Zacchaeus Meets the Master (click on URL)

https://youtu.be/0FgDEiGqsuo

Gospel of St. Luke 19:1-10

19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. ⁴ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. ⁶ And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. ⁷ And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. ⁸ And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. ⁹ And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

 Sermon Summary for 2^nd Sunday in Lent, 16 March 2025 Anno domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

Sermon Summary for 2^nd Sunday in Lent, 16 March 2025 Anno domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide 

WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. Gospel. St. Matthew xv. 21

The Collect. 

ALMIGHTY God, who seest that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves; Keep us both outwardly in our bodies, and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Thessalonians iv. 1.

WE beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

The Gospel. St. Matthew xv. 21.

JESUS went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

 

      The opening line of the Collect for today expresses the Reformation doctrine of the depravity of man 

without Christ – we can do nothing to save ourselves, it is an act of the Sovereignty of God. The purpose of 

the Commandments of God is not to our peril, but for our good. God’s cleanses the believer first in soul and 

inward grace, and then in the outward living example.  “Purge me with hyssop (a herbal laxative), and I 

shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (outward conduct).” Psalms 51:7 We suffer as a 

result of sin and disobedience, but knowing, loving and seeking the Lord and His Word brings joy and

gladness: “Make me to hear joy and gladness; That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” Psalms 

51:8

            The Epistle sets forth our present duties and future hope. How shall we then live? Two distinct properties must characterize the Christian: 1. Abstinence from sin and lusts of the flesh; and 2. Setting an example in both conduct and righteous living. Not only do we abstain from sins of commission, but also those of omission as the General Confession so aptly states. How may we accomplish such a high mark being weak in the flesh? By being strong in the Spirit. 

            Remember, we have perfect liberty in Christ. Our wills are changed so that we no longer desire the old sins of the flesh, but we will to do righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Being possessed of the Spirit, our liberty is without limit: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” Gospel of St. John 3:8 It is the Word and Spirit that motivates every action of the believer in Christ. Not the truth alone, nor the Spirit alone – “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

            The sinner lives in sin because he does not know God. We, on the other hand, have the blessing of both knowing and loving God. “ . . . the Gentiles which know not God.” 1 Thess 4:5 So, we know the ‘how’ of living righteously by His Word by abstinence and good works; and we are told the ‘why’ in the Epistle:

 

1.     By knowing the will of god shared in His Word and reinforced by His Holy spirit.

2.     Because it is God’s Will for us.

3.     Because to intentional disobey the Law of Gods brings judgment.

4.     Because God has given us Commandments to that end.

5.     Because God has not left nor forsaken us. He has given us the gift of the Holy spirit to fortify our faith and obedience.

 

            In our Gospel text, we learn the power of “prevailing prayer.” Just as blind Bartimaeus could not be discharged or discouraged by attempts to hush his pleading, neither does the Canaanite woman from the coast of Tyre and Sidon. This entire event in the ministry of our Lord, I believe, is to teach us the value of persistence in prayer. It was never the Lord’s practice to treat sinners harshly, but in love and courtesy; however, He seems to ignore this woman’s pleading for her daughter. Why? He heard the woman’s plea (and actually knew her need long before He came into that region). Those around Jesus tried to hush the woman and send her away empty.

            Even in that distant region, the woman knew something of Christ. She called Him Lord and the Son of David which was a precise title for the Messiah. Even a little knowledge of God will go far in bringing near the Throne of Mercy and Grace. 

            When the disciples proposed to send her away, Christ responded with a very telling remark: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” There is profound meaning in this remark. This woman was a gentile woman of Canaan, yet, Christ is seeking her as one of His lost sheep. All who have believed the promise of a Redeemer made to Abraham are, in fact, the children of Abraham and Israel, indeed, spiuritually. (see Romans 4:16)

            But this woman will have an answer to her prayer. She came and worshipped Christ. This act was far more telling than the actions of many of national Israel. The Lord continues to allow a strong lesson to be witnessed by the disciples. The woman will not be put off even with a gentle rebuff. She pronounces the same simple and brief prayer of Peter when he began to sink in the Galilean Sea: “Lord, help me!” This little three-worded prayer can accomplish far more than the meaningless and verbose prayers of the proud and mighty. 

            Jesus continues to bring out the virtues of faith in the woman’s plea – not to offend her, but to reveal a mighty principle to the disciples round about. “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs (puppies).” In a large household, it is the love of the children who secretly hand down food from the table to the puppy below. The bread the puppy receives is of the same quality and character of those at the table. To this woman, it was the Bread of Life. “And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” Profound need generates profound faith for it may be the last tool in the box for the petitioner. This revealed the whole purpose of Christ in demonstrating that faith to His disciples. “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Her faith was greater than her need, and our Lord granted her prayer of faith and persistence. 

            We live in perilous times of persecution, martyrdom, and ridicule of things Holy. Even in our churches, there may be those who would send us away empty, but not our Lord Jesus Christ. He already knows our need, but He seeks our faithful persistence in prayer for resolution of that need. Never give up!

 

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

 

 

 THE WOMAN AT JACOB'S WELL, Devotion on Providential Grace for 12 March 2025 Anna Domino, the anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide (Bp J. Ogles)

https://youtu.be/d5m5JP4O3JA

 O PERFECT LOVE, a Hymn Devotion for week following 1^st Lent Sunday, 11 March 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Gospel of St. John 3:16
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

 

            Just as there are none perfectly righteous beside the Lord Jesus Christ, there is likewise no perfect love apart from His great love signed and sealed by the nail and lance wounds inflicted on the cross for us. This hymn is the composition of Dorothy F. Gurney (1858-1932), daughter of an Anglican clergyman, in 1883, to the tune, O Perfect Love, by Barnby. It has appropriately been sung as a wedding anthem, and rightly so, since it was that Perfect Love of Christ in drinking that bitter cup at Calvary’s Mount to seal His betrothal; to His Bride, the Church. Under Hebrew betrothal customs, the prospective Bridegroom attended the home of his prospective Bride with parents present as witnesses. After discussion before a table furnished only with a cup of wine, if the Bridegroom was receptive to the betrothal, he drank from that Cup; then, if agreeable to the betrothal; as well, the prospective bride would drink from that same Cup sealing the betrothal. This custom reflects the meaning of the counsel of Christ in Matthew 20:22 – “But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” Mrs. Gurney wrote the hymn for her sister’s wedding after retiring to the study for only fifteen minutes.

O PERFECT LOVE

1 O perfect Love, all human thought transcending, 
lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne, 
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending, 
whom thou in sacred vow dost join in one.

2 O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance 
of tender charity and steadfast faith, 
of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance, 
with childlike trust that fears no pain or death.

 

3 Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow; 
grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife; 
grant them the vision of the glorious morrow 
that will reveal eternal love and life.

 

1 O perfect Love, all human thought transcending, lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne, that theirs may be the love which knows no ending, whom thou in sacred vow dost join in one. This stanza points out the transcending love of God that surpasses all human comprehension. His love is pure and undiluted. Though we may love Christ with all our hearts, that love can never reflect in completeness the torrential beams of love coming down to us from the Father of Lights and of our Lord Jesus Christ. We kneel before His throne in reverential worship and not the man-centered worship that has become ‘fashionable’ in the modern church. It is our fixed love of God that unites the Body of Christ (the Church) into one just as illustrated by the one Bread of which we partake at Holy Communion.

2 O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance of tender charity and steadfast faith, of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance, with childlike trust that fears no pain or death. Truly, we are saved by faith through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; however, that grace of God is not dispensed through a false or misguided faith. True faith results in good works as evidence of its presence. Love commands hope, patience and long suffering. It is not a passing whim of the lukewarm heart. The loving faith of a child exceeds the faith of the aged elect when it is nurtured and tenderly expressed by the parent.

3 Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow; grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife; 
grant them the vision of the glorious morrow that will reveal eternal love and life. Stephen, though under the duress of stoning, looked with joy into Heaven and saw his Lord. So does every professor of faith pass from life to LIFE with joyous expectation of seeing the same Lord that blind Fanny Crosby saw so clearly in her hymns. We, too, may taste that eternal love and life even in our mortal bodies if we have placed our trust in the Lord.

A NATIONAL BAPTISM, Sermon Notes for 1st Sunday in Lent, 9 March 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide 

 1 “Moreover... all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. — " 1 Corinthians 10:1

 The plan of God for His elect has not changed since Eden. Aware of man’s depravity, the Lord has given stark lessons to prove to us that we can, in no wise, earn our own salvation, but are in need of a Redeemer/Savior in Christ. God did not have one plan for the Old Testament saints, and a new, revised version for the New. From the promise made to Eve, confirmed in Abraham, and proclaimed in Job 19:23-27 – 23 

Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead In the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And mine eyes shall behold, and not another; Though my reins be consumed within me. 

 The same Redeemer of which Job made referenc is the same as that mentioned in the covenant promise stated in Psalms “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” Psalms 111:9 This Redeemer and covenant is the same fulfilled in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Abraham was saved by faith in the same Redeemer in whom we have placed our trust in these latter days. He was saved by faith in his trust of the coming Redeemer just as we are saved in the sure knowledge of the accomplished fulfillment in Christ, our Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. Please consider a little recognized relationship between our Gospel Text today from the Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 4, and the Red Sea crossing recorded in Exodus and further explained in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4,

 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.”

 There is an amazing symbolic comparison between our Lord’s baptism and time spent in the Wilderness being tempted of the Devil, and the Children of Israel and their Dead Sea and Wilderness experience. It is a point I had not considered until delivering my sermon this morning. We are told in the Gospel text that our Lord Jesus Christ was first baptized in the presence of the full Trinity of God – that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Afterward, He was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. Though His temptation was great, He never succumbed to the wiles of the Devil but always answered each temptation with “it is written” – or, the Word of God – a principle that would save us likewise from many dangers of temptation. 

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. . . . And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians Exodus 19-20, 24-25 

 Please note a couple of salient points in the text from Exodus:

1. The entire nation was baptized in the Sea (1 Cor 10:2) 

2. The children of Israel were under the protective Eye of the Lord in the Cloudy Pillar by day and Fire by night – but not only in leading, but also in following to protect there rear echelon. “and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:” 

3. The Lord Himself was in the Pillar: “And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud.” It is a joy to know that God not only leads us, but has a following protection for His people then and now. 

4. After destroying the armies of Pharaoh, the children wandered forty years in the wilderness being face with, and often succumbing to temptations. What lesson was the Lord teaching us in the Gospel account from the Gospel of Matthew and that of Exodus? The entire experience was to prove that we are not able to overcome the devil by our own strength and can, in no wise, EARN our salvation. Just as the Children of Israel failed in so many ways in the Wilderness to keep God’s Laws and Commandments, so can we not keep them today without a Redeemer and His imputed righteousness. 

Though we failed in the Wilderness, for forty years after baptism in the Sea, Christ prevailed against Satan in the Wilderness for forty days after baptism. He thereby proved His calling as Redeemer, Savior, Lord, and King. God fed us with that temporary bread from Heaven (Manna) in the Wilderness, but in our present wilderness of worldly passions and wickedness, He feeds us with the Living Bread that came down from Heaven – Himself! The notion that God changes in periods of dispensation is false. His plan is constant and unchanging, though we may be blessed with dispensations of greater understanding and revelation of His Word. There is so much more to these truths than that which can be related by my frail penmanship and sermon, but the full answers are available in the Golden Book of Heaven – the Holy Bible. In the Name of the Father ,and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. See less

THE WIDOW'S MITE, Devotion for Ash Wednesday, 5 March 20925 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.” (Mark 12:41) You will observe that Christ not only observed HOW MUCH the people were giving, but also in MANNER AND SPIRIT they gave. It is the condition of the heart in giving that makes all the difference! We all are rich in some way or another. We may be blessed with a successful profession or business, or we may be poor but have an abundance of time on our hands that could be devoted to helping some poor, fainting sinner. Our time is definitely a resource from which we should tithe and offer! What is a gold coin to a man who has millions? It may be far more than the yearly earnings of a poor widow, but to the rich man, it is a mere gesture of giving. He will suffer no less opulence at his evening meal, nor be harried by creditors to repay outstanding debts. But what of the poor widow who toils at humble Labors, day in and day out, to provide a simple and humble meal for herself at the day’s end. She may find it difficult to earn enough to pay her rent, or her heating bill, yet she gives to God – not a tenth – but ALL that she has in treasure. “And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” (Mark 12: 42) The widow arrives just at the moment of the Lord’s expectation. His previous remarks have paved the way for her debut. The Lord is watching the wealthy as well as the poor widow. He is watching to see how you and I share out of our blessings as well. He takes an interest in how we are stewards of His blessings that He has given to us. What are two mites compared to the large gold coins cast into the horn by the wealthy? Some may even have been ashamed to cast in so little after hearing the ringing sound of the large and valuable offerings of the wealthy. But this widow is not giving to attract attention to her generosity – she is giving out of her penury and need. She is unashamed for she has no reason to be ashamed – she has given ALL! Though it is not truly relevant to what the widow actually gave, I found an illustration that is interesting: “It is estimated that if the widow’s mite had been deposited at the “First National Bank, Jerusalem” to draw four percent interest semi-annually, the fund today would total $4,800,000,000,000,000,000,000. If a bank on earth could multiply the widow’s mite to such an astronomical figure, think what treasures this dedicated woman will have in heaven where “moth and rust doth not corrupt.” (Bibleteachingnotes.com) Interesting to note that this sum amount to more monetary cash than in circulation throughout the world today. It is Heaven's ransom. The fact is, the AMOUNT is not the essential thing – it is the HEART of the widow in giving that is important here. “And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.” (Mark 12:43) Had the others cast in mansions and wagons of golden talents, it would not have risen to the level of this poor widow for she gave all. Are we not called to give our ALL for Christ? Should not our finances reflect our strong commitment to Him? The important thing is not what we give in the church offering while all eyes are watching, but that which is given unseen and unsung. The Word of God is the best measure of counsel we can have. See how Christ frames the issue of giving: “1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

 MY GOD, ACCEPT MY HEART THIS DAY; a Hymn for Ash Wednesday, 4 February 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

 

            This hymn of Lenten solemnity is the authorship of Matthew Bridges (1800-1894) and was first published in 1848. The original tune is St. Peter composed by Alexander R. Reinagle (1799-1877) conceived as a setting for Psalm 118.

MY GOD, ACCEPT MY HEART THIS
DAY

 

1 My God, accept my heart this day,
and make it always thine,
that I from thee no more may stray,
no more from thee decline.

 

2 Before the cross of him who died,
behold, I prostrate fall;
let every sin be crucified,
and Christ be all in all.

 

3 Anoint me with thy heavenly grace,
and seal me for thine own;
that I may see thy glorious face,
and worship near thy throne.

 

4 Let every thought and work and word
to thee be ever given:
Then life shall be thy service, Lord,
and death the gate of heaven.

 

1 My God, accept my heart this day, and make it always thine, that I from thee no more may stray, no more from thee decline. One leading truth presented in this hymn and stanza is the imperative that one’s heart to be crucified with Christ – we must die in Christ before we can live in Christ. When Christ first owns our hearts, He does not become a casual visitor, but rather He comes to abide forever in His Temple of our hearts. When Christ owns our heart, it is no longer available for either sale or vacancy to the world and its devil.

2 Before the cross of him who died, behold, I prostrate fall; let every sin be crucified, and Christ be all in 

all. The cross of Christ is not an ornate object composed of valuable metals to be proudly flaunted, but 

rather a crude, wooden instrument of torture to be revered as the altar of our once-and-for-all sacrifice. That cross belonged to us as sinners, but Christ bore it in our stead. “ The Lord is my strength and song,

And ^tis become my salvation.” Psalms 118:14

3 Anoint me with thy heavenly grace, and seal me for thine own; that I may see thy glorious face, and worship near thy throne. “He anointest my head with oil” are the words of our Communal Prayer repeated in worship services. As His lambs, He anoints our head with oil when the horns of our salvation have been severed. We are sealed with the Seal of God in our foreheads – the seat of our reason and moral judgment – the mark of the devil is erased so completely that it can never be re-imposed. 

4 Let every thought and work and word to thee be ever given: Then life shall be thy service, Lord, and death the gate of heaven. “Pray always “ sayeth the Lord in Luke 21:36. If we do so, no words or works of impurity will be uttered or acted out in the life of the believer. Our good works will not be our own, but His. Only the evil thoughts and desires of the errant Christian can be claimed as their personal ownership. “²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 6:21 Without offending, may I ask where is your treasure? If in Heaven, than I know already that your heart is there.