First Sunday after Trinity

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

First Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

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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.

Trinity Sunday, as well as the Sunday before Memorial Day.

The Propers for today are found on Page 186-188, with the Collect first:

Trinity Sunday.

The Collect.

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LMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.

Jack Arnold read this morning’s Epistle, which was written in the Fourth Chapter of the Revelation of Saint John the Divine beginning at the First Verse. John attempts to show us the majesty and glory of heaven using words. The picture he paints is intended to be awe inspiring and seems to meet that goal handily:

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FTER this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. And the first was like a lion, and the second like a calf, and the third had a face as a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.

Today’s Gospel was written the Third Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the First Verse:

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HERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Sermon

Today’s sermon was on the basic concept of the Triune God, that is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and how they were introduced to us through time and the Bible in particular. But, for the Sunday Report, I commend to you Presiding Bishop Jerry Ogles’ discussion of the Gospel.

Devotion for Trinity Sunday, 19 June 2011 (Gospel of St John 3:1-15)

"1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:1-15)

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." In Nicodemus, we see a real sincerity struggling with a political concern for his status on the Sanhedrin. He had obviously heard much of Christ and may have even heard his teachings in the Temple. Something about the Words of Jesus held a strong attraction for him or he would never have risked his position as a ruler by coming at all – even at night! "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." (John 12:42-43) Herein lies a lesson for us: Though Nicodemus demonstrated a weakness in resolve and character by coming at night, God already knows what He will do in the heart of Nicodemus. He will change the heart of Nicodemus and imbue him with greater courage and conviction at the last. When Joseph of Arimethea went to the court of Pontius Pilate to claim the body of Christ, Nicodemus went also and courageously associated himself with the followers of Christ. God knows the end from the beginning – we do not! " And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." (John 19:38-39)

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." To be a citizen of a country, one must be born into the nation, or be naturalized as a citizen. We are first citizens of the fallen world before we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Just as we were natural-born citizens of the world, we must become naturalized citizens of Heaven. Only Christ is the natural issue of God the Father. All other sons and daughters must come through the process of adoption. Once adopted, or naturalized, we no longer are citizens of the world but children of God. He chose us and elected us before the Sun and stars were flung into their respective constellations. To a Pharisee, this concept was difficult to fathom. A child does not usually choose his adopted parent ere the parent has chosen him.

"Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Nicodemus is not being obstreperous, but sincerely cannot grasp what Christ is saying. "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." This answer would evoke profound concerns for Nicodemus who was quite knowledgeable of the many symbolic uses of water in the Temple as a purifying agent. In the mind of a Jewish ecclesiastic, aware of the symbolic use of water, in every variety of way and form of expression, these words were fitted to show that the thing intended was no other than a thorough spiritual purification by the operation of the Holy Ghost. Indeed, the element of water and the operation of the Spirit are brought together in a glorious evangelical prediction of Ezekiel. " Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (Ezek 36:25-28)

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Flesh and Spirit are two entirely different entities. Flesh cannot beget Spirit and neither can true Spirit beget flesh. The thing begotten will bear the image of the parent which begot. The flesh is expressed, not only in the entirety of man, but also in his abject depravity! "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalms 51:5) "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." If flesh is so very distinct from spirit, why is it such a marvel that flesh must be born anew into spirit to follow after that Spirit that is Holy? Ye must be born again! – the most import event that can come to pass in the life of a man, woman, or child.

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8) I love the majestic beauty of the metaphor used to describe the Holy Ghost! Who, pray tell, has seen the wind? Yet we are absolutely certain of its presence by way of its manifestations of sound and movement. We do not know where it originates, or its destination, but we know of its PRESENCE! We have some advantage in our knowledge of the Holy Ghost. We know it comes from God, and we know its final destination is Heaven, but what about the in-between present in our lives? We must be born of that Spirit and become like it in our lives – in love, in care, in service, in reverence and adoration of God. Of course, when we become like unto the Spirit, men will not know where we are coming from or where we are going either.

"Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?" (John 3:9) An honest question and one asked with the willingness to know as a child. "Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" (John 3:10) This question seems to have relegated Nicodemus to the true status of a disciple – he asks no further questions. He has encountered a depth of wisdom and mystery that has overwhelmed his pride and his standing as a ruler in Israel.

" Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness." Here Jesus speaks with the authority of One who has been with the Father and seen all things in (and under) Heaven. He is not allowing Nicodemus to fall into some marginal border of rational contemplation. While He has Nicodemus before Him, He will challenge the full measure of the man's understanding to bring him to Faith. "And ye receive not our witness"…. Not Nicodemus personally for he was beginning to be separate from his Sanhedrin colleagues, but the Temple establishment itself of which Nicodemus was a member.

" If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" Nicodemus failed of understanding even the simple things spoke of which were earthly. He failed even the simple dimensions of understanding. How might he possibly understand the higher things of the Spirit? Actually he could not unless he is born of the Spirit, and this is the result which Christ demands.

"And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Really? If this be true (and it certainly is) what shall we do with the fad-books we have purchased giving account of men and women who have ascended on high to heaven and returned to write rave reviews about their experiences (for a profit, of course)? "……let God be true, but every man a liar…..!" (Romans 3:4) And so they are (liars) that make such claims. And even if they had descended to Hell, believe me, Hell would have seen fit to keep them!

" And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up" God sent fiery serpents among the Children of Israel when they wandered in the Wilderness as a result of their inordinate murmurs and complaints. When the people recanted, God told Moses to make a brazen serpent and attach it to a pole to be lifted up. (Numbers 21) When the people were then bit by the serpents, they could look up to the serpent and live. They perhaps yet suffered pain since sin bears its own scars and consequences. Better to be obedient from the first and avoid the serpents. Well, there is a Serpent loose in the world today. He is here at our own invitation made in Eden. His bite is fatal without the Redemption of the Cross. You are bitten! Look to the Cross of Christ for Salvation! Why? " That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Are you still looking down to the bondage of Egypt (sin)? Look up to the Savior who Redeemed you and be set free!

Pentecost commonly known as Whitsunday

The Propers for today are found on Page 180-181, with the Collect first:

Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday.

The Collect.

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GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Whitsun Week.

This morning’s Epistle, which written in the Second Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles beginning at the First Verse:

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HEN the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Today’s Gospel was written in the Fourteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Fifteenth Verse:

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ESUS said unto his disciples, If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do.

Sermon – The Third God Guy

We worship the One True God, a triune God, that is Three in One; Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Most people have no trouble understanding the concept of God the Father, Christians seem to get God the Son, but many seem to have a bit of difficulty with the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost has been there since the beginning, He breathed life into the world, yet His actions seemed to be sporadic until Pentecost.

Well, today is Pentecost, the time one normally thinks of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, the Comforter. When people do think of Him, they oft think of the actions described in the Epistle. The dancing and speaking in tongues. All that happened so we might understand that with the help of the Holy Ghost we might bring the Word to all mankind. The Word of God is a universal language. When the disciples spoke in tongues, the people around them heard the Word in their own language, not an odd combination of sounds that no one understood. The disciples spoke and were heard by those around them in their own language, not Klingon. It is not for us to speak in tongues without study; that was a one shot deal. It was designed to show us that we could, with hard work and persistence bring the Gospel to the world in the language of the people.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that He would be leaving, but the Father would send a facilitator; one who whose presence, if we let Him into our hearts, would let us understand His Word with those self same hearts. The Comforter would bring the Love of God into our hearts to let us feel His Love. He will help us understand that we are striving to be one with God, with Jesus and with the Holy Ghost. Our love can be demonstrated by our actions. For if we love Jesus, we will do as He asked.

If you think about it, you will recall that the second half of the Book of Luke is titled The Acts of the Apostles. It is not the thoughts, the beliefs, the feelings, the meditations, the inner feelings or any other touchy feely, it is the ACTS. If you believe, act on those beliefs.

Sunday after the Ascension

The Propers for today are found on Page 179-180, with the Collect first:

The Sunday after Ascension Day.

The Collect.

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GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us un-to the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Collect for Ascension Day, found on Page 177, is also read due to the rubric:

The Collect for The Ascension Day.

The Collect.

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RANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave.

This morning’s Epistle was written in the Fourth Chapter of the First Epistle of Saint Peter beginning at the Seventh Verse:

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HE end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Today’s Holy Gospel was written in the Fifteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Twenty-Sixth Verse:

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HEN the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.

Sermon – The end of all things is at hand

Today’s Gospel starts out, the end of all things is at hand. Whoa! Harold Camping said the world would end on 21 May 2011. Now we found out the end was at hand back around the year 90 or so when Peter was writing. What’s the story?

First, about the end:

Matthew Chapter 13:

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

So, if even Jesus does not know, how do we square that with the end of all things is at hand?

Consider this, for roughly 280,000 people 21 May 2011 was the end of their time here on earth. Any given day, about that many people are born and about that many die. If you are one of them, the end is at hand. And, for most of us it is pretty clear you do not know the hour.

So, while you are here, live the life God has asked and leave happy. We often think of God as just keeping us from doing things. Indeed, He often does. But, the things He wants us not to do are harmful for us in the end. Just like the person whose warning of, “The stove is hot,” is met with either a grateful “Thanks!” or a doubtful “It is?” which is followed by the loud, “AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!”

Be considerate of others and use the talent God gave you. Do not feel you are special, but rather that God gave you special talent that you should use. You are special to God, but that does not call for you to feel superior to others. Rather you should use the talent God gave you and be grateful for whatever privilege it gains you here on earth.

God asks that you do your best, if you do, with Jesus’ making up for the shortfall, you will be fine. Actually, accounted as perfect.