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Monday, October 31, 2022

All Saints Day - a Devotion for 1 November 2022, Anno Domini

  

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ND after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.  (Revelation 19:1-5)

 

            This is the day we observe following Reformation Day. From a spiritual point of view, our genealogy is an important matter to consider. All Saints Day helps to bring into focus the greater spiritual descent from our spiritual Father Abraham as opposed to that legal descent from the bondage of Hagar. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise(Galatians 3:23-29)

 

            If we are the children of the faith who have believed in that Promised Seed of Abraham, then are we the elect of God. There are many who are descended from Abraham’s bloodline who remain lost and under the law. 

 

            All Saints Day calls to remembrance the Church Victorious. All saints (true believers in Christ) from Abraham to today we remember in love and gratitude. We remember their testimony as well as their good works and try to emulate their good example. Those good works are on deposit beyond the Gates of Splendor. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them(Revelation 14:13)

 

            All Saints Day is a good time to remember our loved ones who died in the Lord, and all the great Christian men and women who lived before us including, for the Anglican Orthodox Communion, such saints as Bishop James Parker Dees, Mrs. Betty Hoffman, Mrs. Arwyn Dallis, and Mr. Dick Schoenmann (plus a plethora of other dear souls of years gone by).

 

            The saints we commemorate on All Saints Day were by no means perfect men and women in righteousness, but men and women whose faith annulled every desire to sin with intention. Their faith was strong to lead them in the paths of righteousness while still depending upon the mercy and grace of God to sustain them in their frailty. May many more such Christians be spawned in these latter days of the Church.

Halloween or Reformation Day – Which? - a Devotion for 31 October 2022, Anno Domini

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 GLORIOUS high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. 13 O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:12-13)

 

            The contrast between Reformation Day (October 31) and All Hallows Eve (Halloween) could not be more vivid. The Church had forgotten its First Love over the course of centuries following the Apostolic Age. Many manmade traditions and fallacies had taken on the nature of Holy Scripture which they weren’t. The sanctuary had been defiled as was the Temple in the days our Lord cleansed it and chased out the merchants and money-changers.

 

            The Church had rotted from the head down when Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg on this day in 1517. The ministry had become corrupt from the Pope down to the friar, and men were told they could buy indulgences to cover past and future sins – among many other false teachings. 

 

            A great deal of courage was required of Luther to step out in opposition to the mightiest power on earth at the time, the Roman Church and her self-proclaimed Vicar of God on earth – the Pope. But all great deeds are wrought with the courageous and not the timid. Luther risked burning at the stake for his courageous act, but God preserved him to continue a great movement to reform the Church. Reformation spread like a burning fire over continental Europe and the English Isles. Archbishop Cranmer and many English bishops followed in his trail and suffered martyrdom.

 

            But Reformation Day is seldom mentioned in public media today, overridden by the corrupt celebration called Halloween. Halloween began as ‘All Hallows Eve’ as a response to the Celtic holiday of Samhain – a night of mischievous revelry that included, at times, human sacrifice. It was a time to glorify death. But All Hallows Eve did not, at first, include the licentious behavior it has come to represent in Halloween. It was a day of prayer for the dead. But this, too, was heretical in that prayers for the dead can avail nothing for the unconscious soul. Hallow means Holy,’ and ‘een’ is an abbreviation for even, or evening. There is certainly nothing Holy about Halloween since it glories death, witches, open tombs, and every dark and evil spirit. 

 

            The Holy Scriptures tells us the dead know nothing at all. The body has returned to the dust of the ground and the spirit to God who gave it. There are no such things as ghost and goblins. It is dishonest to teach our children to emulate such dark creatures of man’s imagination. Prayers for the dead avail nothing. 

 

            Solomon proclaims the truth that a living dog is better than a dead lion: This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. ¶For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.(Ecclesiastes 9:3-6)

 

            Our Lord clearly states in many places that once dead, no good deed or decision can be forthcoming. I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he liveAnd whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this(John 11:25-26) When our Lord went to the house of Jairus to restore his dead daughter, the Jews laughed Him to scorn for they said she was dead.’ These unbelievers knew death, but our Lord Jesus Christ knows LIFE. 

 

            That is the difference in Halloween and Reformation Day. The first celebrates death, the second the restored LIFE of the Church.

Sunday, October 30, 2022

AOC Sunday Report - Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

Happy Twentieth Sunday after Trinity!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

We have really great sermons today from Bishop Jerry and Revs Jack and Bryan. Each one of them is considerably different and each one is really good.   Rev Jack brings the Propers together today, his sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/STLJ3NI7128The Collect, Epistle and Gospel tie together, laying out, detailing and reinforcing the same message ultimately. We have to be ready and willing to listen to God, and walk with God, and act with the Holy Spirit in us, in order to have the right “clothes” to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Heaven is   at the end of an uphill trail. The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.  The time is now, not tomorrow. The time has come, indeed. How will you ACT?  The time to act is NOW. Will you act? For whom will you act? Will you count the cost before you act?  Action, not diction, is what counts. It is by your actions you are known.  Be of God - Live of God - Act of God.

There are always a lot of people who need your prayer, today is no exception. Actually, there never will be an exception. Please start with Jim, Laurie, Shamu and Tricia and work out from there.

There is an epic week ahead, if you're having trouble seeing it, perhaps you need your vision focused by the Holy Ghost. It is there.

Godspeed,

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon– With Video


Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/STLJ3NI7128

 

 

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.   The Collect, Epistle and Gospel tie together, laying out, detailing and reinforcing the same message ultimately. We have to be ready and willing to listen to God, and walk with God, and act with the Holy Spirit in us, in order to have the right “clothes” to enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Heaven is   at the end of an uphill trail. The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.  The time is now, not tomorrow. The time has come, indeed. How will you ACT?  The time to act is NOW. Will you act? For whom will you act? Will you count the cost before you act?  Action, not diction, is what counts. It is by your actions you are known.  Be of God - Live of God - Act of God


The Propers for today are found on Page 217-218, with the Collect first:

 

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Collect.

 

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 ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Epistle for today came from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians beginning at the Fifteenth Verse of the Fifth Chapter.  “… the days are evil.  … understand… what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; …” God wants us to be happy, to be good and to enjoy life.  The key to happiness is to do what God asks of you.  No more (you can’t), no less.  Though you fall short, keep trying, that is all God asks.   If you find this no other place, listen to the words of St. Paul.

 

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ee then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

 

Today’s Holy Gospel came from the Twenty-Second Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew beginning at the First Verse.  Talking to the priests and scribes, Jesus told one of the wedding parables, “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then” he sent “his servants … into the highways” to “gather… together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment?[1] And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

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esus said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: and the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.


[1] In that day, the giver of such a feast would have provided wedding garments for those who traveled far and were unable to bring one.  In our case, Jesus provides the appropriate garb to those who will wear it, not just accept it and put it to one side.


Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Todays sermon tied the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and talked, as is oft the case, of the need for action, not simply diction.

 

Rev Jacks sermon is available on video RIGHT HERE.


 

Consider the words of the Collect, “…God … keep us … from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest …”

 

The Collect asks God to keep us from things that are bad for us and make our hearts ready so we can do the things He wants us to do; this ties perfectly with the Epistle and Gospel as it always does.  The message of the Collect, the Epistle and the Gospel can be summarized by Stay away from things that will harm your spiritual and physical health and do things good for your health and be spiritually aware of what is going on.

 

One word that intrigues me from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is “circumspectly”; which when I looked it up meant “wary and unwilling to take risks.”  I believe Paul meant today we should not be taking risks with our faith, but walking in that which has been tried and true for over two thousand years. He means we should not compromise our belief in the Gospel. There are some things we can compromise on safely in this life, but our faith is not one of these things. There are too many churches these days that are compromising the integrity of their faith. They care more about quantity of parishioners than quality. They thus make compromises on uncompromisable theology such as Jesus being the Son of God, and the savior and nobody can be saved but by Him. These churches try and claim there are many roads to God when there is only one road to God, that paved by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We must not become like these churches, but we must be the faithful who have stuck with the same theology as the churches for the past two millennia.

 

Indeed, we must not change our position; if it is truly derived from His Holy Word, then it should never change. If a minister or bishop’s position conflicts with Scripture, then you know they are not in line with His Word and is not a fellow believer. We must all strive to be in congruence with His Word. We are all working together in His Church to further His Cause. If we are not all on the same page, then we are not furthering His Work. We have to all work together to spread the Gospel, each person contributes to the much larger picture of spreading the Gospel. One person alone may not make a ton of progress but many people working together to spread the Gospel will make a lot of progress. If we are working together there is no limit to what we can accomplish for God!

 

Paul in his Epistle warns us not to drink to excess, but to keep it in moderation. In moderation it can be a good thing. Over moderation, it can become very harmful for us. He does not mean never to drink wine, as some, (Puritans and certain Baptists, among others) would take, but rather have “moderation in all things”; which is a similar idea Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians 6:12, All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.  We have to learn how to keep our wants in check to reasonable qualities, else we may find ourselves in a world of hurt or worse death. He is not saying not to have fun, but to be reasonable about the fun and never over do anything. 

 

Our Lord wants us to be moderate in our celebration, not celebrating to the point of excess where bad things can happen to our bodies and our minds; but celebrating to where we are thankful to Him for all things, and for His Love.

 

This is the unifying theme of both the Epistle and the Gospel for today. Keep everything we do in moderation and avoid excesses in anything.  Rather than turn to the excesses of this world, Paul says we must turn to God and be filled with His Grace of the Holy Spirit; making joyful noises to the Lord, be it in prayer or song while giving thanks always for all things to God. 

 

The Gospel’s theme is everybody is invited to God’s great feast and or wedding party (heaven) but if you do not have the right clothes (the Holy Ghost’s presence in your heart) then you will not be allowed to enter. In Jesus’ time here on earth, the person who threw a wedding provided the special wedding garment to take the place of the guests’ clothes filthy from travel.  So, then and now God provides the Holy Ghost for our hearts to take His place in our hearts dark and filthy from this life and make to present as acceptable before Him.

 

Just like if somebody shows up to a black tie event wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, if we are not up to God’s Holy Dress Code, then we will not be able to make it into heaven. How do we get His Dress code? Simple, we have to let the Holy Ghost into our hearts and read and digest His Word. Scripture will tell us how to act and be allowed into the feast.

 

How often are we thankful to God for letting us join His Feast? More often than not we seem to forget who made us, who created the world we dwell in, who created the fantastic beasts on land and in the sea. It seems very strange we forget to thank God for all of these things, but we do. We most constantly remind ourselves to be thankful to Him for creating us and this Earth and allowing us to see another day here on Earth. Making a joyful noise unto the Lord is part of how we can do this, besides prayer and thanksgiving. Be it through songs, happy declarations to the Lord or joyful worship, we can send our joy unto our Lord.  This is part of the reason it is important to say prayers like the Gloria in the prayer book with “liveliness”, we are expressing our praise and thanksgiving unto God, for having sent His Son down to save us from our wicked selves. 

 

In our lives, we should be grateful to God more than we are. We are too often not thinking of God’s role in our lives and only thinking of our own. I can identify this. We have to widen our view to think of what God has done for us in our lives and appreciate and thank Him for it. We have to turn away from that temptation, and let the Holy Spirit in and guide us to thanking God for what He has done for us in our lives. 

 

The Collect, Epistle and Gospel tie together, laying out, detailing and reinforcing the same message ultimately.  We have to be ready and willing to listen to God, and walk with God, and act with the Holy Spirit in us, in order to have the right “clothes” to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

 

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

 

The time to act is NOW.  Will you act?  For whom will you act?  Will you count the cost before you act?

 

Action, not diction, is what counts.  It is by your actions you are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Sermon Notes - Twentieth Sunday after Trinity - Invited to the Lord’s Supper? - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 30 October 2022, Anno Domini

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

  

The Holy Gospel

Matt 22:1-14

 

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NDJesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

The heart of a Little Boy 

A little boy was diagnosed with a severe heart deformity which demanded surgery, or the boy would surely die. The surgery itself also presented a dangerous threat to the little boy’s life. The very professional cardiologist explained, in gruesome detail and with a measure of cold detachment, the serious nature of the surgery. The little boy seemed unmoved by the discussion, so the doctor said (with apparent irritation), “Don’t you know that I might find a condition that could kill you?” The little boy responded happily, “I know what you will find, and it makes me happy to know it.” The doctor was dumbfounded at the apparent indifference of the boy, but scheduled the surgery anyway.

 

Upon entering the chest cavity and seeing the little heart, the doctor was dismayed. The boy’s heart would require his greatest skill to repair. He worked professional and meticulously to undo a deadly condition that had afflicted the boy since birth. His professional pride, and not any sense of compassion, motivated the hands and mind of the cardiologist.

 

Against all odds, the surgery was a great success and the boy was restored with a normal heart at last.

 

As the doctor later explained to the boy the serious nature of the surgery and the damage he had found in the boy’s heart, the little boy smiled. The doctor, greatly puzzled, asked, “Do you mock my skills as a surgeon. Do you not believe what I have told you I found in your heart?”

 

The little boy replied, “You have not told me the most important thing you found in my heart which makes all the rest better – Jesus!” The cardiologist was shocked and humbled by this courageous little boy’s answer. As a result, he finally did find Jesus in his own heart.

 

Sermon - Invited to the Lord’s Supper?

 

The sermon text today is of a great man who was planning a grand wedding feast for His Son. He had gone to great expense and time-consuming preparation to insure that every detail was perfect.

 

Let’s examine the nature, first of all, of the nature of this invitation:

 

  1. it is extended to everyone, wide and far.
  2. it will be rejected by the heartless and indifference
  3. rejection provokes the justifiable ANGER of GOD! – Each of us exists either under His kind favor or His great anger. Under God's anger, or under God's love, we must be, whether we will or not. We cannot flee from His presence. We cannot go from His Spirit. If we are loving, and so rise up to heaven, God is there—in love. If we are cruel and wrathful, and so go down to hell, God is there also—in wrath. With the clean He will be clean; with the froward man He will be froward. On us, and us alone, it depends whether we shall live under God's anger or live under God's love.

 

The great King had composed a list of friends and subjects whom he had befriended with many kindnesses in the past. He was sure that they would be honored to come to the feast.

 

But these ungrateful acquaintances would not come. 

 

The King was grieved that these people, whom he had helped so many ways, would not even honor His own Son. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

 

He was a King and unaccustomed to begging, but, for His Son’s sake, he besought the people to please come and honor His Son. 

 

     How did these vile people respond to the King’s pleadings?

 

5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

 

The Great Sovereign of all power was angered:

 

7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

 

In the year 70 AD (about 35 years after the crucifixion of Christ), the Roman commander, Titus, erected battlements against the walls of Jerusalem. After a prolonged siege in which the inhabitants of Jerusalem actually ate their own babies, the walls fell and Titus butchered every male, and took the females captive as slaves to the rough Roman guards.

 

 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy

 

All who reject the invitation of Christ are unworthy of His Grace and Love.

 

God the Father is seeking a bride for His only Begotten Son. He sent prophets and priest to invite ancient Israel to come unto Him. But what was done to these righteous from Abel to Zaccharias?

 

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (Matthew 24:34-35)

 

When the servants (prophets) were murdered by the King’s subjects (old Israel),  the King sends forth his messengers to find others. None were to be ignored. Every persons, regardless of race, wealth, worth, or character were to be invited (the new Israel). All who will, COME. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

 

The Apostles went forth to all nations following the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, inviting all to come.

 

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests

 

Many are found by the servants (evangelists) and are called, but simply being called to the throne of God is not enough: one must be chosen as well. God calls great numbers – in fact, all who will hear His voice, He calls. But hearing the voice of God requires, also, that we respond in obedience. 

 

We may receive an invitation in the mail to visit with the President of the United States, but this will never happen unless we respond to the invitation.

 

We must come to Christ, not slovenly or sloppily dressed, but in our finest and most respectful apparel. And our demeanor must reflect that respect and reverence in His Presence as well.11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

 

We should never be careless in our service to Christ. We must be animated by the strong love we have for our precious souls. We must be fervent and mindful of every detail (Commandment).

 

We dare not come before Christ, under any circumstance, as His enemy. He considers all who come His Friends unless they prove unworthy through dress (lifestyle) or manners (behavior and appearance).

 

Consider a member of a college musical band reporting for the performance with neither uniform, instrument, nor music?  The works of righteousness are our garments and the righteousness belongs to our Lord – not us. In Persia even today, a wealthy man may send the wedding garment he expects to be worn to each attendee. It would be a grave insult to wear anything else. The garment of the Christian is that white Robe of Righteousness with which the Lord covers our nakedness just as the father covered the filth of his prodigal son, and the Lord covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve with the skins of an innocent animal. As we are told in the Book of Revelation: 

 

         “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Revelation 3:17-18) and, a very clear description of the Marriage Garment:

 

         “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:8-9)

 

The King rebukes the man who came unprepared to show respect for the King or His Son:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless

 

This man had not received willingly the white robe of righteousness(salvation) which the father offers as a covering for our nakedness (sins). 

 

On that day when we go before the White Throne of Judgment, if we have been desperate sinners, we will be as speechless in our defense as the woman taken in adultery. So was this man.

 

Our decisions made here on terre firma will decide our destinies in eternity – either heaven or hell.13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

Are you, then, chosen? Prove it by diligent study and good works reflecting that benefit of salvation.

Trinity 20 Collect - a Devotion for 30 October 2022, Anno Domini

  

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

 

The Collect.

 

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 ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

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OW the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord(2 Cor 3:17-18)

 

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OR God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind(2 Tim 1:7)

 

            Certainly, God is full of goodness for He is all-in-all, and there is no imperfection our impurity in Him. Therefore, His goodness is bountiful! Every good and perfect gift comes down from God. (James 1:17) James does not say, ‘some, or ‘most’, but ALL good gifts! These gifts include life, joy, love, friends, family, church, and health. If it is GOOD, it is from GOD!

 

            This Gelasian collect was modified somewhat by Archbishop Cranmer to avoid any seeming allusion to the Romish doctrine of transubstantiation.  He, therefore, substituted “of thy bountiful goodness” in lieu of the term, “being propitiated.”  The latter would imply an on-going sacrifice which the Romans believe they do by the sacrifice of the Mass. We, and the Reformers, denounce such a doctrine as wholly error. If the Roman church sacrifices Christ anew in every Mass, they are renouncing the singular worthiness of Christ’s sacrifice for us at Calvary. O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us, or, as the Roman Church would phrase the second part – thy on-going propitiation (sacrifice)!

 

The Roman Church irreverently leaves the Lord Jesus Christ perpetually on the cross (crucifix). For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit (1Peter 3:18)  Please observe how the Roman doctrine rejects the clear Word of God with their doctrine of transubstantiation:  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation(Hebrews 9:24-28) As you can clearly see, Christ made that full and complete sacrifice once and for all – for those past sins, as well as those future.  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrew 6:6) Even a too frequent observance of Holy Communion reduces the reverence and solemnity of that memorial which we make in the spiritual Presence of our Lord in the Communion Service. The notion that a weekly Communion must be observed is an error taken from Romish practice meaning that we need a very frequent observance to cover our sins – this was never the intention of Christ in instituting the Supper of the Lord.

 

I believe that it was for the above reasons that our courageous founding Bishop, James Parker Dees, refrained from weekly Communions.

 

The Collect then petitions God to keep us from all things that may hurt us. These are not past sins, but present ones, and other dangers. “…….keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us” If Christ is the Captain and Pilot of your ship, He will never steer you into the shoals and reefs. 

 

            “….that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest In order to be ready in both body and soul, we must be conformed to that Mind which was in Christ. The only liberty known to man is made available only in Christ. The lost are not at liberty at all. They are under the bondage of sin. We must have faith, but that faith must be in the Lord and not our own might, or that of men. The faith must not be small. As our faith grows in Christ after our coming to Him, it increases with our continual sanctification. It is then that all things commanded by the Lord become a joy to perform, and are possible through Him.

 

            Too often, men remember those inferior and meaningless laws and traditions of men, rather than the clear intent of Christ in obeying only those things He has commanded.  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  (Mark 7:7-9)

 

If we practice traditions from polluted sources, our worship will, likewise, be polluted with the commandments of men and not of God. Which do you practice?

Saturday, October 29, 2022

The Devil Sowing Tares - a Devotion for 27 October 2022, Anno Domini

  

Elihu Vedder's Picture on display in New York (1894)

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ET both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to bum them: but gather the wheat into my barn(Matthew 13:30)

 

In the autumn 1894 a painting by Elihu Vedder was exhibited in New York City, which showed, as few modern works of art do, the innermost fact in the problem of the world's moral life, in want of solution. The painter called his parable of life, as it was put on the large canvas, ‘The Devil Sowing Tares.' 

 

The whole atmosphere was dark, mysterious, and lowering, set in a light that struck the observer with awe, as in the presence of some dread problem going on beneath those portentous clouds. Before him was a bare and rock-paved slope, curving upward, like another Golgotha, to an upright post, at the base of which the letters INRI plainly intimated that it was the foot of the cross, the center of redeeming influences streaming forth down the eastern slope of Golgotha into the cold, dark, worldly mystery around, and off to a horizon with faint streaks of light breaking on it.

 

In the foreground was Satan, with malignant leer, holding beneath one brawny arm a pot of gold, and with the other he was sowing the coins, as a sower flings the seed, up toward the cross. He was poisoning the very fountain of redemption. He was setting gold to work against the gospel, the seduction of luxury, the charm of opulence, the fierce temptation to be rich, the looming up of worldly grandeur, coins of different size and shape, but all the devil's gold, and all now thrown into the garden soil of Christian life and character, to seed it with tares, or into the fountain of faith to poison it at the source. This is the painter's parable of the church's trial in the present age. This is the parable of the devil poisoning the fountains; not for the slums, but for the Christian churches and homes.

 

It is obvious today those tares have taken deep root in the Church and will likely result in the Lord’s cleansing of the Temple once more to drive out the money changers and turn the tables of the ungodly merchants.

The Poison Imposter - a Devotion for 29 October 2022, Anno Domini

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HE kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares[1] among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.  (Matt 13:24-30)

         

The overriding sin of pride has done more to cripple the church than any others. It is the Trojan Horse that has gotten into the church and has led to an over emphasis on buildings, false doctrine, love of prestige and money, and boastful of numbers. The old so-called ‘free-will’ mentality has led some worshippers to believe they can make demands of God in prayer which He cannot refuse. Of course, this is a direct refutation of the Sovereignty of God. Pride of the modern worshipper places the emphasis of worship on man and away from God in their man-centered music, false doctrine (leaven of the Pharisees) and entertainment styles. This is obviously irreverence in action.
         

The prideful worshippers of the modern church are much like the nine-out-of-ten lepers who refused to return to our Lord to offer thanks and worship for their healing and went away half-dead in their sins while the one returning Samaritan was blessed with life eternal in Christ. These are the tares sown among the good seed.

         

It is said to be the only grass which bears a poisonous seed, ‘a fitting symbol of the fruit of the devil's sowing.' It grows frequently with the wheat and so nearly resembles it as to be practically indistinguishable until the grain is headed out. 'There can be no mistake then. As once I heard it remarked in that country, 'the ears which God has blessed bow their heads, but these accursed tares stick theirs above the whole field! ' For the tare then carries a tall, light head of small, dark grains which in every respect contrasts with the weighty, golden ear of the good seed." But how to separate?

         

            Wiser would it be to accept the simple thought of the Syrian peasants, who to this day believe that tares can best be kept down by nourishing to the utmost the life of the good seed.

~  Dr. W. H. Thomson.

         

The tares cannot be distinguished from the wheat until it is too late in the growing season. The seed appears to be identical, but one contains actual poison. As harvest time approaches, the grain-laden heads of good grains bow themselves before Heaven while the poisoned grains lift their pods pridefully in denial of the God of Heaven.  Even the fruits of the poison seed are also poisonous. The same is true of the church. Poison fruit of false professors has resulted from poison seed.



[1] The bearded darnel, mentioned only in Matthew 13:24-30. It is the Lolium temulentum, a species of rye-grass, the seeds of which are a strong soporific poison. It bears the closest resemblance to wheat till the ear appears, and only then the difference is discovered. It grows plentifully in Syria and Palestine.   Easton’s Bible Dictionary