Who are we?

The center of the Traditional Anglican Communion; adhering to the Holy Bible (KJV) in all matters of Faith and Doctrine, a strict reliance on the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion, The two Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, the Two Creeds, and the Homilies and formularies of the Reformation Church of England.

Verse of the Day

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Sermon Notes - Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 18 September 2016, Anno Domini


If you enjoy this, the entire AOC Sunday Report is RIGHT HERE!

The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

L
ORD, we pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 20 Verses 17-38

17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

The Apostle Paul has been preaching the Gospel to the strangers of Asia Minor (or once-strangers). He now will return to Jerusalem to preach among his own people (the Jews). As was true of Jesus, a prophet is not without honor save among his own people.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews. The Greek word used here for elder (πίσκοπος, or episkopos) is equivalent to bishop (an overseer or presbyter) in Acts. 20:28 below. The numerous mentions in the New Testament of bishops, or presbyters, provide certain credibility to the Anglican Ordinal.

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Please note, especially the clergy among us, how Paul ministered without reservation or fear as to how the truth might affect the ears of his listeners OR his enemies, and neither did he refrain from PRIVATE as well as public ministry. He was not as proud of his office as an Apostle that he deigned the private home of too little profit in ministry. Perhaps the greater churches of the time were in private homes. I believe we shall see the same repeat in history in our latter days for it already exists in China and other parts of the world. Please note also that the center-point of Paul’s ministry was the Lord Jesus Christ and repentance before God. Are we afraid to tell our charges that they need to repent (along with us)? Do we repeat the General Confession in mere formality or in full impact of meaning?

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Paul sets the standard for purposeful action in ministry. Regardless the danger and personal cost, he will go where the Holy Spirit leads. Paul is extraordinarily aware of the process God has often used in his own life to carry the Gospel to those who have sat in darkness seemingly by random (but actually providential) travels.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.  Well did Shakespeare write when he says in his work ‘Julius Caesar’ – “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.Shakespeare means, of course, that the valiant is so certain of the righteousness of his motive and actions that he will never draw back as a result of inordinate fear. The coward, au contraire, lives in constant fear and remorse of that fear which overcomes his better angels in life. The coward’s life is a constant death. When we, as Paul, are valiant for truth, we may hang our swords of honor on the cedars by the Jordan Waters when we depart from here. He has received his warrant from Christ to preach the Gospel of Grace and certainly not of the good works of man which are as filthy rags.

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. This may have been an inspired premonition on the part of Paul, or simply a reasonable expectation in view of the dangers he might face in Jerusalem. Of cause Paul was incomplete in his prediction for many of these dear souls were of the faith and would again see Paul’s face when they met beyond Jordan’s Waters.

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Paul, in his departure from among them, is preaching a main point in ministry. He has never been reluctant to share the Gospel even with the most obstinate of listeners. Whether men of like culture, or diverse, he tried to draw them back from the abyss of hell. His character as an Apostle is much like that of the Good Samaritan in not caring that the wounded man by the road was a natural enemy as a Jew.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. His words are a counsel to those who would serve as bishop, priest, or deacon. We may get a fuller understanding by comparing those counsels Paul gives in 1 Timothy.

The first is for the bishop, presbyter, or priest to take inventory of his own soul and reputation long before seeking to serve in Holy Orders.  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.  (1 Tim 3:2-7)

The second counsel is handle the Word of God rightly by knowing , not only the Words of God, but also the correct Doctrine provided therein and by making your life and example thereof: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Tim 4:16)

And, finally, the third counsel given by Paul is to avoid temptation as much as in you lieth: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:11-12) These words of Paul are not only a caution, but also an encouragement and a reminder to all who presume to minister of Christ.

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Based on Paul’s past experiences and awareness of prophecy, he realizes that it is very probable that, even among these here gathered (bishops and presbyters), wicked and evil motives shall arise which will pervert the Gospel itself and drawing men away from the Words of Christ and toward the mere words of men. Please do not be surprised at this for it is abundantly clear that such perversion of the Word has occurred to a very high degree today through the perverse teachings of many so-called ministers.

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Now that Paul has apprised them of his faith and continuity in preaching the Word, he instructs these leaders to remember that the warning against error and heresy was accompanied both day and night by the tears of sincerity of Paul. There will, for each of us, always come a time of permanent earthly parting. After having done all that is within our power to teach, preach, counsel, warn, and correct, we must take our leave and commend the dear souls of our fond memories to God and the protection, alone, of His Word. We must bid them a final adieu even when we may know that it is final. We pray that their faith will sustain them in power of truth and, therefore, result in an inheritance that will allow of a joyful reunion at the Last Trump.

I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. These two sentences are pregnant with meaningful application to our own time. How many clergymen today are following a calling instead of an occupation? How many seek ways to continually increase their salaries and incomes? How many will lift their hands to do physical labors to relieve the sacrifices of the people whom they serve?

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  Paul has preached from the abundance of his heart. He has preached ALL things. He invokes their support (not Rome’s) of the weak and to remember, not simply at the point of the Prayer Book Offertory, but in general living as given to us in the Book of James:  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  (James 1:27)

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship” I wish to place my own knee with the others on the shores of Anatolia with the company of Paul. What a poignant moment but a glorious parting as well. They could well have sung the old gospel song, “If We Never Meet Again This Side of Heaven; we shall meet on that Glorious Shore!” As Juliet said to Romeo, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” But how much sweeter is the parting for those who are One in the love of Christ!  We may board the ship with our dearly departed, but we may not always be privileged to make the voyage. The only vessel we must be certain of sharing with them is that of the Ark of Christ!