Sunday, May 2, 2021

Fourth Sunday after Easter

Rev Jack's sermon can be viewed as he gave it RIGHT HERE!

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above.

We are in the Easter Season which consists of Easter and the following four Sundays, through Rogation Sunday. This is a time we should work on centering our lives on the central figure in our religion, Jesus Christ.

Consider these words from the Collect:

… who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found…

The very first phrase is critical to understanding the world and our place in it. We want to follow our own hearts, that is the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, which will lead us not to heaven but to hell if left unchecked. This explains why the world is in such a horrible mess, as people by and large are naturally inclined to sin rather than follow God. The only goodness in this world comes from those who have the Holy Ghost in their hearts and reject the wicked ways of our natural inclinations and Satan. The Holy Ghost is indeed key to not being like most of the world, that is to say, we are set apart from the world by our actions, if we are indeed true believers.

We have to internalize His commands into our hearts through listening and then through repetition, action. This is the only way we can follow His Commandments and show the World we follow Him. For all of the above to happen we have to let God into our hearts, souls, minds and bodies and let His Directions carry us through life. In order to be true believers, we have to actualize our stated beliefs. This means we hae to live out our Christian Faith and not just talk about it. God can and will help us do this, but only if we let him into our hearts.

Our life will be better when we follow His directions and if we will allow God to rule us and desire His help, we will be able to attain the state of happiness we will then deserve. He knows what is right and what is wrong for us. He does not want us to lead so called puritanical lives with no fun allowed whatsoever, but we must have fun the right way and not the wrong way. The right way can lead to a lifetime of happiness, whereas the wrong way leads to a life time of misery. Many people think that God forbids things for us, because He does not want us to have fun. Nothing can be further from the truth. He forbids things harmful for our spiritual well being, and allows us to have clean spiritual, joyous things in our life to develop our spiritual well being. Those people confuse the things that are harmful for our spiritual well being with fun and think that the things that are actually helpful for our spiritual well being are not fun. When it is completely not the case. The Holy Spirit will help us to truly see what is harmful for us and what is not harmful for us.

We need God’s help (this is one of the places the Holy Ghost comes in) to be able to want for ourselves that which He Wants for us. The Collect asks us to allow God into our hearts to bend our will towards His Will and His Wants. If we can desire what He Wants, our ability to follow His Instructions will be much enhanced. And not only will they be much enhanced, but the more we follow His Instructions, the easier it will be for us to continue on that straight and narrow path towards heaven.

We are God’s creatures, first among all His Creation with all the privileges (which we like) and all the responsibility (which we are not so keen on) which come with that status. All good comes from God, who is always with us; always the same; a true bearing in world in a constant state of flux. While the world may change, the Word will never change, no matter what happens in the world today. His Word is aa refreshing constant, in this world where nothing ever seems certain. The Ways of the World go to and fro and are in a constant state of flux. However God’s Word always stays the same and its meaning never changes, as God never changes. As God is truth, which by its nature cannot change, so should we never change in our beliefs towards Him.

So, how can we hear?

When Jesus got ready to leave this world for His, He told the disciples that He would send them the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to keep them in Him and to help them understand what they had so far been unable to truly grasp. Unless we allow the Holy Ghost to enter into our hearts, we will never understand that which is from God. This is an important concept with messages that are not from God being bombarded across the world through principalities and powers of this world. Only the Holy Ghost can help us remain grounded within the truth. We need the Holy Ghost to enter into us that we might be able to hear the Word of God, and more important than just hearing the Word, we need the Holy Ghost to be able to act upon the Word. We must allow the Holy Ghost to enter in to our hearts and souls so we can understand what God has for us. It is that simple. Open your heart, pray for God to send Him into that open heart.

For with the Holy Ghost’s help, you can hear, understand and act on The Word.

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

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Captain of the Host of the Lord – 2 May 2021, Anno Domini

ND it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15)

These three verses of Joshua, Chapter Five, describe an event outside of Jericho involving Joshua and a figure whose title was profound in its implications: the Captain of the Host of the Lord. Who was this strange figure with the drawn sword? Let’s examine the evidence by determining who this figure was not:

1) He was no mere man. Joshua would never have bowed the knee to another mortal.

2) This was no angel since an angel is not to be worshipped.

3) This figure was neither man nor angel because of the manner in which he spoke with absolute authority.

Then who was the figure? It appears to me evidence suggests a figure whose coming was of old and whose title was no less than that of the Ancient of Days – the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ. With what assurance can we make that claim?

Remember the confrontation of Moses before the burning bush? What did God say to Moses? 1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Obviously, the figure was a Divine Personage of the Triune God – specifically the Lord Jesus Christ since He is the only Divine Person who came down to earth and was made man in the fulness of time.

Only God possesses Holy Ground, and this ground was Holy!

Though many think of the Lord as being a Person who would never do battle, but some pacific person who must always have been meek and mild. He was not always meek and mild even in His earthly ministry having chased the money changers from the Temple with a whip made of cords.

In celebrating the crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharoah’s army in the sea, Moses referred to the Lord in this manner: The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (Exodus 15:3)

Surely we would not find it strange that this Person of the Godhead was Christ since He existed from eternity past and has always interceded for His people.

After Moses spoke to the figure with the drawn sword, the Captain of the Host of the Lord spoke to Joshua concerning how to proceed to tumble the walls of Jericho in miraculous fashion, and He spoke openly at that time as the Lord. (see Joshua 6)

If this was not Christ Pre-Incarnate, who was He?

Food for thought!

Saturday, May 1, 2021

Fourth Sunday after Easter - Propers with explanation - Rev Jack's Sermon

The Propers for today are found on Page 174-175, with the Collect first:

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This week’s Epistle came from the First Chapter of the Epistle of Saint James beginning at the Seventeenth Verse. James tells us we are the pinnacle of God’s creation, destined to be the stewards of His world. This position has its privileges, but even more important it has its responsibilities. Most of the time, we seem to concentrate on what we like, the privileges, and forget about those responsibilities which require work, putting off instant gratification, persistence and sometimes courage. As Saint Paul so often tells us, we must become new people, putting aside our old ways, considerate of what we should do and let ourselves become open to His Word:

VERY good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

This week’s Holy Gospel came from the Sixteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Fifth Verse.

You must recognize we are imperfect creatures with free will. For us to do God’s Will, not ours, we need help. We need that bit of good leaven, which will let our hearts rise to the occasion. We need the Holy Ghost in our hearts and souls. Listen as John tells us:

ESUS said unto his disciples, Now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above.

Consider these words from the Collect:

So, how can we hear?

For with the Holy Ghost’s help, you can hear, understand and act on The Word.

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

It is by our actions we are known.

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Friday, April 30, 2021

The Scarlet Line of Salvation – 1 May 2021, Anno Domini

Y faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

Throw out the lifeline across the dark wave goes the opening line of an old Gospel hymn. That lifeline was one of spiritual salvation as much as it was to save from the swirling tide. But there is another lifeline proffered in Holy Writ that begins at Eden and ends at Revelations – The Scarlet Cord of Sacrifice and Redemption. That Cord was conceived in the Mind of God long before the worlds were formed, and God’s only Begotten Son was designated to be the ultimate realization of the Salvation it afforded. We have the primitive picture of the blood sacrifice in Genesis 3:21, and of the Passover in Egypt, and in the episode of Abraham’s travel to Mt. Moriah (the mount of the Temple Mound) to sacrifice Isaac, and in many other places; however, today’s devotion will center on a harlot woman who gained the Lord’s favor in the fall of Jericho to the Children of Israel.

Joshua (a type of Christ and technically the same name in Hebrew as Jesus in Greek) sent two spies into Jericho to search out the city. They found shelter in the home of Rahab, the harlot. She protected them and hid them from the men of the city. Her story can be read in Joshua 2. Before the city fell, she let the men down the wall of Jericho with a Scarlet Cord after gaining a promise from them to preserve her life and those of her family. Rahab and her family were saved by that same Scarlet Cord that saved the two men of Israel. Joshua honored that promise at the Fall of Jericho. But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. (Joshua 6:22-23) And so it was: And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. (Joshua 6:25)

In spite of her sinful past, Rahab was saved in a moment, along with all her family, by a single act of faith. Faith is a gift of grace that is given without merit of the beneficiary. It is difficult to explain how such a woman could have taken pity on the Hebrew spies without the implantation of faith in her heart by the work of the Holy Ghost. Her salvation was a genuine covenant based on her faith that resulted in the salvation of her entire family. It can be a covenant relationship with our own children and family. Remember Zacchaeus was saved that very night - he and his whole household.

Consider the continuing blessings of grace afforded Rahab. Rahab (Rachab in Matthew) became the mother of Boaz (the husband of Ruth) and the great grandmother of King David in the line through which the Lord Jesus Christ was ‘legally’ descended. And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias. (Matthew 1:5-6)

Along with faith, there often comes grave risks; but God is able to see us through the fires of persecution and danger. Rahab had faith in the right amount to see her through a time of terror and on to victory. Though she was never in real danger under the watchful eye of the Lord, Rahab could only have known that through faith.

Do you have the faith of Rahab? Have you extended the Scarlet Cord of Salvation to your family members or neighbors who need to recognize their calling in Christ? While we have opportunity to share the Gospel truth in times of peace, perhaps we can at least have the courage and faith of Rahab to do so as she did under the threat of death. Throw out the Lifeline across the dark sea!

The Shield of Faith – 30 April 2021, Anno Domini

OW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

Today’s text is taken from the lectionary for the day and presents some profound principles ensconced in very concise terms.

Some have claimed that faith cannot be based on outward evidence – that it is a thing unseen and inexplicable in physical observation. I disagree. I believe many aspects of faith are evidenced in the world around us – evidence that may go unobserved by the common eye. It is not necessary to see a thing with your physical eye in order to know of its reality. For example, if you are not a democrat, there is sufficient evidence to prove that you have a brain; yet, you have never seen your brain. But it is certain that you have one stowed away in your cranial cavity. Likewise the great truths of God as Creator. We see the wonders of His works and cannot doubt the supreme Mind that is evidenced by the intricate plan of His work. As Confucius (Kong Fu Tzu) asked centuries ago, “Do you need proof of God? Does one light a candle to see the sun?”

Tucked neatly away in the latter portion of the 3^rd verse above is an amazing scientific fact: “that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Consider the element we call GOLD. It is element number 79 on the Periodic Table of elements, and its symbol is ‘Au.’ Gold has been viewed and admired by millions across the centuries. It has been used as a valuable medium of exchange, a metal from which weddings rings have been made, and it has even been worshipped in the ancient days – and, by some, today! If I were to hand you a twenty-dollar gold piece, refined to 99.9 percent purity, you would immediately recognize its metallic properties as gold; but have you ever seen an atom of GOLD? Before you answer, think the possibilities through to their logical conclusion.

Well, you have indeed seen an atom of GOLD; in fact, you have seen millions of them for that is the composition of all GOLD. You may not be able to see a single atom of GOLD, but you have certainly seen millions of them combined to form an object of GOLD. To reverse the old saying, “If you have seen one, you have seen them all” to read, “If you have seen them all, you have seen one.” "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Faith, too, is not based on simple emotion. It is based upon informed knowledge and wisdom of the evidence of God in all that we see about us. There is such a thing as unreasonable faith. We may believe that we can fly, but if we jump from the Empire State Building, that faith will result in splatter of stupidity at the base. But if our faith is based on the certainty of God as Creator and Redeemer, we need not know the intricate details of all His plans until He deems it appropriate to reveal them to us.

Among many other properties, Faith is a Shield and an Anchor for the soul. The ancient Roman soldier carried his shield into battle trusting its ability to fend off the blows of the enemy. In the same way, the Christian bears his Shield of Faith in every venue of life to shield against the blows of the Adversary of his soul. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16. But long before engaging the enemy we face daily, there must be an inward strength that enables us to march forth to the forward edge of the battle line. Just as a mighty Ok Tree must gain its nutrients and strength from the mineral-rich soil by way of its root system, so must the Christian garner daily strength to carry his Shield of Faith forth to the battle. The root system of the Christian is his Faith. Faith conveys hope of ultimate victory based on the faith in the God of Battles Himself – our Lord Jesus Christ. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” (Hebrews 6:19)

The Oak cannot move from its anchor in the root – neither can the Christian move from his Anchor of the Soul.

Thursday, April 29, 2021

A Virtuous Woman – 29 April 2021, Anno Domini

A virtuous woman is one who has obeyed the Commandments of God from her early youth. She responds to the heart-strings of love excited by devotion to God and an affection for others. She is honest to God and to her own soul.

Such a woman deserves our highest regard and respect. Even God’s Word places such a premium on virtue that the Word refers to wisdom in the same manner as a virtuous woman: “13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.” (Proverbs 3:13-15) So, wisdom, like a virtuous woman, is more precious than rubies.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)

Not only is she trustworthy to a fault, but very careful in her duties as a wife and mother. Unlike a couch-potato, the virtuous woman is enterprising in the management of her home as well as in the means of provision for her children and her husband. The 31^st chapter of Proverbs give quite an extensive list of admirable qualities of the virtuous woman.

Why does God describe both wisdom and a virtuous woman as “more valuable that rubies?” I believe it is due to the innate qualities of the ruby. The ruby is a gem whose beauty and color never fade, and it never changes due to environmental factors. Its beauty, unlike the diamond whose beauty is generated by refracted light from without, radiates from within the depth of its being just like the heart of a virtuous woman. The red color represents sacrificial love that will lay itself down for a loved one.

Rubies are valuable – not just owing to their beauty – but to their rarity. They must be sought out and labored for in the earth. A virtuous woman is likewise rare and cannot be found without earnest searching. Jacob labored fourteen years for the woman of his heart – the blessed Rachel.

Any woman, devoutly loved by her husband, can be that virtuous woman. It is the nature of womankind to always return sincere and sacrificial love in like kind. The Church is an example of that womanly nature. Her Bridegroom (the Lord Jesus Christ) laid down His life for His Bride. The Bride (Church) is able to return the love of the Bridegroom because He first loved us.

Soon, we will observe Mother’s Day. It is fitting that we consider deeply what our mothers, our wives, and our daughters have meant, and mean, to us. If we look intently, we can most likely find many, if not all, the biblical qualities of a virtuous woman in the lady closest to us in love:

HE seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a ruby to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Proverbs 31:13-28)

Seek and ye shall find.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

God’s Stationery – The Heart – 27 April 2021, Anno Domini

O we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Have you ever considered your heart as a medium for writing - especially as a book of laws? The laws of nature such as gravity, heat, and motion are for the physical bodies; but the spiritual laws are without value unless written on the soft sinews and deep chambers of the heart. The heart is considered the seat of the soul. The higher rules of evidence are only perceived by the heart that has that resource of God’s Law written therein. As Blaise Pascal has said: “The heart has reasons that reason cannot know."

In the above text, Paul is referring to a written letter (Epistle). The Letter to which he refers are the believers whose testimonies are written by the ink of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

HEREOF the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:15-17)

Ancient Rome was a great power whose armies were filled with citizens who loved Rome and fought out of that love for her defense and expansion. In the process of time, Rome began to hire mercenary soldiers who had little feeling for the welfare of Rome to fight their battles. This signaled the decline of the Roman Empire. The degradation did not begin by any threat from without, but from decay from within. This has been the fall of every major world power from the beginning until now. When the heart fails, the body dies.

The Old Testament covenant was a testament symbolized by the blood sacrifice of animals for sin. But this was only symbolic of a greater sacrifice to come. The animal sacrifices were a shadow of the true sacrifice of our Lord. In the fulness of time, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the bondage of sin. This was the once-and-for-all-time sacrifice that could atone for our sins. It heralded a New Testament (or Last Will and Testament) of the Lord which, if not written in the hearts of His elect, would avail nothing for the lost sinner.

UT Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. (Hebrews 9:11-18)

Have you opened your heart lately to find what is written there? If it is the graffiti of the world, woe is you; but if the love of God and His Law is written there, then rejoice at the prospect of Heaven. As Jeremiah the prophet says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart? (Jeremiah 17:9-10) Who can know it? The heart of man is an open book to the Lord. Nothing can be hidden from Him in the darkest corner of the heart. If Christ abides there, no evil can prosper.

AOC Three

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