241208 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
Second Sunday in Advent
Sunday Report
The Second Sunday in Advent – December 8th, 2024
Second Sunday in Advent Propers:
The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.
The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found on Page 92-93, with the Collect first:
The Collect for Every Day in Advent
This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
The Collect for the Second Sunday in Advent
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Epistle for the Second Sunday in Advent: Romans xv. 4.
WHATSOEVER things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday in Advent. The Gospel. St. Luke xxi. 25.
AND there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
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, others from Rev. Geordie and many from Rev Bryan Dabney and a few from other places.
Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson – England (above)
Points to Ponder:
Let my cry
come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Psalm
119:169
The heart
of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Proverbs
18:15
There is
an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: a man to
whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for
his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof,
but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Ecclesiastes 6:1-2
Take heed
that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no
reward of your Father which is in heaven.
St.
Matthew 6:1
Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
II
Corinthians 5:17
Draw nigh
to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves
in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
St. James 4:8-10
What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual
Christmas? The cause is our disregard of Advent. The church set aside this
four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s
coming. It is a time of quiet anticipation. If Christ is going to come again
into our hearts, there must be repentance. Without repentance, our hearts will
be so full of worldly things that there will be ‘no room in the inn’ for Christ
to be born again.…We have the joy not of celebration. Which is the joy of
Christmas, but the joy of anticipation.
John R. Brokhoff, Preaching the Parables — Cycle C. p. 28.
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes - and is
completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from
the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.
Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, God is in the Manger
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The Lord God knew in the Eternities Past that man would not be able to achieve any righteousness at all on his own power and will; so the Lord God made provision for a Savior who would come into the world to redeem those who would believe upon Him truly and devoutly. The only One who could qualify to redeem of sin must, Himself, be Holy and Sinless. That One Person was the Lord Jesus Christ – the only Begotten of the Father and the Lamb that was sacrificed for us from before the foundation of the world. “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” (1 Peter 1:19-20), also Revelations 13:8).
In the Garden, eastward at Eden, man chose to partake
of the tree with which Satan tempted him rather than that blessed Tree of Life
which would have granted righteousness and salvation from the beginning. So the
Tree of Life was removed to Paradise, and man has since, through his natural
deformity of spirit, followed that evil voice that spoke from the ill-winded
tree at Eden. But, remember? God had already provided a remedy through His Son,
the Lord Jesus Christ. He promised fallen man a Savior. True Israel looked
forward to that Promised Seed from Abraham to John the Baptist. Their faith in
the Coming Savior was the means of their salvation; and that faith in the
accomplished event of Christ’s sacrifice is the means of our salvation today.
Civil Israel was by and large lost to darkness just as the civil-complicit
church of today is by and large lost to darkness. True Israel lives in the
faith of the people of God in that Promised Seed which is the Lord Jesus
Christ. The Old Testament faith continues in the New.
Bishop Jerry Ogles –Traditional Christmas Hymns Revisited, pgs. 14-15
Jerry
Ogles
Presiding Bishop
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.
Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:
Bishop Ogles has a You Tube Channel that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg
https://youtu.be/MXO1RQbycsE?si=6uTdg-5bogwq7KmM
Devotion on the Prayer of Collect for the 2nd Sunday in Advent
“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Prayer of Collect for the 2nd Sunday in Advent provides the very strong view of Holy Scripture and its infallibility held by the Continental and English Reformers. We are made certain by faith of the Hope that Christ has given the believer through the reading of Holy Scripture. There is no other source of knowledge of the Will of God. It is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit brings to our recollection in His counsel. “26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26 The Holy Ghost will never put any extra-biblical teaching to your ears or any other than that which conforms to Holy Writ. It should be noted, too, that the biblical text used by the Reformers was the Received Text – not the spurious so-called New Text (Westcott-Hort). The Collect emphatically points to the Holy Bible as our source of hope, doctrine, faith, and worship.
The Collect for 2nd Sunday in Advent
BLESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our
learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and
inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may
embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou
hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
There are
three topics which I wish to point out in our devotion of the Holy Bible as
reflected in the Collect:
THE NATURE OF THE BIBLE: It is both human and Divine because it was
“written by Holy men of old,” and Divine because they wrote as “moved by the
Holy Ghost.” It is infallible because it conveys the will of God for mankind
and the manner in which we must live as believers. The English Reformers
recognized both elements in the Collect phrase, “Who hast caused all Holy
Scripture to be written.” The Bible is the chart and compass by which we
navigate the seas of life. It is written for the learning and enlightenment of
every age. Whether its words are spoken by a child or an ancient elder, it
carries the same authority because it is not man’s words but God’s.
THE RIGHT USE OF THE BIBLE: The Bible must be read prayerfully and with deep conviction. It is not enough to simply hear it read from the lectern, or from the pulpit – it must be read by the one who hungers for knowledge of the Lord and His Love. Incidentally, every follower of Christ must, by definition, hunger for understanding and enlightenment of His Word. It must not only be read, but read with intensity and studied with greater spiritual and scholarly focus than any textbook written. “15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 1 Timothy 2:15 I can say with complete sincerity that in the days of my childhood immediately following the Second World War, must farmers in America had a far greater grasp of the Scriptures and their meaning than most of the popular evangelists of our day.
THE BLESSINGS OF SPIRITUAL STUDY IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER: The study of Scripture develops strong character in many diverse areas – Patience to endure trials and resist temptations, Comfort even when under the persecution of the world and its demons, Hope that transcends every fear and worldly rejection, and it is a means of preparation for the Soldier of Christ to take upon him his complete Armor of God to withstand the slings and arrows of a hateful and godless society in which we live. Our spiritual study and understanding yields benefits of hope for the everlasting life to those who persevere to the end according to the elect calling in Christ.
When we often repeat the Lord’s Prayer, the Prayer of Collect, and, indeed, all others of the Common Prayer Book, let us do so with an attentive realization of the meaning, and not simply with vain repetition. To pray the Lord’s Prayer, for example, without considering its depth of meaning, is to use the Lord’s name in vain.
Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent
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“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
(Luke 21:25-27; all scripture cited is from the Authorized King James Bible)
We find in the Epistle today, a strong allusion to the Old Testament truths of hope and future promise. Contrary to modern theology, the New Testament is not a new promise, but simply the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham even as well as to Adam in Genesis Chapter Three. The promise made to Abraham of a coming Redeemer is consistent with those promises fulfilled in the New Testament. Abraham was saved by faith in the promise of God – we today are saved through the realization of that promise.
In our Gospel text, we are reminded that there is an end to all things on this earth. The sand upon which many have built their lives will be destroyed with fervent heat, and where will they then stand? “10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (2 Peter 3:10-11)
NO MORE TIME! When we were children, we may have cherished our weekly allowance. We felt wealthy for a day. Some squandered all without hesitation while others saved some or all of our meager allowance for future needs. Those who spent all are very much like the five Virgins who had not made provision for an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five had saved up for the coming need.
Time is a bit like our early allowance. It is freely given. Some have more and others less of time to spend on God’s green earth.
“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:14-17)
Time is our allowance and the Oil of our Lives. How we manage our time makes all the difference. As the elect of God, we must deport ourselves as sons and daughters of the Great King. The world is watching and the lives of the righteous add a pleasing flavor to the society around us. It has been true from the beginning of the annals of history – great scientist, great physicians, great musicians – all acting under the commanding influence of the Holy Ghost have changed the hard shells of society and brought beauty and joy to many even those who have not known the Lord Jesus Christ.
The day will come when suddenly, we find our allowance of time used up and no amount of wealth can purchase an extra minute. As the Persian poet of the Rubaiyat says, “The finger writes, and having writ, moves on. Nor all your piety or wit can call it back to cancel half a line.” No more time! Everything we are, everything we own in this world, are only possessed in that short spectrum of time allotted to our days on earth. Have we squandered that time. Have we wisely made provision for our souls beyond that final curtain of time. Our Lord has counseled:
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5)
Our lives on earth are as a day. We walk in the Light and not as others who carouse the whole night through. Have we wasted even an hour of that day on earth? Then, comes the moment when there is no more day – no more time. Have we made provision for our souls following the falling of the curtain?
Life is a treasure that we have received freely, but it is limited in this world. The gift of life may be for ten years or ninety, but it does come finally to an end. Life is closely related to gift of love. It comes without cost, and love is one possession we may have the will survive death. It is the assurance that we shall live on with the Lord of Heaven if we have loved both Him and our fellows. Have you?
In Christ Alone during ADVENT Season,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop.
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
Let us carefully observe how little good they do who attempt to mix up evangelical preaching and a ritual ceremony. Little, did I say? - they do no good at all! The world is never won by trimming and compromising, by facing both ways, and trying to please all. The cross of Christ is never made more acceptable by sawing off its corners, or by polishing, varnishing, and adorning it. Processions and banners, and flowers, and crosses, and excessive quantity of music, and elaborate services, and beautiful vestments may please children and weak-minded people. But they never helped forward heart-conversion and heart-sanctification, and they never will. Bishop J. C. Ryle, First Bishop of Liverpool, U.K.
Second Sunday in Advent
Sermon – Bishop Jack Arnold -
Time and Action
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together because as is always the case there is a unifying message in the Scripture for this Sunday.
Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message as we enter into a period of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior. Let us start by reading today’s collect:
The Second Sunday in Advent
The Collect.
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LESSED Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The First Sunday in Advent
The Collect.
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A |
LMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be repeated every day, after the other Collects in Advent, until Christmas Day.
The Collect and the Epistle and the Gospel all tell us we are to learn from Scripture and to place our hope and trust in God, not man. They tell us God provided Scripture so that we might learn from the history of old believers in the Old and New Testament. As the saying goes, if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. It is the same with Scripture; for much of Scripture is history.
Scriptures have been given to us as a tool for learning so we might become wiser through the Holy Spirit, whose guidance as we read and study Scripture will allow us to come to a fuller understanding of the meaning it should have in our daily lives. Scripture is the ultimate self improvement book, which offers guidance that most modern self improvement books do not come close to providing for us.
The Collect tells us that we are to read Scripture and let the messages sink into our hearts, souls and minds that we might act upon it and learn how to more effectively follow God. Just like a Pilot’s Operating Handbook tells you everything you need to know to operate an airplane, the Scriptures tell us everything we need to know about being a Christian and conducting ourselves as Christians in our day to day lives. It is imperiative that we not only read Scripture but understand and then apply the messages we read into our every day lives.
But in order to fully understand what we are reading, we need His Influence in our hearts in order to understand what we are preaching; to live what we are preaching, in order for our faith to have any meaning. If we preach a good message but do not live out our preaching, then we will become hypocrites. Which unfortunately is easy to do if you do not have the Holy Ghost in our hearts, helping to guide your actions. We must be aware of this and strive not to become hypocrites. Which we can avoid if we rely on the Holy Ghost to guide us in our actions. People will very quickly notice if our actions are not congruent with our professed belief. There are far too many people today who live in a hyopcritcal manner. We must not become like one of them. Thus we must ask the Holy Ghost to enter into our hearts and guide our actions that we might live out our preaching.
Following that point, if we do not have understanding or act upon our preaching, how can we ask others to follow God, when we ourselves are not? We can’t lead people towards and following God if we do not do that ourselves. It simply isn’t possible to lead people towards God if we aren’t following Him ourselves. We must strive to avoid hypocrisy, to live a geniune life following His commandments He has set for us and to be a beacon to guide others to Him. We are not an icon or image of Him, but merely pathfinders, and once we find the path, we guide others to Him. We do not posess any special powers as ministers of the Lord, except as we have the Holy Ghost within us, directing us. And that special power is not of our own to claim, but He who sent Him. We are merely being allowed to have Him within us and we should not boast of any deeds done with His Inspiration, but must simply point back to the source who sent Him. We cannot claim any credit on our own for the power He has bestowed upon us to perform great good works for Him. He works not only in ministers, but in each and every member of the church. For, each of us is an emissary of Christ to the world.
He gives each of us in His Church special talents, so members of the Church may use these talents in conjunction with one another to bring people to Christ. Every individiual with a different talent is needed in His Church, each special and unique and needed to spread the Gospel. As in a professional workplace, each member of the Church has a special talent, used in conjunction with other people with each of their own talents, which can be used together to bring people to Christ. We each have our function, just like each part of our body has a function and each individual part is needed for its specific function to work as a whole. If we all had all heads, it would not work out well for us. But like our body parts, we are each called to a separate talent to make up the whole church.
For when we all work together the Church becomes a team, each and everyone in it, the clergy and the lay people all having the common goals of spreading the Gospel to those who are in need of it and tending to those who need help. When we all work together, there is no limit to what we can accomplish for Him. The key is we need to work together, setting aside any petty squabbles and differences and focusing on what we can do to achieve for Him. When we do this, we become an unstoppable force, doing good in His Name. This is all made possible if we read and act upon the precepts of Scripture with the help of the Holy Ghost.
We must act upon the words of Scripture and the sermons we hear, so our faith will be manifest to all those watching us. We will make mistakes and sin, as we are imperfect beings; if we admit our wrongdoings to God, and come back to Him, all shall be forgiven and we shall have a fresh slate on which to start anew.
In the Epistle, Paul tells us Scripture was written so we might have hope, even in times of darkness. Times like these with unbelievers in high places doing their best to defile and ridicule our faith can try our souls. We must treat others as Christ taught us, with respect and humility, no matter our personal feelings/opinion on them and how they conduct their lives. If we are kind to them, we may plant a seed in their lives for the better, causing perhaps a change for the better in them. We do not know what impact our actions may have in the future; we can only hope they may influence an individual for the better. It may not be until way later we find out what measurable impact we may have had on these peoples lives.
This is where applying the love thy neighbor as thyself concept plays a big part. For if we follow Christ’s Summary of the Law, our actions are more likely to cause a positive impact on others around us. We must strive to always loving they neighbor as thyself and to have a positive impact on those around us. If we follow ourselves instead of the Holy Ghost, we are more likely to cause a negative impact to others around us. We should do our best to remember this in our interactions with others.
Turning to the Gospel, Saint Luke describes the signs of the Second Coming and how we are to prepare for it. We are not to be caught unaware of the signs; if we read the signs, then we shall be prepared to meet our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. At the same time remember Christ’s words in Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. This means every day we have to be active in our faith, and not brain and faith dead like so many around us today. We have to be spritually aware of our spiritual surroundings, much as a good and safe driver/motorcyclist must be aware of the cars around him and possible hazards in the road at all times. We must live every day as if it were to be our last day.
We have to use the tools given to us by God; Scripture, our faith and our friends in the faith to combat the evils of this world. They are given to us for learning the faith and also defending the faith from the multiple assaults of the wicked one. We must do our best to make this world the best place we can, first starting in our little corner of the world then working our way out from there. If we study, digest and use Scripture in faith, we will have hope in these times of darkness; we will go forth and spread the Good News, which will give us satisfaction and hope for people; therefore renewing our spirit and vigor and the knowledge that in the end we will triumph, will fill our hungry spirits. It will renew our sense of purpose and redirect our focus outward instead of inward.
Our hungry spirits can only be satisified by God’s Goodness and His Word and His Love, of which He has infinite capacity; nobody is stealing anybody else’s share, as God has more than plenty to go around for all of us! In fact, the more of God’s Love you take, the more there is for others! So we must concentrate then on sharing the Gospel and God’s love, so others might finally find true happiness, as we find ours, in serving the Lord for the rest of our days. We also have to concentrate on living a genuine Christian life and not a shallow Christian life; showing the way to Christ for others to see and follow.
The common theme through the Collect, Epistle and Gospel is that if we have hope and trust in God, we must dread naught, and carry on, empowered through them in our daily lives here on Earth until we are called to our heavenly home. These are actions we must take; not mere thoughts or words, actual actions!
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
Yves
M. Méra
Presiding Bishop
AOC France Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.
SERMON for the Second Sunday in Advent
Romans 15:4-13; Luke 21:25-33.
A HOPE FOR THE END OR UNTIL THE END?
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
In the Gospel of Luke, Christ warns us that the world in which we live will come to an end (Luke 21:25-26:31,33) “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken... So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand... Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” This is why it is futile to count on spending our eternity on earth, or to freeze our body in order to revive it later, or to bleed babies to have their adenochrome transfused in the belief that it will enable living here on earth eternally, as the thinkers of rampant globalism do, without regard for the lives of these poor little toddlers.
And it was in the form of a little baby that Christ wanted to be born of a virgin, to live and suffer among us, in order to redeem us from our sins, and to deliver us from the eternal hell to which men are rushing head on, down the easy slope that descends right into hell. Downhill ski enthusiasts will understand.
Christ has transfused His precious Blood into our veins, so that we may have eternal life, not on this earth, but in the Father's Kingdom, in Heaven, in the security of a place which is out of time, where no more damage can occur: no more suffering, no more sickness, no more bad weather, no more natural disasters, no more breakdowns, no more accidents, no more deaths. But above all, it will be the reign of Love: no more hatred, no more aggression, no more violence, no more war. And yet, many people reject such a program! These ignorant or unconscious people refuse to submit to the God of love, truth and peace. They sacrifice their future for a few moments of ephemeral pleasure. They think they can move faster and go further by putting the cart before the horse! However, there is no shortage of warnings in the Bible... But they take no account of it. Their end will be terrible.
Not only will Jerusalem be destroyed, but the entire planet earth will cease to exist! Jesus said: (Luke 13:34) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” God calls all people to enter His church through baptism and requires biblical instruction to receive the gift of faith in God and the grace of true repentance. But not all will be saved because not all WANT to be saved! It is an incomprehensible mystery other than by a cunning of Satan who wants the destruction of all men created by God. And God will take them at their word: to His chosen people, God says (Judges 10:13-14): “Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.” In our secular Republic, God reproaches us for having no other God than ourselves; It is the humanist faith that would see man have "neither God nor master" and dreams of a self-sufficient life, which they call “Liberty”; but that liberty is nothing more than selfishness. Paul already knew this and denounced it (Philippians 3:18-19): “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.).” And when Paul talks about the belly, he is also referring to the lower abdomen... Today, all excesses are permitted and encouraged, in the name of a misunderstood freedom that amounts to a lascivious slavery of the physical senses.
The Epistle to the Romans invites us to hope for a better world, based on faith in the promises of God contained in the Bible, the Word of God, revealed, inspired, without error, the only source of faith and good morals, which is the way of holiness. All the promises it contains for the past have been fulfilled, especially those concerning a Messiah and Savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled all that was given to Him by the Father, and was announced by the Prophets, many centuries in advance: (Romans 15:2-4) “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” But what is this hope?
The hope that Paul describes in his epistle is not an electoral promise: he does not seek the suffrages of men, but those of the God of Truth. He speaks to us of the heart, and of feeling, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6). It is not a question of indulging in ourselves or of living in pleasures, but of pleasing God, our Creator. Now, this God is also a Father who loves us and wants our eternal happiness in His presence. Like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, He wants to gather us around Him in heaven, not to twiddle our thumbs, but to praise and celebrate the Lord – OUR Lord.
Paul concludes this passage by inviting us to a hope that is beyond our understanding, our strength and our imagination, and that only God can breathe into us through His Spirit: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in BELIEVING, that ye may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13). This gift of hope comes to us by faith, "by believing" as it is written. Is that clear enough? Do we trust God and His eternal Word enough to give us the virtue of hope that Paul is talking about here? It is not a question of deserving the gift - otherwise it would no longer be a gift but a commodity: remember that Jesus drove the merchants out of the Temple because their activity led one to think that one could buy the grace of God. It is simply a matter of having such a trust in God, such a faith, that the Father can also trust us and sends us this gift of hope, as it is written: (Romans 1:17c) “… The just shall live by faith.” He wants to make sure that this gift of hope will not be overused nor an object of boasting on the part of those who have received it: My dear brothers, let us remain in the humility and simplicity of the children of God, who receive everything they need from their Father who loves them and give thanks to Him. (Luke 11:13): “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” To hope is to wait for the Father's intervention, to rely on His comforting grace.
And what exactly are we hoping for? The end of the world in a Dantesque cataclysm? There are many who rush to the cinema to SEE what awaits them and enjoy the show, limply installed in a comfortable armchair as if they were watching the drama play out before their eyes from the outside, well sheltered on a little cloud, because they hope for nothing beyond that event. They feel safe, locked in their cabin at the back of the Titanic, which they believe to be unsinkable, since they have been told so. As for me, I much prefer to believe without seeing: (John 20:29c) “… blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Or do we hope for eternal life in Heaven, after these terrible events? Our Lord warns us: (Luke 21:34-36) “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Note the wording: “that ye may be accounted worthy”; It is not a question of making ourselves worthy by ourselves, by our efforts or our merits, but by the grace of God, through faith - which is also a grace in itself. It is God who makes us worthy - not us! In this way we will avoid this terminal episode; we will be counted worthy to be spared by the Almighty.
So let us not be worried, but let us take advantage of this Advent season to become again LIKE little children who trust their Father and expect from Him all that is necessary for them. Let us believe and wait. But far be it from me to recommend to you a passive, lazy, inactive hope! Romans 15 invites us instead to action: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification ... That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:1-2,6-7).
You will have
understood it before I tell you: we hope neither for the end of the world nor
until the end of the world; but beyond this end, we await the eternal Kingdom
of the Father. Paul urges us to practice now and among ourselves a life of
faith and charity, with the hope of eternal glory in the heavenly Kingdom where
we will all be gathered together with this same Father, in Christ, and by the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop of France.
Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi - 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, espouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.
Second Sunday in Advent
So it follows that based on the aforementioned points, it ought to be clearly understood that our duty as ambassadors for Christ will be difficult. And why? For since we are vessels of the Holy Spirit, we will be attacked by those who are vessels of the evil one. Count on it. St. Paul once warned the Ephesian church (6:12) concerning the spirits which are behind the unregenerate when he wrote, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
In our epistle lesson from Romans (15:4), the apostle Paul noted that ...whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. We have not been called to a blind faith, neither are we to rely on some nebulous response from a mystic, augur or oracle. God gave us his word written so that we might know the truth in the plain language of the Holy Bible, and be transformed by the workings of the Holy Ghost. As regenerated souls in Christ, we believe that our Lord came into the world to save sinners. We also understand that our salvation comes with a duty to work in his harvest. As recipients of God’s peace, we are to proclaim that peace to others. That is the gospel message — Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will towards men. (St. Luke 2:14). And further, we are to possess a quiet confidence in God’s word written which tells us of the great victory that he has won for us over the world, the flesh and the devil, and one which we ought to share with others outside of the faith. And because we trust in what our Lord has achieved our behalf, we do indeed have that peace which passeth all understanding. It is not something we can quantify in human terms because it is supernatural in nature. It is not something that you can grasp with your hand, or even with your mind apart from simple acceptance that God is. And because he is, we have the blessed assurance that he will do for his own as he has promised within the pages of the Holy Scriptures. As the Bible teaches us, a saving …faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).
God’s word will sustain and comfort us in all things. Consider the following passages where our Lord said: 15If you love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. 17Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (St. John 14:15-17).
8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment; ....13he will guide you into all truth... he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (St. John 16:8, 13-14).
Consider also the words of the apostles as found in the epistles: 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ...26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,because it maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:16, 26-27).
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ... 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy...20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (II St. Peter 1:16, 19-21).
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II St. Timothy 3:16-17).
Our duty then is to teach with patience, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God, peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ...26that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (II St. Timothy 2: 25-26); and to, …1run with patience the race, that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The Holy Bible states in plain language God’s assurance of salvation to all who would believe on him through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The validity of God’s word to us provides both comfort and confidence. We have comfort because we know that his love is ever with us via the workings of the
Holy Ghost. And we have confidence that Christ has prepared a place for us in his coming kingdom. With that in mind, let us go forward this day and every day proclaiming the good news of the Godhead to those around us.
Let us pray:
Holy Father, who through thy divine Spirit didst give thy word unto the prophets and apostles; instill within thy people a desire to read and inwardly digest the same; for this we ask in the name of thine only begotten Son, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Bryan+
Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Sermon on the Gospel Lesson for the Second Sunday in Advent
Psalms: 25 Old Testament lesson: Isa. 52:1-10
New Testament lesson: Luke 1:26-56
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
Birth of Jesus Foretold
This is the time of the year that we look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ. It was in the period of the early church that began the idea of setting aside four Sundays just before Christmas, or as it was called the Nativity, to help us prepare for this momentous event.
This four Sunday study period, with Old and New Testament readings, hymns, carols, and sermons focusing on this period would take on the name of Advent. Advent is a term from the Latin which means “that which is to come”.
1. Now what is interesting about this period, the first two Sundays focus on the prophetic nature and period that would herald the coming Savior. Many Old Testament passages would be read and studied to show how the birth of Jesus Christ was foretold many centuries before his birth. We can find references to the birth of Christ in Isaiah, Joel, Malachi, and several other minor prophets in the Old Testament. So when Dr. Luke, a Greek medical doctor, writes the account of the birth of Christ, he is being inspired by the Holy Spirit to record what had already been foretold so many centuries earlier.
2. The third and fourth Sundays in Advent focus on both our personal preparation for His coming and on his return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So during this period of reflection, interestingly at the end of our calendar year, we reflect on the past, present, and the future. Remember the disciples asked Christ, “when will you establish your kingdom?” Jesus replied, “my kingdom was, is now, and is to come.” If you look at that passage, he is telling us that his kingdom has always been. The physical kingdom, established on the new earth, newly created in perfection, is to come. Not to get into any controversy, but we must understand that even Jesus, before his death, burial, and resurrection, stated as to the fact of the second coming: “no man knows but the Father”
We should not spend endless hours trying to figure out the mind and time schedule of God, by setting hours, dates, eras, dispensations for the coming of Christ. It should suffice us to say, He is coming again. Only the Father knows the time and era.
Now focusing on the first Advent, we know that in time and history, Jesus Christ was born. That is a fact. Contrary to what secular historians try to warp, or explain away there was a man named Jesus, who was reported by secular sources, to have lived and stirred up the people in the area we now know as Israel. Some miracles were reported, and other events of his life, so definitely was his existence noted. This should not be an issue, the Bible has proven many a secular historian, anthropologist, and archeologist wrong, as more and more evidence is found by modern archeologist.
Now let us go to the Biblical record and read about Jesus first coming:
26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Notice how Mary responds to all this information Gabriel gives to her. She did not completely understand the process, but she took the heavenly messenger’s announcement to heart. She understood that as a child of God she needed to be obedient to his Word.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Now that Mary has the Word and she is now with child, she goes to visit her older cousin Elizabeth. This visit not only certifies what is happening to Mary, but it also confirms the prophetic happenings concerning the miraculous birth of John. His mother, Elizabeth had never had any children, she was much older when the angel told her husband that they would have a son, to be named John. He would be the herald who was foretold in the book of Isaiah. “A voice in the wilderness, calling for repentance, making the way for the coming One who will take away the sins of the world”.
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Here is the confirmation, by Elizabeth, that all that has been taking place was of the Lord. It was foretold many hundreds of years earlier, is now coming to fruition. This is within a six-month period of time, notice that all of this begins to happen very rapidly, once the message is revealed. Now Jesus will grow up as a human would until the time was right for his ministry {according to Jewish tradition a man became an elder around the age of 30}, this was the approximate age of Jesus when he was baptized and began his ministry. This ministry will only cover about three and one-half years and encompass only some 80 miles around his home town. But that ministry will have eternal consequences for all mankind.
The salvation promised by God the Father at the Garden is revealed. God reveals to Adam and Eve that through them will come a Redeemer in human form who will crush the rebellion that Lucifer had started.
Because of this promised One, we can put off our sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our souls. And we can be forever alive in Him, all because the little baby born to a virgin that chilly night so many years ago. Now Elizabeth gives Mary a final thought to ponder in the form of a blessing.
45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Now let us go out this day remembering what Jesus did for us, when he first
came to earth, as a tiny little child, Immanuel; God with us, he would grow up
and live amongst his own, to one day suffer, die, be buried and finally rise
again in newness of life three days later, in the glorious resurrection.
That resurrection which guarantees our resurrection to eternal life. Let
us focus on the real reason for this season, Jesus Christ the King, the Son of
God, the Savior of mankind.
Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
Rev Stephen Cooper
Church of the Redeemer
Fairbanks, Alaska
From time to time we are fortunate to receive a sermon from Rev. Cooper in Fairbanks Alaska. The head of our northernmost church, Stephen is a brilliant and inspiring speaker. I wish we had video of him rather than just audio; but I am confident you will enjoy this. This sermon is for last week. Please take the time to listen to it.
Rev. Cooper, Fairbanks, AK
Rev. Coopers Sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent
Click link: https://youtu.be/KL4n_Abuzvc
Rev. David
McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian on:
The Second Sunday in Advent
Luke 1:26-56; Isaiah 55
Mary and the Angels Luke 1:26-38
What a Gospel for today! It is full of great news and Divine Announcements and the appearance of the Angel Gabriel. To all who are struggling with the life here in so many ways we are all surrounded by such love and mystery that it is overwhelming wonderful! It saddens me at some level, but gives me hope that people who normally do not have any spiritual interest at most times of the year, come to this account in Luke with angels and have interest and wonder.
First, What is this “Gabriel"? A man in Daniel who comes to Daniel touching him, perhaps flying to assure him that God would give him understanding. Daniel 9:21 The Angel Gabriel, lit. Geber el = man of God. He is called an angel in Luke 1. This is angelos in Greek....a messenger, or One who brings tidings. vs 19
(Why do people have interest in this but not in other things that are in the record of the Scriptures? It seems if you accept this truth, you may have to take a look at some of the other things that are in the Scriptures as well. Or the story is so out of this world that it gives people hope that life here is not the end....And they are on to something, as we who are believers accept the Scriptures have sometimes small doubts and questions as well....)
Secondly, Gabriel, the Angel is sent by God with a message to Mary, who is related to Elizabeth, her cousin , mother of John the Baptist to tell her she is “highly favored” for she has found favour with God, and vs. 31, “will conceive in her womb”, and become the mother of Jesus, even though a virgin. The father is God, not Joseph.....vs. 35 “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Thirdly, In other words with a Divine birth without a human father the eternal Son of God, Jesus is born as a real human. Without His divine nature, we could not be saved, and enter heaven. The virgin birth is so important. It is a cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith, and in the Apostles' and Nicene Creed which we say. His Divinity comes from God who is His Father, yet He (Jesus) has always been and is eternally divine as well.
“Fear not” 1:30 That is the word to Mary and the word to us. Whatever we are afraid of the word of have no fear is to be ours today as well. Mary's faith is our faith as well, born in us, by faith we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour as well. He gives us eternal life and we are not to be afraid any longer. For nothing shall be impossible with God.
This Holy Gospel today is our great comfort as Christians who believe the record of the Annunciation of the conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Ghost.
“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” vs. 38
We too need the attitude of Mary in our lives as well. We too are bondslaves of the Lord.
C. S. Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Rev. David McMillan
AOC Worldwide Prayer List –
I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu, Mauri Turner, Mike, Jim, Dotty, Jan Jessup, Steve, Josh Morley, Jennifer,
AOC USA, AOC Missions, Zach, Jess, Luke, Jacquie, Harper, Bishop Zephaniah,
Jim Sevier, Linda, Donald Roesch, Colin, Lowery, Robert
Prayer Needed:
Eddie Bowman – car accident – collapsed lung, broken hip, back injuries - hospitalization
Tate Maag – infant with recently implanted feeding tube
Alicia – Struggling caring for parents at home
Bishop Zephaniah – Kidney
stones
Donna – beginning her chemo for Brain Cancer – recovered from surgery
Extended Issues need continued prayer;
Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Katie Pope – Just beginning treatment for Stage 4 Pulmonary Carcinoma “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
THANKSGIVING
Anne Lee – Praise God – Cancer free following recent surgery
James Cavanah – recovering from Stroke and hospitalization
Hurricane Helen Recovery
Please keep praying for all the people and towns affected by Hurricane Helene
All Those in Recovery from Hurricane MILTON
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