Worldwide Communion
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
September 6, 2026
Sunday Report
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinty
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 207-209.
The Collect for the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle for Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. Galatians v. 16
I SAY then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witch-craft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunken-ness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
The Gospel for Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. St. Luke. xvii. 11.
AND it came to pass, as Jesus went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glo-rified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
On Point: Written by Bishop Jerry Ogles
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” (1 Tim 6:20)
That the Creation account is unscientific and in clash with the discoveries of modern science is one of the common statements. It has, however, no foundation whatever. The proofs that there is no error in the account of Creation as revealed in the first chapter of Genesis, have been furnished by the investigation of Science. The order of creation as given in the first chapter is the order, which, after years of searching— the most laborious searching-Science has discovered.
Over and over again has Science with its guesses and speculations been forced to bow in submission before the simple and brief description of the Creation in God's Word. There is no clash between the Bible and the results of true scientific research. Geology, astronomy and other sciences have had to retrace their steps more than once and acknowledge their mistake; the first chapter of Genesis will never have to do that." A. C. Gaebelein (The Annotated Bible, Vol 1)
NOTE: There are some misguided Christian theologians who attempt to reconcile the biblical account to accommodate modern claims of science. They do so by putting ideas into the Word that are not expressed in the biblical account. For example, some claim that a single day of Creation could have been millennia instead of the common 24 - hour day; this however does not accord with God's account. God created the vegetation of earth on the third day: "12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13And the evening and the morning were the third day." Then, God created the Sun, moon and stars on the fourth day. How could the green vegetation survive millennia without the sun to provide the necessities of life? "16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day."
The same bunch who insist that there is no difference between men and women, or that men can get pregnant, are the same who deny the Biblical Creation account.
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
The Good Samaritan: Part II
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/09/youtube-video-player.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0tKEDqZ65k
Food for Thought: Father forgive Them
Video Devotion
Wednesday Evening
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/09/youtube-video-player_0461184198.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg6ROXP6fvA
14th Sunday Sermon Summary Video: The Ten Lepers
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/09/youtube-video-player_01889855172.html
you tube: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/09/youtube-video-player_01889855172.html
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
The term “Praise and Worship” is banded about these days to describe churches that have practically become free-for-alls as far as reverence in worship is concerned, but this great old gem of reverential majesty has survived to reveal the true nature of biblical praise and worship. It was composed in 1779 by that old “Reprobate of the Seas” turned preacher who was saved by the very grace of which he wrote in the hymn, Amazing Grace – John Newton. The musical score is by Franz Joseph Haydn entitled, AUSTRIA. The same is the tune for the German National Anthem, “Deutschland Ober Alles.”
Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken
If that old saint, John Newton, had a besetting weakness, it was a failure to comprehend the fullness of God’s Grace of which he sang. The grace of God was, indeed, sufficient for a depraved old slave-trader such as Newton, and it is sufficient for you and me if we turn to Christ by faith and receive His grace – for we are saved: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph 2:5) and “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Tim 1:9) It is likely that John Newton had been such a great sinner that he sometimes wondered, “How could God forgive all of those egregious sins?” But God can, and did for John Newton.
“Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God ;
he whose word cannot be
broken
formed thee for his own
abode;
on the Rock of Ages
founded,
what can shake thy sure
repose?
With salvation's walls
surrounded,
thou may'st smile at all
thy foes.”
The Heavenly Kingdom is our Zion – not some broken and dusty little town of violence. It is the City of God and His dwelling place, and, in the last instance, it is the heart of the believer. He formed the believer’s heart for His own abode so that temple walls built by human hands will not suffice for the Temple of God – it is the Chambers of Faith of the human heart that believes. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor 3:16-17)
Men and churches today read books that are designed for sensation that extol the efforts of the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and renew there the Temple sacrifices. This is heralded as some great movement of God. Why do you suppose God would view the resumption of animal sacrifices with favor and approval? Such sacrifices flatly reject the once-and-for-all sacrifice of God’s beloved son on our behalf. “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb 9:11-14)
Have we forsaken logic and common sense in desiring a return to those inefficacious sacrifices? Surely, when Satan’s great hordes gather about the Camp of the Saints and the Holy City of God, we may smile at his multitudes and at his presumption in offending the Sovereign of Heaven. “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” (Rev 20:8-9)
“See!
the streams of living waters,
spring
from eternal love,
well
supply thy sons and daughters
and
all fear of want remove.
Who
can faint, when such a river
ever
flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace
which, like the Lord, the Giver,
never
fails from age to age.”
Those streams of Living Waters flow, unchecked, by the blessed Tree of Life that our old father Adam rejected in favor of the bitter tree beside. But those Waters now flow in Paradise before and around the Tree of Life: “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Rev 22:1-2) In every description of the term, our Lord Jesus Christ is that Tree of Life which Adam rejected. He is also that River of Life that bathes the Tree of Life with the dew-drops of Love. What a magnificent provision God has made from His Heart of Grace to those who belong to Him!
“Round
each habitation hovering,
see
the cloud and fire appear
for
a glory and a covering,
showing
that the Lord is near.
Thus
they march, their pillar leading,
light
by night, and shade by day;
daily
on the manna feeding
which
he gives them when they pray.”
This is the Glory Cloud our Founding Fathers placed above the Shield on the Great Seal of the United States containing the Thirteen Stars. The Great Pillar was a Light by Night and a Cloudy Shade by day. It both led and defended the Children in the Wilderness. His Providence led, also, this great nation for many decades of our existence; but of late, the people of America have grown dim of memory and have forgotten the Pillar of fire that led our fathers and have sought out false and superficial lights of the world. If we will, before the Lord lowers judgment, return to following that Pillar of Fire by night, and cloud by day, we shall again find healing for our sorrows and a Balm of Gilead for our distresses as a nation. The Manna (Bread of Heaven) which is Christ will again flow down in torrents as in the day of hunger in the Wilderness, if we shall only repent, pray, and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chron 7:14). Not only have our national leaders gone after those false lights of the world, but even so have our churches.
“Blest
inhabitants of Zion,
washed
in the Redeemer's blood!
Jesus,
whom their souls rely on,
makes them kings and priests to God.
'Tis
his love his people raises
over
self to reign as kings:
and
as priests, his solemn praises
each
for a thank-offering brings.”
You will remember that great day when, terrified, the Children of Israel came upon the Banks of the Red Sea. They looked behind and their hearts fainted within their breasts to see the mighty army of Pharaoh in close pursuit. There was no earthly hope for their salvation, but there was a Divine remedy. The Pillar of Fire descended to separate them from Pharaoh until that same Pillar could lead across the dry causeway miraculous made for them through the parted waters of the Sea. The entire nation was, on that day, baptized in the restrained waters of the Red Sea. The same miracle that saved Israel that day was the one by which the armies of Pharaoh were doomed. It can be true again for America if we will only turn and be saved – else only the looming abyss remains for us.
“Savior, IF
of Zion's city,
I
through grace a member am,
let
the world deride or pity,
I
will glory in thy Name.
Fading is the worldling's
pleasure,
all his boasted pomp and
show;
solid joys and lasting
treasure
none but Zion's children
know.”
The second word, IF, in this verse is quite
telling of the preacher of Grace (John Newton). He stills wonders that God
could forgive a swearing, drunken, harsh slave trader such as he was before the
flood gates of grace were opened for him. No need for the ‘IF.’ We have all
become ‘naturalized citizens’ of the City of Zion by Grace if we have become a
Child of God – no ifs, ands, or buts
about it, as my mother used to say. We may be derided by the world, but we
are a large people of two, or even three, if the Lord is among us. Yes, as we
advance ever onward to the Holy City, the scenery of the world fades into
oblivion. The saint should scarce remember the sins that preceded his gift of
grace. We may, at times, hear the faint peels of false pride and pomp of the
world, but we are climbing the Mountain of God. As we climb, we shall find the
peak to be surrounded by the heavens and not the world. It is a great mystery
that only the eyes of God’s chosen can see His Glory, or find His Grace. We
wonder, “Why do the lost struggle in blindness when their vision will be clear
if they will only come to the Light of the World” but they are blind – not only
in their visual organ, but in their hearts as well. They may never come. Have
you come to the Light, friend?
In the Name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Bishop Jerry Ogles
Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's
Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest
Anglican Orthodox Church
-Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Holy Communion – Fourteenth Sunday after trinity
The Epistle: Galatians 5:16-24; The Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymns # 549, 263, 362
“Walking away from Chaos”
What a contrast of concepts or should I say conflicts? When the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Galicia, he was trying to regroup and refresh the young church that was in the midst of some fairly serious conflicts. The pressures of the secular world were encroaching on all sides, the pagan society was infiltrating the young church in some most insidious ways. All the while, the young believers were trying to follow the gospel message Paul had left them a few years earlier. But what makes the letter to the Galician church even more pressing, the enemy was within the gates.
A group of believers who ascribed to a more Jewish tinted faith came into the church to advocate for all new believers to become Jewish before they could be true followers of Jesus Christ. Paul, a true Jew above Jews, said NO. These particular people would be labeled “Judaizers.” They would attempt to ‘correct’ the errors of Paul and those who had evangelized with him, by saying all new believers had to do Jewish things such as be circumcised and even observe many Judaic customs. As we know this is what caused an early rift between Paul and Peter, later being cleared up with a council in Jerusalem. Paul’s understanding of the universality of the Gospel would prevail and aid in the growth of the early church across the Roman empire. You can find more information about this council in Acts Chapter Fifteen.
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
In a very clear way Paul uses the Ten Commandments reflect on the errors of the Judaizers in their attempt to draw Gentile believers back under the Law. Because Man is a fallen creature, from the Garden forward, he cannot help but fail. Paul points this out by way of the failed keeping of the Commandments and the failed nature of man. The next three verses outline that very clearly. In this way, Paul is explaining why going back to the Law is fatal, there is no health in us... So all of this human behavior will guarantee no inheritance of the kingdom of God. The only way anyone can inherit the kingdom is by being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now in the greatest contrast, Paul notes the true fruits of the Spirit. Notice how free of strife and chaos this list is, there is an inherent peace that comes with the reflection on these words written by Paul so many centuries ago. And yet even though they were written that long ago, they are still relevant to our own times. We live in a very stress filled world, much of it caused by the incessant drone of bad news, fear inducing commentary, facts twisted out of context, all products of the god of this world, Lucifer/Satan, the father of lies. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We need to rest in the comfort of what this letter to the Galatians church was teaching. And even these many centuries later, still teaching us. Peace and all the fruits of the Spirit, because of the gift of God, his Son our Savior, who died for our sins.
24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Folks, let us boldly proclaim the Gospel to the world, both by word and by deed. We can be salt and light to a world that is perishing. We can be the answer to the question of what is the purpose of one’s life. We can show the world that there is the true way to salvation and that being Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.
Let us pray.
O GOD, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive; Receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
O God, our heavenly Father, who didst manifest Thy love by sending Thine only begotten Son into the world that all may live through Him: Pour Thy Spirit upon Thy Church that it may fulfil His command to preach the Gospel to every creature; send forth, we beseech Thee, laborers into Thy harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations and hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and all Israel shall be saved; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church; and grant to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
IN Christ alone during Trinity
+Roy
.jpg)
Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
We are always grateful to get these wonderful sermons from Rev. Bryan, they keep us on our toes!
Sermon Text for Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity:
In his epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul called on Christians to, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (12:1-2). As we read in our epistle lesson for today in the Book of Acts (17:16-34), the apostle’s spirit was troubled by the great city of Athens being so dominated by idol worship. He spoke first against idolatry in the synagogue and then in the market place where a group of various philosophers sought him out that he would come up to Mars’ Hill and speak before them.
The scriptures tell us that these men at first regarded him as a babbler or a purveyor of strange gods. He was a curiosity, an entertainment. As the Bible tells us, for all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing (v.21). Here was the opportunity for the apostle Paul to preach Jesus Christ to those who held influence over the people of Athens. Here was his chance to exercise his reasonable service (Romans 12:1) by encouraging those lost souls to become Christians and be thus transformed and renewed by the power of the Holy Ghost.
The apostle began his witness by characterizing the Athenians as being too superstitious (v.22). A text book definition of the noun superstition is “a belief founded on irrational feelings, especially of fear, and marked by a trust in or reverence for charms, omens, signs, the supernatural... also, any rite or practice inspired by such belief.” He then added an explanation for such by stating, For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you (v.23). The Athenians were “covering the bases” as it were. They did not know the truth, so they embraced every so-called “truth” that they might not offend any deity and bring harm to their community. The apostle thus rightly called them out as superstitious.
St. Paul continued his witness by stating in part that God is the Creator and does not dwell in man-made temples neither does he need any thing from his worshippers, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things (vv. 24-25). As God has made all things including mankind, there is nothing we can offer him that is not his already. To claim otherwise is folly. It begs the question: Where did you get what you offered to God that was not a product of his creation? Are you in the creation business? Of course not.
The apostle proceeded to set forth the creative power of God by stating, And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us (vv.26-27). Our creator God has ordered the existence of every nation and kingdom. He has set the limits of their boundaries and the limits of their time upon this orb. And God has made it possible for humanity to seek after him and find him if they so choose.
And further, the apostle gave them something else to think about when he said, For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your poets have said, For we are also his offspring (v.28). St. Paul was indeed a learned man who was well acquainted with Hellenistic literature. As a native of Tarsus in Asia Minor, he was taught to read and write in Greek as well as Hebrew (from his family’s Jewish roots). No doubt, God used this knowledge which the apostle had learned early in his life to aid in his witness to those in Athens. That last point ought to give us all pause to reflect on just how God has given to us the abilities we possess and then to use the same in our witness on his behalf.
The apostle then called on his listeners to reject idolatry saying, Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent (vv.29-30). If we believe that God is the Creator as the apostle has said. If we accept him as the only wise God who has ordained all things and ordereth all things for his purposes. So it follows that if he commands us to refrain from crafting images of him for the purpose of worship, then we ought to abide by his word and commandment. The previous ignorance of man was overlooked in the apostle’s presentation of the gospel because God wanted those men to know the truth and to turn. Here is his pardon and mercy made plain, and such can be had via repentance and acceptance of Christ Jesus as that Saviour which, he hath appointed, who will judge the world in righteousness, and he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (vv.31-32).
Many who heard the apostle’s message believed and became followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. They advanced the faith via their own witness and the church expanded by leaps and bounds. This was the mid-first century (circa 54 AD) when the apostle witnessed to the Athenians on Mars’ Hill. The spread of Christianity would eventually include the whole of the Roman Empire. What a witness indeed.
Will you therefore take up the witness for Christ? Will you advance the cause of the gospel to benighted souls who are now outside of Christ? Will you seek to reason with those whom the Lord God has put in your way to receive his witness? We are not guaranteed success. Even the apostle Paul did not expect that. But what he was expected to do— to fight the good fight, to run his course, to keep the faith— he did. May it please our good and loving God to inspire you to speak where he gives you leave to do so that others might hear and believe.
Let us pray,
O blessed LORD and God, we humbly ask for your assistance in our efforts to witness on behalf of this faith which we have received from those who were emboldened by thy most holy Spirit; and guide us into the ways you would have us to go; for these things we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Bryan+
Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
Jude Introduction Sermon---an Encouragement and a Caution
We need encouragment in our Christian path and walk. The society we live in does not understand that the Holy Scriptures do not allow pride in sin. There are places and gatherings in our own area that exalt these kind of societal problems. We should welcome all but we should expect they hear the Word of God to address their and our problems in this present age. The Scriptures are unbroken. They have not changed. God has not changed, and we need to conform to His Word, not the other way around. We will definitely live happier lives if we listen to God.
This problem was addressed by Jude as well---teachers of a faith that was not real, emphasized freedom from the law. They were ungrounded in truth, and living in the mind in a knowledge they divorced from their behaviour. Our faith starts with our minds and acceptance of God, but it does not end there. It was called Gnosticism in the early Church (and this is around today as well in some major older places)... an emphasis on knowledge (gnosis-Greek word) "which emancipated them from the claims of morality" The Second Epistle of Peter and the Epistle of Jude by Michael Green.
Our faith that is born in us by God's Holy Spirit does not free us from having holy living in this age. Instead, we are to practice holiness and godliness in service and love to others.
Peter, as well as the Apostle John, addressed this problematic heresy as well 2 Peter "false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies" Jude 4 says they crept in (used in some lit. as men who return secretly from a country) " unawares ...ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (unrestrained vice), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ".
Jude calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. Origen in ancient times said, "And Jude wrote an Epistle, tiny in the extreme, but yet full of powerful words and heavenly grace."
" It is always more serious when the danger comes from within...But it ought not to have been surprising. The Old Testament, the teaching of Jesus, and that of the apostles all contain ample warnings against the advent of false teacher." Green
In light of all this we are made aware of some powerful and pleasant comforts. We as Christians if we have truly believed (not once believed, but a certain belief that shows in the life and practice that we have truly believed---AA Hodge, Theology) In other words, profession is not necessarily possession without testing and perseverance in the faith we profess.
1. Christians are beloved by God the Father, vs. 1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called " We are made holy and beloved in God the Father. Also beloved is in verses 17 and 20.
This is an encouragement to us. Our holiness and love comes from God and is worked out in our lives as we trust in Jesus Christ. Yes, it is God who does it. We are the recipients, but it takes our choice to make it happen as Christians. Our original or birth sin from Adam is renewed in Jesus Christ who gives us the ability to keep God's commandments.
The one who does not yet believe still has original sin which has not been removed and so they act according to that nature, which is dead in sin and trespasses. The unbeliever is a slave to sin, and does not have free will, no matter what the majority of Christians believe. The 39 articles, Article 10 plainly says, "Of Free Will- The condition of man after the fall is such, that He cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works to faith, and calling upon God." He/she is unable to do what is godly because they are unregenerate.
Believers are able to do what God asks because their natures have been regenerated, and have now a destination of heaven and a place to glorify God here now. This does not mean of course that Christians are sinless. The book of I John reminds us of this in the first chapter.
Confession of Faith: (in the Reformed understanding )
They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
2. Preserved in Jesus Christ...perfect passive participle as above again. (This signifies past action with continuing results)
",,,,1sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."
Jude is speaking about the wonder of the continuing preservation with which Jesus keeps those who trust Him. "We know that whosoever is born of God...that wicked one toucheth him not." I John 5:18
I Peter 1:5- Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.…
3. Lastly, we are called. The Christian is called by God through Jesus Christ. He/she is not out there on his own, adrift. He is preserved and loved, and God is in His life because God has called him/her to holiness .
We are partakers of the heavenly calling…. Hebrews 3:1.
God has reached down and chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.
---Conclusion. Amidst the drifting teaching and losses we experience in this life we have a certain assurance that we as Christians are preserved, beloved and called. We have nothing to fear for the LORD is our light and salvation.
Jude urges his readers to grow in their knowledge of Christian truth; "20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life"; to bear a firm witness for the truth.
3 Jude exhorts them to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints; and to seek to reclaim those whose faith was wavering. v 22-23 introduction to Jude) “22And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
For the Christian----God loves us; Christ keeps us, God calls us. What shall we render unto Him for all His benefits? Heb. 12:28-29. "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God, acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29for our God is a consuming fire."
David D. Mc Millan,
Pastor, & Chaplain (Major) US Army, ret.
Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA
Education and Training Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
Church of
the Faithful Centurion
Sermon for the 14th Sunday in Trinity
Consider the words of the Collect, “…give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command …”
The Collects often are repetitive, in that we pretty much ask the same thing week after week. Why are they so repetitive? Well we are imperfect creatures with free will which is a dangerous combination. And as such we find that we have the same failings week after week, so we find that we are in dire need of the repetition of the messages that the Collects contain.
We are praying for the increase of faith, hope and love, so we can maintain that course guidance. Just like Paul says, if we do not have these qualities in us, it is impossible for us to stay on course. We need to realize that we need to have some help if we are to have those three qualities. The help that I speak of is the help of the Holy Ghost. Without his help, we are doomed to fail. The Holy Ghost, if we let him, can also help us avoid succumbing to the temptations of the world and the flesh.
Speaking of the temptations of the world and the flesh, Paul lists out the actions that are the works of those who are still under the influence of this world or the flesh, ie fornication, heresies, strife, envying etc. If we are truly people of God, then we will not have those qualities and will do our best to quell them. These are qualities that will draw us towards the wide downhill road towards the pit and away from the narrow uphill trail towards the summit of heaven. Those are all qualities that make us worse human beings and draw us further away from God and not nearer to Him. Then he lists out the qualities of those who are of the spirit, long suffering, peacefulness, good faith, gentleness meekness etc. These are the qualities that if we let the Holy Ghost into our hearts we will have.
It is only by having the qualities of faith, hope and charity that we are able to follow God and to do His Will. Without the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we will be unable to follow God and as a result we would have less happier lives. We have to make the effort to let the Holy Ghost in and shine his light in our hearts and drive out the bad qualities and let the good qualities in. The good qualities will not only help us to serve God, but make us a lot more pleasant to be around. As hard as it is to admit, we all have bad qualities as well as good qualities and we need to have the Holy Ghost assist us in driving out our bad qualities while enhancing our good qualities.
These qualities will improve not just our spiritual but our physical lives immensely. The bad qualities can take a toll on our physical body not just our spiritual selves. The good qualities will do the opposite, will have a positive effect on our physical body and spiritual selves. These good qualities will have a rejuvenation effect on us. It is in our best interest to do our best to follow God, and we will not only help Him by doing so, but helping our selves at the same time.
In order to perform action actions to serve Him, we need the Holy Ghost. However, the question is who will listen to the Holy Ghost? The only people who listen are those who are in need, hurt, pain and despair. Often it is because they, or one of their loved ones, are ill or injured, perhaps near death. Or one of their loved ones have recently passed away and it has turned the world as they know it upside down. Perhaps they are unemployed or undergoing some family upheaval. Their situation is less than perfect. They need help and they know it. In their own mind, they are the Samaritans of this world. It is no accident Jesus’ parables and stories center on actions, not words, thoughts and meditations. We need to retrain ourselves to ask for His Help before we are in need, pain or despair. The Holy Ghost can help us retrain ourselves, if we will but let Him in. Actions show who you truly are. Actions show the world who you follow, God or Mammon. You are not truly be a believer if you don’t act for Him. Without action, there is nothing. The key driving principle behind his parables are actions for Him, are those of goodness, not of evil. Those who believe on me keep my commandments.
Actions!
Yet, those who turn to God in “need” are no different than each of us. To quote Paul, “None are perfect, all fall short.” We, each and every one of us, need God’s help. Perhaps some need it more, none need it less.
When Luke tells us of Jesus and the ten lepers whom He heals and only one expresses thanks, do you think he is only telling of lepers? It is a metaphor for us. When things go wrong, we often blame God. When things go right, oh weren’t we so clever? All too often, when God assists us, we do not turn back to Him in thanks, but merely go on our way and credit ourselves for being so smart. One of the lessons is that when God helps us in our lives, we should always take the time to give thanks to Him who helped us and created us.
Through our Lord, God is there for each of us if we will accept His help. When He gives that help, how do we react? Frankly most of us just think it our due. We oft fail to give thanks for all that He gives us.
When we get an answer we don’t expect, do we thank Him? What if we get an answer? Do we thank Him?
Like the lepers only one in ten will show thanks for the mercy and help given them. Rarely do people give thanks for large efforts done to help them. We must endeavor to be grateful for Him and for all of those who strive hard to help us out in our times of need. In the case of the lepers, it was the Samaritan[1], showing that fancy dress and rules are not as important as doing what is right and being grateful for what we are given.
Are you part of that 10 percent?
Remember, it is Please and Thank You that are the magic words, not Please and I don’t have time for you.
Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail. The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.
The time is now, not tomorrow. The time has come, indeed. How will you ACT?
It is by our actions we are known.
Be of God - Live of God - Act of God
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:
Nepal – Flood survivors and families of those who lost loved ones
Philippine Island – Mud slide survivors – Baguio City still suffering, schools closed
Brenda – fracture knee cap and shoulder, long recovery
Cheryl – surgery was successful today – two week recovery
Sandy Carpenter – Congestive Heart Failure – weak limbs – husband, Darryl and their family
Michele Gee- stage 3 cervical cancer
Darryl and Jennifer Baughn - assisting Darryl’s mother who is suffering with end of life issues
Arnold and Martha Robbins – Senior Health issues
Rhett Carter – head and neck issues – injuries work related – comfort for parents, John & Karen
Kathy – new tests regarding her eye and the ability to keep one or both – severe anxiety
Baby Baelin – Baelin is still in NICU – recent blood clot and infection – please keep praying
Donny – hospitalized due to multiple strokes and inability to speak, pray for David and Anne, family who are helping him in recovery
Ben Hancock – treatment for colon cancer
Rev. Geordie: needs prayer for medical issues
Debbie Grimes: colon cancer – surgery
Man, who is a friend of many – Brain Cancer
Bobby Effinger – recovery from heart surgery and ongoing heart issues
Joseph Broddie – recurring throat cancer
David Williams – serious cardiac issues – pray for David and wife Sherie for coping with changes
Colby Landry – cancer. Please pray for his wife, Leah and their family at this time of trial.
Persecuted Christians – subject to persecution and imprisonment for their faith.
Bobby Bryan – suffering with cancer and cardiac issues.
For an increase in the true faith in Jesus Christ here and across the globe.
USA – Leaders, citizens, military, first responders – President Trump & all Cabinet Members Safety
Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain
Dave – COPD – new diagnosis of Diabetes type 2 – Gastritis episode
Mary Lou – Praise the Lord, she is moved in and unpacking – keep praying for strength
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 –
fall this week multiple buises, Alicia-caregiver, Sophie,
Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer, Malou –
cancer, Janice, Bobby, Myra Cox, Faye Miller, Diane, Alice Yves Mera, Lucile, Ryan, Steven, Rency, Jack & Karen, Brannon, Camella, Charlie, Dennis, Beverly and Howard, Betty, Deborah
Points to Ponder:
Patience and comfort suppose trouble and sorrow, but each move us
to seek the comfort of the scriptures which were written that we might know
what to hope for from God.
The Rev. Matthew Henry
Wherever you may live, and whatever may be your trials... nothing
should prevent your aiming at the highest standard, to behave like one who
believes that Christ is coming again. You should resolve , by God’s help, so to
live, that the day of Christ shall find you needing as little change as
possible. You should seek to have tastes so heavenly, affections so spiritual,
a will so subdued, a mind so unworldly, that when the Lord appears you may be
thoroughly in tune with his kingdom... Let there be light in your heart continually; Christ dwelling there by faith, felt,
known and experienced by your soul. Let there be light in your life
continually; Christ reflected there, followed, imitated and copied. Seek to be
a light in the world, and nothing less, a bright light, a clear light, a light
that men can see afar off. Do this and you will put on the armour of light.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle – Are you ready for the End of Time? pg. 80
Our God is indeed a faithful God. He warns us in this lesson against two great dangers that threaten our faith and eternal happiness. The first is the danger of carnal security. God knows how deceitful above all things our poor heart is. In days of spiritual peace, when we are free from heavy crosses and affliction, we are so apt to forget to watch and pray that we fall not in the temptation besetting us.
Therefore let us heed the warning of our faithful God and never relax in our watchful prayer: "Lead us not into temptation." - The second danger threatening us is despondency. The devil is a past-master at the art of deception. When we are enduring long and great trials, he assails us with the thought: "Your affliction is beyond human endurance; you are being tempted above that you are able to bear. What is the use of suffering or fighting any longer?" But let us not listen to the liar and murderer from the beginning, as our Lord Jesus calls him. (John 8.) Let us seek and find refuge with our faithful God, who is able to save to the uttermost all that come to Him. He has numbered the very hairs of our head and cannot and will not let us be tempted above that we are able to bear. He will either lessen the affliction or increase our strength, that we may be able to bear it. With every temptation He permits to come upon us He, in His saving mercy, has already provided for our deliverance. Let us trust Him, fight the good fight, and we shall see that "all things work together for good to them that love God."
Bishop Jerry Ogles -F. E. Herzeberger – The Family Altar - 8-19-26
