Greetings beloved!
Here's a Christmas message I hope you enjoy.
Have you finished all of your shopping yet? If you’re like me, you will be running out on Christmas Eve looking for that last gift.
It’s not because I’m unorganized or that the person I’m buying for isn’t important to me, it’s just that they’re the hardest to shop for.
There are some folks that are hard to shop for. You have no idea what they need or want, you don't know what size or color to look for, or maybe they’re just plain picky.
But, God knows exactly what we need. He gives us good and perfect gifts. To help us keep our spiritual perspective in these last days leading up to Christmas let us be reminded of God's greatest gift to us.
The coming of the Messiah was promised first to Adam, then to Abraham. Every Jewish woman wondered if she might be the one through whom the Messiah would be born. Mary met God’s qualifications in both her character and her lineage for giving birth to the Messiah of Israel. Her character was as important to God as her ancestry: She was pure, and a virgin. Mary probably never even guessed, however, that she would be God’s prepared and chosen women.
Then, on a cool crisp evening in a lowly manger, Christ was born into a human body, taking on a human nature in order that He might better represent us. As the Son of God, He was the Father’s greatest gift to this world. He came to save us from our sins. He was a promised gift (Gen.3:15), and He was a perfectly timed gift (Gal.4:4).
Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah the prophesied to Israel of the coming Messiah saying; “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5). Let’s consider what this verse means to us.
His name is Wonderful: this speaks to all the dullness in our lives. We no longer have to live on the cheap substitutes of this world in order to gain excitement and enjoyment. Jesus Christ makes everything wonderful.
His name is Counselor: this speaks to the decisions of our lives. We don’t have to be confounded by the problems of life any more, wondering what step to take next. With Jesus Christ as our Counselor, we have the wisdom that we need to make right decisions.
He is Almighty God: this speaks to all the demands of our lives. And life can certainly be demanding! There are times when we feel like giving up, tossing in the towel; but through Jesus Christ we have the strength we need to continue—and to be more than conquerors.
He is the Everlasting Father: this speaks to all dimensions of our lives. As Christians we have become a part of eternity! A whole new dimension of living is ours through Jesus Christ, especially when the government of our lives is upon His shoulders.
He is the Prince of Peace: this speaks to and takes care of all the disturbances of our lives. How we long for lasting inner peace! As others search for the secrets of poise and confidence in this threatening world, our ever available answer is—Jesus Christ! He is the Prince of Peace and when He is in control of our lives He gives us peace.
Preparing for Christmas can be a joy as we meditate on how God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs, and on how He knew exactly what we needed. If there ever was a gift that “everyone needed”, “one size fits all”, or one that “you just can't do without” Jesus Christ is it. He’s the Perfect Gift.
God’s blessings to you all this Christmas!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Archbishop Metropolitan ACW
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
True Thanksgiving
Greetings beloved,
This Thursday I as well as the rest of America will be celebrating our Thanksgiving holiday, a feast day that over time has lost its real meaning and purpose. Today, Thanksgiving is treated as a day to gather with family and friends to pig out on turkey with all the fixin's, just to fall asleep in the recliner after a generous helping of pumpkin pie. Furthermore, our schools are now teaching that the reason for Thanksgiving celebration is because the Indians introduced us to corn.
The truth is, the Pilgrim's were Christians and they had come to America seeking religious freedom. During their first year in America the Pilgrims were unable to grow or store enough food. They were also unable to build proper shelter to protect them from their first winter in this new land, and so many of them died as a result of exposure to the elements and starvation.
In spite of the seemingly insurmountable odds, the surviving Pilgrims prayed for their deliverance, and provision. During their second year God in His faithfulness introduced them to the local natives who shared their knowledge of living off of the land.
The Pilgrims learned to cultivate their crops (of which corn was the majority), to gather and store other foods, how to hunt and fish and how to prepare the meat for long term storage by smoking and salting. When the harvest had been completed they realized that they had more than enough food and adequate shelter to see them through the coming winter. In response to their answered prayer, the greatful Pilgrims then declared three days of feasting to Thank God for His abundant provision and blessing.
Pilgrim Edward Winslow described their Thanksgiving in these words; "Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as... served the company almost a week... Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and... their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought... And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE... FAR FROM WANT."
In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, "unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities."
The latter ANNUAL national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, who for thirty years promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln's precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.
The original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came at a pivotal point in Lincoln's life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address." It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. He explains: "When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."
With a current President who openly refuses to engage in a Christian day of prayer and amidst a society of ever increasing antagonism towards anything godly, it seems as if America has forgotten all of the wonderful things that God has provided for this great Christian nation. My sincere prayer is that we would remember and retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers , and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that we owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of freedom, self-government, the "hard-work" ethic, self-reliant communities, religious freedom and devout Christian faith.
This Thanksgiving day, before the turkey is carved, ask your family to take a moment and name something that they can be thankful for, and then when everyone has finished their meal, say a prayer of Thanks to God. You'll be glad you did!
God's blessings to you all this Thanksgiving!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
This Thursday I as well as the rest of America will be celebrating our Thanksgiving holiday, a feast day that over time has lost its real meaning and purpose. Today, Thanksgiving is treated as a day to gather with family and friends to pig out on turkey with all the fixin's, just to fall asleep in the recliner after a generous helping of pumpkin pie. Furthermore, our schools are now teaching that the reason for Thanksgiving celebration is because the Indians introduced us to corn.
The truth is, the Pilgrim's were Christians and they had come to America seeking religious freedom. During their first year in America the Pilgrims were unable to grow or store enough food. They were also unable to build proper shelter to protect them from their first winter in this new land, and so many of them died as a result of exposure to the elements and starvation.
In spite of the seemingly insurmountable odds, the surviving Pilgrims prayed for their deliverance, and provision. During their second year God in His faithfulness introduced them to the local natives who shared their knowledge of living off of the land.
The Pilgrims learned to cultivate their crops (of which corn was the majority), to gather and store other foods, how to hunt and fish and how to prepare the meat for long term storage by smoking and salting. When the harvest had been completed they realized that they had more than enough food and adequate shelter to see them through the coming winter. In response to their answered prayer, the greatful Pilgrims then declared three days of feasting to Thank God for His abundant provision and blessing.
Pilgrim Edward Winslow described their Thanksgiving in these words; "Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men on fowling [bird hunting] so that we might, after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as... served the company almost a week... Many of the Indians [came] amongst us and... their greatest King, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought... And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet BY THE GOODNESS OF GOD WE ARE... FAR FROM WANT."
In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, "unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities."
The latter ANNUAL national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, who for thirty years promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln's precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then, in 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.
The original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came at a pivotal point in Lincoln's life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous "Gettysburg Address." It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. He explains: "When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ."
With a current President who openly refuses to engage in a Christian day of prayer and amidst a society of ever increasing antagonism towards anything godly, it seems as if America has forgotten all of the wonderful things that God has provided for this great Christian nation. My sincere prayer is that we would remember and retain the original gratefulness to God displayed by the Pilgrims and many other founding fathers , and remember that it is to those early and courageous Pilgrims that we owe not only the traditional Thanksgiving holiday but also the concepts of freedom, self-government, the "hard-work" ethic, self-reliant communities, religious freedom and devout Christian faith.
This Thanksgiving day, before the turkey is carved, ask your family to take a moment and name something that they can be thankful for, and then when everyone has finished their meal, say a prayer of Thanks to God. You'll be glad you did!
God's blessings to you all this Thanksgiving!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A RIDICULOUS INVITATION
Greetings Beloved,
I would like to share with you an article that I received by email a few days ago from Dr. Stephen Vattappara the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of India. It addresses the Popes invitation to the Anglican Churches of the World.
Philadelphia: Oct 24th 2009
“It is unbecoming of the propriety containing a Christian hierarchy such as Pope to take stock of a situation arose in another Church by inviting them to join his Church and that too to remain there in a lower status, where as the right thing for him would have been to appeal for correction of any erroneous action if he deem so“, said Arch Bishop Dr. Stephen Vattappara, the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of India (ACI), in Philadelphia, USA, while addressing a meeting of the Anglican Academy of Religious Studies (AARA), of which the Metropolitan serves as the Chairman.
The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church has no moral grounds to allege sins against the Anglican Church, while it itself had immersed in scandals of similar sins which the Christian World has never forgotten“, Dr. Vattappara added.
The Metropolitan further added, “The action of one Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese in USA , which elected a gay as Bishop, was condemned by the true Anglicans all over the world including ACI.
Roman Church cannot blame ordaining Women Bishops where as that Church worship and pray to the mother of Jesus Christ.
ACI opposes both the actions of the Episcopal Church as well as the hypocritical stand of the Roman Church.
The treating promised and the titles prescribed as ‘Ordinary‘ to the believers and Bishops respectively are a denigration of the Anglican Church and Bishops as a whole; It is unethical, unchristian and indecent.
The stature of the position of the Pope is lowered by the improper and indecent invitation of Pope Benedict".
"The action of the Roman Church is ridiculous and all True Anglicans will reject the appeal. First let them set their house in order", the Metropolitan added.
Yes, the Episcopal Church in the United States has become extremely liberal and has embarrassed true Anglican Christians worldwide, but I am in agreement with Metropolitan Vattappara. The Anglican Church has a strong history that can be traced back to Joseph of Arimathea in approximately the 4th Century, some scholars even believe before the formation of the Roman Church. Either way we have a dignified Lineage and are entitled to the same respect as the Roman Catholic Church. The Popes invitation, however heart felt and sincere it may have been is shameful.
"And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him" (Deuteronomy 1:16).
God's blessings to you all!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
I would like to share with you an article that I received by email a few days ago from Dr. Stephen Vattappara the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of India. It addresses the Popes invitation to the Anglican Churches of the World.
Philadelphia: Oct 24th 2009
“It is unbecoming of the propriety containing a Christian hierarchy such as Pope to take stock of a situation arose in another Church by inviting them to join his Church and that too to remain there in a lower status, where as the right thing for him would have been to appeal for correction of any erroneous action if he deem so“, said Arch Bishop Dr. Stephen Vattappara, the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of India (ACI), in Philadelphia, USA, while addressing a meeting of the Anglican Academy of Religious Studies (AARA), of which the Metropolitan serves as the Chairman.
The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church has no moral grounds to allege sins against the Anglican Church, while it itself had immersed in scandals of similar sins which the Christian World has never forgotten“, Dr. Vattappara added.
The Metropolitan further added, “The action of one Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese in USA , which elected a gay as Bishop, was condemned by the true Anglicans all over the world including ACI.
Roman Church cannot blame ordaining Women Bishops where as that Church worship and pray to the mother of Jesus Christ.
ACI opposes both the actions of the Episcopal Church as well as the hypocritical stand of the Roman Church.
The treating promised and the titles prescribed as ‘Ordinary‘ to the believers and Bishops respectively are a denigration of the Anglican Church and Bishops as a whole; It is unethical, unchristian and indecent.
The stature of the position of the Pope is lowered by the improper and indecent invitation of Pope Benedict".
"The action of the Roman Church is ridiculous and all True Anglicans will reject the appeal. First let them set their house in order", the Metropolitan added.
Yes, the Episcopal Church in the United States has become extremely liberal and has embarrassed true Anglican Christians worldwide, but I am in agreement with Metropolitan Vattappara. The Anglican Church has a strong history that can be traced back to Joseph of Arimathea in approximately the 4th Century, some scholars even believe before the formation of the Roman Church. Either way we have a dignified Lineage and are entitled to the same respect as the Roman Catholic Church. The Popes invitation, however heart felt and sincere it may have been is shameful.
"And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him" (Deuteronomy 1:16).
God's blessings to you all!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Counting the Cost
Greetings Beloved,
This month I would like to share a sermon illustration with you... enjoy!
"Excuse me Sir, I would like to buy this pearl. How much is it?
"Well, " the merchant says, "it's expensive."
"But how much?" says the prospective buyer.
"A very large amount."
"Do you think I could buy it?"
"Oh, of course, everyone can buy it."
"But, I thought you said it was very expensive?"
"It is."
"Well, how much is it?"
"Everything you have."
After pondering for a moment the customer says, "All right, I'll buy it."
"Well, what do you have?" the merchant asks.
"Let's see... "
"I have ten thousand dollars in the bank."
"Good, ten thousand dollars. What else?"
"That's all. That's all I have."
"Nothing more?"
"Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket."
"How much?"
The customer starts digging. "Well, let's see---thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred and twenty dollars."
"That's fine. What else do you have?"
"Nothing. That's it."
"Where do you live?" the merchant probes.
"In my house."
"The house, too, then."
"You mean I have to live in my camper?"
"You have a camper? That too. What else?"
"I'll have to sleep in my car!"
"You have a car?"
"Two of them."
"Both of them become mine. What else?"
"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?"
"Are you alone in this world?"
"No, I have a wife and two children."
"Oh, yes, your wife and children become mine too. What else?"
"Nothing! I have nothing else. You've left me all alone now."
Suddenly the merchant exclaims, "Oh I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine---wife, children, house, money, cars,---and you, too."
Then he goes on. "Now, listen. I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don't forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them, you must give them up, because now I'm the owner."
Beloved, the price in our pursuit of God is absolute. Despite the secular notion that all we need or desire is to be found in this world and the lusts thereof, the truth is that everything good we long for is found in Him, so if we move away from God, we move away from the fulfillment of our deepest longings. If we submit ourselves to following God completely, we move closer to fulfillment of our longings. God knows that sin and disobedience maims, destroys and robs us of the desires of our hearts. That's why, in His love, He calls us to total obedience. Yes, the price is all that we have and all that we are. In return, God promises to fulfill the deepest longings of our souls and to satisfy us with Himself.
"If we were willing to learn the meaning of true discipleship and actually to become disciples, the Church in the West would be transformed, and the resultant impact on society would be staggering." -----David Watson
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..." (2 Corinthians 13:5a).
God's blessings to you all.
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
This month I would like to share a sermon illustration with you... enjoy!
"Excuse me Sir, I would like to buy this pearl. How much is it?
"Well, " the merchant says, "it's expensive."
"But how much?" says the prospective buyer.
"A very large amount."
"Do you think I could buy it?"
"Oh, of course, everyone can buy it."
"But, I thought you said it was very expensive?"
"It is."
"Well, how much is it?"
"Everything you have."
After pondering for a moment the customer says, "All right, I'll buy it."
"Well, what do you have?" the merchant asks.
"Let's see... "
"I have ten thousand dollars in the bank."
"Good, ten thousand dollars. What else?"
"That's all. That's all I have."
"Nothing more?"
"Well, I have a few dollars here in my pocket."
"How much?"
The customer starts digging. "Well, let's see---thirty, forty, sixty, eighty, a hundred, a hundred and twenty dollars."
"That's fine. What else do you have?"
"Nothing. That's it."
"Where do you live?" the merchant probes.
"In my house."
"The house, too, then."
"You mean I have to live in my camper?"
"You have a camper? That too. What else?"
"I'll have to sleep in my car!"
"You have a car?"
"Two of them."
"Both of them become mine. What else?"
"Well, you already have my money, my house, my camper, my cars. What more do you want?"
"Are you alone in this world?"
"No, I have a wife and two children."
"Oh, yes, your wife and children become mine too. What else?"
"Nothing! I have nothing else. You've left me all alone now."
Suddenly the merchant exclaims, "Oh I almost forgot! You yourself, too! Everything becomes mine---wife, children, house, money, cars,---and you, too."
Then he goes on. "Now, listen. I will allow you to use all these things for the time being. But don't forget that they are mine, just as you are. And whenever I need any of them, you must give them up, because now I'm the owner."
Beloved, the price in our pursuit of God is absolute. Despite the secular notion that all we need or desire is to be found in this world and the lusts thereof, the truth is that everything good we long for is found in Him, so if we move away from God, we move away from the fulfillment of our deepest longings. If we submit ourselves to following God completely, we move closer to fulfillment of our longings. God knows that sin and disobedience maims, destroys and robs us of the desires of our hearts. That's why, in His love, He calls us to total obedience. Yes, the price is all that we have and all that we are. In return, God promises to fulfill the deepest longings of our souls and to satisfy us with Himself.
"If we were willing to learn the meaning of true discipleship and actually to become disciples, the Church in the West would be transformed, and the resultant impact on society would be staggering." -----David Watson
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..." (2 Corinthians 13:5a).
God's blessings to you all.
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Watch What You Say!
Greetings beloved,
This morning as I prayed the Daily Office, I momentarily slipped back into a Pentecostal mind set and ended my prayers with the statement “Lord I give you all of the honor, all the glory, and all the praise in Jesus’ name.” Immediately I caught myself and began to think “Do I really give God all the honor, glory and praise?” If so, where did I get it?
Truth is I don’t give God ALL of the praise, honor and glory, because I don’t and could never possess the entirety of those commodities in this world (no one can). Even if it was possible for me to possess them, would I give them all to Him? Or would I be like Ananias who sold his property and claimed he was giving it ALL to God while holding back a portion for himself? Considering the fact that it is sometimes a struggle for me just to give God my time praying the Daily Office, I’d rather not answer that question.
Ending my prayers the way I did was something that I had heard, and probably repeated over and over in my days as a Pentecostal minister, and I’ve come to realize that it’s nothing more than a fictional statement invented to make people feel more spiritual than they really are. The Devil has tricked the non-critical thinker to reason, “Well, God is worthy of all honor, glory and praise, so I’ll give it to him.” Problem is this isn’t biblical! They’re not ours to give. The Scriptures clearly declare, “THINE, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).”
Now, some of you might be saying, “Bishop, you’re just being a nit-picker, that statement really means that we must give God all of OUR honor, glory and praise.” Well, first things first… We have no honor or glory. Hear what God’s word says concerning this: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “For I know that IN ME [that is, in my flesh,] DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE that doeth good, no, NOT ONE ” (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18; Romans 3:12 cf. Psalm 14:1, 3; 53:1, 3). Therefore we must understand that although we can declare the honor and glories of God, we cannot give them to Him.
Second, as far as “giving God ALL the praise” is concerned, I agree that we should praise Him for all of the things He has done for us. After all Psalm 150 says “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!” But can anyone of us say truthfully that we give God ALL our praise? You’ve hit the snooze button one too many times, now you’re going to be late for work and you’ve spilled your coffee on your lap… are you giving God ALL of your praise? You get over-looked for that much deserved promotion at work… are you giving God ALL of your praise? When that no good so and so cuts you off in traffic… are you giving God ALL of your praise? When you come home from a hard days work and you just want to relax in front of the TV… are you giving God ALL of your praise? OF COURSE YOUR NOT! No one can give God all of their praise. Our minds aren’t focused on God 24 hours a day so it’s impossible--- not to mention impractical! Think about it? To give God ALL of your praise would mean that when your spouse goes through the windshield of a car, or has a heart attack, or you lose a child that you give God ALL your praise. It seems like a pretty ridiculous statement now doesn’t it?
Beloved, I am no better or worse than anyone. I know that I’m not perfect. I know that I am not a spiritual superman. I have hard days, I sometimes want to slap the wife and kick the dog (or vice versa), and sometimes I get messed up spiritually, and I must admit, sometimes it is very hard to praise God at all. This is why we are admonished in Scripture to offer the “sacrifice of praise” (Jer. 17:26; 33:11; Heb. 13:15). When is the last time you remember a sacrifice being pleasant? Truth is, there will be times when you’re praising God and you won’t feel like doing it and maybe you won’t even mean it, but we do it out of obedience, because we know that obedience is better than sacrifice. “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). By doing what God asks even when we don’t feel like it we are heeding the instructions of our Apostle St. Paul who says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). We wouldn’t need St. Paul’s admonishing if we gave God All our praise. If you’re still not convinced, just read the Old Testament and see if God’s chosen people the Israelites gave God ALL of their praise.
Friends, my point is: we cannot lie to God, He sees all and knows all. When we make statements or pray things like: “I give you ALL the praise, ALL the honor and ALL the glory,” we are only lying to ourselves and this lie promotes self –righteousness, the holier than thou mindset and that serves no purpose but to drive us further from a real and living relationship with God. We must examine ourselves daily “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” We must also be careful what we say for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” and “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:36-37).
The Primate of the ACW has well said, “Watch how you go.” Let me also add, “Watch what you say!”
God's blessings to you all!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
This morning as I prayed the Daily Office, I momentarily slipped back into a Pentecostal mind set and ended my prayers with the statement “Lord I give you all of the honor, all the glory, and all the praise in Jesus’ name.” Immediately I caught myself and began to think “Do I really give God all the honor, glory and praise?” If so, where did I get it?
Truth is I don’t give God ALL of the praise, honor and glory, because I don’t and could never possess the entirety of those commodities in this world (no one can). Even if it was possible for me to possess them, would I give them all to Him? Or would I be like Ananias who sold his property and claimed he was giving it ALL to God while holding back a portion for himself? Considering the fact that it is sometimes a struggle for me just to give God my time praying the Daily Office, I’d rather not answer that question.
Ending my prayers the way I did was something that I had heard, and probably repeated over and over in my days as a Pentecostal minister, and I’ve come to realize that it’s nothing more than a fictional statement invented to make people feel more spiritual than they really are. The Devil has tricked the non-critical thinker to reason, “Well, God is worthy of all honor, glory and praise, so I’ll give it to him.” Problem is this isn’t biblical! They’re not ours to give. The Scriptures clearly declare, “THINE, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).”
Now, some of you might be saying, “Bishop, you’re just being a nit-picker, that statement really means that we must give God all of OUR honor, glory and praise.” Well, first things first… We have no honor or glory. Hear what God’s word says concerning this: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” “For I know that IN ME [that is, in my flesh,] DWELLETH NO GOOD THING: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE that doeth good, no, NOT ONE ” (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 7:18; Romans 3:12 cf. Psalm 14:1, 3; 53:1, 3). Therefore we must understand that although we can declare the honor and glories of God, we cannot give them to Him.
Second, as far as “giving God ALL the praise” is concerned, I agree that we should praise Him for all of the things He has done for us. After all Psalm 150 says “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD!” But can anyone of us say truthfully that we give God ALL our praise? You’ve hit the snooze button one too many times, now you’re going to be late for work and you’ve spilled your coffee on your lap… are you giving God ALL of your praise? You get over-looked for that much deserved promotion at work… are you giving God ALL of your praise? When that no good so and so cuts you off in traffic… are you giving God ALL of your praise? When you come home from a hard days work and you just want to relax in front of the TV… are you giving God ALL of your praise? OF COURSE YOUR NOT! No one can give God all of their praise. Our minds aren’t focused on God 24 hours a day so it’s impossible--- not to mention impractical! Think about it? To give God ALL of your praise would mean that when your spouse goes through the windshield of a car, or has a heart attack, or you lose a child that you give God ALL your praise. It seems like a pretty ridiculous statement now doesn’t it?
Beloved, I am no better or worse than anyone. I know that I’m not perfect. I know that I am not a spiritual superman. I have hard days, I sometimes want to slap the wife and kick the dog (or vice versa), and sometimes I get messed up spiritually, and I must admit, sometimes it is very hard to praise God at all. This is why we are admonished in Scripture to offer the “sacrifice of praise” (Jer. 17:26; 33:11; Heb. 13:15). When is the last time you remember a sacrifice being pleasant? Truth is, there will be times when you’re praising God and you won’t feel like doing it and maybe you won’t even mean it, but we do it out of obedience, because we know that obedience is better than sacrifice. “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). By doing what God asks even when we don’t feel like it we are heeding the instructions of our Apostle St. Paul who says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). We wouldn’t need St. Paul’s admonishing if we gave God All our praise. If you’re still not convinced, just read the Old Testament and see if God’s chosen people the Israelites gave God ALL of their praise.
Friends, my point is: we cannot lie to God, He sees all and knows all. When we make statements or pray things like: “I give you ALL the praise, ALL the honor and ALL the glory,” we are only lying to ourselves and this lie promotes self –righteousness, the holier than thou mindset and that serves no purpose but to drive us further from a real and living relationship with God. We must examine ourselves daily “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” We must also be careful what we say for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” and “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:36-37).
The Primate of the ACW has well said, “Watch how you go.” Let me also add, “Watch what you say!”
God's blessings to you all!
Your servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity - Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees
Greetings beloved,
Here's the homily that I preached this morning at St. Paul's. Enjoy!
Our Gospel reading for today is from the Gospel account of St. Matthew chapter 5 verse 20.
We see Jesus as He contrasts the righteousness of the kingdom with the traditional interpretation and application of the Law, and He does so with a strong warning to those who desire to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus warned that... "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven"!
To appreciate and apply what Jesus said, it might help if we first examined THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES.
First, we know from numerous Scriptural examples that the Scribes and Pharisees were known to SAY AND NOT DO, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matthew 23:1-4).
They were HYPOCRITES! Even though there were times that they taught the truth, they did not often practice what they preached!
This is where we get the saying "Do as I say, not as I do"
Second, they were known to do things SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE SEEN AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY MEN, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (Matthew 23:5-7).
They enjoyed wearing religious garments, not because it was representative of their faith and brought honor to God, but because it separated them from and made them feel better than others. In that spirit they delighted in places and titles of honor.
In our world today, it seems that the general consensus is that you’re not anybody unless you’re somebody, and you’re not somebody unless you have the latest fashion trends, cell phones, cars etc. We have reduced life and happiness to a popularity contest of who has the best clothes or the newest gadgets. I’ve even seen a bumper sticker that read, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
In 2006 Two of today’s most popular young ladies, Hillary and Haley Duff made a movie called material girls, and they also recorded a cover of pop star Madonna’s 1985 hit ‘Material Girl’ which emphatically proclaims; “We are living in a material world and I am a material girl.” We are material girls and boys aren’t we? It would seem as if the sins of the Scribes and Pharisees of the past have become a way of life for the trendy, modern persons of today.
The Scribes and Pharisees were also known to NEGLECT PARTS OF GOD'S LAW, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23-24).
They emphasized whatever fit their situation, or whatever they thought would serve their purposes. In this case they emphasized the “lighter” matters of the law, while neglecting the “weightier” commands. Today we call this “majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors.” In other words, the Church is too busy worrying about Praise and Worship bands and PowerPoint sermons than on preaching the truth of God’s word and standing up for the preservation of the true faith.
Lastly, they were known to be LOVERS OF MONEY, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:13-15).
Though they would be quick to deny it, and though they would try and justify it before men; "Mammon" or money was their god. Unfortunately there is much of this going on today. The Prosperity Gospel has overtaken the Church with its ministers proclaiming that “Jesus was a rich man who wore designer clothes,” and that poverty is a sin.
The prosperity gospel builds up the wrong things. In it receiving takes the place of giving, ‘I’ takes the place of ‘we’, telling or commanding God (deliver me from financial distress, bless my finances, Give me more Lord, etc.) takes the place of asking, seeking, knocking, obeying and doing. Being served takes the place of serving and self-indulgence replaces the discipline of self-control.
The prosperity gospel also attracts the wrong sort of leaders: the totally corrupt and those deceived by other prosperity preachers. It brings out the worst in church leaders, because they're vigorously encouraged to think of wealth before anything else.
In a prosperity gospel, “I” am what it's all about: my needs, my wants, my wealth, my success. I, me, mine. My suffering is not because of sin or from my behavior, but simply because I have not made a withdrawal from the unlimited bank account that God has given me. I need only to Push the Give me Button and expect it to come.
The desperate and the gullible get sucked into this. The most desperate and the most selfish alike will even borrow money to give to the preacher, using their homes and possessions as collateral. (True devotion is so hard that even some of the poor find it easier to give money instead.) But when prosperity still does not come, and it won't, eventually they walk away in bitterness, believing that Christianity is a con job. This undermines the witness and credibility of those whose faith is anything but a con job, those who really do love and care, and who don't promise what's unlikely to be delivered.
Promises of prosperity have a great attraction to those in poverty, especially those who see no hope for a change in their status. That's why prosperity preachers are so often found in poor and developing countries in Latin America and Africa, notably Nigeria and Kenya (where it plays into aspects of existing political and cultural values).
The impact of prosperity gospel preachers is obvious and undeniable, is found all over society, and is very highly visible to the public. It's also damaging, as the number of people it embitters towards God keeps rising.
So, why must our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees?
Simply because the righteousness of the kingdom demands more!
When we read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we see that as Christians we can’t "say and not do" (Matthew 7:21), we can’t "do things to be seen of men" (Matthew 6:1), we can’t "neglect ANY commandments of God's law” (Matthew 5:19), and we cannot be "lovers of money" (Matthew 6:24).
This should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks that they can be faithful Christians without combining their profession of faith with suitable deeds (James 2:14-17; 1 John 2:4-6); 3:18).
We must strive to keep our personal and private lives consistent with our profession of faith (Mark 4:22), and make a diligent effort to observe ALL that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:20; John 8:31-32; 2 John 9).Furthermore, we must remain free from the enticement of materialism (1 Timothy 6:9-10; 1 John 2:15-17).
Without question, our righteousness as citizens of the kingdom must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. But how can our righteousness be consistent with that demanded by our Heavenly Father?
It is possible only by the grace of God... Whereby His mercy provides forgiveness to those in Christ Jesus His only begotten Son (1 John 1:9; John 3:16; Titus 3:5), and where His strength makes it possible to live according to the “righteousness of the kingdom of heaven” (Philippians 4:13)!
Friends, let me admonish you this morning with a few more of Christ’s words… “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30).
God's blessings to you all!
Your faithful servant,
+Ernest A. Ross
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Trust and Obey
Greetings Beloved,
Just recently I attended the formal dinner Launching our new Seminary (http://stpaulsanglicanseminary.yolasite.com/). The Dinner was held at the Archdiocese in Belleville Illinois, and while traveling there from Pennsylvania I found myself in a small convenient store off of I-70, buying a few refreshments and overhearing a conversation between two women that I perceived to be Christians.
Now I know that eavesdropping isn't polite, but sometimes people talk so loudly that you just can't help it... and these two ladies weren't shy at all.
As the they chattered away, I gathered from my brief exposure to the conversation that one lady was talking about leaving her husband of 8 years to pursue a relationship with a man that she had met at a church bible study. She went on and described how abusive her husband was both physically and mentally and how she had prayed to be delivered from the marriage.
Friends, I don't condone spousal abuse in anyway, nor do I condone divorce and I don't believe the Bible allows either. I'm sure there were other avenues that this woman could have exhausted prior to seeking a deliverance from her marriage (which is "Christianese" for God approved divorce).
The woman proceeded to tell her friend that she believed God had sent the man from the Bible study to show her that He had granted her 'deliverance' and provided a new Christian man in her life. Unfortunately she was having a hard time leaving her husband because there was so much history between them.
Wow! Its almost unfathomable how ignorant people can be of our Loving Heavenly Father and of His nature, His will and His ways. Believe me when I say it breaks my heart and I feel the deepest sympathy for those people whose relationships are failing. But we must not allow our emotions to cloud the real issue. Divorce is a crucial subject and we must understand God's position concerning it.
The Scripture says that God HATES divorce (Malachi 2:16), and that men and women are bound together in wedlock until separated by death (Romans 7:1-3). Therefore God could never give His unconditional stamp of approval in this matter. When Jesus was questioned on the subject he said, "It has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement (this was under Old Testament Jewish Law). But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication(unrepentant state of continual voluntary sexual intercourse with another; i.e. Adultery), causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9). However, even if one's spouse has been unfaithful, if they are truly repentant, then reconciliation is the better way, the Biblical way (Luke 6:37; Matthew 18:21-22). So the general rule which God established is simply this: Divorce is only acceptable in the case of 'Unrepentant Marital Unfaithfulness.'
The exceptive phrase in this verse is obviously intended to bestow a right on one category of divorced persons. The Lord's rule now stands as this: no divorced person has the right of remarriage except for the one who has been faithful to his or her companion only to be betrayed by that spouse's sexual infidelity. To make it more simple, only the innocent parties in divorces for fornication may remarry.
Those who divorce for any other reason become guilty of adultery and if they remarry, they are in an Unlawful State of Matrimony whereby they engage in the act of fornication. The Greek verb for "commit" and "committeth" in those verses denotes the continual action of unrepentant cohabitation in the adulterous state.
Friends, in today's world it is so easy to justify divorce, especially if the other spouse was to blame. God allows divorce, but it is the remarriage that God has placed restrictions upon. I have often heard ladies say: "you know God doesn’t want me to remain single. My husband beat me often, or he was drunk all the time, or he abused me in so many ways." It is extremely sad to see someone in this condition. But the truth is God gives only one exception for divorce and remarriage. That is fornication. Weak kneed preachers can lie about what a person can and cannot do. But God is the ULTIMATE AUTHORITY! No preacher can change the word of God! We must follow what God says in His word, or else our actions condemn us.
Now I know that eavesdropping isn't polite, but sometimes people talk so loudly that you just can't help it... and these two ladies weren't shy at all.
As the they chattered away, I gathered from my brief exposure to the conversation that one lady was talking about leaving her husband of 8 years to pursue a relationship with a man that she had met at a church bible study. She went on and described how abusive her husband was both physically and mentally and how she had prayed to be delivered from the marriage.
Friends, I don't condone spousal abuse in anyway, nor do I condone divorce and I don't believe the Bible allows either. I'm sure there were other avenues that this woman could have exhausted prior to seeking a deliverance from her marriage (which is "Christianese" for God approved divorce).
The woman proceeded to tell her friend that she believed God had sent the man from the Bible study to show her that He had granted her 'deliverance' and provided a new Christian man in her life. Unfortunately she was having a hard time leaving her husband because there was so much history between them.
Wow! Its almost unfathomable how ignorant people can be of our Loving Heavenly Father and of His nature, His will and His ways. Believe me when I say it breaks my heart and I feel the deepest sympathy for those people whose relationships are failing. But we must not allow our emotions to cloud the real issue. Divorce is a crucial subject and we must understand God's position concerning it.
The Scripture says that God HATES divorce (Malachi 2:16), and that men and women are bound together in wedlock until separated by death (Romans 7:1-3). Therefore God could never give His unconditional stamp of approval in this matter. When Jesus was questioned on the subject he said, "It has been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement (this was under Old Testament Jewish Law). But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication(unrepentant state of continual voluntary sexual intercourse with another; i.e. Adultery), causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:9). However, even if one's spouse has been unfaithful, if they are truly repentant, then reconciliation is the better way, the Biblical way (Luke 6:37; Matthew 18:21-22). So the general rule which God established is simply this: Divorce is only acceptable in the case of 'Unrepentant Marital Unfaithfulness.'
The exceptive phrase in this verse is obviously intended to bestow a right on one category of divorced persons. The Lord's rule now stands as this: no divorced person has the right of remarriage except for the one who has been faithful to his or her companion only to be betrayed by that spouse's sexual infidelity. To make it more simple, only the innocent parties in divorces for fornication may remarry.
Those who divorce for any other reason become guilty of adultery and if they remarry, they are in an Unlawful State of Matrimony whereby they engage in the act of fornication. The Greek verb for "commit" and "committeth" in those verses denotes the continual action of unrepentant cohabitation in the adulterous state.
Friends, in today's world it is so easy to justify divorce, especially if the other spouse was to blame. God allows divorce, but it is the remarriage that God has placed restrictions upon. I have often heard ladies say: "you know God doesn’t want me to remain single. My husband beat me often, or he was drunk all the time, or he abused me in so many ways." It is extremely sad to see someone in this condition. But the truth is God gives only one exception for divorce and remarriage. That is fornication. Weak kneed preachers can lie about what a person can and cannot do. But God is the ULTIMATE AUTHORITY! No preacher can change the word of God! We must follow what God says in His word, or else our actions condemn us.
This law of God is for every person upon the earth. For we will all be judged by God's word on the great judgement day Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48).
We are living in a very permissive society. The laws of our land allow things that God never approved. But if we hope to be saved in eternity, we must obey God rather than man. We must whole-heartedly believe that even if we do not agree with His laws, that God in His infinite wisdom and love for us knows best.
In the words of John H. Sammis' Hymn "Trust and Obey:"
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain
God's blessings to you my friends!
Your faithful servant,
+Ernest A. Ross
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A BETTER CHURCH
Greetings beloved in the name of the Lord!
We pray for Gods leading and that He would speak to us, or give us a sign, but how often do we find ourselves actually listening for His reply. From the Psalmist we learn that “We can know His power and presence this day (and everyday), if we will but listen for His voice” (Psalm 95 paraphrased).
We should be listening for the way God speaks to us through the breeze and through the rain, through the voice of a friend and the laughter of a child, and through a thousand other ways.
But we also should learn to listen for and to recognize the voice of God within us as well.
Recently I was approached by an acquaintance that was having problems with his family. He asked for my advice on how he could have a better home-life. I simply told him that if one wants a better home, then he must be a better family member. Sounds like some really good advice, and it is, but I can’t take credit for it. It’s the Golden Rule; “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
It’s truly amazing how God can work through us to edify another, and yet speak something so profound to our hearts. Time after time throughout the day His words invaded my thoughts “…whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
Later while having dinner with my family, my sister was complaining about the mistakes our new President and our government had made. She said that hard working, taxpaying citizens deserve better. I responded by saying that “If we want a better government, then we must be better citizens, which means also taking responsibility for the people we vote into office. Anything, including our government is only as good as the totality of its parts. If all the parts that make up the whole are good, fair and reliable then the whole itself is good, fair and reliable. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Following dinner, my wife and I sometimes share conversation over a cup of coffee, and this evening we found ourselves discussing the state of our churches. We spoke of the dangers of the “Emergent Church” (although, I don’t know how the Church could emerge any further from what Christ has already brought forth), Seeker-sensitive churches, the abdication of Christian responsibility, the cave in of Christian courage, and how Christians today are afraid to stand up for God’s truth . As we talked, the words of St. Paul concerning a strong church came to mind; “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16). The "effective working" mentioned in this verse is according to the ability of all the parts together, each one contributing their best, since all the members have differing talents. When each part of this process is observed, it results in the increase or the growth of the body. And, the church will be built up in love and truth for her Head and for one another as members (Romans 12:17-21).
And so I said to my wife; “You know honey… if we want better churches then we need to be better church members. If every Christian would consider God and one another before himself in all things, then there would be better churches. Our Lord died for the church and He only wants the best for it, therefore each member must be the best they can be so that the church can be the best she can be.
If our congregations are going to be better congregations then each one of the members must realize his /her importance. They must realize that each one is important no matter what they do! The Lord is depending on us to do our part. The Lord is depending on each one of us clergy and laity alike to help our congregations to grow and function.
May our all-loving Heavenly Father help us to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, and ready to help others (Ephesians 4:31,32; Galatians 6:1,2). Let each one of us help our congregations by building them up instead of tearing them down and criticizing what they’re trying to do.
Furthermore, the best ways one can help their congregation is by guarding their daily life against sin and against doing or saying anything that would bring shame and reproach upon the church for which our Lord and Savior died (Ephesians 5:15).
Friends, the time to begin building a better church is now! Without sacrificing the truth of God and His Word, may we become one and be joined together in the same mind, the same judgment, and the same purpose (1 Corinthians 1:10).
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
God’s blessings be with you, and may your joy be full!
I remain your faithful servant in Christ,
+Ernest A. Ross
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Form of Godliness
God's Word says...
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
The type of hypocrisy that the Apostle Paul is talking about in this passage of scripture is prevalent throughout Christendom today. Churches that have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. Ones that are more concerned with preaching a gospel of how to have your “Best Life Now” rather than seeking to reach out and change the world by the true preaching and teaching of the gospel of Christ. Those that are like the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3: 14-19), who think they are spiritually rich, but actually exist in a state of spiritual decay.
There is nothing more fulfilling or exhilarating than to be called by God into a specific vocation or ministry, and there is nothing more right or pleasing to God than living full-on for Jesus Christ. But these things don’t come from and are not exemplified by emotional religious rallies with slick speakers and upbeat modern music, and it definitely doesn’t come from off the cuff, improper biblical interpretation.
I’ve been in the pastoral ministry for over seventeen years, and during this time, the majority of churches and denominations that I have had dealings with were searching for a revival. The problem is that most take their definition of revival from the over-dramatic sensationalism of the theologically impaired tele-evangelists of our day. Furthermore, you will have no hard time finding preachers or teachers who link the term ‘revival’ and ‘experiencing God’ with emotionally charged rallies, psychosomatic or false healings, and large indoor crowds with contemporary Christian music, and people answering generic, watered down, man centered gospels, making their “decisions for Christ”.
This is of course a generalization, and not every church fits this mold, but I believe this to be the very epitome of the modern “Emerging Church.”
Beloved, true revival comes from right interpretation and understanding of God’s word through the power of His Holy Spirit. This is why the apostle Paul went on to say these words… “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
As a church, our job is to preach God’s word, not the cleverly designed ideas of man. When we do that plainly and accurately, forsaking all gimmicks, worldly methods and emotional manipulations a miraculous thing happens. God comes alongside of that otherwise foolish and boring preaching and teaching and He blesses it, and people’s lives are supernaturally transformed. Not just an emotionally manipulated and superficial change, but rather a real and radical transformation from the inside out. That’s true revival!
Unfortunately, today’s Christians are; as the prophet Amos so adequately put it, “…destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). Carnal men and women masquerading as ministers of the truth are calling the response that they get from preaching seeker-friendly messages and worldly philosophies, religion and revival. In reality God’s children are being devoured by cults, bamboozled by flim-flam artists posing as preachers and being misled by uneducated pastors who don’t love their God enough to commit themselves to study showing themselves “…approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
As a Church commissioned by God for the task of preaching the gospel to every creature and making disciples of all nations (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20), it is imperative that we not align ourselves with the emerging church movement that has a form of godliness but no real power.
The ACW’s vision is of reaching out to the world, promoting peace, unity and reconciliation to God. As large and as daunting as this task may seem, we need not be discouraged, but rather encouraged knowing that through Christ we can accomplish anything (Philippians 4:13), and that God has given us clear instruction through His Church and through His word in order to accomplish these things. The Apostle Paul says, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 3:17-21; 4:1).
The post-modern and emerging church movement, spearheaded by such people as Brian McLaren believe truth is relative, that there are no absolutes and they reject the law of non-contradiction. To them there is no right and wrong, and therefore they reject Orthodox Christianity for upholding those categories and making doctrinal assertions based on our faith. Whatever happened to Christians living by “…every word of God” (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4)?
Beloved, I am not just pointing a finger at the progenitors of this movement, but also at the people who receive them. Christians have been given a charge to “…believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The Church has become Lazy and apathetic, if there were no audience to receive them, this movement would have no credence. What brought this about? Were we as a Church bored with God? Why are we looking for the “Secret Message of Jesus” (a book by Brian McLaren)? After two thousand years of Christianity we suddenly think that some guy found something we didn’t know?
The ball has been dropped and we as faithful men and women must pick it up again. The post-modern and emerging church is an abdication of Christian responsibility, conviction and a cave in of Christian courage. We possess God’s immutable truth, we do have the answer and we must proclaim it proudly. Yes it may offend some, but the preaching of the gospel is an offense to those who refuse to be held accountable by the Lord (1 Peter 2:8). Offensive or not, God’s truth is too important to be killed in the streets for the sake of peace.
Dear bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and faithful laity of the ACW, let us endeavor always to truthfully preach the gospel, to be students of His word and to be faithful witnesses seeking to make radical changes in this world for Christ. Amen!
I remain your faithful servant in Christ,
+Ernest
+Ernest
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