250706 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
Third Sunday after Trinity
July 6, 2025 - Sunday Report
Third Sunday after Trinity 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 192-193.
The Collect for Third Sunday after Trinity
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle for Third Sunday after Trinity. 1 St. Peter v. 5.
ALL of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
The Gospel for Third Sunday after Trinity. St. Luke xv. 1.
THEN drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
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:
Oh that men would praise
the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm
107:15
The
discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Proverbs 19:11
Seek the
LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
Isaiah
55:6
For I am
the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed
Malachi
3:6
And have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians
5:11
Finally,
be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but
contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit
a blessing.
I St.
Peter 3:8-9
The same
God that has led us has fed us all our life long unto this day, has fed us with
food convenient, has provided food for the soul, Those that hunger and thirst
after righteousness, after the living God and communion with him, shall be abundantly
replenished with the goodness of his house both in grace and glory.
. The Rev.
Matthew Henry
The
Scriptures give us the only authentic portrait of Jesus Christ. If you want to
know what Christ was like, study the Scriptures; that is where you find the real
Jesus, and we are not at liberty to tamper with what we find there or to change
it.
The Rev. David Samuel –Anglican theologian and author (The Church In Crisis,
pp. 4-5).
Could you
weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a
serpent, and abhor the least appearance of evil. Look upon all sin as that which
crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be “exceeding sinful.”
The Rev.
Charles H. Spurgeon (Morning and Evening, p. 142).
We cannot let our preachers and teachers and pastors
get away with taking away God’s words, changing God’s words, and adding on
man’s words. This... is a consequence of abandoning the words that God gave in
favor of man’s “preferences” and interpretations. And, of course, that is just
a part of the set-up for one world religion and one world Bible for that one
world religion. Brothers and sisters, we need to stand up for God’s holy words,
for us in English, the King James Bible. We need to read them, believe them,
teach them and spread them.
Dr. David Daniels (51 Reasons Why The King James : A Path From Doubt To
Faith , 2018, p. 88).
This book may fall into the hands of some who know
nothing whatever about growth in grace. They have little or no concern about
religion. A little proper Sunday church going or chapel going makes up the sum
and substance of their Christianity. They are without spiritual life, and of
course they cannot at present grow. Are you one of these people? If you are,
you are in a pitiable condition. Years are slipping away and time is flying. Graveyards
are filling up and families are thinning. Death and judgment are getting nearer
to us all. And yet you live like one asleep about your soul! What madness! What
folly! What suicide can be worse than this? Awake before it is too late, and
arise from the dead, and live to God. Turn to him who is sitting at the right
hand of God, to be your Saviour and Friend. Turn to Christ, and cry mightily to
him about your soul. There is yet hope!
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle
Article VI: Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
“Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.”
NOTE: Interestingly, this Article adds an important Caveat at the end of Article VI: “All the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.” To which Scripture do you believe this makes reference? Beyond doubt, it references the only Scriptural evidence received and used by the Reformers – the Textus Receptus (Received Text) upon which all of the major Reformation Bibles were based. The Geneva Bible and the King James (Authorized Version) are examples of Received Text Bibles. They are based on that manuscript evidence as commonly received by the Reformers. Dr. Theodore Letis, in his extensive studies on the subject, refers to these as the Ecclesiastical Text.
The Word of God is actually an exact painting of Christ written in textual form. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4) It should be observed that the Word of God is Eternal having existed from before the Foundation of the World. It might be said that there is far more of the Word of God for us to discover beyond Jordan’s Stormy Banks since all of the mysteries of Creation and Eternity Past comprise the fullness of our Lord’s Personage. As St. Paul saith: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) The written Word supplies all of our needs for salvation and faith; however, the Personification of that Word in Christ will be fully revealed when we awake with His likeness and behold Him face-to-face! “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles -Five Solas – Sola Scriptura
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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
This is a reposting of a video presentation I made post election in 2024, but feel it appropriate to recall on this
Independence Day of 2025.
lick link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtQ1evATu1U&t=4s
From the Meditations for Youth Series: The Mind of God
Click Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MMK5XSwt8s&t=1sl
The Anglican
Orthodox Church SM
founder: the most rev. james parker dees, a.b., b.d., d.d. • founded November 16, 1963
2228 Wilkesboro Hwy. • P. O. Box 128 • Statesville, North
Carolina 28687- 0128
Telephone 704.873.8365 •Email: aocworldwide@gmail.com •
Web: www.aocinternational.org
The Most Rev. Jerry L.
Ogles - Presiding Bishop
July 4, 2025,
INDEPENDENCE DAY – Bishop’s Letter
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
America has just gone through a
period fraught with dangers and political intrigue. Though many in our nation
are waking up to the threats presented by totalitarian sentiments and moral
depravity, have we waited too late to respond? I think not! Freedom is a
fragile blessing that is always preserved by the shedding of blood or, at
least, the willingness to die in its defense.
What is the source of all freedom? That source resides in the Sovereign of our Redemption – the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source and preserver of all freedoms. He not only died to save our souls, but also to purchase our freedom from the bondage of sin. Without Christ, all remain in bondage to sin and can will to do nothing righteous in the eyes of the Lord. That bondage derives from the depravity of man without the redeeming grace of our Lord. ‘Self-will’ is not ‘free will’ and all respond with self-will before coming to the Throne of Grace. That liberty is not only personal but national as well. It was the guiding hand of the Providence of our Lord that directed our Founding Fathers to establish a government whose Founding Document – the Declaration of Independence – recognized God’s sovereignty above all earthly governments and stipulated that all of our rights descend from God - not government.
We may have taken our Liberty too lightly for a while. If a people are willing to surrender freedom for a government handout, they will neither have freedom nor prosperity. Those beholding to government for a morsel of food are in bondage to the government plantation. If we devolve into a people whose security and confidence is in government, we will certainly lose our Liberty. Once lost, Liberty is very difficult to recover and must be purchased with the same blood as was shed by our fore fathers.
In the Parable of the Lost Lamb, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son, we are reminded of the value of that which is lost and the great effort required to recover that lost lamb, coin, or son. We only realize the full value of an asset when it becomes lost to us. So it is with Liberty.
Can America be restored to the favor of our God? Yes, we are promised the same in 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Not
all of a nation are told to satisfy this promise of God – only those who are
called by My Name, i.e. Christians. Unfortunately, it is the compromise of
the churches of our land which have opened the floodgates for the world to
enter into the Holy Place. The doctrines of freedom and liberty, once
profoundly preached from the pulpits of the American colonies, are now
substituted for carnal license and a low regard for the Commandments of God.
The hour is late, and the
shadows lengthen; but I have a firm faith that God will restore America to her
former greatness through the faith and diligence of her people.
Happy 4th of July and God bless America in restoring our Christian and patriotic zeal!
In Christ Alone during TRINITY SEASON,
† Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop, Chancellor Faith Theological Seminary - Pakistan
Sermon Summary for the Third Sunday after Trinity
The Prayer of
Collect.
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom though hast given an hearty desire to pray, may be comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Our Gospel text from Luke 15:1-10 stresses the value of the lost – the sheep, the coin and the son. But the matter is larger than these three entities – it involves all those who belong to God but are lost. Ownership of anything lost remains the property of the one to whom it is lost. So it is with God. The clearest example of the three given in our text is the Lost Son. At no point in time during which he deserted his father, wasted his father’s inheritance in riotous living, or his suffering the depravity of the pig sty, did the son cease to be his father’s son. His lostness was temporary. It is the same for us today of the household of God – we may go out of the will of the Father, but His Holy Spirit will re-awaken us to our great need to return and be received with love and grace. Never does God renounce His ownership of that which was lost. He will seek them, recover them to His fold, and rejoice at their return as the Father of the Lost Son.
Those who are “the called according to His purpose” will forever belong to Him and they shall return to the fold if they go astray at some point along life’s journey. “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” (John 17:6) and “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)
The lost are lost for different reasons – through their own carelessness as the lost sheep, through the carelessness of someone else as the lost coin, or through a rebellious spirit as in the case of the Lost Son. Though they belong to Him, they are lost for a time in the clutches of the Accuser. But the power of the Accuser is of little force compared to the power of the Holy Spirit to seek and find that which is lost. In the case of the lost lamb, it does not intend to get lost. It is lost owing to a lack of attention to the most important aspect of life – following the Shepherd and not being distracted by mistakenly being seduced by the ‘greener grass’ by the wayside.
The lost coin has no awareness of its lost condition. It belongs to the woman but has not known it. It is as dead as the lost sinner before the Holy Spirit quickens it. It belongs to the woman all along, but once found, it is doubly cherished by its owner. Unlike the sheep and the son, it never before knew its owner until found and made alive. “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)
IN all three cases, the lost is the most valuable to its Owner simply because it is lost and must be recovered. However, in the case of the lost son, he has full awareness of his lostness from the beginning. His cause is rebellion to his father’s rule. He knew he was in error when he went into a far country and wasted his inheritance. The father did not need to seek him for he knew at all points where his son had gone. It was necessary for the Holy Spirit to remind him of his depraved circumstance and to repent of his rebellion after which, the father received him, too, with great joy and celebration.
I have preached so often on these parables but with each return, my heart is opened to the fuller beauty of the depth and meaning.
In the Epistle of 1 Peter 5, the elders of the church are admonished to “Feed 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.” (1 Peter 5;2) Unfortunately, feeding the flock in the modern church has become more like “slopping the pigs” according to the analysis of Rev Thomas Brooks former minister in Pensacola. This is not to compare the congregants to pigs, but the food they are often fed is more like that which the prodigal fed the swine in a far country.
In what spirit and demeanor do the elders of the Church feed the flock of God? They do so in humility of the great calling to which they have been ordained – “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. (1 Peter 5: 2-3) If one is your elder in the Church, his life must be an example for you to follow else you may find yourself in the same ditch to which he has led you. The result? God will not only reward the under shepherd, but his hearers.
Much of my younger years were served in the military service. One of the most important aspects of an effective military force is respect for those placed over us in leadership. I have heard the reprimand of my father at least two-thousand times, “Son, respect your elders!” That is a Godly principle that is also required by God in the Church. Of course, it the elder is not worthy of respect, he is not a fitting elder and you must find another. Good order is essential in life – social, political, religious, or military service.
Humility discourages strife and inspires the grace of God. God has promised to raise those up who put themselves down, and to put down those who raise themselves up. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
We live in a wilderness in which the predator lion (or Satam) walks about seeking his victims. So his cubs also inhabit the dark shadows. He attacks ferociously without mercy. He seeks only the death of his victims to devour them. But empowered by the Spirit of God, we are vigilant to know his lair and remain apart from it. As the writer, Lydia Sigourney cautions the youth:
To evil habit’s earliest wile
Lend neither ear, nor glance, nor smile,
Choke the dark fountain ere it flows,
Nor even admit the Camel’s Nose.
The fever of life is double-faceted. We are blessed with the Holy Spirit to distinguish right and wrong by the Word of God on one side, and on the other, we are burdened with the vile desires of the flesh to do things that are out of favor of our Lord. So how shall we overcome the latter and live in the former? We walk circumspectly as did Christ. We walk on that Narrow Way on which He walked. How did He treat the wiles and temptations of the devil - by quoting scripture to him at every turn in the Wilderness.
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
† Jerry Ogles
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:
Something terrible has happened to Christianity, far more devastating than any heresy or physical persecution. It has taken place over a period of years but has essentially gone by unnoticed. It is one of Satan's better efforts to bring ruin to the Church of Christ and to destroy it on a world-wide basis.
One may say it began with Pilate's rhetorical question, "What is truth?" found in the eighteenth chapter of John's Gospel. Pilate had no doubt heard the question from the philosophical minds of the day, as the school known as "the Sceptics" had followed the Greek and Roman intelligentsia as far as Jerusalem. It had even influenced some of the rabbinical thought of the day and appeared in parts of the Talmud
Today it is not uncommon to hear someone say "Well, that's just your opinion." in response to a remark with which the speaker disagrees but chooses to offer no rebuttal. This usually ends the conversation as it reduces all further argument to the level of personal opinion, with the implication that anything the other person might offer in rebuttal is their opinion - and therefore NOT BASED ON FACT. The statement is a kind of verbal judo, spoken to cripple the discussion, and to exert authority over an opponent, albeit without personal injury or insult. It implies that factual discussion is based entirely on opinion, and the weight of strong factual argument can be easily overcome by questioning the truth or truths presented.
In modern society we have been forced to question everything presented as the truth because we have learned that those institutions previously entrusted with truth are in fact are no longer reliable. The MEDIA has been caught in so many lies that there remains no unquestioned public trust that what is reported as "news" will in fact be unquestionably FACTUAL. In many instances, editorializing has replaced reporting in television and on the web. The dry delivery of Cronkite has been replaced by the rants of Joe Scarborough and while both "reporters" held liberal political views, their followers hear very different "facts" in terms of what is TRUE beyond question.
Politicians have learned how to lie and to manipulate the truth without any qualm of conscience in order to damage their opponents and win elections, even by total fraud. It used to be said of crooked lawyers that you could tell they were lying when their lips were moving. The same may be said of those we used to call "statesmen" and "leaders" who now boldly lie about their political opponents without consequence. It used to be a crime to lie before Congress, and Congressional "hearings" were allegedly forums in which the absolute truth was demanded. That is no longer the case. Our presidential elections have been reduced to court decisions determining the outcome of national and local elections due to accusations of fraud, manipulation, and lies. In many cases of late, neither side trusts the outcome to be factual, even after judicial verification. Discrepancies are often blamed on electronic devices' failures or manipulation but who can question a machine or find one guilty of fraud? What IS truth?
I remember in college sociology class having to learn about a feller called "Piltdown Man" allegedly one of our prehistoric ancestors along with Neanderthal and the other ape-like ancient relatives of us homo sapiens. We had to memorize his distinctives and his position in the evolutionary parade of which we were the present leaders. Turns out, there never was a "Piltdown Man" despite the efforts of anthropologists to bring him into our human pedigree. He was invented by a "scholar" who faked the evidence of Piltdown's existence but was promptly supported by the OPINIONS of his fellow anthropologists, whose opinions we students were forced to accept as "scientific" TRUTH. They eventually had to take him out of the textbooks.
One of the worst examples is that of the Christian Churches themselves, in their failure to deal with the matter of scepticism in matters of faith. Denominations have always been at odds over doctrinal issues but the modern Church has gone far beyond that. Churches are now in open CONTRADICTION over those immutable truths held for centuries by orthodox believers. The Creedal truths which were regarded as sacrosanct are now not only questioned but doubters are hailed as intellectual heroes - as were the ancient sceptics - as though there was some intellectual merit in calling into question EVERY TENET of creedal Christianity - and still be welcomed as a member of the denomination. Bishop John Shelby Spong went on the Phil Donahue network talk show back in the '80s and before an audience of millions denied every truth of the Apostles and Nicene Creeds. With his handsome Carolina drawl and purple shirt, the good bishop suggested that the entire Bible was simply the result of the OPINIONS of the uneducated peasants who were attempting in their feeble way to explain the deep mysteries of the Divine. He went on to suggest that belief in the Virgin Birth was an absurdity and that the Resurrection was a "conjuring trick with bones." No one in his Church questioned him - no one dared to contradict him - no one suggested he resign as a "leader" in the Church. Instead, he was applauded for publicly expressing his own "doubts" yet still remaining a religionist. Many followed in his intellectual footsteps because we have no Bible - we have seventeen different "translations" or "versions" and biblical criticism can be found in every Sunday School curriculum in the country. Homosexuality, sodomy, transvestism, and gender dysphoria can now find proponents in the Christian Churches because "we're all entitled to our OPINIONS." After all, it's a free country and the right of free speech entitles us to say whatever they will without reproach. God's ETERNAL WORD has been reduced to HIS OPINION.
Anglicanism has been torn apart by the matter of women's ordination, and "opinions" are hot on all sides. Opponents have more often than not based their opinions of tradition or the Canon Laws of the historic Churches. Rarely is Biblical argument used because the public trust in the authority (truth) of Holy Scripture has been constantly brought into question. The one verse that had been used by all sides in the argument - Romans 16:1 - declares Phoebe to be a servant of the church in Cenchrea. For over five hundred years blessed Phoebe had remained a humble servant, just as Paul himself was, and as we are called to be. But in many modern translations (all written AFTER 1951) Phoebe got a promotion. She was first called a deaconess, then a deacon, then a minister, and most recently, an administrator of the church of Cenchrea viz. somewhere, somehow, she got herself ORDAINED.
Today, if you call women's ordination into question you are considered a radical and a misogynist, a "fundamentalist" and an enemy of the Gospel. There is no more discussion, no more debate, no more conciliar consideration of what God's truth may be.
One clever bunch of Anglicans has even decided to straddle the doctrinal (factual) fence by ordaining women to the diaconate and presbyterate but denying them the EPISCOPATE! Some of the denomination accept this arrangement, some strongly oppose it but both sides are satisfied that it settles the argument for the very fact that it defends contradictory opinions, and the church therefore remains UNITED - not by shared faith and practice - but by satisfying an argument.
It has now become a struggle to determine 'What is truth" in this century. Wars have begun because of opinions, even when some of those opinions are based on nothing but falsehoods, oft repeated. The people begged for Barabbas not because he was a nice guy or could do anything of value for the people of Israel but because of a rumour about him, that he was some sort of Robin Hood. But they hated Jesus more than they loved Barabbas because He told the TRUTH. He never sugar coated it or challenged orthodoxy to please the crowd or the rabbis or the Romans. He gave them no novel ideas to wrestle in their minions or synagogues, no new translations or "easier to understand" vocabulary - he simply quoted Scripture to them - as written.
If we cannot rely on politicians, or the media, or the clergy, or the internet to find the truth and nothing but the truth, where then may we find it? My answer is God and His Almighty Word. Isn't that what Christians mean when we shout "Sola Scriptura?" I know that sounds simplistic, anachronistic and anti-intellectual - but that's "just my opinion" and my opinion is every bit as good as yours!
+cem
Yves M.
Méra
Presiding
Bishop
AOC
France Anglican Orthodox Church
Worldwide
We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.
Original writings or oral tradition?
The testimony of the Ancients.
What does the Bible say?
What are the consequences for us?
The testimony of the Ancients.
When we choose to prefer tradition to Scripture, to be consistent, we must take into account the whole tradition. However, until the 19th century, the date of writing of the Gospels, transmitted from generation to generation, extends from the year 41 (Matthew) to the year 98 (John), i.e. during the lifetime of the Apostles.
Why have these dates been called into question? Quite simply, in the absence of complete written texts prior to the end of the persecutions, in 313, with the Edict of Milan of the Emperor Constantine. In 304, Emperor Diocletian had ordered the destruction of all objects of Christian worship, especially holy books. Few have been able to be hidden and spared, the copies of which form the New Testament; ancient extracts have come down to us, confirming the sacred text: the Received Text. This is why there are no complete manuscripts prior to this date. But if Diocletian had them destroyed, it is because they already existed!
The transmission of the teaching of the Apostles was therefore not oral but written, following the Israelite worship, where the public reading of the Holy Scriptures is essential. It was therefore during the lifetime of the Apostles that the Gospels were written or dictated by the Apostles, for the needs of worship.
The Bible.
Luke begins his Gospel by declaring that he wrote it himself: “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3). It leaves no room for the so-called "oral tradition". And he persists at the beginning of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles: “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1) He therefore confirms that he wrote his two books during his lifetime. The "oral tradition" prior to the writing of the Gospels is therefore a blandness and a deception.
Paul wrote his epistles, which no one disputes, and instituted the exchange of his letters to all the parishes: “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” (Colossians 4:16). He teaches “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1:11) and recommends that it be read publicly: “... give attendance to reading” (1 Timothy 4:13), These Scriptures are not only the Old Testament, but also the Epistles and the Gospel.
In his Second Epistle, Peter warns against those who “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16) It is therefore that the writings of the New Testament were already widespread.
And John, like the other biblical authors, wrote the book of Revelation himself, at the command of the Lord Jesus: “What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches” (Revelation 1/11).
What are the consequences for us?
We must base our faith on the Sacred Texts, written for us from the beginning of the Christian era, because they are reliable: “... holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21); and “… the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Beware of those who twist the meaning of it from recently invented fake manuscripts - sources of the new versions of the Bible that the same twisted minds want to impose on us with their future globalist religion, compatible with an uncompromising Islam!
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Prayer: 1 Timothy 4:16 ... 6:20… 21:
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Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop of France.
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Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
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 Trinity Sermon
Not long afterward, the apostles Peter and John travelled from Jerusalem to see what the Holy Spirit had wrought by the work of Philip and to pray for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (vv.14-16). Upon arriving, the apostles, laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost (v.17). After witnessing the coming of the Holy Ghost to those who believed, Simon offered [the apostles] money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost (vv.18-19). Imagine, if you will, the horror and disgust which likely filled the apostles when they had heard such a request. Imagine also, how it was received in heaven by the LORD Almighty.
The reply given Simon was “short, sharp and to the point.” But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity (vv.20-23).
When we examine the case of Simon the Sorcerer, we find that his motivations for accepting Christ were based not on receiving salvation but upon self-service. He had hidden his true intentions from Philip, but not from the apostles. Consider the words of the Rev. Matthew Henry on this subject: “Simon was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but not at all solicitous to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself than to do good to others. Now, in making this motion, he put a great affront upon the apostles, as if they were mercenary men [who] would do any thing for money, and loved it as well as he did... He put a great affront upon Christianity, as if the miracles that were wrought for the proof of it were done by magic arts, only of a different nature from what he himself had practised formerly. He showed that, like Balaam, he aimed at the rewards of divination; for he would not have offered money for this power if he had not hoped to get money by it. He showed that he had a very high conceit of himself, and that he had never his heart truly humbled. Such a wretch as he had been before his baptism should have asked, like the prodigal, to be made as one of the hired servants. But, as soon as he is admitted into the family, no less a place will serve him than to be one of the stewards of the household, and to be entrusted with a power which Philip himself had not, but the apostles only.”
Today there are numerous examples of Simon the Sorcerer plying their wares as so-to-speak ministers of the gospel. One need only look about to see those whose ministries involve greed for gain; who preach and teach the doctrines of men rather than the whole counsel of God; who disdain the everyday callings to serve all the while seeking after those postings that will elevate their status among men.
St. Peter noted in his second epistle that such persons have, eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls; a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam... who loved the wages of unrighteousness... These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever (2:14-17). And the apostle further described such persons as, servants of corruption... For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them (vv.19-21).
Our Lord warned us to, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits... Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit (St. Matthew 7:15-17). When you hear any minister claim that the word of God must be reinterpreted to meet the needs of a modern world watch out. Modern society is inundated with all the filth which the world, the flesh, and the devil can conjure up. The unfaithful minister will peddle his master’s wares as opposed to teaching and preaching against the wicked and their nefarious doctrines and behaviors. The false witness offers mankind a false gospel. Such a one may come in the finest clothing money can buy. Such a one may come using the cross as a prop, and the Bible as a lure, in order to fill up his or her synagogue of Satan. Simon the Sorcerer was content to hide behind his baptism and his feigned allegiance to Christ. Ergo, should we be surprised if the modern versions of such a man would do likewise? I think not!
The Bible contains any number of warnings so that regenerated souls in Christ may avoid being deceived and their faith overthrown. We must beware those things that have been set forth in Scripture as harmful to our overall spiritual well-being. The old saying of “not all that glitters is gold” is apropos. We must watch. We must be discerning. We must be Bereans. And, we must pray for guidance and strength in the Holy Ghost. Do not allow yourself to be taken in by those whose master is not the Good Shepherd but the Thief, the Murderer, and the father of Lies. Pray then for what is pure, wholesome and righteous in the sight of our Lord. Seek his will for you and avoid the unfruitful works of darkness. And pray for the Holy Ghost to guide you into all truth.
Let us pray,
Gracious LORD, fill us with thy most holy Spirit; and grant us wisdom and courage to live in obedience to thy will and pleasure; for this we ask in the name of thy Son, our Saviour, 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
Third Sunday after Trinity Sermon
Holy Communion
The Epistle: 1 Peter. 5: 5-11; The Gospel: St. Luke 15:1-10
O LORD, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may, by thy mighty aid, be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rejoice with me.
In the simplest sense when we read the Epistle today there really isn’t a mystery to the words.
We are to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. He will exalt you in due time. He gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. And most especially we are to cast our care upon him. Why? Because he cares for you. ALL of you be subject one to another, and. be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you
Reading the words you see a certain construct and lay-out in how the words are put in order.
When you move from giving up your cares or casting them on God, then you are to be sober, vigilant; why?
Because the devil, your adversary, is roaring about as a lion seeking who he may devour. So our vigilance and sobriety is to give us a steadfastness in the faith. And we are not going through this alone. With God on our side we are able to withstand the wiles of the devil. Our fellow believers around the world are suffering the same afflictions, some even worse...unto death. And yet they remain faithful to the end. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Now comes the most beautiful part of this passage of scripture: 10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
He will care for you because of Jesus. He will carry our cares and burdens, he will sustain us, strengthen us and settle us. In other words he will give you peace in your afflictions.
And the final and most important aspect of this study; the ascription. 11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel. St. Luke 15:1-10
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost., more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle. and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
In the simple reading of the Gospel, we find that God deals with us as individuals, not as a number or an unknown. In both parables Jesus puts the emphasis on the one lost; whether it be the sheep or the silver piece that is missing. That one is most important in the quest to find it and save it. Wow, pretty impressive. The Creator God of the World cares for us so much that He searches for us until we are found. He cares so much for us He sends His only begotten Son to come and save us by His death on the Cross. 1THEN drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 1And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and. go after that which is lost, until he find it? Pretty heady stuff, I’d say.
In both stories, once the lost has been found, the searcher (Jesus) calls everyone to come celebrate and rejoice. And to make his point at the end of each parable Jesus makes clear that the one who was lost, now being found causes joy in heaven. The lesson Jesus uses to impress upon the scribes and Pharisees the value of all human life comes down to the difference of haughty man (the learned and elite). They do not see the value of the poor, lowly, and those with less, Jesus turns the table on the skeptics by pointing out the value of each individual, whether depicted as a sheep or a coin. Each has value in its own right, and Jesus makes this clear in how he depicts the ‘lost’.
Notice that he makes it clear the lost sheep or piece of silver is compared to one (that theme again) sinner who has repented . ...7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth...
Notice something else about these two parables ? The shepherd and the woman both seek that which is lost, until they find it......they don’t give up. Then and only after finding that which was lost do they call for rejoicing.
A famous author who in his youth was a non-believer, wrote that he could not get away from the “Hound of Heaven”. God kept pursuing him until he finally gave up and came to the Lord finding the salvation that he so desperately needed and yet so foolishly kept running from.
God wants every sinner to repent and turn from their wicked ways. He will not stop until he has found you and brought you to the Cross. If you have been trying to run from God, stop, turn around and be saved. The angels in heaven will rejoice when you come to the Lord. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Let us pray:
ALMIGHTY God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking; We beseech thee to have compassion upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us, for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Help us to be ever mindful of the great sacrifices that were made to secure our independence and liberties. Give us a thankful heart on this day of our nation’s birth; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+Roy Morales-Kuhn
Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
Third Sunday after Trinity Devotions
12
Steps to Living Without Fear
by Lloyd Ogilivie
----When I lived in North Dakota and served the Reformed Presbyterian Church there in a small town, I remember seeing him on the television in his sermon and Church broadcast.
He had a wonderful way of connecting with people, and preached with no notes! I have taught some of the below in various churches to help understand how fear can cripple us, and make us unable to do what we should be doing for God and His Kingdom.
No, they are not perfect, and each point in his book listed above has a chapter dedicated to it. They are worth reading about in the actual book still available. I will say that no. 12 has been one of the most helpful to me personally....but the others too are quite helpful especially no. 7 in dealing with people and how they affect us.
Blessings to you as you meditate on them, and the Scripture for each one. They are worth looking at and seeing how they fit the thought that is introduced.
1. "My fear is really loneliness for God. Therefore, I will claim His promise to never leave me or forsake me. "
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5)
2. "I will overcome my crippling fears with a creative fear of God expressed with awe and wonder, adoration and faithful obedience. He is the only Person I have to please."
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant." (Psalm 25:14)
3. "I will face my fears, retrace them to their source in my heart, displace them by making my heart Christ's home, and erase them with His perfect love."
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
4. "I will let go of my hurting memories of the past. I will not anticipate the repetition of the past pain;I will accept forgiveness from the Lord and will forgive everything and everyone in the past---including myself."
"1Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." (Psalm 103:1-2)
5. "Fear is estrangement from myself. What I fear in others I first fear in myself. Therefore, in response to God's unqualified acceptance, I will embrace myself as worthy of my own affirmation and encouragement."
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10)
6. "I will admit I am inadequate to meet life's opportunities, but I will conquer my fear by becoming a riverbed for the flow of God's guidance, love, and power."
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
7. "Secure in God's love, I will not surrender my self-worth to the opinions and judgments of others. When I am rejected, I will not retaliate; when I am hurt, I will allow God to heal me. And knowing the pain of rejection, I will seek to love those who suffer from its anguish."
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1)
8. "Today I will turn over the control of my life to the Lord. I will trust His control over what I was never meant to control. With His guidance I will take responsibility for what He has given me to do for His glory and by His power."
"For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." (Luke 19:26)
9. "I confess my fearful imagination and today I ask the Lord through HIs Spirit to make my imagination a channel of His vision and not a breeding place of fear."
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19)
10."I will face my eventual physical death and claim that I am alive eternally. Therefore, I can live abundantly without panic for the rest of my time on earth."
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)
11. "Today, I commit myself to motivating people with love rather than manipulating them with fear"
."9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21)
12. "I will give up the vague idea that given time, things work out. I will boldly face the future unafraid with the sure confidence that God will work all things together for my ultimate good and His glory."
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
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:
Richard Bailey – Brain Cancer
Steve
Williams – recovery Hip Replacement
Dakota Reynolds- hit by truck –
multiple injuries
Finley Cartwright – bypass surgery – recovering at home
The Fultz’s and Folino Family – loss of Steve Foliono – traveling mercies for all traveling to memorial
Walter Hallberg III – Hospice Care
Thomas Broome – hospital – fall and infectious disease
Jeff Maraman - at the fire academy in Arkansas.
Lydia Collins - rectal cancer.
Marilee – Mastectomy Update – second surgery successful – chemo begun
James Cavanah – health issues, new medication tolerance – starting to work keep praying
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
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, Lydia
Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall - cancer, Toni - cancer, Donna - cancer, Malou - cancer,
Roseanne, Bobby, Missy, Archie, Eloise, McMaster -mourning, Turner Family - Mourning
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