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.
|
B
|
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.
Hap Arnold 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.
|
T
|
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 –
Reverend Deacon Jack Arnold - Time and Action
Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and
Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. How little we need other guidance, if
we but listen to what God tells us.
Consider these words from the
Collect:
… the strength
of all those who put their trust in thee; … 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…
This is a little longer Collect
than usual, but in it we acknowledge that God is the source of our strength, as
we are weak and cannot do any true good without His Help; thus we ask His help
or grace to do His Will in both in our thoughts and actions.
And, what is the first action we are to take? To love one another. Saint John pointed out if we do not
love our fellow creatures here on earth whom we have seen and touched, how then
can we claim to have love for God, whom not one of us have seen? We then cannot love God if we cannot
love our fellow humans, no matter how far they have strayed from His path, we
are still to love them and offer them help and help others. Jesus came to serve,
as the ultimate Servant, so must we be also.
“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.
To love one another and act
on that love. To consider the ways
we might help others and then actually
help them. It is not a question of
giving, but helping. The rich man
could have helped Lazarus, but it never entered his head. The rich man, like
many of us sadly, only thought of himself. Jesus illustrates perfectly in this
parable what happens when we only think of ourselves and do not help others or
think of others even. The rich man could have thought of poor Lazarus and given
him a place to stay and food to eat and paid for it, like the Good Samaritan.
Instead, he just let him die, figuring that that was the end of him. It turns
out that he was wrong and soon the tables would be reversed. Lazarus was a rather disgusting feature
of his world and when he died, the rich man was pleased not to have to pass by
him. Yet, it never entered into
his head to help.
How is that possible?
Simple, his eye was not on the donut, but on the
hole. The rich man cared about all
the things that don’t count and never considered those that do. Which is as
said earlier, is a problem at that all of us face at one time or another due to
our very nature of being sinful beings.
Indeed, between heaven and hell there is a great gulf
fixed. But, you must understand,
the gulf is not of God’s making but ours.
It is us who keeps us from the heaven He offers freely, yet at a great
price.
Put your trust in God and dread naught. Love those around you and act on that love. It does not matter if they are the same
religion as you, but you still must love and act towards them all the same. The
only exception I might add is the radical terrorist Muslims, but even then I
pity them, for as Christ said “They know not what they do.”. Think how you can
help, not how you can “enjoy” life.
Helping does not mean simply giving money to those who don’t have it, no
strings attached, although it might at times. It never means supporting those who do not feel like
supporting themselvese. For
dependency breeds slothfulness and contempt. Dependency destroys the soul. What is doe mean is facilitating a way for those who do not
have to earn what they need; to bring them the means of acquiring those things
which they need. Those things are
spiritual as well as physical. A
hand up, not a hand out. You will
find out the more you help, the more you enjoy real life. I find personally whether it is helping
somebody at the office, around the neighborhood or a friend, that I take
immense pleasure in the result of helping that person, more than if I had just
concentrated on myself.
This is hard to do. We want to concentrate on what makes us feel good about
ourselves right here and right now.
We have to be coerced into staying on the narrow path upward and
inward. But that is where our home
is.
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
Bishop Ogles’
Sermon
We are oft fortunate to get
copies of Bishop Jerry’s sermon notes.
Today is one of those Sundays.
Today’s sermon starts off with the collect, and like always, it will
give you a lot to consider in your heart.
Sermon Notes
First Sunday
after Trinity
Saint Andrew’s
Anglican Orthodox Church
Parable of
the Rich Man and Lazarus
2 June 2013, Anno
Domini
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.
|
T
|
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.
(Luke 16:19-31)
Before we look more closely at this great parable of Jesus, we must understand
that Christ never uses a parable of things physical or spiritual whose
principle is not consistent with the truth. This story of the rich man
and Lazarus may be just as actual as it is figurative. God’s principles never
change and neither does His truth.
The parable addresses the issues of the hereafter in stark illustration of
Paradise and Hell. There are those whose wealth dim their eyes to mercy
and compassion, and encrypt their hearts in greed and malice. There are, on the
other hand, those who would prefer to give whatever material possession they
have if it will render a greater good in improving the life of that one
standing nearby. Because their hearts are not centered on the material, their
souls are fixed on goodness and mercy. Christ does not mean to teach that there
is evil in riches, but in the way that we may covet such wealth. There is no
honor is being desperately poor, either, but the circumstances of life may
render any of us unable to provide for ourselves and impoverished by
misfortune. When poor men, such as Lazarus, are made to beg by the gates of the
wealthy, this condition is an illustration of the sin in the sin that lies
covered in the purple garments of the wealthy who refuse to share their excess
with those who are so deprived even of food to eat.
It should be noted that God does not always provide material reward to His
righteous in this world. The tables are often turned so that the wealthy are
the wicked, and the poor, the righteous. It does not necessarily need to be so,
but often is. Even a very righteous man may be corrupted when he comes into
great wealth. He may forget the estate from which he has come, and dwell only
on the improvement of his finances.
We must not misapply Scriptural counsel regarding money: it is not moneyt
itself that is evil, but the love thereof. For the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Tim
6:10) If God rewards you will a million dollars in your account, the mere
possession of so much money does not make you a bad person. The manner in which
you use the money for good is a measure of your virtue.
The deference which Christ shows to the poor man in giving him a Godly name,
Lazarus, or Eleazar, is notable. The name means, God is MY Help. We have
churches in the AOC in parts of the world in which every member depends upon
God alone for the next morsel of food they consume. This Holy name imputes a
righteous character to the poor man.
But what of the rich man? He is given no name at all. Why do you suppose this
is so? Because if our names are not written in the Book of Life, then they are
not written at all. In fact, there are no names in Hell. Why would you need a
name there?
19There was a certain rich man, which
was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day
This man was filled with himself and cared not a whit for those around him. He
had much more than he needed, yet was unwilling to share a morsel from his
well-stocked pantry to a poor man diseased and dying. The love of wealth
petrifies the heart and closes its gates of mercy. Christ only refers to this
man as a “rich man.” He has no redeeming qualities that recommend him to God.
20 And there was a
certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores You may wonder why Lazarus is a beggar?
Could it be a result of his complete helplessness due to disease. He could not
help himself – he had to be helped. Someone must help those around us who are
unable, due to tragic circumstances, to help themselves. Before the advent of
utopian and socialistic philosophy, the Church and Community were the source of
help – and still should be.
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. He desired no great thing – only to be fed the crumbs from the rich
man’s table. These the rich man did not need, but it is doubtful that the rich
man cared enough to give them to Lazarus. Even though men of means showered no
mercy on their own kind, at least the dogs lived up to their reputation of
loyalty. The dogs comforted Lazarus – not with food which they had not – but
with compassion and love. Are we better than dogs?
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 How casually does the LORD make reference to
that grave which awaits every beloved reader of this devotion. It shall come to
pass that each of us shall die. Then what?
You will observe a great difference in the disposition of Lazarus after death,
and that of the rich man after death. Christ says of the beggar (he) was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom
Truly the destination of all righteous souls. Abraham is father, not only to
the Hebrews, but all who believe in the Promised Seed – Jesus Christ! What a
royal sendoff did Lazarus receive. Though a poor, sick beggar, he was honored
with the dignity of being carried by the angels to Abraham’s Bosom. Angels are
important heavenly dignitaries, but not so dignified as to ignore any soul that
dies in Christ.
How does the honor paid Lazarus differ from the disposition of the Rich Man’s
body? The rich man also died, and was buried. He was placed, not in the Bosom of Abraham, but
in the depth of the earth – his eternal home, or ultimately, Hell. Instead of
the angels carrying him to Abraham’s Bosom, the rich man lies in the cursed
soil of the world. Quite well do the final words of a poem by Sir Walter Scott
summarize the matter:
For him no minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored , and unsung.
But
Scott’s words do not fully reveal the extent of the tragedy of such a lifestyle
– the fires of Hell await such a one the very moment his eyes are blinded by
death.
23 And in hell he lift
up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom. Christ does
not leave the reality of hell open for question, but states the fact outright.
There are fires in Hel, and torments as well. There are no medical stations
there to relieve the pain for, in Hell, the character of its citizens rule – NO
MERCY! The rich man can see Lazaraus “afar off” in the bosom of Abraham. Heaven
is a far off place from Hell. But the wicked can see the delight of those in
Heaven.
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 The pride of wealth no longer dominates the
rich man’s thinking. He takes no longer pride in his fine raiment for that was
burned away the moment he was cast into Hell. The rich man begs for that which
he had none of in life – MERCY! Lazarus is now rich, and the rich man a beggar.
He begs for mercy to be delivered by the very finger of him to whom he granted
no mercy. Hell is a hot dry place. The drought never ends there. It is
interesting to note that there is no evidence that Lazarus is aware of the rich
man’s condition in Hell. Such knowledge might dampen his joy in Heaven for he
obviously was a man of compassion as opposed to the rich man. Hell is a place of
torment. God sends no one to Hell – we send ourselves.
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. We sometimes find men in conditions and
circumstances from which we cannot extricate them, but we still should have
what kindness we can have and show respectful regard. Observe with what
sympathy Abraham addresses the rich man in Hell: He calls him “son!” It is
possible that this man could have been a true son of Abraham as was Lazarus had
he followed in that faith of Abraham in Christ. But he was more likely a son by
hereditary descent and not spiritual. The temporary luxuries of riches born out
of greed will avail nothing in Heaven. The pleasure is so temporary, and
eternity so very long – endless in fact.
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. We must
recognize that the distance is so great between Heaven and Hell that none can
pass to and from. No one has descended to Hell and returned to tell of it, and
the same is true of Heaven regardless the cheap little books of commercial
fodder marketed today. If you believe that you can visit Hell, you probably
will do so for longer than you wish.
27 Then he said, I
pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five
brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of
torment. Even the wicked in Hell are aware of the
lost condition of their loved ones. Does this give cause for pause? Those in
Hell would do anything to save their loved ones (for the damned also love their
own) from coming to such a place of hot torment.
29 Abraham saith unto
him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Have we, too, heard the voice of Moses from
the beginning in Genesis? Have we heard and heeded the writings of the prophets
and the Gsopel and Espitles that tell of Christ? If so, it is enough! We need
no astounding signs to prove our faith else it is not faith. An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;
and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For
as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son
of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matt 12:39-40) Is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as your
Lord and Savior enough for you, or do you seek cleverly designed signs of men?
30 And he said, Nay,
father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Really? Christ rose from the
dead and the obstinate, faithlees Jewish rulers still hated Him. Faith is based
in hope and love, not sure evidence.
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. If our faith is not founded on God’s Word, no other
considerations are important. We believe because God’s Love is reflected to our
hearts in the hope and reality revealed by Scripture. If our hearts are made of
lead, the iron Magnet will not attract it. There must be a kinship (even if
distant) in the heart that responds to the Call of God. Do you have that
kinship?
Bishop
Dennis Campbell’s Sermon
Bishop Dennis is a brilliant
speaker. He is able to take
biblical precepts and make them perfectly understandable, even to me. Oft he provides the text of his sermons
and I take the utmost pleasure in passing them on:
Thy Life
First Sunday after
Trinity
Psalm 119:33-48
Deuteronomy 30:11-20, John
13:1-17, 34-35
June 2, 2013
Today we move into the second half of our Church
year, which is our annual cycle of prayer and Scripture reading. The
first half has emphasized what the Bible teaches about God and what He has done
for us in Christ. The second half emphasizes our response to God.
We could say that the first half of the year is about what Christians believe,
and the second half is about what Christians do.
What do Christians believe? We believe the
Bible. We believe the Bible was given to us by God and that it is His
self revelation of His nature and will. In it we see a loving Father who
welcomes prodigals back to His house, who even runs to meet us on the way, and
who desires only what is good for us, only that which gives meaning and joy and
goodness to life. In the Bible we see God loving us so much He made the
ultimate sacrifice, going to the cross to bear in Himself all of the anguish
and grief and, yes, even anger, our sins have caused Him. Yes, there are
legitimate questions about the Bible, and, yes, there are many disagreements
about its meaning even among Christians, and, yes, even those who profess to
believe it are miserable failures at living out its principles and teachings.
But, in spite of all of this, there is, and always has been, a general
agreement among all people who read the Bible, whether they are skeptics or
true believers, in what the Bible teaches. Knowing what we know about
human beings, such agreement is remarkable in itself. And what the Bible
teaches is summarised for us in the great and enduring creeds of the Church.
We say one of them every Sunday; the Apostles' Creed at Morning and Evening
Prayer, and the Nicene Creed at Holy Communion. They express the
essential teachings of the Bible, therefore we do not simply recite them as an
academic acknowledgement, we say them as expressions of our faith. To us
they are not just facts, they are the beliefs by which we live our lives.
We say this because we believe what God said through
Moses in Deuteronomy 30:20, "He is thy life." He is our life
because it is He who created us. He did not merely create the heavens and
earth, He created us. He formed us in the womb. He formed our
bodies and put life into them He formed our personhood, so that we are not just
something, we are someone. He is our life because He has
preserved our lives to this very moment. I am not just talking about
giving us the necessities that have kept us alive, I'm talking about His
supernatural intervention and guiding of our lives in those things that, when
we look back over our lives we say, if God had not delivered me from this or
that danger, I would not be here today. If God had not delivered me from
this situation or those circumstances, my life today would be vastly different
and miserable, if I were even alive at all.
But Moses was writing about something deeper and more
fundamental than God giving and preserving our physical lives, Moses was
writing about the life of the soul, for it is especially in the life of the
soul that God "is thy life." Naturally we think about the cross
when we think about the life of the soul. In giving His life for us,
Christ purchased life for our souls. But I hope we think about more than
simply being forgiven of sin and going to Heaven, because Christ died to help
us in this life too. Christ died to give us what He called abundant life,
life that is as good as it can get in this world. It is no secret that a
life lived in the "thou shalt nots" is no life at all. That is
because the things God forbids are the things that destroy lives.
Therefore, God's commandments are not prison walls to keep us from having fun,
they are a fence around a home that keep us from harm. Anyone who has
seen young children running and playing beside a busy highway can immediately
grasp the value of a good fence, and that is what the commandments of God are.
And look at the hurt and misery that fills the history of the human race
because of our willful indulgence in God's "thou shalt nots."
Wars, abuse, violence, hatred, injustice, corruption. How many children
have died? How many have cried themselves to sleep alone, afraid, and
hungry, because of the human infatuation with God's "thou shalt
nots?"
But imagine what the world would be like if the
entire human race replaced murder replaced with peace, fornication and adultery
with fidelity and love, deceit with honesty, falsehood with truth, and greed
with contentment. Suppose everyone lived in such a way that, as as our Catechism
says, we hurt no one by word or deed, keep our bodies in temperance, soberness,
and chastity, be true and just in all our dealings, keep our tongues from evil
speaking, and labour truly for our own livings rather than covet the
possessions of others? Can we not see that such a world would be
fundamentally different from the one in which we live? Can we not see
that life in such a world would be exciting and free and happy? And isn't
that the kind of world God's commandments would create, if we just obeyed them?
I am not suggesting we can build such a world in our
present condition. I don't believe any amount of social engineering,
education, or political experimentation can create such a world. It
certainly cannot be created by law or by force. I think it will be
created, one day, by the grace of God, but God will build it, not man.
But you and I have the opportunity to taste that world now, because we have the
opportunity to live by God's law, not perfectly, but better than we are
currently doing. And we, by faith, have to opportunity to "see"
how wonderful life would be if everyone lived by it God's law. But, even
more than this, we have the promise that we will actually live in such a world
one day. We will live in a place where evil is a thing of the past, where
all live in peace and harmony with one another and with God.
But let's get back to the here and now, for we are
talking in part about how Christians live. We live by the law of God.
We do not think we keep it perfectly, nor do we believe keeping it earns any
favour from God. We keep it because it is a gift from God. It shows
us how to live happy and peaceful lives. We keep it because it is good.
By His grace, and by the power of the Holy Spirit let us walk in the ways
of His commandments.
--
tDennis Campbell
Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Church Diocese of Virginia
Rector, Holy Trinity Anglican Orthodox Church
Powhatan, Virginia
Roy Morales-Kuhn, Pastor - Covenant of Grace Anglican Chapel -
Anglican Orthodox Church, USA Sermon for Passion Sunday
We
are at the very beginning of the seemingly never ending Trinity Sunday Series
or Green Season. What a great time
for a sermon on today’s Epistle from Pastor Roy!
|
B
|
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.
Wow, what a powerful way to continue this epistle. St. John very
clearly outlines the scope of God’s love towards us, that being the sacrifice
of his only begotten Son sent into this world {Immanuel}. And more importantly,
that He not us initiated that love. “Propitiation” a once and for all
sacrifice, given by the Creator/God, the Father to cover our sins, to allow us
access to the Father through the Son, because God cannot tolerate sin. What a
wonderful promise. The manifestation of God’s love, because of his Son, we can
live through him. We have life eternal. We have life abundant, we have life
worth living while on earth. John finishes this set of verses with the
statement “...if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another...” That is not a question, that is a
statement of truth.
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.
In the best legal terms, John, not a lawyer, will reiterate the concept
of God’s love. He will express it again in another way, to make clear to us
that there is no other way by which we are saved but by the love of God through
his Son Jesus Christ. Our manifestation of God dwelling in us is our love for
one another, His love is perfected in us. We are not perfect, but we can show a
perfect love, as simply as showing love to one another, a love that the World
does not understand. On the mission field, many non-believers watch closely how
believers treat each other. They watch and see, when true believers love one
another, that this is not typical of other faiths, because there is a love
given with no expectation of return, love that transcends what is normal for
the pagan world. A love that is out of this world, alien to what is known here
on earth. Why, because it is a love that is given by a loving Creator/God, by
way of his Spirit. This Spirit, the Holy Spirit, will give us knowledge that
God sent his Son, to be the Savior of the World. Whosoever shall confess that
Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God. Now that works back
to the idea of this knowledge of God’s love and believing in his love that will
make our love perfect. The great promise, ‘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. We are perfected by
God’s love. As verse 18
expresses...
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.
Perfect love casts out fear. Fear is torment, he who fears is not made
perfect in love. Do you see that perfect peace coming into play? “the peace
that passes all understanding ?”
Wow, what powerful words!
We love him, because he first loved us.
Folks, we can’t do it on our own, because then we would boast to our
own salvation. That is what verse 19 is speaking to. We didn’t love God first,
no he first loved us...then we loved him. Takes a whole different approach to
our independent way, we would like to say that it is because of our own actions
that we are saved. But to the contrary, it is because of what God did when he
offered up his Son as stated in verses 9 & 10. So we need to step back and realize how
much we really owe to God our Father, it is He who 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.
These last two verses admonish us to keep our priorities straight. We
cannot claim that we love God if we hate our brother. Define brother: our
fellow believers. Not necessarily blood brother {relative}. Our brother
{sister} is a fellow believer, one with whom we share a common belief,
therefore if we do not love them and yet claim to love God, we are lying.
Notice again how St. John restates the concept in these last two verses. This
love for a brother is what is defined in this passage we have reflected on this
morning. There it is in a nutshell. This is God’s love towards us, while we
were yet sinners he sent his Son to die for our sins. What is love ? This message from St. John’s epistle
tells us loud and clear. Not a wishy-washy God love, not a warm and fuzzy God
love, NO; a specific love that transcends the ages, a love that would send His
only begotten Son to die for our sins, to die in our stead, to die and once and
for all cover ALL our sins with his most precious blood. He died and rose again
so that we may have life and it more abundantly.
Let us pray:
|
O
|
GOD, the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace
seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions.
Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from
godly, union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one
hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us
all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of
truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify
thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Fair Weather.
|
A
|
LMIGHTY and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech thee, of thy
great goodness, to restrain those immoderate rains, tempest, tornadoes, or
hurricane force winds, wherewith thou hast afflicted us; O GOD, who art ever
ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously
hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our need. And we pray thee most mercifully to
send us such seasonable weather, that the earth may, in due time, yield her
increase for our use and benefit; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Armed Services,
|
O
|
LORD God
of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and
protect the soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, coastguardsmen and contractors
of our country; Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace
keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant
that in all things they may serve without reproach. Preserve all who serve therein from the dangers of the sea,
and from the violence of the enemy; that they may be a safeguard unto the
United States of America, and a security for such as pass on the seas upon
their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and
quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
|
T
|
HE Lord bless us, and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon
us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give
us peace, both now and evermore. Amen.
News
from the Solomon Islands!
Re-Successful Ordination of
Rev Wilson Menoia to the Order of Priesthood in AOC 19 May 2013 Bimbir Village,
Santa Cruz
Our mission to ordain Rev
Wilson Menoia to the Order of Priests in our church (AOC) at Bimbir Village
Santa Cruz, was very successful despite some disturbances by some leaders and
members of COM of the same village.
We have to build a tent
Church House outside Bimbir for the Ordination. They are planning to build
their church house on the same spot and on the same land.
They will then move to build
their houses around their church as a new village which is to be wholly an AOC
village. This is to be free from continuous disturbances in the future life and
activities of the church.
On Pentecost Sunday 19th May
2013 we have ordained Rev Wilson Menoia to the Priesthood as well as 3 children
received confirmation
Then my wife and her
secretary Lilian Vahia also had meetings with the women and selected her office
bearers as well as admitted 8 women as new members of the AOC Women Fellowship
group of the Church.
Attendance during the
Ordination of Rev Wilson was quite alarge congregation in comparison to some of
our AOC villages in Isabel. Communicants (those receiving communion) was more
than one hundred; not counting the children.
My assessment of this AOC
Community at Santa Cruz will spread quite quickly in the years to come. I hope
for a bigger church or aDiocese for that matter from Santa Cruz in the future.
Rev Wilson Menoia and his wife are very capable to make this happen.
Finally and above all, on
behalf of myself, my wife Serah, Lilian Vahia and Rev Richard Sopamana as a
group who went to this mission wishes to thank all the members that supported
this mission financially and have
indeed made this very successful.
Indeed Santa Cruz can be more
tough and challenging than just going down to Isabel by sea.
We returned safely from Santa
Cruz on Tuesday (21/05/13) afternoon and at this point in time iam working on
the photos and other reports for your further informations.
May the Lord bless us all in
our common endeavors for His Church.To Him be the Glory for ever and ever.
Bishop Z
Dear Bishop +Jerry, and the Whole AOC Church,
Our newly ordained Rev. Wilson Menoia called via mobile
phone this morning if I can send his message to all.
He and the AOC Bimbir Church members are very happy and
wanted to convey their great thanks and appreciation especially to the Church
for Financial support given to them. His vestry committee all agree to use the
finance for the Ordination related costs.
He also thanks all of us for the prayers that made the
occasion successful.
Special thanks to Bishop Zephaniah and the Party who
conducted the ordination.
Confirm they are now going on well with their normal life
after the Tsunami.
Blessed day,
Mostyn Prana, Assistant Bishop
The
Anglican Orthodox Church Solomon Islands
No comments:
Post a Comment