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.

 

 THE THREE ETERNAL GRACES & A BLIND BEGGAR, Sermon Notes for Quinquagesima Sunday, 2 March 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

“Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Luke 18:38

The Prayer of Collect. 

O LORD, who hast taught us that all our doings without charity are nothing worth; Send thy Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee. Grant this for thine only Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

The Epistle. 1 Corinthians xiii. 1.

THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

The Gospel. St. Luke xviii. 31-42

THEN Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way-side begging: and hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. ⁴³ And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

 

Love is associated with all things in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the preeminent grace above all others. 

Without love, none other of the gifts of the Spirit have worth. The source of that love is the same as that fountain of Living Waters and the Bread of Heaven – our Lord Jesus Christ. The love of God is transmitted to the heart by the Holy Spirit, and that love draws us to the Throne of Grace and Mercy like a great magnet draws metal of like nature to itself. This is clearly the biblical principle set forth in our Prayer of Collect.

            Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians in chapter 13, clearly sets forth the value of the component of love in our relationship to the Triune God. It lists many gifts of the Spirit, many of which were temporary; but there is one gift of Grace that surpasses them all – LOVE. There are three eternal gifts of Grace mention – Faith, Hope, Charity (Love) – but the greatest even among these three is love. No matter the effort we put forth in keeping the commandments, we cannot do so without love. With love, the Commandments are no longer external laws by which we are governed, but inward natures by which we are conformed to the image of God.

            In the Gospel text, we find Jesus on the last journey of His earthly ministry to Jerusalem. He knows full well what fate awaits Him there, but He never hesitates to continue that journey of love to its end on the cross. The shadow of the cross has cast its image upon His entire life from the wooden manger at Bethlehem until the instrument of wood on which He would suffer a terrible and humiliating shame and torture for you and me.

            The miracle that our Lord performs enroute to the cross is of particular note in revealing the deep love of Christ. Even as He was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, He nonetheless took compassion on a poor blind beggar on the wayside at Jericho. My father always taught me that the best credential of character is revealed in the small graces performed by a man and not necessarily the major and impressive acts. In all ways, big and small, Christ exhibited a divine compassion that is beyond words of description. 

            Here is a blind beggar who is helpless to the extreme. Someone of his friends or family found it necessary to bring this man to this roadside place every day. They were, unwittingly, helping to bring him to Christ. God the Father very often brings men and women to Christ by most surprising means. Before He ever undertook His last journey to Jerusalem, Christ was aware of this poor beggar. He knew of the man’s frailty and despondency as he sat by that roadside begging the least measure of alms from passers-by. But Christ does all things in its best order and perfect timing. The beggar was one without hope in this world, but hope was on its way from the majestic palaces of Heaven to succor the man. It was a surprise of providential grace that came upon him by as he sat there day after day.

            Some who passed by dropped a mite into the jar of the beggar, but most passed by without the slightest notice. No one truly cared for him save, perhaps, his kin. But there was One who was approaching who cared so dearly for this poor beggar as to die in his stead for the beggar’s sin – our Lord Jesus Christ. I say ‘surprised’ because the beggar had no idea who was the center of attention of the passing throng. Upon hearing the approaching chatter of a multitude of disciples, the beggar inquired of some stranger of the cause of the uproar and excitement. When told that it was Jesus of Nazareth, the blind man proved that his spiritual vision was better than almost any who followed Jesus. We are not told how the beggar recognized Christ as the Messiah, But he surely proved his faith by his exclamation – “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” Very few had called our Lord by this prophetic title. 

            The beggar cried from a heartfelt desire long pent up in a frail body and the ragged robes of poverty. He cried out in all seriousness. He cried out in faith that surpassed many of our Lord’s own disciples though he had not had the same opportunity to witness the many miracles. The beggar had doubtless heard rumors of the Stranger of Galilee and of the miracles He had performed and the compassion He had for sinners. 

            As he made his plaintive cry for mercy, those disciples who preceded the Lord tried to silence the man. It is often true that those who seem closest to Christ are the very ones who prevent sinners from coming to Him. This is true even in many of our churches today. A stranger appears at Church who has recently come to know the Lord as Savior. He has many gifts of talents to share in the Church and is eager to do so. But often those who have the upper seats in the Church grow jealous of the stranger and try to prevent his having any role in sharing those talents. My wife describes such people as old hens that run to a younger chicken who finds a grain of corn or an insect and begins pecking it on the back of the head until he releases his spoil. Unfortunately, I believe we have all witnessed this kind of deplorable behavior at Church.

            But this blind beggar is not easily deterred from crying out. This is his only moment of hope, and that moment is in Christ. The sinner never knows when his last opportunity may come to make his appeal for mercy. This poor man cannot allow the opportunity to pass him by. His prayer is persistent. In fact, he cries out even more profoundly. Though physically blind, his cries for help cannot be subdued by men of lesser spiritual sight. Persistence in prayer will result in miracles more often than those of lesser faith realize.

            Notice that the man does not cry out to have his sight restored. He simply cries out for mercy, for if we are granted mercy by God, all other needs will be satisfied. We are too specific in our prayers to God in many cases. If we simply pray for mercy expecting it to be granted according to the will of the Lord, it will surely be granted. But we sometimes pray that the Lord will solve some worldly problem for us instead of giving us the strength to overcome that problem, and often we do not pray that HIS will be done instead of our own.

            Do you believe that the prayers of a poor blind beggar can pause the powers of Heaven? Look at this verse: “And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near.” The prayer of the blind beggar caused the Lord to STOP. Having been granted mercy already by the Lord, Jesus asked, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” Only upon making our sincere appeal to God do we offer to petition our great need. Of course, our greatest need is not physical sight, but SALVATION! The blind beggar would receive BOTH! But we must be patient to hear our Lord’s answer to our prayers before presuming too much against the powers of Heaven.

            Jesus responded to the man’s plea with a double-edged sword of mercy: “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” Notice, the blind man received not only his sight but was made every whit whole in Christ. Christ always addresses our most serious need in considering our prayers for His grace and mercy.

            How did the beggar respond? How do we respond now that Christ has set us free from sin and opened the floodgates of mercy for us in saving our souls? He immediately followed our Lord after receiving the ability to know the way and did so with rejoicing. How closely do we follow Him after receiving our own greatest need supplied? Such a testimony of rejoicing gives witness to others of the grace and love of our Lord and is contagious to those around us.

 

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

 

TWO SEED AND FOUR SOILS, sermon Notes for Sexagesima Sunday, 23 February 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

The Collect

Sexagesima Sunday

O LORD God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

            Today’s Prayer of Collect, in brief, prays that the Lord can acknowledge our lack of trust in the arm of flesh and our own works, but attribute all power and defense to His Holy Will in our lives. In the eyes of the Lord, our righteousness is as filthy rags because we can do no good work part from Christ working in and through us.

 

            In the Epistle, taken from 2 Corinthians 11:19-31 (not copied here), Paul outlines the many sufferings and struggles he has experienced in ministering the Word of God to diverse regions and people. It serves as a great revelation of the great war that is taking place upon the earth between the relentless slings and arrows of the Adversary and the people of God. As the disciples of Christ, we have sworn allegiance to the King of Kings, and our service contract is ‘for the duration of the conflict’ which will end at the Coming of Christ. In that conflict, we may perceive setbacks on the line, but those are only steps to the final victory.

 

4 ‘And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him out of every city, He spake by a parable: 5. A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls at the air devoured it. 6. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8. And other fell on good ground. and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when He had said these things, He cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9. And His disciples asked Him, saying, What might this parable be? 10. And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11. Now the parable is this; The seed is the word of God. 12. Those by the way-side are they that hear: then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13. They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with Joy; and them have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14. And that which fall among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit, with patience.” Luke 8:4-15

 

            Jesus spoke often ion Parables the purpose of which was to impart the sublime truths of grace, redemption, and retribution.       

            There are only two general categories of seed growing in the fields (hearts) of men – those of the Adversary, or those of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is the Word and, as such, He is the Good Seed which the Sower sows in his field. He is the Master Sower, and His disciples are the servant-sowers of the Word, too. The seed of the Adversary naturally exists already in those soils and only the Master Sower can discern the difference in their growth.

            As followers of Christ, we need to be alert to those different kinds of soils (or hearts) upon which the true Seed falls and to understand the reasons for the rejection of that precious Seed by the greater numbers of men. 

            The Sower sows without distinction of soils. All soils have received the Seed, but the results vary with the kind of soils upon which those Seed fall. 

            When the farmer plants a crop, the soil must be prepared and cultivated. Rocks and weeds must be removed to whatever extent possible. The field must be hedged about to protect against varmints. In this way, the field is just like the hearts of men that must be prepared to hear the Gospel through preaching and the drawing power of the Holy Ghost. But there are fields that are simply lacking in many ways as good soil for planting. The soil may be too rocky, too acidic, too dry, too overgrown with weeds and briars, etc. But we cannot know the soils unless we at least plant the seed and observe if the Holy Spirit will germinate the seed in the darkness of the earth. 

            Let us observe the four kinds of soil here illustrated by our Lord:

 

1.     The First Soil: “ . . . some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the fowls at the air devoured it.”The heart that is impenetrable or never impressed by the divine truth. These are men whose hearts are indifferent to the Gospel and who listen in careless abandon or even open rebellion thereto. These have no time for the foolishness of preaching. The Seed cannot even take root in such hearts. Their patron father, the Devil, snatches up the Seed immediately since it is left exposed without cover or care. These are the ones who fill bars and nightclubs while the churches remain unattended. 

 

2.     The Second Soil: “And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.” These are hearts that lack a depth of top-soil and are filled with the hard rocks of sinful sinners with whom they associate closely. They may rejoice at the hearing of the Word, but are easily deterred from the path of righteousness when temptations arise. They have a superficial interest in the truth, but, by-and-by, forget it the moment temptation arises. Their souls are dry of the oil of the Holy spirit to nourish and sustain growth. These may make a public confession of Christ without truly knowing the One in whom they claim to place their trust. Shallow and shakable are these.

 

3.     The Third Soil: “.And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.” The seeds of thorns and tares are always present, even in the good soil, but these flourish beyond control in the hearts of those whose attraction to the things of the world outweigh all other considerations. They allow themselves to be smothered out by the cares and illicit desires of the world. Their self-wills remain in the bondage of sin, and there is no such thing as a Free Will apart from that perfect law of Liberty assured by the very Author of Liberty, our Lord Jesus Christ. Only when our self-wills are surrendered to Him can we claim a will that is free.

 

4.     The Fourth Soil: “And other fell on good ground. and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.”  I need not remind the bible scholars reading this devotion of the necessity of a seed to die to self in order to produce an abundance of fruit. The good ground is that whose natures are receptive to truth and love. The Good Seed has a tiny kernal of life enclosed in a shell casing of nutrients to give hope of survival until the seedling burst forth into a rich environment of loamy soil.. But the soil must be good in order to continue to nourish the seed plant as it struggles in the darkness of the earth to escape its earthly confines and spring into the brightness of the glorious Sun of righteousness.  How like the true believer is this soil and its response to the Good Seed. We come from the dust of the earth, yet we have a soul that struggles in the darkness of the world until the Stranger of Galilee calls our names and we are made anew in the light of His Word.

 

The honest and good heart is not subject to the vicissitudes of the three other soils. It thrives on truth and love which it could only know by means of the Word of God informed and enlightened by the Holy Ghost. It is my prayer that this fourth soil represents the heart of all who read these sermon notes. 

 

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