The Sunday called Septuagesima, or the third Sunday before Lent

Want to know more about Septuagesima?  There is a nice explanation at the end of the report. 

The Propers for today are found on Page 118-120, with the Collect first:

The Sunday called Septuagesima, or the

third Sunday before Lent.

The Collect.

O

 LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Dru Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from the Ninth Chapter of the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians beginning at the  Twenty-Fourth Verse.  Paul tells us that we must strive for mastery over ourselves so that we can gain the crown of eternal life offered us at great cost by our Lord Jesus Christ.  We must each do our own personal best to control our own actions and behavior so we can follow God’s Plan for each of us.  We must be bold and certain in our actions.

K

NOW ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Hap Arnold read the Holy Gospel for today which came from the Twentieth Chapter of  the Gospel of Saint Matthew beginning at the First Verse.  Often quoted, this is the very important parable of the vineyard.  While it appears to be principally directed towards Christians wanting to be “first” in importance and the like, it has a more direct meaning.  It is a fine lesson in “buyer’s remorse” or coveting of jobs or similar concepts.  If you got a good deal, it does not change because someone else got a “better” deal.  Take what you got, go forth and be happy.  Other meanings abound.  For a very direct application, what this means is “cradle” Christians are no more likely to go to heaven than this morning’s convert.  They just get to enjoy the Christian experience longer.  One note, if you wait until the last minute to join the gang, your time here might end before you get around to it. 

Sometimes people act like being a Christian is an unpleasant experience that they will do when they get a round tuit.  It is not.  Christians aren’t perfect, they just have more fun being imperfect and imperfectly trying to improve!  Anyway, here is the Gospel according to Saint Matthew:

T

HE kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Sermon – Reverend Deacon Jack Arnold - Time and Action

 Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

 Consider these words from the Collect:

… we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness …

In the Collect, we ask God who knows we should be “…justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour …”  Eternal salvation is the delivery we are promised by Jesus.  This is the reward of the race we run here on earth.  Our race is for that eternal prize, not just, as they say, filthy lucre. 

Eternal salvation is a far more valuable prize than anything we could possibly acquire here on Earth.  We have to keep this foremost  in our thoughts as we continue to run the race set before us!

Our eyes should be focused on the finish line, not our competition.  All that counts is that we each that finish line.

So how do we run the race? 

With our eyes focused tightly on the finish line, not on those around us, wondering are they doing better than we are?  That is not a useful question.  The useful question is, “Am I doing the best I can?” And, remember this is a Team Effort.  We want the Christian Team to win.  If an outsider joins, they join the team fully from then on.  We need to give each team member all the help we can.  A death bed conversion gains the same prize in the end as a life long Christian.  The life long Christian will have had the more rewarding life, but eternity is a long time after that.

We are all so far from perfect that Holier than Thou is pretty damning praise.  Don’t even go there.  The best you can really do is not to be as evil as another, even that is pretty doubtful.

The Gospel for today, the very important parable of the vineyard, also gives us very good advice on the conduct of our daily lives and contains a crucial key to happiness

It is a fine lesson in “buyer’s remorse” or coveting of jobs or similar concepts.  If you got a good deal, it does not change because someone else got a “better” deal.  Take what you got, go forth and be happy.  Other meanings abound.  For a very direct application, what this means is “cradle” Christians are no more likely to go to heaven than this morning’s convert.  They just get to enjoy the Christian experience longer.  One note, if you wait until the last minute to join the gang, your time here might end before you get around to it. 

Sometimes people act like being a Christian is an unpleasant experience that they will do when they get a round tuit.  It is not.  Christians aren’t perfect, they just have more fun being imperfect and imperfectly trying to improve!

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Bishop Ogles’ Sermon

We are oft fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes.  Today is one of those Sundays.  Today’s sermon starts off with the collect, and like always, it will give you a lot to consider in your heart.

Sermon Notes

Septuagesima, or the third Sunday before Lent

27 January 2013, Anno Domini

The Sunday called Septuagesima, or the

third Sunday before Lent.

The Collect.

O

 LORD, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people; that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? ²⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? ²⁶ But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. ²⁹He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. ³⁰ And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. ³¹Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. ³² For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Matthew 21:23-32

Today, Septuagesima Sunday, begins the period of Shrovetide (Pre-Lenten period) in the Church Calendar. The great worth of the Church Calendar gives us a chronological perspective of the life of Christ and His Gospel. This is a time to begin preparing ourselves for the solemn observance of Lent which leads up to Calvary.

In Matthew, we note Jesus has entered into the gates of Jerusalem for the last time in His earthly ministry. We read that Jesus was met by multitudes of the City of Jerusalem who welcomed Him with royal acclamation throwing before the feet of His donkey their garments, palm branches, and shouting Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. (Matt 21:9) Ironically, the same multitudes would be screaming for His crucifixion in the courtyard of Pontius Pilate less than one week later. (Revealing the fickle nature of man's heart) We saw in verses 12-13 of this same chapter that the first order of business for Christ in Jerusalem was to enter into the Temple and cleanse it of the money changers and those who those who dealt in commerce by buying and selling therein. He further demonstrated His Divinity by healing the sick and lame, and restoring sight to the blind. This was considered a terrible offense, not by those healed, but strangely enough, by the Pharisees and rulers of the Temple. They burned in their jealousy and greed for such a compassionate soul as Christ. To these calloused culprits, compassion and love were undesirable traits, especially if it threatened their power.

The question at hand is one of AUTHORITY! The Scribes, Pharisees, and rulers of the Jews had their own neat little nest built which separated them from what they considered to be the common rabble of the people. They were much better, you see, than the common people. They had had their tickets punched and been granted this high status simply because THEY deserved it – or so they believed. Though their station was a Godly station, they disqualified themselves through a lack of love and obedience to the God whom they pretended to serve. Whatever authority they had was no longer of God, but of political man. It may be true that the overwhelming number of pretenders to the cloth today is likewise without authority from God to preach. It is my firm belief that, though I am less than I should be, I am in the first instance a preacher under authority of God. A true and devout Church (the AOC) has confirmed that belief in my ordination to Holy Orders. Being consecrated a bishop does not relieve one of his role to serve as priest and preacher, and the ultimate authority for his Calling must come from God. It matters not the number of heads touched in Apostolic Succession if those heads have not hearts touched and called by God. God is the prime authority and, in the end, the ONLY authority for preaching. The authority to perform works of righteousness does not derive from men, but from God.

Beginning in our assigned text, we learn that, after threatening their profit margin in Temple sales, the chief priests and elders confronted Jesus to know by what power He had worked such ruin to their daily sales: and they wanted to know by what authority He did such wonderful miracles of healing. In my thinking, it is flabbergasting to learn that they considered this a thing that required some superficial authority of some council of Temple wimps to grant. A miracle is an authority unto itself, for only God can do these things. I am stunned to believe that these men KNEW the miracles came from God, but chose to ignore the fact for the sake of their own impoverished souls. ²³ And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?This is the day following His cleansing of the Temple and His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. By now, they have rallied their political forces to challenge Jesus. These deceivers were hoping to catch Jesus off balance and catch Him in a slip of the tongue – perhaps a claim that would justify them in accusing the Son of God of blasphemy! It is not an easy debate when the Other Side is able to read your words before they are spoken and your motives before they are revealed. Their pettiness is likened to the lowest officials of the Palace asking the King's Son by what authority does He wear garments of royalty. Today, churches such as the AOC and other of the faithful, are ridiculed for holding so tenaciously to the Ancient Landmark remaining faithful to morals and virtues long grown stale in popular culture.

All who ever argued with God before have lost the contest– either through ignorance of His Will, or power. These wicked priests and elders are about to have the same experience – an experience to which they should, by now, be accustomed. He thwarted their best wisdom so many times that a continued debate makes them appear as imbeciles. ²⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. ²⁵ The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?The battle, though the smoke will rise a bit more but briefly, puts the chief priests and elders squarely in their place. There is no answer that will achieve their original design after this inquiry from the embodiment of Wisdom. The subsequent reasoning of the Temple leaders reveals the poverty of their argument:

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? ²⁶ But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. ²⁷ And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. At the end of this chapter and this discourse, having lost any advantage by subterfuge, they resort to their favored weapon – brute force. However, being politicians and not men of God, they feared the people and burned in their evil hearts awaiting a more opportune moment of treachery.

Now comes a parable of two sons whose natures are at contrast one with the other. It is a short, but beautiful, parable of hope and grace to you and me; but it could also have applied to the Temple leaders had they had hearts that were acceptable to God.

²⁸ But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. ²⁹ He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.³⁰ And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.³¹ Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.³² For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

You and I may find our own identity revealed in this wonderful parable. The Two Sons featured represent all of professing Christendom combined. We all most likely fall into one category or the other. Please do not insist that you have never been a publican or an harlot, for you and I certainly have been in one sense or the other. We have sold out our hearts for what we considered a cheap profit at some point (harlot). We have denied God at some point with our unfaithful lifestyles or public testimony (again harlot, for spiritual adultery against the Bridegroom is greater sin than physical adultery). We have all benefitted the interest of the world more than the interest of God at some point in our lives. (Publican). The publican was a Jewish public tax collector who worked for the bosom enemies of the Jews– the Roman Empire.

The parable presents us with two different members of one supposed family. One will be a true son (one who at first has rejected God through his life's choices, but relents later and comes to God), and the other unfaithful to the father (who, like the modern professed Christian who enthusiastically, and with great fanfare insist on following Christ but later renege).

Alfred Lord Tennyson has written in The Ancient Sage:

Faith reels not in the storm of warring words,

She brightens at the clash of `Yes' and `No,'

She sees the Best that glimmers through the Worst,

She feels the sun is hid but for a night,

She spies the summer through the winter bud,

She tastes the fruit before the blossom falls,

She hears the lark within the songless egg,

She finds the fountain where they wailed `Mirage!'

We are directed to the key to Godliness and that is Faith in God. Whether that faith comes to the desperate sinner's heart, or the accomplished artist; the morally but godless upright, or the depraved drunk; the mistress or prostitute; the physician or the addict - is immaterial to the result. The faith that comes to the unsuspecting heart through the unmerited grace of God is ALWAYS sufficient for thee.

Promises are not taken with any degree of solemnity in today's society. A newly elected President may swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, yet act with immediate dispatch to dismantle that Constitution once the swearing is done. A bridegroom or bride may swear an oath before God to remain faithfully wed "until death do them part" and yet in the next year apply for divorce. Their promises before God seem to have meant very little to them.

So many evangelical churches today will go to great lengths to gain a public profession of faith from their charges, but leave them wondering by the roadside of faith as to what more may bless their souls. There is no nurturing, so often the profession of faith will die of neglect. How can we know if the profession of faith by a stranger who enters one night at church is genuine, especially if that stranger has not come to learn who Jesus is in an intimate way?

If we say that we believe and later abandon our profession, are we not as the second son? If we have lived lives of sin and vice for many years, yet come to knowledge of our Lord so true that all of our life is turned upside down, do we not represent the first son. Which would you rather be – the first who said he would not obey, and later came to obey: or the second who said he would obey, and later disobeyed? Would we not be as the seven women of Isaiah 4:1? And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

(Isaiah 4:1) Do we, like these seven women, desire only to be called by the name of Christ – CHRISTIAN –and not wear His garments of righteousness? Do we prefer to be identified with His Holy Name for the sake of appearance by eating our own bread and not His Bread of Life? Are we nominal Christians only when we enter into public life, or the political scene; or do we remain committed to the Christian faith in season and out? Which are you, my friends?

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s Sunday Sermon

We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon.  If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, expouse the truth and live the truth.    This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.

Sermon for Septuagesima

Our sermon hymn for today, Crown him with many crowns (Hymn #352, 1940 Hymnal) supplies us with several reasons that we should crown our Lord Jesus Christ with many crowns, and principal among them because he is King of all. But did you know that we as born-again believers will also receive one or more crowns from our Lord and Saviour when he sits in judgment of our lives here in the flesh? The scriptures speak of five different crowns which will be given to those whom the Lord shall deem worthy to receive them. They are: 1) the Incorruptible Crown, 2) the Crown of Life, 3) the Crown of Glory, 4) the Crown of Righteousness, and 5) the Crown of Rejoicing.

The Incorruptible Crown is found in our epistle lesson for today ( I Corinthians 9:24-27). As St. Paul explained, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?... Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. The corruptible crown which the secular runner received as an award was a wreath of made of laurel leaves. The apostle referred to it as corruptible because it was made from materials which were not meant to last. It was literally a crown for that moment, for following the next race another one would be given, and another in the race after that, and so on. The apostle reminded Christians that upon the completion our race in this mortal life, we will receive a crown from our Lord which will never fade or fail if we run and faint not. It will be ours for eternity and will be our badge of honor, which like all the others, we will gladly cast them at the feet of our Lord and Saviour in honor of his great gift to us via his saving grace.

The Crown of Life will be given to those believers who have been faithful to our Lord unto death (Revelation 2:10). As Matthew Henry noted, The life so worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be rewarded with another and a much better life that shall be eternal. When one reads the accounts of the early church fathers who served God unto death, we find listed men such as St. Paul, St. Peter, St. James, St. Andrew and St. Thomas. In fact most of the disciples as well as a host of early Christians were martyred for the faith. Add to them the Reformation saints who perished rather than reject the truth of God’s word written. Inclusive within that number are our Anglican fathers, such as Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper and Latimer, who chose the stake over their acceptance of the doctrine of the real presence in the Holy Communion. We could also include all those men and women whose lives were used up in service to our Lord in the mission fields over the centuries: spreading the good news to those in remote regions of the world where the light of Christ had yet to pierce and who labored even in the face of death to preach the word of God to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. What graciousness they shall receive at the hand of our Lord we can only imagine and that poorly.

The Crown of Glory will be given to those church elders, bishops, priests, pastors and deacons who properly tended their flocks. As St. Peter noted in his first epistle (5:2-4), Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. The Lord has promised good to them that love him and that feed his flocks which are scattered across the earth. Pastors and bishops are supposed to love God and preach rightly the truth of God’s word written. Those who do will be blessed with the gift of this crown.

The Crown of Righteousness will be given to those who love the Lord’s appearing. As St. Paul wrote in second epistle to St. Timothy (4:8), Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. The Bible tells us to fix our hearts on the coming of the Lord. The wise virgins of St. Matthew’s gospel (25:1-13) have been supplied as an apt example for us. The regenerated Christian will make provision for his watch, and should he nod off to sleep, he will eagerly awaken to go and greet our Lord at his coming. Ergo, as the apostle has written, all who will do likewise will receive this crown.

The Crown of Rejoicing will be given to those who have happily brought souls to Christ. In his first epistle to the Thessalonian church (2:19-20), the apostle Paul penned these words: For what is our hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing: Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming: For ye are our glory and joy. Because the regenerate Christian bears fruit— bringing others to the Lord as he has been called to do— the same shall receive of the Lord a crown of rejoicing on account of that joy in their hearts upon seeing others entering the fold of Christ. Do we tell others about our Lord? Do we desire that others be saved? Do we pray for those who are lost that perhaps God will influence them to come to him either by our witness or that of another regenerated believer? If we love the Lord, then we will also seek to bring others to him, and we will rejoice with them in their victory over sin and death.

While salvation is a gift of God to all who are born again of the Holy Ghost, the awarding of crowns is merit-based as we will be judged on how well we performed our duties in our Lord’s service. Consider the parable of the Talents as found in St. Matthew’s gospel (25:14-30). The Lord will extend to those who are faithful a hearty Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy lord (v.21). God has plans for all who are of his elect beyond the precincts of this life. Therefore be faithful and not fearful. Be considerate of God’s word written and follow it. Stand fast and contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Do all these things for a crown awaits you in heaven with our Lord’s greeting. Such is my hope and my prayer for each of you in Christ’s name.

Let us pray,

G

racious and loving God, assist us by means of the Holy Ghost that we might live each day praying for and looking for the coming of thy dear Son; that we would not miss the joy of the marriage feast which thy wilt prepare for all who love his appearing; for this we ask in the name of him who wears many crowns, and who is our Lord, our King and our Saviour, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Bryan+

What is Septuagesima?

Septuagesima Sunday is the name given to the third Sunday before Lent. The term is sometimes applied to the period of the liturgical year which begins on this day and lasts through Shrove Tuesday (with the following day being Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins). This period is also known as the Pre-Lenten season or Shrovetide. The next two Sundays are labelled Sexagesima and Quinquagesima, the latter sometimes also called Shrove Sunday. The earliest Septuagesima Sunday can occur is January 18 (Easter falling on March 22 in nonleap year) and the latest is February 22 (Easter falling on April 25 in leap year).

Septuagesima comes from the Latin word for "seventieth," with Sexagesima and Quinquagesima equalling "sixtieth" and "fiftieth" respectively. They are patterned after the Latin word for the season of Lent, Quadragesima, which means "fortieth" because Lent is forty days long (not counting the Sundays, which are all considered little Easters).  Because a week is only seven days long, not ten, and since even then only six of those days might be counted if the pattern of Quadragesima is followed, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, don't literally correspond to the periods of time they imply. It is interesting, however, that just about 70 days (68 actually) is the minimum number of days between the octave day of the Epiphany on January 14 and Easter, implying that a season just about 70 days long can always fit between the two.

The 17-day period beginning on Septuagesima Sunday was intended to be observed as a preparation for the season of Lent, which is itself a period of spiritual preparation (for Easter). In many countries, however, Septuagesima Sunday still marks the start of the carnival season, culminating on Shrove Tuesday, more commonly known as Mardi Gras. The Gospel reading for Septuagesima week is the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).

The Second Sunday after The Epiphany

The Propers are found on Page 111-112 with the Collect first:

The Second Sunday after The Epiphany.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dru Arnold read the Epistle for today, which came from the Twelfth Chapter of Paul’s  letter to the Romans beginning at the Sixth Verse.  As Paul often does, he gives guidance on what God would have us do.  He notes that each of us have differing talents, skills and resources.  What God wants us to do is use all of what He gave us to further His will and His way, so that we might be truly happy here on earth.  To be gracious and hospitable to those around us, to remember each of us are equal in God’s eye.

H

AVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Hap Arnold read the Holy Gospel for today which came from the beginning of the Gospel according to St. Mark, the First Chapter, beginning at the First Verse.  This is the very first of the New Testament, a New Covenant or agreement with God.  It tells the story of “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”  It talks of John the Baptist, who God sends as His “messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”  And the people came to John “and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”  But, as a harbinger the One to come, John told them of the One coming “ the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.”  He told them of the Holy Ghost.  When Jesus, in His submission as a man to God came to John for baptism, as he came out of the water, “the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

T

HE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Sermon – Reverend Deacon Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above.

 Consider these words from the Collect:

… hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace …

In the Collect, we are asking God to listen to us and give us His peace in our hearts.  God is perfect.  He hears us when we pray, God hears us when we call Him.  This Collect is really to remind us that when we pray to Him, we need to listen to Him.  To often we ask Him what to do, when He tells us what He wants us to do, it is not what we want, so we don’t hear.  After all, there are none so deaf as those who will not hear.  So, the question is not, Does God hear our supplication?  Rather the question is, Do we hear His answer and abide by it?  Do we listen when His answer is not what we want but what we need? We think that he doesn’t answer, but that is often because we are deaf to His answer through our own condition of being poor, sinful creatures that need His forgiveness desperately. If we open our hearts and minds, then we will hear Him. Will we let him in to our hearts for this to happen? It has to start with us letting Him in, and then we will hear His answer loud and clear.

We all have some talent; each has something they do better than others.  Paul reminds us for the church, on any organization for that matter, to succeed, we must do what needs to be done, working hard, honestly, cheerfully, looking for no public praise, being kind to all.  Everybody needs to utilize their talents according to the needs of the church, not to somebody elses talents, but their talents. Everybody has a talent of some sort, be it musically, talking (being a good with people). Almost anything else that can be used for His Glory is a talent. Sometimes, we fail to remember that for the team to be successful, each person needs to do the job they do best to the best of their ability; not necessarily the one they like best the way they want to do it at the pace they enjoy.  The reward of a job well done in and of itself should be sufficient.  We should not be giving of ourselves to God, so that we can get praise and recognition.  That is not giving; it is selling. And that would not be truly giving from the heart as is God’s desire.  That would be using the talents He has loaned to us for our own wants and ends, which would not be becoming of the Christians we are called to be, the New Men we are called to be.

At the same time, though we should not look for praise for our own work, we should look for reasons to praise and encourage others.  We need to recognize hard work, sacrifice, thoughtfulness and talent in others, remark on it and praise the use thereof!  That which is rewarded most is that which grows best.

Even God Himself, looking on His Son’s baptism remarked for all to hear, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

How oft do we praise the actions of others?  To often we are quick to criticize the failings of others.  We must understand that while it is valuable to know when we fall short, people strive the most for praise of those whose opinion they value.

When you hear those words, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” remember to use them yourself.  Lead others to God, don’t point the way.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Bishop Ogles’ Sermon

We are oft fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes.  Today is one of those Sundays.  Today’s sermon starts off with the collect, and like always, it will give you a lot to consider in your heart.

Sermon Notes

Second Sunday after The Epiphany

20 January 2013, Anno Domini

The Second Sunday after The Epiphany.

The Collect.

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

T

HE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

            It is unlikely anyone hearing this sermon can remember the day they were born. With what words could you have remembered, since you had no words in your mind at the moment of your birth? But we all remember the day Christ was born in Bethlehem – and that was even before our own birth. How is that we know? Because God has provided His Word for us to know and to understand. But even having God's Word, and knowing it intellectually, does not mean that we truly KNOW His Word and, furthermore, know Him! If you believe that you came into being the day of your birth, you would be wrong. You were conceived some months earlier; and if you believe that you came into being at the moment of conception, you would be wrong again because God knew you and conceived of you in the great eternities past. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will . (Eph 1:4-5) So what does St. Mark the apostle mean in his opening remarks in verse 1 of our text: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

First of all, Mark does not mean this account to be the Gospel of St Mark (though for simplicity, we call it that). He means the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ insofar as we can know it. It is the revelation of beautiful truths that have existed forever, but revealed to us in the time of God's own choosing. It does not mean, for example, the beginning of Jesus Christ, for He has eternally existed with the Father, and the Holy Ghost. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God!" (John 1:1) In fulfillment of the promise of God to Abraham and His spiritual Seed, Christ came in the fullness of time to fulfill all things spoken of Him by the prophets.

            When raveling to a new land, every great sovereign is preceded by emissaries who prepare the way for his visit, make all arrangements for his reception by the host people, and send out news (such as the Gospel news) of his coming. The emissary sent should reflect, though imperfectly, the nature of the Sovereign who comes. If the Sovereign takes particular interest in the poor and downcast, so should the emissary in selecting his schedule of events, insure that the Way is made ready so that those, especially, will have opportunity to be introduced to Him. The old prophets spoke profusely of this coming Sovereign, but they also spoke uncommonly often of His emissary. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)  and, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal 3:1) Truth is unquenchable and it resounds, not only across great distances, but also across the ages of time. So it is meet and right that Mark should echo and remind us of the great prophecies of one called John the Baptist: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

            I have always been struck by this clear and precise description of John the Baptist.  He is one who cries, not among the false lights of the city, but in the Wilderness. If men will come to hear a "voice crying in the wilderness" then they must have a serious reason to leave the comfort of Jerusalem and come. They either are drawn by the promptings of the Holy Spirit (for those hearts whose soils are rich to bear fruit), or by the spirit of anti-Christ who sends out his spies to learn of ways to stem the rising hopes of the people in a Redeemer. We have the same among us today in both kinds – and they are IN the Church more than OUTSIDE it. The dress of John the Baptist would have met with serious disdain from the First churches of today. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (Matt 3:4) There certainly was nothing special about John's appearance, but there certainly was something of an overriding importance in his message! He was a burden on none that he taught, unlike many modern seekers of filthy lucre. No one brought him steak and wine – he ate locusts and honey. He wore neither Armani, nor Gucci, suits but, rather, a robe of camel's hair and a leather girdle about his loins. The Pharisees and Jewish rulers must have been in a pickle to understand John. He appeared so very low and common, but what of these wondrous words that he spoke which so completely enthralled the crowds who flocked to hear him in the Wilderness? They simply could not lower their dignity from the dunghill of religious sophistry to the pinnacle of simple righteousness and truth found in John's preaching.

            John did not simply speak in even tones when he preached – he roared the message of the coming Savior as one "crying in the Wilderness." The message was to ALL who believed – not the ones who failed of faith and good will. The dark chambers of the heart were opened in the bosoms of many men and women to a new Voice – a new Truth (to them) of hope and wonder. Yet, it was not in the polished halls of the Temple at Jerusalem that they first learned of this hope – it was in the lonely Wilderness. Have you ever considered how much more clearly one can hear the Voice of God in a quiet place as opposed to the hustle and bustle of the city? The point of John's preaching in the Wilderness that most touches my heart is the fact that all who ever preached the Gospel before, or after, were as a Voice crying in the Wilderness. Perchance, one is easily enticed to go to the city square to hear a speaker; but they will not travel into the Wilderness to hear the words of a man dressed in camel's hair and a leather girdle unless there is something mighty special about his message. Did I say HIS message? I should have said "the Gospel of Jesus Christ." THAT message is worth travelling into the Wilderness to hear. If you are a minister of God, or a devoted witness, you, too, will be as a Voice crying in the Wilderness, calling men and women to the HIGHWAY – not the BROAD and DESCENDING Way – of the Lord. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt 7:13-14)

            If a man preaches the whole counsel of God, even with great love, the city crowds will not flock to his audience. Therefore, I hope that the ministers of God will cultivate the ground, and plant the seed, without expecting great success in the eyes of the world. The world has never known the meaning of truth and joy in Christ. If the numbers of Wilderness travelers remains few, be happy for the FEW! We sow the seeds of the Gospel – their germination and sprouting to the sun is the responsibility of the Holy Ghost. He works in the darkness of the soil, unseen by human eye, in creating the new life in the heart of the convert.

            I love John the Baptist as my true brother! He surely is! What does one see in John that would discourage love? He speaks the truth, as any real friend would do, even when it hurts the water of our face. He is dedicated and earnest. Finally, he is HUMBLE! We are often lifted up with pride at our tiny successes, or even a presumed superior knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Why should we be if the Word we have learned is not ours, but God's? 7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. It was, in the time of John, the responsibility of the lowest servant in a household to unloose the shoe latchets of guests, and to wash their feet. But John, by contrast with Christ, was not even worthy to SERVE Him – and, friend, neither are you and I.  If He calls us to the duty, He will MAKE us worthy through His own imputed righteousness.

It is the duty of every believer to be publicly baptized. That is the means by which, like circumcision, we come into the covenant relationship with Christ and His Church.  Faith, too, must be the work of the Holy Ghost in the heart. When, by the grace of God, faith is confirmed in the "broken and contrite heart" the Holy Ghost has baptized that heart in the heavenlies.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. It is not the outward form of baptism that is efficacious to us before God, but the inward and spiritual grace attaining thereto – else it is only a work of man's hands. It is much like the calling to the ministry and its recognition by the Church in the following ordination. If the head is ordained to preach, and the heart is not, there is no authority granted to preach. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph 4:4-6) Must we be baptized twice? Certainly not! There is one baptism for the remission of sins. The Holy Ghost atte4nd the believing heart in baptism just as we see that it presents Itself at the baptism of our Lord.

 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. "And it came to pass….." I love the casual manner in which God speaks of momentous events! Sure it came to pass, but it didn't simply come to pass as a matter of happenstance – it was foreordained from all time and eternity! When all of the stars of Heaven were drawn in perfect alignment; when all the words of the prophets had been met with fulfillment of time and purpose; when Christ had been incarnated and made a man after our physical likeness; when the approval of God the Father thundered down the halls of time – Christ was baptized by John in the unseemly little waters of Jordan. How seemingly inappropriate in the eyes of man, but altogether appropriate in the eyes of God! There was a time fixed for you coming to Christ. Do you feel that coming was accidental, or ON PURPOSE!

I hope you will notice that the presence of the Divine Trinity at the baptism of Christ….Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The Holy Spirit descended at the moment of baptism – not a long delay of months or years afterward; and the Voice of a joyful Father thundered out of Heaven! Did you feel the love and comfort of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost at your baptism, or in your confirmation? Though you may not have felt it in the first, it was nonetheless, present; and certainly the Trinity was present at your confirming faith in your baptism. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)

Bishop Dennis Campbell’s Sermon

Bishop Dennis is a brilliant speaker.  He is able to take biblical precepts and make them perfectly understandable, even to me.  Oft he provides the text of his sermons and I take the utmost pleasure in passing them on:

Peace

Psalm 99, Zechariah 8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Second Sunday after Trinity

January 20, 2013

Most of the Bible's teachings oppose what people would naturally expect of God. For example, we naturally expect to make peace with God through our own efforts. We think we can make ourselves good enough for God and atone for our sins by countering them with good deeds, like charitable giving, going to church, receiving communion, or doing acts of penance. There are other ways people attempt to blot out their own sins, but the point is that all these are human efforts, and man naturally tends to believe he can accomplish his own peace with God through his own efforts.

The Bible presents a different view. The Bible says peace with God is a gift. It is something God accomplishes for us, and gives to us free of charge. It has to be a gift because none of our good works could ever atone for our sins. Let me use a financial example. You owe God complete obedience. Failure to pay Him 100% obedience is to default on your debt, and any banker will tell you that you cannot make up for missing this month's mortgage payment simply by paying next month's. Likewise, you can't make up for not paying God all of what you owe, simply by paying Him part of what you owe. That won't make up for your sins. Only God can atone for your sins. You can only receive atonement as His gift. That's why it is called, "forgiveness."

The Church is a similar example. People naturally assume church membership and attendance is a personal choice and voluntary action. In our minds, our relationship to God is entirely personal and private. Every other person's is too. It is nice for people to form associations in which to worship, or pray, or attempt to persuade others to become Christians, but such associations, often called churches, are purely a matter of personal choice, convenience, and preference, and every Christian is free to join and attend, or not, as he or she sees fit.

Once again, the Bible gives a different view. The Old Testament Church, Israel, did not consist of individuals who happened to believe in the God of Abraham. Israel was a nation, a people, a family. Israel was the family of God. The same is true of the New Testament Israel, the Church. In Matthew 16:18 Christ Himself said, "I will build My church." In Matthew 28:19 the Apostles were commissioned to teach the Gospel to all nations, and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Baptized converts were not just baptized and left to be their own individual faith. They were baptized into the Church, for Acts 2:47 tells us "the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved." Colossians 1:18 says Christ is the head of the Church. Titus was placed in Crete by the Apostle Paul for the purpose of ordaining pastors of local congregations, and bishops to oversee them (Titus 1:5-9). Unto whom did Paul write the letters we now treasure as Scripture? "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth" (1 Cor. 1:2); "unto the churches of Galatia (Gal. 1:2); to the saints, bishops and deacons in Philippi (Phil 1:1); and "unto the church of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 1:1). Even when he doesn't use the word, "church" as in his letter to the Romans, it is clear throughout the book that he is addressing a particular congregation of believers, as part of the larger body and Church of Christ. And the New Testament assumes throughout that every Christian believer is baptized into Christ through the Church, and carries out his faith and worship within the context of the Church through its local manifestation in the local, particular churches.

The reading from Zechariah 8 tells of God bringing people together into the holy mountain of God. Jews will come, so will Gentiles. Strong nations, and men of other languages will be made one with faithful Israel.

1 Corinthians 12 teaches the unity that is to be of the essence of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Corinthians weren't very good at keeping the unity. In fact they are a sad example of how not to be a church. They had adopted heretical views and practices, and had made ecstatic experiences the essence of being a Christian. Thus, for many, worship was all about having, and being known, to have an experience. Speaking in tongues or prophesying, singing a song or anything to be seen by the rest of the congregation to make them think you were filled with the Holy Spirit became the objective. It needs to be noted that ecstatic experiences did happen in Apostolic times. It also needs to be noted that they were not the norm. In fact they were very rare. Divine healings were much more frequent than tongues, for example, and even healings seem to have become rare just a few years after Pentecost. So the Bible does not talk about healing services and tongues as the normal way of worship. It talks about preaching and hearing the word, prayer, the sacraments, loving one another, and holiness.

1 Corinthians 12 talks about valuing one another as part of the body of Christ, rather than attempting to impress others with your spirituality. It uses the illustration of the body, making the point that the feet are just as important as any other part of the body. I have often heard people compliment someones beautiful eyes, but I have never heard anyone compliment another person's feet. Yet no one would say the feet are not important. We take care of our feet. I've heard people say they're going to sit down and put their feet up, but I've never hear anyone say they're going to sit down and put their tongue up.

Here is the point, and this is what I am trying to say in this sermon. First you are a part of the Church. It is not an option. Your only choice is to be a good member or a bad member, and if you choose to be a bad member you have reason to doubt the validity of your faith in Christ. You are a member of His Church, so act like one. Conduct yourself with the humble dignity, obedience and love you would expect of people of such a high calling in life. Attend, support, and love a Biblical church. Take it seriously, God does. Second, every other Christian is just as much a part of the Church, and just as valuable to it as you. You need to treat them as though they are. You need to treat one another with a sense of reverence, and address one another with respect and humility. We would treat the actual, physical body of Christ with great respect, and we would conduct ourselves with great care and discretion in His presence. We should have a similar attitude toward the spiritual body of Christ, and every member of it. God grant that it may be so.

--

+Dennis Campbell

Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia

Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church

Powhatan, Virginia

www.HolyTrinityAnglicanOrthodoxChurch.org

www.lifeinthescriptures.blogspot.com

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s Sunday Sermon

We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon.  If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, expouse the truth and live the truth.    This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.

Sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Saint Peter noted in his first epistle (4:10) that: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. In St. Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian church (12:4-11) he reminds us that: ... there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit... dividing to every man severally as he will. The Rev. Matthew Henry once noted, “...that whatever gift, ordinary or extraordinary, whatever power, ability, or capacity of doing good is given to us, we should minister or do service with the same one to another. The talents we are entrusted with are our Lord’s goods... It is required in a steward that he be found faithful.” In our epistle lesson for today (Romans 12:6, and see also I Corinthians 12:11) the apostle Paul informs us that our spiritual gifts are to be used for edifying those within the body of Christ, while serving as a beacon to those without that they too might be motivated to enter into the fold of Christ.

Consider also the variety of spiritual gifts which the Holy Ghost imparts to believers as found in I Corinthians 12: the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge, (v.8); faith, and the gifts of healing,; (v.9); the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (v.10). It is not uncommon for some Christians to have more than one of these gifts. Likewise, it is not uncommon for some to receive only one. However, whether a Christian has been given one or all nine, the purpose of these gifts is furtherance of the gospel of truth in this sin-darkened world. The Rev. Matthew Henry carefully examined each one, so let us look at them in the light of his study.

The first is the word of wisdom which refers to “a knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel and [the] ability to explain them, an exact understanding of the design, nature, and doctrines of the Christian faith.” It does not take a seminary-trained leader to have this knowledge. The Holy Spirit puts a zeal for the study of God’s word into select believers for the express purpose of teaching others.

The second is the word of knowledge, which has to do with the “knowledge of mysteries wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old Testament. Others say [it is] a readiness to give advice and counsel in perplexed cases.” While this gift is similar to the previous one, there is a difference in application. This one seems to focus on the implementation rather than instruction. In order to be wise in the faith, one must possess a knowledge of it.

The third is faith which refers to “the faith of miracles, or... in divine power and promise by which they were enabled to trust God in any emergency, go on in the way of their duty, and acknowledge and profess the truths of Christ [regardless of] the difficulty or danger.” This is the one gift which all born-again Christians must have because without faith we cannot come to that saving understanding of Christ. We must believe that God can work miracles, that he can exercise his divine sovereignty in matters related to this world because he is the Creator and Maker of all things both visible and invisible. St. Paul noted in Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To quote Matthew Henry another time with regard to this passage, he said, “Faith demonstrates to the eye of the mind the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the body.” To be a Christian— a true and faithful Christian— you must have the gift of faith.

The fourth, the gifts of healing has to do with “the healing of the sick, either by laying on of hands, anointing with oil, or with a word.” St. James noted in his epistle that Is there any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. How often this gift has been misused and in turn been made a mock of by the worldlings who see the hocus-pocus show of charlatans who pass themselves off as servants of the Most High. They promise healing to broad gatherings and then because no one is healed the unbelieving critics heap ridicule on all believers. Yes, healing is possible. We know that because we have faith in God’s word written wherein it says healings can be had. But all has to conform to God’s plan and purpose. There were many righteous people in the Bible who never were healed of their ailments. But this does not disqualify the gift of healing, rendering it fraudulent. We ought to follow the directions as found in St. James’ epistle, then leave the rest to God in the firm belief that God can heal if he so wills to do.

The fifth, the working of miracles refers to “the efficacies of powers, such as raising the dead, restoring the blind to sight, giving speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and use of limbs to the lame.” We know that at any time, God can do these sorts of things for it is part and parcel of his sovereign authority in all areas of life and death. If he should so empower one or more members of the church to carry out such works, then those thus empowered ought to exercise that gift with much reverence and humility: not for gain or for fulfilling the desires of flesh, but for the glory of God.

The sixth is prophecy and is described as “the ability to foretell future events... or to explain scripture...” Prophesying remains a controversial subject. Still, nothing in any prophecy offered by one supposedly under the influence of the Holy Ghost will be at variance with Scripture. This requires discernment on the part of the one uttering the prophecy, as well as on the listener. God calls his own in different ways and we must not discount any prophetic communication without first being Bereans in our studies of the word.

The seventh is the discerning of spirits which refers to “the power to distinguish between true and false prophets, or to discern the real and internal qualifications of any person for an office, or to discover the inward workings of the mind by the Holy Ghost...” St. Peter was given this in his dealing with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and with Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:5-25).

The eighth and ninth, which are divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues must be exercised together. In the exercise of the former, the latter is absolutely essential. While the gospel does contain elements that are enigmatic; nevertheless, its presentation is to be plainly spoken to all and in a language that all can understand. If the use of tongues is carried out otherwise, the words of God will be rendered of no effect. Ergo, those who do not speak the language being uttered must have an interpreter present to translate. While certain charismatics will use Acts 2:1-11 as the proof text for their practice of speaking in tongues, such is clearly not in line with what took place at Pentecost as there were people from different countries present in Jerusalem to worship, and they each heard the wonderful words of God in their native languages.

Therefore, speaking in an unknown tongue has been and remains largely for the benefit of the unregenerate whom God is calling to himself. That is why in St. Paul in I Corinthians 14:1-40 set the specific requirements for speaking in tongues. Matthew Henry once noted that, “The Christian religion is a sober and reasonable thing in itself... and should not be made to look wild or senseless. Those [who do so] disgrace their religion and vilify their own character who do anything that has this aspect... Religious exercises in Christian assemblies should be such as are fit to edify the faithful, and convince, affect, and covert unbelievers. The ministry was not instituted to make ostentation of gifts and parts, but to save souls.” If we are not about that last point, then all else is show and spectacle.

We must remember that these spiritual gifts were designed to render glory unto God. Therefore a proper exercise of these gifts will be to our eternal good. Likewise, we should be cautious in our assumptions of these gifts, especially if we are doing so without godly permission. God will not bless our presumed efforts, and we will find that our exercise of them will be for naught on that day when we will have to give an account to our Lord Jesus Christ regarding those gifts (St. Matthew 25:14-30). St. Paul’s admonition to the Galatians (6:7) still stands: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap... Let us therefore live in obedience to his word written in all things.

Let us pray,

F

ather God, impart to us a proper knowledge of those spiritual gifts which thou hast given unto us, and then assist us as we utilize them in thy service; for this we ask in the name of him who is giver of every good and perfect gift, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed week,

Bryan+