Worldwide Communion
23rd Sunday after Trinity
All Saint’s Day
November 8, 2026
Sunday Report
Twenty-Third 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 222-223.
The Collect for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity.
Epistle for Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity. Philippians iii. 17.
BRETHREN, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed unto the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.
The Gospel for Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity. St. Matthew xxii. 15.
THEN went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
On Point: Wait Upon the Lord!
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Is. 40,31.
Strength faithfully to discharge our God-given tasks every day; strength to endure uncomplainingly whatever burden life imposes; strength to suffer the greatest affliction with Christian
fortitude ; strength, finally, to meet death in the sure hope of heaven — oh, how often our travailing hearts long and sigh for such unfailing, uplifting, victorious strength ! Where can we find it? To-day's text tells us : In waiting on the Lord, that is, in putting our trust in Him, setting our hope in His grace and mercy, firmly clinging to His divine promises, and resigning our all to Him. Doing that, we shall prove more than conquerors, for then we know that it is not we with our feeble powers, but almighty and merciful God who rules and governs our life. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. As our days are, so shall our strength be. He will daily renew it and give our soul wings to soar like the eagle above all earthly things, over all the petty trials and wearisome burdens of life. Though deep valleys of grief open before us, though difficulties stretch mountain-high across our path, we pass
and surmount them unafraid and unhindered, in the strength of the Lord, in whose omnipotent arm we trust and with whom nothing is impossible. Revived and inspired by His sustaining Word, we can daily run our race and not faint in our walk, knowing that every step brings us nearer home. Then let us not look for strength in our own hearts, nor in our own wisdom and power, but let us learn to wait on the Lord in daily and unquestioning faith. He will do for us what we cannot do, and will bring us safely to His paradise above. I am trusting Thee to guide me;
Thou alone shalt lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.
I am trusting Thee for power,
Thine can never fail;
Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me
Must prevail.
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus;
Never let me fall ;
I am trusting Thee forever
And for all.
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
Mini Video Sermon for All Saint’s Sermon
Bishop Ogles Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJhqm-I3V8Q&t=3s
What happened to the Godly hymns in our Churches? Video Devotional
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player_0312528491.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9bPFMc3KpI
The Village Clock and God’s Word: Video Devotional
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player_01199674202.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5PIOSwSg-M
Reverence and Holy in Church Hymns and Music: Video Devotional
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player_01324709323.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfig3lFYtFU
Parked in the Same Space: Thursday Video Devotional
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player_01411890403.html
you tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IgawVafTxQ
Friday Daily Devotional: Sad and Glorious Day at Bethany
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/11/youtube-video-player_0500619021.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U20tALTtmIg
Roy
Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican
Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican
Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
23rd Sunday in Trinity
Morning Prayer
O GOD, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; Be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 19; First lesson: Ezekiel 33:30-33; Second lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:8-16
hymns # 600, 491, 311
Can you see the signs?
30Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. We find an interesting study in the four verses from our reading in Ezekiel. Notice how the general public is depicted. Sort of slinking around, whispering from the doorways and walls of the houses. They are gathering together to hear the word of the LORD, but with not so pure motives. The next verse describes the folk gathering to hear the message, but it doesn’t seem to sink in.
They say how much they enjoyed the message, but their hearts are not responding, in fact they are going in the opposite direction. They are seeking gain, but not reproof, they want to sit and be seen, but do not apply the message to their lives. 31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Verse 32 seems to point to a more modern trend, church as a venue of entertainment, not necessarily worship. They enjoy the music, but do not absorb the message that the music and the Word may impart. This is not an admonishment against music or singing in worship. It is a warning against those who only come to church to be entertained. 32And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
The final sign or warning is rather stark. The time will come when you realize the Word has been preached and suddenly those who didn’t listen will understand that they were not paying attention to that message. They will realize the mercies of God were offered, but they did not understand and now will suffer loss of those mercies due to that neglect. 33And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
The signs of a full Gospel service that Paul outlines doesn’t sound very happy. In fact, he points out the hardships that will come to those who labor in the day to day sharing of the message. There will be those who mock you, who tell you they have grown up and don’t need “fairy-tales, only believe science not mythology, and so forth. 10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Paul was just giving a warning to what may happen when you share your faith with unbelievers. It wasn’t to frighten them, it was to prepare them and us for what does happen when you speak to others about your faith in Christ. 12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day. 14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
And yet in spite of all of the troubles that may come our way as followers of Christ, Paul does not leave us in a hopeless state, he gives encouragement and hope. We can understand that over the past two thousand years since Christ left for his throne, he gave us instructions by way of the Word of God we find in our Bibles. We are not orphans, we are adopted sons and daughters of God through the work of the Cross by our blessed Redeemer, Christ Jesus. 15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Our final sign from our scripture selections today comes from the wonderful 19th Psalm, which has inspired lessons and sermons fixed on the 14 verses in that psalm. Take the time to read and meditate upon the words of the 19th Psalm, there is much treasure and comfort found in those verses. 14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Let us pray:
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say unto Thy Disciples, Come ye apart into a desert place and rest a while; Grant we beseech Thee to Thy servants now gathered together, so to seek Thee whom our souls desire to love, that we may both find Thee and be found of Thee. Grant such love and such wisdom to accompany the words which shall be spoken in Thy name, that they may not fall to the ground, but may be helpful in leading us onward through the toils of our pilgrimage to that rest which remaineth, where, nevertheless, they rest not day nor night from Thy perfect service; who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.
O Most loving Father, who wilest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hid from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
†Bishop Roy
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We are always grateful to get these wonderful sermons from Rev. Bryan, they keep us on our toes!
Sermon Text for Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity:
In our epistle lesson today, the apostle Paul called on his listeners to, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17). Plainly spoken, the apostle called on his listeners to follow the pattern of his life and not just the words he had spoken to them. Yes, the words are important as they are the words of God. But a life lived in conformity to those words is also important as it reveals the truth of the word that had been preached.
Now in the next verse of our epistle lesson (v.18) St. Paul warned the faithful about those whose walk was not in accord with the apostle’s teaching. He identifies them as enemies of the cross of Christ, and for good reason as they are the devil’s tools who will turn people away from a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and unto earthly things. As Christians, we have been admonished in the scriptures to have unity — that is, being of one mind — with others in Christ. But how can such unity be had with those who are the enemies of Christ? The apostle Paul’s warning makes plain that the enemies of the cross of our Lord were not only outside the body of the church but inside as well.
One of the devil’s tactics has been to masquerade as a godly spirit that he might pervert the spiritual unity of Christians. His purpose has been from the very beginning to turn mankind away from a true and abiding faith in God’s word written. He has managed to accomplish this via his hirelings who pose as ministers of the gospel. These false shepherds, instead of leading their flocks toward the biblical Christ, have in fact herded them into Satan’s fold by feeding them a diet of unsound doctrines. Take any major faith issue today and you will find the devil’s minions laboring to make them less a sin in the minds of the unregenerate as well as those of the novice and carnal Christian. Oh how St. Paul’s message today in Philippians 3:17-19 rings true: they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
In his second epistle to the Corinthians (6:14-18) the apostle warned his listeners: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers... wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord... While the apostle Paul used the term unbelievers, we know that all who reject the sound doctrine of Scripture are rejecting God even if they protest such to the contrary. How can one be considered a true Christian if one endorses the very things which God has condemned in his word? And why do believing Christians continue to accept such persons simply on their word that they are in fact Christians particularly when they have substituted the doctrines of devils for those of God’s word written (I St. Timothy 4:1)?
Just questions to be sure, and difficult ones as well especially for many today who have adopted the old “I’m OK, you’re OK” philosophy of inclusion. They are content to avoid doctrinal issues because to do otherwise would call attention to the less-than-faithful among them. And that is something they are reluctant to do as it will also mean abandoning the safety of their spiritual ignorance regarding those evil presences which long ago gained operational control over their churches. It would also put them in the awkward position of having to judge themselves and then to confess their sins to God. While any hypocrite might be critical of an open and obvious fault in others, there will remain in the back of his or her mind the thought that maybe he or she might also be exposed. Much as the woman taken in the act of adultery was brought before our Lord to be condemned by him, her accusers were turned from such by their own hypocrisy when he questioned their motives saying, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (St. John 8:1-11).
In Genesis 13 (vv.10-11) we are told that Lot looked upon Sodom and the other cities of the Jordan Plain as desirable places in which to live. Only later (Genesis 19:1-25) did he and his family leave their environs, running for their very lives per the command of those angels whom God had sent to deliver them from his coming wrath. St. Peter tells us in his second epistle (2:7-8) that [God] delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation [citizenship or behavior] of the wicked. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds). Lot had sought unity with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and this eventually troubled his godly soul especially in light of their sinful behaviors. And the same will happen to us if we join in compromising relationships with the ungodly, or with those who feign a belief in the Godhead all the while acting in a contrary fashion to God’s word written.
Please keep in mind the admonition of St. Paul in Romans (1:32): Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things (adultery, fornication, uncleanness of every sort, idolatry and any false worship etc.) are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Such should indeed sober us as faithful Christians. For if we are in league with those who are in error regardless of what they call themselves, then we are — by implication n— in a state of approval regarding their behavior as far as our Lord is concerned. Again, while it is good to seek fellowship with others in Christ. Nevertheless, we ought to confirm that our fellowship is indeed with those who truly believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, who has regenerated us by the power of the Holy Ghost.
I remember some years back when I was teaching a Bible class, I had assigned my students to read over the first chapter of the Romans — in particular vv.18-32 — for homework. As I recall, they were extremely troubled by that assignment and as much as said so at the next class session. They were upset because they knew people who were engaged in many of the errant behaviors mentioned in the reading. And if that was all, I would not have been bothered in the least as we should be concerned over those we know and love if they are doing those things which will wind them up in perdition. But that was not the case. They were angry because the reading had correctly identified them as well as their friends and associates as being outside the body of Christ and thus unsaved. Ergo, they were indicted for being supporters of those who embraced such behaviors even if they did not engage in them (v.32). It had rightly pricked their consciences, and so I counseled them in what the word said and their response. But I dare say, they were as adamant as ever throughout the rest of the course in holding onto their errant beliefs. If ever one needed a fair example of the Devil being amongst us, that was it for me.
Our Christian witness is a very important aspect of our faith. As we have been regenerated by the power of the Holy Ghost, so we ought to encourage others to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be born again for the sake of their own souls. And we must have the courage to stand for God’s word in the face of those who would call us into a pretended unity under the banner of another gospel and another Christ. As St. Paul wrote in Galatians (1:6-8) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another... but though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Therefore, follow Jesus Christ and avoid the unequal yoke with those who do not use Holy Scripture as their guide and compass.
Let us pray,
Father, keep us from all heretical associations with those who are merely bearers of the name of Christ but are not born again of thy most holy Spirit; and this we ask in the name of him who came to create one fold for all true believers, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Bryan+
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AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity
Six Marks of the Christian by Allan Pearson Shatford. Today Courage
Take Courage
Be of good cheer; (Take Courage) It is I; BE not afraid. (Matthew 14:27)
We are afraid. We look over the side of the bridge or the height and we feel as though we are going to fall. We have a sickening feeling in our stomach. The air is gone. There is no interest in continuing. We feel alone. What drives us into this feeling? How do we get there? What is missing? Jesus would say we are missing courage. Courage is not the absence of fear but an emboldening from within. It is the warming of the heart.
Tharsos = Courage-tharséō in the original language of Greek(from the root thar-, "bolstered because warmed up," derived from /thársos, "emboldened from within") – properly, bolstered within which supports unflinching courage – literally, to radiate warm confidence (exude "social boldness") because warm-hearted. Biblehub
"It is when we take our eyes off from Him and think of our own weakness, and worry about our own temptations , that we are imperiled. ..Christ does not rebuke us for attempting too much, but for trusting Him too little" Erdman in The Gospel of Matthew.
We all have fears and trepidation through out our lives. We must act in fear and do what He wants us to do. Fear is a human emotion. We can act in our fear to do the right thing. We act in faith. We may ask the question, "Why does God allow war?" That was the title of a book of sermons that Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones preached at Westminster Chapel in London. God is not absent from our times of crisis any more He is absent when we celebrate occasions of joy, such as a marriage, or the birth of a child.
"I would define true courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure it. " W.T. Sherman from sermonillustrations.com.
Doesn't courage come from Loyalty? (the first of the "Marks of the Christian") We ask whom are we loyal to? The Christian bears in their body the marks of the Lord. Galatians 6:17 It takes courage to do the right thing when most of the people around you are saying do something else.
2. Where is courage born? Matthew 14:23 may give us a key. "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray..." Courage comes from within us to do what God asks us. Peter saw the water and the wind boisterous and he was afraid. Doubt came in when he looked away from Jesus' face and at the waves.
Having doubts is not wrong, but acting on them is as that was the final answer. Proverbs 23:7 reminded me, "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he..." "When somebody said that Christianity during the World War had been tried and found wanting, Chesterton replied,' No, it has been found difficult, and never tried.' "
There are two kinds of courage too. There is courage "for critical occasions, and there is courage for the commonplace, ordinary duties of life. ...it is the constant, plodding, persistent duties of the everyday that require the commonplace kind of courage which demands all the strength and power that there is in a man." -Shatford.
3. Courage comes from Christ. It was when Jesus bid Peter to take His hand that Jesus caught him. That Scripture we should all follow is Philippians 4:13 , "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Be of good cheer, Jesus said. "It is I; be not afraid." Wherever you and I walk even through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with us. "…I am with you always…."(Matthew 28:20)
Hebrews 13: 5 "…Be content with such things as ye have: for He has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
In conclusion, as I was working on this message, I heard this prayer from Choral Evensong in England on the radio, "O GRACIOUS Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic Church; that thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ , thy Son, our Lord. Amen."
David D. Mc Millan,
Pastor, & Chaplain (Major) US Army, ret.
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: Keep Praying Please
Howard – car accident – hospitalized – paralyzed from the neck down – surgery to remove 2 vertbrae folloing car accident – movement beginning to return with much pain – pray for full recovery
AOC Church of the Redeemer who still needs a Pastor
Bishop John – gall bladder removed – pray for complete recovery
Brenda – fracture knee cap and shoulder, long recovery – at home and recovering well
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 – has succumbed to his injuries – comfort for widow and parents, John & Karen
Donny Clark – hospitalized for stroke – Anne – overseeing his care
Kathy – Kathy is beginning to heal please keep praying for this healing and severe anxiety related
Baby Baelin – Baelin just came through surgery again, and has six weeks IV anti
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
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 –Diabetes type 2
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. Healing from 3 ankle surgeries due to broken bones.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions, Harper-IBS,
Linda –MM, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer, Malou –
cancer, Myra Cox, Faye Miller, Diane, Alice, Yves Mera, Lucile, Ryan, Steven, Rency, Jack & Karen, Brannon, Camella –
just completed radition, Charlie, Dennis, Beverly and Howard, Betty, Deborah
Points to Ponder
This book may fall into the hands of some who know nothing whatever about growth in grace. They have little or no concern about religion. A little proper Sunday church going or chapel going makes up the sum and substance of their Christianity. They are without spiritual life, and of course they cannot at present grow. Are you one of these people? If you are, you are in a pitiable condition. Years are slipping away and time is flying. Graveyards are filling up and families are thinning. Death and judgment are getting nearer to us all. And yet you live like one asleep about your soul! What madness! What folly! What suicide can be worse than this? Awake before it is too late, and arise from the dead, and live to God. Turn to him who is sitting at the right hand of God, to be your Saviour and Friend. Turn to Christ, and cry mightily to him about your soul. There is yet hope! The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle– (Holiness, p. 118).
The [disciples] had to depend on themselves [as their] Master was now entering his sufferings which he had foretold. They must therefore expect troubles and must not think to have such an easy and comfortable life as they had... When he is gone, they must expect to suffer like him... [Those that had no sword were to buy one] to defend [themselves]. This is intended to show that the times would bevery perilous, so no man who think himself safe if he had not a sword by his side. The Rev. Matthew Henry
What grave judgment awaits those
who engineer wars and tumults of all kinds. As the petty thief is judged for
simple theft, so the mass murderer is judged for the carnage such a one
endorsed and carried forth, for the Lord who will judge everyone possesses a
complete and thorough knowledge of all living souls, and every one will
acknowledge such before him.
The Rev. Bryan Dabney
Courage comes from Christ. It was when Jesus bid Peter
to take His hand that Jesus caught him. That Scripture we should all follow is
Philippians 4:13 , "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me." Be of good cheer,
Jesus said. "It is I; be not afraid."
Wherever you and I walk even through the valley of the shadow of death, the
Lord is with us. "…I am with you always…."(Matthew 28:20)
The Rev. David McMillan
Courage from the Six Marks of a Christian Serie- Trinity 23,
2026s
And yet in spite of all of the troubles that may come our way as
followers of Christ, Paul does not leave us in a hopeless state, he gives
encouragement and hope. We can understand that over the past two thousand years
since Christ left for his throne, he gave us instructions by way of the Word of
God we find in our Bibles. We are not orphans, we are adopted sons and
daughters of God through the work of the Cross by our blessed Redeemer, Christ
Jesus. 15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ,
yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through
the gospel. 16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
Sermon Trinity 23, 2026, Can
You See the Signs?
The government of God is just and
equitable, and all governments incorporate to some extent the Laws of God for
governance, but those that corrupt aspects of these laws in contempt of the
Maker are those tyrants and despots that are so common in our day around the
world. I need not remind the Christian that ALL just laws derive from the Law
of God and are subordinate thereto. The French economist and Parliamentarian,
Frederick Bastiat recognized this principle and very well articulated it in his
short commentary entitled, The Law of 1848. But even sooner than this, the Holy
Bible also held forth the same principle lest any forget: It is better to trust
in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8) We ought to obey God rather
than men. (Acts 5:29). The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles
(excerpt taken from his sermon introduction for the 5th Sunday in Lent– Passion Sunday, entitled, Before Abraham Was I AM , 4-3-22).
