Hymns of the Church – O Jesus Thou art Standing – 31 October 2023, Anno Domini

 

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EHOLD, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." 21 "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." 22 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."  (Revelation 3:20-33)

 

            This might be considered a wake-up call to the modern church – in fact, all churches of the centuries past. It is the composition of William Walsham How in 1867. The tune, KNECHT, is an arrangement by James Heinrich Knecht which combines two other tunes into on – St. Hilda (1799), and Hullé (1793). This is an important hymn for its revelation of the abandonment of Christ that persists in ever increasing manner in the churches of America and around the world. However, certain passages convey an Arminian theology rejected by the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion as well as the Holy Scriptures upon which those Articles are based. I will point those out in this devotion.

 

O Jesus Thou art Standing

 

O Jesu, thou art standing

outside the fast-closed door,

in lowly patience waiting

to pass the threshold o'er:

shame on us, Christian brethren,

his name and sign who bear,

oh shame, thrice shame upon us

to keep him standing there!

 

O Jesu, thou art knocking;

and lo! That hand is scarred,

and thorns thy brow encircle,

and tears thy face have marred:

O love that passeth knowledge,

so patiently to wait!

O sin that hath no equal

so fast to bar the gate!

 

O Jesu, thou art pleading

in accents meek and low,

'I died for you, my children,

and will ye treat me so?'

O Lord, with shame and sorrow

we open now the door:

dear Saviour, enter, enter,

and leave us never more!

 

            1 O Jesu, thou art standing outside the fast-closed door, in lowly patience waiting to pass the threshold o'er: shame on us, Christian brethren, his name and sign who bear, oh shame, thrice shame upon us to keep him standing there! There is a significant revelation in the first stanza of this hymn. The relevant introductory text from Revelations 3:20-22 follows our Lord’s council to the Seven Churches – both those seven churches of Asia Minor and the surrounding regions, but also to those of our modern day. The churches love to be called Christian, but reject the Bread of Heaven (Word of God) in favor of their own paltry and molded bread; and they prefer to wear their own raiment (filthy rags) to the Robe of Righteousness purchased by our Lord Jesus Christ on a Cross at Calvary. (see prophecy of Isaiah 4:1) Now, reviewing the first stanza again, I ask you – where is Christ standing with respect to the churches to whom our Lord has just delivered His counsel? Yes, our Lord stands without the closed doors of the churches. That is where, in most cases, He is standing today – outside the churches, for they have rejected His Word in Spite of choosing to be called Christian in name only! “. . . shame on us, Christian brethren, his name and sign who bear, oh shame, thrice shame upon us to keep him standing there!”

 

            2 O Jesu, thou art knocking; and lo! That hand is scarred, and thorns thy brow encircle, and tears thy face have marred: O love that passeth knowledge, so patiently to wait! O sin that hath no equal so fast to bar the gate!Clearly, it is our sins that separate us from Christ and bars the door of our hearts, but He has made a way for our redemption and salvation if we will hear and heed His gracious voice. Some hearts are so calloused that they will never hear. Christ never changes. His position is constant – He stands where He has always stood and knocks. She we hear Him? He will enter into our hearts at the call of the Holy Spirit to abide (live forever) in our hearts.

 

            3 O Jesu, thou art pleading in accents meek and low, 'I died for you, my children, and will ye treat me so?' O Lord, with shame and sorrow we open now the door: dear Saviour, enter, enter, and leave us never more! I take exception to some implications in this stanza. Our Lord is Sovereign of Heaven and Earth. He pleads and begs no sinner to accept His grace and mercy. He has made it readily available through His atoning sacrifice. He never pleaded with any sinner in His earthly ministry to follow Him. He readily makes that grace available to those whom He has redeemed from the foundation of the world, but He begs no one to follow Him. Even the rich young ruler was made aware of his failure to keep even the first Commandment.  He was made aware of his sin and invited to follow Jesus just as was Andrew, Peter, John, Matthew and others. But the rich young ruler rejected the invitation to the disappointment of our Lord. But Jesus did not plead with him to follow, and He pleads with no sinner today. It is an act of grace and mercy that the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ – not pleading or begging. This principle would place man as the sovereign in the decision of salvation and leave out the true Sovereign whose blood purchased that salvation. The Arminian doctrine places man – not Christ – at the center of salvation. Remember these clearly stated principles found throughout God’s Word: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Palm 33:12) and “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15:16) This word was not given to the apostles alone, but to all who call upon the name of the Lord in response to His Voice.

AOC Sunday Report – Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity

Happy Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

Today we have sermons from our usual contributors Bishops Jerry, Roy and Jack as well as Rev Bryan. In addition, we have a sermon from Bishop Dennis, which actually two sermons in one as it is a two-part sermon delivered last week and this week so it is a little longer than customary. It is very well written. And if you know the speed at which Bishop Dennis speaks, you will understand why it is two parts. It's not that long a read and very good.  Bishop Jack brings the propers together today.  His sermon can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/F8GsTwo-gTo 

In the Collect, we ask God to pardon our sins so we might serve Him with peace of mind and do His Work without having to worry about our fate.  It is good to have a clear mind when you go into battle, to be free of worry that you might do your best.  In his letter tpo the people of Ephesus, Paul gives his clearest definition of the spiritual war between the forces of Satan and those who would follow God. It not only assures us that there is a spiritual war, but it warns us that apart from utilizing the weapons which God has provided for us, we are hopelessly underpowered.  The Gospel talks about the need for persistence; a very important part of the Christian life, it helps build our character in bad times, and also in good as well.  It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.  I hope you find it useful.

There are always a lot of people who need your prayer, please take a little time start with Mr. Kim, Tricia, Laurie, Shamu and work out from there.

There is a lot going on in the world, sometimes it is hard to stay focused on our goal. It is important that we, as my father would say concentrate on the donut not on the hole. Still, it can be very difficult. If you have problems, I suggest you look to God for help in the form of that Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost.

There's a wonderful week ahead, may you find it.

Godspeed,

Hap
Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

 

Sermon Notes - Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity - Offense, Defense and Trust - Anglican Orthodox Communion of Churches Worldwide - 29 October 2023, Anno Domini

 

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EACE I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (John 14:27)

 

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity

 

The Collect.

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RANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Collect

The Collect today makes one salient point concerning true peace – it cannot be had without the pardon extended to the believers of Christ. True peace, too, cannot be measured by the external physical self, but by that peace that abides in the inner soul. The heart is the Sovereign of the soul and, if it knows the peace of God, nothing else matters. A pretended peace only exists in the outward form of our conduct. Such peace cannot be purchased at any cost except that enormous cost paid by our Lord at Golgotha’s brow. It is a gift of grace conveyed by faith in God.

 

This Collect is the last to be taken from the Sacramentary of Gelasius to be used by Cranmer in the Book of Common Prayer. The Archbishop made only one notable change in substituting the word ‘pardon’ in the place of ‘indulgence.’ Being a man mindful of those ‘acquired’ meanings which words can take upon themselves that differ from the original through practical use. Indulgence was too closely related to a repugnant and erroneous means Rome used to squeeze money from her adherents. 

 

The Epistle

Ephesians vi. 10.

 

M

Y brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

In the Epistle, Paul claims the office of an ambassador though it be one in bonds. We are all ambassadors of Christ in the bonds of love to Him and to our fellows. In the Epistle, Paul postulates the perimeters of assured peace in three categories:

 

Power

Paul counsels us to … , be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. All power comes from on High. But being soldiers of the cross, we must carry on with the commissions granted to us by our Lord. That whole armor of God is not a passive defense, but both a defense and an offense necessary to prosecute the war that must exist between His people and those of the Serpent until the sky be rolled back as a scroll. That war is not a killing field, but one of salvation. Though we suffer injuries and even death, we must prevail on the field of strife until the truth is trumpeted in all four quarters of the earth.

 

Protection

Firstly, protection of the Camp of the Saints requires that we STAND watch on the ramparts ever ready for the enemies onslaught. Secondly, we must WITHSTAND the assaults and counter-attacks of the enemy to drive that old Serpent from the misappropriated lands he has falsely claimed. This part of our battle is offensive. We must never surrender a single plot of real estate to that hateful usurper. We are protected by our spiritual armor, but the battle belongs to the Lord. God is a Man of War and our Lord is the Captain of the Host of Israel – that is, all who have believed in that promise made to Abraham of a Redeemer regardless of race or tongue.

 

Prayer

The last of the three components of PEACE is PRAYER. Prayer is the logistical support that, even though unnoticed in the rear echelon of the army, provides the sustenance for our field army to maneuver and prosecute the battle. Our support must be constant therefore, our prayers must be habitual and regular. It also constitutes our communications to Higher Headquarters.  We must forever be willing to abide by the marching orders of our Commander and never launch out on our own volition in this war. 

            

The Holy Gospel

John 4:46-54

 

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O Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine;  And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

            

There is a salient lesson on love and faith in this text. First, we should observe the power of God is not limited by space or distance. Love is one force which grows even stronger at a distance – the only such force of which I am aware that does.

            

The Nobleman makes a journey of sorrow at the near death of his beloved son. Though he travels in sorrow, his steps are tempered with a great faith. He knows that Christ can heal his son, but there are some variables involved. His journey was one of a couple of days journey from Capernaum. His weary mind must have been tortured with the consideration that his son might die before the Lord has time to return with him to heal the boy. But when all possibilities of man fail, the only resource is prayer and faith – so the nobleman continues his journey. The more we love, the more possibilities we have to lose the object of our love.  The greater love marks a greater sorrow in the loss. 

            

The nobleman seems to have gained his measure of faith by word of mouth concerning the divine character of our Lord. He presumes that Jesus must come to the place where the son lies dying in order to heal him. But, like Elisha and Naaman of 2 Kings 5, the power of God to heal knows no geographical limitations. Quite often, we may feel deserted by God when, in actuality, He is more closely beside us than at times of ease and joy. We may, as Mary Magdalene, mistake Him for some other, but it is He that can only call our name in a way that no other can do.

            

Jesus knows the faith of the nobleman’s heart, but desires to reveal that faith to all around Him. So, he says to the nobleman, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. Jesus said that to expose the false notions of false professors that faith can only be realized through ‘signs and wonders.’ The latter Has been responsible for the deception of millions in megachurches where signs and wonders are promised to those with itching ears. In the end, the only faith that matters in that of the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Redeemer on our own behalf. 29 This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. (Luke 11:29-30)  If you are under the misconception that our present generation is not an evil and adulterous generation, consider what is happening with great regularity on the streets and in the dark chambers of America today, or the ruthless and inhumane excursion of Hamas into southern Israel.

            

The nobleman did not completely understand the response of Christ, so he pressed his petition: The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. When Jesus assured the man that his son would live, there were no further questions from the nobleman. He accepted the Lord’s assurance at the face level of faith: Go thy way; thy son liveth.

            

No longer was his journey home a journey of sorrow, but one of expectant hope. His faith was enhanced by the assurance of Christ. That journey would end in one of peace when the servant of the nobleman met him some distance on the journey to assure him that the son was recovered. To reinforce his faith, the nobleman inquired of the exact time of the recovery. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

            

Every prayer that originates in true faith is answered by the Lord – either yes or no, depending on what the Lord considers best for us. The great lesson of this Gospel Text is that God is just as near us in Heaven today as He was in the company of the nobleman on the way. The communications of the petitioner to God are never severed except by the absence of faith, or the regard for iniquity in the heart of the petitioner. There is no distance with God who is wholly present in all His Creation – even at our very sides as we worship at this moment.

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity

Bishop Jack brings the propers together today.  His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/F8GsTwo-gTo

 

In the Collect, we ask God to pardon our sins so we might serve Him with peace of mind and do His Work without having to worry about our fate.  It is good to have a clear mind when you go into battle, to be free of worry that you might do your best.  In his letter tpo the people of Ephesus, Paul gives his clearest definition of the spiritual war between the forces of Satan and those who would follow God. It not only assures us that there is a spiritual war, but it warns us that apart from utilizing the weapons which God has provided for us, we are hopelessly underpowered.  The Gospel talks about the need for persistence; a very important part of the Christian life, it helps build our character in bad times, and also in good as well.  It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.  I hope you find it useful. 

The Propers for today are found on Page 218-220, with the Collect first:

 

Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity

 

The Collect.

G

 

RANT, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Epistle for this morning came from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, the Sixth Chapter, beginning at the Tenth Verse.  In these passages, Paul gives his clearest definition of the spiritual war between the forces of Satan and those who would follow God. It not only assures us that there is a spiritual war, but it warns us that apart from utilizing the weapons which God has provided for us, we are hopelessly underpowered. This passage tells us what our divine weapons are. Beyond this, these weapons imply the nature of the struggle which we are in. The weapons which God has provided for us are those weapons which best repel the attacks of Satan, and thus we can learn a great deal about the nature of Satan’s opposition from simply considering each of the weapons at our disposal.

 

After a consideration of the war in general, we will then proceed to examine in more detail each of the weapons Paul mentions, and the offensive strategy of Satan which they imply. May God give us open hearts and minds to understand the spiritual war, and the means which He has provided for our defense.

 

M

Y brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

The Holy Gospel came from the Fourth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. John beginning at the Forty-Sixth Verse.  This is a telling of the story of the healing of a Jewish nobleman's son Capernaum through the faith of his father.  When the man came to him asking for help, he responded as he often did to Jews, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.”  The man persisted and because Jesus saw faith in him, he said, focusing his attention on faith in God, “Go thy way; thy son liveth” or  "Be on your way. Your son is alive." In other words: "Do not worry. My Word can heal your son at a distance." The boy was healed in the very instant when Jesus spoke the Word. The father believed this Word. So did his household, wife, children and servants. More than one person was healed on that occasion.

 

This miracle shares characteristics with the previous healing of the Centurion’s son:

 

• Jesus has just come back to Galilee.
• Someone comes to him with a request.
• Indirectly Jesus seems to refuse at first.
• The person persists.
• Jesus grants the request.
• This leads another group of people (his disciples, the nobleman’s household) to believe in him.

 

Note the necessity of trusting in Jesus as the giver of life.  Of the text, Luther wrote: "Although the Lord performed miracles and signs to make Himself known and to lead people to faith in Him, the underlying purpose was to focus their attention on the Word rather than on the signs which served merely to attest the truth of His testimony. Faith must rest on the Word of God."  Another Lutheran theologian wrote: "In affliction faith is practiced and chastened. If a person does not see, taste and experience the help and grace of the Lord, then that person learns to trust the Word and nothing but the Word. That is the true faith, trusting the Lord for its own sake. Such faith comes not from flesh and blood. It's the Lord to which faith clings. That almighty Word works faith."

 

Jesus led this nobleman from a "miracle" faith to a true faith in His Word. He does this to us also.

 

"Be on your way. Your son lives." This Word of Jesus was not only a prophecy. It had the power to heal the sick boy. And this Word took the nobleman's worries away.

 

T

HERE was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee. 

Sermon - Bishop Jack Arnold

Anglican Orthodox Church of the United States

Diocese of the West

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Bp Jack brings the Propers together today and can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/STLJ3NI7128

 

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

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… Grant … thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind …

 

We ask God to pardon our sins so we might serve Him with peace of mind and do His Work without having to worry about our fate.  It is good to have a clear mind when you go into battle, to be free of worry that you might do your best. You do not want a foggy mind while performing an action that requires your best concentration, so that is what we are asking from Him. To give us clarity of mind that we might do what is right. 

 

We need His pardon and peace to cleanse us from our sins, to enable us to have a mind that is quiet and focused on doing His will. With all the horrible things that go on this world daily, we are in need of a quiet mind. In order to serve Him well during all of these trials and tribulations that occur during our lives, it is a requirement that we have a quiet and focused mind. In order to have the quiet and focused mind, we need to ask Him to send the Holy Ghost into our hearts, souls and minds that we might have the quietness and focus we need instilled in our minds to do the tasks that He gives us.

 

When we mention peace, it is a very different concept from what people in this world think of it. The world’s idea of peace seems to ebb and flow with the ages and their concept of peace differs radically from what God’s peace is. They do not have the constant, unyielding, unchanging standard of God to follow so they are all over the place. The peace God gives us is the calmness and stability in our soul when the world is crumbling around or even on us. While the world is flailing about every which way we are secure in the knowledge we are following the ultimate form of goodness, God Himself. It is the surety that no matter what happens this life, as long as we do what God asks, our souls will be safe in the next life. This will give us a calm of mind that the world is incapable of giving as they do not know the peace of God and the Holy Spirit.

 

It is that peace of mind and soul that comes from knowing when we die, we will be with God and Jesus and enjoying eternity with them. It helps us to know this is only a transitory phase. This is only temporary way point on our way to heaven.  And if we let it, this peace will take the place of worry. This can be easier said than done, but if we let the Holy Ghost into our hearts, we will find our worries will disappear quickly. The peace gives you the confidence to perform actions, even in difficult and very trying circumstances. Once again, action, not diction, is paramount.

 

Not everyone will accept it though, even though all should accept the offered gift, it does not mean they will.  And those that do accept may not accept right away. It may take time for the seed of the Holy Ghost to germinate and bear fruit in the hearts of some of the more worldly people. As our fallen nature attests, we are not instantly transformed into a different person overnight, but rather thorough many days, weeks and years of practicing Christian beliefs, through reading Scripture and being around other believers. The transformation happens in a gradual process, that continues all of our lives. With some of the non-believers we encounter in our live this might occur, the seed we plant may germinate in time to bring them to Christ.

 

Paul gives his clearest definition of the spiritual war between the forces of Satan and those who would follow God. It not only assures us that there is a spiritual war, but it warns us that apart from utilizing the weapons which God has provided for us, we are hopelessly underpowered. He also clearly identifies that our enemies will not just be acting within the spiritual realm , they will be also acting in this world in high positions and places and poised to make our lives difficult. This passage tells us what our divine weapons are. Now that we know our weapons and the nature of this spiritual battle, what are we to do? We are clearly commanded to take an offensive role, to go where the battle is. We are not called to be at the rear, but on the front lines, in this spiritual battle.  With the help of the Holy Ghost, we should be using our tongues boldly as St. Paul says, to spread the Gospel. Being bold does not mean we are to be rude or cruelly shouting down the opposition in preaching the Gospel, but it does not mean we are to be timid about it. We must preach it with the great conviction that the Holy Ghost will provide us if we will let Him In.

 

In order to boldly preach the truth of the Gospel throughout the world, we must not worry ourselves with what the world will think. For what the world will think is not as important as what God thinks. We will do our actions and say the truth with clarity and confidence. That is what it means to preach the Word boldly.

 

The Word spreads “by word of mouth” and by action.  It does not spread by mouth alone! There needs to be work backing up those good words. Your mouth, your actions!

 

Speaking of actions, Winston Churchill said, “Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”[1]

 

Churchill was not the first. God wants us to persist.  Consider the case of the nobleman of Capernaum.  The man asked Jesus for help for his son.  Jesus did not immediately grant the request as He needed the man to persist to make a point for those around him.  He responded as he often did to Jews, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.  The man persisted and because Jesus saw faith in him, he said, focusing his attention on faith in God, Go thy way; thy son liveth or "Be on your way. Your son is alive." In other words: "Do not worry.  My Word will heal your son no matter the distance." The boy was healed in the very instant when Jesus spoke the Word. The father believed this Word.  So did his household, wife, children and servants. More than one person was healed on that occasion.

 

This miracle shares characteristics with the previous healing of the Centurion’s son:

 

• Jesus has just come back to Galilee.
• Someone comes to him with a request.
• Indirectly Jesus seems to refuse at first.
• The person persists.
• Jesus grants the request.
• This leads another group of people (his disciples, the nobleman’s household) to believe in him.

 

Note the necessity of trusting in Jesus as the giver of life.  Jesus led this nobleman from a "miracle" faith to a true faith in His Word. He does this to us also, but only if we will let Him into our hearts and guide us there. 

 

"Be on your way. Your son lives." This Word of Jesus was not only a prophecy. It had the power to heal the sick boy. And this Word took the nobleman's worries away. As it will take ours away if we will let it. 

 

As we see in the Gospel, persistence is a very important part of the Christian life, it helps build our character in bad times, and also in good as well. Persistence is what fuels us in our day to day physical and spiritual lives. Persistence is a very important character trait to have as a Christian. Persistence is what fuels us through times of trial and tribulation and helps give us the strength to carry on when all seems lost here on Earth. For we know not all is lost for in the end we know God wins. With this knowledge we can persist and do our part to improve our corner of the world. The more we open ourselves up to Him, the more persistent we will become as we embody more and more of His characteristics. Persistence will help us greatly in our character development and will help strengthen us spiritually.

 

Consider also that God, through our Lord, offers forgiveness.  Forgiveness lets you restart your life, regain your foothold, strengthen your soul.  If you accept the forgiveness and go forward you can do great things. If you will not, and likewise you will not forgive, you will be bound by the prince of this world and doomed to failure.  You will never attain the greatness of which you are capable with God’s grace and help.

 

Do what is right, I would say no matter if there is no one looking; but He is always looking.  It is not that hard.  Believe, take His help, act on the belief you profess, never ever give up.  

 

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

---

[1] Sir Winston Churchill, Speech, 1941, Harrow School

The First Promise and the First Lie – 25 October 2023, Anno Domini

 

 

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E are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  (John 8:44)

 

Chapter Three of the Book of Genesis is the beginning of the spiritual dimension of the Church and the Elect of God, but also of the doomed and damned who reject the Truth and the Promise of God. The first words out of the Serpents mouth were not a lie but, being the father of lies, it established the basis for the first lie. There is no gray area in the Providence of God – all is either black or white; darkness or Light; truth or False: or up or down. 

 

Most heresies and rejection of truth begins with a question, much like that asked by the Serpent of Eve in Eden. “Hath God said?” That same question is being asked by pseudo- theologians and pulpit dandies today – hath God said? They question the veracity of the biblical text and discover new ones that satisfy their itching ears – abandoning the canonical text received and confirmed by the early Apostolic Age. Naturally, the question is most often followed by a challenge against the Word of God. “Ye shall not surely die if you disregard the commandments of God.” That false Gospel is regular fare at many churches across America and the world today.

 

It was only a short time after Eve was seduced (or beguiled, same meaning) in Eden by the Serpent that God came walking in the Garden in the cool of the day. The errant couple had only finished attempting to cover themselves with fig leaves when they heard His Voice. How wonderful in the early days of Eden that man could walk sinless with the Lord God! Now there would be a wall of separation. 

 

            Not more than day of shame and contrition after that first lie of the Serpent did Adam and Eve hear the First Promise of God: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. Though mankind would suffer physical death as commanded by the Lord, there would be a means of penetrating the wall of separation that sin had erected. God would send His only Begotten Son to redeem His elect from eternal death – instead, He would purchase for His people Life Eternal in Paradise, The Garden was taken from the earth and is today in Paradise along with the Tree of Life (symbolizing the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The world today is bent upon “eliminating the negative and accentuating the positive,” of which Bing Crosby sang. But can we consider everything about life and truth to be positive when eight of the Ten Commandments are negative. Thou shalt nots outnumber the Thou shalts of God. Negatives are too restraining for the easy believers. After all, God wants us to have fun, doesn’t He. 

 

Our sorrows began in Eden and shall continue until the Coming of the Lord in great power and glory. Being a Christian is not always easy, but it is always a joy. We are not assured that we will not face trials and tribulations, but we ARE assured that our Lord will be right beside and see us through them. We thereby grow stronger in character and in spirit.

 

It is not the smooth pastures that makes us stronger in our march, but the rocky slopes and tangled undergrowth through which our march as Christians takes us. Facing one obstacle after another, we are made fit for the warfare that we face daily. Those who withdraw from the march become soft, lazy, and of no account for any purpose. 

 

God has put enmity between the serpent and the Seed of the Woman that is Jesus Christ. That enmity entails a belligerency between the two that can only end in the unconditional victory of the Seed – we have read the end of the story in Revelation.

Hymn 410 - Lord when we bend before Thy Throne – 24 October 2023, Anno Domini

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S the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalms 42:1-5

 

            A plaintive and confessional hymn written by Joseph Dacre Carlyle in 1902. It follows in the wake of Psalm 42 (above). There are two hymns under which the title falls in the 1940 Hymnal  - Burford (by Purcell) and Martyrdom (by Hugh Wilson). Both tunes very effectively convey the spirit of repentance that should precede every Holy Communion Service. The words speak for themselves in conveying that same meaning in the words of the Psalmist.

 

Lord when we bend before thy throne

 

Lord, when we bend before thy throne,

and our confessions pour,

teach us to feel the sins we own,

and hate what we deplore.

 

Our broken spirits pitying see;

true penitence impart;

then let a kindling glance from thee

beam hope upon the heart.

 

When we disclose our wants in prayer,

may we our wills resign,

and not a thought our bosom share

which is not wholly thine.

 

1 Lord, when we bend before thy throne, and our confessions pour, teach us to feel the sins we own,and hate what we deplore. The Prayer of General Confession in the traditional Prayer Book set the stage for our taking of the elements of Bread and wine in the spirit of humility and repentance:

 

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LMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   1928 Book of Common Prayer

 

            Such hymns of the faith as this present one help to focus our hearts on the meaning of repentance, faith, and confession of sins. If we could only feel a tiny episode of the pain our sins caused our Lord on the cross, perhaps we would consider them in greater regret and humble lamentation.

 

2 Our broken spirits pitying see; true penitence impart; then let a kindling glance from thee beam hope upon the heart. No one comes before the Cross of our Lord without a broken spirit. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17 There are no material or intellectual sacrifices we can make for the great sacrifice has already been made at Golgotha. Our only sacrifice we can bring to the Lord’s Table is “a broken and a contrite heart.” If we have approached the Lord’s Table in the Spirit of Love, Faith, and Humility, we may expect the favor of our Lord’s Presence to burn in our hearts and to lift our unbecoming yokes. 

 

3 When we disclose our wants in prayer, may we our wills resign, and not a thought our bosom share which is not wholly thine. Indeed, we must cast off our sinful self-wills and accept the will of our Lord if we are to enjoy the Perfect Law of Liberty. We must include in every prayer uttered – “Not our wills, but thine, be done.” “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 If we live by that Mind that is in Christ, we shall do well.

 

AOC Sunday Report – Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

Happy Twentieth Sunday after Trinity!

The  AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

We have excellent sermons for this morning from Bishops Jerry, Roy and Hap, as well as Rev Bryan. Hap brings the propers together today.  His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/jFg9UZBIlbE. Like what seems to be the majority of the Collects, today’s asks God to keep us from wanting things that are bad for us and make our hearts ready so we can want to do the things that are actually good for us and in line with His purpose; 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.  It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.  I hope you find it useful. 

There are always a lot of people who need your prayer, today is no exception.  Please start with Mr. Kim, Shamu, Tricia, Laurie and work out from there.

There's an awful lot going on in the world today most of it seemingly incomprehensible. Truly, there's nothing for us to worry about, we just have to do our very best for God each day. The world can take care of itself. If you're having a hard time with that you might consider asking God to help you out a little bit with the Holy Ghost.

Have a wonderful week ahead,

Godspeed,

Hap
Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide