On
Point
Someone asked, where do the quotes come
from? The answer is from the
people who uttered them. But, how
did you find them? Oh, that. Most are from Rev Bryan Dabney, a few
from other places, but overall mostly from Bryan. He always has a few great ones to share. On to the On Point quotes –
Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth!
Lew
Valkenaar
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7
Take the advice of a minister of Christ this very day. Seek durable
riches— a treasure that cannot be taken from you— a city which hath lasting
foundations. Do as the Apostle Paul did. Give yourself to the Lord Jesus
Christ, and seek that incorruptible crown he is ready to bestow.
JC
Ryle
19th century Anglican bishop and
author
(Holiness, p. 155)
As to Abortion - Among the Carthaginians there was brazen
statue of Saturn [Moloch] putting forth the palms of his hands, bending in such
a manner toward the earth, as that the boy who was laid upon them, in order to
be sacrificed, should slip off, and so fall down headlong into a deep burning
furnace... The ancient fable likewise that is common among all Grecians, that Saturn
devoured his own children, seems to be confirmed by this law among the
Carthaginians.
Diodorus
Siculus
1st century BC Roman historian
(as quoted by Unger in his work Biblical
Demonology, p. 135)
Wars are not made by common folk, scratching for livings in the heat of
the day; they are made by demagogues infesting palaces.
H.
L. Mencken
20th century American journalist
and essayist
They who voluntarily put themselves under the power of a tyrant deserve
whatever fate they receive.
Aesop
6th century BC Greek philosopher
and author
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and
bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in
government.
Thomas
Jefferson
American patriot and president
Propers
The Propers for today are found
on Page 200-203, with the Collect first:
The
Ninth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
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RANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do
always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good
without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dru Arnold read the Epistle,
which came from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, the Tenth Chapter
beginning at the First Verse. Paul
reminds us we have a common past, regardless of our actual lineage. Spiritually, we are descended from the
Jews of the Exodus. Their God is
our God, their actions were directed by our God, the same God. He was a Trinity then as He is today. Their reality it our reality, whether
we choose to understand or accept it. Our forefathers drank of “the same
spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ.” Those who
have gone before provide examples, both good and bad. In this letter Paul addresses the bad and suggest we should
see what their ill behavior gained them before we set our course and not
after. And, let we think ourselves
ever so special, he reminds us that we are subjected to no special temptations,
only those “as is common to man.”
This is another example of the adage, Those who are ignorant of history
are doomed to repeat it.
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rethern, I would not
that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and
all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and
in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same
spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they
were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the
intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye
idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of
them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us
tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are
written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore
let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Hap
Arnold read today’s Holy Gospel, which started in the Fifteenth Chapter of the Gospel
according to St. Luke, beginning at the Eleventh Verse and recounts the story
of the prodigal son. A man has two
sons, the older is a wonderful young man who strives to please his father in
everything he does. The younger
son asks for his inheritance, now rather than later, and sets off to spend it
wastefully in a far off land. In
dire straits, he decides to go home to his father and beg to be allowed to live
as one of his servants. He decides
to tell his father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and
am no more worthy to be called thy son…”
Before he can get the words out of his mouth, his father welcomes him,
gives him new clothing and calls the servants to prepare a fatted calf for a
big party. The elder son is very
angry and hurt. He asks his father
what he did wrong; he followed his instructions every day to the best of his
ability, worked hard, and yet his father had never even given a small party for
him. The father answered, saying,
“Son, thou are ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” It was meet that we should make
merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was
lost and is found.” This story,
like that of the workers in the vineyard has a number of meanings. Like the father in the story, God wants
us to be His faithful child, but rejoices when we return to Him. Like the prodigal son, we should be
grateful to live long enough to return to Him. If we are like the oldest son, let us learn from his mistake
and be joyful when our brothers and sisters come home to our family. Let us join in the celebration and not
begrudge the fatted calf.
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esus said, A certain
man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me
the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his
journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he
began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have
filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto
him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as
one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he
was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and
fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy
son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it
on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the
fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was
dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be
merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the
house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and
asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and
thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and
sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out,
and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do
I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou
never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as
this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with
me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be
glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is
found.
Sermon –
Reverend Deacon Jack Arnold - Time and Action
Today’s sermon tied the Epistle and Gospel together
talked, as is oft the case, of the need for action, not simply diction, the
general content is in forewords above.
Consider the words from the Collect, wherein we ask
God to give us … the spirit to think and do always such things as are right;
that we, who cannot do any thing that is good without thee, may by thee be enabled
to live according to thy will …
This is kind of a follow-on to last week’s
Collect. We are asking God to give
us direction that we might know right from wrong and follow the right way. If we listen to our hearts and minds,
like the aviator, mariner or adventurer without a compass, we will soon be
hopelessly lost. With the compass
that God gives us, we can find the One True Way, much like the compass always
points North.
This is nothing new. As Paul reminds us we have a common
spiritual past, regardless of our actual lineage. Spiritually, we are descended from the Jews of the
Exodus. Their God is our God;
their actions were directed by our God, the same God. He was a Trinity then as He is today. Their reality it our reality, whether
we choose to understand or accept it. Our forefathers drank of “the same
spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ.” Those who
have gone before provide examples, both good and bad. In this letter Paul addresses the bad and suggest we should
see what their ill behavior gained them before we set our course and not
after. And, let we think ourselves
ever so special, he reminds us that we are subjected to no special temptations,
only those “as is common to man.”
This is another example of the adage, “Those who are ignorant of history
are doomed to repeat it.” It is an
old saw, but one that is as valid today as the first time it was used.
Speaking of lessons, when Saint Luke recounts the
story of the prodigal son we oft think ourselves at that prodigal one returning
to God so late in life. Yet there
is far more to be learned than this, the titular one.
Consider the two sons. The older is a wonderful young man who strives to please his
father in everything he does. The
younger son asks for his inheritance, now rather than later, and sets off to
spend it wastefully in a far off land.
In dire straits, he decides to go home to his father and beg to be
allowed to live as one of his servants.
He decides to tell his father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son…” Before he can get the words out of his
mouth, his father welcomes him, gives him new clothing and calls the servants
to prepare a fatted calf for a big party.
The elder son is very angry and hurt. He asks his father what he did wrong; he followed his
instructions every day to the best of his ability, worked hard, and yet his
father had never even given a small party for him. The father answered, saying, “Son, thou are ever with me,
and all that I have is thine.”
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother
was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found.”
This story, like that of the workers in the vineyard
has a number of meanings. Like the
father in the story, God wants us to be His faithful child, but rejoices when
we return to Him. Like the
prodigal son, we should be grateful to live long enough to return to Him. The moral of the younger son’s story is
that God is always waiting for us, and if we are not late, we can always return
to Him. He will always accept us with opening arms, but we must make sure it is
not too late. Don’t wait until you die! If you feel you have erred and strayed,
repent now! Do not let the sun go down on your sins and wrath, you may not live
to see another day! On the other hand, consider the oldest son, let us learn
from his mistake and be joyful when our brothers and sisters come home to our
family. Let us join in the celebration
and not begrudge the fatted calf. Do not let you anger and pride cloud your
emotions like it does so many of us. But rather see a sinner coming back into
His flock and rejoice in that he is no longer headed towards the Pit!
Action counts.
For by their actions ye shall know them.
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
Ninth Sunday
after Trinity
Saint Andrew’s
Anglican
Orthodox Church
28 July 2013,
Anno Domini
The
Ninth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
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RANT to us, Lord, we beseech thee, the spirit to think and do
always such things as are right; that we, who cannot do any thing that is good
without thee, may by thee be enabled to live according to thy will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father,
give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
living. 13 And not many days
after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far
country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty
famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks
that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with
hunger! 18 I will arise and go
to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
before thee, 19 And am no more
worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he
was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and
fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best
robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us
eat, and be merry: 24 For this
my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began
to be merry 25 Now his
elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard
musick and dancing. 26 And he
called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy
father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and
sound. 28 And he was angry, and
would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years
do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet
thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath
devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all
that I have is thine. 32 It was
meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and
is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:11-32)
We take up today the third
in a trilogy of lost things in Parables – the Prodigal Son! Due
to the length and intrinsic beauty of this Parable, we shall study it in two
parts, over two days. The first part involves the coming of age of a son, his
rebellion to the Father, his departure and descent into debauchery, and finally
his awakening and return to the Father. In the second part, we shall study the
reaction of his brother to his homecoming.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons
– not just ‘any’ man, but a ‘certain’ man. The father in this Parable is
illustrative of God our Father in Heaven who has two peoples (Jews and
Gentiles) to whom have been offered the most beneficent of blessing – the
salvation by grace through faith in His only Begotten Son. 12 And the younger of them said to his father,
Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto
them his living. Please bear in mind that the younger son,
though of tender years, has come to the age of accountability. He is like a
Christian who is born of God, has lived as a son of God, but finally rebels
against God his Father. In this respect, he differs from the Lost Sheep who was
not mature, and not well learned in the means of grace or of pasturelands. He
also starkly differs from the Lost Coin which was dead – just as dead as the
lost sinner is dead in trespasses and sins. The Lost Sheep, because of its lack
of vision and maturity, does not intentionally leave the Good Shepherd. It gets
lost because it lacks the sense to follow closely on; but, once lost, it is
incapable of finding itself because it lacks the deep root of faith which
typifies a well-nurtured child of God. So the Good Shepherd must seek out the
Lost Sheep. The Lost coin, being inanimate of spirit, is lost wherever it is
and, if found, must be found only by its rightful owner who is God, and by His
Sovereign Will and Grace.
The young
son desires to be out from under the watchful, though loving, eye of his
father. From the moment of his birth, he has lived according to the law of his
father. He feels now that he is grown up and become the wisest of ten thousand
- he believes can do better. He is a child of God by circumstance
of a (new) birth and not by persistent faith. Bear in mind, too, that according
to the laws of inheritance, the father is not obligated to ‘divide his living’
to the young man. In fact, the young man was impertinent to even make the
request. But, even though the son desires to part company with his father, the
father loves his son and realizes that the argument of logic and reason will
not benefit at this early point of the young man’s maturity (or, rather,
immaturity). Our Father God compels none to abide under His beneficent care.
Even nations who opt to abandon God do so oblivious to the danger and
peril to which they subject themselves. God does not intrude where He is
not wanted for He is a perfect gentleman, and we are left to the wiles of the
Devil without His over-watching care and protection. We see this being
demonstrated across the landscape of America today.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his
substance with riotous living. How eager are the youth of our
day to remove themselves a far distance from the watchful eye of the parent!
When freedom looms bold, the child will hurry to get away and enjoy what he
believes will be nothing but joy and plenty. Anytime one departs from his
Father God, he will be going into a ‘Far Country’ where the famine will
certainly arise for him. Being separated from God in spirit, as well as
distance, will lead to depravity of conduct and a waste of the wealth God has
given. Without the benefit of the Holy Ghost as our heart’s compass, it is
impossible to live a life pleasing to God.
The good
father watched the darling of his heart depart on that long, dusty road. He
watched every move his son made until, at last, his visage disappeared on the
distant horizon. How often would the father sit for days, months, and perhaps
years, through the warm summers, amber autumns, dreary winter months, and
through the promises of spring, watching that same road for any sign of his
son’s return. How often would he inquire and receive word back that his son was
wasting all – not only his wealth, but his health and humanity as well. Yet,
the father never sent for his son or begged him to return. Why not? Because any
amount of reasoning with a rebellious son will yield no victory until that son
has learned (often the hard way) for himself the cruelty of a world without his
Father’s loving care. Have we learned that lesson, reader?
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a
mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. A
Christian who departs from the presence of God will lose all in the process of
riotous living. His life, begun in pleasures of lust, will come to mighty
famine of spirit, body, and soul. The Dark Angel will take all that you have,
and then some more. The time will always, and with great certainty, arise
when you will begin to be in want. With some, this is the moment of awakening
for the need of your Father; but with others, more suffering and desperate want
is necessary. So it is with our Prodigal – too proud to return to his father,
and too desperate to even remember the abundance which he has left behind at
the end of that dusty road, he lingers on in peril of his soul forestalling the
inevitable.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen
of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
If we are not joined with God our Father, we shall surely be joined to a
stranger who gives not a whit for the well being of our souls. If our
companions are not citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, they shall be citizens of
that Far Country. The stranger to whom we are joined when apart from God will
only use us and destroy us. He will place us in unsavory circumstances and
filthy habitations. If we labor not in our Father’s Fields, we shall
labor for the Destroyer of Souls. Imagine the hurt in the soul of a young
Hebrew lad who was raised in plenty in his father’s house now having to feed
swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks
that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. When you are out of the company of God, no
man will care for you. You end up eating food for the soul that is like unto
the food of pigs. Of course, he remembered that his father still loved him
regardless of how far away he drifted, but his tortured mind had lost the
ability to see and understand clearly in this Far Country. He was
lingering in a state of reprobation.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with
hunger! It should be noted
that any Christian who departs from the Presence of their Lord is not in his
right mind, and this poor youth is no exception. He has travelled a great
distance from the love of his father, but his father’s love knows no distance.
His tortured brain had undergone a process of gradual deprivation and
debauchery during this time of licentious living. It was necessary for him to
suffer much, long and hard, in separation from the benefits of his father in
order to penetrate his stubborn heart and spark his calloused spirit. But, he
DID come to himself. He finally was forced to admit that all his dreams and
fantasies were in ruins. He came to view, as we all must do apart from God,
what a deplorable condition he had arrived at in his rebellion. Even the
smallest little soul in our Father’s House has plenty of daily bread, and more;
yet, we who believed we could do better in a Far Country, are perishing without
that Bread of Heaven common in our Father’s House.
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as
one of thy hired servants.
Once we have come to the reality of our loss, we must resolve to return to our
Father and confess our sinful disposition and living. We must face the reality
that we are the most unworthy of all under God’s Heaven. We are certainly not
worthy, nor have we ever been, of being a son or daughter of the Most High God.
Sins against our earthly fathers are also reckoned as sins against heaven. We
will then be happy to be accepted as only hired servants in the great house we
deserted. But God has no “hired servants.”
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But
when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and
ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. It is not enough
to KNOW to do right – we must follow that realization with ACTION! We cannot
make amends for our faithlessness in a Far Country – we must RETURN to the
presence of our Father and confess our sins. The good father has felt the hurt
of his son’s absence deep in his heart as he has watched, day after day, that
same dusty road upon which his son departed. Once, perhaps as evening
shadows begin to fall, he spots a lonely fellow coming on that road. Though his
eyes have grown dim with age, he unmistakably recognizes that this fellow is
his dear son! He knows his gait and carriage even though the fellow is not
riding a charger or dressed in the silken blouse he wore when he departed. He
is rather dressed in rags and is filthy in his person. Even from a great
distance away, he recognizes his son. God always recognizes those of us who
wander from Him when He sees us on the road of return. Is that not a blessing
of great joy? God will always have compassion on us when we return no matter
how long our delay. Even though we are filthy in our sins and exude the
terrible stench of the pigpen, He will embrace us and greet us with a Holy
Kiss. Only a Father could love such a child, and He has done so for you and me.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Here, the prodigal satisfies the demands of love and conscience. He confesses,
not only his sinfulness, but his complete unworthiness. None are worthy to be
the son or daughter of God, but we shall certainly be if we have received that
saving Grace of Jesus Christ. We see that there has taken place a four-fold
undertaking in the prodigal’s return: 1) he came to himself and recognized his
depravity; 2) He resolved to return to his father; 3) he arose and returned to
his father in answer to his resolution; and 4) he confessed his dreadful
behavior and worthlessness to his father. So must we do when we have separated
ourselves from our loving Father!
22 But the father said to his servants (as if
he did not hear his son’s comments), Bring
forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes
on his feet: That
‘best robe’ represents the White Robe of Righteousness offered by Christ to all
who come to Him. He will cover our sins and nakedness with that Robe which He
has purchased with His own precious Blood. That ‘ring’ which the father gives
the son is the same as that Signet Ring of Authority that a Sovereign gives to
a subject to act in His Name and on His own Behalf. The Christian has great
authority granted in the power of the Holy Scriptures themselves. What of the
shoes? In ancient times, the first thing taken from prisoners captured on the
battlefield was their shoes. Their shoes were taken to prevent their escape.
Shoes represent liberty and freedom. In Christ, we have perfect Liberty. “…..where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Cor 3:17) God our
Father has covered our sins with that White Robe of Righteousness offered in
Christ, given us Authority as believers to act on His behalf (having that
same mind and will of the Father in our hearts), and given us perfect Liberty
in Christ. The children of the Father have the complete free run of the home He
offers. 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us
eat, and be merry There will always be a feast of celebration in
heaven at the return of a prodigal. There was joy in heaven at the recovery of
the little Lost Sheep; there was joy in heaven over the recovery of the Lost
Coin; and there was exceeding joy in heaven over the return of the Lost Son.
How great worth we are as children of God. He will never forget us, nor will He
give up watching and waiting when we depart from Him in rebellion.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive
again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry
It is in the nature of a heart to lament the loss of a thing once owned far
more than the failure to acquire something much desired. It is sorrowful for a
woman to desire a child but remain barren of children; but it is of far greater
anguish to have a child and lose it. In a Far Country, away from God, we are
dead as much as before we were ever born in Christ. But God is joyful at our
return. He cannot bring us home in our state of sin and rebellion – that is a
decision that the heart of the wanderer must make - to come home to God,
to confess our sinfulness, and be restored. He will not own us in a Far
Country, but He will never disown us when we have come home to Him.
The
question that this Parable raises is too apparent to deny: have you wandered
from your Father’s home? Have you spent all of your resources in riotous
living? Have you sunk to the level of the pigs in the sty? Have you come to the
realization of your grievous apostasy? Have you resolved to return to you
Father and confess your faults? Have you followed through with your resolution?
Have you?
THE ELDER SON:
Today’s text covers the last half of the rich and memorable Parable of the
Prodigal Son. There have been mixed and varied interpretations of its meaning
and my own interpretation will not satisfy every facet of its meaning – for,
like a well cut diamond, there are many facets to this portion of the Parable
and each may be as true as the next. The hands and minds of men are
vulgar and insensible when compared to the infallible and Holy Word of God, so
we each will benefit in taking no man’s word for meaning or measure without
resorting to the Crystal Stream that flows from the Fountain of Living Waters –
the Holy Bible itself, and with the Holy Ghost as an interpreter thereof.
At the outset, we might
agree that the principles that rule in the Kingdom of Heaven are not worldly.
There is no seniority of time and labors in that Kingdom. God is more concerned
about the DIRECTION we are going and the PRESENT condition of our hearts than
in the tireless amounts of labors performed by men’s hands.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and
drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. Can you
sympathize with this faithful son who has remained at his father’s side while
his younger brother fritted away half the wealth of his father in consorting
with harlots and false religion (for harlotry is compared in God’s Word to
Idolatry)? He has not even heard that his younger brother has returned, so he
is astonished at the sound of music and revelry coming from his father’s house.
No one even showed him the courtesy of sending for him to partake in the
celebration. Examine your own heart at this moment and answer: “Would you, too,
not be offended?” He has labored throughout the heat of the day (and years). He
has sacrificed much of his young years on his father’s behalf. He is tired and
weary, but now he hears the sound of celebration and party! 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these
things meant. At the present, he is only curious, but soon he
will be outraged. Would we not be as well?
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come;
and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe
and sound. As we have stated often before, love is not
divisible. It is whole cloth and cannot be divided between siblings. A mother
loves the eldest just as dearly as the youngest and will never make a choice
between the two. Her love is increased in exact amounts, and never diminished,
to cover each child equally in showers of blessing. The same is true of fathers.
The father has not killed the fatted calf in honor of his prodigal son, but in
expression his own joy at the son’s recovery. Please recollect the Lost Sheep
and the Lost Coin and the joy in heaven over their recovery. But here is
revealed the joy of a father at the recovery of a LOST SON as if restored from
death. Can you even imagine the great joy in the heart of the old man? Can you
even imagine the joy in Heaven at the recovery of a son or daughter of God, who
has wandered afar, yet returns in sorrowful contrition and repentance?
28 And he was angry, and would not go in:
therefore came his father out, and intreated him. I am
afraid that I would have responded PRECISELY as this elder son. We are
constantly mindful of unfair treatment, especially from those we cherish the
most. Our hearts can never be as large as that of our Maker and Redeemer
who bore all for miserable sinners. The marvelous thing is that God
understands, and makes allowances for our weak spirits and faltering love. I
find one salient and inexcusable fault with the elder son: he should also have
been able to subdue feelings of jealousy and unfairness for the moment of
reunion with a lost brother whom he has not seen for many, many days. The event
of greatest importance (more importance than personal jealousy if familial love
is the concerned) is that a lost BROTHER has returned. When I was a lad, I
certainly resented the partial treatment extended to my younger brother for his
tender years but, if he had gotten lost for ANY reason, I would have had at
least as much joy at his being found as my mother and father would have had.
Just as my father often explained to me of the reason the younger son must be
treated with a special affection because of his youth, so the father here comes
to the elder son with that same love that prompted the celebration to explain
to him his feelings and reasons for joy. Like as a father pitieth his
children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 4 For he knoweth our
frame; he remembereth that we are dust. (Psalms 103:13-14) It is
such a comfort that God understands even our weaknesses and cares for us
nonetheless.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years
do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet
thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come,
which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the
fatted calf. It is altogether reasonable that the elder son,
in view of worldly principles, would be taken aback by this expression of
attention given an unfaithful son. It is not so much the love showered on the
prodigal that bothers the elder son, but the seeming slight of love shown to
one who has been, beyond doubt, the more faithful of the two in times
past. The feeling of slighted treatment was comparable to that which the
early Jewish believers felt when the gates of mercy and grace were thrown open
to the Gentile nations. The Hebrews had been first to take up the Word of God –
not by virtue of their own goodness, but by the foreordination and will of God
in establishing His people upon the earth. The Hebrew people had been
privileged to maintain the oracles of God, to field prophets called by God, to
build the Temple in Jerusalem. They could easily see their present blessing,
but were blind to the greater plan of God in not limiting the promises of
Israel to a single race of people. His plan was decided long before there was a
Canaan, an Abraham, or even a Garden eastward in Eden.
The elder son is hurt to the
core. His father has killed the fatted calf, the choice of his
stock, for his prodigal son who has returned home. But the father has not so
much as killed a kid goat for his elder son who has remained faithful.
Please look beyond the limits of our selfish concerns and see the great
generosity and grace of God in forgiving, always and fully, our past
transgressions and rejoicing at the present contrition of a heart that returns
to Him. We always look at the outward evidence, but God ALWAYS looks at the
inward motive. “………the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on
the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)
Is it not possible that the One who made the heart can also repair the heart
that is broken? It is a strangely wonderful truth that God loves the broken
heart more than the whole: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalms
51:17)
We all enter in this life
with a heart full of imperfections. If we fail to confess those imperfections,
we shall bear them to our graves, but only that which is broken needs fixing.
This, the Pharisees failed miserably to grasp and placed themselves, for the
most part, beyond the bonds of mercy. Have you known of your heart needing
fixing? Have you taken it to the Master Heart Maker who only can restore that
heart? My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give
praise. (Psalms 57:7) Please remember the depth of sin into which
David, a man after God’s own heart, sank; yet see what David can say after a
trip to the Master. A heart, sure of itself and unaware of hidden imperfections
cannot be ‘FIXED.’ Only a heart that is BROKEN can be FIXED! Do you have a broken
heart that has been FIXED by God, our Maker?
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all
that I have is thine. The good father, who loves his elder son every
bit as much as the younger, acknowledges the elder son’s faithfulness and
devotion. I can imagine that he spoke with deep regard and affection as
he placed his arm over the shoulder of the despondent one, just as God our
Father comforts us when we believe we have been wronged. The elder son has lost
NOTHING by remaining faithful to the father. In fact, all that the father has
remaining belongs to the elder son. Not only has he retained his original
inheritance from his father, but much has been added by years of labor and
improvement. The younger, on the contrary, is destitute of any inheritance. He
has squandered it away in a Far Country separated from his father. There is a
stark lesson here for us. Even though we are pardoned by God and warmly
received back into His loving care, our sins and disobedience have consequences
of eternal impact. We are often unable to restore the loss and pain we have
caused by our sins. Though forgiven, sin leaves scars. Look at the terrible
scars of the whip, nails, and lance that our sins caused on the body of our
dear Lord and Redeemer – and these were only the outward evidences of a
terrible anguish He felt in His Spirit for us.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be
glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is
found. It is always right
and meet that we should rejoice in the reunion of one separated from his loved
ones of the One who loves more than heart can know. The elder son has done that
which is expected and proper in serving his father these many years, yet, the
son, who was lost, has come home. THIS is a true cause of rejoicing! We
do not make a fuss over a friend who is continually by our side through hard
times and good, but we DO make a fuss over a friend who has returned after a
separation during which we believed him to be dead. Do we realize that we
are all in a state of death and dying when apart from our Father God? Do
you?
Rev Rick Reid of
Saint Peter’s Sunday Sermon
We are happy to have a
sermon from Reverend Rick Reid, minister of Saint Peter’s, whose congregation
is right at the Worldwide Headquarters of the Anglican Orthodox Church. Rev Rick has all the resources and
challenges right at hand. I think
you will enjoy this sermon.
Lost
and Found
"Your
brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found"
In our Gospel reading this morning (Luke’s Chapter 15 verses: 11-32, Jesus tells the parable
of the lost son, also known as the prodigal son (prodigal means recklessly wasteful), and it is one of His most well-known, and
sometimes most resented teachings."To recap the parable:,
"There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his
father, Father, give me my share of
my inheritance that belongs to me. So the father did so."
"Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he
had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered everything
in reckless living. After he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that
country, and he began to suffer for something to eat. So he went and found work
with one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the
swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods or stalks that the swine ate;
but no one gave him anything."
"But when he thought about his situation for a while,
he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough to spare,
but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say
to him, "Father, I have sinned against God and you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as
one of your hired servants."' And he arose and went to his father."
"But while he was still far off, his father saw him
and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said
to him, 'Father, I have sinned against God and before you; I am no longer
worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring
quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes
on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make
merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'
And they began to celebrate." Sounds like a very familiar hymn…Amazing
Grace.
"Now his older son was in the field; and as he came
and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of
the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has
come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him
safe and sound.'" "But the older son was angry and refused to go in.
His father came out to get him, but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many
years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your commands; yet you never
gave me a kid that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of
yours came, who has squandered the good living that we all have worked hard to
make, you kill for him the fatted calf!'"
"And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and
all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to happy and celebrate your brother’s
return, for your brother was dead, and is alive; ….he was lost, but now is
found.'" (Luke 15:11-32)
Now, just like the lost son, many more prodigal sons, and
daughters, are going to "return home to be forgiven of their sins by a
loving and righteous Father.
It’s called grace, and is why Jesus Christ died on the cross for our
sins, so that we could have eternal life
It seems, to some people, to be "unfair" to the
always-righteous firstborn son who stayed at home and was steadfastly faithful
and obedient to his father, while the younger son who ran off and squandered everything
received a "second chance" and obtained his father's blessings, just
like the firstborn son who never faltered. Firstborn is an important
factor in both the parable, and the salvation of humanity.
The resentment in the minds of many seems to be that the
father gave a sinner a "second chance," but what he really did was to
forgive a sinner who truly repented after he learned his lessons the
hard way.
Damnation is God’s decision, not man’s and is reserved for
the incorrigible sinners who absolutely refuse to repent after
correction, not for those in whom hope is yet alive, even though they are
presently dead. As we shall see, the parable of the lost son has a far
greater meaning.
The bible tells us that
while his son was still a long ways off, the father saw him coming. What was
the father doing? Waiting, hopefully and anxiously.
You have a vision of the
father waking every morning and looking out the window just to see, “Is my son
coming home?”
And then, one day, he
sees a figure way down the road. And he wonders, “Is that my boy?”
As his son gets closer, he can tell from
his build and the way he walks, because every father knows who his children
are, we observe them all the time, “That’s him! My son is back!”So what does
the father do? He runs, something you don’t do in an eastern culture. Grown men
don’t run. Older men were to be respected and they carried themselves with dignity,
but this father cannot wait another second to be reconciled to his son.And he
looks up, there’s his father, running with a smile on his face, yelling at the
top of his lungs, “Welcome home! Welcome home! His arms are stretched out as he approaches and the father
grabs his son and gives him a big hug. And the Bible says that he kissed him,
in the Greek, it states “he kept kissing him.” This is not a parable about
honor, justice or merit. It’s about a father’s love, forgiveness, and
it’s never too late to come to the Father.
Many of you knew that
God is the father in the story, and we at times are like this prodigal son. We
sin, and rebel, and turn away from God. When we repent and turn away from our
sin, and turn back to the Father, he runs to meet us. He’s compassionate, he
embraces us, he blesses us, he kisses us, and he celebrates with us. What a
great Father we have. If God embraces a repentant sinner, we need to embrace
them as well. If God welcomes them, we need to welcome them. If God has thrown
his arms around them, we need to do the same.
Now some may say, “He
doesn’t deserve that!” But that’s amazing grace. Grace is unmerited. Grace is
undeserved. Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us that it’s the kindness of God
that leads to repentance. This father is going to be kind and gracious to his
son, and that kind of grace is going to continue to change him. It’s the same
kind grace that caused him to come home. It will compel him to continue with
his father.
This boy didn’t ask for
anything, the father just gave it. The father just gave it, and that’s how God
works with us. He gives things to people who don’t deserve it. He’s a God of
grace. Grace is this amazing gift to a bunch of ill-deserving rebellious
children who don’t deserve it. And that’s what the father does. Jesus said in: Luke’s Gospel (15:7 7)…..I say unto
you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,more
than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. We need to
always remember that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins…. and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Rev Bryan Dabney
of Saint John’s Sunday Sermon
We are fortunate to
have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you
want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, expouse the
truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I
commend it to your careful reading.
Ninth Sunday after Trinity
In II Corinthians 9:6-8, the apostle Paul noted that, ...he which
soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully
shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (as it is
written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness
remaineth for ever.
Many Christians will find those verses at odds with what they have been
taught about giving to the church. They might ask, “Aren’t we suppose to give a
certain amount?” In the recent past, I was part of discussion on this subject
with several devout believers who strongly insisted that Christians are
supposed to give a tithe or ten percent of their earnings to the church. When
asked how they arrived at that amount, they pointed to several Old Testament
passages ranging from Genesis to Malachi.
It has been my experience that pastors will take one of the following
positions regarding the subject of tithing. First, there are those who will
approach the issue of godly giving with good intentions via their use of
expressions such as, “Look at all the good we could do if everyone would only
tithe the correct amount”, or “God desires us to keep this or that program
going so we need everyone to put in their proper share.” The second position
involves browbeating the congregation with accusations such as, “You are
keeping back in selfishness, or “You are denying the Lord his due”, and
probably the worst, “You are stealing from God.” In either case, there is the
question of the amount apart from the percentage previously noted. Should the
tither give a certain percentage of his “gross” pay or his “net” pay? Many
congregants will simply comply with the wishes of their pastor because they
want to avoid feelings of guilt. There is, however, a third position which a pastor
can take and that involves following the prescription for giving as supplied in
our epistle lesson.
To understand the biblical nature of giving, let us start with the
tithe. There are two Hebrew words that have been translated as tithe or
tithing. The first is maaser or “a tenth”, and the second is asar or “to take
or give a tenth.” A popular passage that has been offered as an affirmation of
tithing is that of Genesis 14:20 wherein we learn that Abram gave Melchizedek
tithes of all the goods he had recovered from his defeat of Chedorlaomer.
Notice that Abram did not supply Melchizedek with an annual gift of all that he
had, neither was such a requirement placed upon him by the LORD. So this
passage is not useful in defending the concept of tithing annually to your
local church.
“But didn’t the LORD command the Israelites to tithe?” Clearly the
answer is yes, for in Leviticus 27:30 we are told that, ...all of the tithe of
the land whether of seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s:
it is holy unto the LORD. God later clarified the purpose for the tithe in
Numbers 18:24-32 as it was used to support the Levites who had no separate
inheritance in the land of promise and were thus given a portion of all the
tithes and offerings for their services as the priests of God.
Dr. Russell Kelly noted in a rebuttal to Pastor Paul de Jong on the
subject of the tithe and tithing that, “...True biblical tithes were always
only food from the farms and herds of only Israelites who only lived inside
God’s Holy Land... The increase was gathered from what God increased and not
man’s craft or ability.” Dr. Kelly also noted that, “God did not command tithes
from that which man produced, built... or earned through his own wisdom. Money
from crafts and trade always existed in the Bible, but it was never included in
the basic definition of ‘tithe of food.’” And because God has placed no
requirement for money as a tithe, so the aforementioned verses are not useful
in defending the payment of such to the church.
Those who have taken the position that a Christian ought to engage in
the Old Testament practice of tithing should examine the message of the apostle
Paul in his epistle to the Galatians wherein he wrote, ... that a man is not
justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ... for by
the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (2:16). Tithing was a work
under the law. It was a civil obligation— a requirement— for Jews to perform if
they owned herds or farmed crops. The apostle warned the Galatians against the
reasoning of the Judaizers when he wrote, O FOOLISH Galatians, who hath
bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus
Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I
learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the
hearing of faith (3:1-2)?... For as many as are of the works of the law are
under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in
all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man
is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall
live by faith. And the law is not of faith... Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us. . . (3:10-13).
As Anglican Orthodox Christians we know from Article VII of our
Articles of Religion that, “... Although the Law given from God by Moses, as
touching ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil
precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet
notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the
Commandments which are called Moral.” And Article XXXVIII says, “... every man
ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor,
according to his ability.” The early twentieth century theologian and author,
W. H. Griffith Thomas wrote concerning this article that, “The New Testament
has three great principles of giving, and these call for careful attention and
constant emphasis on the part of all who are required to teach. A man is to
give according as God hath prospered him (I Corinthians 16:2); he is to give
according to his ability (Acts 11:29); he is to give according to his heart’s
purpose (II Corinthians 9:7)... The New Testament is thus true to its genius in
avoiding all references to a specific proportion like the Old Testament rule of
the tithe. In harmony with the essential feature of Christianity as a religion
of principle, not of rule, it lays the burden upon the enlightened spiritual
mind to give “according to” what is possessed, pointing out that giving is one
of the most definite and searching proofs of the reality of the Christian life
(I John 4:20-21; 3:17-18).”
Consider once more the words of St. Paul in our epistle lesson for
today in II Corinthians 9:6-8. Did you see within the text a command that
Christians give out of necessity a tenth of their earnings? Those who endorse
the tithe requirement might be surprised to learn that, like St. Paul, none of
the other apostles wrote about tithing not because it was an accepted and
obligatory practice, but precisely because it was not considered a requirement
for membership in the Christian faith. Christ’s free gift of salvation is open
to all without cost. You do not have to pay an annual fee to be a Christian.
St. Peter’s response to Simon the sorcerer is applicable: ... Thy money perish
with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with
money (Acts 8:20).
Given the preceding facts, why then do so many pastors preach on
tithing when the New Testament is devoid of any passages requiring a church
member to give a mandatory tenth or tithe to their local church? This question
has multiple valid responses that range from simple ignorance of Scripture to
down right greed for gain on the part of those within the hierarchy of the
church. As to those who are operating in ignorance, I would admonish them to
consult the scriptures. But for those who are in the latter range, I would
rebuke in the strongest terms because those pastors are not right with God.
I remember in college overhearing a young ministerial student state in
part that he couldn’t wait to graduate from seminary so that he could pastor a
large church and draw a large salary. I do not know if he ever changed his
mind, but it was clear in mine that he regarded the Christian ministry as just
another way to make a “fine” living. Sadly, I believe that young man’s point of
view has become more apparent in today’s world.
Just look about us at the ever-increasing number of mega-sanctinasiums
which are as prevalent as Johnson grass down here in the South. They are full
of bright lights; with pastors who are garbed in the trappings of the modern
world, who receive immodest sums for their services, and who reside in
near-palatial opulence that would rival the grandest potentate from ages past.
Said churches have music which mirrors that of any modern concert hall. All
these things are the lures by which the carnal and the unsuspecting are drawn
within their synagogues of Satan (Revelation 3:9) to have their ears scratched
and their desires sated (II St. Timothy 4:3-4). Naturally, all this
entertainment and sensation costs money. So in order to fund their pastors,
programs and endeavors, those churches have uniformly employed the tithe as an
effective fund-raising technique.
We Christians should understand that the most legitimate and up-front
way for a church to raise money is to solicit such from its members who have in
times past given from their hearts, and not out of necessity or compulsion. Our
Christian faith teaches us that God is our provider, and we must lean on him
rather than on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). And so pastors and
congregations ought to pray for the needs of their churches. God answers
prayers including those regarding the provisioning of his church. But when he
doesn’t supply such provisions in the amounts that a particular board or pastor
had in mind, then the leadership within the church will have to take another
course of action.
Nobody likes the word “austerity.” Shortages happen. Budgets must be
trimmed. Sometimes God strips us of those things that we think are important so
that we can then do the things he would have us do. Maybe it is time to put an
end to those church-sponsored gatherings that do not further the gospel
message. Maybe it is time for the church to heed the call of God and return to
a purer faith, and a simple and more reverent form of worship where the
congregation’s focus is on him rather than on themselves and how they feel. Our
Lord said, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall
worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to
worship him (St. John 4:23).
Some may ask how a church can survive without a steady stream of funds?
What about the light bill, the water bill, the insurance bill, the pastor’s
salary, as well as those of the church secretary, the music director, etc.?
What about teaching and outreach materials? What about extra-ministerial
activities? It should be understood that every church must address these points
particularly if they have a building and pay their minister a living wage. That
is why in these difficult economic times, the annual budget meeting can be a
harrowing experience for clergy and vestries. Nevertheless, church boards and
ministers, as well as congregants are all subject to the laws of economics. If
the congregation has less income as a whole, then it follows that the church
will have less. That is not a sin, or a case of greedy withholding; that’s
reality.
One of the gifts with which God has endowed mankind is the capacity for
creativity. History tells us that human beings have crafted some really
interesting methods for doing things, and that includes raising money. But when
it comes to the church, it would be wise to follow God’s dictates rather than
turning a set- aside practice from the Old Covenant into a new and binding
requirement upon those who are under the New Covenant, and all because it might
accomplish a desirable financial end.
Folks, “the end does not justify the means.” For example, Johann Tetzel
took advantage of the pain and anguish which Medieval Christians felt for their
deceased loved ones who were believed to be in purgatory. He preyed upon their
feelings by selling those hapless souls indulgences which were supposed to
permit their loved ones to pass on to glory. Through these sales, he raised a
lot of money for the Medieval Church mostly from the poor who were the least
able to afford even the small amounts they offered up in the hope that what
Tetzel had told them was true. I ask you, When a pastor attempts to press upon
a believer the notion that not tithing is sinful, or that the believer is
“stealing from God,” isn’t he acting much as Tetzel did?
God loves a cheerful, not a fearful giver, and there is little doubt
that such tactics were created to engender fear. The fruits of such fearful
giving may prop up a church budget, but at what cost? What about the twisting
of God’s word to mean something he did not intend? What about the effect upon
the giver especially when he realizes that he has been deceived? Dear fellows
in Christ, we are under grace and not the Law. We have been freed from the
requirements of the Law apart from those things specified by our Lord Jesus
Christ, and the apostles in their writings.
Godly folk understand the necessity for giving to support their
churches. If we love God, then we will give cheerfully regardless of the
amount. But whatever a person vows to give, that is between that individual and
the Lord. If God has put it upon your heart to give a particular amount, then
who is to say otherwise? And remember that whatever you decide to give—
whatever you purpose before God— then give it with joy. You cannot out-give
God, so trust in him to provide as he will, ... make all grace abound toward
you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every
good work.
Let us pray,
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ather, we come before thy throne of grace in
thanksgiving for all that you have given us; and we ask that you put upon our
hearts to cheerfully give in such a manner, that those things which are
necessary for our worship of thee, and our service to thee may continue
unabated; for this we ask in the name of thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Have a blessed week, Bryan+
