Romans 4:13-25.                               Trusting the promises of God!                    25/2/18

(13)  It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. {14} For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, {15} because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. {16} Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. {17} As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. {18} Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” {19} Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. {20} Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, {21} being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. {22} This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” {23} The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, {24} but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. {25} He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

As we continue on our Lenten journey our Lord Jesus says, “Follow me,” and promises that he will be with us always. He says, “Live as children of the light,” and promised to give us the strength and power to do so. He says, “Love as I have loved you,” and has also promised and given us the love that we need in order to do so.

These are among the many commands and promises that have been given to us. But how often are we not like Jonah, and turn and run the other way. Where is our effort today to live as Christians who have been given these commands and promises? Where is our love - Christ’s love that is concerned about the welfare; and especially the spiritual welfare of our fellow human beings? Where is this Christian living that is in accord with God’s will?

Instead it is here today that we are in danger of going through the motions of being a Christian without our hearts being really in it. We are looking too much to ourselves and the world around us for our life, rather than looking to and trusting our Lord. We do what we want to do, instead of listen and following what our Lord has to say.

Once again, this lack of real Christian living in our lives is evidence of a life that has little trust in our great God; but instead, of self-centredness and self-righteousness. Again then, we are reminded that faith and belief in Christ is verified by a changed life: a life that is directed away from self, to our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is evidenced by a life that is prepared to take God and His Word seriously: to step out and do what God is calling us to do. Now that is where we struggle, don’t we: to trust God and take him at his word? As we look at ourselves we just feel as though we can’t do it, and we therefore don’t seem to think that it is possible, even for God; if we even think of him.

For us to live as God expects, is like Abraham and Sarah having a baby when they were a 100 years old: it is like being called to go off and start a new life in a foreign and hostile country when they are at that age, in anticipation of having a family, when the wife’s womb would long be considered dead and useless. For us this is all crazy: it is an impossibility, even in our day and age.

Now in reality, this is exactly the way it so often is  for us, when it comes to our living as God expects: when it comes to living, loving and making disciples in God’s kingdom. At the moment we are living in a heathen society that has only one interest: self and the almighty dollar. And when it comes to love and living, all we seem to think of today, is sex and pleasure.

When it comes to making disciples, well that is out because we have to be tolerant and respect other people’s rights and all the rest. When it comes to other ‘Christians’ and denominations; and even religions; well, we are all on track to the same God, so how can we say they are wrong, or need to change, or need something more. Not to mention the fact that we are no longer sure whether we ourselves are right.

Yes, we just can’t achieve the perfection that is being asking for; and so, we either do nothing, or as little as we possibly can. Of course, we still expect God to accept us never-the-less. Or else we are like Jonah, and turn and run the other way. We look here, to ourselves, and in reality, only see failure.

But it is here that we are reminded that Abraham stepped out and did what God was calling him to do; trusting Him, despite the impossibility of it all. ‘He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” He was not like us in saying, ‘Yes I believe in you God, but look I will just stay here for now and wait for something to happen. You know, it might look a bit foolish if I head off now and die in nowhere land, without any family at all. After all, I am way too old for this kind of thing. I am sure you understand God. I’m close to the end of my life. And because I have basically been a good fella - even if nothing happens the way you want - you’ll take care me - won’t you? You know that I am only human, with all my faults and failings, so you understand if I don’t head off now.’

No; Abraham didn’t act the way we so often do. Instead he listened to God and trusted him despite everything. So, he went off, knowing that God was with him. Knowing that God had the power to do what he said he would do. At the direction of God, he went off to a far country and the Lord blessed him with a family.

 As a result, we are told here that this faith was credited to him as righteousness. He was considered to be in a right relationship with God: not by society or himself - but by God himself. His trust in God; that was evidenced by his stepping out in faith, is what put him in a right relationship with God.

That, we are reminded, is the way it is for us also. Despite the difficulties and impossibilities that lay before us in living out the Christian life: despite our weaknesses and failures; we are called to trust that God will carry through on what he has promised, if only we would give him a chance. Here let us remember that if we look at every other stage in human history, God has not failed to bring his promises to fruition. If we take a look at guys like Peter, Paul and Matthew, Luther, and many others, God turned their lives around and produced great things through them.

If his Son can die on the cross and come to life again three days later for us, we can be sure that he can do as he has promised for us as well. So, when God promised to make us his children and give salvation and eternal life to us in our baptisms, we can be sure it is possible - even if it is impossible to us. As we believe in God who raised Jesus from dead; and as we believe that Jesus was delivered to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification, then we are assured that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God.

When he promised to be with us as we go and make disciples of all nations through baptism and teaching, we are assured he will assist us in every way possible. As we go out and live and love as the people of God - as true Christians – we know his Spirit will be with us guiding and helping us to make Jesus Christ known to those we come into contact with. And so, we today are also assured that God does have the power to do all that he has promised to do in our lives here and now.

Even when we are facing changes and challenges for you here in this parish, and myself and Julie as we go into retirement, we still have God’s promise that he is with us and that he will use us to extend his kingdom. Remember Abraham was a hundred years old and God still worked through him. We too can continue to trust the he is with us always and will bring blessing through us.

So, let us step out in faith, knowing that our God is faithful and true to his Word and promises. Let us trust that he will do all that he said he would do for us. So, when we are feeling uncertain about salvation and as to whether God really does loves us, wondering even if we really are Christians, let us stop and trust again that Jesus’ death and resurrection has done it all for us, and that he has connected us to himself through baptism.

And when we are tempted to doubt that his Word is clear and that we need something more and different, let us trust him when he says that he has given us all that we need to know in the Bible. Where our life needs to be changed so that we become more Christlike in our living and loving, let us look to his Spirit to help and direct us, instead of trying to do it on our own. When we are called to speak up for God, let us trust that God will give us the words to speak, instead of thinking of our insecurities and weaknesses.

Then as we trust that he is true to all his Word and promises, we also along with Abraham and Paul have that assurance that our faith will be credited to us as righteousness: that we also can be sure that we are right with our Lord. So, let us go forward every day, seeking to live and be true Christians; trusting that he is with us always. And may our gracious and trustworthy God give you that trust and the help that you need in order to achieve great things for him.

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

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

2 Corinthians 4:3-6.                                         Gospel veiled???                                              11/2/18

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

This morning our focus is on the transfiguration of our Lord up on the mountain, and its implications for us here today. Jesus revealed himself to three of his disciples so that they could catch a glimpse of who this Jesus really is. That was then recorded for our benefit after Jesus had died and risen again from the dead.

This was done in order that we can be certain of the fact that this Jesus truly is God come into our world for the express purpose of dying on the cross. So that we might have forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life with God in all eternity. This Jesus Christ is truly then Lord of life for us here today.

However here is where the problem then is for us today. If Jesus really is Lord of all, how come our churches today are in such a dire situation as they are? Why is it that we have so many around us that do not want to ‘pitch their tent’ in the presence of God’? Who want to be with him as much as possible? Why do they want to live in darkness instead of the glory of Christ?

This reading here this morning from 2 Corinthians gives us a clear indication as to what is going on. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Ouch!

The minds of so many today are being blinded to the truth. They cannot and do not want to see that which gives light to life for us. They are so caught up in the things and attitudes of this world that they are blind to reality. They are so ego-centric and narcissistic they cannot see beyond their own lives and thinking that they have no idea as to what is truly good anymore.

Very much that is the god of this age. The idol of me, myself and I, is so worshipped and adored by the world all around us. This idol is now also having a big influence in the churches as well. What I think, feel and want is placed way above even what God almighty is and says. We in the western world have put this idol up on a pedestal as sacrosanct. Surely if I think something is right and good, God must surely think the same things. If he created me the way I am, then surely, I am right. How disastrous!

The really sad thing is that our thinking is so veiled that we cannot even see how wrong and bad this thinking is. This self-glorification of ourselves has so clouded our thinking that we cannot even see the problem. Any half-thinking on our part surely shows how much this narcissistic thinking is destroying our society. The mess in each of our lives is an ever-present reminder of the sin that is there.

So, our society is perishing rapidly and we don’t want to see it or acknowledge this is the case. We accept all the technology because of the good that is there, but turn a blind eye to its many disastrous and tragic fruits. We are rapidly dying as a society, but are desperately try to pretend that we are developing into a better one. History is fast repeating itself.

However, here today we are reminded that there is a clear and bright answer to this for those open to receive it. For our reading reminds us that: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. God therefore has and is a Light that can overcome the darkness that is in our world. It is ever there, if only we would not close our eyes to it.

This is where it is interesting. Just as when we come into a very bright light, we will often close our eyes. The light is too bright for our eyes to immediately cope with, so we close them. The same goes for the glory of our Lord; our sinfulness cannot bear to take God seriously for it hurts too much.

We know the punishment that we deserve, so we close our eyes to the problem. We pretend that God is not there, or that he is a loving God who accepts us irrespective. At best, we will just take little glimpses here and there; not get involved too much; not listen to carefully. Then we might be okay.

But in this regard God has given us another way for us to see the glory of God, in all of its fullness. He shows us very clearly who he is and what he is like. He shows us that he knows our problem and does something about.  He proves that he is with us and that he cares. In this way we can look up to him without his glory being more than we can bear.

Jesus and his disciples did not stay up there on the mountain. They came down from the mountain and travelled through mess of this life to Jerusalem and the cross. Because of the sin of each one of us there is all kinds of problems and disasters to face in this life. Because of our disobedience toward God and his Word, this will be for as long as this world stands. Without Jesus coming down off the mountain we would also have had to endure God’s eternal punishment for our sin.

That is why he comes down and goes to Jerusalem. There he allows himself to take the punishment that we deserve on himself. He becomes the Sacrificial Lamb which takes away the sin of the world. He does what is need for us to see the glory of God in all of its fulness.

So yes, there on the cross he comes right down into our sinful world and gives us a way through and out of the mess we have made for ourselves. There he takes our punishment on himself so that God can now look on us without his glory burning us up. There we can see the extent that he is prepared to go to so that we might have forgiveness and salvation.

Then three days later he rises again so that we can know that he is truly of God and that his death for us was valid. So now we too can know that in connection with him we too will rise from the dead to be with him in all his glory to enjoy the very best forever more.

So now as we look to and are connected to Jesus Christ through baptism and faith we are able to go forward with boldness and confidence. For in him we now can see the glory of God, in the death and resurrection of our Lord. We can face the troubles and hardship of life with a sure and certain hope.

So, God in this way has made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. We who are truly Christian are enabled to now have that certainty of knowing that there is a clear way through the mess of this life, to then be able to enjoy the rest of eternity with our Lord in heaven.

The face of Christ on the Cross is our enduring confidence of God’s glory. There is the glory that enables to stand in the midst of a world that refusing take it seriously and is thereby living in darkness. Though the unbelieving world is heading to eternal darkness, we already are living in the light of Christ.

This sure and certain hope then helps us here today in the midst of the world that we are living in today. We know that: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  But with Christ we can hold our heads up and seek to do the best we can in the face of it all.

Even though many have openly turned their backs on God; and many within the Church not heeding what he says in his Word, we can continue to hold to Christ and his Word and know that we are safe. When many worship the idol of me, myself and I, we can look to our Lord and know for sure that that is where our hope for the future lies.

Even when many in the church try to change and ignore what God has said, we can know that it is Christ and the cross that is central. When the focus is on society and what I think, we are careful, and instead continue to know that it again is all about Christ and what he has said and done for us that is all important.

So, what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. Our aim is to give all glory to Jesus Christ and acknowledge that his glory is very closely associated with his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

So, to conclude, here today we are reminded of the importance of the recognition of the true glory of Christ.  He has revealed himself as God and as one who on the cross, ensures forgiveness of sins, life and salvation to us. May God continue to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. In the midst of a world where the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, may we not succumb.

Christ is not hidden from us. His Word and Sacraments are our constant assurance and confidence that there alone in Jesus Christ is our hope and our certainty. So, to him alone then be all glory and honour, now and always. AMEN.

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Isaiah 40:21-31.                 The Triune God is still God.                                          04/2/2018

²¹ Do you not know?    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
²² He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
²³ He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
²⁴ No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

²⁵ “To whom will you compare me?  Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
²⁶ Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?  Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Here this morning we have another important message for our society and in fact the whole world. And it is a message that we here need to consider as well. Do you not know?  Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? That God is for real. That he is the only great and eternal God who controls all of history. No one and nothing can compare with him.

With that in mind consider this very carefully; for our future depends on it. We only need to think about what is happening around us in our own country. People left, right and centre have thrown belief in God out of the window. Others, though the say they believe in him, they make no effort to worship him or take him and what he says seriously. Only a very small percentage attend Church on a regular basis.

It would seem that we want to make God in our own image. In other words, to be a God who fits into our own way of thinking or caste him aside completely. Even in the churches there is the temptation to make him and what he says, fit into our way of thinking. In this way we are making ourselves the centre of the universe instead of God Almighty himself.

At the same time many of these people will read their horoscopes, tarot cards, clairvoyants and the like. They dabble in yoga, mysticism and semi spiritual endeavours, thinking nothing of it. They treat the dollar and technology as though it is where life is really at. And above all else, the me, myself and I is what is so important today. So, what I think, do, feel and say is where life is really at.

Yet what is happening to our society as a result. Very quickly we are seeing a growing breakdown in community. Selfishness, greed and corruption are becoming more and more prevalent: more and more people are hurting, lonely and depressed: drug abuse, suicides, road rage, deviant behaviour, and the like are on the increase: and we could go on.

Sure, you don't need me to tell you the way things are, and that they are getting worse. But here let us remember that there is a direct connection between our attitude toward God and the health of our society. Again, that comes right down into the church as well.

Here I would like to remind you that this is a very similar situation to that of the people of Israel, years before this was message given. They had turned their backs on God. Yes, they still claimed to be God's people – they felt safe and secure with the temple and God’s presence with them.  But they no longer took him seriously.

There was no thought to seeking to live as he required. They chose to ignore much of what he had to say to them and how they should live. In fact, they thought that they could live and do as they please, and it would all be okay. As a result, things started going all wrong for them, and they began to face the kind things we are in our society. But instead of changing, they kept going further and further. So, things went from bad to worse, till they lost their country and were sent into exile.

There they faced the harsh reality of what they had done. But even there they blame God for letting them down and for bringing this disaster on them. It is everyone else’s fault but their own.

But here God through Isaiah tells them: come on, don't you know? Haven't you heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Look all the along the line you had been told that God is for real. You know that you are dealing with a great, all-powerful God. A God who is way beyond this world and yet has control of history. He is a God who cannot be taken for granted. Who is far greater than any human being, who is here today and gone tomorrow. So, he cannot be compared with what we have and see around us.

This true God is almighty and all-powerful. So instead of sitting there and complaining against God and blaming him, and saying that he doesn't care and has forgotten them. He reminds them that Lord is the everlasting creator, who never gets tired. He doesn't fall asleep on the job. He is not to blame. He wants what is best for them, even if that means their having to suffer for their rebellion, so that they wake up and turn back to him.

He also tells them that if only they would look again to him there is hope for the future. He can again make them strong. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. So    just lift your eyes and take the Lord seriously again. He will save them and restore them. And we know from history that is just what happened.

Now we here today, need to listen to this important message. Our church needs to take heed. Our country needs us to help it to see this message also. Our future depends on it.

History has reminded us again and again that God is in control. Nations have arisen; but when they have lost sense of the things that are important, they either have destroyed themselves from within or where taken over by others. They and their great rulers were reduced to nothing. Let us be sure that the same thing will happen again if we are not careful.

The almighty dollar will not sustain us and give us all that we need. Technology does not have all the answers and their time will come. Pandering to our ego alone will not give us the happiness that we long for. They do not compare with the Lord and what he can and does give. They are nowhere near his equal.

We need to continually remind ourselves that our Lord is the everlasting God – the creator of all things. He gives power to the weak; strength to the weary – and he lifts up the broken- hearted. He gives forgiveness for our failures and rebellion against him. In him there is salvation. He gives life here and in eternity. So, he is our only real hope, now and forever.

And how do we know? Surely, we too have heard time and again of God's love for us. We have been told about Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. Through our baptisms he has connected us to everything that he did for us through the cross and empty tomb. In Holy Communion Jesus gives us himself - his very body and blood which he shed on the cross. He has given us this so that we can be sure that he loves us, forgives us and has won eternal life for us with himself.

The Bible is God’s Word and can be relied on. Archaeological science clearly indicates that it is reliable and that it has been handed down for thousands of years without change. Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection from the dead is also clearly attributed to in history. The beauty and intricacies of nature attest to how wonderfully our world is created: way beyond what could ever happen by chance and evolution.

So, yes, God is the Almighty Lord over all; and we know that he loves and cares for us all, and has done what is necessary for our salvation. We also know that his ways for living in relation to him and each other is God and right. But we also know that sin – our selfishness and desire to live by and for ourselves, has created all the troubles, heartaches and tragedies that we experience in this world.

So, the call here this morning is not to take the Lord for granted any more - leaving him in church merely for when might need him. But that he truly is over all and truly the only one who is God who is to be taken seriously. Let us turn back and look up to him as the Lord of life: as the eternal, all-powerful, all- loving and forgiving God that he is.

Then to him be all praise, honour and glory for ever and ever.   AMEN

Pastor Roger Atze

Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish