250511 AOC Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church_sm

Worldwide Communion

Third Sunday after Easter

Sunday Report

 

May 11, 2025

 Happy Mother's Day

 

Third Sunday after Easter 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 173-174

 

 

The Collect for Third Sunday after Easter

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

The Epistle for Third Sunday after Easter. 1^st St. Peter ii. v. 1I.

DEARLY beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 

The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Easter. St. John xvi. 16.

JESUS said to his disciples, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she  remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

 

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:

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: ⁹for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. ²³Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. ²⁴The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. ²⁵Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Proverbs 23:22-25

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! ²⁷Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
John 19:26-27

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31:28

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

Every man and woman has a calling in Christ. It may not be as an active missionary on the foreign field, but it shall always be a missionary in the place where you are placed whether as a doctor, a lawyer, a butcher, a teacher, or a carpenter. Whatever our calling, we must reflect the nature of a virtuous and loving heart.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles

 

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

 

 

                                            

Names and Titles of our Lord: Fountain of Living Waters:

 Click link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3siAFB8l8N8

 

 
Devotions for Youth and the Young at Heart

This is something new for children.

 You may recognize the narrator, Leonid Ivanovitch  :=)

 Click link: https://youtu.be/frB79B_ADf4

 

Cornelia’s Jewels by Leonid Ivanovitch  

 Click link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtU8uLYTPWQ

 

 WHO TRUSTS IN GOD A STRONG ABODE,

Hymn devotion for 6 April 2025

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”  (Psalms 118:8)

This ancient hymn, written by Joachim Magdeburg (1572) is set to the music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). It centers on the believer’s trust in God and none other. The riches made available to those of faith in the Lord are not measurable in human terms. He is our defense against the wiles of the devil and our strong tower against the cunning of false prophets. 

Click here to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzB61QVecZY

 WHO TRUSTS IN GOD A STRONG ABODE

1. Who trusts in God a strong abode
In heaven and earth possesses;
Who looks in love to Christ above,
No fear his heart oppresses.
In Thee alone, dear Lord, we own
Sweet hope and consolation,
Our Shield from foes, our Balm for woes,
Our great and sure Salvation.

2. Though Satan's wrath beset our path
And worldly scorn assail us,
While Thou art near, we will not fear;
Thy strength shall never fail us.
Thy rod and staff shall keep us safe
And guide our steps forever;
Nor shades of death nor hell beneath
Our souls from Thee shall sever.

3. In all the strife of mortal life
Our feet shall stand securely;
Temptation's hour shall lose its power,
For Thou shalt guard us surely.
O God, renew with heavenly dew
Our body, soul, and spirit
Until we stand at Thy right hand
Through Jesus' saving merit.

1. Who trusts in God a strong abode In heaven and earth possesses; Who looks in love to Christ above, No fear his heart oppresses. In Thee alone, dear Lord, we own Sweet hope and consolation, Our Shield from foes, our Balm for woes, Our great and sure Salvation. The Lord is our Rock and our Fortress. In Him, we have eternal life for death cannot exists in His presence. Just as the first deacon, Stephen, was being stoned for his strong testimony, he had no fear but instead looked up and beheld the face of the Lord: “⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁵⁶And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, ⁵⁸And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  ⁶⁰And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:55-60)

2. Though Satan's wrath beset our path And worldly scorn assail us, While Thou art near, we will not fear; Thy strength shall never fail us. Thy rod and staff shall keep us safe And guide our steps forever; Nor shades of death nor hell beneath Our souls from Thee shall sever. It is not reasonable to believe that we shall not be sorely opposed and tempted by Satan in our Christian walk. It was so with our Lord Jesus Christ, and it cannot be less so with those who are His elect people. Christ was tempted in the Wilderness for forty days and nights while fasting. He grew weary, hungry and ravenous with thirst; yet, He never succumbed to Satan’s charms or seductions. His weapon of choice against Satan was His Word. It is our sure defense as well. “Get behind me, Satan” is a rebuke that Satan cannot withstand. He is a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet to guide and direct our steps in a world of darkness. Nothing can separate us, even death, from the love we share in Christ Jesus.

3. In all the strife of mortal life Our feet shall stand securely; Temptation's hour shall lose its power, For Thou shalt guard us surely. O God, renew with heavenly dew Our body, soul, and spirit Until we stand at Thy right hand Through Jesus' saving merit. We are enabled to withstand the power of evil through that power with which we are imbued by Christ. It is not our battle for the “battle is the Lord’s.” It was not Gideon’s 300 that vanquished the might of thousands and ten thousands, but rather a demonstration of the power of the Lord to fight our battles on our behalf. It was the power of the Lord that guided the single stone of David’s slingshot to the forehead of Goliath. The march of righteousness is filled with hard challenges, but these make us stronger as we overcome them by the power of the Holy Ghost. Just as the dew distills unseen in the darkness upon the blades of grass, so does He stand at our side, shoulder-to-shoulder in the line of battle to overcome all opposition. We may grow weary on the march but, looking up to the goal ahead, we are made refreshed in our spirits to continue the march to the glorious Kingdom. We are constantly reminded of the Psalmist’s counsel: 

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”   (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In Christ Alone at Eastertide,

 † Jerry Ogles      

Presiding Bishop, Anglican Orthodox Communion. Worldwide, & Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary

 

Charles Morley
Bishop of Alabama
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

We are always happy to get the instruction and devotions that Bp Morley is giving to us. We hope you enjoy the following:

The One True Church

  By the time this appears in print the world may well have a new Pope. I say the world will have one but I will not. That is not an anti-Catholic statement: it is a pro-Protestant one.

     The attention of the world has been focused on the election of the new Pope ever since Jorge Bergolio died. The American news media in particular has reported daily on speculation regarding the possible identity of the cardinal who will be chosen or "elevated" as the press is so fond of saying. Names have been given and personalities described as "liberal" or "progressive," with "conservatives" mostly in the "not very likely" category. Will the new Pope be a European, an Italian, an African, an Asian, or even an American? While betting on such events is prohibited in Italy, the pundits ramble on non-stop with suggestions based on public opinion and insider gossip, and all eyes will be focused on the small chimney which protrudes from the roof of the Sistine Chapel.

     The media would have us imagine that the election of the new Pontiff may change the direction of the Catholic Church, suggesting that a more woke Pope than Francis would bend the rules on such hot button social issues as women's ordination and gay marriage. Francis has already settled a long debated issue in an oxymoronic fashion, declaring that a homosexual orientation is no longer a bar to ordination, as long as the individual remains celibate. Every cardinal seems to have been rated regarding their possible position on these issues but most of that speculation remains relative. The cardinals themselves have remained closed-mouthed when queried directly, rather like political candidates who fear taking a clear position might hurt their chances.

     It all makes for wonderful public theater, much like the recent film on the subject, "Conclave" but without the possibility of the contrived surprise ending. Social media is full of vignettes about the Catholic Church and about the papacy in particular, although very little focuses on anything other than the election. We have been treated to hip-hop dancing nuns and bishops singing karaoke ballads, along with displays of ecclesiastical finery that would rival any Medieval or Renaissance clericus. I will admit it's an impressive sight to see one hundred and fifty bishops marching in step wearing identical embroidered scarlet chasubles with contrasting miters bobbing along on their geriatric heads, like so many Isle of Lewis chessmen come to life!

     It is curious to note the language of the newscasters (wow! what an anachronism) especially the nominally Catholic ones, when referring to the pope. "The Pontiff" and "The Holy Father" (occasionally, "Our Holy Father") are not uncommon titles used as synonyms for the pope, not realizing that he is neither of those characterizations for much of their audience. The international preeminence of the papacy is so stressed that it is as though the world were electing a universal spiritual leader to which every race, religion, and nationality would ultimately be subject. As one network reporter suggested, "Of course, this is a human election, but it is understood that the Holy Spirit will guide the deliberations and the ultimate outcome." Great is his faith.

    Many will regard my remarks as anti-Catholic or unkind. I would prefer to consider them pro-Protestant and analytical. There can be no humour associated with this event, as President Trump discovered to his own chagrin. So let us be clear, and in light of the overbearing reportage of the election, theologically blunt. Many of the Protestant Reformers - whose modern denominations call their "founders" - claimed the papacy to be the Anti-Christ. Until recently Catholic clergy were regarded with great suspicion by many governments and inter-marriage with Catholics was strongly discouraged. Doubt me, Anglicans? If you can find a copy, read Bishop Wadsworth's monograph "Is the Papacy Predicted by St. Paul" published in 1898.The modern ecumenical Movement changed all that. But who really changed? The Roman Catholic Church did not. Fact is, it will make little difference whether the new pope is liberal, progressive, woke, or otherwise.

     The Roman Church teaches that all who die outside of communion with the Bishop of Rome are doomed to perdition. There is a kind of triumphalism to Catholicism which is manifested bodily in the adulation of the person of the Pope. E.g., they hold that reception of the seven sacraments is necessary for reception into Heaven. Not sure what they do with ordination, as they believe it leaves an indelible mark upon the soul? They believe and hold as dearest truth that all your sins can be forgiven by walking through a door! And of course, they hold and teach to all the world as "the Gospel which must be believed" that the man who calls himself the bishop of Rome is the Vicar of Christ and that such belief is necessary for eternal salvation. To believe otherwise is considered "anathema."

     Oh, Vatican II changed all that, some well-meaning Catholic will cry. Not so. The language of Rome regarding Protestants may have changed but not her theology. Remember when total abstinence from meat on Fridays was required of all Catholics. Violation of that rule was considered a "mortal sin" and if unconfessed sent the offender straight to hell. I wonder how many unsuspecting, uncritical Catholics believed they were doomed to Hell for the price of a hamburger?

     No human sinner will ever be my "Holy Father" - I already have one who is seated in Heaven. My Pontiff is the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only "Bridge" between God and Man. The "Vicar of Christ" is His Holy Spirit whom the Lord Jesus promised would teach us all things and bring into remembrance those truths He had spoken. I have no authority from His Church to conjure the physical Body and Blood of my Saviour upon an altar made with hands. My ministry and the forgiveness of my sins comes only through the Blood of my Saviour, not through even the holiest man that ever lived.

     Yes, the whole world will be focused on the white smoke on that Roman roof but understand that no matter who is elected, the Church of Rome will not change. Oh, she will change as she has always done through the centuries to conform to the world. Remember that at one time there were four Popes and your life depended on which one you chose to follow. But she is not the "one true Church" as she claims, and Jesus Christ alone is the Head of His Church, not the pope. His Word is Truth and never changes. There is but one Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus. There is but one flock and one Shepherd

+CEM

 

  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.

 

Third Sunday after Easter Sunday Sermon

 

 In our epistle lesson for today, the apostle Peter referred to Christians as, strangers and pilgrims (I St. Peter 2:11). How true, for it is, after all, quite understandable for a Bible-believing Christian to find himself or herself “on the outs” as it were, in today’s world. We are “on the outs” because we have chosen to follow a different path— one which leads to life everlasting in God’s kingdom—as opposed to those who are on that wide path that leads to destruction (St. Matthew 7:13-14).

As Christians, these words carry with them a greater meaning than one might expect in an ordinary sense. To the unregenerate, a stranger is a person who was previously unknown them, or with whom one is unfamiliar; while a pilgrim is simply a traveler on a particular journey for either secular or religious purposes. But to us as regenerated souls in Christ, those words possess a deeper spiritual meaning. The word “stranger” was translated from the Greek word pariokos which Thayer’s Lexicon describes as being, “one who lives as a stranger and sojourner upon the earth”, while the word “pilgrim” in Greek is parepidemos and is translated as “one who comes from a foreign place to reside in a new land.” Taken together, they speak of our status as believing Christians with regard to this world system, and how we are to live within the same without being drawn into the forces of darkness that dominates this sphere. In short: If we are truly in Christ Jesus, then we are not of this world. In point of fact, we are estranged from it.

Consider our Lord’s words following the Last Supper when prayed for the disciples as well as for all who would accept him as their Saviour: ...They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (St. John 17:16). And the apostle John warned us to, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I St. John 2:15). And St. Paul noted that, ¹²Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual (I Corinthians 2:12-13).

Think on that for a moment. As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we have received the Holy Ghost who guides us into all truth. We are no longer alive to this world system but have died to it being reborn into a new life and a new way of living. The apostle Peter noted that, ¹Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; ²that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ³For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles... ⁴wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. (I St. Peter 4:1-4) Ergo, our Lord expects us to be strangers to sin, that is, we are to distance ourselves from it. And because we are strangers, we have become pilgrims who are seeking, …a better country, that is an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city (Hebrews 11:16). Just like the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock, we are in search of a new home— a place where we will be accepted into the beloved. That new land we are looking for is God’s coming kingdom.

But those who merely call themselves by the name of Christ, yet do not live in Christ, are not “on the outs” with this world. And as they are more natural than spiritual, so it follows that they will fall prey to the snares and devices which the devil sets for them. For as the apostle Paul noted, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:14). He also warned the Philippian church to, …¹⁷mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. ¹⁸(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: ¹⁹whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things) (3:17-19).

We have been warned by our Lord and the apostles to avoid hypocrisy in living the Christian life. You cannot run here and there amongst the heathen of this world and not be tainted by their godlessness. So for us, being in society does not mean being involved in its several evils even though we are surrounded by them. We are to note such and abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22). While many Christians have established boundaries for themselves concerning their participation within secular society, still one can join in with those things that will not hurt their consciences. But a caveat is in order. We should be mindful that while there are things which are not unbiblical that we may enjoy; we should not be surprised to find a wicked angle that might lead us into situations where our faith might be compromised and our witness diminished by our participation in them. Therefore be discerning. Stay in control. Keep the commandments of God before you and the words of our Saviour. Avoid those things that would taint or vex your spirit.

Just ask yourself: “Will my participation in whatever I want to do harm my Christian witness?” or, better yet, “Would God approve of what I am doing?” St. Paul once said that, All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not (I Corinthians 10:23). Doing what is expedient and edifying may often be challenging for us when we are being coaxed into sin by those friends and family members who are as yet outside the fold of Christ. So whatever you do, make sure that you are right with God and that you stay in control so that the devil cannot turn your good into something evil, and that …your good will not be evil spoken of (Romans 14:16). As Bishop J. C. Ryle once advised, “Do nothing that you would not like God to see. Say nothing that you would not like God to hear. Write nothing that you would not like God to read. Go to no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, ‘Show it to Me.’ Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, ‘What are you doing?’”

The path of the stranger and the pilgrim can be a lonely course because the true and faithful Christian will not be part of the vast herd of mankind that is merrily on its way to perdition. Nevertheless, the stranger and pilgrim in Christ is not a hermit— shunning participation in society— but a witness— one who is standing in the open— revealing to those around them the true light of God’s word written. We are beacons in a sin-darkened world. We are the bearers of God’s light— candles on lampstands, blazing with the fire of the Holy Ghost. The stranger and pilgrim in Christ has been commanded by our Lord to do exactly that (See St. Matthew 5:16).

So then let us be about our business. Let each of you purpose today to be that separated person— that stranger— that pilgrim— in Christ. Seek to separate yourselves from the world, the flesh and the devil. The apostle Paul once penned this passage for us regarding separation from evil in this life when he wrote, ¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, ¹⁸and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (II  Corinthians 6:14-18). This do and live.

Let us pray,

O most gracious and loving God, who art a Father to all who truly call upon thy name; bless us with wisdom and understanding so that we might better serve thee in this life by being effective witnesses on your behalf; and these things we ask in the name of him who is our Lord and Saviour, even Jesus Christ. 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 Third Sunday after Easter

Psalms 113, 124    First lesson. 1 Samuel 2:1b-10     Second lesson. Acts 2:22-36

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

                                                          Hymn  # 416, 562, 362

God hath made that same Jesus, (....) both Lord and Christ.

The account of Peter’s sermon to the Hebrew or Jewish visitors to Jerusalem prior to the Feast of Pentecost is lesson in using scripture to support Truth. The essentials of what Peter spoke to were facts that had just occurred and a historical back ground that revealed to the listeners that in fact they had witnessed prophecy fulfilled. Most of the Old Testament information would have been fairly familiar to the group gathered around Peter. They would have had a working knowledge of what David and other psalmist had written, being that they{ the psalms} were songs sung during synagogue services all over the diaspora every Sabbath day. 

Now what Peter does is what we today consider preaching genius. He interweaves past scripture with current events to form a bridge between the past and present era. Now, centuries later, we can take the passage from the Acts of the Apostles and use our access to the Old Testament to see that he was 100% correct in his message. 

So now what was Peter up to?

As Peter begins to lay out the message in Acts chapter two, he indicates that this is ALL God’s plan.  ²³Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,  He then points out the many ways that Christ’s certification as Lord and Christ. By miracles, wonders and signs, all pointing to God’s certification ‘a man approved of God’. ²²Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: . . .²³ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Then Peter points to Christ’s divinity in that death could not have dominion over Him. This will be certified by a number of passages in both Old and New Testament that proclaim Christ’s victory over the grave, death, and the decay.²⁶Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Now Peter continues the certification of Christ Jesus by once again making reference to David. And he rightly identifies David as a prophet. The next seven verses outline this whole idea. And in reading them we get a better picture of what David was writing and what Peter was referring to, both giving full divine certification of Jesus Christ, THE LORD.

²⁵For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:…²⁸Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Then, just in case Peter’s audience didn’t get the point, he pointed out the obvious about David and his prophecy. We shouldn’t be too condescending about the folk here in Jerusalem that Spring day, remember these folks did not have the full bible available to them, they just had what we now know as the Old Testament. We have the luxury of having the whole message of God in our hands, the Bible is complete and here for us to use daily in our walk with the Lord.  ³⁴For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

And then Peter delivers the hammer blow: ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

This last verse is both a point of truth and a point of conviction. Just think about this. Not all of the people listening to Peter that day may have been in Jerusalem during Christ’s crucifixion, some may have just gotten there for the Feast of Pentecost. But what Peter is really saying is that all of us have crucified Jesus, because of our natural born sin, sin inherited from our earthly father Adam. So even centuries later, all born of man, have crucified Christ Jesus, because that act is the only way we can come to God the Father. The once and perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

   As we conclude this study of God’s word, let us hear what St. Paul wrote about Christ’s certification that Peter was referring to: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Let us pray.

¹Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. ²Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. ³From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. ⁴The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. ⁵Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, ⁶Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! (Psalm 113)

O Almighty God, who hast bidden us seek that we may find, and who pourest out on all who desire it, the spirit of grace and of supplication; Deliver us, when we draw nigh to Thee, from coldness of heart and wandering of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always.   Beloved go in peace this day and in the week to come. Amen. 

 +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.

 

Third Sunday after Easter – Mother’s Day

SERMON:  ST. JOHN 16:  16 – 24

Jesus held several conversations with his disciples the night before he was to be crucified. St. John recorded one of these conversations in today’s Gospel reading. In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples that in “A little while, and ye shall not see me, and again in a little while, ye shall see me because I go to the Father.) (John 16:16)   However, his disciples did not fully understand what Jesus was saying to them, especially the term “little while.”  Some of them conversed among themselves and asked each other “what is this He saith?’  “We cannot tell what he saith.”

No one ever spoke so plainly as Jesus. None were so thoroughly accustomed to his style of teaching as the Disciples. Yet even the Disciples did not always take in their Master’s meanings. It seems understandable in this passage as there seem to be two different opinions on what Jesus was trying to say.

Some bible scholars and Theologians including Matthew Henry take a narrow interpretation and say that Jesus was referring to his approaching death on the cross and his subsequent resurrection. While others, including Bishop J.C. Ryle in his book on Expository thoughts on the Gospel of St. John believe Jesus was referring to his Ascension and his Second Advent. In support of his position, J.C. Ryle  maintains that the expression in Greek, “a little while” is almost the same as in Hebrew chapter 10 verse 37, when the second advent is clearly spoken of. In addition, the expression “I go” when Jesus referred going to the Father, is distinctly applied in several places in the scriptures to our Lord’s final departure from the world, and seldom, if any, to our Lord’s death on the cross.

Jesus knew that his disciples desired to ask him for further explanation of the term little while but were ashamed to ask the question. So, He asked his disciples if they were inquiring among themselves about what he had said regarding little while. However, Jesus did not give any further explanation as he may have thought it was not important for them to know the exact time period or sequence of events to which he was referring. He was more likely concerned about how His absence would impact on their hearts. He explained it by saying there would be a time of sorrow and then rejoicing. Surely, we have no right to be surprised if we cannot fully interpret Christ’s words in this passage. Therefore, let us thank God that there are many recorded sayings of our Lord that can be more easily understood.

There are several things that can be learned from today’s Gospel reading. First, we are told that Christ’s absence from earth will be a time of sorrow to believers but of joy to the world. In verse twenty, Jesus tells his disciples “…Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice.”  Christ’s personal absence will be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers, especially to his disciples. Faith is not the same as sight.   Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking to someone face to face. Yet this same personal absence of Christ is no cause of sorrow to the unbelievers of this world. It was especially not to the unbelieving Jews who rejoiced and were happy when Christ was wrongly condemned and crucified. It is also not sorrowful to the sinful and wicked of our day. The longer Christ keeps away from this earth, and lets them alone, the better they will be pleased. His absence causes them no pain. Their so-called happiness is complete without Him. What a fearful waking up there will for these unbelievers in the second coming of Christ.

Another thing we learn from this passage is that Christ’s personal return shall be a source of boundless joy to His believing people.   Jesus tells his disciples in verse 22:, “…I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”  We must take care that we do not narrow the meaning of these words by tying them down just to our Lord’s resurrection. They surely reach much further than this. The joy of the disciples when they saw Christ risen from the dead, was a joy soon obscured by His ascension into heaven.

The true joy, the perfect joy, the joy that can never be taken away will be the joy which Christ’s people will feel when Christ returns the second time, at the end of the world. The second advent of Christ is the one grand object on which our Lord, both here and elsewhere, teaches all believers to fix their eyes. 

That same Jesus, who was taken up visibly into heaven, shall also come again visibly, even as He went.   Just as an artist takes off his canvass and unveils his new painting, our Lord and Savior will be unveiled to us as we meet him face to face. St. Paul tells us in 1^st Thessalonians, chapter 4, verses 16 and 17: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall arise first. ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air….”   

It is not enough for believers to just look backward to the cross, and rejoice in Christ dying for our sins and rejoice in Christ for interceding for every believer. We must do more than this. We must look forward to Christ’s second Advent, to bless His people and complete His work of redemption.  

Then, and then only, will the prayer of twenty centuries receive its complete answer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) Well may our Lord say that in that day of resurrection and reunion our “Hearts shall rejoice.” And as the Psalmist tells us in Chapter 17 and verse 15: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness:   I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

Lastly, we learn that while Christ is absent believers must ask much in prayer. In verse 24, Jesus tells his disciples:   “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” 

We may well believe that up to this time the disciples had never realized their Master’s full deity.  They probably didn’t  realize that Jesus was God until after His resurrection and ascension to Heaven.  They had certainly never understood that He was the one Mediator between God and man, in whose name and for whose sake they were to put up their prayers. Here they are distinctly told that henceforward they are to “ask in His name.” Nor can we doubt that our Lord would have all His people, in every age, understand that the secret of comfort during His absence is to be instant in prayer.  He would have us know that if we cannot see Him with our bodily eyes any longer, we can talk with Him, and through Him have special access to God.

 On this Mother’s day, I would like to share with you the story of a prayerful mother. The Old Testament describes such a woman who was very Godly and prayed often. Her name was Hannah. She was married but had been childless for many years. People of ancient Israel believed that a large family was a blessing from God. Infertility was therefore a source of humiliation and shame. Her Husband’s other wife bore  many children and taunted her not only because she was childless but was jealous of her as she was still the favorite wife. 

She would faithfully travel each year with her husband, Elkanah from their home in Ramah to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh which was about a 30 mile round trip.  Hannah believed in all of her heart that God was the creator of children and that only God could convert a woman into a mother. She would faithfully ask God, in prayer, for a child.

During one visit to the tabernacle, she stood for a long time weeping and praying.  Her lips moved and her shoulders were shaking without making a sound as she poured out her heart to God and asked him to give her a son and she would give him back to the Lord all of his days. She had prayed so fervently that the local Priest, Eli interrupted her prayer and ask if she had been drinking. She responded  “no, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul to the Lord.” (1^st Sam 1:15) The Priest satisfied with her answer said,  “…Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.” (1^st Sam 1:17)

The next morning Hannah and her husband Elkanah returned to their home in Ramah where Hannah finally conceived. Soon she was holding her first child, a son. The child was named Samuel which means asked of the Lord. (see 1^st Sam 1:20)

When Samuel was weaned and had reached his formative years, Hannah took him back to live in Shiloh and put him under the tutelage of the Priest, Eli to study in the ministry and perform services in the tabernacle. Samuel did all of his Godly duties at the Tabernacle very well and rose quickly to higher level responsibilities. 

Hannah would only be able to see her child once a year when she traveled to Shiloh for worship.   Each year, she would make him a new robe. She had faith, hope and confidence that her son would become a mighty religious leader of his people, as indeed he did. Samuel grew up and become a Prophet and last Judge of Israel. He anointed both Saul and David as Kings of Israel.

Even after her son was born, Hannah continued to pray for those in need, the poor, the hungry, the oppressed and the barren. The priest, Eli, witnessing the unselfishness of Hannah in her prayers asked  God to bless Hannah with more children. God answered and blessed Hannah with five additional children, three sons and two daughters. Hannah’s story can be found in the first and second chapters of 1^st Samuel.

Let the story of Hannah sink down deeply into our hearts. Of all the list of Christian duties there is none to which there is such abounding encouragement as prayer. Let prayer in the name of Jesus be a daily habit with us every morning and evening of our lives. Keeping up that habit, we shall find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness and support in death.  Faithful is He that promised, “Your joy shall be full;” and He will keep His word, if we just ask in prayer.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

The Rev. Don Fultz+

 

 

Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama

We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian

The Fourth Sunday after EASTER

Good Shepherd

Acts 13:14b-16, 26-39 or Num 27:12-23 Ps 100 Rev 7:9-17 John 10:22-30

---As we begin, we celebrate our mothers.....

Today is Mother's Day, a day when we honor our Moms. We learn many things from our Moms’.

 My mother taught me religion. She used to say things like, "You better pray that comes out of the carpet." My mother taught me medicine: "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way." My mother taught me how to be a contortionist: "Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!" My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done: "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning!" My mother taught me about genetics: "You are just like your father!" My mother taught me logic: "Because I said so, that's why."

I don't know if any of you had mothers like that. Maybe we all had a mother like that. But here's a more profound question: Do you know anyone whose mother prays for them daily? Several of us are in that category..." from sermons@sermons.com

Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Easter. " "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John 10:14)

I desire to look at Good Shepherd Sunday in its practical application today.

Perhaps it helps to look at the context of I Peter chapter 5: 1-6: ¹The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. ²Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. ³Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. ⁵Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

1.  Be examples to the flock, not being lords over others in other words.

In verse one he exhorts the Elders as a fellow Elder. The word exhort is in the original not as we would think. It is to come alongside, and call close up and personal. Encourage would be a better thought here, not exhort as we think of it in condemning others.

We can glean from verse two that we too should feed, take oversight, guide and shepherd. Verse two means to care for /protect. This is an important point. We may say that our mothers were such. They did discipline us, but with love being the emphasis we may say. 

Pastors and people should do this as well, not being lords but examples and encouragers. 

Who can you think of that has done this in your life? I have several that have done that for me. They had views and were strict about some things, but were able to overlook my immaturity and helped me to grow.

2.  Be a Shepherd for the sheep. What do Shepherds do?

It is somewhat difficult for us to understand as we do not have sheep in our pastures so to speak or yards. Peter reminds us what that looks like:

²Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; ³Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

"A shepherd must watch the environment closely and keep his sheep from wandering into unsafe places. Shepherds must also know how to recognize poisonous plants and shrubs so they can redirect their flock away from them. Whether by using a border collie to manage the flock or by training the flock to follow their lead, shepherds can guide sheep toward safety and away from danger."  sheepcaretaker.com

Sheep are intelligent and can remember up to fifty faces. And more, "Sheep have an incredibly wide field of vision and can see behind themselves without moving their heads, yet have terrible depth perception and may not see something immediately in front of them." from sheepcaretaker.com

3. And perhaps the hard part as sheep, Shepherds or Undershepherds is to submit yourselves; ⁵Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. ⁶Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. (I Peter 5: 5-6)

Have an open mind as we deal with others in other words. Take off our shades. I have a strong pair of shades from specs for vets that allow me to drive in a sunny day but indoors they are horrible, as well on a shady day.

Can we meet in the middle when we have differences.? It seems unlikely with our current situation, one is right all the time, and utilizes “do it my way or else” thinking.

"We look to Christ, the chief Shepherd, to teach us what it means to shepherd the flock that He has paid for with His blood. This is not just a light responsibility, and on our own, we do not have the capacity to carry this out, but through His power, He gives us the ability and the strength to do what He has called us to do – being an undershepherd, under Christ, among the flock." christianexplorer.org on the role of an undershepherd.

So as we remember our mothers, Happy Mother's Day to all of them. We thank them for their nurture of us through all the years of joy, happiness and some heartache. Happy Good Shepherd Sunday too!

                                    Rev. David McMillan

 

AOC

Worldwide Prayer List –

I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.

Prayer Needed:

Patty Faye and Marie Shipe – traveling around Italy – return May 23 – for safety

Missy Koestler Arnold - mourning the passing of her mother, Joan Koestler.

Lydia Collins - rectal cancer.

Marilee – Mastectomy Update – pathology report stage three, spread to lymph nodes, more surgery 

James Cavanah – health issues, new medication tolerance

Sophie – Sever bipolar issues, drug use and difficulty with parents, pray for her parents, Gary & Betsy

Church of the Redeemer – lay-readers assisting the service and congregation

Colin and daughter, Lori Beall – cancer

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

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.

 The People of Manipur, India

 

Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Mike, Jim, Dotty, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, Josh Morley-seizures,
Jennifer, AOC USA, AOC Missions, Zach, Jess, Luke, Jacquie,  Harper-IBS, Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, Colin, Lowery, Robert, Donna-chemotherapy,
Eddie, Aleyda-heart and bp issues, Leslie, Daniel, Jim-TBI issues, Alicia-caregiver