Luke 21:25-36.                    Be Careful – Jesus is coming!!                                        29/11/15

25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 

26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 

27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 

28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 

30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 

31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 

32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 

34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 

35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 

36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." 

Be careful; Jesus is coming! Be careful, life is not going to be easy in the lead up to Christ’s coming! This is a sobering reminder to us in our lead up to Christmas and as we face an increasing threat of difficult times ahead. In all of our busyness and anxieties of life we can easily lose sight of that which is important.

Now it is so easy for us to sit back and think everything is not that bad. True, we are not facing the terrors that Jesus is talking about here in this reading when he says: There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Nevertheless we all know what the lead up to Christmas is like for us; as well as how many are caught up in drugs, alcoholism, violence, sexual ‘freedom’, and all that rest. Not to mention loneliness, depression and the inner demons.

It is so easy for all these things to weighs us down and side track us from the things that are important and able to help us through this life to the next. Now I am sure we all know of people who say, Yes, Yes to all of this, but we will get around soon; next week, next year , when I retire, or whatever. Sadly more often than not, they never do get around to it. Then that Last Day and Jesus coming closed on them unexpectedly like a trap. 

As to the signs of the end that we have mentioned here and elsewhere they are indeed rather scary. Who, but God knows whether we will see them in our lifetime or not. However, be sure that each one of us, other than those who are still alive at that time, we all will die and that we no longer have opportunity to change our minds. For us all we will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. We all will have to stand before the Judgment Seat of God

For most of us it will be sooner than we think. For many of us it will be a scary thing: having to face frailty, sickness and tragedy in one form or another. There are signs all around us, all the time, that our end could be near at any time. So we need to heed what Jesus says here in this reading. "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.  For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 

But remember he also says: When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. So instead of being disturbed and weighed down by these things he tells us, as Christians, we can face them boldly and confidently. This is the most amazing thing that we can hear and know.

In the face of the biggest disasters of life in this world we as Christian are able to stand up and lift up our heads because we know that it will all work out for good. When the world around us is lost for answers and deeply distressed and depressed we can be confident and full of hope. The troubles and fearful events that lead up to death and judgment are but a means to take us somewhere far better. Death for us in not the end. Facing God on Judgment Day is not distressing. The kingdom of God in all its glory awaits.

As we face our end, we know for sure that, because of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, our redemption is drawing near. There finally we will be a part of God’s family, in all of its glory once more. Then finally we will be free from all that is less than ideal. We will be free from the sin that clings to each one of us here on this earth.

Jesus paid the price for our redemption. On the cross he took what should have come our way for our rebellion against God. There he did what was necessary for us to be bought back into God’s family. He shed his blood as the sacrifice that takes away our sin. So that when God looks at us he sees people who have been washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. Once again the kingdom of God is near. 

Now we are able to stand before the Son of Man. Despite all that we have done wrong in this life and all the wrong that has been done to us, which all has made us unacceptable to be able to stand in God’s presence, Jesus has made it possible. Instead of the guilt and shame that is ever before us in this life, we then can stand in the presence of God Almighty himself. This is absolutely amazing.

Surely this is the most important and valuable thing that has ever happened, and could ever happen, in our lives. This overshadows everything that our world around us tells us is what life is all about. For not only does it give us the full assurance that there is a great life ahead in the next world, but it also gives us what we need in order to face life here and now.

Most importantly we can know that we are loved and forgiven.  God accepts us despite our many shortcomings, because of his Son, Jesus Christ. Now we know that what we face here and now, as well as the even tougher events that will happen as we draw near to the end, is not the end of the story. What Jesus has done for us and the guarantee of a future in heaven, enables us to live with hope, confidence and purpose here and now. We now have that which enables us to live positively in our world that is wandering aimlessly through life chasing false promises after false promises.

Here again Jesus reminds us in this reading that: Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  This Jesus who loved us and died for us has given us the Scriptures so that we can have the knowledge about what is good and right and trustworthy for us to believe. Also that Word has all the important things that we need to know for living in this world in the face of sinful and destructive influences and consequences. All his directions are good, even if they don’t fit with the current thinking in our society. So in these last and difficult days let us hold firmly to God’s Word.

So we have much to live for and look forward to. In connection to Christ we have great and wonderful things before us. What he has done for is the greatest. This surely changes our whole perspective on life and what is important. This Good News will be that which is the centre of all that we think, say and do.

However here again this morning we are warned that it is so easy to allow the busyness of life and the terrors of the end times distract us and weigh us down. Already, I am sure, many of you are apprehensive about the lead up to Christmas again this year. There is so much to do and be a part of; and the temptation is to put aside that which is truly important, so that we can be a part of the revelry that is ‘Christmas’ according to our society around us. Partying, gifts, family gathering are seen as being what Christmas is all about. So often in the midst of all of this Jesus doesn’t even get a mention. In fact we even get comments along the line of; what has Jesus got to do with Christmas at all.

At the same time we have all of those things that remind us that our life is fragile and that our end here on this earth could happen at any time. Particularly as we have this growing threat of further terrorism and war; not to mention fires, floods accidents and sickness, and more. They all continually weigh on our mind and take up much of our thinking. We do much to fill our lives so that we don’t have to think about these things.

On top of that Jesus tells that when the end comes it will get even worse. "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. All scary stuff!

So in light of all of this be careful. Be careful or our hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on us unexpectedly like a trap. 

So continually be mindful that Jesus is coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Last time he came as a little babe in a manger so that he could do what was necessary for us to be saved from the mess we have made for ourselves. He came to be our Saviour. This next time he will come as Lord and King, in power and glory, to be judge of all.

So let us not be diverted from spending as much time as we can being in his presence in Divine Service, Word and Sacrament. Allowing him to help us be ever mindful of the great things he has done for us so that we can face all of this with confidence, hope and certainty. May this Advent season be a time of preparing for his coming: Celebrating his coming at Christmas all those years ago, so that we can be prepared for his coming again on the Last Day.

So now and always, may all glory and honour go to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who has done great things for us. AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Revelation 1:4b-8.                           To Jesus be glory and power forever!                     22/11/15

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 

6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 

7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

Today being the last Sunday of the Church Year our focus is turned to the end of times and of that which is of utmost importance. In light of the uncertainty that the recent terrorist attacks have placed in the minds of us all, this is a healthy reminder for each one of us. For there alone in Jesus Christ do we have the answers needed in order to have a security and hope that is beyond understanding.

But also as we face life in an increasingly lonely day to day world that we have filled with facebook, twitter and a constant barrage of internet media, we are losing track of that which is important and meaningful. Even in the church we are chasing answers in order to somehow capture that which will in some way help us to grow.

More and more in a world where the individual has become extremely ego-centric we are finding life more difficult and unbearable. Despite all the rhetoric and positive speak we all know that something is horribly wrong and getting worse. Something is missing. The more we look to ourselves and our wants, the more it is all coming unstuck and the more frustrated we are becoming.

In all of this there is one thing missing. It is there and available; but we have turned our backs, forgotten or are too arrogant to see that the answer is right there before us. We want our individual answers even though we are more and more seeing that we just can’t and will never get it right, without taking seriously that which truly is good and helpful.

Here again this morning we are reminded that the Lord God is at the centre of life.

He says: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  The Alpha and the Omega was the first and last letter of the alphabet. So Jesus is plainly saying that he encompasses all revelation about who and what is important in life. At the beginning of Johns Gospel we have Jesus being identified as the Word: as God’s revelation as to that which we need to know and take seriously.   

In saying that he is, was, and is to come, he is reminding us the he encompasses all of history and beyond. This is not some fly by night god and message that is here for a time and then no longer relevant. This Word, person and message has always been, not like the Islamic Koran which is only a recent introduction into history and is full of inconsistencies and a dark message. This God come in the person of Jesus Christ was there before time began and who will be there still at the end of this world. He is important and he is to be taken seriously.

As well as that he says that he is the Almighty. He is God. He is all powerful, all knowing, all wise, and eternal. He is way above all others. So again we are reminded that he is not to be messed with. We cannot put ourselves and our knowledge, desires or anything else above him. He is God Almighty and we need to listen to and subject ourselves to him, and him alone.

So who do we think we are that we cannot take him all that seriously: that we can allow and put all kinds of things, including ourselves and our wants, before him and what he has to say to us? Is it any wonder that he allows trouble, terrorism and all the rest to come our way?  When are we going to wake up that we need to recognise again that we have wandered far from him and what he has to say to us?

It is only when we are turned back to him that we will again find the peace, security and hope that we so desperately long for. It is only when we are brought to the realization that we don’t have all the answers, that we will be able to truly listen, hear and follow what he has to say. Only then will we no longer want to twist and change what God says to suit ourselves and the culture that we live in. Only then will we be enabled to love others again, instead of using and abusing them to our own ends.

But I guess that question is; is there any hope of this happening? We and all people are so turned in ourselves that we cannot and do not want to take this Lord seriously. We want to be free to do as we please, without consequence. We may want to acknowledge God, but expect him to fit into the kind of god that we want him to be. But more and more we are pushing him as far as we can from our thinking, so that we don’t have to take him seriously.

However be sure that he is still there; and he is still the Almighty; and we all will still have to stand before him on Judgement Day. Our reading tells us: Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To those who believe in him and take him seriously it will be to their glory; but to those who have ignored and rejected him, it will be to their damnation. So many will on that day mourn, because they failed to heed his presence and his call.

But the question that is on many minds at this time is; how can we know whether all this is true or not? How can we know if this is true, or Islam is true, or if none of it is real? Surely religion is only a figment of man’s imaginations?

Well, here again, look to Jesus Christ alone for your answer. Here remember that he is a true figure of history. He lived and died and rose again in history. He is a genuine person. Even the history books written by unbelievers testify to his existence. Even an unbelieving lawyer of recent years, who became a Christian after looking at all the clear evidence for Jesus resurrection from the dead, came to the conclusion that in a court of law today Jesus rising from the dead could be proven to be a fact of history. Jesus Christ is for real.

But even more so we are told herein the Bible that this Jesus Christ: is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. So God himself is telling us that this is true: what is written about him is trustworthy. All this was told about him hundreds and thousands of years before he even set foot on this earth. It all happened just as God had told us over and over again throughout history. Jesus himself is a faithful witness as to who God is and what is important for us to know.

Then to the question as to why did he come and why is he important; here we are told that he: loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. You see, even though we have turned our backs on him and have chosen to live by our own rules, and as a result have brought on ourselves troubles, sickness and death; wars and terrorism; loneliness and frustration; and all the rest, he still loves us and has provided a way through this mess to a better life beyond.

He told us, and his holiness and justice has determined that, we should and would die and go to hell for our rebellion. We can’t blame him or anyone else. We all have sinned and brought this on ourselves. However because of his love for us, he sends his own Son Jesus Christ, into our world to take that punishment on himself. He allows himself to be punished so that we might be forgiven. He shed his blood so that we might again be acceptable to God.

Then he rose again three days later, just as he said he would, so that he can show clearly that he has broken the power of death and that he is who he says he is, and so that all who believe in him can be sure that they too will rise from death and join him in heaven.

So now all who trust in him and what he has done for us, have that sure and certain hope, that we are forgiven, and that God accepts us and enables us to be with him in heaven. Yes we still have live out our time here on this earth in the midst of the troubles, heartaches, terrorism and death that we have brought on ourselves. But as we are joined to him in baptism and trust in all the he has done for us we can be sure that nothing in all creation can separate us from his love.

Then to give meaning and purpose to what we do here and now in this life he tells us that: has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father:  So now, those of us who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour, our task is to be his people. That means that our whole aim is to live in accord with what he would have us be and do, instead of following our own desires and what the society around us says. It also means that as his priests we all will be seeking to help the people around us know who Jesus is and what he has done for us.

So in conclusion, as we face these uncertain times that are before us, we now have something secure, strong and hopeful to look to and live in light of. Jesus says: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

There in we find, by being connected to him we can face whatever comes our way.  In Jesus Christ we are secure and belong to a God who always is, was and will be. In connection with him we can go forward boldly and confidently.

So to him again then be glory and power for ever and ever! AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Mark 13:1-13.                                    Stand firm to the end!                                   15/11/15

(1)  As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" {2} "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." {3} As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, {4} "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" {5} Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {6} Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. {7} When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {8} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. {10} And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. {11} Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. {12} "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. {13} All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

“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 is not in fact 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 so 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, too often, 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 careful what Jesus has to say in response to this sort of thinking. To all who look to the magnificent structures of our society and even our outward church structure 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. Whether it be in the political, economic, social, or even in our church structures; they all have their limitations.

People again and again are coming forward and suggesting that if we can get our science and economics right, that we will then be able to achieve great things for the future. If we maintain our unity as a church at all costs, then we will come out alright in the end.

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 and famines, its droughts and floods; its churches that go off the rails. 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, our church, 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. Even the great temple of Jerusalem, will not last. 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 tsunamis, droughts and floods; 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, even the outward church structure, then we are in for a rude shock when all of this comes to an end.

However we as Christian 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 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 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: 'whoever stands firm to the end will be saved,' 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 our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit again then be all glory and honour, now and always.  AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

1 Kings 17:8-16.                 You can give of yourself!!                                                             8/11/15

8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 

9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."

10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" 

11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." 

12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." 

13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 

14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' " 

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 

16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. 

Here in this reading today we have some great encouragement for us as we seek to live out our lives as Christians. Constantly we are faced with the need to give and do things which are beyond what we are capable of and have the where with all to even be able do. Well here today the recording of this event should spur us on and give us some real hope. Whether our situation might be that we are called on to help others out, or if we ourselves do not have what is required in order to get by. Let us explore how.

God has placed people and situations in our lives, like this widow had to face. We have been called on to help, care for, or put ourselves out, in one way or another, for some person, organization or situation. But like the widow we just don’t have what it takes in order to carry out what is required.

On the other hand we may be like Elijah and need assistance from someone else to help us out in some way or other. Here also we are hesitant or are aware of the limitations of the person before us. We have before us something that is beyond what is required, we don’t feel that it is right or possible and that we shouldn’t be doing it. I am sure that this has happened to all us, many times.  

At many of those times we might be like the widow in our reading. We can’t do it – we have got nothing to give - we are at the end of our tether. Just as she was out to make her final meal for herself and her son with the very last that she had, with no possibility of getting anything further – we too can feel that we can’t do it and haven’t got what it takes.

And we are right - more often than not –we can’t do it. How can we? – We don’t have the abilities, or we are so busy now – we have got family and work commitments to think of. We have our own health problems. In fact we have all kinds of valid reasons why we can’t. Just like the widow we feel that we only have enough flour and oil to make one last feed, then that is end.

So it is often seen as just not possible. In fact it is even plain stupidity: particularly to our modern society and it’s thoughts for oneself first. So why should we put ourselves out. It would just be plain ridiculous. If we give and give, we too will surely die.

Yet there is a wonderful message from God here in the story of Elijah and the widow. I find it rather ironic that God tells Elijah that he has commanded the widow to feed him, but when Elijah asks the woman she seems not to know what is going on. In fact she says she is about to make her last meal with the final bit of four and oil that she has, and then she and her son will die of starvation.

 But Elijah says; Don’t be afraid! Just go give me some bread and then you have a feed yourself. And by the way you won’t go without. Yeh, right!! Only enough for two little loaves, not three, and you expect that this going to keeps us all alive. Come on, what planet do you come from!! But Elijah tells her that God says it is going to all be right. Humanly speaking it may be impossible, but with God anything is possible. God will take care of the situation. If he says; she’ll be right, then there is no need to be afraid.

Now the question is, do we trust Elijah and the God who stands behind him or not. Will we trust God as Elijah did and ask a person to do the impossible? Or on the other hand do we trust the words of Elijah and God to give us what is needed even though there is not enough for ourselves? Tough questions.

But then even more critically will we actually do what has to be done? It is one thing to say that we will, but then another to do it. After all we are practical people and God has asked us to use our brain as well. And yes there are occasions where it is not good to give to those who are taking advantage of those who are generous. But too often we shy away from doing what we know that we should be doing.

Now many times we do do these things that have to be done, and other times that we don’t even try, though we know that we probably should have. Too often though we are simply looking to ourselves and our capabilities or lack of it, and then doing nothing. We are unsure; wanting to do the right thing but hesitant and even reluctant.

               

With this in mind let us think again of what happened in the case of this widow. She fed Elijah and her son and herself with those three little loaves. Then blow me down, next day there was still some flour and oil in the containers: Enough for another feed. This then went on for over two years: each day the flour and oil did not give out. In the midst of this her son got sick and died; yet God did not abandon her. In fact through Elijah her son was raised to life again.

So this widow helped – giving all she had each day, with nothing left over – and God came through. God did not let her down or Elijah down. Throughout this serious drought God took care of them, despite the fact that they humanly speaking did not have the where with all to survive. They both realized that God and his word is truth and trustworthy.

However there we find the answer as to why they gave so much and do what was not possible. Here, along with the widow and her two small copper coins in our Gospel reading, we find that they gave because they had nothing much to lose. Without God and what he gives, they knew that they and their little was of no use to anyone; even themselves. Without God and what he supplies she and her doing was nothing.

Then in their willingness to share they were given more and more. They found more than they expected. They were brought to the realization that God is true to his word. Without God and what he has to give they are nothing and have nothing, but with him all things are possible.

Now what does this mean for us here today?  Surely we here know by now that without God we too are nothing and have nothing. Yes by worldly standards we are all very well off, but we surely know that this can be here today and gone tomorrow.  At the same time we know that having everything in worldly terms is not the answer to a happy and fulfilled life.

Having much does not mean that we can and do automatically give to the needy. Nor does wealth mean that we are more willing to trust that we will have what is necessary to do what needs to be done for the benefit of others. In fact it means that we become more dependent on ourselves and what we have rather than looking to and trusting God as the giver of all that is good.

However as we look to our Lord we find the where with all to be able to do what is necessary. Only in him can we give and give out of our poverty. Only in him can we keep finding that which has already ‘run out.’ Only in him we find the wisdom and strength to do what is the right thing to do. He alone can bring something out of nothing in order that good may abound.

We can be sure of this because we know that he himself has given us in abundance forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we know that not only does he have our best interests at heart, but he has ensured that we have eternity with him guaranteed. We also have his promises that he is with us always and will give us what we need in order to do his will. So as he leads and guides us, we can go forward with every confidence and do what he asks.

With that assurance we are able to step out and seek to do what our Lord wants of us, no matter how little we have in our store. For we know that he is with us and he can provide abundantly what is needed, despite us. Even though we have nothing to offer we have his assurance he is able to provide in and through us.

In response to who God is and what he asks of us and what he promises us, we can now set about our lives with a renewed confidence and hope: Not in ourselves and what we do, but in the Lord God Almighty. He is able to provide, even when there is nothing there to start with. So let us get on with being the people that he wants us to be. Then again to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish