Septuagesima - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon – With Video

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/7oqs-HyhGds

 

Today’s Collect asks God to hear us and though we are due punishment for our imperfextion that He might account us as sufficient through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Saint Paul reminds the people of Cornith and us that we will never gain our crown of incorruption (eternal life) if we do not try; as successful racer must be coderate in all things.  The Gospel is Matthew’s account of the parable of the vineyard workers with its many lessonsl  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how. 

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.

 

The Epistle for today 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.

 

The Holy Gospel for today 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 Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion, Descanso, California

Rev Jack's sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/7oqs-HyhGds

Today’s sermon ties together the propers, that is to say the prayer and readings for this week. 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 …”  To get into heaven we need to be accounted as perfect.  Yet, we cannot be “cured” of sin nor “improved” to perfection. So how do we solve this irregularity? We know we ourselves cannot solve our dilemma.  Who can?  There is a solution for us!  Consider the words of John Newton[1] near the end of his life, “Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior!” The answer lies in the latter part of Newton’s quote. Jesus is the answer to this great dilemma. Our sins would be justly punished by eternal damnation, yet there is hope in our Lord. He brought us this hope by His Death upon the Cross and delivered it in the Resurrection. Without His Sacrifice one time for all mankind, there would be no hope for our eternal future. But Jesus is our hope for that eternal future. We just have to do our best to follow His commandments and to stay the course He has set for our lives.

 

What Paul speaks of in his Epistle is the great reward we receive for holding steady to that course which God has set for us. For eternal salvation is the delivery promised to each of us by Jesus. God does not promise us an easy life here on Earth, there will be many trials and tribulations set before us. But we have to remember the reward for holding steady to that course will make undergoing all the trials and tribulations worth it. We will under go many triumphs and tribulations, we will make mistakes (some bigger than others, hopefully non life altering) and learn from them, our life will ebb and flow like the waves but as long as we stay the course, then all will be well. 

 

Make no mistake, like a marathon, this run requires frequent training in the Scriptures and acting upon the concepts in Scriptures. And like marathon runners, we receive a wonderful prize.  However, it is a prize that has value beyond anything on Earth. The prize is for the promise of an eternal, unending life, to be spent with our Lord and Savior Jesus. It is for the promise of a world unaffected by the tarnish of sin, unblackened by the sinful deeds of imperfect beings. It is an unshadowed world.  It shall be true happiness at last, to meet with our beloved family, our Christian heavenly family, friends and beloved pets. 

 

Eternal salvation is a far more priceless treasure than anything we could acquire on Earth, truly priceless except for the death of our Saviour and resurrection. That is the only price involved with our eternal freedom.  As the saying goes, there is no free lunch. Eternal life does not come to us without cost. The cost was Jesus’ one time sacrifice for all time for all mankind. Keep the eyes on the prize, as it were!  And realize that prize does not come free. We have to run the race set before us and follow Jesus in order to receive our prize of eternal life. We have to be constantly focusing on this fact. 

 

When times get really hard, and it is tempting to give up sometimes; that is when we must redouble our efforts and focus our end goal, remaining on the path towards Heaven. There will be times when we get very discouraged but we must not give up!  We must remember the reward we will receive in the end and keep our eyes focused on our goal of finishing the race that is set before us.

 

Our eyes should be focused on the finish line, not our “competition.”  We have a tendency to compare ourselves to the competition but in this case it is not helpful.  We need to focus on how we are doing and compare it to the guidebook of Holy Scriptures and evaluate our performance. If we are lacking, we just make the needed adjustments until we are in compliance with scriptures.

 

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.  Christianity is not about competition, about being other people to the finish line. In fact, it is about helping others around us to the finish line to the best of our abilities, if they are willing to let us help them.  

 

The useful question is, “Am I doing the best I can?”  We have to answer that question; if we are not doing our best, then we need to change it.  Think of how we can do our best and then set our course to do that. And, we must remember this is a Team Effort. We have to want to win, and in order to win the race set before us; we have to perform actions. Action must first start with our neighbors and work our way outward. We cannot affect the whole world, but if we each work together on our part of the world and work for their, we can change the world. However, it must be a team effort, we cannot all do it alone.  We need each and every person in our Team to put aside any potential grudges and work together for Him so that we can advance His Cause here on Earth.

 

Acting is the best visible proof to others that we do indeed have faith. Faith without any sort of actions is a false faith. But if we have faith with action backing it up then we have the true faith. It is not good enough to just read the Word, we need to read what the Word says and then put it into action in our own lives.

 

 

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.  There is the lesson that the deathbed conversion gains the same prize of eternal life as the lifelong follower, but there is a lot more in it for everyday life.  A person who comes to Christ late in life receives the same eternal benefits as a person who followed Christ from the age of reason. And that there is no need for any jealousy between a lifelong Christian and one who comes to Christ late in life. They both will receive the same reward for following Christ if they stay the course, so there should be no reason for the life long Christian to lord how long he has been a Christian over the other person.

 

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.  Don’t complain because somebody else got the same deal as you did sooner. One meaning of this parable is that “cradle” Christians are no more likely to go to heaven than this morning’s convert.  They just get to enjoy the Christian experience longer. However, you should not wait until the last minute to join the gang, your time here might end before you get around to it.   So, don’t wait until tomorrow to act, do it today while you still have time!

 

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!

 

Christ gave us eternal life.  But, we have to accept it.  Once you accept it, start living as if you will live forever.  You will; and you will have to live with your actions forever!  So, Act early and Act often! 

 

There is but one way to heaven.

 

That easy to find, easy to follow, easy to hike downhill path does not lead to the summit where eternal life in the real world awaits.  Open your heart to the Holy Ghost, use His Power to follow our Lord to God who awaits in heaven.

 

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

---

[1] John Newton; 4 August 1725 – 21 December 1807) was an English Anglican cleric, a captain of slave ships who later became an abolitionist, and an investor of trade. He served as a sailor in the Royal Navy for a period after forced recruitment.

 

Newton went to sea at a young age and worked on slave ships in the slave trade for several years. In 1745, he himself became a slave of Princess Peye, a woman of the Sherbro people. He was rescued, returned to sea and the trade, becoming Captain of several slave ships. After retiring from active sea-faring, he continued to invest in the slave trade. Some years after experiencing a conversion to Christianity, Newton later renounced his trade and became a prominent supporter of abolitionism. Now an evangelical, he was ordained as a Church of England cleric and served as parish priest at Olney, Buckinghamshire, for two decades. He also wrote hymns, the most well known beng "Amazing Grace"

Sermon Notes - Septuagesima - Are you ready? - 5 February 2023, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord) - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

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.

 

           

The Collect

We now enter upon a transition period of Pre-Lent separating the joyous season of Christmas/Epiphany and the penitential fast associated with the Lenten Season.  Septuagesima is exactly sixty-three days before Easter. Sexagesima is fifty-six prior, and Quinquagesima forty-nine. We owe the designation of the three primary Sundays before Lent to Saint Gregory the Great, and to his rendering the first lectionary readings for the church calendar. Though he was called Pope, he was rather the Bishop of Rome who was a devout minister and a leader of his people. He opposed the Lombard invasion and successfully concluded a treaty with them. He saw Italy through great famine and epidemics of plague and other diseases. He compiled the Gregorian Sacramentary out of which many of our Collects are taken. The two (designated) great Bishops of Rome were Leo and Gregory. Both faced great dangers from both within and without Rome; therefore, I believe such persecution and danger engendered a greater faithfulness to the religion of Christ!

 

            This COLLECT does not disdain punishment that we so rightly deserve, but to the pardon, redemption, and mercy made available in Christ our Lord.  The ONLY thing that we truly DESERVE is justice! And if we receive the justice we deserve, we shall spend our eternities in Hell. “…we, who are justly punished for our offences.” In praying this Collect, we readily admit that we deserve punishment for our manifold sins. Though we have no water of our own, we may beg for it in a desert place. If given, it would be given out of mercy and not deserved in any sense. Mercy, not justice, is the thing we most need and desire. Justice becomes fulfilled in the blood of Christ once we have made appeal, through Him, for Mercy! The whole of man can be remedied by the simple mercy of God. Remember when Christ was passing along the road out of Jericho, two blind beggars hailed Him: And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. (Matt 20:29-31) They sought only mercy first, and then received their sight.

 

            To the devout Christian, divine punishment is justly deserved by all; but it is the grace of God whereby we are reconciled to God, forgiven, restored, and redeemed of our death sentence. We need never ask of God what we deserve for, without His grace, we all would receive the just deserts for our sin and transgressions. But it is His great mercy, a corollary of grace that restores us to a position of favor with God. If we may only receive God’s mercy, what more shall we need? He is All-Merciful and All-Forgiving. If we stand in His favor, even in the violent storms of life, need we fear any force of evil? 

 

            The Collect for Septuagesima Sunday is one of the few that concludes with a most glorious ending –“….through Jesus Christ our Saviour,  who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.” Of course, it is a forceful reminder of the Trinity of the Godhead. If we discount either Person of the Godhead, we have no Godhead upon which to call – as the three dimensions of height, depth, and width describe dimensions of a material object (and without one of which there would exist no mass) –so the Three Persons of the godhead comprise the full defining character of God.

 

            Do we realize how perfectly GOOD is the Lord Jesus Christ? In fact, the word ‘good’ derives from the Middle English word for God, for God is truly GOOD. For example, ‘Good Bye’ derives from the Middle English term of the 1500’s of godbwye – or God be with you! Amazing that the atheists use this term every day without knowing, isn’t it? Or that they, all around the world, acknowledge Christ’s birth in their calendar year of 2022 years from his birth. The new politically correct dating system – BCE – CE – Before Common Era – Common Era is a word game.  The only thing common to both is Christ.  They date from the birth of our Lord and Savior, whether they admit it or not. 

 

            Standing, as we do, in the period between His Glorious Coming (Christmas), and His great going through His death on the Cross (Calvary), we may be best disposed to simply seek that mercy for which He came to redeem us. We are thankful for His Coming, and thankful to the promise of Redemption at the end of Lent. It is summarized in this great Collect.

 

A

ND 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. ²⁵ The 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. 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. 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. (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 the Gospel text for today, we note that 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. ²⁴And 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 hisfather? 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? 

Collect for Septuagesima – 5 February 2023, 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.

 

            We now enter upon a transition period of Pre-Lent separating the joyous season of Christmas/Epiphany and the penitential fast associated with the Lenten Season.  Septuagesima is exactly sixty-three days before Easter. Sexagesima is fifty-six prior, and Quinquagesima forty-nine. We owe the designation of the three primary Sundays before Lent to Saint Gregory the Great, and to his rendering the first lectionary readings for the church calendar. Though he was called Pope, he was rather the Bishop of Rome who was a devout minister and a leader of his people. He opposed the Lombard invasion and successfully concluded a treaty with them. He saw Italy through great famine and epidemics of plague and other diseases. He compiled the Gregorian Sacramentary out of which many of our Collects are taken. The two (designated) great Bishops of Rome were Leo and Gregory. Both faced great dangers from both within and without Rom; therefore, I believe such persecution and danger engendered a greater faithfulness to the religion of Christ!

 

            This COLLECT does not disdain punishment that we so rightly deserve, but to the pardon, redemption, and mercy made available in Christ our Lord.  The ONLY thing that we truly DESERVE is justice! And if we receive the justice we deserve, we shall spend our eternities in Hell. “…we, who are justly punished for our offences.” In praying this Collect, we readily admit that we deserve punishment for our manifold sins. Though we have no water of our own, we may beg for it in a desert place. If given, it would be given out of mercy and not deserved in any sense. Mercy, not justice, is the thing we most need and desire. Justice becomes fulfilled in the blood of Christ once we have made appeal, through Him, for Mercy! The whole of man can be remedied by the simple mercy of God. Remember when Christ was passing along the road out of Jericho, two blind beggars hailed Him: And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. (Matt 20:29-31) They sought only mercy first, and then received their sight.

 

            To the devout Christian, divine punishment is justly deserved by all; but it is the grace of God whereby we are reconciled to God, forgiven, restored, and redeemed of our death sentence. We need never ask of God what we deserve for, without His grace, we all would receive the just deserts for our sin and transgressions. But it is His great mercy, a corollary of grace that restores us to a position of favor with God. If we may only receive God’s mercy, what more shall we need? He is All-Merciful and All-Forgiving. If we stand in His favor, even in the violent storms of life, need we fear any force of evil? 

 

            The Collect for Septuagesima Sunday is one of the few that concludes with a most glorious ending – “….through Jesus Christ our Saviour,  who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.” Of course, it is a forceful reminder of the Trinity of the Godhead. If we discount either Person of the Godhead, we have no Godhead upon which to call – as the three dimensions of height, depth, and width describe dimensions of a material object (and without one of which there would exist no mass) – so the Three Persons of the godhead comprise the full defining character of God.

 

            Do we realize how perfectly GOOD is the Lord Jesus Christ? In fact, the word ‘good’ derives from the Middle English word for God, for God is truly GOOD. For example, ‘Good Bye’ derives from the Middle English term of the 1500’s of godbwye – or God be with you! Amazing that the atheists use this term every day without knowing, isn’t it? Or that they, all around the world, acknowledge Christ’s birth in their calendar year of 2022 years from his birth. The new politically correct dating system – BCE – CE – Before Common Era – Common Era is a word game.  The only thing common to both is Christ.  They date from the birth of our Lord and Savior, whether they admit it or not.  

 

            Standing, as we do, in the period between His Glorious Coming (Christmas), and His great going through His death on the Cross (Calvary), we may be best disposed to simply seek that mercy for which He came to redeem us. We are thankful for His Coming, and thankful to the promise of Redemption at the end of Lent. It is summarized in this great Collect.

No Longer Cursed – 3 February 2023, Anno Domini

  

 

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HOSOEVER committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.   (1 John 3:4-8)

 

            Today is the date on the church calendar called the Presentation of Christ. To those who know and believe, He needs no introduction for He is your Sovereign, Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. But this day, falling during Epiphany, is the whole meaning of Epiphany. He is a gift of the Father. He came to set the captives free and to proclaim Liberty throughout the land – specifically to those who have believed the promise made to Abraham of every race, kindred and tongue.

 

            The Law defines sin as the transgression of the Law. The Law of God has not been annulled by the sacrifice of our Lord, but rather its terms have been fulfilled and satisfied. It is now measured by faith and love – not a rigid obedience carved on stone Tablets. We are saved by grace and not of works.

 

            Absalom was a proud and evil son of David. He attempted to usurp the throne of his father, David, and warred against him. As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. Like the pomp and Circumstance of modern rulers, his coming and going was sounded by sirens and trumpets. But Absalom had an abysmal end. Absalom had a full head of hair that was also a source of his pride. During his battles with David’s army, Absalom rode under a tree on which his hair was caught and Absalom hung helplessly thereon. 

 

As he hung helplessly on the tree, Joab, commander of David’s army, took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. (2 Sam 15:14)  When David heard the news of the death of his treasonous son, he wept bitterly. His mourning at the death of Absalom contrasted sharply with that of David’s firstborn of Bathsheba who died in innocence as an infant owing to David’s adulterous affair. Instead of mourning, David feasted. He declared: While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Samuel 12:22-23)  But David knew that he would never behold the face of Absalom ever again for he died in his sins.

 

Absalom died under the curse of the Law and hung from the tree. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:13-14 & see also Deut 21:22-23) The Law is a curse to those who do not believe. In fact, the last word in the Old Testament Book of the Law and Prophets is ‘CURSE’ (Malachi 4:6) The Law being a curse to us and demanding our wages of death, it was ordained that those of faith must have a redeemer/substitute to pay the penalty thereof. Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of the Father, died on the cross that we might become sons and daughters of God as well by process of adoption. Being adopted, our blood is washed clean of the sin-diseased blood of our father, Adam, and we are embraced by God and welcomed into His family and kingdom. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. (Acts 5:30)

 

Our Lord suffered the curse of the Law that we might be redeemed from the bondage of sin as delineated by the Law of God. Jesus conquered sin and death by His travail upon that tree. Epiphany is the proclamation of Christ as Savior to all who follow His Light, His Sar, and His Word. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (Galatians 3:7-12)

 

Welcome to all who have been redeemed from death by the Voice of the Savior!

By the Power of the Master’s Word – 2 February 2023, Anno Domini

 

 

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HE centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  (Matthew 8:8-9)

 

            Our Lord Jesus Christ is the very Word of God Incarnate. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14.    Our Lord has Hands to touch, but He also has Words that are able to heal to the uttermost. There is an immediate faith demonstrated by the leper of Matthew 8:1-4, but also a faith that knows no geographical boundaries or selfish intent as demonstrated in our leading text today by the Roman Centurion.

 

            This Centurion (a captain of one hundred soldiers) demonstrates a godly compassion for his servant. Though he is a man under arms, he nonetheless cares and loves those under his roof, and under his command. This is the fullest definition of a good soldier who loves his country and his fellows in the profession of arms.

 

            We know not the source of the Centurion’s faith in Christ to heal – perhaps he had only heard rumors of the Lord’s healing ministry that germinated the seed of faith, or perhaps he was even present on the Mount when the Lord recently delivered His wonderful sermon. In the end, as with every sinner who comes to Christ, the faith of the Centurion was planted and watered by His Word and Holy Spirit. The circumstances of the healing of this passage is different from that of the leper. The Centurion is beseeching Christ, out of the goodness of a compassionate heart, for the healing of another of his household staff. 

 

            And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. (vv 5-7). Do not be led to believe that Jesus did not already perceive the faith hidden deep within the heart of the Centurion. His response at the Centurion’s request is intended to enlighten our own hearts of faith with understanding. He knows the hearts of men before words are ever uttered. 

 

            Our leading text gives the Centurion’s response to the Lord’s willingness to go to where his servant lay ill and to heal him of his palsy. His faith and conviction are lessons for us all. The power of God knows no limits of distance or space. His Word has a power and authority borne of the Spirit and not a physical presence.

 

            Jesus responded at the evidence of the Centurion’s faith to those around Him: Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt 8:10-12)

 

            The faith of the Centurion is an ‘unlimited’ faith. The leper was likely Jewish. But this Centurion is a gentile which reveals the spirit of Epiphany to begin with. Christ came to the Jew first, and then the Greek (gentile). The gates of the Kingdom are hereby flung wide to all who have believed the promise of a Messiah made to Abraham through a faith granted in grace. We have that lovely promise made by God in Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians: Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:7-11) God is not a discerner of persons – it is not a racial blood that justifies, but the blood of Christ!

 

            And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. The proof of the Centurion’s faith is discovered in the words of Jesus – . . . . as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.  The power of the Word of the Lord can pierce stone sepulchres and unlimited distances. Though He sits on the right Hand of God the Father on High, His power to redeem, to heal, to rule as Sovereign in the affairs of men is infinite and eternal. His Word cleanses first, the inside of the heart; and secondly, the outside and visible man.

The Master’s Touch – 1 February 2023, Anno Domini

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ND it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  (Matt 7:28-29)

 

            Having just delivered the most powerful sermon ever preached upon the face of the earth, our Lord descends the slopes of the mountain to face the mundane lives of those who follow. The authority of His preaching was born out by the truth and impact of His words. The people marveled at such gracious teaching the likes of which they had never heard from scribe nor priest. His Words conveyed true authority and not that presumed by the scribes who preached, not with divine authority, but by the traditions of men – much like many today. There are occasions when beautiful words are preached from the pulpit, but lack the power of authority. The very words of Christ were their own authority and this was evident from their impact on the hearts of the multitudes. His words were testimonies of love and truth. But the divine words spoken by God have more than convincing beauty – they have the power to create and to change. In the beginning, God created (by the power of His Word) the Heavens and the Earth . . . . This was an outward and visible sign of the authority of His Word. But the Sermon on the Mount was intended to create something that was inward and invisible – a new Heart. Though the multitudes marveled at His Words, they would soon receive outward and visible proof of His divine Power to heal. Words lack power unless there is a means of touching the hearts, and hurts, of believers.

 

            The woman taken with an issue of blood who expended all her living on doctors and whose malady only grew worse, came to Christ with a heart of faith. If the Master would not touch her, then she would touch the Master. She did so by cleaving to the hem of His garment and was healed. That touch is different from any other. It was done in faith of the outcome.

 

           We see in the Gospel text for the 4^th Sunday after Epiphany (Matthew 8:1-4) a leper, swathed in rags to absorb the filth from his rotting flesh. He came in violation of the Law of Moses to Jesus. He was forbidden to approach any who were not lepers, but He came with courage to Christ. When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (Matt 8:1-2) He came to Jesus on the grounds of GRACE and not the impediments of the Law. There was no question in the leper’s mind that Jesus could heal him – he only stated the fact that if Jesus so willed, He could heal him. He asked nothing, only stated a fact. Christ never turns His back on a suppliant who comes with faith. He beheld the poor creature kneeling before him – his deformed posture, his face disfigured by erupting sores, his hands twisted and knotted, and his feet wrapped in filthy rags. The odor of his rotting flesh was putrid and nearly unbearable to endure. As is always the case with sinners and the afflicted, Jesus took great pity for the man and His heart was filled with compassion.

 

            So many others would have maintained a great distance from this leper. They would not even have dreamed of touching him. He had been alienated from his own family, neighbors, synagogue, and society at large. No man had dared touch him since it was known that he was a leper. No one loved him except the One who now stood before Him and before whom he kneeled. But how did our dear Lord react? And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him. Just this one act proved our Lord to be possessed of a love and compassion that surpassed all others, but that was not all that the Lord did. Jesus said: I will; be thou clean. -  And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. There was not a slow improvement, but immediately his leprosy was healed. We should heed the example of the leper and pray all things, not according to OUR will, but HIS!

 

            Would you have touched such a one whose running sores could convey the disease to you? But Jesus is not YOU, not ME. All of our Lord’s actions were seasoned with love and compassion. He touched the man, and that touch brought the proof of his faith in His Maker’s ability to heal.

 

            Jesus then tells the man something that is hard to fathom: See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. This leper has been exiled from home and family for the years of his suffering. He has been disowned by society at large. There were none to embrace him in love. He has not been seen by family since the days of his contracting leprosy. How can he return to home and neighbors without telling all that see him what great thing has happened in his body and in his heart? The fact is, he cannot remain silent about so great a healing. I believe Jesus is making a point to us in this counsel to the leper. If our Lord has granted so great a salvation to us by His grace, how can we keep silent and tell no man!