Brews with Andrewes

Episode 13: Fruits Meet for Repentance Matthew 3:8

August 26, 2025

Andrewes discusses how repentance is like a tree that must bear fruit – not mere leaves or appearances, but real, worthy fruits that demonstrate inner transformation.

SERMONS OF REPENTANCE AND FASTING

PREACHED ON ASH-WEDNESDAY

Prepared to be preached on Wednesday, February 10, 1624

Copies can be found in Lancelot Andrewes Works, Sermons, Volume One, or on The Project Canterbury Website.

Summary:

      Andrewes presses home John the Baptist’s command, “Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance” to escape the wrath to come (Matt.3:8,7) showing that repentance is not passive, or private, but must be embodied in acts of devotion, discipline, and mercy, offered sincerely to God, and pursued earnestly now, lest the “wrath to come” overtake us.

Outline:

Deadly Sin

Countering Fruit

Worthy Virtue

Pride

Greed

Lust

Envy

Gluttony

Wrath

Sloth

Prayer

Almsgiving

Fasting

Almsgiving

Fasting

Prayer

All Three

Humility

Generosity

Chasity

Charity

Temperance

Patience

Diligence

Music & Sound Attributions:

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions “Lost Shoe” (www.sessions.blue). Sounds used are as follows: “Beer Can Opening” recorded by Mike Koening found at (http://soundbible.com/216-Beer-Can-Opening.html) and “Pouring Drink” recorded by Mike Koenig found at (http://soundbible.com/2115-Pouring-Drink.html).

The conversation starts with a detailed recitation and explanation of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the importance of memorizing and understanding them. The speaker outlines each commandment, highlighting the bolded portions that must be memorized and the standard text that should be understood. The commandments are explained in both their original context for the Hebrews and their relevance to Christians. For example, the first commandment means Jews could not worship other gods, while Christians must love God above all else. The second commandment prohibits making and worshiping idols for both Jews and Christians. The speaker also discusses the significance of the Sabbath, honoring parents, not murdering, adultery, theft, false witness, and coveting.

Then the discussion shifts to the Summary of the Law emphasizing the importance of loving God and one's neighbor as oneself. It highlights that loving God transcends feelings and is a fundamental commandment, as stated by Jesus. The conversation also outlines practical ways to obey these commandments, such as prayer, which involves both talking and listening to God, and fasting, which is described as a form of self-discipline and a way to draw closer to God. Additionally, giving alms to the poor is recommended as a way to show God's love and care for others. The speaker also mentions five types of personal prayer: praise and thanksgiving, intercession, petition, penitential, and meditation.

The discussion on "The Church" outlines the concept of the church as the embodiment of Christ and His followers, emphasizing its presence wherever Christ is. The church is described in three states: militant (earthly believers fighting temptations), expectant (deceased believers awaiting heaven), and triumphant (heavenly believers in paradise). The church's purposes include liturgical worship, missionary outreach, teaching, and pastoral care. It is characterized by unity, holiness, universality, and apostolic succession, linking it to the apostles through the Holy Spirit. The laity plays a crucial role in these duties.

The discussion on the church building and year provides an in-depth exploration of church architecture and its symbolism. The church is described as God's house, with key features like the narthex, nave, transept, chancel, and sanctuary. The sanctuary, facing east, is where holy events occur, with the altar at its center. The church year is divided into seasons—Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity—each with specific colors and moods reflecting different aspects of Jesus' life and teachings. Vestments worn by clergy during services are also detailed, emphasizing their historical and symbolic significance.

The discussion delves into the concept of the Trinity, explaining that God is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that God is love and that His nature is beyond human comprehension. The Trinity is described as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are one in essence, with each person being co-eternal and co-equal. The Nicene Creed is referenced to illustrate the church's belief in the Trinity, highlighting the Father's almightiness, the Son's eternal existence, and the Holy Spirit's role as the love between the Father and the Son.

The discussion covers the history of the Christian church, emphasizing its origins, early persecutions, and the role of key figures like Jesus, his disciples, and the apostles. It details the spread of Christianity, the establishment of the Nicene Creed, and the impact of figures like Constantine and Martin Luther. The conversation also touches on the development of the Anglican Church, its use of Latin, and the challenges faced during the Reformation. The narrative concludes with the establishment of the Anglican Province of America and its ongoing efforts to maintain traditional teachings and practices.

Episode 12: Four Marks of Biblical Faith in Acts 2:42

Andrewes discusses the various imaginations which have led men and women to stray from the positive, outward forms of worship approved by God.

June 11, 2024

Sermon II of Lancelot Andrewes Preached at Sundry Times upon Several Occasions

Preached in the Parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate on January 9, 1592.

Copies can be found in Lancelot Andrewes Works,

Sermons, Volume Five, or on The Project Canterbury Website.

Summary:

      Andrewes highlights a variety of ways we can be tempted to stray to the right or to the left (cf.Deut.17:11) of the biblical, historical model of Faith as handed down by the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and the prayers, opting rather for more attractive models produced by man’s fancy and imagination.

1. Introduction: The Biblical Model and The Origins of Contrary Imaginations

1. Biblical Worship in Acts 2:42 involved:

1. The Apostles’ Doctrine

1. Salvation is neither a system of legalism or licentiousness

1. The Apostles’ Doctrine is meant to bring us into the Apostles’ Fellowship

1. It’s the primary mark of the Apostles’ Fellowship to be practiced regularly

1. Invocation is the primary habit of those in the Apostles’ Fellowship

1. Inspiration comes from the Devil to stray outside the bounds of revelation. St. Augustine, “The devil, seeing the temples of the demons deserted, and the human race running to the name of the liberating Mediator, has moved the heretics under the Christian name to resist the Christian doctrine” (City of God, Ch.51).

1. Pharisees & Sadducees (16:12)

1. Simon Magus (a converted heathen philosopher),

1. The first heretic

1. Dualism of Spirit and Matter: Only inner Spirit matters, bodily sins do not

1. Dualism of Good/Light/God and Evil/Dark/Satan

1. Man’s will is completely free and able to keep God’s Law

1. Ebion (Acts 15)

1. 2nd heretic behind Simon Magus for “adoptionism” (Jesus is Son of God by adoption)

1. Perversions of the Apostles’ Doctrine (both its matter/substance, and its manner/ceremony)

1. Nicolas (Rev.2:6) & Carpocrates – attacked foundation

1. “Carnal-Gospellers” who say there is no need for “repentance” or faithfulness as long as a person believed the Gospel.

1. “Strict livers”/“civil Christians” who say “faith” is not mandatory

1. Cathari imagined that biblical worship involved being pure to the discipline and exact pattern of the Apostles

1. Keeping for example, love-feasts after the Sacrament, and

1. Some say no ceremony while others say every ceremony

1. Women covering heads (11:5)

1. Dumbed Down – no Latin or Greek, or need to think

1. Jesus instituted its Government to be of two Degrees (Andrewes expounds on this more in his A Summary View of The Government Both of The Old and New Testament: whereby The Episcopal Government of Christ’s Church is Vindicated):

1. The 12 (Apostles, now succeeded by bishops), and

1. They use 1Corinthians 12:28 (apostles, prophets, and teachers)

1. While St. Chrysostom maintained that some Priest/Elders/ Presbyters should only baptize while others taught, yet neither he, nor those before him, ever mention lay-elders as pastors and elders. He says, “For preaching the Gospel is a work perhaps for one or two; but baptizing, for everyone endowed with the priesthood… we commit this matter to the simpler sort of presbyters, but the word of doctrine unto the wiser… Wherefore [Paul] says himself (5:17), ‘Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and in teaching.’” (St. Chrysostom on 1Corinthians 1:17)

1. Imaginations of the Church of Rome

1. In his day, some in the Church of Rome would omit the “fracture” contrary to 1Corinthians 10:16-18 where the Eucharist is essentially equated with the “peace-offering.”

1. Although Scripture says it is for covenant renewal (23:20)

1. Jesus’ command to the rich, you ruler: “Give to the poor” (10:21)

1. Some imagine it ought only to be done annually, whereas the Primitive Church did it 1 to 3 times a week.

1. Some imagine no need to use the “Our Father” although Jesus commanded it (Matt.6:9-13), and even St. Augustine said that the universal Church had always used it to begin and end her prayers.

1. No need to pray with the mind (14:14-15) but simply say the Latin prayers, or unmindfully recite rosaries and pray who psalters.

1. Finding fault with any liturgy, they opt for extemporaneous prayers, which still can be as unfruitful as Latin prayers

1. We will spend eternity with the one whose imaginations we follow: either God’s or rebel-man

1. Zion is ordered by God, and man there abides by His wishes.

Music & Sound Attributions:

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions “Lost Shoe” (www.sessions.blue). Sounds used are as follows: “Beer Can Opening” recorded by Mike Koening found at (http://soundbible.com/216-Beer-Can-Opening.html) and “Pouring Drink” recorded by Mike Koenig found at (http://soundbible.com/2115-Pouring-Drink.html).

Who is this that cometh from Edom in Isaiah 63:1-3

Andrewes on the victorious return of Jesus, the blood-stained warrior, from His conquest against demons, death, and Hell on Resurrection Sunday.

July 19, 2022

Sermon XVII of Lancelot Andrewes’ Sermons on The Resurrection Preached upon Easter-Day before King James at Whitehall on April 13, 1623.

Copies can be found in Lancelot Andrewes Works, Sermons, Volume Three, or on The Project Canterbury Website.

Summary:

      Andrewes uses the imagery of winepresses in Isaiah 63:1-3 to, first, speak about Christ’s victory over the kingdom of demons and death (Edom), along with its capital city, Hell (Bozrah), by His Passion and Resurrection, and, then, to emphasize the benefits that Christ offers to His people who accept the great exchange He won – namely that of “God becoming man so man can be able to become god,” or in theological terms: man’s deification (qewsiV, theosis) by grace.

1. Introductory Remarks about Isaiah 63:1-3

1. Philip could have just as easily used this passage to teach the Ethiopian Eunuch about Christ

1. Isaiah 53:7-8 teaches about Jesus’ Passion (cf.Act.8:26-40)

1. Immediately before it, in Isa.62:11, we are told “Behold, here comes your savior,” and our passage says, “Who is this who comes?”

1. He was not left in hell (Ps.16:10) – in Bozrah

1. The Prophet asks, “Who is this?” And Christ answers:

1. The one who “speaks righteousness”

1. The winepress of redemption: “I have trodden alone”

1. The person responds that He had a conquest in Edom and a victory in Bozrah

1. As Jesus was never in Bozrah physically, we must look to the spiritual meaning and fulfilment (compare spiritual Sodom and Egypt where Jesus was crucified, Rev.11:8)

1. Historically, it was known for its notoriously wicked people who the LORD always had anger toward (cf.Mal.1:4)

1. As the strongest hold and city of the Kingdom of Edom

1. Geographically David conquered historical Edom and Bozrah

1. He did this in His Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection

1. Both titles are fulfilled by Christ as the one who subdues and treads down death, hell, and all the powers of Satan.

1. His Word is truth

1. His work is salvation

1. The Radical Image of Yahweh drench in blood

1. If He is so mighty why are his garments red? Covered in blood.

1. “The poetry portrays Yahweh not as a triumphant gloating warrior, swaggering back from battle, unmoved by the enormity of what he has had to do, but as tiered and bloodstained, barely recognizable, as someone who knows what it is to suffer” (John Sawyer, “Radical Images of Yahweh in Isaiah 63,” JSOT supplement series 144, JSOT Press, 1993, p.80)

1. The First Press when the True Vine was pressed on our behalf to remove the cup of death and to offer us the Cup of the New Testament in His Blood.

1. At Gethsemane sweating blood

1. Blood from the lamb slain

1. The lamb slain wearing His own blood

1. He was forsaken even by his disciples and left alone

1. The Great Exchange: He that is most naturally associated with white, became red in order that we might become white.

1. Speaker of Righteousness: the color for doctors and priests

1. Only the Mighty to Save could tread down the enemies

1. The Two presses of Christ (the one for us and the other for the enemies) have happened, but the Third Winepress of the Day of the Lord is still to come.

1. Those who hear the voice of the One Speaking Righteousness

A Word about the word “hell”

      Typically, when preachers or evangelist today speak about “hell,” they describe something far more closely related to the “lake of fire” mentioned in the Book of Revelation (see Rev.21:14-15), instead of anything the Bible calls “hell.” So, consequently, when we hear that Jesus descended into “hell” our imaginations often visualize Him entering a place much different than what the Bible describes. So, often times, when discussing Jesus’ descent, debellation, and harrowing of “hell,” it can be helpful to look up the actual Biblical words, which we use the English word “hell” to translate. They are:

• “Gehenna” (the “place of burning” where children were sacrificed by passing through the fire, and a later-day garbage heap, in the Valley of Hinnom) – see 2Kng.23:10; Jer.7:32; Mrk.9:42-48; Matt.10:28

And while the Bible does not refer to it as “hell,” but since we have already mentioned it:

• “The Lake of Fire” (experienced at the second death and is the place which was originally prepared for the Devil and all his angels) – see Matt.25:41; and again Rev.21:14-15

For when we do this, we can see how the Bible clearly, or at least poetically, describes roughly four different places, yet in our imagination, we often hear only one location, which we call “hell.” Furthermore, this is complicated by the fact that we then attach our definition of “hell” (i.e., “the place of final retribution for the unrepentant”) to each of these Biblical references.

      Now, if we come to the Bible and hear it on its terms, we see that when Jesus was put to death (the First Winepress) he was made alive in the spirit (for the Second Winepress) whereupon He descended into Sheol/Hades(cf.1Pet.3:18; Ps.16:10; Act.2:27-31). Once there, 1st His Presence made Sheol/Hades into Paradise for St. Dismas, the penitent thief (cf.Lk.23:43), and all others who have, or will, die loving the Lord (cf.2Cor.5:6-8; Phil.1:21-23; Ps.139:8). 2nd In line with that, He thus brought His people out of the experience of Sheol/Hades – those in Abraham’s bosom, if you will – into His Paradise completing the perfection begun in the spirits of the Old Testament faithful (cf.Heb.12:23), all of which we now refer to as the “Harrowing of Hell.” Then, finally, 3rd He went into the deepest part of the underworld, Tartarus, and made proclamation of His victory over all the plots and ploys of the fallen angels who tried to destroy His creation with forbidden wisdom and demonic offspring (cf.1Pet.3:19). With that work completed, He then rose again from the dead by a bodily resurrection.

      “But,” you might still be asking, “what about those who die now, on this side of Jesus’ death, burial, descent, and resurrection?” Well, it all boils down to whether or not a person believes the Gospel of the Kingdom and discovers that God is as good as Jesus demonstrated Him to be. If they do, this naturally changes the directory of their lives as God increasingly becomes their greatest treasure and they long to be in His unfiltered presence. Upon death, they will be usured into the paradise of God’s presence in heaven where they will be preserved, perfected, and made to participate in the continued establishment of the coming kingdom, which upon completion they will be bodily resurrected to work and keep the new earth under the new heavens. As for those who do not come to believe the Gospel and therefore never develop a love and desire for God, He will allow them to exist in the place furthest from His presence where they will continue in their anger and sadness (“weeping and gnashing their teeth”) toward Him. However, when God’s kingdom is fully established on earth, they too will experience the resurrection, but only into the second death – The Lake of Fire.

Music & Sound Attributions:

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions “Lost Shoe” (www.sessions.blue). Sounds used are as follows: “Beer Can Opening” recorded by Mike Koening found at (http://soundbible.com/216-Beer-Can-Opening.html) and “Pouring Drink” recorded by Mike Koenig found at (http://soundbible.com/2115-Pouring-Drink.html).