250420 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
Easter Sunday
Sunday Report
April 20, 2025
Palm Sunday 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 162-164
The Collect for Easter Sunday
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.
The Epistle for Easter Sunday. Colossians iii. 1.
IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The Gospel. St. John xx. 1.
THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
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:
Arise
Arise, arise;
And with His
burial-linen dry thine eyes:
Christ left
His grave-clothes, that we might, when grief
Draws tears,
or blood, not want an handkerchief."
--George
Herbert, from "The Dawning"
EASTER
MORNING
O glorious night, and early morn,
In which we slept and dreamt of things beyond our grasp.
The whole of earth draped in robes forlorn
Not knowing of that which was come to pass.
From out the
pristine canopy of stars
Shown One whose glory them all outshined.
It pierced the darkness of ancient prison bars,
It was the sign of our Holy Lord Divine.
The Morning
Star now gently fades to sight,
As Rising Sun the world with warmth imbues.
The people who sat in dark of Night,
Can now walk free in resplendent Light and morning dews.
The graven
Tomb of Garden sweet and quiet
Gave up its charge of One it could not hold.
The women came and wondered at the sight,
Of such a wondrous event foretold.
From ancient
days the Truth had been revealed
And in sacred page the prophets had declared,
The great Redeemer’s sacrificial death had sealed
Our faith, and hurting souls inspired.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles.
Bishop’s Easter Letter to Friends and Communicants
of the Anglican Orthodox communion Worldwide
20 April 2025
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (KJV)
Today, we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord who, on this day, became our Passover, or Easter. It is easy for us who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God to gather at this moment of celebration without fear or remorse; but what of only three days earlier? Those same apostles gathered on the shore of Galilee had abandoned the Lord at His most despairing hour and hide themselves behind the shrubs and stones of Golgotha.
This brings up another question, doesn’t it? Where were you and I on that fateful day of His crucifixion some 1,997 years ago? You may say, “I was not there” but you surely were. You may not have been physically present, but you were spiritually represented by those who suffered the Lord such pains of torture and hurt. If you are Jewish, you were represented by the Jewish rulers, the traitorous apostle - Judas, the Scribes, Pharisees, and mockers of Christ. If you are gentile, you were represented by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate and the Roman Guard who carried out the crucifixion. Yes, we were all there – both the hopelessly lost and the future elect of God.
Now it has been three days since that awful day on the eve of the Passover at which time the sacrificial lamb was being sacrificed at the Temple – exactly at three PM, the same moment that our Lord gave up the Ghost. Peter and others were gone fishing on the Sea of Galilee on this third day according to the counsel of the Angel of the Lord: But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark 16:7
The Lord’s inquiry of Peter on the shores of Galilee are noteworthy. First, He asked three times if Peter loved Him. The third time was a serious reminder of Peter’s aggrieved denunciation of Christ three times outside the court of the High Priest. Secondly, our Lord had at first meeting, called Peter to follow Him and Peter would become a “fisher of men.” Now, he tells Peter to feed His lambs – the young and blooming believers; and also, to feed His sheep. Notice Peter has ceased to be a fisher of men and is now become a shepherd of the sheep of the Lord.
Now, friends, just as you and I were present at the crucifixion, so were we represented by Peter and others at the meeting at Galilee. Once we have reached others with the Word of God as fishers of men, it is now our lot to be shepherds of those who have come to know and believe the Lord as Savior and Redeemer. Claiming Christ as Redeemer involves more than a one-time verbal proclamation – it must be a sentiment of the heart and one which is nourished by continual learning concerning the One in whom we have placed our trust. It is this latter nourishing that the modern church has failed to conduct, but one in which we must persevere.
Let us be reminded this Easter of the legacy of love we share in Christ and to give evidence of that love through the teaching and shepherding of His lambs and sheep.
May each of us have a glorious and loving Easter – not just one day of the year, but every future day.
In Christ Alone at Eastertide,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding
Bishop,
Anglican Orthodox Communion. Worldwide, & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop – Metropolitan AOC 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
Providence and Grace Series:
Resurrection Morning with Mary
Click link: https://youtu.be/3Uit8B30rWY
Names and Titles of our Lord Series:
Author and Finisher of our Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6iLD_qd0A&t=59s
THERE IS A BLESSED LAND (#591),
a Hymn Devotion for Wednesday before Easter,
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)
For those pilgrims who seek after a better city, this hymn is well directed. Its author is Sir Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) to the tune, Beulah, written in1861 by George M. Garrett and sung over the author’s grave at burial. It is both a hymn of longing and of exultant expectation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmBT7kdgErI
THERE IS A BLESSED HOME BEYOND THE LAND OF WOE
1 There is
a blessed home beyond this land of woe,
Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow;
Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned,
And everlasting light its glory casts around.
2 There is
a land of peace, good angels know it well;
Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell.
Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore
Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore.
3 O joy
all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died,
And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side;
To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won,
And sing through endless days the great things he has done!
4 Look up,
you saints of God, nor fear to tread below
The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe:
Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love.
His own most gracious smile will welcome you above.
1 There is a blessed home beyond this land of woe, Where trials never come, nor tears of sorrow flow; Where faith is fully lost in sight, and patient hope is crowned, And everlasting light its glory casts around. The child has lived apart from his Holy Father in Heaven in times of old prior to being called from his alienation by the Holy spirit to the Throne of Grace and Mercy. Having been made alive to that realization of his hope and security in Christ, he is homesick for that Father who has given him the riches of Heaven on earth, yet, he longs to be at the very side of His Lord in those opulent mansions of His making. In this life, he is a pilgrim and a sojourner but has his inheritance on High. A pilgrim travels lightly for he seeks after a better home. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Hebrews 11:13-14)
2 There is a land of peace, good angels know it well; Glad songs that never cease within its portals swell. Around the glorious throne of God the countless saints adore Christ, with the Father one, and Spirit evermore. The good angels, not those fallen with Lucifer, are agents and spirits of righteousness that execute God’s will in the lives of the elect. We are all children in God’s eye, and we have the comfort of His oversight: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) There is, at this very moment as we read, the saints of ages past gathered about the Throne of God in adulation of the Triune Godhead – mothers, fathers, and children (even those who were conceived yet never saw the first sunrise. “ And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it jinto the earth. (Revelations 8:3-5)
3 O joy all joys beyond, to see the Lamb who died, And count each sacred wound in hands and feet and side; To give to him eternal praise for ev’ry triumph won, And sing through endless days the great things he has done!” That grand old saint, Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, filled her wonderful hymns of faith with visions of Christ – visions which we who have eyes are often blind to see. In her glorious hymn, My Savior First of All, Mrs. Crosby laments, and so shall we at the appointed hour:
I shall
know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand;
I shall know Him, (I shall know Him,) I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand.
4 Look up, you saints of God, nor fear to tread below The path your Savior trod of daily toil and woe: Wait only for a little while in uncomplaining love. His own most gracious smile will welcome you above. The time of our Lord second coming is a mystery to us and to all except the Father; however, He has given us signs by which we may contemplate His soon appearing: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28) We may look about and see many of God’s prophecy presently fulfilled; however, let us not dwell in wonder of the time of His coming, for we may be led to complacency of spirit – let us live each moment as if He were appearing this very day with the armies of Heaven in trail. We have taken up our crosses and must follow Christ in that same Way in which He trod the shores of Galilee in helping and healing; the verdant pastures of the Jordan valley in preaching and teaching; and on the Via Dolorosa to the cross at Calvary in dying to self and living for God and others. Another verse of Crosby’s reads:
1. When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling
tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer whn I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
And so be it for all who know Him Now as Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and King.
+Jerry Ogles
Easter Sermon – St. Andrews AOC
31Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. 32For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: 33And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. Luke 18:31-33
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen ¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.
Our Prayer of Collect is worded in such way as to reject the heresy of Pelagius that insisted that it would be possible for a man to turn to God and do His will without the help of Divine Grace. There is no good that can originate in the human heart. It is the grace of God, impowering us, by which our works can be accounted righteous – for it is by His righteousness and none of our own by which we are saved and by which we live.
It is noteworthy that our Lord had often foretold the exact details of His Passion to the disciples, yet they never understood the full impact of His Words. In fact, we are told that the meaning and import of His prophecy to them was withheld until they had transpired according to His Word. (see Luke 18:34)
Our Lord Jesus Christ not only worked miracles beyond human comprehension, but He also never spoke a word of untruth. All that He ever said was truth undiluted. So it is amazing that, without the interdicting power of the Holy Spirit, that they could not understand.
There are many things which are told us in Holy Scripture that we may not understand until the time, at the discretion of God, our understanding is opened to the fulness of truth. This may especially be true when we feel that God has deserted us, but then a blessing beyond belief is granted at the end of our fears and doubts.
Our Epistle counsels us to look up to the glories of Heaven and not down to the rubbish and filth of the world. The seeker of gold does not relish the labor of digging in the process of seeking it, but he looks, with hopeful eagerness, to the reward of his labors in striking the vein of gold at the end of them. If we are dead to the sinful desires and pleasures of this world, then are we made alive in Christ and react to every temptation with that Mind that was in Christ – even in the Wilderness for forty days and nights.
The Gospel. St. John xx. 1.
THE first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Today’s Gospel text is one of my favorites concerning the resurrection of our Lord. We may sit endless moments awaiting the rising of the sun to illustrate the resurrection of our Lord; however, in truth, the illustration is misleading. In our Church at St. Andrews we do not observe Sunrise services on Easter Day because Christ did not rise at sunrise, but sometime after the end of the Sabbath at sunset the previous day.
Now in our text comes Mary Magdalene to the tomb on Easter morning to find the stone already rolled away. She had ventured out during the hours of darkness to the peril of her safety to attend to the final necessities expected for the dead. She came seeking a dead body. Even the dead body of her Lord was of greater worth to Mary than all the living bodies of mankind at this sorrowful morning. What great distress she felt in finding the great stone taken away from the entrance of the tomb. It was a frightful sight that was enhanced in its fearfulness to the darkness of the hour. Yes, Mary had arrived in the darkness of her misunderstanding of the great joy that would be revealed to her in the coming dawn of Light.
In our prayers, we frequently expect too little of God in His power to fulfill our petitions. Mary would never have dreamt that her hopes in attending to the body of Christ would dashed to find His body absent from the tomb. Knowing the mischief of the Jewish rulers, she feared His body had been moved and desecrated by the vengeful hatred of men.
The life of Christ is very much like the gradual opening of a rose – petal by petal. It is true that we presently see through a glass darkly; however, in the Old Testament, that glass was far darker. It gave hints and shadows of the glorious ending to come, but faith in its promise was the accelerant that upheld the hopes and longings of the believer. Christ, from birth, grew in knowledge and wisdom - which reflected the same path upon which the believer is set assail. The gradual revelation to our minds of the mighty truths and manifestation of prophecy begin to fall into place as our seeking is rewarded with understanding as the discovery of gold rewards the miner.
The Old Testament Law was not intended for our hurt, but for our understanding at the throne of wisdom. As we learned of our complete inability to keep the Law of God, we came to know of our absolute depravity without a Savior/Redeemer. This was the promise made in the Garden to our primitive parents, and renewed in the promise of a Coming Seed of righteousness made to Abraham whose faith was in the Savior to come by which he was redeemed – as well as all who believed that promise in faith.
But our dear Mary was too distraught to enter the tomb as did Peter in finding the death-garments lying folded in good order. Peter understood the reality of that which had transpired, but not Mary. Her vision was so obscured by her tears of remorse that she could barely see in the dawn’s early light.
The Gospel text for today barely introduces the glory of the Resurrection, but the following verses, John 20:11-18, reveal the full beauty of that moment of glorious resurrection. Mary dared to stoop down and look inside what she thought was an empty tomb. Instead, she saw two angels there. In her misery, she must not have taken note of the marvelous appearance of the angels who likely appeared to her as mere men. 13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” (v 13) .
Please do not be mistaken. The angels knew full well why Mary wept so. They were beholding Mary from the vantage point of inside the tomb. They looked out to her and saw behind her, even as she had answered them, and saw the Lord Jesus approaching her from behind. Their hearts must have been exhilarated at the import of this moment. Here Mary was weeping bitter tears over the dead and missing body of her Lord while, at that very instant, the risen and living body of her Lord was approaching from behind.
As she turned her head furtively to look behind, she saw dimly through her profuse tears, a supposed stranger approach. Until we hear the call of Christ in our souls, He remains a stranger to us. She perceived Him to be the Gardener, and so He was. The Garden is a place of generating life and living, and that is what Christ is – the Bread of Life. He is the grain of seed that fell into the earth and died to produce life more abundantly for all of us.
Our Lord then inquired of Mary with the same question asked by the angels, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” We often make requests in our prayers for a far lesser blessing than the Lord is ready to grant. She wanted for a dead body but, here, in front of her, was her Living Lord whom she did not recognize. His identity remained a mystery to Mary until, “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”
What a glorious moment for our Mary. Her tears of sorrow were turned to tears of great joy. No one can ever call your name as does Jesus. When He calls you, you will follow. When Jesus stood outside the tomb of His friend Lazarus, He did not simply say, “Come forth,” but he said, “Lazarus, come forth!’ else all the dead of that day would have arisen. When He calls us from our death in trespasses and sin, were are immediately made alive and saved by His grace and love.
In Christ Alone during Lent,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop.
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
Charles Morley – Easter Sunday
Bishop of Alabama
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
We are always happy to get the instruction that Bp Morley is giving to us. We hope you enjoy the following:
The division in American society has gone far beyond what I could ever have imagined as a young man. Now I am old and looking more closely to the end of my days than to the beginning of my adult life. I suppose that colors the way I look at the world. You know you're getting old when you tell stories about "the way things used to be" - and think people are interested enough to listen.
But something has happened in American society that goes beyond generational change or simply that passage of time that we characterize as "aging." Something drastic has taken place in the Churches of this country that goes beyond traditional theological or doctrinal differences, and far beyond the liberal and conservative spectrum that has been present in churches since the last century.
The largest Protestant denominations in the United States are today unrecognizable compared to their historic roots. Each has morphed so graphically, not only in terms of what takes place in these churches on Sunday morning but also in the moral "theology" of these denominations. They still bear the names of their historic bodies but have completely abandoned any sense of Biblical moral teaching, The designations of "liberal" and "conservative" no longer apply.
I am speaking of the United Methodist, United Presbyterian, Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ, and The Episcopal Church USA. It may be considered politically incorrect to speak about specific Christian organizations but these in particular have gone completely "woke" in supporting abortion on demand, as well as unquestioned support of the LGBTQ political and social agendas.
No longer can it be said that there are still "some orthodox believers" left in the aforementioned churches. Their members can no longer hide behind the claim that it is unkind or unfair to label all the membership of these formerly "Bible believing" Protestant bodies because of the presence of a few orthodox ministers and/or congregations. The total failure of these so-called conservatives to speak out or to identify gross error in their ranks makes them complicit by their silence. There have been major departures of baptized persons from the ranks of these apostate churches over a period of many years. Those who remained can no longer claim ignorance of the facts or stand by some exaggerated idealism, that their continued membership might be able to turn the tide.
Quite apart from moral and theological decline, there are the identities of these denominations that have been stolen and are being abused. The United Methodist Church no longer identifies with the teachings of John Wesley, the LCA no longer abides by the Catechism of their founder, United Presbyterians abandoned the Westminster Confession long ago, and the modern Episcopal Church would be unrecognizable to White or Whitefield. The sign on the old marquee outside the church door nowadays rarely describes what goes on inside.
Membership in these modern denominations is now characterized by sexuality and/or sexual identity. Any moral standard is considered to be "fundamentalist" or reactionary. Even paedofilia is blindly accepted even by the Roman Church to the degree that it has become a costly scandal for many dioceses that must deal with the public's approbation that Catholic priests are given to molest the choir boys as a general rule, and the Catholic priesthood the subject of the same in popular films such as "Conclave."
There is a nascient kind of ecumenism among these woke denominations that unites them more strongly than any doctrine or liturgy. They worship sex and sexuality. They abuse biblical exegesis at every turn by insisting that since God is "love," all human sexual behavior is to be blessed by the church - at the risk of being "unloving" - hence sinning. As a result, any teaching on sexual morality actually becomes sinful, and opposing abortion on demand "unChristian."
Orthodox, Bible-believing Christians must actively stand against such heresies and must be ever vigilant in our own denominations that the slippery slope of silence does not permit them to affect our membership in any way. We may well risk being called unkind, uncaring, even unChristian by supporters of the LGBTQ religion. But if American Protestantism is to survive to the next generation, we must hold to Biblical truth and speak boldly against ungodliness, even in our own families. It is not coincidental that St. Paul found it necessary to speak to the Corinthians about tolerating sexual immorality in that church - that if it continued, it would destroy their witness to the world. So it is with the Church, the Body of Christ, today.
+++++++++++++
+CEM
Canterbury Chapel Anglican Orthodox
Church
Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!
Alleluia! We had a lovely Easter Sunday here at Canterbury Chapel!
Thanks to everyone who visited with us this morning!
Bishop Jack Arnold – Easter Sunday
Anglican Orthodox Church of the United States
Training and Education Department
Diocese of the West
Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California
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 of action as we celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come. This Day of the Resurrection is when the promise of eternal life is delivered. Those who condemned him on the Friday morning are now left on the ash heap of history.
Today is Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The central event of not only the Christian Year; but of Christianity and the entire world. Witness the terms AD and BC. Anno Domini (the year of our Lord) and Before Christ. Even the politically correct BCE - CE (that is to say, Before Common Era and Common Era) divides time at the birth of our Lord. Even those who fall in that trap must recognize Him!
When you google images for the term Easter, you find 95 percent of the images, eggs, bunnies and chocolates. That is NOT our celebration. That is NOT what Easter is about. Easter is not about finding goodies inside plastic shells. It is not about the end of Winter and the coming of Spring. What it is about is the beginning of a new life for those who will accept it.
The Christian Year has four main celebrations:
1. Christmas celebrates the incarnation or human birth of Jesus, the Christ of God.
2. Epiphany celebrates His revealing to the Gentiles, that would be us!
3. Good Friday observes or remembers, the word celebrate hardly fits here, the one time sacrifice for all mankind for all time by our Lord and Savior (that is where the word savior comes in) that we might be accounted as perfect when we stand before Him at the final judgment day.
4. Today, Easter is, in Spanish La Resurreccion, in English The Resurrection, The Return to Life of Jesus, Christ of God, who returned from death, from Hell, to deliver His promise of eternal life in person!
Let us start by reading today’s Collect:
Easter Sunday. The Collect.
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ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.
Consider these words from the Collect:
… who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect…
In the Collect, we acknowledge by the sacrifice made on Good Friday by the One and Only Perfect Man, a single sacrifice, made one time, for all mankind, for all time by our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ of God, we have eternal life. We no longer our bound to the rules of the Old Covenant whereby animal sacrifices were required. These sacrifices have never worked, as they could not provide what Christ provided in His Sacrifice. However in order for Jesus to come and be the one time sacrifice for all time for all mankind, the Old Covenant had to come first in order to prepare the people for Christ’s coming. However the animal sacrifices were never going to be able to do what Christ did for us, when He offered his perfect, untarnished by sin body upon the cross. And they certainly were not going to be able to go down into hell to do battle with Satan for our souls. He truly was the perfect sacrificial lamb.
When God sent His Son to be our Savior, the Creator, Lord and Master of the Universe sent His only Son to not only live amongst us and minister and guide us, but to give His earthly life as a one time sacrifice for our sin that we might be accounted as perfect in our final accounting, the resurrection. Today is the day of His Resurrection, where we celebrate His triumphant return from his descent into Hell after he died on the Cross and battled Satan for our souls. There is a lot made of His rather unfair trial and then subsequent agonizing death on the Cross and of course His Resurrection for good reason. However what is less talked about is after He died upon the cross, His Soul went into hell to do battle for our souls. As painful as His Death was on the cross, His work had only just begun as He had to go down into Hell and battle with Satan for our souls. We will never know the full details, but it is enough to know that He triumphed and He returned in the resurrection.
Jesus set an example of humility and patience, both exceedingly rare qualities in us. He has set for us the ultimate example to follow in regards to both qualities. That example is extremely difficult for us to follow without God’s help. However if we are to be Christians not just in name only, but in deed, it behooves us to follow Jesus’s example to the very best of our abilities. This is a concept that is easier said than done, but it is something that must be done all the same.
There was a reason God set Easter, as well as the Passover, in the springtime. Not only was the time of His death and rising again, but it came at a time where the flowers bloomed anew, having been dead in winter, as Christ had been dead, and rose again, just as those flowers bloom again. This is truly symbolic of His Death and Resurrection and it is no coincidence Easter happened during this time.
If you think doing our best to following Jesus’s standard is too hard to accomplish, stop and think about what Jesus went through, is it as hard as His Trials and Death and Battling Satan? No matter who you are, the answer is never going to be yes. In the end, the path we must follow will still be easier than if we refuse to follow Him and try and forge our own path. We have to remind ourselves that we will be far happier if we follow His example and lead a righteous and steadfast life, full of grace and humility, as well as patience.
In our lives, it is important to think about Jesus’ example before we do what we want to do. Is what you are wanting in line with Jesus’ message? Think about the answer. Think about what He would do in a given situation. Don’t let your natural inclinations dictate your decisions but stop and let the Holy Ghost into your heart to help decide. If you let the Holy Ghost into your heart and ruminate on His instructions, then you will know what you need to do. As Jesus trusted the Father and His Instructions, even when it led him down a very painful path, ultimately to a triumphant ending, so must we put our trust in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost.
Jesus knew what was coming, how much it would hurt both His Body and Soul as He went through with the crucifixion and subsequent descent in to Hell and the battle that awaited Him for our souls. Yet, He also knew this was God’s Will that we might live. If He did this for you, how can you not follow Him wherever His Will takes you? If He was willing to do that for all of us, then how can we not repay Him? His Sacrifice demands that we repay Him to the best of our ability, by the sheer nature of it; his perfection being offered in place of our imperfection. He set the ultimate standard for following God’s Will even if it leads to bodily injury/pain and or death. We must strive to emulate that standard as much as we are able to.
These days people have forgotten how special Jesus’s Death and Resurrection is to us. It is a sign of the times, perhaps maybe even close to the end times that Churches have fallen into apostasy and are even actively denying His Ministry, His Death and His Resurrection. We must not follow those Churches into the Pit, but follow the Holy Ghost on the narrow uphill path towards heaven. Jesus commanded us to always remember His Death and Passion, that we might be partakers of His Heavenly Kingdom. We do not yet know if this is the End Times but we would be wise to treat it as if it is and live as if every day could be our last day here on Earth.
If we do not remember His Death and Passion, can we truly be partakers of His Heavenly Kingdom?
How can we?
He is asking us to act and if we do not choose to act for Him then we cannot be truly on His Side. It is not enough just to ‘have’ faith, we need to back our faith up with actions and choose to act For Him, to remember His Ministry, Death and Resurrection and do our best with the help of the Holy Ghost to follow the standard He set.
Jesus set an example difficult to follow even with the help of the Holy Ghost, but impossible to follow without the help of the Holy Ghost. Our eternal life does not come to us for free. It was paid with the blood of God’s only begotten Son. We have a debt to Him we cannot even close to repaying, but we can start by choosing to follow Him each and every day. Where we fall short, we get back up the next day and do better than the previous day.
We must remember His Example when times get harder and more difficult as it becomes closer to the end of this world and the beginning of our eternity with God. Let us act for Him and make it known that we reject mammon and embrace the example of Jesus Christ. We may lose friends and even family as a result of standing with God; the consequences for not standing with God are far worse than losing shallow people in your life.
By the way, did you notice when John and Simon Peter came to the empty tomb they found the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself? Why were the linen clothes simply discarded, but the napkin that had been around His head neatly folded? Like a guest getting up from the table for a bit, He folded His napkin because He would return.
When the time comes, how will you ACT?
It is by our actions we are known.
Be of God - Live of God - Act of God
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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.
Easter
Sunday Sermon
The disciples at first did not believe Mary and the other women; but when they pressed their message, Peter and John went to the place only to discover that what the women had told them was true. By the time the disciples arrived, the guard force was nowhere to be seen. Inside the tomb they found the linen cloth which our Lord had been wrapped for burial lying separate from the cloth that had been placed over his head.
Given the events and occurrences of that first Easter dawn, it is clear why the elements of that witness have indelibly marked the resurrection of our Lord as one of the most important events in the history of our world. And since that time, the Christian Church has celebrated this important event. The resurrection is a complement to the propitiatory act our Lord made on the cross as it secured for all who would believe on him the promise of a resurrection to everlasting life in God’s kingdom.
What a gift we were given when his tomb was opened. As St. Paul noted in I Corinthians 15:20-22, But is now Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. You see, before our coming to Christ, we were dead in our sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). We were without hope (I Thessalonians 4:13). Then Christ Jesus came into the world to save that which was lost (St. Luke 19:10). He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (St. John 10:10).
The agony and death of our Lord was foretold in both prophecy and in the psalms (Isaiah 52 and 53; Psalm 22). At Calvary, the price for our redemption was paid (Romans 6:23), the Messiah was cut off (Daniel 9:26), he descended into the depths of the earth, and returned bringing with him a multitude of souls and fulfilling the promise of redemption to those of faith under the old covenant (Ephesians 4:8-10). With his resurrection came departed saints who were also seen by many in Jerusalem (St. Matthew 27:52-53).
Now the natural response of the unregenerate regarding the resurrection ranges from skepticism to downright unbelief (St. Luke 24:11). But God does not yield to the opinions of mass man. Our Lord’s appearance to those on the road to Emmaus, to the disciples that evening while they ate together in fear, and to Thomas some days hence, speaks volumes as to the reason for our Lord’s coming into the world— to save sinners. Hear now the words of St. Paul, And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (I St. Timothy 1:12-15).
With regard to the resurrection, what better witness could we find than that of St. Paul. Prior to his conversion, he had sought to round up as many Christians as he could find and then take them to Jerusalem for punishment at the hands of the Temple authorities. What a shock it must have been for him to learn that the very God he thought he was serving, he was in fact persecuting. What agony of spirit he must have felt knowing that the very Messiah he had sought was Jesus of Nazareth. What pain he must have felt and guilt for his misdeeds. The Scriptures tell us that St. Paul did indeed confess his belief in Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son and that he repented and was baptized into the Christian faith. We also know that afterwards, he lived a new life of obedience: teaching others about God’s mercy, grace and love which came through the meritorious life, death and resurrection of our blessed Lord and Saviour.
The empty tomb of Christ is not a horror story like the zombie movies of today. It is not designed to engender fear or excite a morbid curiosity about the dead. It ought to stir within all who would hear the gospel an earnest desire to obtain that true faith which will save one from the real terror of an afterlife without God. Truly death and hell are to be feared and for the masses of unregenerated mankind who know only of this life, the mere threat of death can paralyze them into inaction and passivity. That is what makes horror movies so terrifying as they communicate to the unregenerate the principle that when one dies, one loses the only possibility for happiness and pleasure as found in the here and now. But for the Christian, death is only the door to an eternity with God. The witness of the empty tomb illustrates our Lord’s power over death, hell and the grave. And as we have been ransomed by our Lord from the ill effects of sin, we will not face the darkness, gloom and torments of perdition. No, Christ has closed that door for us and has opened the way to a glorious life in the Kingdom of God for all who believe on his name and trust in his atoning work as the Messiah.
It is my fervent prayer that all of you have accepted God’s free gift of salvation. And that if you have not, now is the time. God calls on all to come to his throne of grace. Believe in the truth of the empty tomb: that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, that he is the Messiah, the Prince of Peace and the Author and finisher of your faith, who now sits in heaven at the right hand of the Father. Accept his atoning sacrifice which was made on your behalf. And if you believe and accept these things, then you ought to live in accordance with his will as found within the pages of Holy Scripture. Carry on as good soldiers in Christ Jesus, wearing the armour he has supplied us and bearing the weapons of our warfare which he has so equipped us with as his soldiering saints. The empty tomb is his witness and our hope. Let us then go boldly forth in faith for we know that our Lord lives, and that through him we shall also live forever in his coming kingdom.
Let us pray, O LORD our God and heavenly Father, we thank you that the tomb which held the body of thy Son is an empty one; for by means of his resurrection, we have the blessed assurance of our own; and help us to communicate the same to others so that they might turn and be saved, and these things we ask in the name of him whom Death, Hell and the grave could not hold, even thy blessed Son, 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 Palm Sunday
This was the basis of my homily. I used the two passages of scripture, the Epistle and the Gospel for the Easter message.
hymn # 125, 131,149,
Easter Propers: page 135
CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with [the] old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness * but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor. v. 7.
CHRIST being raised from the dead dieth no more * death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. vi. 9.
CHRIST is risen from the dead * and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death * by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die * even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20.
[Glory be to the Father, and to the Son * and to the holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be* world without end. Amen.]*
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Colossians 3:1-7. – reported under propers – front page of this report
The Gospel. St. John 20:1-10 – reported under propers- front page of this report
Let us pray:
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, in whom we live and move and have our being; We, thy needy creatures, render thee our humble praises, for thy preservation of us from the beginning of our lives to this day, and especially for having delivered us from the dangers of the past night. For these thy mercies, we bless and magnify thy glorious Name; humbly beseeching thee to accept this our morning sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for his sake who lay down in the grave, and rose again for us, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
AND since it is of thy mercy, O gracious Father, that another day is added to our lives; We here dedicate both our souls and our bodies to thee and thy service, in a sober, righteous, and godly life: in which resolution, do thou, O merciful God, confirm and strengthen us; that, as we grow in age, we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
Diocese of the Epiphany, AOC
+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.
Good Friday Sermon: The blood of Christ:
St. John 19, 1-37 April, 18, 2025
The crucifixion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is recorded by all four Gospel writers. (Matt. 27: 22-54, Mark 15; 15-39; Luke 23:1-49; and John 19:1-30). There are some details left out of the St. John’s account such as the super natural darkening of the skies at the 6th hour, the rending of the veil in the temple, the earth quake and the saints rising from the grave. Also, the testimony of the centurion was left out. In addition, St. John does not record the further quotation of PS 22; the cry, Eli, Eli lama Sabahthani (My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?). He seem to purposefully leave these details out to be filled in by the other Apostle writers.
Also, when we compare the four Gospel accounts, we find a most illuminating thing. The other three Gospels tell us that Jesus died with a great cry out upon His lips (Matt. 27:50; Mark 15:37; and Luke 23:46). On the other hand St. John does not speak of the great cry, but he does say that Jesus last words were, “it is finished.” The explanation of the difference is that the great cry out and the words, “it is finished” are one and the same thing. “It is finished” is one word in Greek… (telelestai ) and Jesus died with a shout of triumph on His lips.” (Wm Barclay Gospel of St. John). He did not say, “It is finished,” in weary defeat; He said it as one who shouts for Joy because the victory is won. The first recorded words of Jesus were: “I must be about my Father’s business,” (Luke 2:49), and now He has accomplished the work entrusted to Him by the Father.
“It is finished”, is a declaration that the purpose of his incarnation was completed and the completion of his work has made possible our salvation. (Dorian’s Minister Manual).
Then, He bowed his head and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30) The expression “gave up the Ghost” means literally, “delivered up the spirit.” “It is an expression never used of any dying person in the Bible except our Lord. It is an expression denoting voluntary action. He delivered up his spirit of his own free will!” (JC Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of St. John.)
The Prophetic details in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus are amazing. Based on the first-hand account of the crucifixion of Jesus by St. John, following is just an abbreviated list of prophetic details:
1. Jesus’ back was to be beaten (Isa. 50:6), and his hands and feet pierced (Psa. 22:16) John 19:1 (He was scourged)
2. His garments would be divided and cast lots upon same. (PS 22:18) John 19: 23-24 after Crucifying Christ. The Soldiers divided four of his garments, and casted lots for the seamless coat as they didn’t want to rend it! (M.H.: Significance- rend not the church with strifes and divisions.)
3. He would be given vinegar to slake his thirst (PS 69:21) John 19: 28-29 “Jesus says, I thirst” Fainting from the loss of blood and unrelieved pain, our Lord calls out for some temporary relief. There is no pain greater than the pain of thirst. Soldiers on the battlefield have been known to call out for water when they bore pain caused by wounds without a murmur. As the Son of God he was the “water of life” of whom “whosoever drinketh shall never thirst.” (John 4:14)
As God in human form, Jesus’s bodily suffering was just as intense and real as that of any normal man. So instead of some water, they gave him vinegar which was put on a sponge upon a hyssop reed to His mouth. Earlier, Jesus had refused to drink the vinegar and Gall mixture, commonly given to criminals to deaden their pains. (Matt.27:34) A cup of wine was usually given to those ready to perish. (MH Comments-John 19:29) There is some symbolic intention for John’s use of the word “hyssop.” It was used for ceremonial purposes in connection with the Paschal Lamb (Ex 12:22 and Old Paths Circuit Rider). A hyssop reed was only a stalk, like strong grass, at the most only two feet long and it is questionable whether it could have been used for this purpose. Some scholars have thought that it is a mistake for a similar word which means a lance or a spear. (Wm Barclay- The Gospel of St. John).
4. A bone of him shall not be broken (Ex. 12:45, Numb 9:12, PS 34:20-reference to Paschal Lamb with which Jesus is identified). John 19:33
5. They shall look upon him whom they pierced (Zech. 12:10). John 19:34
These prophecies are powerful evidence of the Divine Authority of the Bible. The Prophets foretell not only Christ’s death, but the particulars of his death. In the highest and fullest sense, when Christ died, He died “according to the scriptures.” (1. Cor 15:3)
In today’s text, St. John gives us a vivid portrait of our lord Jesus being scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, smitten, paraded around in a purple robe, physically abused and rejected by his own people.
He was even unjustly condemned by Pilate who saw no fault in Him, and who delivered Him up to the Jewish religious leaders to a most painful death.
Crucifixion was only practiced at the time by the Romans and only to non-Roman Citizens. It was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised by man. You may recall St. Paul who held dual citizenship (Jewish and Roman) was decapitated rather than crucified. Crucifixion was a most shameful punishment designed for the guiltiest criminals... thieves, murders, etc. It is ironic that our Lord Jesus’s life was exchanged for Barabbas a hardened criminal-a murderer. It is also ironic, that one of the charges against Barabbas was sedition against Rome. This was the same charge that the Jews used against Jesus who was found innocent by Pilate.
The prospective crucifixion victim, as a rule like Jesus, was first subjected to scourging, a beating with a three-thong plaited leather whip studded with bone and metal that would make deep lacerations. This was done even before Jesus was convicted of any crimes by Pilate! Also, Scourging was a form of disciple normally given only to slaves in the Old Testament. But in the New Testament times, it was Roman practice to scourge all (except Roman Citizens) who were condemned to death.
The Jews limited their scourging to 40 lashes but the Romans did not and their lashes could be unlimited. The victim was stripped naked and then was secured with leather ties. He was then beaten from his upper back to the lower extremities of his legs. The severe scourging, with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most likely left Jesus in a pre-shock state.
Moreover, the physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to his generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the crucifixion, Jesus physical condition was at least serious and possibly critical.
Then he was forced to carry the crossbar (125 Pounds) to the place of torture. It is little wonder that the Lord required assistance from Simon at the exit gate of Jerusalem to help with the carrying of the cross beam (Lk 23:26) to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. Then He was made to lie on the ground, with the cross beam under his back. Then his hands and feet were then attached by the nails to the cross. In 1968 ,the first remains of a crucified man were discovered in Jerusalem. A seven-inch spike was wedged through a young man’s heels.
Then, Pilate had written on a board that was nailed to the top of the cross above Jesus’s head, the words “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews” (John 19:19). This was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. (John 19:20) These were the three great languages of the ancient world; and they stood for three great contributions to the world and to world history. Greece taught the world beauty of form and beauty of thought. Rome taught the world law and good government. The Hebrew nation taught the world religion and worship of the true God. The consummation of all these things are seen in Jesus. In Him was the supreme beauty and the highest thought of God. In Him was the law of God and the Kingdom of God. In Him was the very picture and image of God. So, it was very symbolic that in the three great languages of the world call Him King. Also, in God’s Providence, He wanted the whole world to see Jesus on the cross. He died for the sins of the whole world not just for the Jewish people just as John 3:16 says.
Of course, the Jewish leaders wanted the words changed to “Jesus said I am the King of the Jews” but Pilate said what was “written is written” and would not change it. (John 19: 21-22)
The actual cause of death due to crucifixion was the loss of blood volume and the inability to breathe due to the extension of the body. The crucified victim, unable to support his body so as to inhale/exhale easily, eventually suffocated; he usually died within 36 hours. Jesus died in only 6 hours.
Normally, they would break the legs of the victims to make sure the victim was dead but in the case of Jesus we are told in verse 33 that they saw Jesus was already dead, and therefore, did not break his legs. But instead in verse 34 we are told one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. This was significant that it confirmed the death of Jesus as the spear must have pierced not only Jesus’s heart but the pericardium (sac around the heart). “The blood and water that flowed out signified the two great benefits that all believers partake of through Christ-justification and sanctification.” (Mathew Henry Comments)
So why did Jesus have to be crucified? During the first century, the Jews employed four methods of capital punishment-stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangulation. But Jesus was crucified according to Roman law. Aside from the political considerations, there were reasons for this. The main reason is that Christ had to die in some fashion that involved the shedding of his blood, without which there could be no remission of our sins. Let us read what St. Paul tells us in (Heb 9:22) “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. Without remission, there is no forgiveness of sins!
Since the wages of sin are death (Rom 6:23), man, by virtue of his transgression, forfeited his right to live (eternal life). However, God determined that He would offer His son in sacrifice for our sins, in essence offer his life in exchanged for man’s. (1Cor. 15:3). In as much as the physical life of man resides in the blood (Lev.17:11), it was necessary for Jesus to shed his blood to effect redemption.
God did not spare His son but poured out His wrath on Him so He would not have to poor it out on us! This demonstrated His love for us. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Messiah’s soul/life being poured out into death in chapter 53:10-12: “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” (v10)
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many for he shall bear their inequities”(v11) “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressions; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. “ (v12)
Centuries later, our Lord Jesus said during the last supper with his disciples in Matt. 26:28: “For this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Without the death and blood of Jesus, there would be no resurrection, no Justification, no Sanctification, and no promise of eternal life.
In closing, Let us remember this Good Friday the humiliation, suffering and pain that Christ incurred on the cross for our sins and why the shedding of his blood was necessary for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus gave up his life freely to die for our sins. Earlier, He had said in John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to take it again. This commandment I have received of my Father.”
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Rev. Don Fultz
St. Peter’s AOC – Easter Sunday
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
EASTER SUNDAY
Ps 118:14-17,22-24; Col 3:1-4 ; Acts 10:34-43 ; Luke 24:1-12
"But Peter"
Have you ever driven in the fog early am before sunrise? We had that experience when we had to go to Pensacola, and we took the roads that were less traveled, 137, thru Baker and Holt. We were trying to see, and some pickup truck on my tail passed me on a double line. Needless to say, I was a bit concerned.
1. Sadness -What is your experience with fear and sadness? We had a service for our grandfather at the little Presbyterian Church he filled in at, actually it was not that little, in the suburbs of Philly. He was my mentor in all things, and it was so difficult. I could not hold back the emotion and tears. Apparently, I was rather vocally sad too, as I could not imagine him being gone. We did a lot of things together. I heard him preach, and we talked about the art of being a pastor on the porch in Philadelphia many days, while I lived with him while in seminary down town.
I imagine and know that all of us have had dark, sad, and heart-wrenching experiences in our lives. Jesus had told them that he would be crucified (see Luke 24) remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.8 And they remembered his words,
But in the all of the
happenings and trials literally, they had forgotten. The Angels , or the two
men in shining garments reminded them. But that did not seem to aleviate their
fear and anxiety especially when they were not believed: 11And
their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. (they)9returned
from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the
rest….
10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James,
and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed
them not.
2. A glimmer shows… more -yes, shows, said by the Two Men ( we could see from the other Gospels they were Angels). 4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments : 5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Somehow the Apostles missed it. The women tried to communicate it. But they did not believe these things had happened. It was too incredible. We too live in this middle ground often in our own lives. We see the light a bit, but then fall back into our depression and hopelessness. It is so common. We are frail, are we not?
3. Lastly, Peter is Peter and we read, " But Peter" in verse 12: 12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
The Peter who denied Jesus three times, and tried to get him to avoid the Cross, got up and ran to the tomb to see the evidence. He was amazed and wondered which means there was hope and light in his face and mind. We too need encouragement to keep on doing what God has called us to do despite the naysayers. We too like Peter should run to the empty tomb knowing that the Lord is risen. He is not here, but risen.
No one could have rolled the stone by themselvs except the strong Angels. Everything pointed to a resurrection. Peter sees the strips only. The third day had come, and He had risen from the dead. In Him is life and the life is the light of men. John said it so well.
I imagine a lot of us are like the ones who think it can be idle tales. We sit and doubt. We don't get up like Peter did to do the one thing God is asking. He wants us to do His work in His way through our efforts by the Holy Spirit. It may be we can just say one word to get someone off their doubting. All of us can rejoice today, for He is risen.
He is risen indeed!
Rev. David McMillan
Rev Stephen Cooper Church of the Redeemer Fairbanks, Alaska
It is with the utmost regret that we announce the passing into glory of our beloved minister, the Rev. Stephen Cooper, of Church of the Redeemer in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Below is his sermon for Easter Sunday 2023& 2024:
Easter Sunday 2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxWl3hwadbc
This sermon is for last Year
(2024) on Easter Sunday. Please take the time to listen to it. We believe it is just as relevant
today.
EASTER SUNDAY Stephen Cooper 2024 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjHtXYdm-e8&t=5s
Church of the Redeemer, Fairbanks, Alaska
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.
Prayer Needed:
Aleyda – High blood pressure, fluid around lungs and heart issue, recovering at
home following Hospitization.
Sophie – Severe bipolar issues, drug use and difficulty with parents, pray for her parents, Gary & Betsy
The Rev. Stephen Cooper Relatives and Church of the Redeemer mourning the loss of Rev. Cooper
Colin and daughter, Lori Beall – cancer
Alicia – Struggling caring for parents at home – NEEDS HELP
Toni- Breast Cancer- Surgery went well, keep praying for successful recovery treatment-praise god
Donna – Breast Cancer- Surgery Successful onto Radiation treatment and Chemotherapy
Malou – Cancer
Daniel Sparks – following Surgery Heart Ablation symptoms – fatigue, physical exhaustion, brain fog
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)
Mauri Turner – Stomach cancer
For the government and people of South Korea that God will protect them
from the forces of Communism.
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu, Mike, Jim, Dotty, Jan Jessup, Steve, Josh Morley, Jennifer, AOC USA, AOC Missions,
Zach, Jess, Luke, Jacquie, Harper, Jim Sevier, Linda, Colin, Lowery, Robert, Donna, Eddie,
Tate, Leslie,
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