On Bended Knee

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…" (Philippians 2:8-10).

It is a tremendous understatement to believe that Holy Week, which begins Palm Sunday, is the culmination of the Church’s official "Lenten course." For at least sixteen centuries that we can prove, the Church has ordered that we read these words of St. Paul on this Sunday, along with St. Matthew’s account of the Passion of the Son of God. We have come to the center of the Church’s teaching since the very beginning, from before the time of prayer books, to this central truth upon which all of Christianity depends—Jesus Christ died for our sins.

The Truth of all things Christian is that there are only two possible outcomes for every person, past, present, or future. There is Salvation in Jesus Christ, eternal life with the Lord of all, or eternity of death and separation from God in hell.

Yes, I know it’s easy to make fun of the "fire and brimstone" preachers. They seemed to know more about hell than they do about the mercy of God or about the kingdom of heaven. Polls show that most Americans do not believe in hell. Some of the theologians and seminary professors I had to endure, revised the Scriptures in such a way that all men are saved, universally, regardless of what they believe or do in this world.

These opinions represent a false faith, a false Gospel, and a false doctrine of God. Most of all, what those who hold such opinions have in common is this - they will not bow their knee at the Name of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

A disbelief in hell is a disbelief in Jesus Christ, who endured death and hell for our sake. When we say that hell is "no big deal," we trivialize the crucifixion that Jesus Christ suffered to keep us out of hell. You may think all of the sufferings and lashings and becoming sin for our sake was pointless, as Jesus was going to heaven any way. Why did Jesus go to so much bother?

We have to face the bad news, in order to receive the good news. The bad news is when the Name of Jesus is not exalted, God is not glorified, and we are damned. When we put anything in heaven, in earth, or under the earth above the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins, we belong with Satan because we think and we live like Satan.

The good news, on the other hand, is this: that no one who exalts Jesus Christ will ever be lost to hell, to Satan, or to death. Every drop of blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross is a testimony of life and love for every faithful person, offered before the Father.

A true, life-giving faith in Jesus Christ consists of living our entire lives on the trust that his Blood is sufficient to redeem our lives. Jesus took away what we deserve, not by magic, but by bloodshed that we might share with him, and in him what he deserves—the exaltation of eternal life, the perfect love of the Father for the Son, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.

So, during this Holy week, we have a chance to bend the knee to Jesus Christ with all the faithful. There is nothing simpler and more humble than that.

Be on bended knee,

Bishop Ian

Passion Sunday

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:11-12)

The Fifth Sunday in Lent is traditionally called Passion Sunday because the appointed readings in the Prayer Book point to our inability to save ourselves from sin. They also point to the sacrifice that redeemed us from sin. So as we come to the last two weeks of Lent we begin reflecting on our Lord's Atonement - his death – which brought us back into fellowship with God the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus, God the Son.

Before our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross, a process was begun after the fall in the Garden of Eden. God accepted Abel and his sacrificial lamb (Gen. 4:2, 4), and from that time on men had known that the blood of animals (Blood was regarded as the seat of life Gen. 9:4), made men acceptable to God for a time.

Scriptures tell us that God established a system of sacrifices which would atone for the sin of his people (Exod. 29:38-30:16, Lev. 6:8-end). T his became known to the people of Israel as The Day of Atonement. It was by far the holiest day in the Old Testament calendar. The rituals and sacrifices proceeded according to the following steps:

1. The high priest washed and dressed, and then sacrificed a bull as a sin offering for

himself.
2. He entered the Most Holy Place and sprinkled the ark with the bull’s blood.
3. He took two goats, and by lot, chose one to be the scapegoat, the other to be
the sin offering.
4. After sacrificing one goat as the sin offering, he then sprinkled the goat’s
blood on the ark, the outer part of the tabernacle of meeting, and the main alter.
5. He confessed the sins of the Israelites as he laid hands on the scapegoat's
head and then sent the scapegoat into the desert. By doing this, the high
priest transferred those sins to the goat and the goat then symbolically carried
the people's sins away into the desert.

This process of sacrifice merely established a principle, for the men were imperfect in themselves. This sacrifice had to be repeated over and over again (Heb. 8:6-10). No earthly sacrifice could perfectly pay the price of sin. Sin, being an offence against God, is an infinite offence. So only an infinitely good sacrifice could cancel its effects, but man had nothing worthy enough to provide. So God, in his infinite mercy, sent God the Son to become man, and to offer himself as a worthy sacrifice. “…a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world” (1928 BCP pg 80).

The New Testament makes many comparisons between the Day of Atonement and the death of Christ; For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:13-15)

As we prepare for Easter remember, as Jesus hung on the cross, God the Father took the sins of all people - past, present and future - and placed them on God the Son. Jesus became our substitute.

Be Passionate,

Bishop Ian

Climbing God's Ladder

I once heard somebody say that if you are tired of having people step on your face, then quit trying to climb the success ladder. A bit extreme? Perhaps. However, there is some truth to that statement.

Everyone who has faithfully answered the call of God is attempting to follow God's plan in that calling. As we strive to fulfill God's purpose for our lives, we will meet with opposition. In other words, as we faithfully climb "God's ladder" of success, we will have opposing forces trying to "step on our faces." I have been reading St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, specifically chapters 1-4, in preparation for an upcoming class I will be teaching. This coupled with having a rather hard week I can relate to the Apostle Paul.

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." (Philippians 1:12)

The Apostle Paul was called by God, to climb "God's ladder" and to bring glory to God. He also was a man who understood what it was like to have opposing forces stepping on his face as he was climbing. In fact, the forces of opposition were so strong that they actually had him thrown into prison. However, even after being thrown in jail for preaching the gospel, that still didn’t keep Paul from continuing to fulfill God's call and purpose.

"As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly." (Philippians 1:13-14)

Yes, certainly Paul was unfairly imprisoned, but he didn't quit; he kept climbing. The result? He was able to share the gospel of saving grace throughout the whole palace guard, and the other Christians who were not imprisoned became more courageous in sharing the gospel. Think about it; even though Paul was unfairly imprisoned (talk about having your face stepped on!), he kept climbing God's ladder. Not only that, his attitude inspired many others to start climbing God's ladder as well...allowing the gospel to be spread, souls to be saved, and the name of Christ to be honored!

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 NIV)

How has the climb been lately? Have you been motivated and excited to fulfill God's plan and purpose for your life...even in the face of opposing forces? Or, have you lost motivation as a result of having your faced stepped on too many times? Yes, I know the feeling. And we can all learn something from the example of Paul. We need to remind ourselves that reaching the top of God’s “Ladder of Success” is eternal life.

God never promised the climb would be an easy one. But he did promise that He would be with us on every rung. Sometimes life is unfair, it’s hard, it’s dangerous, and it’s tempting us away from our calling and purpose. We will make many mistakes along the way, but keep climbing, and don't quit. Fulfill God's calling on your life by blessing others and bringing glory to our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:19-20)

Be a Climber,

Bishop Ian

It's Hard To Stumble If You're On Your Knees

It’s been said that when God is about to do something great, he starts his people praying. His supernatural strength is available to praying people who are convinced to the core of their beings that He can make a difference. Skeptics may argue that answered prayers are only coincidences, but as Bishop JC Ryle once observed, "It's amazing how many coincidences occur when one begins to pray." For it is only when we have first spent time on our knees before God, that we will then be able to go and stand before people.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34)

The great evangelist of the 19th century, D.L. Moody, was once asked why a godly man such as himself would need to pray so much. He responded, "Because I leak." Moody means that all the blessings the Lord fills us with need constant prayer to keep our spiritual tanks topped off and full.

We as Christians are wisest and safest when we are on our knees in prayer. Why? Look at the title above. It is pretty hard to stumble when you are on your knees. Scriptures are very clear and consistent that Jesus was a man of prayer. The Gospels show us that Jesus’ natural response to any situation, be it crisis or decision, was to seek the Father alone in prayer. His earthly life not only lived out the practice of prayer, it was one of His most consistent teachings.

Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me;you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. (The Psalter 1928 BCP p. 378, Psalm 32:7-8)

We have a rich history, and an historic prayer book full of prayers and devotions that have been said by faithful Christians for thousands of years.

O GOD, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collect: The First Sunday after Trinity. Pg. 188 1928 BCP)

This Lent, let God do something great in your life through prayer,

Be Prayerful