This is from yesterday from yours truly if you have an interest. It was preached at Saint Andrew’s, Mount Pleasant, S.C. and is based on Articles 12-14 of the 39 articles and readings from Ephesians 2:1-10 and Matthew 25:31-46. The link included downloadable options as well as sermon notes and questions.
Thanks for preaching using the Articles. I honestly think we wouldn’t have gotten in the mess we are in if we had continued to treat the Articles as authoritative (as I was taught they were when I was in Sunday School class as a youngster). All of the issues we are going through are directly addressed by the Articles. Having been one of those who learned them in confirmation class, this is the main reason today’s TEC is such a large disconnect for me and why I am now in another denomination.
Jim. Me too. I learned about the Articles of Religion in confirmation class. I totally agree. Even this mess with ‘gay marriage’ could easily be handled with an article of religion. I asked Bishop Lawrence a question about gay marriage and he agreed then mentioned if only it were that easy. I took that to mean people don’t really even consider the articles of religion in anymore when discussing church polity.
VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that [b]whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith[/b], or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
IX. Of Original or Birth-Sin.
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk;) but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam; [b]whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the Spirit[/b]; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God’s wrath and damnation. [b]And this infection of nature doth remain, yea in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, p¢vnæa sapk¢s, (which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh), is not subject to the Law of God[/b]. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized; yet the Apostle doth confess, that [b]concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin[/b].
XVIII. Of obtaining eternal Salvation [b]only by the Name of Christ[/b].
They also are to be had [b]accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth[/b], so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. [b]For Holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved[/b].
XX. Of the Authority of the Church.
The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: and yet [b]it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another[/b]. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.
XXIX. Of the Wicked, which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord’s Supper.
The Wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as Saint Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ; [b]yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ: but rather, to their condemnation, do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing[/b].