First Sunday after Trinity

The Propers for today are found on Page 188-190, with the Collect first:

First Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

O

GOD, the strength of all those who put their trust in thee; Mercifully accept our prayers; and because, through the weakness of our mortal nature, we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dru Arnold read today’s Epistle, which came from the Fourth Chapter of St. John‘s First Epistle, beginning at the Seventh Verse. John pointed out that if we do not love our brethren here on earth we have seen and touched, how then can we claim to have love for God, whom no man hath seen? “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” God loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for our sins. That is true love. Not that we love Him, but that first He loved us! So, if God first loved us, ought we also not love each other? No one has seen God at any time. Yet, He loves us and we say we love Him. If we do love one another, then God is in us, the Holy Ghost, and we are in Him. Be bold, the world will end some time, for each of us it ends when we leave here. Fear not, trust in God and dread naught. God and His love will keep fear and the damage it does at bay. Love each other and act on that love.

This reading covers the same ground as Jesus’ Summary of the Law, the second portion, “That he who loveth God love his brother also.” God is love, not hate.

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ELOVED, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Jack Arnold, our Deacon Striker, read today’s Gospel which started in the Sixteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Nineteenth Verse. It is a story Jesus told of Lazarus, not the Lazarus whom he raised from the dead, but a fictional character. This Lazarus was poor and very ill, he was laid at the gate of an extremely well fed rich man hoping he might be fed with the castoffs from the rich man’s table. He was so ill, he could not move when dogs came to lick his sores. He died and went to heaven where he was well cared for and was whole. The rich man died, and for his self centered behavior here on earth, went to hell where he was tormented horribly. He looked up and saw Lazarus. He begged for just a touch of water, that he might be comforted. Abraham told the rich man that he would receive no comfort as he had partaken of all the comfort he would get while on earth when he thought only of himself. He also told him there was a gulf between heaven and hell through which no one could pass. Hearing that, the rich man asked that Lazarus be sent to his father’s house that his brothers might avoid his fate. Abraham pointed out they had the words of Moses and the prophets, if they would not hear them, they would not listen to one who rose from the dead.

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HERE was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is com-forted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Sermon – Everlasting Life

Today’s sermon was on the concept of the benefits of Everlasting Life. The end of the Gospel selection today is a very interesting foretelling of the reception Jesus’ Word would receive, though He rose from the dead. Those who would not hear the meaning of Moses and the other prophets had the same difficulty hearing Jesus. There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.

When we say, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mattthew 19.24) It is not because there is inherently anything wrong with being rich. Indeed, wealth is quite handy. But, when we are wealthy, it is very easy for us to think we are wealthy because of what WE do, then, we think, WE deserve this and that, soon WE deserve everything. The WE soon becomes I. I, this and I, that. Soon it is all about ME. We don’t owe anything to anyone. We can look to our innerselves for guidance. Soon, we are self centered and shortly thereafter quite lost.

If you are wealthy, most likely you either worked for what you got or you inherited the wealth. If you worked for what you got, then God gave you a lot to work with. It was given freely to you that you might give freely to others. God is not about communism. He is about free enterprise and hard work. He wants you to do well, but He also wants you to not only care about your fellow creatures of His, but act on those cares and do what you can to make the lives of those around you better. Hand up, not hand out.

Think of others before you think of yourself. Your life will be better here and now, not to mention later. We oft think of the benefits of everlasting life as beginning when we die. Not so. The true benefits come when you accept the gift and live your life accordingly.

Bishop Jerry Ogles’ Discussion of the Gospel

We are very fortunate in that Bishop Jerry provided his devotional analysis of today’s gospel:

" 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

It is a glaringly solemn fact that there is a state of the dead and a state of the living. In fact, all will taste the one time physical death of this world. However, the state of the living in Christ is not a real death, but rather a transition from a worldly form of living to a spiritual. The scriptures describe that death of a Christian as a twinkling of the eye. When we were children, we played out doors on Sunday afternoon and Saturdays until we would literally drop to sleep at night. We slept soundly through the next eight or nine hours and awoke believing that we had only just closed our eyes momentarily. So shall it be for those who die in Christ. But the wicked suffer an entirely different state. They will suffer eternal death in the unquenchable fires of Hell. The following parable of Christ describes this state.

The Story of Two Men – one wealthy, the other poor. "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day." The rich man's name is not mentioned. In fact, he has no name since it is not found in the Lamb's Book of Life. He was a wealthy man who fared sumptuously everyday. The sin was not wealth, but how he lived his life in indifference to the needy around him. Our personal identity is of no consequence in Hell.

" And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores." Now we see a certain beggar who does, indeed, have a name – Lazarus. He had no means of living at all but was forced to beg for every bite he ate. Even the crumbs from the rich man's table would have sufficed this poor beggar's need. The dogs, too, were accustomed to beg their food and felt pity for one in worse stead than themselves – "a touching act of brute pity, in the absence of human relief. It is a case of heartless indifference, amidst luxuries of every kind, to one of God's poorest and most afflicted ones, presented daily before the eye." (JFB)

Comes now the event which awaits us all alike: "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried." My Lord tenderly relates the account of Lazarus, but the rich man lacks any benefit of sympathy. It always comes to pass that we die, and so it has come to pass that the beggar dies. Note what happens at the death of Lazarus: he was carried by the dignitaries of God (Angels) into the bosom of Abraham. What treatment awaits those who die in Christian faith! What an escort we shall have! Poor beggar Lazarus is no longer beggar. His name is recorded in the Book of Life! But what of the rich man? He also died, but here the destinies divide profoundly: " the rich man also died, and was buried." Lazarus went up; the rich man went down to the grave and hell.

What privilege does a rich man have in Hell? He has the privilege of becoming, himself, a beggar. "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." He lifts UP his eyes and sees Lazarus in blissful comfort in the bosom of our father Abraham. He is in torment of hellfire. The distance between the rich man and Lazarus is a very great distance, but those in Hell can see those who live in Paradise. It must add tremendously to the awareness of their shame. He now begs Abraham to enjoin the help of Lazarus on his behalf. If Lazarus would but dip his finger in water to cool the tongue of this wealthy wretch, it would be a tremendous comfort to him. He who refused the crumbs of his table now begs for only a wet finger dipped in water from the former beggar. But Lazarus cannot see the rich man, or hear his pleading.

"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." Please note the kind regard Abraham pays the rich man in calling him son. But this is the only mercy Abraham can show this man. Our memories will be crisp as our burnt garments in Hell. Does the rich man remember the opulence he enjoyed while Lazarus was perishing for hunger and disease? Remember? See now how Lazarus is in comfort, but you are suffering in misery. Your deeds on earth do count and, in the rich man's case, they count against him.

" And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." This great gulf cannot be bridged unlike the claims we have of men going to heaven for some ninety minutes, or to Hell for nineteen minutes and returning. There is no crossing between earth and Heaven, or Heaven and Hell, except that provided in God's Word. The benefit of the heavenly dweller lies in the fact that he cannot observe the suffering of those he may have known and cared for in earth.

"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." Familial love and sympathies even prevail in Hell. The rich man has five brothers who are on the same expedited road to Hell that he was on. He believes if Lazarus returns from the dead to give testimony to his brothers, they will amend their ways and seek the face of God. How sad that those in Hell will know and see their loved ones that they have misled in life suffer such pains and torment! He does not want his brothers to suffer this terrible faith. Are we so concerned about our own loved ones?

"Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." Yes, indeed. It was Moses to whom they may have given lip service in life, but they did not search further into the One whom Moses looked forward to in faith. The excuse is always that nobody ever warned me. Had they believed Moses in faith, they would have known of the Coming Christ. But they were not even faithful in the small intelligence they had of Scripture. Another point to consider is this: The prophets clearly foretold the Coming Christ, yet even the Pharisees rejected their teaching when it was abundantly fulfilled in their faces.

"And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent." The unbelieving always seek after some fantastic sign or miracle. Even when they observed the miracles of Jesus, many remained in unbelief. When the Mighty Outstretched Arm of the Lord separated the waters of the Red Sea, and descended in a fog on Mt Sinai, or made its presence known in a cloud by day and a fire by night, the grumblers and murmurers were not hushed. "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) Christ means to express that we look at the miracle of Jonah whereas Jonah was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth and Christ was likewise three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Christ rose from the Tomb in three days after dying for our sins. That is enough for us to believe unto salvation without further acts or miracles.

Father Abraham tells the rich man that if the people do not believe the prophets, neither will they believe if one is resurrected from the dead. "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Christ did, in fact, rise from the dead. This is one of the fundamental of our Apostles' Creed and Scripture itself that unites us in Christian faith. Lack of faith in the Old Testament prophecies will blind the eye to the truth of the Gospel of Christ. I pray that no reader to whom these words come is blinded to these glorious truths.