250209 AOC Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church_sm

Worldwide Communion

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
August 31, 2025 - Sunday Report

 Eleventh 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 204-206.

 

 

The Collect for Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 The Epistle for Eleventh Sunday after Trinity. I Corinthians xv. 1.

CONCERNING spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

 The Gospel for Tenth Sunday after Trinity. St. Luke xvii. 9.

 Jesus spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:   Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.   The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

 

On Point

Someone asked, where do the quotes come from? The answer is from the people who uttered them. But, how did you find them? Oh, that. Some from Bishop Jerry, others from Rev. Geordie and many from Rev Bryan Dabney and a few from other places. 
             Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson – England (above)

 

 

 

Points to Ponder:

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.
Psalm 92:1

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. ⁴¹Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
Lamentations 3:40-41

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
St. Matthew 24:42

Spiritual joy is the heart and soul of thankful praise. Rejoice in Him as our Father and King, and a God in covenant with us.
The Rev. Matthew Henry

A regenerate man does not make the world’s opinion his rule of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the stream of the world’s ways, notions, and customs... He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which most around him call happiness. He cannot enjoy their enjoyments— they weary him, they appear to him vain, unprofitable, and unworthy of an immortal being. He overcomes the fear of the world... He has taken his stand... His first aim is to please God.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle

There is nothing so deluding as feelings. Christians cannot live by feelings. Let me further tell you that these feelings are the work of Satan, for they are not right feelings. What right have you to set up your feelings against the word of Christ?
The Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon

Our Lord reminded them that if they did indeed love God, they would have exercised toward their fellows judgment, mercy and faith. Judgment requires a mindset of doing what is right as defined by the law. Mercy requires us to possess a heart dedicated to discerning whether or not leniency would serve better than severity in dealing with others. Faith calls on us to believe God over the world, the flesh and the devil. As it was written in the Book of Hebrews, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) The law was of little value without a trusting faith in him who is its author. Why bother with the precepts of the law if you really do not accept that there is a God after all? In point of fact, God was not real to those men for if he had been, they would have obeyed the commandments from the heart. Jesus said, He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (St. John 8:47).
The Rev. Bryan Dabney – Sermon 11^th Sunday after Trinity (2025)

Mercy always Trumps Law.
Bishop Jerry 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 Blog:
 https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com  

Bishop Ogles You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg

 

 

 

Monday Morning Meditations: The Seven “I AM” Statements of Jesus - 250825

AOC Bishop’s Blog link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/seven-i-ams-of-christ.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8N2gk_bHt0

 

Monday Evening meditation: The Clay and the Potter

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-potter-clay.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEjfHLw0W9Q

 

   Tuesday Morning Meditation - John Newton's Storm

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/john-newtons-storm.html

You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1NHWB6OWJM&t=8s

 

  Tuesday Evening Devotions: Wait Upon the Lord

AOC Bishop’https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/sarahs-impatience.html

You tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qy7NscIBOU&t=25s

  

     Wednesday Morning Meditation: Bread from Heaven

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/bread-of-heaven.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5MzzHVUy58

 

 Wednesday Evening Meditation: What Shall I do with Jesus

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/what-shall-i-do-with-jesus-pilate-jesus.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKvqkacl6KU&t=10s

 

Thursday Morning Meditation:Two Fishes and Five loaves

 AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/two-fishes-and-five-loaves-of-bread.html

 You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyjV23tQpms

 

 Thursday Evening Meditation: Ye are the Salt of the Earth

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/salt-of-earth.html

You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx-VUDaCM3M&t=10s

Friday Morning Meditations: Bread and Light

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/bread-light.html

AOC You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw1DsfQgxEE

 

  Saturday Morning Meditations: Ark of Noah – Ark of Christ

AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/ark-of-christ.html

AOC You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdJ5PIScMzM

 

Saturdays with Ruth: Part 4 – Naomi returns

AOC Bishop’s Blog Link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2025/08/ruth-4.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1rLjZb8hXs

 

Sermon Summary for 11^th Sunday after Trinity

Lay Reader’s Sermon to be used on:
11^th Sunday after Trinity – August 31^St- MP
Second Lesson: Romans * 26-39

 PRAYER OF COLLECT

LET thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  (Ephesians 1:3-6)

             The term, ADOPTION, is used in Holy Scripture to describe a legal choice to assume another’s child as one’s own. It is a manner of choosing a son or daughter and not by accident of birth. The adopted son or daughter assumes full rights as a natural born child. The earliest example of adoption in Scripture was that of Ephraim and Manasseh, sons of Joseph, as full sons of Jacob with same rights of inheritance as Reuben and Simeon. (see Genesis 48:5,14,16,22) Another example is that of Moses adopted as a son to the daughter of Pharaoh.  (in Exodus 2:5-10) Yet another in Old Testament times is that of Esther being adopted by her uncle Mordecai. (see Esther 2:7) These were all physical adoption in which the child became the legal heirs of the father. In the New Testament, we find the process of adoption taking on an even greater meaning – spiritual and divine. In fact, adoption is one of the most critical aspects of our salvation.

             The Lord Jesus Christ was conceived by the miraculous intervention of the Holy Ghost and therefore had no sinful blood of man coursing through his veins. He was the Son of God from Eternity past and is properly termed the only Begotten Son. He is not the ‘only’ son, or ‘one and only’ son as the new versions falsely claim, but Begotten of the Father. He is of the same substance and mind of the Father and is His perfect likeness. In this respect, the Lord Jesus Christ is a Son separate and distinct from us as adopted sons and daughters. The distinction is vital for our understanding of His Person and Divinity. Jesus came: To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5) and, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1) He is of the same substance of the His Father - but we are adopted through grace and mercy - HIS grace and mercy!

 Being adopted into the family of God is accomplished without any good works or merit of those who are adopted.  It is equivalent to being dead, and then being reborn to newness of life since we were all dead in trespasses and sin ere we were drawn from our spiritual graves by the same Voice that called forth Lazarus. The dead can do nothing to save themselves – it is altogether an act of God and an expression of His will.

          The number of text references in Scripture to our adoption, and the means by which we are called, are far too plentiful for this short devotion; however, you have the Word of God to which you may refer to prove all these things for yourself.

             Being adopted into the family of God as sons and daughters, we must quit ourselves as sons and daughters, princes and princesses, of the Great King of Kings. It is our legacy to be so.

 FOR ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  (Romans 8:15-19)

 How shall you know that you are the called of God? By the love you bear for Him, His only Begotten Son, and those of His creation about us – a love unto death if it be so required of us. 

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. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 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:

 

 USING THE INSTRUMENT GOD MADE (cont'd)

 Modern churches will either have altars (communion tables) or stages as the principal focus of internal architecture, reflecting very different theologies. So too, church music will vary greatly according to church doctrine and traditions, age of the congregation, location (city vs. country) and other demographics. Whether or not a church has a choir will greatly affect the content and quality of congregational singing, as well as the presence of even a few strong voices. A wise minister will be aware of these factors, even though he may have little control over any of them. The overall effectiveness of a Sunday service may well depend on the diligence of the rector in choosing hymns for a particular service, based on these factors.

     I mentioned previously that I believe there is "good" music and "bad" music - a fact which the public's taste in popular music today may contradict. The music industry makes decisions about the popularity of tunes based on a variety of factors but the bottom line is sales, not necessarily esthetics. Church music has a different set of criteria for determining the quality of a particular hymn, amongst which should be "singability."

     Selecting hymns must be given a good deal of attention, in preparation for a service. Of course, sermon content and Scripture lessons must be taken into account, but so must hymnody. Verbose wording as well melodies with octave jumps, sharps and flats should be avoided. Many hymns are in fact beautiful poems set to music but are better read than sung. The tempo is also important, whether a choir is present or no. Lugubrious music is the death of congregational participation and the number of verses sung should be limited accordingly. It is no disrespect to the hymn writer or the melody composer to limit a tune to what a congregation is capable of singing well.

     Instrumentation is also important. Music must always reflect the glory of God and the congregations desire to profess that glory in song. The music itself, as well as the musicians, should never be the focus, else the service risks being an entertainment. So many Christian churches today are better known for the excellence of their organist and/ choir than for the power of their preaching. Showmanship, of course, is best left to the theater, not the sanctuary. One voice that is louder and draws attention to itself will discourage others who do not sing as well from singing at all.

     It is said that there is a noticeable return to traditional hymnody even in those churches that embraced electronic technology and multi-instrumental music. Many churches have even returned to organ music exclusively. Traditional music was familiar, easy to memorize, and deeply spiritual - often more Scripture based as well. A good deal of biblical theology could be learned from the old hymns. The language was not only beautiful, it was elegant and expressive, lifting the mind from the worldly and the mundane. Modern music, with obvious tympany and repetition, is often the opposite.

Contemporary artists may produce one or two hymns that are received by the public and used in perpetuity. The old hymn writers wrote dozens that have been sung for decades, if not longer, and have become part of the lexicon for all ages and tastes. That's "good music."

     The Bible tells us much about the music in Heaven. The angels sing in the presence of the Almighty as they worship Him day and night around the throne of Grace. Should not our music reflect that heavenly activity to the best of our ability - our finest gift fit for our King - with the instrument He made for us?

+CEM

 

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.

 

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sermon

 Sermon Text for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity: In our gospel lesson for today (St. Matthew 23:13-31), our Lord pronounced several woes upon the scribes and Pharisees. They were supposed to be the spiritual leaders among the people. They were supposed to explain the expectations of God to their less-learned fellows. Sadly, they did not measure up to the task for which they were called. Their teachings were restricted solely to those interpretations which supported their jaded religious views. Their hardheartedness was made plain on several occasions as documented within the pages of Scripture, and as a result our Lord rebuked them in terms which cut them to the quick.

To begin with our Lord said, But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go i.n Matthew 23:13). This charge was not only a condemnation of their failure to enter God’s kingdom themselves, but of their efforts to prevent others from entering in as well. If you remember from the Numbers 14, the children of Israel rebelled against God and refused to go into the promised land because of the false testimony of ten of the twelves spies which Moses had sent per the word of the LORD (Numbers 13:1-3). Ergo, one ought not to rely on simple numbers to prove a particular point because in many situations the majority isn’t always right, much less righteous. The old expression, “everybody’s doing it” does not miraculously transform whatever is being planned or carried out into something that is wholesome, or even legal. And our Lord called them hypocrites because they did indeed know the truth, but refused to proclaim it.

In his second accusation, our Lord pointed out that their religion was of a deceptive and grasping nature when he said, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Matthew 23:14). Devouring the poor— especially taking advantage of women whose husbands had died— in order to extract any thing of value from them was disgraceful to say the least. Our Lord likened such men to ravening wolves (St. Matthew 7:15) on account of their rapacious and grasping natures. He further warned them that they would face an even harsher judgment for their maleficent conduct. God hates theft regardless of who is doing it.

In his third accusation, our Lord described the scribes and Pharisees as zealots in the cause of religion— but not God’s religion— when he said, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Matthew 23:15). The devil has worked with great efficiency over the ages to direct as many as he can influence into his camp. Theodore Roosevelt once noted that, “to educate a person in the mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” No doubt we have witnessed such in our day. In our modern centers of education, children are taught via evolution that they are nothing but animals—higher end animals mind you, but nonetheless animals. Should we then be surprised if they act like animals? Our society may, in many places, be accurately described as “dog-eat-dog” where anything goes and where there are no limitations on the human appetite. Our Lord spoke against those men who would do all they could to win someone over to their way of thinking; but as they themselves had no real faith in God, their teachings would make that new believer into a person who was more virulent than themselves in opposition to the will of God.

Our Lord’s fourth woe dealt with the blindness in spiritual matters when he said, ¹⁶Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing: but whosoever shall swear by the gold in the temple, he is a debtor! ¹⁷Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (Matthew 23:16-17) These men were very much enamored with the wealth which the temple possessed. They thought of it more than the principal behind the temple. Their religion therefore was one based upon materialism. If they had truly possessed a heart for God’s word they would have understood that it was not the appointments which adorned the temple that were important; but God himself who had directed Solomon to construct the temple for his glory and not the glory of man.

The fifth woe that our Lord proclaimed dealt with the offerings of the scribes and Pharisees under the law when he said, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23). The law supplied the children of Israel with a list of things they were to do in grateful service to God and thus be blessed. It was easy to offer up the material things that God required. But the very things he wanted to see along with their offerings was their love for him in their hearts, their souls, and their minds along with their thanksgiving for all he had done for them and their ancestors (Deuteronomy 6:5). This they did not do.

Our Lord reminded them that if they did indeed love God, they would have exercised toward their fellows judgment, mercy and faith. Judgment requires a mindset of doing what is right as defined by the law. Mercy requires us to possess a heart dedicated to discerning whether or not leniency would serve better than severity in dealing with others. Faith calls on us to believe God over the world, the flesh and the devil. As it was written in the Book of Hebrews, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (11:1). The law was of little value without a trusting faith in him who is its author. Why bother with the precepts of the law if you really do not accept that there is a God after all? In point of fact, God was not real to those men for if he had been, they would have obeyed the commandments from the heart. Jesus said, He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (St. John 8:47).

Finally, our Lord also criticized them for being so blind to the truth of God that they would, …strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (Matthew 23:. 24). They would clean the outside of a vessel but not the inside (vv. 25-26) which then opened them up to all manner of corruption and sin. And because their religion was corrupted, our Lord called them, …whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. ²⁸Even so ye outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27-28). The scribes and Pharisees had worked hard to “appear” righteous. They had sought to use their positions to mask who they really were. Our Lord saw them as they truly were and not what they pretended to be. It is one thing to see the outside of any thing but what lies beneath the exterior? A house may look great on the outside, but unless you are careful to have a home inspection, you may find it full of termites in the inside.

And let close with our Lord’s final woe: …²⁹because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, ³⁰and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. ³¹Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (Matthew 23:29-31). Jesus knew them all too well. For God had called the prophets to preach to the people regarding their misdeeds and trespasses. He called them to be witnesses for him against the wicked souls of their generation and that is why they were slain by those men. Our Lord accused the scribes and Pharisees of possessing the same mindset as their ancestors regarding their resistance to God’s messengers. And such was clarified in an earlier chapter of St. Matthew’s gospel where our Lord was confronted by a group of Pharisees from Jerusalem who questioned him saying: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders (15:1-2)? Jesus responded with a question, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition (Matthew 15:3)? Without a doubt, their earthly fathers were more important to them than their Father in heaven, and Jesus wanted them to see their error in thinking. Who should be more important: God or man?

We ought not allow the devil to shake our faith in God and in his Christ via secular and profane reasoning. Neither should we permit a secular or profane person to have standing in our minds and hearts ahead of our good and gracious God. We cannot truly be of the Christian faith if we have no faith in Christ as our Saviour and Lord. For if he is your Saviour and Lord, then you will heed his commandments and do them from the heart. The scribes and Pharisees of our Lord’s earthly ministry were indeed hypocrites. They did not truly believe in God neither did they see life through the lens of scripture. They possessed a mere appearance of righteousness, all the while grasping up what they could of the recognition, wealth and fame their titles afforded to them. Our Lord’s message to them was like a light on a cockroach— once turned on, they attempted to scurry into the darkness. Let that not be said of us. Let us then live in obedience to God’s word and commandment knowing that in our sincerity he sees us and will care for us because we truly love him and are seeking to please him via our lives lived in his service.

Let us pray,

Holy Father, deliver us from all false pretence in our worship and in our living; that through our obedience to thy word and commandment, we will show forth that light which is within all who are born again of the Holy Ghost; for this we ask in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed week,  
Bryan+

 The Rt. Rev. Daniel Sparks
Bishop at Large
Head of AOC Chaplaincy Program
Vestiva Hills, Alabama

 

 We are blessed today to have a sermon from our Bishop at large from Alabama – Head of the AOC Chaplaincy Program

 Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sermon 

Luke 18:9-14.

Introduction: Cain and Abel

With the intent of helping us understand this gospel text, I want to share a story. It’s an old, old story that you’ve heard many times before, no doubt.

There was, in ancient time, a family that lived in a land far from here. The husband and wife, finding themselves outcasts of their native soil, made a life among the fields of the earth. They toiled hard, long hours. In the noonday sun, the man labored, sweat dripping from his forehead, his hands were calloused, with the dirt of the ground beneath his fingernails—the hands of a hard worker who provided for his household.

His household, at that time, was only his wife and himself. The wife labored diligently also, turning her husband’s work into their sustenance. Even though they lived simply and worked long hours to maintain themselves, they cared deeply for one another. The wife revered her husband and was constantly at his side, having a deep desire for his companionship. The husband provided for his wife with all he could and nourished her.

This couple, despite the difficulties of their daily toil, shared their love as only may be done in wedlock. From their love, they conceived a son. The mother endured great pain in delivering the child; but, despite this, they knew that their firstborn was a blessing given by God. They even gave him a name meaning “acquired” or “gotten” from the Lord. The joy of these young parents was great. They taught their son how to till the soil, and he became a great farmer as he grew older.

Their second-born son also caused them to rejoice. They knew that he, like his brother, was a gift of God, and that God would use him to bless them and others. They called him by a name showing that he was “a feeder” because he would nourish his family with blessings. This son became skilled at breeding livestock and caring for them.

These two sons, as they matured, both gathered the finest goods they possessed. The elder son took ripe fruits from his gardens. The younger son took the best lambs from his flocks. They brought these as an offering to the Lord of that land.

Here, we pick up the reading from the familiar text (Gen. 4:4-12).

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

The elder son was angry with the Lord because the Lord did not accept the gift of the fruits of his gardens. The Lord told him that, if he did well, he would be accepted. If he brought an acceptable gift, it would be received. The Lord warned Cain that, if he did not do well, sin would lie in wait for him.

Sin was surely lying in wait for him in the fields where, in a murderous rage, he killed his brother Abel. He killed him because Abel’s offering was acceptable; Cain was jealous. He worked hard at tilling and sowing and tending the plants, at bringing in the harvest. Why shouldn’t his work be good enough? Why shouldn’t his work be as good as his brother’s? Why shouldn’t his gift be good enough for God?

Good Enough for God

Can we be good enough for God?

The Pharisee thought he was good enough for God. He thought his moral goodness rested on his actions, his behavior. He thought that, in tithing and fasting, he was superior to those who didn’t do as much as he did. He had an attitude of superiority, a sense that he was better than others, that he was good enough for God.

However, he was missing a critical ingredient. He didn’t recognize that God requires a broken and contrite heart. He didn’t think that he must repent. He didn’t see himself as a sinner, separated from the Holiest of all. Instead of measuring himself by the standard of God’s holy character, he was measuring himself against the works of other men. Measured against others, we may think ourselves superior; compared with God, we soon realize our inability to ever measure up.

What does God require? He requires absolute goodness. He requires perfection. He requires complete sinlessness. We are unable to meet the mark. We are unable to hold to the standard. We find ourselves, like the Pharisee, trusting in the filthy rags of our self-righteousness. We find ourselves, like Cain, trusting in the machinations of our own minds. We find ourselves saying things such as, “When I get to heaven, I hope God understands my heart.”

God does understand our hearts. That is why he has declared mankind utterly wicked, completely without hope, entirely unable to please him. He understands us. We say, “Follow your heart.” God says, “Follow me.” He knows our hearts are ever inclined toward wickedness. He knows that our only hope of forgiveness of sins is the atoning work of Jesus.

God knows we cannot be good enough for him. That is why he provided One good enough. Jesus Christ the Righteous is good enough, sufficient to meet the standard of perfection, of sinlessness required by God the Father. He is the Lamb without blemish who was sacrificed for us. He took our guilt that we might go free.

When we come with wood, hay, and stubble to offer the Lord, he rejects us. But, for those he has chosen as his own, he has given a greater sacrifice, a worthy sacrifice—the sacrifice of his own Son.

Works of Righteousness

The Pharisee stood in a place so others could see and hear him. Perhaps he spoke a little louder just to be sure they would know what he said. He gloried in his works, not understanding that they didn’t cover his nakedness when standing before the Lord, who sees all. Tertullian, one of the early church fathers, wrote, “God is the hearer not of the voice, but of the heart, just as He is its inspector” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3, 686).

As Reformed Anglicans, we turn to our Reformed confession for help in understanding the biblical presentation of justification and good works.

The English Reformers wrote in Article 11: “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings.” In other words, we are saved by grace through faith. We are not saved of our own works, our own self-righteousness. Instead, we are saved through the mercy of the One who demands holiness and the only One who possesses it of his own nature. When we approach him with humility, in repentance, he justifies us—accounts us righteous—by doing away with our sins and covering us with his holiness.

Further, works done outside of God’s grace are useless; in fact, they are repugnant to God (Article 13). Much like the offering of Cain, which was rejected by God, the so-called good works of all men who have not received God’s grace are not good; they are not acceptable.

Where, then, do good works fit in? In Article 12, the English Reformers said, although …

… Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.

Abel approached the Lord with humility, bringing an acceptable offering. He displayed the fruit of a humble heart. Unlike Cain who wanted the Lord to accept his gift on his terms, Abel brought the best of his flocks because that’s what the Lord desired. Instead of seeking his own will, he sought the will of the Father in heaven. Instead of doing that which would make him look good but cost him little, he brought his best to the Lord.

Our works should spring from a lively faith. We do not strive to please God, thinking we can pacify his judgement with good deeds. The Pharisee in the temple boasted of his works of supererogation—his works that went beyond the requirements of the Law. Not only did he fast, but he did so twice a week. He gave a tithe of everything he owned. He was proud that he wasn’t like other men, especially the tax collector. But none of these things did him any good—in fact, they weren’t good. When any man seeks grace through his good works, sin lies at his door, ready to entrap him.

Christ told his disciples, “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10). It was with this spirit that the publican, not even lifting up his eyes toward heaven, with a contrite heart, asked for the Lord’s mercy. Instead of boasting in himself, he understood that he was in need of mercy and that mercy comes from God.

Conclusion

Do we compare ourselves to those who are notoriously sinful and judge ourselves more righteous than they? Do we see those who are public sinners and consider ourselves better? Do we think they are beyond salvation and that we deserve it?

Works do not save us, whether good or bad. Good deeds are as unacceptable to the Lord as bad deeds if they do not come from humility. If they do not spring from a transformed heart, our good works are worthless trash.

As Christians, we should be ever mindful that our salvation comes from Christ alone. We should also show the fruit of good works because the Holy Spirit drives us to them. Our neighbors should know that we are followers of Christ because they can see his reflection in us. This is not a message that good deeds build the steps for our ascent into heaven; it is a repetition of the words of Christ saying, “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). It is a repetition of his words to the Father, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42).

Today, many in the West like to peddle the “so-called gospel,” as I refer to it. Some say that we are converted so that we may be saved from the fires of hell, that we may escape punishment for sin, that we may have blessed lives, that we may enjoy the luxuries of heaven. This is a gospel so-called because it is only an egoistic bit of good news. It is an idea that suggests that we are somehow deserving, that we are somehow worthy, that the end of all things is our comfort and happiness. Instead, Christ’s gospel shows us how we may live as he created us and intended for us. He shows how we may be reconciled to God, though we have fallen from the place of communion with him. His gospel tells us that the object of our existence is not our own comfort or pleasure, but that the reason we exist is for God’s pleasure. We were created to worship him, and through the work of Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, we may worship him truly.

The great Reformer Martin Luther wrote about this passage from the gospels:

This, then, is a terrible, fearsome lesson concerning the Pharisee who, uncondemned before the world, is damned because of his haughtiness and disdain for other people. For where such pride, as described in our text, is present, there forgiveness of sins cannot be. It was pride that precipitated the noblest angel out of heaven; and the most excellent people on earth, Adam and Eve, were driven from Paradise when they became proud and wanted to be like God…

Therefore, let everyone humble himself before God, be caring toward his neighbor and not despise him, serve and work faithfully to earn his living, eat and drink; let him take care not to become proud and puffed up, as he sees that he, too, has unclean hands. To these God gives his grace; but those who do not obey will be cast out. For God cannot endure pride, as Mary recounts in her hymn of praise, “He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts; he hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree” (Church Postil, 386).

On the Day of the Lord, when we stand before him in judgement, as in the words of the hymn “My hope is built on nothing less,” may we be able to say that we are “Dressed in his righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne!”

Ascription

And now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, both now and for ever. Amen.

                                                                                          +Daniel Sparks

   

Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama

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

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Memorial Service Jenny Cross

Scripture-Psalm 23; 2 Corinthians 5; John 14:1-6

"I Know My Master" illustrates our Lord is on the other side.

"A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough." Source unknown

  II Corinthians, chapter five, tells us about this as well, "¹For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens...we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: ⁷(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

For we know...is in the perfect active verb tense. This means past results with continuing results in the future (perfect tense in Greek is used to describe a completed action which produced results which are still in effect all the way up to the present.)

We know is certainty with awareness and understanding .

Psalm 23 assures us that the Lord is our Shepherd. Despite the things that happen to us and those whom we love, we can always trust that no-one shall pluck us out of the Father’s hand, and we shall never be lost. This does not depend on us. It is because He is dependable we can trust in Him as our Chief Shepherd. Sickness, death, loss of hope, family and purpose are all included. God’s love in the Good Shepherd will always lead us home, never astray. The Good Shepherd never fails His own.

The Gospel John 14:1-6 also reassures us that we have a place with God here and now, and especially when we leave this life---our Gospel, Jesus tells of a Mansion that has many rooms. “In my Father’s house are many rooms…” (John 14:2) The word mansion is actually lodging, dwelling-place, room, abode, mansion.

( monḗ (from 3306 /ménō, "to remain, abide") – an abiding dwelling-place (i.e. not transitory). 3438 /monḗ ("an individual dwelling") is only used twice in the NT (both times by Christ). biblehub.com)

We close with a prayer that helps us understand that we can entrust all who are dear to us for this life and the life to come knowing that He can do for us better things than we desire or pray for.

Our Master is on the other side.

ALMIGHTY God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1928 Book of Common Prayer)

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:

Kamil – recovery of successful surgery – Chemotherapy begins

Jerry– recovery from car accident

Paul Meier – throat cancer

Richard Bailey – Brain Cancer

Pastor Glen Shoals – Skin Cancer

Steve Williams – recovery Hip Replacement
Mandy – loss of 14 year employment, budget cuts – new job

Heather – healthy pregnancy

Rachel – healthy pregnancy

Marilee – chemotherapy

Jennifer – surgery successful – pray for recovery

Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery

AOC Convention and Ministers meeting Sept 30- Oct 2

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

Betsey – Lane – Betsy onset of Dementia

South Korea – pray to defeat the communists trying to take over; protection for the South Korean people.

 Minneaplois - For the families and children of those in Minneapolis who were victims of a terrorist attack on a church school.

Church of the Redeemer – changes in leadership

 

Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Dotty, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, Josh Morley-seizures, AOC USA - AOC Missions, Harper-IBS , Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, Marianne,
Donna-chemotherapy, Eddie, Aleyda-heart and bp issues, Daniel, Alicia-caregiver, Lydia,
Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall – cancer, Toni – cancer, Donna  - cancer, Malou – cancer,
Roseanne, Archie, Janice, Finley, Sherrie, Mike & Gayle