he is like, and what he thinks is important, we must look to Jesus and his Word to find what we need to know. All the rest is as Paul would say, garbage – a load of rubbish.

 And that is important for us today to think about and remember, because time and again we sinful human beings keep wanting to add and change things to that which we think are important: we want to use human thinking to get things done; and we keep mucking it up.

 Yet as we listen to him and focus on the importance of the cross; and follow his approach to what is important we will not go wrong. Let us clearly get it into our heads that his way and thinking is what is good for us and which is ultimately helpful. It is not just given for some short term, feel good thing which does not last. It is the power that we need for living life here in the midst of the rough and tough of a sinful world, but also which leads us into the next as well. Sure, initially it might not seem good for us because it does not suite our human wisdom, but it truly is what will give us what we need. It is right, because after all, surely God is right.

 However, again, the most important aspect of it all is the fact that Jesus did die on the cross.  He did so because our situation in life was in dire straits, without a way out. We were all on a one way trip to hell, without wanting to acknowledge it. Jesus however comes and takes that punishment on himself so that we might be forgiven and have the assurance that in connection with him we have life and salvation in all of its fullness. Jesus death on the cross turns our life around. We are now guaranteed of eternal life in heaven with our Lord.

There is God's power at work for our good; and that is what our faith – our trust is based on. That is what truly saves us and gives us true and lasting happiness. That is what we really need.  Not human wisdom - which is fleeting and short term.

 So please heed what Paul has to say here. Take careful note of his message so that you do not get caught up in a lot of the rot that is around these days. Make up your mind also, to forget everything except Jesus Christ and the importance of his death on cross. For to him alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always.  AMEN.

 Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish