Sermon Notes - Third Sunday after Easter - A Temporary Funeral - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide - 8 May 2022, Anno Domini

  

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

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LMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

A Temporary Funeral

 

A

 LITTLE while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye 

enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. (John 16:16-23)

 

The Funeral Sermon of our Lord

 

            Funeral sermons are often sad occasions. If the subject of the funeral is a true Christian, then the sorrow is unwarranted; however, the survivors will nonetheless mourn the loss of a friend or family member’s companionship for a time. The occasion for this sermon is unique – it precedes the death of its subject, and it is delivered by the One to be deceased.  Rather than a sermon to suggest sorrow and mourning, it is a sermon to encourage joy and faith. It is given on the night of the Lord’s betrayal, and spoken by the Lord Himself.  Rather than enumerating all of His kind acts and miracles, the Lord is already aware that His living testimony is sure and needs no restatement; however, He is also aware of the coming intense pain that His disciples will feel at His crucifixion. Their pain will be mingled with the dread and fear. There is no way that He can make them fully aware of that which is about to happen for such things had never happened before, nor will they ever happen again. So it might be understood that Christ will give present counsel upon which they may draw with future understanding.

 

            That which is worthy of joy to the child of God will always be received with lamentation by the world. Contrariwise, that which is a matter of joy to the world will almost certainly be cause for dismay on the part of the committed Christian. Jesus clearly points this out in His words of the text.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. The Psalm offers comfort to the believer: “….weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5) Jesus is explaining that He will be parted from the disciples this very night. He will be crucified and buried. In the interim of three days, they will not see Him, but then, they shall see Him. He will have been with the repentant thief of the cross in paradise as well as to conquer death and hell. He will see them again After His resurrection and before His ascension to the Father in Heaven. It should be noted that there is no record that Jesus ascended to Heaven before He had completed His earthly mission of life, death and resurrection.

 

            We find compelling points of concurrence between the lectionary texts prescribed for today. The Psalter for the day points out many fascinating facets of that which Christ has explained. The Psalm for today is 68”1-20 in which these truths, consistent with New Testament Scripture, are revealed:

 

1.     Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. (Psalms 68:1) did this not happen on Resurrection Morning?

 

2.     But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. (Psalms 68:3) Did Jesus not instruct that they would rejoice at seeing Him on that Day of His Rising?

 

 

3.     O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. (Psalms 68:7-8) Did not Christ precede us in death so that we who take up our cross daily and follow Him may also follow in His resurrection? But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Cor 15:20-23) Did not the earth quake at the passing of Christ on the cross? Yes, indeed, according to Matthew 27:51, the earth did quake (shake) and the power of Heaven ripped the Temple Veil from Top to Bottom which no man could do. This opened the Holies of Holies to all who will throw themselves on the court of Mercy and Grace.

 

4.     The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever. (Psalms 68:15-16) The Mountain of Bashan is another name for Mount Hermon – the source of the tributary waters of the Jordan River (another type of Christ). But Christ was crucified on another hill – Mt Calvary. Just as the refreshing waters flow down the slopes of Mt Hermon and feet into the life-giving Jordan Waters, so does the life-giving blood of Christ flow from that abundant Fountain filled with Blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins. Though loved by all denominations, this hymn is a particular favorite of our good Baptist brethren. It is composed by William Cowper:

 

5.      

6.       

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;

And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

 

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;

And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;

And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

 

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power

Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;

Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

 

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,

Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;

Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

 

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

 

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,

For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!

’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,

To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.

 

7.     What work was it that our Lord was about for those times that He was separated in death from the disciples? Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. (Psalms 68:18) Did Christ not fulfill this prophecy during His time of the Tomb? Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Eph 4:8-10) No matter how much we may desire to believe a sensational lie, we must believe the Lord first. “Let God be true, but every man a liar!” (Romans 3:4) Contrary to sensational and profit-making stories of people visiting Hell and Heaven and returning to tell of it, we must accept the undeniable Word of God:  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13) It is a choice – to believe or not to believe. But to disbelieve the Word of God places our souls in peril.

 

We have confirmations of beauty also in 2 Corinthians 5: 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Cor 5:1-7)  Christ, having gone on before and led the way for our resurrection into life eternal has prepared not only a place for us, but a home for our nakedness that we shall be covered. That same Jesus who died for our sins also rose for our sakes on the third day: 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Cor 5:14-15)

 

Jesus sealed His testimony and His Last Will and Testament with His own Blood. Dare any man add to that divine testimony by fictional books or claims? Hear the somber warning of Heaven against fictional works of man that make claims contrary to Scripture: If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev 22:18-19) I pray that no reader of this Sermon Notes will place their souls in jeopardy by deliberate disregard of truth.

Easter 03 Collect – 8 May 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

  

The Third Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

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LMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

Even at the moment of the Resurrection of Christ, the spirit of anti-Christ was afoot. Roman guards were bribed to conceal the truth of what happened at the Garden Tomb before sunrise on Easter morning. Institutions, even the Churches, that draw their power and influence from political man, are a part and portion of that spirit of anti-Christ. The focus of our Collect for this week centers on a plea against error and darkness.

 

          There is a church in Pensacola called the Brownsville Assembly of God Church at which the Korean preacher, Cho Yonggi, spoke in the 1990s and predicted a great revival. Cho, not noted for his faithfulness to biblical truth, did correctly forecast an event that lasted a few years there and which was ‘called’ a revival by its adherents. There was a lot of spirit observed in their revival (at which it is estimated more than four million people attended) to the detriment of biblical truth. Men were being led about on all fours by a leash. Why? Because the Holy Spirit, they say, told them to act like a dog! On one occasion, a woman came to the microphone and said, “I know some of you will think I am crazy, but the Holy Spirit told me to do this.” She then began to howl like a wolf into the microphone – I am NOT kidding, I have it on VHS tape. Certain men were assigned as blanketeers. They would stand by with blankets to cover the modesty of women rolling about on the floor. It is clear that a spirit had moved these people to this state of delusional ecstasy, but it certainly was not the Holy Spirit of which I read in Holy Scripture. The so-called ‘Brownsville Revival’ has run its course and the men who initiated the false revival have moved on to the next nest of suckers who will believe their lies.

 

          So is this phenomenon relegated to the past only? Not hardly. How many silly women and naïve men are being deceived today by books claiming that someone has gone to heaven or hell and returned to tell us about it? Paul gives profound warning of this delusional aspect of error: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim 3:1-7) The deception of those who read such light-headed drama is not innocent, but deliberate. They choose to believe a lie over and above the Word of God. This places their very souls in jeopardy. Did not Mother Eve do the same?

 

          God does reveal to those who seek in earnest, His absolute Truth! He revealed it to Adam and Eve, and they disregarded that truth and brought death and sin upon – not only human race – but the world at large. ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth. It is amazing to me, and even shocking, that those who are in error and claim to be sound Bible believers will accept the word of a fictional writer over that of clear biblical proofs. The reason is simple: they prefer to believe the fantasy before they will believe the truth. Beware, again, the words of Paul:  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ⁸And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: ⁹Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ¹⁰And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹²That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess 2:7-12)

 

          For what purpose does God reveal the Light of Truth to those who are in error? “…..to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness.” If deceitful men and books have led a man or woman away from the path of truth, surely they will believe once the error is pointed out to them, won’t they? Often they do not because they prefer the lie to the truth. To those who love truth to the exclusion of popular fantasies, that truth will always bring again to understanding truth.

 

          There are two points of purpose that should govern the thoughts and actions of a Christian:

 

1.     Possessing such knowledge and understanding of truth so as to recognize and AVOID error.  Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ's Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession.

 

2.     Possessing such truth and wisdom of God’s Word in our hearts so that we order our lives in the very way of that righteousness in truth described by God in His Word. “….and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same.” Of course, we are enabled to do these things “…through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

          How is it possible that we sit under Godly preaching and worship, Sunday after Sunday, repeating the prayers of the Collects and, yet, have no intention of being faithful to those prayers we have uttered collectively? 

 

·      Is this not taking the Name of the Lord in vain if we pray with false intention and motive? Do we really mean it when we pray the Lord’s Prayer? 

 

·      Do we REALLY desire HIS will to be done, or do we tenaciously hold to a lie and follow our own wills in deception of truth? 

 

·      Do we Really seek only our daily bread, or do we seek the bread of others to add to our own? 

 

·      Are we truly repentant in seeking His forgiveness of our sins? 

 

·      Have we turned from them? If so, have we followed the corollary of the prayer to forgive others in like manner in which God has forgiven us? 

 

·      Do we truly glorify God with our minds, heart, body, and spirits? 

 

·      If we recognize the Lord as the awesome and almighty Savior that He is, why do we follow silly fantasies that add to, or take away, from the Word of God? 

 

I am becoming disillusioned, not so much by unbelievers of the world as, with professed believers who disregard the Word of God and live and act with flagrant disregard for that Word. But I recognize my obligation, and the obligation of every clergyman and laity to persist in teaching, in rebuking, and in edifying the Church.

Sermon Notes - The Family Together - Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles superseding the Second Sunday after Easter - 1 May 2022, Anno Domini

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles. [May 1.]

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

And the Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter which it supersedes.

 

The Second Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

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LMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The theme of the collect is Steadfast!

 

            In today’s Gospel, taken from the Gospel of Saint John 14:1-4, Philip asks the question which is answered from the biblical truth repeated in our Prayer of Collect for the day: Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way? The disciples, though the Lord had been the center of their universe, and they had followed Christ these three years, still had no perfect knowledge of who He truly was. True, they knew Him to be the Son of God, but what did that fully mean in this physical realm in which they followed? Why must He die such an ignominious death on the cross? How could they follow Him thereafter seeing as He would no longer be with them in such a personal way?

 

            Of course, the answer could not be fully comprehended until He had paid the last full measure of devotion for us in shedding His precious blood at Golgotha. And even still, His mighty power to rise from the tomb was unknown until the early morning of the first day of the week following His death and burial. So, what was the way to follow about which Philip inquires? The answer is given by our Lord in Scripture and reiterated here in today’s Collect: O ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life;

 

How do we truly know Jesus? Do not the devils themselves believe and tremble? 

 

T

HOU believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (James 2:19) 

 

           Yes, the devils and demons of Satan do, indeed, believe and tremble – but that belief does not result in any change in their nature as demons. They were damned from the moment they were cast down with their Master, the great Red Dragon of Revelations 12:3. A sound knowledge of the Lord will compel our love and commitment to Him and His Way. He is the Way, and knowing Him in a heart-to-heart relationship will result in works of righteousness unlike that of the devils who believe and ignore, and, unfortunately, some professing Christians as well. Even the works we consider righteous are but filthy rags without the component of believing faith: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (James 2:20)

 

            How do we follow our crucified Lord? By being true to our profession as Christians; by following Him, not just along the dusty venues of desert and mountain, but also to the Tomb of self, and the resurrection to follow – for HE IS THE WAY!  Sheep are social creatures – they congregate together just as the Church must do, but they do so BEHIND the Bishop and Captain of their souls (Jesus Christ). He is the Good Shepherd who knows the Way. We need not wonder where the Way leads just as the trusting sheep never challenge the shepherd concerning direction or destination. We simply follow Him in all His Ways and let the world suffer its own damnation.

 

            This Collect was added to the Prayer Book by Archbishop Cranmer, but the last line was later added by Bishop John Cosin of Durham: we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  ‘Steadfastly’ is a powerful word. Are we steadfast in following the Good Shepherd, or do we allow our focus to be distracted by the green grass of the diverging trail?

 

            The Collects are a precious treasure of the Church of England as it was established under threat of fire and sword. It consolidates Bible truths to focus our attention on the day’s biblical texts and the sermon to follow. Such a focus is too often absent from other worship services which may lack reverence and dignity required before the Lord our God.

 

The Sermon

 

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ET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:1-14) 

 

            Where is home to you? Remember that old adage, “Home is where the heart is.” I have heard that from the early days of my life and I have found it reinforced in Holy Writ if we consider our greatest treasure is to be at home – our loved ones and precious memories. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  (Matt 6:20-21) We must not forget we are pilgrims upon this earth who seek after a better city, and that city is New Jerusalem. 

 

            It is not possible to believe in God whom man has not seen, but not in Christ who is the express image of the Father. Our Lord is represented by the good Samaritans we meet along the avenues of life – in the smile of a little child and the purring of a pet kitten. His Creation itself is testimony of His mercy and grace to us.

 

            The serious believer need not fear a homeless fate when this ancient globe is consumed by fervent heat. The Lord has promised to provide us a mansion. The Greek word for mansion is no a palatial estate with a spiral staircase and steeple tower – it means an abiding place or room. But it will be the provision for all the family of God. He has gone to prepare that place for us even as I speak.

 

            Having lived in Korea, Japan and the Middle East for many years, I am well aware of the family customs of those lands. Just as in the time of the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, families tend to live in multiple family households comprised of sons, daughters, in laws, fathers, mothers, and grandparents. This practice is even incorporated into the marriage customs of Israel before and during the time of Christ. The father usually seeks a prospective wife for his son through the services of a matchmaker.  Upon finding a suitable young lady as a candidate, a meeting is arranged at the girl’s home. A glass of wine will be placed on the table between the two family representatives including the boy and girl.

 

 After lengthy discussions, if the boy approves of the betrothal (an engagement with stronger responsibilities than our modern marriages), he will drink from the cup. If the girl agrees with the same, she will likewise drink from that same cup – and the betrothal is sealed. This is much like our betrothal to Christ. He has counseled Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: (Matt 20:23) We do indeed drink from the same cup as our Lord symbolized in our Communion service. Our betrothal thereby is sealed with our baptism.

 

After the betrothal meeting, the son leaves with the father to prepare a living place among the family apartments for the prospective bride in the same way that our Lord has gone to prepare a place for us. There is much more to this marriage custom than I will recount today, but I want you to note the consistent symbolism spread throughout Scripture. Christ is preparing a place for us among the Father’s apartments for us and all others who know and love the Son. We are all family and will share quarters in the same estates with the Father and the Son.

 

This text, and adjacent chapters, are darkened by the approaching shadow of the cross. 

 

Though He has spoken in great detail of His coming sacrifice, the disciples can scarcely grasp the depth of meaning. Many Christians today likewise seem unable to comprehend the great sacrifice our Lord made in our redemption. That sacrifice is very lightly taken by many to the detriment of their souls. A shiny, gold cross around the neck is not evidence of true faith. The wearer may be a very committed Christian, or the cross may simply be an ornament of boasting. The cross upon which our Lord bled and died was not a shiny, gold cross, but a horrid and crude wooden cross.

 

Have you considered that mercy and grace on the part of both Father and Son in the purchase of our redemption? You must know that it was not merely the Jewish rulers and Roman cohort that crucified Christ – it was all of us, all of mankind whose sins deserve precisely the kind of death our Lord, an innocent and righteous man, died in our stead.

 

The Way was not clear to the disciples in the pre-resurrection Christ, but on the morning of that first Easter, it became starkly clear.  He truly is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. The LIFE He offers is the only life that is real and eternal.

 

Imagine the hordes of previously skeptical sinners of the old world who hurried to the place of the Ark of Noah as the fountains of the deep were broken up and the rains poured down in torrents. God had closed the door of the Ark – not Noah – to all except those whom He invited to come into the Ark.

 

The Way is clear today and the Ark of Jesus Christ awaits your coming. Do you stand without and jest and smirk at those who enter in? Soon, at the last trump, God will bring the curtain of time to an end. Where will you stand then – within the Ark of Christ, or without?

 

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.  (Matt 16:4)

 

My advice: stop seeking signs and look to Christ and follow in His WAY.

AOC Sunday Report - Saint Philip and Saint James superseding the Second Sunday after Easter

Happy Saint Philip and Saint James superseding the Second Sunday after Easter!

The AOC Sunday Repot can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

Today is the first day of May, the date fixed in the church calendar to remember two apostles, Saints Philip and James.  It supersedes the Second Sunday after Easter; the Easter season is five Sundays, the last of which, the Fifth Sunday after Easter, is commonly called Rogation Sunday.  Like every day, today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, Christ the Lord IS Risen!   The Gospel is Jesus' description of Heaven and His role in salvation.

Today we have super sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Each is quite different and quite good.  Rev Jack's sermon can be seen on video RIGHT HERE.

There are always a lot of people who need your prayer.  If you have someone on the prayer list and their needs have changed, please let us know.  We’d like to update our prayers to reflect the need and most important to give thanks.  In the mean time, please start with Shamu, Jim, Laurie, Tricia, Mrs. Kay and move out from there.

There is an EPIC week ahead, if that does not seem possible, try opening your heart to course guidance from the Holy Ghost, you will never see the world in the needed focus without His Help.

Have that week!

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

 

Saint Philip and Saint James superseding the Second Sunday after Easter

Rev Jack's sermon is available on video 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.   Today, we recall the memories of two of the great apostles, Philip and James and supersede the normal propers with those dedicated to the two.

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life…

 

We ask God to give us perfect knowledge that his Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ of God, is the truth, and the life we seek, we need and in fact require to be truly happy or at one with Him.  We ask that, so like Philip and James we might stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life.   What is The Way, The Truth, and The Life?

 

The Way

These terms are really intertwined.  Jesus way of living, His approach to life in general, His priorities, His way of thinking, His sense of duty, His sense of honor.  All these things are represented by The Way.

 

The Truth

Jesus, like His Father whom we call our God, is perfect, thus always truthful, thus His story never changes, His standards never change, He does not evolve.  When He says something it is right and it stays right.

 

The Life

Jesus created the earth and all that is therein.  The Holy Ghost breathed life into the world and it was.  He came into this world in human form knowing how He would leave.  He did this that we might have life everlasting starting the very instant we accepted Him into our souls.  Think about the scripture, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Many have participated in actions that meant almost certain death to save or rescue comrades, friends or family.  But, to come into this world, to assume the form of a human being, which for the Son of God must have been like us assuming the identity of a monkey or maybe a cockroach, to live in a time of hardship amongst people who for the most part barely got along, to try to lead them to God and then die a terrible death on the Cross at the hands of the very people he came to save.   To do all that knowingly, with full knowledge aforethought.  That is the action of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

In the Epistle James mentions that in times of trials and difficulty, our patience will be tested and we will need all the patience we can get. Therefore, he urges us to ask God for that patience, that we might withstand those trails and temptations. He says if we have any trouble with wisdom in our situations, to ask God and the Holy Ghost for that wisdom and they will provide. We just have to allow the Holy Ghost into our hearts so he might spread that wisdom into our hearts and souls. James goes on to say we must have conviction in our faith and not waver. He says the one who wavers is not sure or steady within their faith and can call to the slightest temptations.

 

Then I think we should ask for God to strengthen our faith, that we can resist all temptations and endure all the trials and difficulties of this world. Our eternal life with God will be worth all of the pain and suffering we have to endure here on Earth.

Speaking of eternal life with God, the Gospel mentions that Jesus is going to prepare places for us with God. He assures us that if he is going to prepare a place for us, that means he will come back for us to escort us to those places. Thomas then asks Him saying they did not know where he was going and how would we know the way?

 

Jesus responds to Him saying He is the One Way, and no man can come unto the father but by Him. What does that mean for people of other faiths? We do not know and cannot know for sure. All we know for sure, is that Jesus is our way and there is no other way to get to heaven but by Him. Phillip then asks Him to show them God the Father and that would suffice.

Jesus responds with if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father which goes into the Triune God concept. He mentions the words that he speaks, he speaks not from himself, but from the Father who dwelleth within Him. We do not know exactly how this works, but we must trust and believe what Jesus says.

 

He goes onto to point out whoever truly does believe in Him, will do actions like Jesus would act, because they would have the faith of Jesus. He mentions that this would be possible when He goes to the Father. This would seem be be a prelude of sorts to the Holy Ghost coming down at Pentecost, when He makes His First Appearance. The message of Jesus is clear, whosever believes on Him, would do actions that reflect that of Christ and His Faith. Jesus is calling us to action here, not just talk the talk, but we must walk the walk as well. 

 

Do ye likewise:

 

ACT

 

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?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Saint Philip and Saint James superseding the Second Sunday after Easter - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon

The Propers for today are found on Page 238-240, with the Collect first:

 

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles. [May 1.]

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

And the Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter which it supersedes.

 

The Second Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Today’s Epistle comes from the First General Epistle of Saint James, the First Chapter, beginning at the First Verse:

The Epistle.

St. James i. 1.

 

J

AMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

 

The Holy Gospel for this morning comes from the Gospel of Saint John, the Fourteenth chapter beginning at the First verse: 

 

The Gospel.

St. John xiv. 1.

 

A

ND Jesus said unto his disciples, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and  receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it suffice thus. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

Rev Jack's sermon is available on video 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.   Today, we recall the memories of two of the great apostles, Philip and James and supersede the normal propers with those dedicated to the two.

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life…

 

We ask God to give us perfect knowledge that his Son, our Savior, Jesus the Christ of God, is the truth, and the life we seek, we need and in fact require to be truly happy or at one with Him.  We ask that, so like Philip and James we might stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life.   What is The Way, The Truth, and The Life?

 

The Way

These terms are really intertwined.  Jesus way of living, His approach to life in general, His priorities, His way of thinking, His sense of duty, His sense of honor.  All these things are represented by The Way.

 

The Truth

Jesus, like His Father whom we call our God, is perfect, thus always truthful, thus His story never changes, His standards never change, He does not evolve.  When He says something it is right and it stays right.

 

The Life

Jesus created the earth and all that is therein.  The Holy Ghost breathed life into the world and it was.  He came into this world in human form knowing how He would leave.  He did this that we might have life everlasting starting the very instant we accepted Him into our souls.  Think about the scripture, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Many have participated in actions that meant almost certain death to save or rescue comrades, friends or family.  But, to come into this world, to assume the form of a human being, which for the Son of God must have been like us assuming the identity of a monkey or maybe a cockroach, to live in a time of hardship amongst people who for the most part barely got along, to try to lead them to God and then die a terrible death on the Cross at the hands of the very people he came to save.   To do all that knowingly, with full knowledge aforethought.  That is the action of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

In the Epistle James mentions that in times of trials and difficulty, our patience will be tested and we will need all the patience we can get. Therefore, he urges us to ask God for that patience, that we might withstand those trails and temptations. He says if we have any trouble with wisdom in our situations, to ask God and the Holy Ghost for that wisdom and they will provide. We just have to allow the Holy Ghost into our hearts so he might spread that wisdom into our hearts and souls. James goes on to say we must have conviction in our faith and not waver. He says the one who wavers is not sure or steady within their faith and can call to the slightest temptations.

 

Then I think we should ask for God to strengthen our faith, that we can resist all temptations and endure all the trials and difficulties of this world. Our eternal life with God will be worth all of the pain and suffering we have to endure here on Earth.

Speaking of eternal life with God, the Gospel mentions that Jesus is going to prepare places for us with God. He assures us that if he is going to prepare a place for us, that means he will come back for us to escort us to those places. Thomas then asks Him saying they did not know where he was going and how would we know the way?

 

Jesus responds to Him saying He is the One Way, and no man can come unto the father but by Him. What does that mean for people of other faiths? We do not know and cannot know for sure. All we know for sure, is that Jesus is our way and there is no other way to get to heaven but by Him. Phillip then asks Him to show them God the Father and that would suffice.

Jesus responds with if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father which goes into the Triune God concept. He mentions the words that he speaks, he speaks not from himself, but from the Father who dwelleth within Him. We do not know exactly how this works, but we must trust and believe what Jesus says.

 

He goes onto to point out whoever truly does believe in Him, will do actions like Jesus would act, because they would have the faith of Jesus. He mentions that this would be possible when He goes to the Father. This would seem be be a prelude of sorts to the Holy Ghost coming down at Pentecost, when He makes His First Appearance. The message of Jesus is clear, whosever believes on Him, would do actions that reflect that of Christ and His Faith. Jesus is calling us to action here, not just talk the talk, but we must walk the walk as well. 

 

Do ye likewise:

 

ACT

 

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?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

Saint Philip and Saint James Collect – 1 May 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

Saint Philip and Saint James, Apostles. [May 1.]

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The theme is Steadfast!

 

            In today’s Gospel, taken from the Gospel of Saint John 14:1-4, Philip asks the question which is answered from the biblical truth repeated in our Prayer of Collect for the day: Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way? The disciples, though the Lord had been the center of their universe, and they had followed Christ these three years, still had no perfect knowledge of who He truly was. True, they knew Him to be the Son of God, but what did that fully mean in this physical realm in which they followed? Why must He die such an ignominious death on the cross? How could they follow Him thereafter seeing as He would no longer be with them in such a personal way?

 

            Of course, the answer could not be fully comprehended until He had paid the last full measure of devotion for us in shedding His precious blood at Golgotha. And even still, His mighty power to rise from the tomb was unknown until the early morning of the first day of the week following His death and burial. So, what was the way to follow about which Philip inquires? The answer is given by our Lord in Scripture and reiterated here in today’s Collect: O ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life;

 

How do we truly know Jesus? Do not the devils themselves believe and tremble? 

 

T

HOU believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  (James 2:19) 

 

           Yes, the devils and demons of Satan do, indeed, believe and tremble – but that belief does not result in any change in their nature as demons. They were damned from the moment they were cast down with their Master, the great Red Dragon of Revelations 12:3. A sound knowledge of the Lord will compel our love and commitment to Him and His Way. He is the Way, and knowing Him in a heart-to-heart relationship will result in works of righteousness unlike that of the devils who believe and ignore, and, unfortunately, some professing Christians as well. Even the works we consider righteous are but filthy rags without the component of believing faith: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  (James 2:20)

 

            How do we follow our crucified Lord? By being true to our profession as Christians; by following Him, not just along the dusty venues of desert and mountain, but also to the Tomb of self, and the resurrection to follow – for HE IS THE WAY!  Sheep are social creatures – they congregate together just as the Church must do, but they do so BEHIND the Bishop and Captain of their souls (Jesus Christ). He is the Good Shepherd who knows the Way. We need not wonder where the Way leads just as the trusting sheep never challenge the shepherd concerning direction or destination. We simply follow Him in all His Ways and let the world suffer its own damnation.

 

            This Collect was added to the Prayer Book by Archbishop Cranmer, but the last line was later added by Bishop John Cosin of Durham: we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  ‘Steadfastly’ is a powerful word. Are we steadfast in following the Good Shepherd, or do we allow our focus to be distracted by the green grass of the diverging trail?

 

            The Collects are a precious treasure of the Church of England as it was established under threat of fire and sword. It consolidates Bible truths to focus our attention on the day’s biblical texts and the sermon to follow. Such a focus is too often absent from other worship services which may lack reverence and dignity required before the Lord our God.