Roger's Postings

Friday, June 30, 2017


Romans 6:12-23.                               Dancing to a new tune!!                                                02/7/17



Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. {13} Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. {14} For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. {15} What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! {16} Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? {17} But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. {18} You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. {19} I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. {20} When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. {21} What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! {22} But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. {23} For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Today in this reading our Lord is laying a challenge before each one us here. He is calling us all who are Christians to dance to a different tune than the rest of the world around us. God is encouraging us to now live a new and wholesome life in response to what he has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than a life of slavery to the things of this world, which ultimately lead to eternal death.



Now we might think, ‘Oh come on pastor, we are Christians; we have got our faith. So look, don’t go getting carried away again, by trying to make us all squares and nerds or whatever you call it these days.’ ‘Look we will be OK. We know where it is at. So what if we go astray a little here and there now and again, we will be fine, we’ll come through in the end.’ And we could go on and on, and we do.



But hang on; are you so sure that you have got it sorted out and together? Are you so sure that you will be OK and that you will come through? Experience will show us again and again, that many, many are not surviving.  Many; if not most, have lost it altogether, and are facing disaster, without even knowing it. Many others have placed themselves in such a precarious position that little short of a miracle is needed in order for them to come through.



Here God is saying just that. Those who think that they can flit here and there: that they can have a foot in both camps, so to speak, can NOT do so and come out unscathed. He quite clearly is saying either, or. You are either a slave to sin which leads to death, or you are a slave to righteousness which leads to eternal life. You are either dancing to God’s tune or the devils. We either are seeking to live for the God who has saved us, or we are living and doing as we please. Either one or the other.



He is saying, how can you, who know that you have been set free from sin, now turn around and play with fire and not expect to be burnt? Surely because we have been set free from sin and assured of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation, we will now want to obey and be slaves to the one who has given us all of this. He and what he says will be all-important in our lives.



But that is where we have trouble isn’t it. We do not want to be slaves to anyone; we today want to be free to do our own thing, and we think that we will get by. Here we need to remember that was the sin of Adam and Eve, and of every human being ever since. We want to be like God: we want to be our own gods: we want to determine what is right and wrong for ourselves, and that is our real sin – even today. We don’t want to listen to God, but do it our own way.

That being the case, we need to remember that the wages of this sin is death – eternal death.



But also in this life we are slaves to that way of thinking, which constantly leads us into real trouble. There is a whole world out there who is slavishly pandering to selfishness and self-centredness as if it is the only god there is; and they are reaping the results. Sure the media, and all and sundry, are praising how wonderful and exciting and alive this new way of thinking is. But even in this life, these people are burdened, lonely and dying inside. We can see these results all around us; and in our own lives as well.



As one who is constantly dealing with people, the world out there is full of people, who outwardly have a veneer of having it all together, but inwardly are in deep trouble and they know it.  But they are slaves to this world’s thinking and so cannot see a way out, except to try harder and pretend that they have got it all together. They are constantly looking for the next guru who promises us an easy and happy life. Then there are those who have just given up and burying themselves in their lives or alcohol, drugs and sex addictions.



So here again we see that the wages of sin is death. So we need to be aware that we are slaves, whichever way we look at it, as this passage says. We are slaves to either sin or to God. We cannot have it both ways. We are either for him or against him. Either we want life, in this world and the next, or we want death. It is a simple and straight forward choice.



This is not simply what I or the church says in this regard. This is what God Almighty himself has clearly said to us over and over again. His Word is true and sure, despite the whims of many who try to change or ignore it to suit their own thinking. Throughout the ages that Word has stood the test and remains in tack. It always will because it is God’s Word. It has much to say to our world today.



Here, let us remember, as we are reminded in this reading, that we have been brought from death to life; we have been set free from slavery to sin and have become slaves to God. We now have a new tune to dance to: and one the leads to life, and real joy and hope. A way of life that is good for us and pleasing to our God. What greater incentive than that, can we have as we go forward in life.



God himself came into this world for the express purpose of helping us out of the mess we have made for ourselves. In our selfishness and self-centredness, we have disobeyed God and brought all kinds of troubles and heart-aches on ourselves and one another; and finally death itself – here and in eternity. However, Jesus comes and takes our punishment on himself so that forgiveness of sins, life and salvation could be extended to us once more.



So we have a new and great Master who has guaranteed the results for us. We therefore are winners, by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through his life, death and resurrection we have forgiveness of sins: we have been brought from death to life: we have the assurance of eternal life with our great God.



At our baptisms we were joined to all of this. There we died with Christ and were raised with him into this new and glorious life. There we were adopted into his family, so that we can now belong for sure: we can be with him always. Now it is all guaranteed. So we can live. Truly live, as we are meant to live. We can follow him and his ways and it will all work out in the end.



Not only has he saved us, and joined us to all of this, but he has also promised to be with us and give us every assistance possible along the way. He has given us all that we need in order to keep going as his people. Through his Word and the Sacraments, we are constantly assured that we have all that we need to keep us strong and on track.



He has given us a family; the Church, to support and encourage us along life’s way. As we regularly gather together; every week if possible, to be served by Him through the Word and the Sacraments, and as we join with one another, we are given what we need in order to go forward as his people. There we are constantly kept mindful to look to our Lord and follow his ways that are all good and helpful. We have fellow believers alongside us to help and encourage us forward.



So surely, now, we will listen to him, and follow him. We will want to obey him: we will want to be the kind of people he would have us be. Surely we will leave aside this life that is nothing but trouble and death, and aim with all that we can, to stay close to him. We will constantly look to him to help and guide us to live and be the people he would have us be.



Looking to him as the one who not only saved us, but who really knows what it is all about. Surely He will be our Lord and Master. Surely we will seek to obey him. Surely! Surely every single one of us here, will now dance to this new tune that our Lord has placed before us. We will offer our whole selves to him as instruments of a right way of life. For he is our loving, living, all powerful Lord, who has and continues to do so much for us.



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



Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Romans 6:1-11.                 Live your baptism??                                        25/6/17

{1) Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? {2} By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? {3} Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? {4} We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. {5} If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. {6} For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- {7} because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. {8} Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. {9} For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. {10} The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. {11} In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Here this morning we have a most challenging and yet a most encouraging message for us to consider carefully. It has much to say to us and to the church today. It has much to say to those who are seeking after an easy, soft Christianity, where we can have and do what we want.

It challenges those who think that they can presume on God’s grace and it doesn’t matter how they live and act in relation to their fellow human being. It also challenges those who think that we can attract members by giving them a soft, feel-good, all-tolerant accepting church.

Yet it is most encouraging to those who are burdened by their weaknesses and the failures of humanity and facing death or a life that seems to be ‘death warmed up.’ It helps us to focus our attention where it needs to be. It points us to the sure and certain hope that we have as a result of our baptisms.

I believe we desperately need to hear this message today, for much of our life we focus on ourselves and the world around us; even when it comes to the Christian faith and life. “I have my faith; therefore, I can do [whatever].” Our faith and life is centred in ourselves.

Here are some examples that we hear regularly. ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, so it doesn’t matter if I do things that are wrong’ ‘Surely I have every right to get even with someone who has wronged me.’ ‘We mustn’t speak out against error: after all, they have their understanding of the truth.’ ‘Don’t you tell me what I can or cannot do; after all we live in the freedom of the gospel.’ ‘I don’t need to go to church regularly, or Bible Study, or even desire to know the truth, because I think I am doing OK.’ ‘We must liven up our church services or else we will lose our young ones.’ ‘We mustn’t insist on people holding to the same beliefs that we have.’ And the list goes on and on.

We all too often want everything to fit into our own criteria of what we believe is right and good. We want to make and find our own life. We want to live life to the full, and have that which we believe is good for us. After all, life and living is what it is all about; us and our happiness is paramount. Surely that is what God wants for you and me.

Yet the reality of life is far different. The more we hanker after life and its pleasure; and the more that we strive after the ideal life; the more we find that we are left short; over and over again. We want our life to go well for us, but we experience pain and frustration: we want love and acceptance and are left more and more alone: we search for fulfilment and find only meaninglessness and emptiness. The more that we strive for the things of life that we want, the more we experience the opposite. We long for life and only find death. We are living, walking death; and we are totally unable to make any sort of life for ourselves.

But then, as we come to this understanding of life, we are pointed to exactly the opposite. We are pointed to the baptismal font.  We are pointed to that fact that there we are drowned and died, but have in that been given life – eternal life with God. There we find that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

So as we as death-bound sinners come to the baptismal font we are connected to Jesus and all that he had done for us on the cross. There we were drowned; killed with Jesus Christ for that sin and to that sinful nature that clings so closely to us. There we are given the new life of Christ. Just as surely as he rose from the dead, so we also are assured that this new life of Jesus Christ is ours. Our whole life and living is now found in him and in him alone.

Our old life and orientation in life was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. We have been freed from sin; that means, that life that has to strive in order to have what we want. We have been freed to be able to have the life that God knows should be there for us. In connection with Jesus Christ it is now ours already. Completely! Fully!

‘But; but ….’ I can hear you say; ‘Where is it? Where is this new and good life?’ Where, in this world, do we find that which we so desperately need?

 Look again at the baptismal font; it is there in our connection with Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. When Jesus walked this earth, did he have life good and easy? I think not! And he certainly didn’t promise us that it would be the case for us either. In fact, he said that we could expect quite the opposite.

Along with that he says; as we bear our cross, doing what he would have us be doing, he will be using it all for good; that is for people’s soul’s salvation and eternal life. And we are able to bear it all because we now have the full assurance that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. So also, it will be the case for us. Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Along with that assurance and knowing that we are now connected in Christ, we now take note of those next words that are spoken. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

That surely is now the positive challenge then that we have before us today: To count ourselves dead to that old self-centred, I want to do my own thing and get my own way, type of attitude. That surely is not what is important to us. We are a part of something infinitely better; and it is guaranteed for us. We can now acknowledge the depravity of life that we experience, and now be able to look to that which is far better.

So we are now alive to God in Christ: that means we will want him to have his way in our lives, at all times. He and what he says and wants is what will be all important in our lives. As we do allow him to have his way we will find the life that is needed. God himself will work great things, for his kingdom. In that we will find all the meaning, satisfaction and purpose that is needed for us as we live out our lives in the midst of a sinful, hurting world.

So, shall we go on living as if we are the centre of the world?   By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? We know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

We therefore, now, know that we are dead. Our life as we selfishly want it to be, counts for nothing. No longer do we find, chase, or make our own life. It is nothing. What is important is the life that we are now baptised into; Jesus Christ. There we find the life that we truly need, and which gives all that is necessary for us as we live out our lives every day.

Jesus Christ is surely the centre of our world and the centre of our activity; whether that is at home, at work or when we are with our friends. As we focus on that life that we have in and with Jesus Christ we will find that all our petty selfishnesses are nothing and mean nothing. We have something far more important; and far more life-giving.

Even though we may still experience all kind of weaknesses, hurts and tragedies we can know for sure that they are not the end of the story. Nothing that happens in our lives, is now bad for us. For God is using it all for good – either our good or the good of others. Nothing now can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

So now we can go forward, boldly and confidently. We face everything, knowing that since we are united with Jesus Christ the future is certain. Our troubles and hardships are but a brief interlude, before an eternity in heaven with our great God, there to enjoy the very best of everything.

So let us remember, daily, our baptism and what God has done for us in it. Then let us go forward to live this new life that is given to us; all the while giving all glory and honour to our great God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to whom it belongs, now and for all eternity. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, June 17, 2017


Matthew 9:35-10:8.         The Kingdom of Heaven is near!!               18/6/17



{35)  Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. {36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. {37} Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. {38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

{1}  He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. {2} These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; {3} Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; {4} Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. {5} These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. {6} Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. {7} As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' {8} Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.



Today's society is struggling; and in many ways has given up on the whole idea that God is here, with us and for us: It has put aside the whole idea that the kingdom of heaven is near. I am sure that we all here struggle with this from time to time. I know that I do. Often we wonder where in the world is God?



What is our answer for the family and friends of a little boy tragically taken in an accident? Where is God in the prayers that we send up time and time again, with nothing seeming to happen? What has the kingdom of God got to do with the here and now, in the midst of all the tragedies and hardships of life? Where is God working, when nothing results from the preaching and administration of the Sacraments week after week, when the Bible says that it is through those means that he will grow the Church?



We all struggle with these and many other thoughts along this line. There is a whole world out there and in here, crowded with worried, helpless and hopeless people; people caught in the web of life, from which there seems to be no escape. So we bury ourselves in our work, pleasure, drink or drugs; anything as long as we don’t have to think about these issues, for it is all too depressing. This is our world today; harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

                     

Interestingly, here in this reading, Jesus is sending us out to them all - with the clear message; the kingdom of God is near. We who ourselves are often struggling and grappling with this idea, are the ones Jesus is sending out to help those around us. We are called to go out to these people and tell them this simple message; the kingdom of God is near. In fact, he says; As you go about your daily life, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' No - more than that - we are called to take the kingdom of heaven to those people; to be the presence of Jesus for them. That is what is being asked of you and me.



So we need to ask, what does it mean that we are to go and preach that the kingdom of heaven near? Does it mean that we go around like some and stand on the street corners or knock on door after door, proclaiming that the end is near and that the prophecies of Revelations are coming true, so you had better watch out or you will get caught out. Telling them that God will judge them for their rottenness; so repent and turn back to God for the Kingdom of heaven is near. Telling them that God expects us all to live better lives and that we are to do this and that if we want to be saved.



Well, yes, there is an element of that in this call for us; but there is much more; and a far more important message involved in these words. It is not judgement and judging that Jesus is primarily concerned with. We are told that as he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. It was pity that motivated Jesus to send his disciples and us out with love for those who are struggling and lost. There is a whole harvest of them out there in the community.



In Jesus day they maybe weren't contemplating suicide; maybe they were not caught in a web of domestic violence or hemmed into an anti-social, self-centred society; but they were still harassed and helpless never-the-less. Today there are crowds of them; we are only too well aware of that, if we read and listen to the news; if we lift our eyes beyond our own self-centred, egotistical little world of our own.



The message that God has here for them all, is, that despite what might seem to the contrary, the kingdom heaven is near – that God is not very far away from each and every one of us. He and his mercy is every present for us; it is just that so often we are not aware of it; and we don't recognise what is plainly obvious. Let me illustrate.





Jim was a small business owner who was struggling under all the pressures of modern business life: high costs and low margins; growing regulatory requirements and constant bureaucratic changes; and much more; all placing a huge stain on his management skills and brain power, causing him to wonder whether all the long hours, hard work and uncertainties were worth it. He became so wrapped up in the difficulties and struggles, that he no longer considered the working of God in his life. He had too many other things to think of and hassle with.



He became more interested in the fact that business down the road was sprouting about how well he was doing, than the fact that his bank manager was not hassling him and his clientele was still faithful. The constant adequate income was no more seen as a blessing from God, but as that which seemed to be a constant struggle to maintain. The growth or lack of it in his business was more and more seen only in terms of the work that he had put in, and the costs that he had to outlay. All the blessings and God's hand in it all was lost.



Along with that, he failed to see how God was upholding him and keeping him going through his family, his friendships and the encouragement of his neighbours. He saw the big salaries of his brothers in the top end of the city, but didn't stop to think that he also had clothes on his back, a roof over his head, three good feeds a day. The kingdom of God was at work all around and through his life, but he couldn't see it – he didn't recognise that it was there.



Jim had long since rationalized to himself and others that it was OK to rip someone off in a business deal if you can get away with it; after all everyone else is doing it. He could slander others around him, because he felt that he might be better accepted by others; he had to fight for his own rights.



However, deep down Jim knew that these sorts of practices were wrong and was what is wrecking the morality of our nation. It bothered him that his relationships with others; and with his wife and children in particular was a long way from what it should be; that the false front of strength and a man who has got it all together, belied the frailty and uncertainty that lay below the surface. He was harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. He longed for peace, love and contentment, but could no longer see that it was all there for him.



God was near to him. He was connected to God and the Church through baptism and his attendance at worship, and had heard God's message many times. But now it no longer sank in, for he was distracted by many things. As a result, he no longer considered that the Kingdom of heaven was already drawn near to him.



His distractions meant that he failed to listen to the true significance of Jesus' death and resurrection for his own life. When told again and again of the fact that Jesus has died for him and everything he had done wrong and that in connection with Jesus there was a whole new aspect of life there for him to take hold of and live in light of, it never sunk in. His eternal salvation and life was secure and certain, but he no longer recognised it.



The kingdom of heaven was ever so near to him and so many like him. But the workers to help him see it unfortunately are ever so few. Here though, is where Jesus reminds us that we have our part to play. We are sent out to help those around us to see again that God is not afar off. We are to remind each other by the little things that we say and do, that God is involved and active in every part of our life.



We have received without paying from all the goodness of our Lord. In our baptism we have been freely made children of God - heirs of eternal life; forgiven, healed, restored; given new life. Thereby we know and experience the presence and blessings of God Almighty himself - every day. We certainly have received greatly without deserving it or having to pay for it; so let us give without being paid – without expecting anything in return.



We do have something to say - something to share - with others as we go about our daily lives. We do have an important message for the harassed and helpless - the kingdom of heaven is near. Jesus Christ and his death on the cross alone is what gives life and gives meaning to life. Without him we are nothing. With him and the salvation that he has won for us we have that which enables us to live with and cope with whatever it is that we face in life. Jesus Christ alone is what our world around us desperately needs to hear. Here, remember, that we are the only workers God has to get this message of love and forgiveness to all those around us who need to hear it.



So pray that the Lord will not only send you, but go with you, help you and bless what you do in his name, as you go and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. For to our great God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit alone belongs all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN



Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish