250119 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday Report
The Second Sunday after Epiphany – January 19, 2025
Second Sunday after Epiphany 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 111-112, with the Collect first:
The Collect for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
The Epistle for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. Romans xii. 1.
HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. St. Mark i. 1.
THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
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:
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my
way perfect.
Psalm 18:32
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and
honour, and life.
Proverbs 22:4
For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every
one that is proud and lofty, and every one that is lifted up; and he shall be
brought low.
Isaiah 2:12
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God
of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18
Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and harlots
go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of
righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots
believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye
might believe him.
St. Matthew 21:31-32
We partake with other men in their sins, not only when
we live in the same sinful manner that they do and consent and comply with
their temptations and solicitations to sin, but when we encourage them in their
sin, prompt them to sin, and do not prevent and hinder them, as far is it may
be our our power to do so. A state of sin is a state of darkness.
Rev. Matthew Henry
The conduct of the wise men is a splendid example of
spiritual diligence. What trouble it must have cost them to travel from their
homes to the place where Jesus was born! How many weary miles they must have
journeyed! The fatigues of an Eastern traveler are far greater than we in
England can at all understand. The time that such a journey would occupy must
necessarily have been very great. The dangers to be encountered were neither
few nor small. But none of these things moved them. They had set their hearts
on seeing Him ‘who was born King of the Jews’ and they never rested until they
saw Him. They prove to us the truth of the old saying, ‘Where there is a will
there is a way.’
It would be well for all professing Christians if
they were more ready to follow the wise men’s example. Where is our
self-denial? What pains do we take about our souls? What diligence do we show
about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are serious
questions. They deserve serious consideration.
J. C. Ryle
(1816 – 1900)
The supreme authority of the Bible... is one of the
cornerstones of our system. Show us anything plainly written in that book, and
however trying to flesh and blood, we will receive it, believe it , and submit
to it. Show us anything, as religion, which is contrary to that book, and
however specious, plausible, beautiful, and apparently desirable, we will not
have it at any price... Give us rather a few plain texts. If the thing is not
in the Bible, deducible from the Bible, or in manifest harmony with the Bible,
we will have none of it... Here is rock: all else is sand.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle (Knots Untied,
p. 4).
If the Magi had come in search of an earthly King,
they would have been disconcerted at finding that they had taken the trouble to
come such a long way for nothing. Consequently they would have neither adored
nor offered gifts. But since they sought a heavenly King, though they found in
Him no signs of royal pre-eminence, yet, content with the testimony of the star
alone, they adored: for they saw a man, and they acknowledged a God.
St. John Chrysostom
When a man begins to apply his
heart unto
wisdom, he learneth more in a month after than he did in a year before, nay,
more than ever he did in his life. Even as you see the wicked, because they
apply their hearts to
wickedness, how fast they proceed, how easily and how quickly they become
perfect swearers, expert drunkards, cunning deceivers, so if ye could apply
your hearts as thoroughly to knowledge and goodness, you might become like He
which teacheth you.
Henry Smith (1560-1591?)
“As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare; so may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin's alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ! to thee, our heavenly King.” Have you ever considered sin an alloy? It could easily be so considered. It is inextricably mixed in the nature of humankind. Jesus spoke well when He said that we should be the “...salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). God made salt and He knows, better than any other, the nature of salt. Salt, NaCL, is a compound of Sodium (a soft yellow medal) and chlorine (an invisible, odorless gas). Both are poison when taken separately. Sodium is never found in nature in its pure state. It will always be joined to some other element such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. In order to form table salt, it must be separated from those elements and joined to chlorine. Chlorine is a deadly gas used in WWI as a chemical warfare weapon. But when joined to the soft medal, sodium, it forms an essential for life. If we look upon Chlorine gas as being as deadly as the rejection of God is to the sinner; and sodium as the sinner always joined to worldly elements without God, then the words of Jesus make more sense. If not joined to God, the sinner will always be joined to other elements of the world. We bring our best treasure to God - our hearts. We may enjoy that holy state and joy if we are joined to Christ.
Bishop Jerry Ogles – As with Gladness Men of Old, 3rd Stanza – Traditional Christmas Hymns Revisited, page 80.
Jerry
Ogles
Presiding Bishop-Metropolitan
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
The Names of Jesus Series: Jesus our High Priest
Click to listen and watch: https://youtu.be/gzAuu73_enk
Enjoy this presentation from the 39 Articles of Prayer Series: Article 29
Click link: https://youtu.be/SPRdBfxNOgg
Sermon for
the Second Sunday after Epiphany – Bishop Jerry Ogles
THE BEGINNING
The Collect
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle: Romans xii. 6.
HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
The Beauty of Sympathy is bound by duty but expressed in love and is a leading point of the Epistle. Sympathy is a function of compassion, and compassion is love actively expressed toward others. The gifts to which Paul makes reference is that which is not natural or contrived, but one which is reflected in the new creature which we all become in Christ at the moment of salvation. It springs not from the natural man in the boundaries of its expression, but from the spiritual man which has been changed by a deep love of Christ and for His creatures.
The brotherly love cited in the Epistle is not like that of the socialist kind because socialism hurds all men together and bars out charity and love. But brotherly love recognizes the individuality of each of us and the various gifts that we have. The committed minister will focus on the broad application of Gospel truth from Genesis to Revelations, and not only on his own pet texts with which he is so familiar. When I came to preach from the lectionary texts, I did not feel very comfortable at first since I could not preach from my favorite passages week after week. But being bound by the lectionary text, I found that I was growing in a far broader knowledge of the Bible. I was amazed at how intricately the sixty-six books of the Bible recounted the same truths in ever growing beauty. If we are going to teach, let us bear emphasis on teaching the whole truth and not the half-truths on passages taken out of context.
In past years, courtesy was developed in the character of elementary school children. A person did not need be a lady to have another hold the door open to them – it could have been another man or even a child. That courtesy and concern for others is the brotherly love to which Paul alludes.
And we are taught to treat all men as equals – a singular principle of a government Republic. The blind-folded image of justice holding scales demonstrate that real justice cannot be a respecter of persons (just as God is not) but applies justice equally to every man, except in the case of granted grace and mercy, brought before the bench.
The Gospel: St. Mark i. 1.
THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The consistent revelation of truth is a matter of great comfort and awe to me. Such a book written over thousands of years might be forgiven for presenting at least a few inconsistencies, but such forgiveness is unwarranted for the Holy Bible. Its truth opens as an unfolding rose-bud to the diligent student of Scripture. Even the rose bud is a rose, but in its full blossom it is a source of great beauty. That is exactly the way I view Holy Writ.
Please consider how the opening verse in Mark describes a new beginning – that of the Gospel. “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The ancient Hebrews sat in darkness without that full revelation which the Gospel has opened to us. The truth was shrouded in some mystery due to the incapacity of the people to conceive of such a wonderful Savior as was promised to Abraham. That new beginning is very much comparable, in some particulars, to that beginning described in Genesis 1:1 except that beginning was of the physical universe, the earth, the stars and other celestial bodies arrayed in order of their predetermined orbits. But Mark introduces us to a new creation of the Spirit and not of matter and time.
The Gospel is a restoration to that beauty that existed back eastward in the Garden at Eden before the Fall of Man. It is a new beginning of a new Creation, and that is the Creation of the Kingdom of Heaven and of the elect in Christ. Mark emphasizes the spiritual nature of that new beginning. The Gospel of St. Matthew dwelt in the historical aspects of the Jewish nation and the comforting influences of the Gospel with respect to those historical developments; however, the Gospel of St. Mark is forward looking to the great benefit of salvation to the broader spectrum of humanity. He emphasizes the new beginning in stark terms to which Matthew alludes in more prophetic terms.
So, we find two different ‘new beginnings’ in Genesis and Mark. I find that very revealing, but there is a third reference to new beginnings yet to be discussed.
The Gospel of St. John opens with this beautiful reference to “In the Beginning.” But John adds another dimension that adds beauty and meaning to our understanding of both the Old Beginning in Genesis and the New Beginning to which Mark refers.
“1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5) Notice how John combines the two beginnings together. John, the Apostle of Love, draws a similarity between the physical Creation and that spiritual Creation made available in Christ. John is describing how that New Beginning in Christ is revealed in far greater Light than that described during the dark periods of the prophets. Not only that, but the silence that prevailed between the last book of the Old Testament and that of the New Testament – a period of 400 years – during which there was silence from Heaven that constituted a smothering darkness to the people. Not a single word of prophecy, not a guiding Light to reassure of the fulfillment of that promise made to Abraham and repeated oft in the Law and the Prophets.
In Genesis 1, God spoke light into being, but it was a light of the physical universe; but John reveals that ‘Light of Life’ that Christ represents. “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John reveals Christ as both the Creator of the Physical Universe and that of the New Creation as the Light of Men and Light of the World.
We all have sat in darkness and were helpless to find our way as we groped therein; however, with the coming of Christ, that Light that has shown in our dark place reveals to us the One who calls us by name to eternal life in Him. Listen to that small still voice and seek that Light from on high through your diligent study of the Bible to prove yourselves approved of God.
In the Name of the Father, and of the son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
In Christ Alone during Epiphany,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop.
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
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 after Epiphany
CHRISTIAN HUMILITY
Mark 1:6: “And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;”
Romans 12:15-16: “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
John the Baptist and Jesus have in common a disarming simplicity. They do not allow themselves to be taken in by the temptations of pride. They are not me-you-seen. However, they do not seek misery, but the freedom of those who owe nothing to anyone. They depend and rely on God alone. Neither of the family, nor of the State; but of God. They don't care what others may think, or what people might say. They are accountable only to God. And God approves of them (Mark 1:11): “And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” So much for Jesus Christ. And for John the Baptist, God's testimony is just as clear (Luke 7:26-28): “But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” John the Baptist is no great man, either in size or in the luxury of his clothes. But by his obedience to God, John is a giant. And this is the very definition of holiness.
We must put an end to the odd fashion of miserabilism and meritorious suffering. Certainly, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25), but what Christ is aiming at here is not wealth as such, but materialism that distances us from God, and ostentatious luxury that despairs the poor. This can be summed up by the well-known expression "no external sign of wealth", or by the popular saying: "no useless expenses". This is what Paul tells us in Romans 12:9-11: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” And the same Paul himself practices what he teaches (Philippians 4:11-12): “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Paul does not value neediness; he does not despise abundance as such, but in the next verse he declares that he accepts all that comes from God (v. 13): “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” It is not a question of supernatural power capable of performing miracles, but of the ability to endure everything, both scarcity and abundance, even if abundance is more pleasant than scarcity. As for desiring abundance and the comfort it provides, it is a damnable vice, I quote Proverbs 1:19: “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” If we are to believe the Word of God, there are many who are already lost in their greed.
Romans 12:9-10: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Charity, the love that sacrifices for one's Christian brethren, is the witness of detachment from material goods, and of attachment to the eternal goods that await us in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 6:31-34): “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Paul invites us to rely first on God, in prayer, and not to leave our Christian brothers and sisters in destitution, if we can. And the same Paul invites us to attend first to our own affairs, or to our ministry (Romans 12:6-8): “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
You may be wondering: What is this analogy of faith that Paul is referring to? It is a question of conformity to Holy Scriptures. If all Christians read the Bible—in honest versions like the Authorized KJV — they would not be so easily told by unscrupulous, uneducated, money-hungry preachers; similarly, the Protestant churches and denominations would not be so many, if their members did as the Jews of Berea did in Acts 17:11: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Instead, we can see today that there are as many different churches as there are errors on the modern Bible versions – not all by coincidence. Each church stands for a particular point, if not peculiar, as if to stand out from the others, without taking into account the biblical context. And there are few churches where the Word of God is preached for its own sake, and not in order to justify a theological prejudice. So much so that Reformed Protestantism is floundering, because it has nothing more to contribute to the world than what the world teaches, on the one hand; and that, on the other hand, evangelical Protestantism believes itself to be divinely inspired and authorizes itself to modify the Word of God by interpreting it in a personal and individualistic way. Paul had warned us (2 Corinthians 11:3-4): “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
And what does Paul call “the simplicity that is in Christ”? It is the simplicity of little children who listen to the Word as it comes and for what it is: the Word of God. Any interpretation that seeks to twist the meaning of it is pure blasphemy, a betrayal of God's will for us. This is not new, since Satan tempted Eve by giving her a peculiar – or liar - interpretation of God's Word in Genesis 3:1-5: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” See how Satan interprets the Word of God by making Him say the opposite of what the Bible says... Satan is based on human logic and the promise of a bright tomorrow; but the Apostle Paul is of a very different opinion (1 Corinthians 1:17-19): “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.'”
Satan tempts men and women by stirring up their pride. He does everything to make them prefer doing without the Cross of Christ. Satan wants men to cross out the Cross! It is replaced by meritorious works, pagan or Muslim worship, or worse: some greedy pastors talk more about money than about the Cross of Christ, as if one could buy the free gift of salvation, which would nullify faith in Jesus Christ and His work on Golgotha. In Hebrew, Golgotha means "the place of the skull". And the purpose of Christ's life, as of all biblical preaching, is indeed to plant the Cross of Christ into the skulls of the hearers, in their minds, in their souls, so that it may remain there for an eternity of life. Not to ask for subsidies. Paul is clear on this point (Philippians 1:15): “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will”, that is to say voluntarily, for God’s glory alone.
Where did you read in the Bible that Jesus ever asked for money? Nowhere, my friends, absolutely nowhere. For our Lord and Savior, money is just good enough to pay the tax due to Caesar (Matthew 22:20-21): “And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Christ never touches money, even to pay his taxes (Matthew 17:27): “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” He lets Judas get his hands dirty with it. His hands, but also his heart. And so, with money, Judas allowed himself to be corrupted and he eventually SOLD his Master, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul just half-heartedly accepts spontaneous donations to support his traveling ministry, not to enrich himself as some American televangelists do (Philippians 4:16-17): “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” But Paul preferred to bring these gifts to the poor saints of Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-26): “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”
The Apostles preached not only on Sundays, but every day. (Acts 2:47b): “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Romans 10:17): “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If each day, Jews of Jerusalem were converted to faith in Jesus Christ, it was because the Apostles preached the Gospel every day. In Geneva, John Calvin delivered two or three sermons a day... We are far from that performance, and should not complain that the sermon is too long! Alongside these great preachers, our professional pastors are amateurs!
My friends, let's stay humble. Let us not wish to appear VIPs, nor to do the important thing. Let us not seek public honors. Let us be content with what God gives us, and let us not forget our brothers and sisters in need. This is the essence of the Christian life. The Epistle of James is harsh against the poor rich who lack generosity (James 5:2): “Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.” Ill-gotten gains or selfishly withheld to make a glory of it, never profit. Be wise. 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 after Epiphany
Consider also the variety of spiritual gifts which the Holy Ghost imparts to believers as noted in I Corinthians 12. We have, the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge, (v.8); faith, and the gifts of healing; (v.9); the working of miracles, prophecy,…discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (v.10). It is not uncommon for some Christians to have more than one of these gifts. Likewise, it is not uncommon for some to receive only one. However, whether a Christian has been given one or all nine, the purpose of these gifts is in the furtherance of the gospel of truth in this sin darkened world. The Rev. Matthew Henry carefully examined each one, so let us look at them in the light of his study.
1) The word of wisdom refers to “a knowledge of the mysteries of the gospel and [the] ability to explain them, an exact understanding of the design, nature, and doctrines of the Christian faith.” St. Stephen was given to proclaim the truth of Christ Jesus to the temple authorities who were cut to the heart (Acts 7:54) on account of the words which the Holy Ghost gave to him. It does not take a seminary-trained leader to receive such from God. The Holy Spirit puts a zeal for the study of God’s word into select believers for the express purpose of teaching others.
2) The word of knowledge has to do with the “knowledge of mysteries wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old Testament. Others say [it is] a readiness to give advice and counsel in perplexed cases.” While this gift is similar to the previous one, there is a difference in application. This one seems to focus on the gathering or receiving of knowledge as well as its delivery to others. In order to be wise in the faith, one must possess a knowledge of it.
3) The third is faith which refers to “the faith of miracles, or... in divine power and promise by which they were enabled to trust God in any emergency, go on in the way of their duty, and acknowledge and profess the truths of Christ [regardless of] the difficulty or danger.” This is the one gift which all born-again Christians must have because without faith we cannot come to that saving understanding of Christ. We must believe that God can work miracles, that he can exercise his divine sovereignty in matters related to this world because he is the Creator and Maker of all things both visible and invisible. St. Paul noted in Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To quote Matthew Henry another time with regard to this passage: “Faith demonstrates to the eye of the mind the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the body.” To be a Christian— a true and faithful Christian— you must have the gift of faith.
4) The fourth, the gifts of healing have to do with “the healing of the sick, either by laying on of hands, anointing with oil, or with a word.” St. James noted in his epistle that 14Is there any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15) How often this gift has been misused and in turn been made a mock of by “worldlings” who see the hocus-pocus show of charlatans, who pass themselves off as servants of the Most High. They promise healing to broad gatherings and then because no one is healed the unbelieving critics heap ridicule on all believers. Yes, healing is possible. We know that because we have faith in God’s word written wherein it says healings can be had. But all has to conform to God’s plan and purpose. There were many righteous people in the Bible who were never healed of their ailments. But this does not disqualify the gift of healing, rendering it fraudulent. We ought to follow the directions as found in St. James’ epistle, then leave the rest to God in the firm belief that God can heal if he so wills to do.
5) The fifth, the working of miracles refers to “the efficacies of powers, such as raising the dead, restoring the blind to sight, giving speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, and use of limbs to the lame.” We know that at any time, God can do these sorts of things for it is part and parcel of his sovereign authority in all areas of life and death. If he should so empower one or more members of the church to carry out such works, then those thus empowered ought to exercise that gift with much reverence and humility: not for gain or for fulfilling the desires of flesh, but for the glory of God.
6) The sixth is prophecy and is described as “the ability to foretell future events... or to explain scripture...” Prophesying remains a controversial subject. Still, nothing in any prophecy offered by one supposedly under the influence of the Holy Ghost will be at variance with Scripture. This will require discernment on the part of the one uttering the prophecy, as well as on the part of the listener. God calls his own in different ways and we must not discount any prophetic communication without first being Bereans in our studies of the word. But study we must, for if we will not, we may end up being taken in by one the Devil’s minions.
7) The seventh is the discerning of spirits which refers to “the power to distinguish between true and false prophets, or to discern the real and internal qualifications of any person for an office, or to discover the inward workings of the mind by the Holy Ghost...” St. Peter was given this in his dealing with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) and with Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:5-25).
8-9) The eighth and ninth, which are divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues must be exercised together. While the gospel does contain elements that are enigmatic; nevertheless, its presentation is to be plainly spoken and in a language that all can understand. If the use of tongues is carried out otherwise, the words of God will be rendered of no effect. Ergo, those who do not speak the language being uttered must have an interpreter present to translate. While certain charismatics will use Acts 2:1-11 as the proof text for their practice of speaking in tongues, such is clearly not in line with what took place at Pentecost as there were people from different countries present in Jerusalem to worship, and they each heard the wonderful words of God in their native languages.
Therefore, speaking in an unknown tongue has been and remains largely for the benefit of the unregenerate whom God is calling to himself. That is why St. Paul in I Corinthians 14:1-40 set the specific requirements for speaking in tongues. Matthew Henry once noted that, “The Christian religion is a sober and reasonable thing in itself... and should not be made to look wild or senseless. Those [who do so] disgrace their religion and vilify their own character who do anything that has this aspect... Religious exercises in Christian assemblies should be such as are fit to edify the faithful, and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers. The ministry was not instituted to make ostentation of gifts and parts, but to save souls.” If we are not about that last point, then all else is show and spectacle.
We must remember that these gifts were designed to render glory to God. Therefore a proper exercise of these gifts will be to our eternal good. Likewise, we should be cautious in our assumptions of these gifts, especially if we are doing so without godly permission. God will not bless our presumed efforts, and we will find that our exercise of them will be for naught on that day when we will have to give an account to our Lord Jesus Christ regarding their use (St. Matthew 25:14- 30). St. Paul’s admonition to the Galatians (6:7) still stands: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap... Let us therefore live in obedience to his word written in all things.
Let us pray,
Father, impart to us a proper knowledge of those spiritual gifts which thou hast given unto us, and then assist us as we utilize them in thy service; for this we ask in the name of him who is giver of every good and perfect gift, 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 for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
Psalm 62, 127; First lesson: Isaiah 54:11-17; Second lesson:John 1:35-51
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“....and so it began...”
When Jesus called the twelve disciples it was very direct and matter of fact. The whole process only took a couple of days as recorded by John in the first chapter of his gospel. Each individual who was called came into the orbit of Christ directly from the street, lake, or place of work where Jesus found them. Very ordinary and yet very extraordinary. The whole process began at the time of Jesus baptism at the Jordan River. John the baptizer announced to anyone listening, that the one he had just baptized was the Lamb of God.
35Again the next day after John {the baptizer} stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:35-36)
He was the chosen sacrifice that had been depicted in the daily temple sacrifices for so many generations since Moses. This was the Jesus who some thirty years earlier had been born of a virgin and in the ensuing years had fulfilled several prophecy about his early life. This included a sojourn in Egypt, a resettling in Nazareth after coming back from Egypt (to escape Herod’s murderous wrath), a brief accounting of his time at the temple when he was twelve years old; and then a period of silence as he grew into eldership. This according to Hebrew tradition after reaching the age of 30 Jesus would be considered an elder of the village. This would be some one who might offer words of wisdom or at least garner some respect according to the society of the time.
Now at this time is when we begin to read about Jesus again. He now is ready to begin His divinely set mission. “To confirm his testimony concerning Christ, John declares the appearance at his baptism, in which God himself bore witness to him. He saw and bare record that he is the Son of God. This is the end and object of John's testimony, that Jesus was the promised Messiah. John took every opportunity that offered to lead people to Christ.”*
37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:37) “John came as a preacher of repentance, yet he told his followers that they were to look for the pardon of their sins to Jesus only, and to his death.”*
38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (John 1:38-39)
The first disciples wanted to know more about this one whom John the baptizer said was the Lamb of God, so they followed him to where he was staying at that time.
Notice what happens next. One of John’s disciples, Andrew, now goes and finds his brother Simon Peter and tells him that they have found the Messiah. Peter follows his brother Andrew to meet Jesus.
40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:40-42)
There are so many interesting directions you can go with this reference to a stone. It is used in the context of architecture and in the same sense the foundational element of a faithful people. The reference can be found when Abram is called out by God to start a family who’s decedents will bless the earth. This of course is the covenant that God made with Abram who will later be called Abraham (father of many) and will be the patriarch in the lineage of Christ Jesus. So in both cases, the foundational rock, whether Abraham or Peter, is in reference to a sanctified people, the Church. Not a denomination, but a sanctified and save people, of who’s lineage will stretch into the future down through the ages to us.
43The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (John 1:43-45)
Notice the progression of how these men were called. Each one reached one, in the same way we are to reach unbelievers. It is a one-on-one process of sharing the Gospel with the unsaved, one person at a time. To paraphrase the late Billy Graham, “God doesn’t have grandchildren”. Each person is called and redeemed by the shed blood of Christ their Redeemer, not through church membership or your parents or grandparents, but a one on one encounter with Christ our Redeemer.
46And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:46)
Nathanael was judging the value of who this man was by where he was from. Nazareth was an interesting town, it was a crossroads of several trade routes that stretched east and west and also to the south. It was a fairly rough town, lots of drovers, tradesmen, travelers, and just people looking for better opportunities. So Nathanael doesn’t think too highly of someone who comes from this town. And yet the prophets said that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene, someone from the town of Nazareth. So in total fulfillment of the prophecies, this was where Jesus came from as he went to the Jordan to be baptized and begin his ministry which would last about three and a half years.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (John 1:47-49)
Jesus gently rebukes Nathanael and promises him that he will see even more miraculous things, including angels coming from heaven to certify Jesus divinity. Notice that Nathanael does know who Messiah is...as he confesses that Jesus is the Son of God and King of Israel. It is now that Jesus gently informs Nathanael that he will witness even greater things as he follows Jesus.
50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:50-51)
It is in these early stages of Christ’s ministry we see an almost child-like understanding of what is to come. The disciples do not yet full grasp the seriousness of what they are all about to embark on, a journey of life changing events and experiences that will be later recorded for those of us who come along in the centuries to follow. They will pave the way for the WAY, they will be witnesses to the world.
Let us thank God for the early church, the faith and lives of those who first followed Jesus Christ the Savior of the world. It is by their example and writings that we know how to live our lives in faith and truth.
To God be the glory.
Let us pray:
O Almighty God, look mercifully upon the world which though hast redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and incline the hearts of many to dedicate themselves to the sacred Ministry of thy Church; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgement, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
The Rev. Don
Fultz
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office
We are grateful to have this sermon of the today from Rev. Don Fultz from St. Peter’s AOC, Statesville, NC.
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Mark 1:1-11
Let us observe how the beginning of the Gospel was a fulfillment of Scripture. John the Baptist began his ministry “as it is written in the Prophets.” His mission and objective were very clear. It was told and prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 40: verse 3; “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
John was called by God for one purpose to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. His duty was to prepare the nation of Israel to receive the Messiah. He did this by preaching, by conversion, and by example of a Godly life. Before John started preaching, Israel had not seen a prophet for three hundred years.
There was nothing unforeseen and suddenly contrived in the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. In the very beginning of Genesis we find it predicted that “the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head” (Gen. 3:15). All through the Old Testament we find the same event foretold with constantly increasing clearness.
It was a promise often renewed to patriarchs, and repeated by prophets, that a Deliverer and Redeemer should one day come. His birth, His character, His life, His death, His resurrection, His forerunner, was all prophesied of long before He came. Redemption was worked out and accomplished in every step just as it is written.
Let us also observe, how great were the effects which the ministry of John the Baptist produced for a time on the Jewish nation.
We are told that “there went out to him the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.” (Mk1:5).
Also, before He started his ministry, even Jesus came to John to be baptized. (MK 1:9) What was John’s initial response to Jesus.? Let us look at Matthew 3:14 “But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and thou comest to me? “ Jesus response in Matthew 3:15 was that his baptism was needed “to fulfill all righteousness” so John consented. It was God’s counsel that people to be baptized of John (Luke 7:29-30). So, Jesus was willing to set the example by doing the Father’s will (Ps 40:7-8); John 4:34; 8:29).
Also, his baptism served to introduce Him to John and by him to Israel. Also, the Father and the Holy Spirit (in form of a Dove) audibly and visually confirmed Jesus as the Son of God.
The facts here recorded is one that is much overlooked. We are apt to lose sight of him who went before the face of our Lord, and to see nothing but the Lord Himself. And yet it is clear that John’s preaching drew the attention of the whole Jewish people, and created an excitement all over Palestine. It aroused the nation from its slumbers, and prepared it for the ministry of our Lord when He appeared.
Jesus Himself says, “He was a burning and a shining light: ye were willing to rejoice for a season on His light” (John 5:35).
How little dependence is to be placed on what is called “popularity.” If ever there was one who was a popular minister for a reason, John the Baptist was that man. Yet of all the crowds who came to his
baptism, and heard his preaching, how few, it may be feared were actually converted! Some like Andrew and other close followers were guided by John to Christ. But the vast majority, in all probability, died in their sins.
Let us remember this whenever we see a crowded church. A great congregation no doubt is a pleasing sight. But the thought should often come across our minds, “How many of these people will reach heaven at last?” It is not enough to hear and admire popular preachers. It is no proof of our conversion that we always worship in a place where there is a crowd. Let us take care that we hear the voice of Christ Himself and follow Him.
What clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist’s preaching. He exalted Christ: “There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water: but “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” (MK 1:7-8) These truths had never been so plainly proclaimed before by mortal man. More important truths than these are not to be found in the whole system of Christianity to this day.
The principal work of every faithful minister of the Gospel is to set the Lord Jesus fully before His people, and to show them His fullness and His power to save. The next great work he has to do is to set before them the work of the Holy Ghost, and the need of being born again, and inwardly baptized by His grace. These two mighty truths appear to have been frequently on the lips of John the Baptist. It would be well for the church and the world, if there were more ministers like him.
In closing, Let us ask ourselves, how much we know by practical experience of the truths which John preached? What think we of Christ? Have we felt our need of Him and fled to Him for peace? Is He king of our hearts, and all things to our souls? What think we of the Holy Ghost? Has He wrought any work in our hearts? Has He renewed, and changed them? Has he made us partakers of the divine nature? Life or death depends on our answer to these questions. “If any man has not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9). In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
The Rev. Don Fultz
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.
Sermon for the First Sunday after Epiphany
By Rev. Stephen Cooper of Fairbanks, Alaska
Click link : https://youtu.be/hV-hfl5NN6I
Rev. David
McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 62:1-5; Ps 96; 1 Cor 12:1-11; John 2:1-11;
" Jesus Manifested His Glory"
"The Jews attached great importance to the high moments of life. Thus a wedding was not just a brief ceremony, but an experience shared by the entire community. The typical wedding feast could last up to seven days. That sounds strange to our modern way of thinking, but this offered a bright interlude in an otherwise dreary existence. The ceremony would begin on Tuesday at midnight. After the wedding the father of the bride would take his daughter to every house so that everyone might congratulate her. It was a community experience. Weddings were a time of joy.
Years ago, when Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show, he interviewed an eight year old boy. The young man was asked to appear because he had rescued two friends in a coalmine outside his hometown in West Virginia. As Johnny questioned the boy, it became apparent to him and the audience that the young man was a Christian. So Johnny asked him if he attended Sunday school. When the boy said he did Johnny inquired, "What are you learning in Sunday school?" "Last week," came his reply, "our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and turned water into wine." The audience roared, but Johnny tried to keep a straight face. Then he said, "And what did you learn from that story?" The boy squirmed in his chair. It was apparent he hadn't thought about this. But then he lifted up his face and said, "If you're going to have a wedding, make sure you invite Jesus!" The little boy was on to something. Weddings are time of Joy." sermons@sermons.com
Jesus turned between 100-150 gallons (500-750 liters) of water into wine (oinos the greek word for wine used in Ephesians to not be drunk with wine) at a wedding in Cana, according to the Bible. This was an extraordinary amount for an average wedding party in the first century.
Why did he do this?
“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:11)
--Let's break it down. The ordinary turns into something extraordinary. Isn't that our prayer for our lives and for others who we love? This life is so short. It has meaning in the next.
Notice first that our Lord Jesus did attend the wedding along with His disciples. There is a place for joy in the ordinary events of life, not that a wedding is ordinary. But Jesus did not ignore the festal events that occurred in His life .
There is a tendency to ignore the common things and sometimes even celebrations in our lives as well. We should do ordinary things in a God-centered way, knowing that in all things we can glorify God. There is a saying, "Before the enlightenment: cut wood and draw water; after the enlightenment: cut wood and draw water." "This is about doing the same thing differently, not to ascend to totally new and different insights or mystical experiences." Spirituality for Daily Life;Will Derkse
Secondly, note how His mother Mary interacted with Him. He politely told her that "mine hour is not yet come." (John 2:4) But He did not ignore her either. He turned the water into wine, in so much, as it was better than the original wine at the wedding. And He said unto them, …Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. " (John 2:10)
It was a sign literally. “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory…" (John 2:11) The word miracles in the original language Greek is signs, " In the New Testament, "sémeion" is used to denote a sign or miracle that serves as a divine indication or attestation. It often refers to miraculous events that signify God's intervention or authenticate His messengers. These signs are not merely wonders but carry a deeper spiritual significance, pointing to the truth of God's message and the authority of Jesus Christ." biblehub.com
This was the glory of God. God alone can do such wonders, miracles and signs, and Jesus showed ( manifested) His glory" The word manifested is an Epiphany word. God's glory, in this case, God the Son's glory is revealed and shown forth. It is visible, just as the Star led the Wise Men to the House where the baby lay on Epiphany, "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11)
Lastly, after seeing Jesus' glory John says in 2:11b, His disciples believed in Him. The word is "The Greek verb "pisteuó" primarily means to believe or to have faith. It conveys a sense of trust and reliance upon someone or something. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the act of believing in Jesus Christ for salvation, trusting in God's promises, and having faith in the truth of the Gospel. This belief is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal trust and commitment." biblehub.com
Seeing this, I never saw before that it says, His disciples believed in Him. Not all believe. But if we are to follow Him, we have to start there. I am encouraged by this. Belief if it is real follows the action of God in one's life. It does not happen without Him. We all can attest to this in our own lives, and what we wish for our loved ones as well. They have to see it themselves. We cannot force or argue people into belief. Amen.
Rev. David Mc Millan
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, Colin, Lowery, Robert, Donna, Eddie, Tate
Prayer Needed:
Colin and daughter, Lori Beall – cancer
Alicia – Struggling caring for parents at home
Bishop Zephaniah – Kidney
stones
Praise Report and
Thanksgivings
Donald Roesch improving health
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 –treatment for Stage 4 Pulmonary Carcinoma “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
Hurricane Helen Recovery-Please keep praying for all the people and towns affected
All Those in Recovery from Hurricane MILTON
For All Those affected by the Fires in California
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