Anglican Orthodox Church sm
Worldwide Communion
Second Sunday after Epiphany
January 18, 2026 – Sunday Report
Second Sunday after Epiphany Propers:
The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.
The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 111 -112.
The Collect for the Second Sunday after Epiphany
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle for the Second Sunday after Christmas. Romans xii. 16.
HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday after Epiphany. St. Mark i. 1.
THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
On Point
Someone asked, where do the quotes come from? The answer is from the people who uttered them. But, how did you find them? Oh, that. Some from Bishop Jerry, others from Rev. Geordie and many from Rev Bryan Dabney and a few from other places. Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson – England (right)
Points to Ponder:
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a
troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Proverbs 25:26
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father,
so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Ezekiel 18:4
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares.
Hebrews 13:2.
We partake with other men in their sins, not only when
we live in the same sinful manner that they do and consent and comply with
their temptations and solicitations to sin, but when we encourage them in their
sin, prompt them to sin, and do not prevent and hinder them, as far is it may
be our power to do so. A state of sin is a state of darkness.
The Rev. Matthew Henry
Hope in the mercy of God being thus important, it is
the great design of the Bible to reveal the love of God to sinners, in order to
bring them back from their [apostasy]. The sacred volume is full of instruction
on this important subject. Every command to repent, implies a readiness on the
part of God to forgive. Every institution of Divine worship implies, that God
is willing to receive those who return to him.
The Rev. Dr. Charles Hodge–American theologian and author - (The Way of Life,
pp. 165-166).
I hope no minister of God ever doubts his allegiance
to God over the traditions or deceits of man-made government. If the government
forbids the admonition of sins such as homosexuality, abortion, or adultery, I
hope every Christian and minister reading this devotion will be faithful to his
Christian vows and follow God rather than man. If the laws and purposes of
government become contrary to Scriptural truth, then they are not legally
binding on the Christian. God did not give us a conscience to be squandered
away at the bar of government.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles– 20th and 21st century Anglican Orthodox Presiding
Bishop
Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop – Metropolitan AOC Worldwide
We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.
Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:
Bishop Ogles
Blog:
https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com
Bishop Ogles
You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg
WATCHING AT THE CROSS
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/01/watching-at-cross.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akjw4a6xpE0
Bishop Ogles Video Chat – Fear versus Love
AOC Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/01/fear-versus-love.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxjDJh3YfQU&t=3s
Second Sunday after Epiphany – Morning Prayer
First Lesson: Isaiah 45: 1-15
Second (Gospel) Lesson: John 1:35-39
The Prayer of Collect.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Long before we ever ask a favor of a friend, we should first know if he is able to grant that favor. The salutation and address of this great Collect profoundly admits of God’s ability to grant the favor we ask in praying this Collect. It is a mighty favor of mercy that we ask, and He is ALMIGHTY to perform it. That peace for which we yearn we can in no manner deserve, for we have broken the peace with God in Eden. Our disobedience, both once and continual, are acts of a belligerent and not of a friend; yet, we cannot save ourselves FROM ourselves. There must be a power from without who will come to our rescue. God has provided that power through His Son, Jesus Christ! Since He is an EVERLASTING God, the favors of mercy He grants are of an everlasting nature – from Eternity Past, to Eternity Future.
This peace of God can only come to us through the redemption of the One who purchased it for us – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) Isn’t He lovely and kind beyond all human understanding! It is not the peaceful environment around us that is the arbitrement of peace, but the peace that frees the heart of troubling fears and doubts. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7) Do we not appreciate the biblical beauty passed on to us through the form of worship provided in the Book of Common Prayer which has us pray this last verse from Philippians as benedictory to each Holy Communion Service – and do we hear these words with calloused hearts, or do they remain fresh and alive at every hearing?
In this Collect, we acknowledge the overruling power of God in His governance of “all things in heaven and earth.” We repeat this prayer – do we believe the words we have prayed? Is God the indisputable Sovereign of your heart, Friend? Do you seek His will for your life, not sometimes, but always? Do you act on His counsels so abundantly provided in His Word for your health? Regardless the storms and rigors of life, do you have the assurance that all is subject to His power and that He CARES even for little YOU? Are you not worth far more than two sparrows? The story is told of a young boy walking the streets of a Latin American city carrying a cage with two sparrows. As he went about hawking (pardon the pun) his charges to every passerby, he was approached by an elderly gentleman who asked, “How much for the sparrows?” “Fifty pesos each,” responded the boy. “Well, here is your 100 pesos for the two of them,” said the gentleman. The boy watched curiously as the elder gentleman opened the cage and set the sparrows free. “Why’d you do that, Mister? Are you crazy?” “No, responded the gentleman. I simply value sparrows more than 100 pesos, and God created them to be free.” Another illustration was discovered on our first trip to the Philippines. On the 500 pesos bill appears the inscription: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” Very true, but no less true that every single soul of every tribe and nation, for whom Christ bled and died, is worth dying for.
Not only do we petition God to hear the prayers of His people, but to grant their petitions through His great mercy. You may say: “But God always hears our prayers!” Not so! If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. (Psalms 66:18) And you may say, “But God will ALWAYS grant the thing for which we ask if our hearts are honest.” Again, not so! Like a good and loving child, we may ask our father for things which will not profit us but, au contraire, may harm us. The father will not grant such petitions if it is not His will to do so. He will always know our needs better than we do. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
Now I take as my text today, the First Lesson for Evening Prayer - Isaiah 45:1-15. This text cannot be understood without a fuller understanding of other the biblical prophetic history that is brought to bear in its fulfillment. The reference to Cyrus is quite revealing of so many prophetic events of Scripture - too numerous to cover in a single sermon; however, Let us examine, and cross-examine, the amazing purposes of God in calling forth the gentile, Cyrus the Great, in the satisfying of His will for His people, Israel.
God called Cyrus when the God of Israel was unknown to him. In fact, He called and anointed Cyrus to be the one to restore the captives of Israel to their native land in Israel/Judah and to restore the Temple in Jerusalem. Isaiah wrote of Cyrus more than almost two hundred years before Cyrus was born. Cyrus was of the Zoroastrian faith, yet, he came to acknowledge the God of Israel in his beautiful prayer in Ezra 1. How did Cyrus come to feel the urge to restore Israel and to even fund the rebuilding of the Temple? Well, that is the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say. Something profound would be necessary to open the eyes of this benevolent ruler.
God had given the kingdoms of the known world into the hand of His anointed, Cyrus. But there was one mighty power that defied the conquering armies of Cyrus for more than two years - Babylon. Cyrus massed his armies and siege engines against the walls of Babylon without success for two years. The Babylonians jeered at him from atop the mighty walls of Babylon. The walls of Babylon were 80 feet high and wide enough for three chariots to ride abreast on their heights. If these were not enough and the enemy could penetrate the first wall, could successfully penetrate the first wall, there was a second wall identical to the first that stood behind. The city seemed impregnable; yet, God had given specific details of the manner of Cyrus’ victory.
After a two-year siege, Cyrus gave up on defeating Babylon and headed home to Medo-Persia; however, God had other plans. “Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.” How could these explicit prophecies be fulfilled now that Cyrus had headed home? How could the promises of God be brought to fruition? “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; 25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: 27That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: 28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” (Isaiah 44:24-28)
On His return toward Susa in Elam, Cyrus noticed a large bowl-like plain to the south of the Euphrates River, and remembered that the river had been re-routed into that plain in order to allow the walls of Babylon to be built to a level below the river surface. Cyrus again flooded that basin with the Euphrates River waters and the river bed was dried up completely. This allowed Cyrus to return to Babylon on a direct route instead of following the meandering bed of the river - “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight.” (Isaiah 45:2)
When Cyrus returned to Babylon, the city was engaged in drunken celebration. It was then that Belshazzar brought forth the golden vessels of the Temple of Jerusalem from which to drink, and then that the Finger of God wrote upon the walls in condemnation of Belshazzar and of the city. Remember that Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall for Belshazzar to inform him of the city’s demise and of Belshazaar’s own fate. Upon reaching the walls of Babylon, Cyrus had his army to burn the rushes that blocked the rivers entrance into the city. “And that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted.” (Jeremiah 51:32) Once inside the river canal, there were walls that extended along the length of the river to its exit on the far side of the city. There were gates there, too, that blocked access from the river. However, the guards, like Belshazzar, were drunk and had left the iron-leaved gates open. “I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates….” (Isaiah 45:1) Messengers ran from post to post to inform Belshazzar that the city had fallen: “One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end.” (Jeremiah 51:31)
When the city had fallen to Cyrus, Daniel presented the scrolls of the Isaiah’s prophecy to him, written some 200 years earlier of the manner in which Cyrus, the Lord’s anointed, would take the great city. This led Cyrus to restore the Jews to their homeland and to make that revealing prayer in Ezra 1: “2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. 4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:2-4)
Friends, these things are written for the edification and comfort of the believer to show the Word of God is sure and certain - His Will shall be done in precisely the manner in which He determines it. We may not know the signs of the seasons, but we can trust in His promises and trust in His sovereignty. The prophecies of Cyrus were not understood by Israel at the time because they were uttered before they ever went into captivity; so, a prophecy of their return to build the Temple was beyond their comprehension just as many utterances of God in prophecy escapes our understanding today.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. AMEN.
Addendum: One thing I should have mentioned - Jerusalem fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 607 B.C., and Cyrus freed the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple in 537 B.C. - exactly 70 years as prophesied.
† Jerry Ogles
Jerry Ogles at the tomb of
Cyrus the Great in Persia in 1976.
Jose Rios - Bishop of Colombia - Cartegena
Anglican Orthodox
Communion Worldwide
Jose began writing daily devotions in his native language on Christmas. If you would like to receive them by email, we would be happy to send them to you. Email aocworldwide@gmail.com.
“La paz del Dios soberano y la manifestación de su Hijo”
Devoción para la Segunda Domínica después de Epifanía
Oración inicial:
Dios omnipotente y eterno, fuente de toda luz y paz verdadera, que en esta estación de Epifanía nos concedes contemplar la manifestación gloriosa de tu Hijo Jesucristo, dispón nuestros corazones por tu Espíritu para recibir tu Palabra con reverencia, fe y obediencia. Que al meditar en tus santos misterios seamos conformados a la imagen de Cristo y conducidos a la paz que procede de tu gobierno soberano; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
La Colecta del día:
OMNIPOTENTE y Eterno Dios, que gobiernas todas las cosas en el cielo y en la tierra; Oye misericordiosamente las súplicas de tu pueblo, y concédenos tu paz todos los días de nuestra vida; mediante Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
Meditación:
La Colecta de esta Segunda Domínica después de Epifanía nos sitúa ante una confesión fundamental de la fe bíblica que la tradición anglicana recibe y custodia con fidelidad: Dios gobierna soberanamente todas las cosas, tanto en el cielo como en la tierra. Esta verdad, firmemente arraigada en el Antiguo Testamento —«Jehová estableció en los cielos su trono, y su reino domina sobre todos» (Salmo 103:19)— no es una afirmación abstracta ni una simple especulación doctrinal, sino el cimiento vivo de la oración confiada del pueblo de Dios. Porque Él reina, podemos suplicar; porque Él gobierna, podemos descansar. La paz que imploramos brota de este señorío divino y se identifica con el shalom veterotestamentario: no mera ausencia de guerra o de conflicto exterior, sino plenitud de vida, orden restaurado, comunión reconciliada y bienestar integral bajo el pacto de Dios (cf. Números 6:24–26; Isaías 32:17). Este shalom, quebrantado por el pecado y la rebelión humana, encuentra su cumplimiento pleno y definitivo en la obra redentora de Cristo, quien, como anuncia Isaías, es el Príncipe de Paz (Isaías 9:6). En Él, Dios reconcilia consigo al mundo, «haciendo la paz mediante la sangre de su cruz» (Colosenses 1:20), y restablece la comunión rota entre el cielo y la tierra. Así, la paz que pedimos en la Colecta no es un sentimiento pasajero ni una seguridad circunstancial, sino el fruto objetivo de la justificación y de la reconciliación con el Padre por medio del Hijo, conforme a la enseñanza apostólica: «Justificados, pues, por la fe, tenemos paz para con Dios por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo» (Romanos 5:1). El Artículo I de los Treinta y Nueve Artículos confiesa a este Dios vivo, eterno y todopoderoso cuya providencia sostiene todas las cosas; y en Cristo, esa providencia se revela como gracia salvadora que concede a su pueblo el shalom verdadero, una paz que gobierna el corazón, ordena la vida y anticipa la plenitud del Reino venidero.
Esta paz, soberanamente otorgada por el Padre en Cristo e implantada en los corazones por la obra del Espíritu Santo, se hace visible y concreta en la vida de la Iglesia, tal como lo expone la exhortación apostólica de Romanos 12:6–16b. San Pablo, después de haber proclamado la misericordia redentora de Dios, describe una comunidad transformada interiormente, donde la diversidad de dones no genera rivalidad ni división, sino que, ordenada por la gracia, se convierte en servicio mutuo para la edificación del cuerpo. La paz recibida en la reconciliación con Dios se despliega ahora en relaciones marcadas por la humildad, el amor no fingido, la paciencia y la concordia, de modo que la vida comunitaria se convierte en un reflejo visible del gobierno de Cristo. El Primer Libro de Homilías, en la Homilía sobre la Caridad, enseña que el amor cristiano no es un mero afecto natural, sino el fruto necesario de una fe viva y operante, y afirma que allí donde reina la caridad verdadera se manifiesta la presencia misma de Dios. Así, la Iglesia, habitada por la paz de Cristo, llega a ser como una sinfonía espiritual: muchos miembros, diversas funciones, una sola armonía, en la que cada acto de servicio y cada relación restaurada contribuyen a la alabanza de Dios. Esta paz no se impone desde fuera, sino que es cultivada por el Espíritu en un cuerpo que vive bajo el señorío del Padre, de modo que la comunión fraterna se convierte en testimonio vivo del Reino y en ofrenda agradable para la gloria de aquel que nos reconcilió consigo mismo por medio de su Hijo.
El Evangelio según san Marcos (1:1–11) nos conduce al origen y al fundamento último de la paz implorada en la Colecta: la manifestación pública de Jesucristo como el Hijo amado del Padre, en quien descansa plenamente su complacencia. En el bautismo del Señor, el cielo se abre, el Espíritu desciende como paloma y la voz del Padre declara: «Tú eres mi Hijo amado; en ti tengo complacencia». El agrado del Padre no es arbitrario ni meramente afectivo, sino profundamente teológico: el Padre se complace en el Hijo porque Él es el obediente perfecto que cumple toda justicia, el Siervo anunciado por Isaías sobre quien reposa el Espíritu (Isaías 42:1), y el Cordero sin mancha que se ofrece voluntariamente para llevar el pecado del mundo. En Cristo, el Padre contempla una humanidad plenamente conforme a su voluntad, una obediencia sin fractura, un amor sin mezcla y una comunión ininterrumpida. Por ello, el título mesiánico de Isaías 9:6 —“Príncipe de paz”— halla aquí su manifestación inaugural: el gobierno soberano de Dios se ejerce ahora mediante el Hijo que reconcilia, restaura y ordena todas las cosas. Como enseña san Ireneo, en Cristo Dios recapitula la creación entera para reconciliar el cielo y la tierra, sanando por su obediencia lo que fue herido por la desobediencia. Esta Epifanía no sólo revela quién es Cristo en sí mismo, sino también quiénes somos nosotros en Él: por la unión mística con Cristo, obrada por el Espíritu Santo, los creyentes participamos de la filiación del Hijo y somos hechos agradables al Padre en Él. Así, la paz que brota del Jordán no se limita a la persona de Jesús, sino que se extiende a todos los que, incorporados a Cristo por la fe y el bautismo, reciben el Espíritu de adopción y entran en la comunión del amor trinitario. De este modo, la Epifanía proclama que la paz que imploramos en la Colecta nace de nuestra unión viva con el Hijo amado, en quien el Padre se complace y por quien su paz reina ahora en los corazones de su pueblo.
Lectura orante de la Palabra:
Señor soberano, al escuchar la exhortación apostólica reconocemos que los dones que has dado a tu Iglesia proceden de tu gracia y están destinados a edificar el cuerpo de Cristo. Enséñanos a ejercerlos con humildad, conforme a la medida de la fe, para que reine entre nosotros la paz que tú otorgas. Líbranos del orgullo y de la discordia, y concédenos un mismo sentir en Cristo Jesús, como el pueblo reunido ante ti en el Sinaí (Éxodo 19), llamado a vivir bajo tu santa voluntad.
Al contemplar a tu Hijo en las aguas del Jordán, confesamos que Él es el Ungido sobre quien reposa el Espíritu prometido (Isaías 42:1). En su bautismo vemos el inicio de un reino que no se impone por la fuerza, sino que se manifiesta en obediencia, humildad y comunión con el Padre. Haz que, unidos a Él, vivamos como hijos reconciliados, portadores de tu paz en medio de un mundo dividido. Amén.
Preguntas para reflexionar:
1. Desde la Colecta:
¿Confío verdaderamente en el gobierno soberano de Dios como fundamento de la paz en mi vida diaria?
2. Desde la Epístola (Romanos 12:6–16b):
¿Cómo estoy usando los dones que Dios me ha concedido para edificar la paz y la unidad del cuerpo de Cristo?
3. Desde el Evangelio (Marcos 1:1–11):
¿Reconozco y confieso a Jesús como el Hijo amado en quien Dios establece su reino de paz?
Aplicaciones prácticas:
1. Desde la Colecta:
Vivir cada día con una confianza renovada en la providencia de Dios, entregándole nuestras ansiedades y recibiendo su paz como don continuo.
2. Desde la Epístola:
Practicar activamente la humildad, el servicio y la concordia en la comunidad cristiana, ejerciendo nuestros dones para el bien común y no para la autoexaltación.
3. Desde el Evangelio:
Renovar nuestra identidad bautismal, recordando que hemos sido incorporados a Cristo y llamados a vivir como hijos amados que reflejan la paz del Padre.
Oración final:
Omnipotente y eterno Dios, que gobiernas con sabiduría y amor todas las cosas, concede que, contemplando la manifestación de tu Hijo en el poder del Espíritu, vivamos como un pueblo reconciliado bajo tu señorío. Derrama sobre nosotros la paz que el mundo no puede dar, ordena nuestras vidas conforme a tu voluntad y haznos instrumentos de tu concordia en la Iglesia y en el mundo. Todo esto te lo pedimos por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, a quien contigo y el Espíritu Santo sea toda gloria y honor, ahora y por los siglos de los siglos.
Amén.
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Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, espouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.
Second Sunday after Christmas
We often hear the lament of some who say, “Why did this happen to me?” or, “I am a Christian, so why did God put me through this or that situation?” The implication of the previous questions is found in Scripture. In our epistle lesson for today in Romans, the apostle Paul posed the following: Is There Unrighteousness with God? (9:14). The short answer for a born-again Christian is an unequivocal, “No”. St. James has the answer: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (1:13, 17).
The Jews used a similar line in Ezekiel’s day when the prophet noted, Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal (18:25). Their complaint was that God was being unjust in not giving their good deeds any standing if they did not continue living righteously. The whole point of Ezekiel 18 was that God’s justice required a person to keep his statutes all the days of his or her life and not just part of the time. If a person did what was right at the beginning of his life, then he should continue to do so for the duration. For if he slipped into wickedness, then all the good he had done would not count at all. That is why if you have been regenerated by the Spirit you are expected as a matter of course to keep God’s commandments for living and nothing short of that will do.
Returning to Romans 9 we read, For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy (vv. 15-16). God desires all to turn unto him, but he will not save the unjust apart from their repentance and acceptance of his only begotten Son. In Romans 8:33 we read, Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justified. Only the truly penitent sinner who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Only a person who has sincerely recognized the error of his or her ways will receive God’s gift of pardon. St. Paul observed that, If a man therefore purge himself from these [sins], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work (II St. Timothy 2:21). Those who are predestinated to glory must first see the need to be cleansed, and that is in keeping with the very words of Scripture, for God hath chosen us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4). The Bible teaches us that the sovereign nature of God is not prevented or diminished by the will of man. And so it follows that the will of God for us in election is an affirmation of his sovereign authority in the very nature of our own choosing.
Consider Article XVII of our Articles of Religion wherein it is affirmed that, “Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from the curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels of honour...”
Now, nothing in Scripture tells us how this divine choice is made, for as we read in Article XVII, “he hath... decreed by his counsel secret to us.” Ergo, if it is a secret, then we ought to respect the reticence of God and avoid needless and senseless speculations. In his work, The Principles of Theology: An Introduction To The Thirty-Nine Articles, W. H. Griffith Thomas observed that, “... there will always be an element of mystery in the relation of two wills in the universe, Divine and human. Christian people undoubtedly revolt against any view implying that the majority of the human race are everlastingly lost and only a few saved. Nor will any refuge be found by those who know and follow Scripture in the thought of purgatorial or purifying fires, which cannot be found in the Bible. [But] no careful and honest reader of Scripture can believe for an instant that all human beings will be saved, for, if the Bible teaches anything distinctly, it clearly shows that there are those who, through their own deliberate choice, remain outside the circle of the saved.”
In a similar vein, Dr. Henry M. Morris offered the following: “[The Word of God makes] it very clear that the substitutionary death of Christ is sufficient to |take| away the sin of the world (John 1:29), that salvation and eternal life are offered as a free gift of God's grace to anyone who will accept it, and that anyone who will may come! It is only the voluntary act of our own wills that is required, but there are many of whom Jesus must say: Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life (John 5:40).”
And Charles Spurgeon once noted that, “... If your life is unholy your heart is unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are an unsaved person. If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, he has done nothing in you of a saving character. The grace which does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves his people, not in their sins, but from their sins.” He also stated that, “... The Holy Spirit makes men penitents long before he makes them divines; and he who believes what he knows, shall soon know more clearly what he believes.”
Let us also consider the words of the apostle Peter who reminded his readers that, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II St. Peter 3:9). And our Lord warning to the Jews of his day is apropos: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (St. Matthew 23:37).
It is clear from the above quotations that the choices before us are indicative of our destiny. If we choose to reject the truth of Christ, then we lose heaven. If we choose to embrace the truth of Christ, then we obtain God’s everlasting felicity. There is therefore no unrighteousness with God because he has given to us the gift of his grace if, and only if, we believe on his only begotten Son and accept him as our Lord and Saviour (St. John 3:16-18).
Returning to Romans 9, we find that, For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? (vv.17-20).
Yes, God has a sovereign will. Whatever he does, he does with his nature in mind. God does not change. He was, is and shall always be, the Lord of all creation and of all life. He holds all authority, might, dominion and majesty. He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
So when we hear comments such as, “God is unfair,” or “God is too harsh,” we ought come back with, “Where did you get this idea that God is any of those things?” In no way, shape or form is our God unrighteous or unfair. God is caring, considerate and loving beyond our earthly understanding of those words. Our mortal language fails in its ability to adequately project the real meaning of what God has in store for all who truly believe on Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord (I Corinthians 2:9). So let us go forth this day and live the victory which Christ has won for us at the cross. Let us rejoice that our God is wholly righteous and sovereign in all things. And let us also go forth in thanksgiving and praise to our heavenly Father for the gift of his unmerited favor towards us and live as saved souls in Christ.
Let us pray,
Father, we come before thy throne beseeching thee to look with favor upon us; forasmuch as we have accepted thine only begotten Son, so help us to live within thy perfect will; and this we ask in the name of him who came into the world to save sinners, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a Blessed Week,
Bryan+
Roy
Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican
Church
Diocese of the Midwest Anglican
Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Morning Prayer
Psalm 99; The Epistle: Romans 12: 6-16; The Gospel: Mark 1:1- 11
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people, and grant us thy peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Servant and King?
I would like for us to reflect on some interesting contrast found in our readings for this day. Notice, what to us, seems like contradictions, is posed with such simplicity. Humility and glory; quiet dignity and greatness; being a servant and being the God of the Universe. In our scripture readings today we see all of these concepts juxtaposition in so many ways.
How can the God of Creation also be a servant of man? How can one so exalted be so humble and meek?
To answer some of these paradox and seemingly conflicting ideas, we need to understand the plan, the grand plan of God, the creator. Why did he send his only Son, in utmost humility, born in a lowly place, and yet born to fulfil all prophesy about his coming? Down through the ages the prophets foretold his coming, where, and even how, but only those who believed seemed to understand what it all meant.
What are we to understand? If you read over the “inventory” of talents that believers are ‘gifted’ with, you can begin to understand what we are to do and how to express our Christian faith. This inventory is found in our reading from Romans 12:6-16:
A. Prophesy; now that the canon of Scripture is closed, prophesy could be interpreted as a person who can see what may happen if certain actions are taken OR not taken. True Biblical prophets were 100% correct. They were not partly right, somewhat right, they were dead on right. That which they prophesied came true. We have that evidence in the whole Advent season. We see it as read in the Old Testament and see it fulfilled in the New, time and again. But a person who has foresight and the logic to see what happens when something is done or not done could be considered prophetic, not in the sense of divine, but by experience. One must always avoid “word of faith” prophecies and the like, mainly due to a non-canonical basis. If the “word of faith” cannot be squared with the Word of God, then there is an opening for creative heresy. History being our guide, you can look at Gnosticism, the flaggelants, the whole slew of “word of faith” movements that have counterfeited the Word of God. Starting with the Society of Friends {Quakers}, to Millerites, Joseph Smith’s Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness, Oneness Pentecostalist, Ellen G. White’s Seventh Day Adventist, can all be numbered among the groups in existence that use “word of faith” or false prophesy to make their claim on holding the truth. Essentially, be wise, check all prophetic claims with the Bible, be like the Berean believers, who when hearing St. Paul preach, went home and looked up what he preached on to see if it was true.
B. Serving; service is in all things Christian, whether you are a nursery worker, cook funeral lunches, a door greeter, a vestryman, or just volunteer at any worthy cause; service is everywhere. The apostles were called upon so much to serve, that they finally had to set aside a group of young men to do that work, the deacon became a vital member of the church body, he was able to help with taking care of the physical needs of the church body, while the apostles would take care of the spiritual. Remember, Christ was both a servant and a rabbi, a teacher who was given respect.
C. Teaching; very much like service, teaching can be time consuming, but very fulfilling. To teach you must have a certain amount of patience, an ability to share ideas, information, directions, and concepts. In the realm of Sunday School, or preparing for Confirmation, one must be able to convey the Word of God to the student in a way that is both loving and yet firm. The importance of our belief and the importance of being able to give reason for why and what we believe is the best defense against heresy. Heresy that is sweeping the Church today, taking with it many “soft” believer, people who don’t understand their faith or are unable to defend against the wiles of the Evil One as presented by every day life. Good teachers can be found, a good teacher can also be cultivated. Such as a talent the teacher possesses that many times lies dormant, simply because no one asks that person to help in the teaching process.
D. Encouraging; a really daunting task. To be able to get a person or people encouraged about their lot, to help them see that there is a way out of what seems a hopeless mess, this is a talent. I have known people in my life who have stepped in and given me a boost, shown me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is a way to see this crisis through, and even survive, not only to the next day but for the rest of my life. These encouragers are so important, especially today, they not only help us on the way, but they pray for us, they hold us up to the Throne of God, seeking His help in our journey. One of the strongest talents of an encourager is the ability to guide kindly and yet firmly, to pray without ceasing, and to always seek God in the endeavor they are encouraging.
E. Contributing; one who has can help those who don’t. Notice that St. Paul writes to give generously, but not all. One who has the talent to make and multiply wealth is to share, but not bankrupt themselves, otherwise they will be of no use to anyone. Wealth in the Bible is not condemned, it is the worship of wealth, the love of money, the hoarding of coins that is condemned, not wealth. Christ reminded us that the poor will be with you always. He also reminds us to help them, not condemn them. Again, a tension but not an impossible task, one can be wealthy and be a Christ follower. Christ Jesus never preached communism or socialism, contrary to what is taught in colleges and universities today. Read your Bible, you will see he did not teach either worldly system. He taught about his Kingdom, which was, is, and is to come. Amen.
F. Leadership; very short and sweet. Govern diligently. To be on guard for corruption, evil doings, to follow the civil laws as they prevent chaos, but most especially to be diligent, which sounds more like following the law of the land, without corruption. Lead the people honestly.
G. Mercy; showing mercy as St. Paul writes. Being able to forgive, being able to see the positive in a person, especially if they have fouled up once or twice. It is so hard to be merciful, if we are quick to condemn and hold people accountable for something, that in most cases is not that important. Remember the parable of the talents, and the debts one fellow has with his boss, his boss forgives him of his debts, then the forgiven turns on one below him and is without mercy on the debt the fellow below him owes the forgiven. And remember the boss then comes and rectifies the situation, he without mercy is cast out.
Let us think upon our talents, think about those things we are gifted with from our Creator, then pray that God gives us an opportunity to act upon these gifts and to use them to the Glory of God.
Let us pray:
Father, we ask that you illume us with your Holy Spirit, help us to see what work we have been set aside for, the work that you have for us to do, for the advancement of your Kingdom, give us the sense of urgency, the need is great, the workers are few. These things we ask in the Name of God the Father Almighty, Christ Jesus his Only Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, now and forever, Amen
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galations 6:10)
+ Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
The Rev. Don Fultz
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office
We are grateful to have this sermon today from the Rev. Don Fultz
St. Peter's AOC, Statesville, NC
Second Sunday after Epiphany
1 Corinthians 12:12–31 – Morning Prayer
One Body-Many Members
The gospel passage before us this morning is part of the 1st letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. The church in Corinth was established in 52 A.D. during Paul’s 2nd missionary journey. Paul likely chose Corinth because it was a key port city in the Mediterranean, ideal for spreading the gospel.
Corinth’s religious life included various temples dedicated to Greek and Roman deities, as well as influences from Eastern cults. This mix of cultures and practices set the stage for a church grappling with issues of Pride, idolatry, social divisions, and moral challenges. The transformation of Gentiles and Jews into a single body was a powerful testimony. The church showed the fulfillment of Old Testament promises of salvation extending to all nations (Isaiah 49:6). Paul stayed in Corinth for about 18 months (Acts 18:11) allowing him to establish leadership structures and a coherent theological foundation. This prolonged stay helped the church gain stability in a culture known for moral leniency and influential pagan worship. A record of this visit and the establishment of the church can be found in Acts 18:1-18.
In his letter of 1st Corinthians, Paul was responding to information he had received informing him of serious doctrinal and ethical problems that had arisen since the establishment of the church. In this 1st letter, Paul expressed his concern for doctrinal soundness, moral purity, and unity and gave pastoral guidance on these issues. Although, the church had many issues, the greatest problem within the Church of Corinth was a lack of unity.
In today’s passage, Paul is discusses the importance of church diversity and unity. Paul uses the physical body of a human as an example. Verses 12;12-13 gives us the theological basis for the body imagery that is developed in the rest of this passage. Paul states that every part of the body is essential because every believer is a member of the church. In verse 12:12, he writes, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ” The term “body” is introduced in verse 12:12 and then repeatedly employed by Paul 18 times throughout the remainder of the chapter. The word “one” occurs five times in 12:12-13. Hence, the emphasis is on unity and oneness. Our body of many members is unified in one body.
In verse 12:13, Paul says: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” When Paul speaks of being baptized, he is not talking about water Baptism…he is speaking of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
In the New Testament, whenever Paul uses the term “baptism” it refers to our Christian conversion. Romans 6:3 says that by faith we’re baptized into Christ. We're united spiritually into the life of Jesus, and now share in all that He is, and has accomplished. Paul states that every true Christian has experienced Spirit baptism. Notice the word “all” as well as the past tense, “were baptized.”
Every believer shares in this experience. It occurs the moment we trust in Jesus Christ. In Spirit baptism the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ. He makes us a part of His church. This means the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a matter of having a certain level of spiritual maturity, achieving some advanced spiritual state, or receiving a “second blessing.” On the contrary, every believer experiences Spirit baptism regardless of his or her race or social status. We are now on equal footing in the sense that we are all members of the body of Christ.
The drinking of one Spirit references John 7:37-39 where Jesus invited the thirsty to come and drink of Him to find refreshment. Baptism and drinking are both initiation experiences and take place at the moment we are saved in Christ. In the first figure the Spirit places the believer into Christ, and in the second the Spirit comes into the Christian.
Now, having been introduced to this important analogy between the human body and the body of Christ, I would say there are two key problems that constantly plague the church and prevent us from enjoying unity. Those two tendencies are what we might simply call an inferiority complex and a superiority complex.
When certain Christians think they just don’t have anything to offer and therefore fail to participate in the life of the church, the body cannot be complete. On the other hand, when some think of themselves as God’s gift to the church and don’t allow others to contribute their gifts, again the body cannot function well. If this passage teaches anything, it teaches us that both inferiority feelings and superiority feelings are out of bounds in Christ’s church.
In these verses 12:15-20, Paul, in a somewhat a humorous manner, attempts to get his point across that every member of the body has a different role to play, but that all of these parts are needed in order for the body to function as a unit. He personifies two different body parts—the foot and the ear—to say, “Because I am not the hand/eye, I am not of the body.” In this section, certain members have an inferiority complex. In 12:14, Paul writes, “For the body is not one member, but many.” Paul is making a simple statement of fact that every part of the body, every organ, is valuable.
In verses 12:15-16, Paul writes, “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (15) And if the ear shall say, ‘Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body?” (16) The phrase “I am not a part of the body” occurs in both 12:15 and 12:16. This is an indication of a feeling of insignificance: “No one thinks that I am important or significant. I have little to contribute to this ministry.
One of the problems in the church that hinders our harmony is our failure to accept our place. Either we’re restless ourselves or jealous of someone else’s calling. We refuse to embrace God’s will for our lives. God calls us a “foot,” and we want to be a “hand.” Because I’m stuck being an “ear,” and I’d rather be an “eye,” . Sadly, too many Christians are poor followers.
In fact, the term “follower” has become a dirty word for some people. “You should be a leader, not a follower. There’s something wrong with you if you follow…” But that’s not true, especially for a Christian. As Christians we’re called to follow Jesus, and part of that following is knowing our place in the body; then having the humility to be content with our role.
Being an ear isn’t as glamorous as being an eye. Your eye sits in the middle of your face. It’s the first thing that gets noticed. Whereas your ears hang out on the periphery of your head, or often get hidden under your hair. Eyes get far more attention than ears. Same with your hands… We shake hands. We don’t shake feet. We speak with our hands. We wave with our hands. We hide our ugly feet in a pair of shoes. Who wants to be a foot… I demand to be an hand! And this is the problem in the Church! Everyone wants the glamor positions - without realizing that every post in the Body of Christ is strategic. Every member - all roles - should be honored and respected. Your body doesn’t need a dozen eyes or fifty hands. The eye needs an ear, and the hand needs a foot.
Church is not about any one of us individually, but the whole of us. No member should expect to serve or give on his or her own terms. Let’s accept our place. Unfortunately, some at Corinth who lacked the more spectacular gifts of others were discouraged and began to ask whether they had any place or function in the church. So Paul moves from the extreme to the ridiculous by envisioning an absurd scenario. In verse 12:17, he asks, “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing ? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?” Here Paul paints a grotesque image. What “if the whole body were an eye”? What if your body were a big eyeball rolling around?
You’d be sad. You’d be blue! You might look good over a rosy cheek, or next-door to a nose, but on your own - by yourself (without a face), you’re out-of-place. If you’re an eye you can see, but with no feet, hands, legs, arms - you can’t go anywhere or do anything. And I'm afraid that's what becomes of many churches. They turn into one big “I,” "I want this" or "I deserve that." Some churches suffer from I-strain! We need to be led by the Holy Spirit, not our own ego.
And “If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?” If we were all an ear how would we smell? You don’t listen to a rose. It's silent. But it produces a fragrance you don't want to miss. An ear needs a nose. If you told your Little League team everyone could play the position they wanted, you’d end up with ten pitchers and maybe one shortstop - no outfielders, definitely no catcher. Everybody wants to play the prestigious positions… And you’d have a lousy team.
And the same is true in the Body of Christ. You and I are most beautiful… in a body. We find our function… in a family. An eye has a socket. A nose has a bridge. A hand works best on the end of an arm. And a Christian functions best, attached to the Body.
In verses 12:18-20, Paul emphasizes that God sovereignly places the gifts in the church that He desires. Paul writes, “But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. (18) And If they were all one member, where were the body? (19) But now there are many members, but one body.” (20) Paul makes it clear that God is the one that has gifted every church the way He wants her gifted. Notice that God “placed the members…just as He desired.” The church is all about the sovereignty of God. We are one because of God’s work.
Beginning at verse 12:21, we have a transition from those who feel inferior in their gifts to those who feel superior. In this section, we see members who suffer from a superiority complex. In verses 12:21-26. Paul explains that we need to put an end to spiritual pride because we all need each other. He writes, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” (21) With this statement, Paul seems to be getting closer to the difficult issue being faced in Corinth. As we have seen on several occasions in this letter, pride, especially self-glorification was indeed a problem among the Corinthians.
This was manifested by the following:
· Factionalism and Pride: Members were dividing themselves into factions, proudly aligning themselves with different human leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Cephas (Peter).
· Spiritual Superiority: They made claims of spiritual superiority over one another, especially regarding gifts like speaking in tongues, which led to a competitive and disorderly atmosphere rather than mutual edification.
· Wordly Wisdom: The Corinthinans were influenced by the surrounding culture’s emphasis on human wisdom, power, and noble birth. Paul counters this by emphasizing that God chose the “foolish” and “weak” things of the world precisely so that “no flesh should glory in His presence”.
· Abuse of the Communion Meal: Some members were abusing the Lord’s Supper, turning it into a gluttonous feast and disregarding the needs of the poorer members, thus prioritizing their own desires over the unity and humble nature of the observance.
Paul repeatedly challenged them to abandon
this pride and self-glorification, urging that “He that glorieth, let him glory
in the lord” (1 Cor. 1:31), “whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.”
(1Cor. 10:31). Paul wanted to get across that all of the members in Corinth need each
other, and no one is dispensable.
In verses 12:22-25, Paul continues his rebuke: “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: (22) And those members of the body which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (23) For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (24) That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care on for another.” (25)
Paul argues that every member of the body is necessary. There are no exceptions. Those body parts that are deemed weaker, less honorable, or less presentable are all critically important. Paul rejected the Corinthians criteria for evaluating which gifts were most honorable. They had chosen the most visible or audible gifts for selfish reasons. The sole purpose of the gifts was to build up the body of Christ; the true criterion for the greatness of any gift would be its usefulness to the body of Christ. How does this apply to the church? Every church has people who are out in the forefront and love the public spotlight.
But what is really essential to the ongoing life of the church is the people behind the scenes—those who serve faithfully and quietly (and often are the ones who make the leaders look good). We tend to forget that many of the strengths we so admire in one person are often incompatible with the strengths we admire in another.
In verse 12:26, Paul writes one of the most powerful verses in the Scriptures: “And whether one member suffer, all of the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” Paul took the theme of mutual care one step further. As members of the same body we are so closely bound together that we actually share the same feelings. What causes joy for one member delights the whole body. When one member suffers the entire body hurts.
Most of us do a better job empathizing with those who suffer than we do rejoicing with those who are honored. If we could ever come to the conviction that we are truly family, it would change many of our attitudes about ourselves and others in the church. Our measure for evaluating our gifted self-images is not another body member, but our faithfulness in employing our unique gift for the glory of God and the body of Christ itself.
In verses 12:27-31, Paul takes the analogy of the physical body and applies it practically in terms of gifting and how ministry is to be expressed. In verses 12:27-28, Paul writes, “Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular. (27) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (28)
Paul lists eight kinds of members with special functions. The ranking of the first three items corresponds to their building up the local church. We will briefly discuss these definitions.
· Apostles: The chief ministers entrusted with all the powers necessary to found a church (M.H. Bible page 2020)
· Prophets: Persons enabled by inspiration to prophecy, interpret scripture, or write by inspiration as the evangelists did. (M.H. Bible page 2020)
· Teachers: Those who labor in word and doctrine, whether with pastoral charge or without. (M.H. Bible page 2020)
· Miracles: The ability to serve as an instrument through whom God accomplishes acts that manifest supernatural power.
Miracles bear witness to the presence of God and the truth of His proclaimed Word, and appear to occur most frequently in association with missionary activity.
· Gifts of healings: Those who had power to heal diseases, i.e., chosen apostles and prophets. (M.H. Bible page2020)
· Gifts of Helps: Such as those who had compassion on the sick and weak and ministered to them. (M.H. Bible page 2020)
· Gifts of Governments: Such as had the disposal of the charitable contributions of the church and dealt them out to the poor. (M.H. Bible page 2020)
· Diversity of tongues: Such persons as could speak various languages. (M.H. Bible page 2020)
Why does Paul include two lists in a single chapter? The two lists are critical to Paul’s broadened understanding of spiritual gifts. The first list enumerated only the prized gifts of the Corinthians, the miraculous ones. In the second list, Paul literally pulled the top and the bottom out of the first list and expanded the accepted definitions of spiritual gifts. He added Gifts of Help and Gifts of Governments.
In verses 29-30, Paul closes out this passage with a third list of gifts in a descending order of priority. Each of Paul’s seven questions expects a negative answer. Paul writes, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? (29) Have all the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” (30) Paul’s point is that it would be ridiculous for everyone to have the same gift. Variety is essential. It is wrong to equate one gift, particularly speaking in tongues, with spirituality. All of the believers in the Corinthian church had been baptized by the Spirit (12:13), but not all of them spoke in tongues (12:30). Thus, Paul destroys the theory that speaking in tongues is the sign of the possession of the Spirit, for the answer “No” is expected to each question.
Paul’s final words are found in 12:31: “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” The command to “earnestly desire the best gifts” is not addressed to the individual but to the collective church. We cannot select our gifts because that is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit. However, as a congregation we can “earnestly desire” that the “best gifts” (superlative gifts) be manifested among us. The “best gifts” are those that benefit the general body of Christ.
Paul ends the passage today by pointing the believers to “a more excellent way’ in verse 12: 31(b). Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, the “more excellent way” is charity! Paul argues that charity surpasses all spiritual gifts. Even the greatest gift is empty and meaningless without charity. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
AOC Worldwide Prayer List –
I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.
Prayer Needed:
Jeff – hospital due to balance issues related to cancer treatment
Charles Frency Family – mourning loss of Charles
Alice Gamumnitz Family – mourning loss of Alice
Bobby Bryan – cancer and cardiac issues
Sandy – broken Femur
Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain
Dennis Potrikus - fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab
Paul Meier – throat cancer- radiation treatment successful
Richard Bailey – Brain Cancer
Marilee – Mastectomy Update – radiation Treatment just completed
Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission
Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery
Michelle – metastasized lung cancer – treatment ongoing
Extended Issues need continued prayer;
Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions,
Harper-IBS , Jim Sevier- God’s
Peace, Linda –
multiple myeloma, pneumonia; Mariann-grief, Donna-chemotherapy, Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer,
Toni – cancer, Donna - cancer, Malou –
cancer, Archie, Eloise, Janice, Dakota, Katie,
Finley, Mike & Gayle, Bobby, Effie, Kamil, Joyce
