Bishop’s Note: New Year’s Eve 2015

Bishop Eric Menees

Bishop Menees is on vacation this week, but prays that God will give you peace as you reflect on this past year and look forward to the next, and that He will guide you and strengthen you in this season of new beginnings: 

Most gracious and merciful God, you have reconciled us to yourself through Jesus Christ your Son, and called us to new life in him: Grant that we, who begin this year in his Name, may complete it to his honor and glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen. 

Almighty and merciful God, through your well beloved Son Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, you have willed to make all things new: Grant that we may be renewed by your Holy Spirit, and may come at last to that heavenly country where your people hunger and thirst no more, and the tears are wiped away from every eye; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Both prayers taken from the New Year’s Eve service in the Book of Occasional Services, 2003)

Collect for The Holy Name (January 1): Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP)

Catechism Questions 211 - 215

211.    What are Satan and demons?

Demons, of whom Satan is chief, are fallen angels. Satan rebelled against God and led other angels to follow him. They now cause spiritual and sometimes physical harm to mortals, and they sow lies that lead to confusion, despair, sin and death. (Luke 11:14-26; 8:29; 9:39; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:3-4, 11:3; 12:7; Revelation 12:7-12)

212.    How did Satan and his angels turn to evil?

Satan and his angels were overcome by envy and pride and rebelled against God. (Luke 10:18; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-12)

213.    What are angels?

Angels are spiritual, holy beings created by God. They joyfully serve him in heavenly worship and God appoints them to act as messengers, bringing words of guidance and assurance to the faithful, and assisting and protecting them. (Psalm 148:1-6; Hebrews 1:14; Luke 1:19, 26-33; Acts 8:26-28, 12:7-11, 27:23-24)

214.    How did God address evil in this world?

God, in his love, sent Jesus Christ to gain victory over all the powers of evil by his death, resurrection and ascension. Victory and authority over sin and evil are granted to the faithful in their daily lives through the Holy Spirit by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. God will finally overcome all evil, including death, at the end of the age. (John 3:16; Colossians 2:13-15; Luke 10:17-20, Philippians 2:10, 1 John 4:4; Romans 8:28, 35-39; Revelation 21:1-4)

215.     Is God responsible for evil?

No. The free choices of his creatures do not implicate God in evil in any way. (Galatians 2:17; James 1:13-15)

Bishop’s Note: Christmas Eve 2015

Bishop Eric Menees

“O God, who hast caused this holy night to shine with the illumination of the true Light: Grant us, we beseech thee, that as we have known the mystery of that Light upon earth, so may we also perfectly enjoy him in heaven; where with thee and the Holy Spirit he liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.” (Collect for Christmas, BCP pg. 161)

This evening all around the diocese, and all over the world, men and women of faith will gather in church. Many of us will be reunited with our families who are spread far and wide, as we join together to praise God for His love that knows no bounds.  

We gather on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to thank God for sending His only son, Jesus Christ, to be born among us. Scripture tells us of that humble birth to faithful parents in the town of Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy foretold so long before.

That young man would grow to be Jesus of Nazareth - a name that was, and is, known the world over.  Known not simply for the profound Truth that He taught, but for the same Love that was evident in His Father. A love for the poor and lame, the rich and blind, the powerful and weak, that would transform the world, bringing salvation to all men and light to a very dark world.

My prayer as your bishop - and I hope all of our prayers - is that we will leave these services bearing the light of Christ into that same dark world; that we will have the same love for the poor and lame, the rich and blind, the powerful and weak, and that we will demonstrate that love by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. When we can take up that torch, then we really will have a very Merry Christmas!

Catechism Questions 207 - 210

207.    What is the Seventh Petition?

The Seventh Petition is: “But deliver us from evil.”

208.    What is evil?

Evil is the willful perversion of God’s good will that defies his holiness and mars his good creation. (Genesis 3:1-19; 4:1-8; 6:1-8)

209.    If God made the world good at its creation, why does he permit evil?

God made rational creatures free to worship, love, and obey him, but also free to reject his love, rebel against him, and choose evil – as the human race has done. (Genesis 6:5; Ecclesiastes 7:29; 1 Timothy 1:20; Revelation 2:18-29)

210.    Did evil exist before the human race embraced it?

Yes. Satan and the other demons with him had already opposed God and chosen evil. (Genesis 3: 1-5; Job 1:6-12; John 8:44)

Bishop’s Note: December 17, 2015 Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Evangelists

Bishop Eric Menees

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”

(Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV)

As we close out this series on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we look at the positions in the church that require the gifting of God the Holy Spirit. St. Paul lays out these ministries in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Church in Ephesus. Beginning with Apostles, and then Prophets, today we look at the ministry of Evangelists. 

By definition, evangelists are those who share the Good News of Jesus Christ. While all baptized Christians are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, there are those Christians - lay and ordained - who by God’s Grace naturally share the Good News of Jesus with any and all that they meet.

When I think of evangelists, I think of two young women: one named Rebecca and the other Christina. They are two women who couldn’t be more different in personality, or more similar in their love of Jesus. Rebecca, her husband, and their children were members of the congregation I served in San Diego. Rebecca is reserved and quiet, never seeking attention or being out front. However, she has the ability to speak naturally about Jesus and would invite family, friends, and co-workers to church so that they could get to know Him too. Rebecca has a passion for supporting unwed mothers.  She was and is excited to help these women and see their children be born, grow, and thrive!  

Christina and I met when I came to the Diocese. She is single and gregarious, fearless in social situations, and equally has a love for Jesus and a desire to share that with others. Three years ago, the Lord put it on my heart to ask Christina to consider being a lay evangelist at Fresno State University. Without batting an eye, Christina said yes and set out on a two-year adventure that brought the Good News of Jesus to the Campus of Fresno State. While God did not bless that ministry by drawing hundreds of people to an on going ministry, He did draw several non-Christians or lapsed Christians to Christina, who led them to Jesus!

Neither Christina nor Rebecca are “ordained” or hold special titles in the church, but both are gifted evangelists and lovers of Jesus.

How is God providing opportunities and the desire in your life to quietly or boldly share the Good News of Jesus Christ? I bid you to pray for opportunities and the desire to share the love of Jesus; if you ask, I am sure He will give you the desire, opportunity, and ability to glorify the name of Christ!

I pray you all a blessed fourth Sunday in Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and prepare for His Second Coming!

Catechism Questions 201 - 206

201.    What is the Sixth Petition?

The Sixth Petition is: “And lead us not into temptation.”

202.    What is temptation?

Temptation is an enticement to abandon total trust in God or to violate his commandments. (Proverbs 1:8-19; James 1:14-15)

203.    What are the sources of temptation?

My heart is tempted by the world, the flesh, and the Devil, all of which are enemies of God and of my spiritual well-being. (1 John 2:15-17, Galatians 5:16-21, 1 John 3:8)

204.    What kind of protection from temptation do you ask for?

Knowing Satan’s hatred and my weakness, I ask God to keep me from sin and danger. (Luke 22:31; James 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8)

205.    Does God lead you into temptation?

No. God never tempts anyone to sin, nor is he the cause of any sin, but, so that I may grow in obedience, he does allow me to be tested on occasion, as he allowed Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-14; Hebrews 5:7-8; Genesis 22; Judges 2; James 1:1-8)

206.    What are ways to guard against temptation?

I can guard against temptation by praying the Lord’s Prayer, asking for strength, confessing my sins, recalling God’s Word, and living accountably with others. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 14:38; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Ephesians 6:13-17; James 5:16; 1 John 1:9

Bishop’s Note: December 10, 2015 Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Prophets

Bishop Eric Menees

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

(Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV)

God the Holy Spirit has gifted Christians from the first Pentecost to this present day. He gifts us to be His instruments of Grace and Love until the Lord returns. However, the Lord also sets aside particular people for specific ministries that are described from the passage above from the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Last week in my Bishop’s Note we spoke of the Apostles – those specific men chosen by Christ, who were witnesses to the resurrection, and were sent into the world as Christ’s emissaries. This week we look at the The Prophets.

From Moses to this present day, God has called specific people to be His spokesmen. Who do you think of when I say the word “prophet”? In this season of Advent, it’s hard not to think of John the Baptist, who fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah and calls the people of Israel to repent as we’ll hear in this week's lessons: “He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:7)

    

But the role of Prophet did not end in the first century. God has raised up men and women today - both ordained and lay - who are called to share the word of God with individuals, small groups of people, and all people everywhere. The gospel of the Lord is not for one person or one group of people, but for all people for all time.

Let us pray that God will raise up and equip more and more people with this gift, so that more and more people will be able to hear God’s Word and thus have the opportunity to respond to God’s call on their lives. What is God’s call? Repent and believe, bearing fruits in keeping with repentance!

    I pray you all a truly blessed 3^rd Sunday in Advent!

  

Catechism Questions 196 - 200

196.    Does God forgive your sins?

Yes. God freely forgives the sins of all who ask him in true repentance and faith, and that includes me. (Leviticus 6:6-8; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37, 40, 51; 7:37; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Hebrews 7:25)

197.    Do you forgive others as fully as God forgives you?

Following the example of my Lord Jesus, I seek constantly to forgive those who sin against me. (Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

198.     Why should you forgive others?

I should forgive others because while I was still a sinner God forgave me. (Matthew 18:21-35)

199.    How will you forgive others?

I will forgive others by extending to them the love of Christ, and by choosing not to hold against them the hurts they have inflicted, whether they ask forgiveness or not. (Romans 13:8)

200.    Will your forgiveness of others bring reconciliation with them?

Not always. Forgiveness is an attitude of my heart desiring the blessing of my neighbor, but my forgiveness may not result in my neighbor’s repentance and the restoration of our relationship. (Romans 12:18)

Bishop’s Note: December 03, 2015 Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Apostles

Bishop Eric Menees

As we approach the end of the year we also approach the end of this series of Bishop’s Notes on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the early church God the Holy Spirit equipped individuals for ministry in building up the Body of Christ – The Church –  through the advancement of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He is still doing so today!

St. Paul in his letter to the Church in Ephesus speaks of certain groups of people whom God has gifted through the Holy Spirit: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV)

The first on this list were the Apostles. The Apostles were those men specifically called by Jesus who lived, worked, prayed, and suffered with our Lord. Most importantly, these are the men to whom Jesus chose to reveal himself, and who he chose to empower through the Holy Spirit in order to establish and govern the whole church. These men had the authority to speak the words of the Son of God, which were and are - in every way - equal to the power and authority of the Old Testament Scriptures.

“The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:2-4 ESV) Judas, the betrayer, was replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:26. Soon afterwards, Saul met the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and became the 13^th and last Apostle.

Thank God for the Apostles, whom He used to govern the church in her infancy. They were the ones who were entrusted with the Gospel, and who were given the right and charged with the responsibility to share, protect, and defend the faith. This meant that the Apostles were required to raise up, train, and ordain new ministers, and to exercise discipline in the church.  

As a bishop, I am humbled, honored, and blessed to have been raised up and equipped by God to be a successor to the Apostles in the Diocese of San Joaquin.     

I pray you a blessed Second Sunday of Advent!

Catechism Questions 191 - 195

191.    What is the Fifth Petition?

The Fifth Petition is: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

192.    What are trespasses?

A trespass is a thought, word, or deed contrary to God’s holy character and Law, missing the mark of his will and expectations. (Romans 3:23)

193.    Have you trespassed against God’s Law?

Yes. Together with all mankind, I sin daily against God’s Law in thought, word, and deed, and love neither him nor my neighbor, as I should. (Jeremiah 2:12-14; Romans 1:18-24; 3:23)

194.    What is God’s forgiveness?

God’s forgiveness is his merciful removal of the guilt of sin that results from our disobedience. (Isaiah 1:18; 52:13-53:12; Ephesians 1:3-14; Colossians 2:13-14)

195.    On what basis do you ask forgiveness?

I ask God to forgive all my sins through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which was completed for me on the cross and is given to me through faith and Baptism. (Acts 2:38; Romans 5:17; Colossians 2:9-12; 1 John 1:9-10)