Verse of the Day

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Fifth Sunday after Trinity


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.  Some from Bishop Jerry, many from Rev Bryan Dabney, a few from other places, some from Rev Geordie Menzies-Grierson, but overall mostly from Bryan.  He always has some great ones to share.  On to the On Point quotes –

Rats in the Cellar
We begin to notice, besides our particular sinful acts, our sinfulness; begin to be alarmed not only about what we do, but about what we are. This may sound rather difficult, so I will try to make it clear from my own case. When I come to my evening prayers and try to reckon up the sins of the day, nine times out of ten the most obvious one is some sin against charity; I have sulked or snapped or sneered or snubbed or stormed. And the excuse that immediately springs to my mind is that the provocation was so sudden and unexpected; I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself. Now that may be an extenuating circumstance as regards those particular acts: they would obviously be worse if they had been deliberate and premeditated. On the other hand, surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is? Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth? If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am. The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.
Jack Lewis
Mere Christianity

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
St. Mark 13:35-36

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.
St. John 14:27

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and to do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
I St. Peter 3:10-12

Satan knows biblical terminology. He is also a master in masquerading under the guise of divine power. Alleged miraculous cures or manifestations often are accomplished by doctrinal errors. Every believer should realize that Satan can use doctrinal errors to his advantage, but he cannot overcome the Christian’s defenses in God’s Holy Word! This is our bulwark against demon incursions.
Dr. Merrill F. Unger
20th century American theologian and scholar
(Demons in the World Today, pp. 17-18)
When the fish swallowed Jonah, he found him a morsel which he could not digest; and when the world devours the church, it is glad to be rid of it again. In all times of fiery trial, in patience let us possess our souls.
Charles H. Spurgeon
19th century English Baptist pastor and author
(Morning and Evening, p. 569)

There is no surer way to make the church worldly than to put its material prosperity in the forefront. This is the surest way to put Satan in charge. It is easy for material assessments to become priority by emphasizing them until the opinion is created that these things are most important. When collecting money, building churches, and counting attendance become the evidence of church prosperity, then the world has a strong foothold, and Satan has achieved his purpose.
Rev EM Bounds
19th and 20th century American theologian and author
(Guide to Spiritual Warfare, pp. 46-47).

Peace either exists as a given condition or it is maintained by strong armies and ready deterrence. Peace cannot be found on the moral high ground, only [on] the mountains of the graves of the dead.
Daniel Greenfield
21st century American commentator
(Winning the Moral High Ground is a Loser’s Game, 7-16-14)

Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.
Blaise Pascal
17th century French mathematician, philosopher and author

James Madison warned that the loss of liberty rarely happens in one great event but rather happens gradually, over time, resulting from the actions of government officials who claim to be fortifying security. He practically predicted today’s events. The violations of our rights are obvious, undenied and undeniable. Yet what Madison probably feared most, he did not articulate: Once lost, liberty is lost forever.
Andrew P. Napolitano
20th and 21st century American jurist and author
(Spying on Innocents, 7-10-2014)

Propers

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

G
The Collect.
RANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle came from the Third Chapter of the First Epistle of Saint Peter beginning at the Eighth Verse. Peter tells to be of one mind, have compassion and pity for each other, to be courteous, to give good to all our brethren, to return good for evil, to seek peace, to do good, not just talk good.  Peter tells us to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.  To put ourselves in others’ places, understand when they fall short and make good things happen.

B
E ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.

Today’s Holy Gospel started in the Fifth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Luke beginning at the First Verse. This is one of the classic stories of Jesus in the Bible.  Jesus had gone down to Lake Gennesaret to pray and then speak to the people.  As they pressed in on him, he asked Simon Peter to use his boat as a speaking platform.  Speaking from a small boat near the beach is almost like speaking in an amphitheatre.  When he finished talking to the people, he told Simon Peter to go out and set his nets.  Simon pointed out they had fished all night with no result, but at His word, he would set his net.  The net gathered an incredible catch that Simon Peter and his friends could not board.  At that point, it was clear to Simon Peter he was in the presence of one far greater than himself.  He fell to his knees, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  Then Jesus said, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”  From then on Simon Peter followed Jesus.

Do not misunderstand, every day Jesus speaks to you telling you what to do.  It is your choice, you can listen like Simon Peter, or you can ignore Jesus.  He has the pony for the lottery.  He wants to give it to you, all you have to do is accept.  While He is a bit more subtle than a Drill Instructor, the question is the same, “Can you hear me?”

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.

I
T came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

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
Fifth Sunday after Trinity
Saint Andrew’s
Anglican Orthodox Church
Fishing for God, or Self?
20 July 2014, Anno Domini


The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

G
The Collect.
RANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


I
T came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: and so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  (Luke 5:1-11)

            I have often wished that I were a fly on the wall of history – to stand by the Galilean Sea when Christ preached so often, the same at which He had his final breakfast with His closest disciples, and the Sea Upon which He took His midnight stroll in the midst of devastating storm. This Sea teems with life, so a fitting place for our Lord and Savior to discourse. This body of blue and placid water has several names: Galilee, Gennesaret, Tiberius, or Chinnereth – yet all terms refer to the same Sea. As I have said, it is most often a smooth and placid body of water, but storms can build upon it with swift and unpredictable resolve. In a manner of speaking, the Sea is, in many ways, like the nature of our Lord who was most often gentle in speech to inveterate sinners, but quick to castigate the hypocritical clergy of His day. Like Christ, the Sea teems with life, but it yields its bounty most fully and handsomely to those who follow His counsel. It yields a profitable return to those who listen to His Word, and it may swamp the boat of those who are rebellious or lacking in faith.

            The Sea of Galilee, in its unpredictable nature, too, is much like the character of the Apostle Peter. He was obedient to his Lord, but, at times unexpectant, his temper and self-will could flare-up to surprising measure. He drew a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane against a host and only a couple of hours later denied his Lord thrice on the porch of the Sanhedrin. A focus of today’s text dwells, among other important features, on the person of Simon Peter and his questioning obedience to our Lord.

            Simon Peter is a man of the sea. He was robust and manly and beset with a stubborn and assertive nature. As is true with many such man, Peter had a tender heart that belied his manly nature. I like Peter very much. Even his name is intended to reveal that his quarrelsome will was finally surrendered to Christ completely. Petros (Peter) is the Greek term for stone, not Rock. Our Lord Jesus Christ was the Rock from which Peter was hewn. He gradually, as a stone chipped away through sanctification, took on the nature of the Rock from which he was cast. We all should be such stones of Christ – having the nature of that same Rock from which we must be cleft. Peter was the kind of hardened and masculine figure that I have known often in the military service – hard on the appearance, but soft and gentle as a lamb inside that hardened outer shell.

            Our text opens with beauty and meaning. “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret.” Imagine! “Jesus standing by the Sea!” What remarkable beauty in that single thought! His feet are forever on solid foundation, and the Sea represents the world filled with every kind of diverse fish. You and I are in that Sea of Life. We all hear the Words of Christ, but we do not all respond to it by faith. Unlike the multitudes of perishing souls of our day, there was a hunger on the shores of Blue Galilee for the Word of God. In fact, the people “pressed upon Him” to hear that Word. Today they flock to miracle promising evangelists whose heart are empty of compassion and full of greed; but Christ is missing from that forum.

            Our lives should be a pulpit for Christ, just as Peter’s boat became that pulpit. “  (Jesus) saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's.” What a resounding privilege to have our very souls serve as a pulpit for Christ. There were TWO boats there, but Christ chose the specific boat of Peter. He has chosen you and me in the same way. He knows the seaworthiness of our hull, and the strength of our sail before we, ourselves, know it.  Both boats, like many professing Christians today, were in precisely the right place at the right time but Simon’s boat was chosen by Christ. Many sit in the pews Sunday after Sunday, but are not chosen by Christ because of a failure of faith and steadfastness. Others, like Peter, are known to God and a Chosen Vessel. Simon, as well, consented to his Lord’s use of his vessel. All that was Peter’s belonged to Christ. Is this true in your case, my friends?

            When we prepare to study the Word, or to even preach it, we must make a separation of our spirits between ourselves and the world. This, Jesus does next. “. . . and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.” Next, our Lord “sat down” and taught the people. The people were standing on the shore while the Gospel itself was being pronounced. Notice that we always stand when the Gospel is read in the Church? The Teacher sits as one having authority, the students stand and listen reverently. Peter could have protested his vessel being used by Christ, but he did not. Christ has often called each of us to serve some need in our Church, or in our neighborhoods, but we often protest and fail to supply the need. We must all strive to be like Peter.

            After hearing the Word preached, what comes next? ACTION! We act on the Word! “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” It is very much like Jesus is saying, “Now, Peter, that you have heard the faith-strengthening Word, I need you to DO something!” Perhaps Jesus is whispering this in the ear of the listener of this sermon, and even its deliverer? Peter was cleaning and drying his nets when Jesus came to the shore of Galilee (Genneserat).

            Jesus loves Simon Peter just as He loves all who respond to His Beacon Light of Love. But Jesus knows that something needs to grow inside the heart of Peter: his faith needs bolstering. And this is what Christ is about to do. Poor Peter and his fellows have fished all night without Christ and caught NOTHING. Casting off the heavy nets and retrieving them is no easy task, but Peter has labored all night long at this tiring exercise without profit. We, too, labor under the force of our own sails in a dead sea, and achieve nothing, but when the Wind of the Holy Spirit fills our sails to capacity, we then navigate waters never before imagined. Peter seems to think the counsel of Jesus is a bit on the ridiculous side. He even argues, just a bit, that point, but relents: “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Now Peter will go a’fishing with Christ as his Sea Captain. I wonder what will be the result. When we surrender our on self-wills (free wills that are in bondage to sin), and accept His perfect will and counsel, what a difference a day makes!

            Have you ever followed Christ until your net has broken? What about now as you contemplate this story of the Sea, the Land, and the Savior? Has He not filled our nets to the breaking point? Does your cup runneth over with the gentle mercies and comfort of the Lord? “And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” Not before, or after, they had obeyed God, but IMMEDIATELY, their nets broke for the large draft of fish. God may be calling you away to some remote South Pacific Island, or to the hot and humid climate of central Africa to drop down your nets. Or He may be asking you to become a father, or mother, to some orphaned child who needs you. Have you let down your net at His command?
            The Lord always rewards our obedience and often in ways we could never have imagined. Can you imagine Peter’s shock at the large draft of fishes after no success at the best hours of fishing – the night?

            Our Lord is the Captain of Battles and the Victor of each one. He is not a proponent of defense, but of offense. He orders His streamers forward beyond the Forward Edge of the Battle Field. He needs no defense, He insist that we take that ground misappropriated by the Adversary of our Souls – the Devil! God is never satisfied with maintaining the status quo. We must either be growing in faith or, else, we are dying as that faith atrophies.

            Take some lessons from Peter:

1.     Be in the right place at the right time;
2.     Offer your vessel as a pulpit for the Lord;
3.     Obey His Counsel;
4.     Be prepared to be amazed at the mercy of the Lord; and
5.     Take upon yourself His nature and become a “chip off the old Rock” – a stone in the Temple of our God!

Have you?

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action
Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California
Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly  contained in the forewords above.

Consider these words from the Collect:

the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness

In the Collect, we ask that the events of this world might follow God’s governance or will.  Why?  Because in those places where it does, we find happiness and joy.  It is that simple, it means more, reflect on that.  After all, Amazing, is it not?  Since the Garden, it has always been one of the two same choices:

1.     We follow God’s Will for us, we do what is good for us, individually and as a people or a country.  It is hard work, but easier than we imagined; we prosper when all goes well.  It was all our doing, we are happy because we were so smart.

2.     We ignore God’s instructions, doing what we want to do, not what we are supposed to do.  It turns out to be way harder than we thought possible, in the end everything turns to weasel spit.  It was not our fault, it was God’s fault, He is punishing us.

As long as we are human, imperfect creatures with free will, it will never change for humanity.  But, we individually can change, and with enough individuals changing, humanity will change.  We can learn from the past and live for the future in Him who gave His Life that we might be free eternally. This is a very similar theme to last Sunday’s sermon, with very good reason. It applies to almost every single lesson in the Bible, which is to do God’s will, above what you want to do. Even though we want to do what we do, rather than what God wants us to do, it is better for us in the end to do what God wants us to do.  Doing what God Asks = Happiness, Not doing what God Asks = unhappiness, to put it into mathematical terms!

So, how do we make our little part of this world follow God’s will? Peter tells to be of one mind, have compassion and pity for each other, to be courteous, to give good to all our brethren, to return good for evil, to seek peace, to do good, not just talk good.  Peter tells us to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.  To put ourselves in others’ places, understand when they fall short and make good things happen. The key word is “walk”, to act upon the teachings of Christ, and not just utter them and not do them. All of us, including myself struggle with this, but as long as we are DOING our best, and not just saying it, then that is all He asks of us.  We cannot do more than our best. We must be doing our best and not just faking doing our best. There is a sincere difference between the two. If you are sincere, people will know it. If you are not sincere, people will also know it too.

So, just how do we make good things happen?  Fairly simple, do what God asks! This is an extremely common theme again! Doing what God asks is the answer to all of our problems if you think about it! Don’t figure out ways to seem to do what He asks, while doing what you want.  Don’t be a Pharisee! Consider when Jesus told Simon Peter to go out and set his nets.  Simon was tired, he was hungry, he had fished all night with no result.  After making excuses, he decided to do what he was told! There is a lesson there, instead of making excuses why things are the way they are, why not be quiet and do God’s will instead? It will have a lot better results that is for sure, like Simon Peter and his nets!  The net gathered an incredible catch that Simon Peter and his friends could not board. 

That is what happened to Simon Peter; that is what will happen to you, if you will but listen. Listening and then acting are the key principles of this Gospel, we must listen to what He says, and then ACT upon it.

Do not misunderstand, every day Jesus speaks to you telling you what to do.  It is your choice, you can listen like Simon Peter or you can ignore Jesus.  He has the pony for the lottery.  He wants to give it to you, all you have to do is accept.  While He is a bit more subtle than a Drill Instructor, the question is the same, “Can you hear me?” The problem with us is that we just do not want to hear. That is why we need the Holy Ghost to open up our ears, that we might hear and obey.

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear.

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 Dennis Campbell’s Sermon
Bishop Dennis is a brilliant speaker.  He is able to take biblical precepts and make them perfectly understandable, even to me.  Oft he provides the text of his sermons and I take the utmost pleasure in passing them on:

He Leadeth Me
Psalm 23
Fifth Sunday after Trinity
July 20, 2014

            Psalm 23, verse 3 says, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.” This is the second time Psalm 23 tells us of God’s leading.  Verse 2 says, “He leadeth me beside the still waters.”  We have been talking about healing in our souls, and how God accomplishes it.  I have tried to convey the fact that healing usually comes through the very ordinary means of grace, which we all have at our finger tips.  It especially is wrought in us by the diligent reading of the Bible.  By diligent, I mean not only continuing effort, and devotion, but also thoughtful and reverent, and even prayerful effort. This is a pondering, meditative reading.  It is reading with the intent to allow the Bible to fill our minds, and to shape our minds.  We read to allow the Bible to shape what we think about, and we read to allow the Bible to shape the way we think about it.  We read to allow the Bible’s interpretation of the entire scope of existence to become our interpretation.  This kind of reading transforms and renews our minds, which then transforms and renews our lives.  Transformation and renewal are a large part of what I mean by spiritual “healing,” or, healing of the soul.

            We know, of course, that the Shepherd of Psalm 23 is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is He who leads us.  He used similar wording in John 10, verses 3 and 4, saying He:

 “calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  And when he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

            How does the Good Shepherd lead His sheep?  Let me suggest a few ways.

            He leadeth us by being “with” us.  One of the great passages of Scripture is Matthew 28:19-20.  It is often called the “Great Commission” because there our Lord commissions the Apostles, and through them, His Church, to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”  Most Christians know these words by heart, and we should.  But I have noticed many Christians do not know the ending of verse 20, which is also the ending of the Gospel of Matthew.  It ends with these words, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Psalm 23 echoes this same promise of the presence of Christ.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”  This world is the valley of the shadow of death.  In the midst of life we are in death” and we are surrounded by those who are dead in trespasses and sins.  But fear not, for God is with us.  He is present with and He leadeth us even through the valley.

He leadeth us by means of His Church.  Here I am talking about the organised body of believers with duly ordained clergy and duly baptized and confirmed members.  I realize there are false professors within the visible Church.  I realize there are false teachers.  I realize many congregations, and even whole denominations have become synagogues of Satan, but they are not really part of the Church anymore, regardless of what they call themselves.  But, a person who believes he can be a Christian without also being part of a faithful, organised Church is fooling himself at best.  Christ is with us and Christ leadeth us to, in, through, and by means of the Church.  The Church belongs to Him.  It is His spiritual body on earth.  He dwells in it.  The Bible is given to the Church.  The Spirit is given to the Church.  Bishops, pastor/teachers and deacons are given for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the body of Christ to minister the word and sacraments to, in, by, and in the context of the organised Church, (see Eph. 4:11-12, and 1 Tim. 3:1-13).  He leadeth His people by the Church.

            He leadeth us by means of His word, which is the Bible.  Some theologians try to make a separation between Christ and the Bible.  They say the Bible is the words of men thinking about God, while Christ is God revealed to us.  Therefore, these theologian say, we must always follow the spirit of Christ rather than the letter of the Bible.  But this is a false dichotomy.  In reality, God inspired the Bible in such a way that it is as though it came from the very mouth of God.  In reality, Christ inhabits the Bible.  He speaks to us by its words.  We know Christ, the Living Word only as He is revealed in the Bible, the written word.

            Fourth, He leadeth us by His Holy Spirit.  I think it is important to note that the Spirit never leads us in contradiction to the Bible.  “Holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost,” says 2 Peter 1:21, describing the way these people wrote the Bible.  The same Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible leads us to understand and practice the Bible.  He will not move men to write one thing in the Bible, then lead us into doctrines and practices that contradict what He moved them to write.

            As you can see, I am stating again that God leads us by the still, small voice of the ordinary means of grace.  Miracles and mountain top experiences are exceedingly rare, and those who constantly seek them are constantly disappointed.  It is through everyday prayers, Bible readings, worship, and fellowship that God leadeth us.

Lastly, for today, He leadeth us by example.  I think this is critically important to a correct understanding of God, and to a faith that finds healing in the soul.  Leadership by example is the only way to really lead people.  You can push and force people to do things, but that is coercion, not leading.  It is only by example that real leadership happens.  And Christ is our Great Example.       Hebrews 4:15 says He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  That means He had to face life the way we face it.  He had no special privileges, no exemptions.  In John 4:6 we see Him weary. In Matthew 4:2 we see Him hungry.  In John 19:28 He is thirsty.  In Matthew 4 He is tempted.  In Matthew 26:39 He says, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.  The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, which simply says, “Jesus wept.”  And in John 19:30, Jesus died.

            It is important that we understand that Jesus had to live, and die, by faith, just like us.  By faith He lived without yielding to temptation.  By faith He lived a pure and sinless life.  By faith He endured the cross and the grave, being faithful even unto death.  So when He asks you to resist temptation, He has already resisted.  When He asks you to trust God, He has already trusted.  If He asks you to forgo pleasures and indulgences, or to endure hardship in the service of God, He has already foregone and endured. He leadeth His flock by example.  He is our example in a way the ancient Hebrew Shepherds could never be to their sheep.  David, being a man, could never become a sheep.  But God, being God, could become a man.  And He did.  He leads by becoming one of us.  He became a man, lived as a man, and died as a man.  So He is our Great Example.  “He leadeth me.”

Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor - St. Paul's Anglican Church - Anglican Orthodox Church
Bishop Roy is pastor of the biggest AOC parish West of the Mississippi and is in charge of the Diocese of the Epiphany. 

Fifth Sunday after Trinity
20 July 2014
Proverbs 3: 1 – 7 , 11, 12

M
y son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

In this passage of scripture we can understand why Solomon was considered the wisest man on  earth.  He outlined some very simple things that we can do, each of us, with or without education, with or without riches, every single person listening today.  Essentially we are to care, to love, to commit, and to be humble.

Histories are written by the victors; yet we can still learn from written histories.  Biographies, also, especially a good primary source biography can be invaluable. It can teach us to avoid mistakes, to use what tools and experiences the subject of the biography used to get on in life.  If you will notice, there are quite a few biographies in the Bible.  They are written with all the warts and flaws that humans possess, and yet not presented as an ET or Hollywood tabloid, but for our edification.  We can read the life of a prophet, priest, or king and learn so many lessons from their life.

1.      “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”   Was Solomon giving a false promise here?  No, the prolonging of life, in the sense of good years as opposed to bad years and the prosperity are both in feeling more than the literal sense.  Your quality of life will be better.
2.       
3.     Let love and faithfulness never leave you...he then describes how to not let it leave you. Bind it on your neck, write it on the tablet of your heart.... DO NOT forget...ie. Love and faithfulness.

4.      “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”   This is one piece of wisdom is so easy to remember and yet so hard to apply.  I think you can look out over the wrecks of history and see the many man-made religions that have failed to understand this very simple idea.  Lean not on your own understanding.....   Why?  Because as humans we tend to want to do it our way, we want to replace God’s wisdom with ours, we want to be God.   Yikes !!   What do I mean by that ?   Look at all the failed attempts to reach God.  When man has been left up to his own devices, he has found all types of ways of reaching God, all in one form or another based on the WORKS of man, not the gift of God, Jesus Christ.  And in all cases, man has failed.   But this passage does not leave us without some promise or hope.    “...in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”    You think so what ?   Remember when this was written, humans had only a few ways of getting about.  Horse, donkey and cart, or oxen and wagon, or most commonly...by foot.  So any rise in elevation was felt by the walker.  “Make your paths straight” would be such a nice promise.  Your way through life will not have many hills.

5.     Verse 7 is directly attached to verse six.   “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”    Again, do not rely on your wisdom, but on the fear [respect or worshipful attitude towards] God.  And the most practical part of the advice....AVOID EVIL.    Wow, that is just too simple.  What does this mean, avoid evil.   It really isn’t rocket science.  Very simply do not go to places that promote evil, don’t participate in evil, do anything to avoid it.   St. James wrote in chapter 1 verse 13 - 15, that temptation must be avoided, because “...Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hasth conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth for death.”   The rest of his letter is full of practical information on how to avoid evil and how to overcome the same.  Take some time to read the epistle of St. James.

Let us turn to the last two verses of our Old Testament reading;  Here we find in reality a most comforting concept.   Because we are His, he will discipline us.  Do not despise correction, do not resent his rebuke, because it means we are loved by the Lord.   Just as a father disciplines his own children so does our Heavenly Father discipline us.  Let us take comfort in his love.

Let us pray.

A
LMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being; we implore thy grace and protection for the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in all things, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us patience under our afflictions. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men, according to our abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and all who are dear to us, under thy fatherly care and protection. These things, and whatever else thou shalt see to be necessary and convenient to us, we humbly beg, through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.                 Amen.

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.

Fifth Sunday after Trinity

In Proverbs 15 we find the following passages: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD... (v.8) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD... (v.9) The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD... (v.26). Within these passages, God has made plain how he views the wicked of this world. The language is crystal clear for in every verse cited he describes each of their works and ways as an abomination. The word abomination in Hebrew is transliterated as towebah and refers to anything that is impure or disgusting.

So what then qualified those people as abominable? In the intervening verses of Proverbs 15 we are given insights into the character of the wicked. First of all, they are purveyors of grievous words (v.1) which incite others to anger. Doubtless you have known people who spend their waking moments seeking to “stir the pot” as it were. They love to create disharmony. They sow the seeds of confusion and uncertainty. Some times, they do so as interested spectators— desiring to witness what will happen. At other times they might seek some advantage which may arise out of their evil plans and positions. Regardless of their particular reasons for creating trouble, grievous words are often used by the wicked to degrade those around them. In an earlier chapter of Proverbs we are told that there are six things that the LORD hates: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren (6:16-19). Thus three of the six may with surety involve grievous words.

And God regards the wicked as fools whose mouths poureth out foolishness (v.2) and the perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit (v.4). As Matthew Henry once noted, “An evil tongue... wounds the conscience of the evil speaker, and occasions either guilt or grief to the hearers, and both are to be reckoned breaches in the spirit. Hard words indeed break no bones, but many a heart has been broken by them.” We know that foolish and perverse speech can cause even a faithful believer hardship not only in the hearing of such, but in its vexation of the soul. St. Peter wrote in his second epistle that righteous Lot’s soul was vexed daily with the filthy conversation of the wicked (2:7). That word conversation was translated from the Greek word anastrophe which may be defined as conduct, manner of life or deportment. So it has to do with more than simple speech. The conscience of the wicked was described by the apostle Paul as having been seared with a hot iron (I St. Timothy 4:2). Taken together, these passages describe the wicked as being souls who are wreaking with filth and devoid of any consciousness of their true condition.

Proverbs 15 also described these benighted souls as one who despiseth his father’s instruction (v.5). The scriptures tell us to honor our parents (Exodus 20:12) and that fathers are to train up their children in the ways of God (Deuteronomy 6:4-7;20-25). Those who will not heed the warnings of their parents against sinful behaviors are destined for trouble in this life and separation from God in the afterlife. In Ezekiel 18:4 the LORD said, Behold, all souls are mine, as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. The prophet was given, in that entire chapter, to proclaim God’s desire for men to live righteously in him and reject wickedness. In verses 20-23, the LORD said, The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins... and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions... shall not be mentioned unto him... Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways and live? God desires that all men come to him and live. But for men to come, they must first see themselves as sinners and then reject their old life. They must be renewed by the power of God through the atoning work of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. They must receive the Holy Ghost and be subject to his influence.

And such is problematic for the wicked as their father the devil (St. John 8:44) will work to prevent them from ever turning from his camp. Only the cries of those who come to recognize their true state, and in such call out to God for salvation will God heed and answer. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, they will be led to Christ. For in their embrace of him as their Saviour and Lord, they will be saved.

Now, that can be quite a task for the wicked as most see themselves as having no need for salvation. For them, this life is good enough— for the moment—and so it is all that they will focus on as their master will present them with new attractions to keep their hearts and minds away from the good that God would have them experience not only in this time, but throughout eternity.

E. M. Bounds once observed that, “The world is the Devil’s heaven. Its rest, crown, and reward are here. When the world comes in, God’s heaven goes out. It fades from the eye and heart. The struggle for it ends, and God’s heaven, with its fadeless and eternal glories, is lost... The world is Satan’s place. His power is here. To fix our hearts on the world is to be loyal to him. To fix our hearts on heaven is to be loyal to Christ. Here we have the reason for the world’s cruel hatred of Jesus, and why it has so bitterly persecuted His followers (Guide To Spiritual Warfare, p. 75).”

God also tells us that while the righteous will have much treasure, the wicked will have, the revenues... of ... trouble (v.6). The wicked are inviting trouble to come to them through their bad behavior. The Devil’s only interest in them is purely utilitarian. He will put up with selected ones for a time provided they conform to his wishes. But in the end, he will use them up and cast them away. He has only hatred for mankind. As our Lord said, The thief cometh not but for to steal, to kill, and to destroy (St. John 10:10). The greatest stealer of men’s souls is the Devil.

And because, the heart of the foolish does not spread abroad the true knowledge of God (v.7), the wicked and foolish person will not have his sacrifice accepted by the LORD. In that regard, consider the words of Matthew Henry who said, “A foolish head and a filthy heart make persons easy prey to seducers.” The same father of seducers is the father of lies and of every evil thing. The Devil will pollute the worship of God through his willing minions within the body of Christ. He will direct their efforts to make every offering an affront to God; every prayer an occasion for false piety; every profession of faith, a finger in the eye of the Creator. He will foster arrogance in place of humility before God. He will encourage excesses of every sort: from overzealousness in public worship to extravagance in church expenditures which elevate those in charge of worship and feed their lusts for power and wealth. He will inspire those who have not been called of God into his ministry, to seek positions within the church in contradistinction to those doctrines which have been set forth in Scripture. Is it any wonder why the LORD then inspired Solomon to pen: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD (v.8)?

All ministers of the gospel have a God-given duty to proclaim and defend the truths of Scripture. If we are not teaching sound doctrine, we will not be that salt and light which our Lord spoke of in the gospels. We are called to set forth God's word written and not restate it in terms which take away its true meaning, or pad its impact upon our congregations. On numerous occasions prior to my being called into the ministry I witnessed ministers take the very texts of the Scripture and turn them on their heads in order to support their jaded and godless views. It seemed as if I was watching a segment of the Twilight Zone as the narrator presents the prologue: “Consider for your approval pastor A. Now pastor A does not believe in the sanctity of human life. He does not believe in the Bible as God's true and inspired word without error. He does not believe in the risen Christ. But here he is every Sunday, bearing all the vestiges of a minister, taking his salary as a minister but not truly serving as a minister because he is not truly in Christ. He is, therefore, a hireling and a fraud. In short, he is of the wicked and an apostate of Satan.”

And so it follows that if the offerings and sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD then so are the ways and thoughts of the wicked (v.26). It is from such persons that we are admonished to beware and to turn away from them (Ephesians 5:11; II St. Timothy 3:1-5; II St. Peter 3:17). We are not to have fellowship with them ( I Corinthians 5:13; II Corinthians 6:14-18; St. Jude 3-19).

As members of the body of Christ, we have been called out of darkness into the light of our Lord. We are to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to all. If they will listen and respond by accepting him as their Saviour and Lord, then they are to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. They are then, to paraphrase our prayer book, members incorporate in the mystical body of God’s only begotten Son. If they will not accept and believe on him, they are castaways— lost to the evil one and to the fires of perdition. Scripture was given of God to teach us about the things of this life that we might better avoid those who are subject to Satan and ministers of his will. Our daily walk and work in the Lord may bring us from time to time in contact with the wicked so we ought to properly discern what God would have us do so that we are not led astray by their errors. Purpose in your hearts today to follow God’s truth as expressed within the pages of Scripture and reject the unfruitful works of darkness.

Let us pray,

F
ather, protect and guide us into all truth, that we might better serve thee in these days of darkness and confusion; for this we ask in the name of him who came to seek and save the lost, even our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.


Have a blessed week, Bryan+

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