Hymn – The Love of God is Greater Far – 31 January 2023, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

 

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HO shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   (Romans 8:35-39)

 

                  This is one of the most beautifully expressive hymns in the annals of hymnary. Both lyrics and tune are the authorship of Mr. Frederick M. Lehman around the year 1917. Though there is some dispute concerning the inspiration for the hymn, there is no doubt in the first two stanzas having been written by Lehman, and the third composed on the wall of either a prison or an insane asylum during the 11^th century. Mr. Lehman seems to have been spiritually engrossed by a sermon he had heard on Sunday. He could not sleep until had transcribed the hymn on crates of oranges which he was packing. Obviously, a luxurious studio is not required when the Holy Spirit speaks love into the heart of His chosen vessel.

 

The Love of God

 

The love of God is greater far

than tongue or pen can ever tell;

it goes beyond the highest star,

and reaches to the lowest hell.

The wand'ring child is reconciled

by God's beloved Son.

The aching soul again made whole,

and priceless pardon won.

 

Refrain:

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

the saints’ and angels’ song.

 

When ancient time shall pass away,

and human thrones and kingdoms fall;

when those who here refuse to pray

on rocks and hills and mountains call;

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

all measureless and strong;

grace will resound the whole earth round—

the saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain]

 

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

and were the skies of parchment made;

were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,

and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;

to write the love of God above

would drain the ocean dry;

nor could the scroll contain the whole,

though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]

 

1 The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. The wand'ring child is reconciled by God's beloved Son. The aching soul again made whole, and priceless pardon won. God is the source of ALL love. He is not only the Author of Liberty, but the Author of Love. Had He not loved us first, we could not have loved Him in return. “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. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19) As with all other assets of God, His love is immeasurable and infinite in its dimensions. Our love for Him is merely an echo of His love for us. The human vocabulary, regardless the language, if wholly inadequate to express fully that Love that God has for us and His Creation. It was the force that moved our Lord to create the Universe and all that is in it at the beginning. The wandering sinner, often the least likely to mankind to be granted, by the grace of God, salvation to eternal life, is never worthy of the grant – but is made worthy by the imputed righteousness and shed blood of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The dark and ugly pit of the heart, when filled with its Sovereign, Jesus Christ, is changed into a thing of beauty and grace.

 

2 When ancient time shall pass away, and human thrones and kingdoms fall; when those who here refuse to pray on rocks and hills and mountains call; God’s love so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong; grace will resound the whole earth round— the saints’ and angels’ song. [Refrain] Time is a spectrum created by God. God is outside of time for He is eternally the ‘I AM’ – yesterday, today, and forever. So is His love eternal. Those who possess that love of God shall learn that it is the one quality possession that survives death: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In Christ, there is no darkness, no death, and not absence of love. When nations have fallen into the dust of the ages, and mountains tremble, and the heavenly bodies are shaken, the Love of God will continue as an unabated Fountain of Living Waters. Those who reject God are not destroyed because of their hate, but for lack of their love and their rejection of the God of Heaven. The unrepentant sinner separates himself from God, not the other way around.

 

3 Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill, and ev’ryone a scribe by trade; to write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky. [Refrain]. This is the stanza ascribed to ‘anonymous,’ but I believe it is recorded by the Mind of God through the hands of a prisoner or insane asylum inmate. In this stanza, we find the most poetically beautiful lines of any hymn about which I have written. The fact that these lines reflect spiritual truth only adds to their beauty. The full measure of God’s love is comparable to His willingness to forget the sins of the penitent in such a measure as is expressed in the Psalms: “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) It would take quite a time to get to the east while travelling west – in fact, an infinity of time. Just as the Love of God places our sins as far as the east is from the west, so the ocean seas, if filled with ink, could not contain sufficient resources to write the full measure, nor would the scroll – stretched from sky to sky, be adequate to contain it.  

 

Refrain

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song. We are told by John that God is love: “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16 If we are in Christ, as our Ark of Salvation, can we not see how fully we shall not suffer real death. Having our security in Christ, death cannot enter. Living in the love of God, and God living in our hearts as His Temple, how shall our suffer loss at all. Referring back to our introductory text from Romans, we see that LOVE survives death. “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)

AOC Sunday Report – Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany

Happy Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany!

The AOC Sunday Report is RIGHT HERE!

We have excellent sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Each is quite different and interesting.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/u9cDZpNhuZ8. Today’s Collect asks for God to remember we are imperfect creatures in the midst of a world dominated by the Prince of Air and to give us the strength and protection we need to overcome those perils and make it to the end of our time here on earth following our Lord.  In his Epistle to the people of Rome Paul reminds us all power derives from God and if it is not used in a manner consistent with His Will and Direction, it is not valid.  In his Gospel, Matthew relates the stories of a leper and the “Faithful Centurion” from whom our parish derives its name.  In both cases the key to Jesus’ actions is the faith of the petitioner.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how. 

There are also a large number of people who desire your prayer.  Please take a bit of time and pray for them, start with the Flanagan Family, Shamu Tricia, Laurie and work out from there.

The week ahead holds promise.  If you are having a hard time seeing the good and separating yourself from parts of the world, ask God to help you.  He has a fellow dedicated to that function, the Holy Ghost.

Have an EPIC week!

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

Sermon Notes - Two Categories of Faith - Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany - 29 January 2023, Anno Domini (in the Year of Our Lord)

 

The Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany.

The Collect.

 

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 GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Gospel

(Matthew 8:1-13)

 

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HEN he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 

The two accounts of healing addressed in today’s text are both similar and diverse in some aspects. The first to come to Christ for healing in our text was a leper. He came seeking healing on his own behalf. He came with faith in the Lord’s authority and power to heal. He came as a ‘suppliant’ and as a Jew.

 

The second who came to Jesus seeking healing also came in faith. He came to the One whom he trusted could grant his appeal. But this centurion (a Roman officer commanding one hundred soldiers) was a Gentile. But he came not to seek healing for himself, but for another – his servant – as an ‘intercessor.’

 

And there were two separate kinds of physical afflictions are addressed here (leprosy and the palsy), and two different expressions of faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ has just delivered the most comprehensive and beautifully meaningful sermon in all of recorded time. He has spoken from the mountain top the pure Words of righteousness, but now He descends to the level at which most of His people live and labor, rejoice and suffer, are pained and comforted. The salient point of the last two verses of Matthew 7 preceding today’s text was revealed by the response to our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount: “28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  Christ taught out of One whose authority was characterized in His Word, unlike the scribes and Pharisees who taught out of the traditions of men., Like every word of Scripture, the text today, also show us yet another marvelous aspect of the nature of Christ and His magnanimity. 

 

“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.” Christ most often resorted to the mountain to both pray and teach. Prayer is always addressed to Heaven. Teaching of the Gospel is also performed from a higher perspective than the common speech. But after our prayers and preaching, we must always descend to the common problems of life and learn to await God’s answer to our prayers and apply the preaching of the Gospel to the practical and routine circumstances of everyday life. The air on the mountaintop may be clear and pristine, but when we go down to the valleys, we encounter the unpleasant odors of human failure and hurt.

 

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Please note the manner in which the leper approaches Christ. The leper CAME to where Christ was. He came in great courage avoiding the prohibitions against lepers approaching healthy persons. He asked for nothing but had great expectations. He prayed that it would be God’s will to heal him. We cannot bring Christ DOWN to our place of sin and debauchery – we must rise up and go to Him for our salvation and needs.  Secondly, we cannot approach Christ with impudence and irreverence – we must first worship Him in our prayers before stating our petitions. The leper came and WORSHIPPED Jesus! This is represented by the ‘Hallowed be thy Name’ phrase in the Lord’s Prayer. 

 

“Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” The leper does not overtly ask anything of Christ but presumes upon His know compassion and grace. It was widely known of Christ that He willed all who came to Him to be made whole. The leper simply states the obvious fact and, in his statement, the leper anticipates the answer. The leper reeked of death. The odor emitted by his rotting flesh was odious and repulsive.

 

“Lord, if thou wilt…not truly IF, for Christ DID always will that lepers be made clean thereby unraveling the dirty works of Satan to harm and to hurt. “…….thou canst make me clean!” This is a simple statement of fact. There was no doubt in the mind of the leper that, if Christ willed, He could make the leper clean; but there was also no doubt in the leper’s mind that Jesus did, indeed, will that he be made clean. This is the essence of faith and hope.

 

Before proceeding further, let’s go back and review the nature of leprosy in its similitude to sin: 

1.     Sin, like leprosy, renders its victim helpless of improving his condition. It will inevitably lead to final death. 

2.     Sin, like leprosy, separates one from the pure and clean. The sinner is unfit for heaven and the society of pure and holy company. 

3.     Sin, like leprosy, is infectious by intimate contact. The people with whom we associate have critical impact on our hope of righteousness. 

4.     Sin is constitutional. The outward expressions and manifestations are but the effects of a disease which permeates the whole system. 

5.     The tendency to sin, like the tendency to leprosy, is hereditary. Our Federal head, the Common father in Adam, contracted this disease through disobedience in the Garden. His propensity to sin has become a part of our human condition through inheritance. 

6.     Sin, like leprosy, is deceitful in its working. It may not be visibly represented in the beautiful child of leprous parents, but as time advances, the beautiful child will slowly begin to incur the signs and debilities of the disease. 

7.     Sin, like leprosy, knows no geographic barriers. 8) Leprosy, at the time of Christ, was incurable by man. So is sin today. 

8.     Sin, like leprosy, does not bring immediate pain and death. Its onset is insidious. The moment Adam tasted the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he immediately BEGAN to die. In fact, his fate was sealed at that point. 

 

The leper is characterized by deformity and a sickening odor. His features are possessed of open sores and rotting flesh. Most of us would be repelled at the very sight of a leper. This will make the following action of Christ even more amazing and noteworthy:

 

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him.” This seems a simple act at first reading, but, Reader, please remember that no healthy human being has touched this poor, wretched leper in a great deal of time since he first contracted leprosy. Many of them suffer as much from a despondency of love as from the adverse physical effects of the disease. How pitiful they are and lonely! But Jesus was the first and only man present who would deign to TOUCH this leper. Any touch at all for the leper would seem a compassionate caress.      

 

 Jesus touched him! He will touch us as well if we go forth to Him. And then, “I will; be thou clean.” Immediately the powers of heaven began to pulse through the leper’s veins vanquishing every sign and vestige of leprosy. How long did the healing take? Does the word ‘immediately’ suggest an answer? “And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” The healing occurred, not in graduated steps or interludes of minutes, but, rather, IMMEDIATELY!

 

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” Though we may be healed in the sight of God and forgiven our sins, there yet remains a responsibility on our part to make our healing known to those with whom we associate along life’s road. So, we also comply with all provisions of law in making that healing known. In counseling the leper to “tell no man” Jesus demonstrates the impossibility of maintaining such a marvelous grace private. Imagine the reaction of family and friends when they see their loved one has been restored. Have you been silent about the forgiveness and healing you have been granted by Christ at your salvation?

 

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Now comes to Jesus a Gentile in the profession of arms, and one of some authority, being a Centurion. Being a Captain of War, this man was accustomed to respect and a proud countenance. But the heart of this Centurion betrays a loving and loyal heart beneath a perhaps warlike appearance. This Centurion is willing to subdue his pride and forego his standing to come begging before Christ – not for himself even – but for his servant. This suggests a noble and compassionate soul whose character seems at contrast to his profession and calling. Jesus did not distinguish between races and social standings among men.

 

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.” There were many demands put on Jesus’ time, but He always found time to respond to a need. Without hesitation, Christ immediately responded that he would go to where the servant was and heal him. 

 

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth.” This is one of the greatest statements of faith in all of the Holy Bible! The Centurion realizes that the authority and power of Christ is knows no geographic limitations. He does not limit the power of Christ to heal by the physical presence of the Lord. If Christ will only speak the word, the Centurion knows that will suffice. 

 

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” It is a smear on the reputation of the church that many greater acts of faith occur outside its walls than INSIDE those stone walls. The Centurion, who lacked the advantage of any prior knowledge of the law and prophets, demonstrated greater faith than those who did have that advantage.

 

“And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” Christ here bears out an important truth. The accident of birth is not a bar to enjoyment of the blessings of Israel. Men and women shall come from the four corners of the earth and shall enjoy the privileges of a Godly heritage. This was spoken to the comfort of the Centurion as well as for our own.

 

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” It was no small miracle to heal a man who may have been miles away by a simple utterance – but Christ did so. The servant, miles away, was instantly healed. This exemplifies the principle that we ought to pray for those we love.  The Centurion was not afraid to ask Christ for so great a favor. The story reminds me of a king of Lyda who surrendered to the great King Cyrus, when besieged, to save his city from certain destruction. When King Cyrus asked a deposed king what favor he would like in return for his surrender, the king responded, “Ten thousand talents of silver!” A courtier of King Cyrus rebuked the deposed king for being so presumptuous in asking such a large gift, but King Cyrus scolded his courtier and said, “If I am as great a King as this fellow’s request suggests, then he has had the boldness to express his high regard for my greatness by asking a gift commensurate to it!” Is anything too great for God? I think not. 

Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon – With Video

  

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/u9cDZpNhuZ8

 

Today’s Collect asks for God to remember we are imperfect creatures in the midst of a world dominated by the Prince of Air and to give us the strength and protection we need to overcome those perils and make it to the end of our time here on earth following our Lord.  In his Epistle to the people of Rome Paul reminds us all power derives from God and if it is not used in a manner consistent with His Will and Direction, it is not valid.  In his Gospel, Matthew relates the stories of a leper and the “Faithful Centurion” from whom our parish derives its name.  In both cases the key to Jesus’ actions is the faith of the petioner.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how. 

The Propers for today are found on Page 114-115, with the Collect first:

 

The Fourth Sunday after The Epiphany.

The Collect.

 

O

 GOD, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle for today came from the Thirteenth Chapter of Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the First Verse: 

 

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ET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves condemnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

 

The Holy Gospel for today came from the Eighth Chapter of the Gospel of Saint Matthew beginning at the First Verse. 

 

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HEN he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion, Descanso, California

His sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/u9cDZpNhuZ8

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

 

 Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright; Grant to us such strength and protection, as may support us in all dangers, and carry us through all temptations …

 

In the Collect, we acknowledge that God knows the dangers, toils and snares with which we must contend, which so often keep us from the upright acknowledgement and defense of that which is true and correct. The frailties of our mortal and free will nature sometimes cause us to stumble. With these infirmities, our only hope is that certain hope of His help to support us, not to get out of the problems, but to make our way through them to His Glory.  We are praying for Him to assist us in these times of trial and difficulties. The Collect acknowledges that our sinful nature makes it so we cannot always stand upright, but with God’s help, he can help right us and face those dangers, trials and temptations we will face for the rest of our natural lives here on Earth. We just have to let Him into our hearts, and guide us. And by guiding us, we have to act upon what He tells us. He will not force us to act, we have to act upon His Word with our free will.

 

Paul points out in his epistle that as we are all here on Earth, earthly rulers are subject to God and His Rules and they ultimately need to defer to Him for their authority, not look to themselves for that authority. Their authority derives from God not from man.  He points out that whosoever rejects the powers or the knowledge that the powers they are given come from God are rejecting/resisting God himself. In this day in age that is become more and more common in the leadership of countries nationwide. We can even see it in the Governors of California and New York who are actively trying to get legislation passed that is in effect rejecting God and His Principles. It is a sad trend of life that this occurs, but it stems from these leaders rejecting God and His Leadership. They do not realize that everybody would be far better off if they followed God’s Word. Alas, these leaders are blinded by mammon and thus will not receive the Holy Spirit and thus continue to abuse their power. Paul says that the rulers that abuse their power will receive condemnation.  They are not called to bow and serve the wicked doers of this world but of God and they will in the end face consequences for not doing so. We do not have to worry about giving them consequences, for it may not be possible in this life, but we know that God has that covered.

 

Of course, to paraphrase Solomon, this is nothing new. Man has always sought to supplant God as the ultimate authority on earth. We see that with the Tower of Babel among other cautionary tales. It is a tale that is as old as time. Man is naturally incline to turn away from God and not towards Him and this is the reason why power corrupts so many. This is the whole basis behind both communism and National Socialism.  There are slight differences between both mainly the means of production, but the end result is very similar in both.  They both seek to supplant God and His Authority here on earth, and make the State a non-God based church on earth, where instead of worshiping God, they worship man, basically worshipping Satan instead.

 

Paul says if we are doing good then we need not be afraid of the power from God that is on loan to the rulers who are ministers of God in a way. The only people who need be afraid of them are evildoers, who the ruler is appointed to use the sword to bring before God for justice. However, if the rulers that be are not punishing evil doers put people who are good doers, then we know they are not worthy of the power that God has bestowed upon them. Again, this is becoming more and more apparent across the globe. We are not in the business of condemning people’s souls to one eternal destination or the other, that is God’s job. But, Paul points out that we can arrange for the meeting to happen, when people violate God’s most sovereign laws.

 

Paul goes on to say that through the authority invested by them in God, people need to pay the rulers tribute, to which it is due, the customs to custom, fear to fear, honor to honor. It goes very much hand in hand with what Jesus said on the subject “Render unto Caesar’s which is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.” There is respect which ought to be paid to the rightful people who are the representatives of God ruling the people. That respect ends however, when those representatives reject God’s authority and are no longer worthy of the respect.

 

This also goes back to the honor thy father and thy mother concept. As long as they are doing their best to raise you up in a Christian way and showing by example to follow Christ to get to heaven, then they are worthy of that honor. But if they are doing the opposite, then they are not worthy of the honor.  It is still worth behaving in a Christian manner to both unfaithful rulers and parents, but realize they become unworthy of that honor when they reject God and His Authority. This does not mean to treat them spitefully or wrathfully, but to simply recognize that they are no longer worthy of that honor when they reject God and His Authority.

 

Christianity is not a solitary religion, one all about the individual, though it certainly depends on individuals as part of the Team lead by Christ to carry it out. It will not work as a solitary religion, it must be a team sport so to speak. God has given each of us varying talents and varying capabilities.  We must each of us do that for the Church that which we do better than others and respect those who we work with.  No power comes from God, rather special responsibilities, leaders who lead with His Will in mind must be accorded the respect they are due by virtue of their position.  They must also lead with His Will in mind, for a leader following the ways of this world and the Prince of Darkness is not worthy of respect or followership.  We must put faith in those to whom faith is due.

 

Faith and action, is what Christianity is all about. Christ’s actions upon the cross the solid base that our faith is based upon.  His death and resurrection is the key principle behind Christianity. Actions are a crucial element of our faith. Christ’s faith accounts us as perfect before God because of His Actions.  The centurion of this week’s Gospel is a symbol of faith and what appears to be inaction is his action.  He is also the person for whom our parish draws its name.  The centurion was the basic leader symbol of the Roman Empire.  A group of eight to ten soldiers was led by a Contubern.  Ten Contubernium formed a Centuria, which was led by a Centurion.  Six to ten of these formed a Cohort, also led by a Centurion.  He was an important man, able to reward or punish at will.  He knew power and how to wield it.

 

When the Centurion came to Jesus, he knew who He was and His Power.  When the Centurion told Jesus of his servant’s illness, the Centurion knew all Jesus had to do was will the wellness and it was done.

 

There was no question in his mind, the Centurion knew Jesus. His action was the seeming inaction of acknowledging his unworthiness and telling Jesus, “I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”

 

We are all unworthy.  The best of us is not worthy that He should come under our roof; yet we know if He will speak The Word only, our souls shall be healed and all will be accounted well before God.  That is all He asks, “Let Me speak The Word only.”

 

There is but one way to heaven.

 

That easy to find, easy to follow, easy to hike path does not lead to the summit where eternal life in the real world awaits.  Open your heart to the Holy Ghost, use His Power to follow our Lord to God who awaits in heaven.

 

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

The Father’s Masterpiece – 26 January 2023, Anno Domini

 

 

W

HO can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (Prov 31:10-12)

 

            From the earliest moments of my memory, my mother taught me, by word and example, to honor womanhood. I came to understand true womanhood was above the common standard of compassion and love characterized by their male counterpart. As I grew into manhood, I was always careful, and remain so, to regard the dignity and virtue of a lady. That image of refinement and dignity has been marred in our time by years of immoral teaching in both school and society. Our youth have been corrupted by immoral political and religious powers - religion so-called, but falsely pretended.

 

            The description of womanhood given by King Lemuel in Proverbs 31 gives a wonderful description of the ideal woman clothed in the garments of virtue and goodness. It reveals the greatest masterpiece of God’s genius and love in Creation. If his words were applied to canvas, they would represent the most beautiful Masterpiece of Woman ever created by any artist.

 

            There are remarkable qualities attributed to the Virtuous Lady in this text. She is:

 

First of all

VIRTUOUS – a quality less common in our modern day. She is totally faithful and devoted to her husband. 

 

Second

She is VALUABLE! All objects of great value are rare, and so is the virtuous woman described. Her value is above rubies. The scarlet luster of the ruby reflects sacrificial character. Unlike a diamond whose beauty comes from without through refracted light, the beauty of the ruby emanates from deep inside just as the love of a virtuous woman for her family and others. 

 

Third

She is INDUSTRIOUS. She is enterprising in her employment at home and business. She labors late into the night hours to provide for her family.

 

Fourth

She is WISE. She considers the lay of the property before she purchases it. 

 

Fifth

She is CHARITABLE. She shares her largesse with the poor and needy.

 

Sixth

She is a LOVING and CARING mother. She insures her family are well-clothed and fed. Her garments are of silk and delicate purples. Not only is she a wonderfully caring mother, but is accomplished in the business of her own merchandise and making.

 

Seventh

She is STRONG. She is clothed with strength and honor. 

 

She is equal in both honor and wisdom with her husband. In fact, it is her known character that makes her husband a man known in the gates of the city. Her husband is judged by the high character of the virtuous wife. She speaks wisdom to all who will hear. Her labors are unrelenting in maintaining her household and her efforts are never idle. 

 

Both husband and children see her as an example, and surely there is no greater resource in the power of a great nation than a virtuous mother for she teaches wisdom to her children and is guided in her life thereby.

 

Her beauty comes from the benefits of her natural state granted by God, not by the application of external devices. Vanity is far from the virtuous woman – she knows who she is, and her heart is fixed on God.

 

The husband and children of such a lady cannot be restrained from praising her good works and character. She is beloved in life and greatly mourned at death. Who among us does not mourn the loss of their mothers, but the mourning is keen for this woman of our text.

 

Can you see, in your mind’s eye, the great beauty of the woman described? When you hear the words of King Lemuel, do you imagine a ‘Belle of the Ball,’ or a Princess of the King’s Palace? She is definitely a Princess, for she is a chosen daughter of the Lord. The world is not absent such women, but a virtuous woman of the description given is rare and of great value. Every mother should pray that her son should be wise enough to find such a one. 

 

Would it not be wonderful if the Church (the Bride of Christ) were likewise as virtuous and wise?

 

First Things First – 24 January 2023, Anno Domini

 

A

ND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage (John 2:-1-2)



A

ND the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.    (John 2:13-16)

 

            The Gospel of St. John begins the Gospel very appropriately – In the Beginning.  (1:1) The beginning of the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ begins in the same ‘Beginning’ as related in both Genesis and this Gospel under study. In the Beginning – God! In the Beginning – the WORD! Our Lord is revealed in the very first verse of the Bible and is reiterated here in the Gospel of St. John. In the beginning, God ordained one institution – that of the Holy Estate of Matrimony: 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:21-24)

 

Now, John reveals the sanctity in which God holds marriage between one man and one woman by performing His first miracle at a wedding. It was intended to be a foreshadow of the second institution God would ordain between Christ and His Church. It is for this reason that any perversion of the estate of Holy Matrimony is an abominable affront to the Holiness of the character of God. Jesus performed His first recorded miracle in John’s Gospel at a Wedding event. It served as a reminder of the importance that marriage should reflect the same relationship that has ever existed between Christ and the Church. 

 

The Church was to become pure and undefiled by the labors of love between a man and his wife. The same is true of the Church. The Church cost not only God the Son a tremendous price, but perhaps an even greater cost to God the Father as He allowed His only Begotten Son to die at the hands of brigands and sinners.

 

The Church requires purging from time to time to sustain its purity. It was not to be a House of Merchandise in which men lined their pockets with filthy lucre, but rather a House of Prayer.

 

According to John, the second act of the ministry of Christ, following His baptism and temptation in the Wilderness, was to evacuate the Temple in Jerusalem of all merchandisers and money changers. What is the greater message in this second act? The Church was not to exist on the treasures of mammon, but upon the honest labors of believers. Constant appeals for money by TV evangelists, car washes, and yard sales should not characterize the holiness of God’s Church. And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. How many church leaders are willing to disregard this principle in the operation of the Church. How many pastors are making a salary of 200 thousand, plus all expenses, on the backs of the offerings of the poor and impoverished widows from whom they demand a tithe?

 

Jesus never had a fancy church building with tall spires and elaborate furnishings. The bare slopes of the mountain, or the peaceful shores of the sea, suited Him fine. The building structure itself is not the Church. The Temple of God is in the hearts of men and women who have received redemption through the shed blood of their Maker. 

 

Though there is nothing wrong with having a decent place to gather, the PLACE is not the principal thing – it is the faith of those gathered about. Wherever two or three are gathered together in my Name, there I am among them, says our Lord. The Church today needs another cleansing; the first is recorded here, the second occurred less than a week before His crucifixion: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12-13) For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.   (Isaiah 54:5)

AOC Sunday Report – Third Sunday after The Epiphany

Happy Third Sunday after The Epiphany!

The Happy AOC Sunday Report is available RIGHT HERE!

We have excellent sermons today from the Bishop Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan. I believe Bishop Gerry is on travel for the burial service for our wonderful friend Bishop Jim Flanagan.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today. His sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/nVTrkVsZu_U Today’s Collect asks for God to look mercifully on our imperfect state and to extend His Hand to help and defend us.  In the Epistle to the people of Rome Paul tells us not to think to highly of ourselves, but to live as peaceably as possible with all men; to try our best to do good.  The Gospel is John’s accounting of Jesus’ first miracle, that of turning water into exceptional wine at the Wedding in Cana.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how. 

There are always a lot of people who need your prayer, today is not the exception. Please pray for the Flanagan family, Shamu, Tricia and for safe travel for Bishop Jerry and work out from there.

The week ahead is filled with miles stones and history; there is so much to hold in wonder.  If you have a hard time visualizing this, try opening your heart to that Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost.  He can help you see, hear and feel.

Have an EPIC week.

Hap
Church of the Faithful Centurion
Descanso, California
United States of America

Third Sunday after The Epiphany - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon– With Video

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/nVTrkVsZu_U

 

Today’s Collect asks for God to look mercifully on our imperfect state and to extend His Hand to help and defend us.  In the Epistle to the people of Rome Paul tells us not to think to highly of ourselves, but to live as peaceably as possible with all men; to try our best to do good.  The Gospel is John’s accounting of Jesus’ first miracle, that of turning water into exceptional wine at the Wedding in Cana.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how. 

The Propers for today are found on Page 112-113, with the Collect first:

 

The Third Sunday after The Epiphany.

The Collect.

 

A

LMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle for today came from the Twelfth Chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans beginning at the Sixteenth Verse.

 

The Epistle shows the way to Christian action in life.  Paul lays out a hard path, but one that goes where we want to be in the end.

 

B

E not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore 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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

The Holy Gospel for today came from the Second Chapter of the Gospel of St. John beginning at the First Verse. 

 

A

ND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

 

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion, Descanso, California

Rev Jack's sermon can be viewed on video here -> https://youtu.be/nVTrkVsZu_U

Today’s sermon ties together the propers, that is to say the prayer and readings for this week. Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us …

 

In the Collect, we are asking God to set aside our failures and protect and aid us in all we do with His strong hand.  God is perfect, thus so is His counsel.  When we acknowledge our imperfection and ask Him for help, we should look to the written record of His Son, our Savior; the ultimate example of perfection and we should be doing do our best to follow Him, by being honest, hard working, peaceful and helpful.  When we do this, we will prosper; not only in this world, but in our hearts. And not only our hearts, but doing these things will make things better for those around us, too.  When we pray for His Help, we need to listen for the answer, then act on it, not ignore it because it is not the answer we wanted. This is a very common theme throughout the collects and by extension, the Bible. As we have always the same problems, we have the same need, which is to turn to God for help! 

 

In the Epistle, Paul counsels us to not repay our fellow men’s evil with evil but to do right as much as possible in a given circumstances. He also says that God will reap vengeance on evildoers and it is not for us to deal vengeance out. He also says we need to be honest and forthright in all our dealings as is befitting our children of God status. He points out if we give kindness and honesty even to those who we do not like or get along with, that will be truly more satisfying for us then any kind of imperfect revenge or sabotage we can come up with. It will in the end be on their own heads for refusing our hospitality and kindly actions. He says we are to live peaceably with all men for as much as lieth within us. This does not mean we should be doormats, but rather we should treat our neighbors kindly up until they point they attempt to take our things or our lives, at that point we can do what is needed to defend ourselves from the threat. But other than that, we are to treat our neighbors the way we would like to be treated. This follow’s Jesus “Love they neighbor as thyself commandment.” And it is really the best way to live our lives here on Earth. However if we are to live this commandment, we need to follow our nice words to our neighbors up with actions.

 

Which brings us to the next point, why are we always emphasizing action?  There is a simple reason for this.  In the space of time where we exist, where we are, is Today. Where God’s finger touches the line of time. Not tomorrow nor the past, but today. We can’t go back in the past or go forward to the future and act there, our actions have to be done in the present.  Actions are how we live out our faith. That is why worrying does nothing productive. We should focus on what we can do in the present, rather in the past we cannot change nor the future which is unknown. Acting in the present is far more productive than worrying about places we cannot act in like the past or unknown like the future. 

 

Our God is a God of Action.  No less is His Son one of action.  All throughout the Bible, you find Jesus doing things, not just talking about them. His messages all convey action. Jesus did not just talk nice words, he backed them up with action. This is why we emphasize action. To truly follow Christ requires us to be like Him within the best our abilities and with the Help of the Holy Ghost, perform actions.  To be like Christ, we must back our stated belief with actions that confirm that belief, following His Word. It is a tough task and we may never get there fully, but we’ll never get there if we don’t at least do our best and not just say it. 

 

The Gospel provides a great example of how our God is a God of Action.  In the Gospel we see Jesus performing His first documented earthly miracle, turning water into wine at Cana.  He was at first apparently reluctant to perform it, telling his earthly mother that it was not the right time for Him to perform miracles. Mary chose to ignore this and instead placed great faith in her son by instructing the servants, “Whatsoever he saith to you do it.”

 

She had great faith in Him in that He would perform a miraculous action. Mary truly had the faith Jesus talked about which could “move mountains.” When He referred to this, He was not talking about literally moving mountains, but obstacles which get in our way in life.  That is the faith we need to have in Him and God. We need to have faith that He will help us overcome those mountainous obstacles, we just have to let him into our hearts.

 

His actions created a wine so good, it caused the governor to remark they usually set out the best wine first, then when the partygoers get more drunk they bring out the worst wine. But the wine Jesus created was so good, he said in effect, “You have saved the best for last.”

 

The whole point behind the Gospel is that Jesus, and God, is a person of action not just diction. Jesus could have chosen not to do anything or tell the servants anything. But He chose to honor His mother’s request and perform a miracle that set off His earthly ministry. When faced with the opportunity to act, He always acted. This was the first of those times when He was faced with a decision point. You will note in all of his miracles He chose to act.

 

This shows that if we are to become like Christ, we are also to be men and women of action and not just diction.  There are too many in this world who to paraphrase President Trumps’ inaugural address “They talk the good talk and sit around on their hands and do nothing.” It is all too easy to say the right words at the right time; however, it is harder to perform the right actions at the right time.

 

Actions truly show our character more than words ever could.  How should we act to show the best of our character?  To the extent you are able, attempt to do good to all.  Always do the right thing when you are faced with a choice. Sometimes that choice is harder than others to be made, but it must be made all the same. It is possible if we have the Holy Ghost in our hearts to do the right thing. We are not Christ, but if we do our best emulate His earthly actions, we do well.  If you treat your enemies with respect and kindness, you oft make them your friends. Like many other things Jesus taught, it is easy to say and hard to do. 

 

Like Jesus at the well, we must remember that our purpose is to help bring people to salvation. We are not called to any action that would push people always from salvation, but rather to lead them by example towards that salvation.  Let us think about that the next time we do our actions. We must consider if our actions might push people away from salvation or to it. If our actions might push people away from salvation, then we must reconsider our actions and find an action that will push people towards salvation. We are called to be like Christ as much as possible. So, with that in mind, we must strive to influence the people around us for good.  A good reason to think before you open your mouth. Think is what I am about to say going to lead this person to or from Christ. If it will lead them away, think of how you can phrase it so it will lead them to Christ. Any step you take today may have future consequence.  Your witness, your testimony, your actions can bring people to the point they accept the Holy Spirit or not.  Your interface may only be one small step; but do your best to make it a step towards God, not away. Therefore, let us think about our actions and the possible consequences they could have for people turning to or away from Him.

 

Error is error, wrong is not right.  But, a person’s final destination is up to God, not us.  Fortunate for each of us, it should be considered.  During the journey of life through the time space continuum, we need to do our best to keep ourselves and those around us moving towards God, not away from Him.  The direction is always clear, sometimes we just do not want to read the signs. That is why we need the Holy Ghost’s help to read those signs and keep on moving in the consistent direction towards heaven.

 

If we understand we are less than perfect, actually far less than imperfect, we have a good start.  We know we need God in our lives to give us direction.  We need His guidance to direct our ACTION.

 

The common theme through the Collect, Epistle and Gospel is that if we have hope and trust in God, we must dread naught, and carry on, empowered through our daily lives here on Earth until we are called to our heavenly home.   These are actions we must take not mere thoughts or words, actual actions!

 

Read the Bible, find out what He wants you to do, then Do It.  What can you do today to carry out His Will? There are a multitude of things you can DO to carry out His Will, but the question is, “Will you?”

 

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

 

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God