Hymns of the Church – Te Deum Laudamus – 7 January 2020, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

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HEN was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. ² And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. ³ And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (Matthew 4:1-4 (KJV)

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HEN the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ⁷ Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  (Matthew 4:5-7)

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GAIN, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:7-10)

NOTE: With each temptation, note the response of the Lord – “IT IS WRITTEN!”

            Of uncertain origin in the form found in the Book of Common Prayer, the Te Deum Laudamus (God, we Praise Thee) in both Word and Spirit are derived directly from Holy Scripture. It is a summary of the Faith in God’s Words, not man’s. The Te Deum is a part of Morning Prayer in all traditional books of Common Prayer and represents a perfect description of our faith and worship.

            It may be a bit too formal for the average church today, but formality is an expression of sober and serious worship. In many churches today, the Bible itself is too serious and sober for their worship, so they accent their worship with frivolous and worldly songs, emotional outbursts, and claims of spiritual powers not granted by the Holy Spirit. The Ted Deum places the honor and glory where it belongs – with God. The hymn is said to have been first sung by St. Ambrose at the baptism of St. Augustin in the 4^th century. It might be said by the modern church that Bishop Ambrose was not duly consecrated. There would be great consternation on the validity of his succession since he never held an ecclesiastical office until he was made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation! If he was missing the proper paperwork, he was not missing the proper doctrinal succession which trumps any act of man every time. This devotion cannot cover all 29 verses of this hymn, so we will address its impact and testimony.

Te Deum Laudamus

WE praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud; the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;

The Father, of an infinite Majesty;

Thine adorable, true, and only Son;

Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.

THOU art the King of Glory, O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, in glory everlasting.

O LORD, save thy people, and bless thine heritage.

Govern them, and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee;

And we worship thy Name ever, world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let thy mercy be upon us, as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.

The late Rev. Dr. William Reed Huntington, Rector of Grace Church, New York, says: "Other hymns may surpass The Te Deum in the exhibition of this or that phase of feeling, but there is none that combines as this combines, all the elements that enter into a Christian's conception of religion. The Te Deum is an orchestra in which no single instrument is lacking; first or last, every chord is struck, every note sounded. The soul listens and is satisfied; not one of her large demands has been dishonored." Smith, Colonel Nicholas, 1901, Hymns Historically Famous, pg 1.

            This hymn has a broader application of biblical truth than any other hymn though many may have specific revelations of certain beauty, no other covers such a broad swath of those truths as the Te Deum.

            It seems altogether proper that this hymn should constitute a reading from Morning Prayer. It is a wonderful way in which to begin the day acknowledging the beauty of holiness in God. It may be sung or chanted either antiphonally, congregationally, chorally, or by the priest alone. It might be classified as the King of hymns for its beauty, scope and veracity in Holy Scripture. Deep wells of praise, faith, and Godly governance is extolled in this hymn, and it glorifies the King of Love and Glory – our Lord Jesus Christ.

            Since this hymn is sung at the beginning of each day in Morning Prayer, why not make it also the beginning hymn for the new year just turning, and continue every day of this new year? Too serious and somber? Not at all!  – nothing can be more serious, formal and sober than the worship due the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

            As stated earlier, I have not commented on the beauty of individual verses of this hymn. Why not? Because each verse is so simple, so beautiful, and so self-explanatory. How can I expand on the meaning of such verses as, “When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin?” This is a matter of biblical fact and history. What meaning can be added by further exposition? All of the verses ae likewise havens of simplicity and transparency. 

            Like all prayers and hymns, we may sing this one out of sheer abandonment and rote memory. If we do so, are we not taking the name of the Lord in vain by doing so? Every line, being pregnant with biblical and Holy Truth, is worthy of serious thought and consideration as we sing. If we observe that characteristic of our hymns, prayers, and Bible readings, we shall be benefitted with blessings far above the vulgar worship we observe in most churches of our day.

            Let’s make this Morning Prayer Canticle not only the beginning of our day in the Lord, but of our year, our decade, and all days left us under the sun.

AOC Sunday Report - Second Sunday after Christmas Day

Happy Second Sunday after Christmas Day, a Sunday we seldom visit,  The Epiphany being tomorrow!

The AOC Sunday Report is RIGHT HERE!

There are really great sermons today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.

As always there are a lot of people that need your prayer. Please take the time out to do a little praying today or tomorrow.  You never know how important it is for prayer until you are the recipient.

Tomorrow is the celebration of the Epiphany. You will find that the wisemen actually show up in the manger scene tomorrow. If they're there before hand, you need to work on history.

There is a really really great week ahead, but you won't find it without the Holy Ghost.

Godspeed,

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California

Sermon Notes - Second Sunday after Christmas - Given at St. Andrews Anglican Church (AOC) - Enterprise, Alabama - 5 January 2020, Anno Domini (in the Year of Our Lord)

The Second Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle

Isaiah lxi. 1.

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HE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The Gospel 


St. Luke ii. 25-40.

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ND, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. ²⁶  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. ²⁷  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, ²⁸  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, ²⁹  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: ³⁰  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, ³¹  Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; ³²  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. ³³  And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.  34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

            Revealed in the testimony of Simeon, Anna, Mary, and Joseph is the importance of attending to our duties of worship regularly. Simeon had done so for all his life and bore in his heart the great hope of seeing His Redeemer before death. The Holy spirit of god had informed him of the surety of that desire long before his attendance at the Temple on the day in question. He was a devout and righteous man whose life aim was satisfied in not only seeing, his salvation in Christ, but actually holding the Babe in his arms. God always rewards those of faith. The moment Mary entered with the child, Simeon knew, by the efficacious counsel of the Holy Ghost, that THIS was the promised Son of God! Faith and worship will always result in a great reward!

            There is another figure in this story whose faith and works deserve witness – the prophetess, Anna, an old saint of God worthy of our emulation. At the rich old age of 84, she was yet serving in the Temple night and day without ceasing – the calling of God knows no retirement age. She, too, recognized, by faith, the Christ Child without hesitation. Faith confirmed is a surer knowledge than any eye witness. 

            Do we have such a faith as evidenced in the lives of Simeon and Anna. We probably do not have at this instance, but I feel certain that the moment such faith is required, the Lord will exercise it to a full measure. 

            Now let us examine the lectionary text in detail beginning at the 34^th verse of St. Luke 2:

            There is a great Deep in the Grace of God that covers many waters and extends to greater depths than we are able to fathom.

VV 34 – “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.” There were many other Temple workers and worshippers in the Temple on that day, but only two are mentioned who recognized Christ. For worship to be effectual, it must be done in wisdom, spirit, and Truth. 

             What is meant by “The Fall of many?” Our Lord is the stone which the very builders rejected, and still reject. Many of your high spiraled churches with the wealth and assets of major banking institutions often obscure the beauty of true faith and dilute the truth so that it is no long truth. “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17 

            Jesus Christ brings all things to a fullness which they did not possess before His coming. The Law itself is fulfilled in Christ. The mysterious Deep of the Sea of Wisdom is brought to the Great Light in Christ so that we see and know our lostness, and understand the means of our Salvation. Like a deep sea creature that has never seen the sunlight, we are showered with effulgent beams in the glorious appearing of our Lord. 

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." John 14:6

This was a new Truth for all upon the Earth. The Jews, who took pride in their righteousness from obedience to the Law, refused to accept that Grace was free to all regardless of their racial or national origins.

·      Pride prevented their coming to Christ in great numbers. 

·      Pride is the downfall of many – more than from murder and lies.

·      Pride brought down to the Pit, the beautiful and powerful Archangel, Lucifer.

 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15

            Not only those in Israel, but those even in the heights of power – Satan himself.

 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in 

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” Matt 21:42-46

As we see, the Coming of Christ has changed all things. No longer are we in bondage to the Law, but are free by Grace. That does not mean that we are antinomianists – we do not flaunt the Law of God. But we love His Law and observe it out of love and not out of a rock-written compulsion!

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2: 8

            Today, we stand or fall upon the Cross of Christ.

            And are we yet judged by our sins. Certainly, but not condemned. The condemnation for our sins is certain death.

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9

            “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” Rom 5:8-14

So we can see that by the sin of Adam, death, pain and suffering fell upon us as inheritors of his sinful blood.But through the second Adam, Christ, life eternal.

            Our condemnation, engendered by the Serpent in the Garden at Eden, was death.

Our Redemption through Christ, is life eternal.

            The condemnation is paid by Christ. He died for our sins in our stead so that we who accept this pardon, are saved from the wrath of God.

ARE YOU, FRIEND?

Second Sunday after Christmas Day

The Second Sunday after Christmas Day.

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The reading for the Epistle comes from the Book of Isaiah, the Sixty-First Chapter beginning at the First Verse:

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HE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The Holy Gospel came from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew, the Second Chapter beginning at the Nineteenth Verse:

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HEN Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Sermon - Rev Jack Arnold

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon ties together the propers, that is to say the prayer and readings for this week.  Due to calendar considerations, we do not oft get to celebrate the Second Sunday after Christmas as there are only 12 days in Christmastide, but this is one of those years!

Consider these words from the Collect, “…God, who hast poured upon us the new light of thine incarnate Word; Grant that the same light enkindled in our hearts may shine forth in our lives…”

First, note God has given us the New Light of Jesus Christ in the world and in our lives as the Word Incarnate, or the Word in the Flesh.  We did not earn it He gave it to us!  Gave, as in we did nothing to deserve it. It is a gift of God’s wonderful Grace!  However once we have it, to show we really do have it. we must do something with the Word, hence the second part that His Word might shine in our lives. We must let the Word spur us into action! We are asking for the light of the Word will take root in our hearts and shine forth as action in our lives.  That is to say that our lives will act as an open window to the Word, not a closed door. We want the window to show our lives have been renewed by Christ’s presence to encourage others to follow Him as well. In order for that to be so, we have to act upon the Scriptures and Christ’s teachings, and do our very best, and not just say it, to follow Him.

The reading used for the Epistle is not an Epistle as such, but a portion of the Book of Isaiah, one of the Old Testament books filled with New Testament ideas and thoughts.  Without the freedom that Jesus brings us, we are prisoners of the darkest prison, our heart separated from God.  If we embrace His Gift of freedom, Jesus will free us from our darkest prison and we will be truly free, with eternal life starting as soon as we accept it.   In the reading, Isaiah says what we should all be saying, The Lord has selected us to pass on His Good Tidings to all, to tell the world the Good News of the Lord Jesus!  To comfort those in need, to bring happiness where there is heaviness, to talk of the Glory of God!  Good News indeed! Jesus will be proclaiming liberty to us, the former captives of the sin that would bring us to a final death. Instead of death, He proclaims light and light to all the hearts who accept Him. This is absolutely terrific news indeed!

On the surface, in the Gospel, Matthew is just relating the historical fact of Joseph being told to go back into Israel with Mary and Jesus, that all was safe for the time being.  Yet, there is more.  The verses also recall the threat to Jesus’ life from Herod and sends Joseph and his family to take up residence in Nazareth in fulfillment of the prophecy that the King of Kings would be called a Nazarene.

So what of us?  How do we fit in to all this?

We are to spread the light unto the world, to be beacons, directing the people of the World to follow Christ and not the World. We are the lamp bearers, the torch bearers, bringing the light of Scripture unto the darkest places. We are like the light of Galadriel, which was given to Frodo in Lord of the Rings, that it might be a light “unto the darkest places.” Indeed this world is dark, a lot like the world of Mordor, also from Lord of the Rings. Even when we despair and all seems hopeless, with Christ and the Holy Ghost in our hearts, we can ride out amidst the darkness of the world and triumph over what seems like overwhelming odds, when the evil folk outnumber the good folk. With this rallying to our King, we can defeat anything that evil throws at us. We know in the end our side wins for all eternity. We have the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us in difficult times and the wonderful guide of Scripture to guide us.

So too shall Scripture be a light for us and others in the darkest times and places on this planet. Christ is the great guiding star, like the North Star for sailors of old to navigate by. So too shall we navigate by Christ as our great guiding star. If we hold the light up, we shall never fall and stumble. But if we do not hold it up, we will fall and stumble. So the obvious solution to our problems when we are troubled is to turn back and hold up the light to light our way.

That is to say, to return to the Scriptures and His Word and consult Him for guidance and not look for true guidance from the heart of man. Christ will show us the way.  But, for us to find The Way, we must allow it to take root in our hearts and then act upon The Way. This is the one true Way we must follow. If we allow the Holy Spirit into our hearts, we will find this Way. He will give us guidance on how and where to act, we just need to listen.  

In order to have it take root, we must be opened to His Word and not shut and deaf to Him.   He cannot come in if we will not let him, so we must open our hearts and minds to Him.  The Holy Ghost is a big part of this. His job is to enter into our hearts to give us understanding, to make our hearts receptive to His Will, to inspire us to do His Will in a manner which will be effective.  Our Lord will free us from ourselves if we open the door, so we must be willing and ready to accept Him. We have to be ready, willing and able to receive Him and to spread His Word, to have a true solid, Christian faith. 

In order to be of help to others who would come to Christ, we must walk the walk besides talking the talk; we must not be as hypocrites, saying one thing but doing another. We do not want to be like the Pharisees of old, with their lavish prayers and gestures in the public. But we must be like the publican who would not so much as lift His eyes up onto the heavens. We must have a humble, hearty and contrite spirit, to spread the Word of the Lord to those who need to hear it most.

The time has come to show the light unto the world. The time has come to choose God or Satan. The choice is like those in the Lord of the Rings[1]. Do we choose the Light, like the Men of the West and Aragorn of Gondor, or do we choose the forces of Darkness, of Mordor and their allies? Who shall we choose? Our actions shall show our hearts. “For where your heart is, there shall your treasure be also.”

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

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[1] No so surprising a comparison as you might think if you knew little of literature. The great fantasy and children’s writers, John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien, Clive Stapleton (CS) Lewis and Gilbert Keith (GK) Chesterton were all friends and more importantly, devoted well educated Christians.   While they are famous for their apparently secular fantasy writings, there is a Christian theme woven through each of their works.

Our High Priest, 3 January 2020, Anno Domini

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 EEING then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast ourprofession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 1  For every high priest taken from among men is ordained  for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb 4:14-16,  5:1-10)

            The High Priest of which we speak today is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. His sacrifice at Golgotha replaced the Hebrew high priest once and for all. Only the High Priest was permitted in the Holy of Holies to offer intercessory prayers for the people; but that role changed when Christ became our High Priest and only Intercessor with the Father. He became the Altar of Burnt Offerings at the entry of the Tabernacle, the Bronze Laver of Purity and Reflection, and the Veil which was torn (top to bottom) at His surrendering His Spirit. 

The Levitical High Priest alone was allowed to pass through the curtain veil of the Temple into the Holy of Holies (and presence of God). No other priest was allowed, but served in worship at the Temple. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Our High Priest is not only ‘another’ High Priest, but the Great High Priest who has passed through the veil of the heaven of heavens and into the presence of God the Father. He has thus secured for us a rest, or Sabbatical, which no other priest or high priest could secure. It is a rest in the best sense of the Sabbath – for the rest we have in Christ is an eternal Sabbath and not merely one day in seven. 

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He felt greater physical and spiritual pain than we can ever experience. He was tempted in every manner and measure as we are tempted and, yet, He was sinless in every particular. The amazing truth is that the ONLY One who was sinless and worthy of heaven died in the stead of ALL those who were not worthy and who were, indeed, full of sin. This High Priest was not of the same order as the Levitical and legalistic priesthood, but a “priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” The Throne of God is a Throne of Judgment, but has become, through the Atoning Death of Christ, a Throne of Grace whereby our Lord and High Priest intercedes for us in obtaining Grace where none was merited. We obtain it through His Merits in claiming the Promise.

“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Every High Priest of the Hebrews was taken from among the men of the family of Aaron. He was a man as we are men. And the High Priest offered sacrifices for sins on our behalf. The Hebrew High Priest offered the blood of lambs, goats and bullocks on the altar as a foreshadowing of the more perfect sacrifice to come. He could not offer himself as a sacrifice. But our Great High Priest did just that! “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:12-14). Who else was worthy but Christ? NONE! “Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.”

“And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” This verse lends credibility to the principle of Apostolic Succession (Doctrinal as well as formal) that we practice in the Anglican tradition. But yet, even if the Hebrew Canon had called for the continued succession of High Priest, there remains no High Priest to us but Christ. There is no Archbishop (even if the Bible had given the order), no Bishop, no Priest – no man – who can fulfill the high calling of Christ as High Priest.

“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” Christ never presumed the calling as High Priest, but awaited the calling of God the Father. Would our churches not be greater citadels of truth if every man in Holy Orders had first examined diligently his calling long before he sought it? Let God do the Calling and man the acknowledgement thereof. There is much ado in modern Bible versions concerning the phrase: “Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” There should not be. This has no application for the begetting of the Son of God on a certain time, for He has been the Son of God from before the Creation of the Worlds and all eternity past. He is the only One who has the substance and issue of the Father, and therefore the full nature of God the Father. He was incarnated on a given day in Bethlehem in human form, but this was only the beginning of His earthly walk of thirty-three years. His Heavenly walk HAS encompassed, and IS encompassing, and WILL encompass, all of Eternity across the full spectrum of it.

“As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” In the biblical record, there was only one priestly Melchizedek! So the title here is Priest, for Christ is one of a kind in His workings and ministry, His High Calling, and Purpose; whereas, the Aaronic priesthood was comprised of many. Melchizedek was at once, man, priest, and king. So was our Lord whose ministry was prefigured by that of Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18 & Hebrews 7:1).

“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” As a Son, He was obedient in all things; however, His sufferings were a dimensional experience which He had never before endured. He thereby served as our example of cross-bearing in service but, more importantly, as our Redeeming High Priest.     

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Our Lord Jesus Christ was ever perfect from Eternity Past. But He was completed in that perfection in the actual performance of that to which He had agreed in purchasing our salvation. He alone, of all the host of Heaven, suffered the terrible rejection, humiliation, and sufferings of the cross. It was a previously unfelt experience - for heaven! Please note this phrase: “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” He did not become the author of eternal salvation unto any who ‘disobey’ Him! He came bringing gifts to men; however, a gift may be offered, but it does not become a gift until it is received by the beneficiary.            “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” – an High Priest after the order of Melchizedek! Melchizedek was one of a kind in the order of his priesthood; however, Melchizedek is not made reference to directly as a High Priest, but priest only! Christ is the only High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek! Like Melchizedek, He offers wine and bread to us – but it is the Wine of His own Blood and the Bread of His own Body. This Melchizedek did not do. The Redeeming Wine (Blood) of our Great High Priest makes possible the next blessing of the Sacrament – the Bread of His Body and of Heaven. Please understand the high reverence we should observe in our sacramental memorial and partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ at time of Communion that our eyes may be made continually open to Christ!

Hymns of the Church – Something Old, Something New – 31 December 2019, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

            I must admit I am plagiarizing myself on this hymn devotion; however, I find the subject hymn the most excellent upon which to comment at the beginning of a new year.

            There is one story that is unchanging, absolute, and immutable – the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ beginning at Genesis 1:1 and concluding at Revelations 22:21. The most ancient of truths will become the New Creation of that New Beginning created of God on the final sound of the Trumpet. The Ancient Landmark of God’s Word, long abandoned by the wider church, will become the new Chart and Compass for that new Creation.

            There is, in the deepest chambers and sinews of the heart of each person, a longing for the better elements of the ancient times past. If the lyrics are ignored, there is something spiritually appealing in the tune, Auld Lang Syne - it evokes tender and cherished memories, does it not? The tenderness of a mother’s embrace remains deeply woven into the mystic longings of the most savage of men. A father’s tenderness of a kiss on the brow of a precious little daughter is the fabric that is woven into her heart of love forever. This is the beginning of love sent down from the Father and Author of Love. It is echoed in the mother’s and father’s love for their children just as God regards those of His own Elect from His Fountain of Love. The truly Old is identical to the truly New in God’s equation. The Garden of Eden (the Paradise of God) remains unchanged on deposit beyond the Gates of Splendor along with that beautiful Tree of Life which is Christ:

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ND he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5)  

Though our society, along with many churches, have become drunken with the new wine of social immorality, the ancient truth remains written large in the annals of God and His Ancient Landmark, But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. Neither the wizard of medicine nor the perverse desires of fallen man can alter that fact one iota! All the surgeries of the physician will not alter the inherent DNA even to the slightest in atomic and molecular structure.

I want to share with you the Old, Old unchanging story of God’s love at the beginning of this year; but first, I would like to request that you make a list of ten-only resolutions for the New Year of some big improvement in your life, or some bad habits or deeds you will forsake. Place them in your Bible and wait two months; then, open your Bible and see how good you are at keeping your own Ten Commandments! If you are unable to keep your own petty resolutions, how do you ever expect to keep those Commandments of God? The only means of obedience must be enforced by love that echo’s that greater Love from God, the Father of Lights, above. It is His love and grace that opens the floodgates of mercy and sacrificial living for us! And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:5-6)

Tell Me The Old, Old Story

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HOM shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (Isaiah 28:9-11)

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HUS saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jer 6:16)

            The oldest and most priceless story ever told is the Old, Old Story of the Redeemer promised by God in Eden’s lush Garden. Mrs. Kate Hankey has performed a wonderful service to the Church in writing a hymn that brings to mind the grandeur and critical importance to us of remembering every detail of that ‘Old, Old Story of Unseen Things Above.’ This is by no means the only hymn by Hankey that directs our memory back to those treasures of God’s Word from Eden until now. Another, among many, is entitled, I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY. Today’s hymn was composed in 1866 during a serious illness. The music is by William Howard Doane. (1869) I will relate another testimonial associated with the story which I quote from Mr. Steven Miller: 

The story is told of a dear old saint who was dying in Ireland, and a young minister who came in to be at his bedside. The old saint enjoyed conversation, but the younger man confessed his embarrassment in not knowing how to keep up the conversation. The dying man consoled his visitor by saying, Just tell me the old, old story. Just the old, old story, nothing more. It is said that when this incident was related to Miss Hankey, it inspired her to write her famous hymn.

Tell Me The Old, Old Story

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above, 

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. 

Tell me the story simply, as to a little child, 

for I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled. 

Refrain:

Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story, 

tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and his love.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in, 

that wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin. 

tell me the story often, for I forget so soon; 

the early dew of morning has passed away at noon. 

Refrain: 

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave; 

remember I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save. 

Tell me the story always, if you would really be, 

in any time of trouble, a comforter to me. 

Refrain: 

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear 

that this world's empty glory is costing me too dear. 

Yes, and when that world's glory is dawning on my soul, 

tell me the old, old story: Christ Jesus makes thee whole. 

Refrain: 

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. Tell me the story simply, as to a little child, for I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled  It is an irony of the spirit that often the one who suffers physical blindness can see those unseen things above’ far better than those of us with 20/20 physical vision. Our youth choir today (Palm Sunday) sang Praise Him, Praise Him by the lady blind from infancy – Fanny Cosby. Many of Fanny’s hymns dwell upon seeing and believing, but she means seeing with the Spirit and not the eyes. The ancient fathers knew something of the love of God, but I do not believe they could fully grasp the beauty and completeness of its expression in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was LOVE personified! Is it the vanity of pride that prevents us from believing as a little child for, 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven..(Matt 18:2-4) There is no soul with greater joy than that of a little child who knows he is loved. If we belong to Christ, there could no greater love be showered upon us than that of the One who laid down His life to redeem us from our sins. 

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in, that wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin. tell me the story often, for I forget so soon; the early dew of morning has passed away at noon. Amazing point here from which preachers could learn an important lesson. Christ never screamed or jumped about in pretended drama while preaching. He most often sat down and spoke in a very conversational tone. Truth needs no human emphasis. I do not say that the normal accentuated pitch and tone of the voice should not be used in making points in preaching; but, really, are we entertainers or servants of God called upon to share His Word? One cardinal rule of teaching and learning is this: Repetition aids recall. There is repetition of ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ in God’s Word. Important points are repeated often to reinforce their importance to us. We need to hear the old, old story of our Lord from Genesis to Revelations, and often repeated. Not only are our memories incapable of holding every point, but even those points that we do remember need regular watering with the Word. The dew aids the rose every morning, but it evaporates in the heat of life and needs the replenishment of distillation each day.

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave; remember I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save. Tell me the story always, if you would really be, in any time of trouble, a comforter to me. Does the spiritual manner with which we expound upon the Word of God matter? Yes! It definitely matters. Let me give you an example from Holy Scripture. Do you recall the incident at Jacob’s Well in which a Samaritan Woman of ill repute came to the Well to be met by Christ? She was notorious in the village as an adulteress; however, her credibility changed once she knew Christ. The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?  Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. (John 4:28-30) Suddenly, the woman had a new credibility. Her fervency of expression proved that ‘something’ had happened in her heart.  And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. (John 4:39) The woman’s testimony had the ring of truth. Many BELIEVED on Christ for her testimony. Do we have that strength of faith in our own testimonies so that men will believe our testimonies?

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear that this world's empty glory is costing me too dear. Yes, and when that world's glory is dawning on my soul, tell me the old, old story: Christ Jesus makes thee whole.  Please let us adhere to that SAME old story preached by the prophets, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Apostles. If we will demand pure water from the spring, we must drop our buckets upstream from the herd where men and beasts have muddied the waters. The story is changeless and immutable. It is all the seamless story of redemption and election in Christ from the beginning. Christ healed lepers, the paraplegic, the demon possessed, the deaf and dumb, and the blind; but these healings are not sufficient to make one whole – the entire man must be healed to be made whole. Only our Lord can make us whole in body, mind, and soul. Though we may forget, we pray the Holy Ghost to bring to our remembrance all that is written in Holy Scripture about our Lord Jesus Christ, and that, by the way, is every Word of Scripture. 

Refrain

 Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and his love. Three times for emphasis is the appeal repeated Tell me the old, old story and it could be repeated one thousand times without exaggeration. The old, old story is sealed by that inestimable LOVE of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The heart of each saint has the Crimson Seal of His blood upon the Gates and passageways of the Temple of his Heart. 

AOC Sunday Report

Happy First Sunday after Christmas, which is also the remembrance of the Holy Innocents this year, a not so happy day.  Read the report RIGHT HERE and learn  why.

Sorry for the late report.  I made the prayer list twice, like yesterday, one good, one not.

There are great sermons from Bishop Roy and Rev Bryan and one from me.

Like always, there are a number of people on the prayer list. Please take the time to pray for at least a few of them.  There is a great week and year ahead, you won't find it without the Holy Ghost. You might take time to think about that while you're at it.  Like always, there are a number of people on the prayer list. Please take the time to pray for at least a few of them.

There is a great week and year ahead, you won't find them without the Holy Ghost. You might take time to think about that while you're at it.

Godspeed,

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, CA