Hymns of the Church – O Zion, Haste, Thy mission high fulfilling – 30 April 2024, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

 

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UT if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?  (Ezekiel 18:21-23)

 

            This missionary hymn is the composition of Mrs. Mary Ann Thomson (1834-1923). In her own words, I wrote the greater part of the hymn, O Zion, haste in the year 1868. I had written many hymns before, and one night, while I was sitting up with one of my children who was ill of typhoid fever, I thought I should like to write a missionary hymn.  The tune is an old Welsh piece entitled, ‘Tidings.’

 

O Zion, haste, Thy mission high fulfilling

 

O Christians, haste, your mission high fulfilling,

to tell to all the world that God is light,

that he who made all nations is not willing

one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.  

Refrain:

Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace,

tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.

 

Behold how many thousands still are lying

bound in the dreary prison-house of sin

with none to tell them of the Savior's dying

or of the life he died for them to win. 

Refrain

 

Proclaim to ev'ry people, tongue, and nation

that God, in whom they live and move, is love;

tell how he stooped to save his lost creation

and died on earth that they might live above.

Refrain

 

Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious,

give of your wealth to speed them on their way;

pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious;

O Christians, haste to bring the brighter day!

Refrain

 

1 O Christians, haste, your mission high fulfilling, to tell to all the world that God is light, that he who made all nations is not willing one soul should perish, lost in shades of night. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:4-5) While it is opportune to work – that is while we yet live – we must do the work of Him who commissioned us. The darkness of the world and death shall someday cease our labors. We are the children of the day and not of the night. We have our marching orders in the Great Commission. It is our responsibility to sow the seeds of the Gospel, but the work of the Holy Spirit to germinate those seeds in the hearts of men and women.

 

2 Behold how many thousands still are lying bound in the dreary prison-house of sin with none to tell them of the Savior's dying or of the life he died for them to win. You and I are much like Barabbas before we came to know Christ in intimate love. Barabbas was a murderer caught red-handed in his crimes; yet, Jesus took his place on the cross saving him from that terrible death. Christ has also taken the place of you and me on the cross which made the eternal life in Christ possible. We, too, had been caught red-handed in our sins when the Holy spirit quickened us and made us alive in Him. (see Ephesians 2:1-10)

 

3 Proclaim to ev'ry people, tongue, and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is love; tell how he stooped to save his lost creation and died on earth that they might live above. We are no discriminators of souls, but God is indeed. We preach the word, live the word, love the word, but God is the discerner of spirits. Some will reject His Word to their own ruin, but others whose metal are akin to that of their Maker will respond as iron to the Magnet of God – the Holy Ghost. He not only became lowly man, but subjected Himself to the humiliation of being stripped naked, publicly beaten, and nailed to the cross for all to see – all for those who could hear the still, small Voice calling them from the tomb of death.

 

4 Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious, give of your wealth to speed them on their way; pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious; O Christians, haste to bring the brighter day! To whom much is given, much shall be required: . . . For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48) We must make the Bread of Heaven available to all and allow the Holy Spirit to move upon His chosen to partake. But we also have a responsibility to get out of our comfort zones and move to where the soil is ready for planting – even unto all the world: 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

AOC Sunday Report – Fourth Sunday after Easter

Happy Fourth Sunday after Easter!  The Day of the Resurrection!  Not bunnies, eggs, flowers and chocolates.

 

The AOC Sunday report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE.

 

We have excellent sermons today from Bishops Jerry, Roy, Yves and Jack, as well as Rev Bryan .  Each of them is really good, interesting and different. They are all very easy reads, each is well worth your time.

 

Bishop Jack’s sermon can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/u7NkDUUz1pE

 

Bishop Jack’s sermon looks at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we continue to celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come.  We want to follow our own hearts, that is the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, which will lead us not to heaven but to hell if left unchecked. These unruly wills and affections of ours are what have caused the problems in the world. God is a Triune God; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. One of the Holy Ghost’s jobs is to open our souls, hearts and minds to God’s Will. One of His main functions to help us see where we are in error and how to fix those errors.  We are God’s creatures, first among all His Creation with all the privileges (which we like) and all the responsibility (which we are not so keen on) which come with that status.  All good comes from God, who is always with us; always the same; a true bearing in world in a constant state of flux. While the world may change, the Word will never change, no matter what happens in the world today.  It all comes together.

 

As always, we have a lot of people who desire your prayers. I know that seems to never change, that is because the need is always there.  Once again today we ask you start with the Richards family; Rachel Richards is still in very serious condition after a very bad car accident. They are the wife and daughter of Rev Joshua Richards.  Rachel’s injuries are severe.  More details in the report.

 

As we witness the miracle of our Lord’s return, are we following up with action on our part.  We all need to see if we are really opening our heart to God’s guidance in the form of the Holy Ghost. If we’re not, and I doubt any of us really are as much as we could, we need to try harder and harder to do that. It is very difficult to follow God’s instructions if you don’t listen to them.

 

May you set your course on the constant North Star of our Lord.

 

Godspeed,

 

Hap Arnold

Bishop Coadjutor

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

Sermon Notes - Fourth Sunday after Easter - Christ and His Sheep - Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide - 28 April 2024, Anno Domini

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

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 ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

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ESUS cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:44-50)

 

The Sermon

            He is the Light of the World, and the first Light of Genesis 1:3. Light has always been the the blessing of Heaven, but at the Creation day, God said let there BE Light upon a darkened planet. He also came as that Light which men saw who had sat long centuries in darkness.

             We have often referred to Christ as the Light of the World and all that the Light means. A Light reveals the true path of security and righteousness. That is what Christ did for us, and He made it possible for us to have the scales removed from our eyes and hearts that we might be benefitted by that Light which He is. The Way itself is a Way laid out by God the Father. All that Christ did or said was in conformity to that commandment given Him by His Father in Heaven. His death and resurrection made the path available to us, as well.

 

 

            It would be impossible to believe on Christ and omit the Father. That which the Father is, so is Christ; and that which Christ is, so is the Father. The Triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are truly One in Mind and Purpose. It would not be possible for Christ to act in a manner, or speak in a style, that was not in complete agreement with the Mind of God the Father. We believe in God the Father because we have believed on His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ – “… like Father, like Son!” He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. There is no line of separation, either in Power or Majesty, between God the Father and God the Son. Of no other man could this be said without blasphemy.

 

            We are called Christians because we are, presumably, the children of God in Christ. Just as there are many who are not Israel who are of Israel, so it is true that there is a very large percentage who call themselves Christians but do not approach the qualifications to be so called. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. Do you KNOW God the Father? If so, are you bound to His Will by those iron-bars of love that compel obedience to His Commandments and reverence for His only Begotten Son? Jesus was so closely bound in love to the Father that He was precisely like the Father. There could not be daylight between His Will and that of the Father. When folks saw Christ, whether they knew it or not, they were seeing the selfsame likeness of the Father. This presents to us a great question: When people see us, are we so close in Mind and Purpose with that of Christ that they see Jesus? I read a touching illustration of a poor little boy who was standing before a storefront window admiring a pair of shoes. It was winter, and the boy had only wrappings for shoes. A kind lady saw the boy and invited him into the store. She bought him a new pair of shoes along with socks and gloves (it was winter time). When she bade the boy Godspeed and began to leave, he called out behind her: “Say, Ma’am, are you the wife of Jesus?” Should we not all behave in such a way that innocent little minds will think that we are very much like Jesus?

 

            The Way is already laid out from Eternity Past. But who shall be blessed to find that Way in a sin-darkened world? 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt 7:13-14) Forgive me if I quote these verses too often, but the meaning is so crucial to our understanding that they must be emblazoned in blood on our hearts and minds. That Road that leads DOWN to destruction owes its ease and comfort to its downward plane. It is wide and filled with far greater numbers than the Narrow Way that leads up life eternal. Why would anyone desire to belong to a small and struggling conglomeration of churches called the AOC? They travel a difficult incline, and the Way they travel is considered, by the more sophisticated of the churches, as Narrow-Minded. Yes, we are Narrow Minded, and I pray that we can keep that Narrow focus on our Lord and savior and not opulent buildings, salaries, and prestige. Those are reserved for the Broad Way that leads down.

 

            But the world is dark and gloomy. How can we find the Way that leads to life eternal? 46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. Jesus came to us in love, and only to those in whom His love is finally reciprocated. He comes as a Light to SHOW us the Way. Those who reject the Light need no judge, for the darkness itself is an overwhelming judgment and relegates their eternity to the fires of Hell. Oh, sorry, Mr. Episcopalian and Mr. Joel Osteen follower – I forgot that the word Hell is a no-no. It makes people unhappy (Osteen). If we are lost in sin, no one can do us a better favor than to teach us of our depravity before God that leads to a remorseful unhappiness that can only be resolved by a direct fleeing to the Throne of Grace. If we have the Light of Christ to illumine our dark souls, then we will see the Way and will follow it.

 

            Does God judge a man and condemn him to Hell? God’s judgment is His Word. It is the Word that will judge us. God has very fairly and openly taught us of His Will in His Word. If we reject that counsel, we have chosen to make our beds in Hell. It was OUR decision! 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The world was already lost when Christ came. He simply came bearing the fruits and wisdom of salvation. He came teaching us of the Way, and the Truth and the Life. If we choose to ignore that truth, we simply remain in our lost and damned condition. Even if the world, in its fallen state, were allowed to enter Heaven, it would be the most miserable of all conditions. The world could not obey and reverence the Lord who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They would still love their sins, and there would again follow war in Heaven.  That war has already been fought and Satan was cast down along with his errant angels.

 

            Isn’t it a sad state of affairs when you decide to invest in an enterprise against the anguished pleadings of your friends, and then lose all in the gamble? Your friends would have every right to say, “I told you so!” Jesus has, indeed, told us so. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. When we label an openly homosexual practitioner as a profligate sinner, whose judgment is that? It is the judgment of the Word of God and not our own judgment. God’s Word is a two edged sword to either convict of sin for the purpose of salvation, or to condemn of sin for the purpose of legal damnation.

 

            Jesus came as an Emissary of Heaven. There were moments when He was so tired He could hardly lift another foot, yet He kept going from before sunrise until after sunset in teaching and preaching – souls were at stake! He was often thirsty and hungry, wet and cold, yet He kept going for us – all the way to Calvary’s crown. As an Emissary and Likeness of the Father, He came with all of the Authority of Heaven. Emissaries do not make treaties and agreements out of their own imaginations, but in accordance with the Will of the governing authority. In Christ’s case, that governing Authority was God the Father. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. What commandment did God give to His Son that seemed different from the Ten given at Sinai? A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34) What function does this valuable essence of love offer? It writes all of the other Commandments upon our hearts in the red blood of love so that it is love that compels our obedience and not fear. 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Cor 3:2-3) Did you catch that brilliant ray of streaming truth, friends? When the world looks at us, they should see the Word of God written upon our hearts. We are the letters (epistles) of God written. No longer written with an iron pen on Tables of Stone, but God’s Law is written with the ink of Love on the fleshy Tables of our Hearts. I love God’s Word, don’t you?

 

            50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Which single commandment leads to life everlasting? It is the same Commandment called ‘NEW’ given by Christ in John 13:34 above. Love is the one essence that survives death and is victor over ever hateful thing. Christ Himself is LOVE personified. He is our Ark against the coming calamity just as the Ark of Noah was for those eight souls spared from the ravages of the Deluge. Look with me, in conclusion of today’s sermon, at these beautiful truths given in Romans:

 

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S IT is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:36-39)

 

This tells us that the Holy LOVE of which Christ spoke survives every challenge – even death!

Easter 04 Collect

 

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

The Collect

            The upheavals attending the government of Great Britain under Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth resulted in a change of opening words of this Collect. The Prayer Book and Episcopacy of the Church of England were viewed with an unfriendly eye by the new regime. The wording of the Gelasian Sacramentary, and that of all previous Books of Common Prayer, had begun: O Almighty God, which dost make the minds of all faithful people to be of one will…. The near-dictatorial government under Oliver Cromwell, designated Lord Protector for Life, was unfriendly to the Church of England and thus the wording was changed in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer to its current use. This was a pretended recognition not all who call themselves Christians practice the faith and works of Christ. I personally prefer the wording recognized by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer cited in this paragraph and consistent with the Gelasian Sacramentary. It is in complete conformity with the Word of God that all Christians should be at one Mind with Christ.

 

            We know that in the Providence of God, all things fall before the Mind and Will of god and will conform to that Mind and Will – even the sins of desperate sinners will be turned to the victory of the Lord and His Church. O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men We all can recount experiences in our lives in which we have been harshly wronged, but later discover that the evil intended was turned to victory under the love and guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even wicked men, such as Judas Iscariot – though they intend evil – are molded to serve the over-ruling will of God our Father. 

 

John Newton was an evil sea captain who dealt in the disgraceful trade of slaves. He was a drunkard and a profane man whom, not only the slaves his mistreated, but his crew as well loathed and hated for his cruelty. Once on a voyage to England, the vessel he was aboard came under a withering storm and gales that threatened to destroy the ship. The main mast was broken, and the ships wooden hull threatens to collapse. It was in the midst of this peril and trouble that seemed sent from the very jaws of Hell that the best good was ever done John Newton. He went down into the depth of the ship and began, for the first time since he had sat at his mother’s knee, and prayed with all of his heart – not just for physical, but spiritual, salvation. The seas calmed, and Newton was spared for better things. As a result, John Newton became one of the most powerful men of God England has ever produced. The memorable hymn, Amazing Grace, was a product of that dark and stormy night on the sea. His Olney hymns still populate the traditional hymnals of all churches.

 

            Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest Do you love the Commandments of God? Is it even possible to love God and hate His Commandments that reveal His nature and Character? Every Christian reading this devotion should be able to confess the words of David the King without equivocation: 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.  113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. 115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. (Psalm 119:111-115) Only the true people of God can make this confession. Do you hate any of the Commandments of God? Are there secret sins that you harbor in your heart? What about bearing false witness or adultery – even imagined sins? 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:2-3)

 

            “….and desire that which thou dost promise.” Do we masticate every word of the Lord’s Prayer which we repeat at every worship service, or do we simply roll the words past our heart from rote memory. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Do we pray for HIS will to be done, as did Christ, or do we pray continually for our OWN wills to be done? Do you ask more of God than your daily bread? “Give us this day, our daily Bread.” Has He ever refused you your absolute needs, especially daily Bread? He has promised us to be with Christ in the Eternity Future. Is this your utmost desire? Here is the greatest of all promises: 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3) This is the end of all faith, is it not?

 

            “….that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found We all follow after that which we love most. If we love God’s Commandments, we will follow them out of our Love of God and not out of constraint. Of course we fall short of perfect obedience, but with our hearts fixed on God and His Law, we shall surely improve our obedience with practice (sanctification).  The General Confession for Morning/Evening Prayer epitomizes our plight: “We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.” These offenses best not become habitual. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (Romans 7:19-20) The grace of God, through the working of the Holy Ghost, will amend our desires and characters continually in causing our characters to become ever more virtuous and our desires to obey to become ever more steadfast. 

 

            What is the greatest joy of our occupations? To love the very thing that our hands are paid to do. There is no more perfect profession than to love that profession by which one makes his living. There can be no greater joy in life than to love the guidance of the Guide whom you follow. This is the paradise which we may enjoy even in this world. 

Fourth Sunday after Easter - Propers with explanation – Bishop Jack’s Sermon – With Video

Bishop Jack’s sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE ->https://youtu.be/u7NkDUUz1pE

 

Bishop Jack’s sermon looks at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we continue to celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come.  We want to follow our own hearts, that is the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, which will lead us not to heaven but to hell if left unchecked. These unruly wills and affections of ours are what have caused the problems in the world. God is a Triune God; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. One of the Holy Ghost’s jobs is to open our souls, hearts and minds to God’s Will. One of His main functions to help us see where we are in error and how to fix those errors.  We are God’s creatures, first among all His Creation with all the privileges (which we like) and all the responsibility (which we are not so keen on) which come with that status.  All good comes from God, who is always with us; always the same; a true bearing in world in a constant state of flux. While the world may change, the Word will never change, no matter what happens in the world today.  It all comes together.

The Propers for today are found on Page 174-175, with the Collect first:

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

This week’s Epistle came from the First Chapter of the Epistle of Saint James beginning at the Seventeenth Verse. James tells us we are the pinnacle of God’s creation, destined to be the stewards of His world.  This position has its privileges, but even more important it has its responsibilities.  Most of the time, we seem to concentrate on what we like, the privileges, and forget about those responsibilities which require work, putting off instant gratification, persistence and sometimes courage.  As Saint Paul so often tells us, we must become new people, putting aside our old ways, considerate of what we should do and let ourselves become open to His Word: 

 

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VERY 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. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 

This week’s Holy Gospel came from the Sixteenth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John beginning at the Fifth Verse. 

 

You must recognize we are imperfect creatures with free will.  For us to do God’s Will, not ours, we need help.  We need that bit of good leaven, which will let our hearts rise to the occasion.  We need the Holy Ghost in our hearts and souls.  Listen as John tells us:

 

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ESUS said unto his disciples, Now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jack Arnold

Bishop of the Diocese of the West – AOC USA

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide

Director of Education and Training

Bp Jack brings the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together because as is always the case there is a unifying message in the Scripture for this Sunday.   Bp Jack’s sermon can be viewed on video HERE ->https://youtu.be/u7NkDUUz1pE

Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we continue to celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come.  Easter, perhaps better referred to as the Day of the Resurrection is when the promise of eternal life is delivered. 

 

Let’s start by reading the Collect for today:

 

The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

The Collect.

 

O

 ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

We are in the Easter Season which consists of Easter and the following four Sundays, through Rogation Sunday.  This is a time we should work on centering our lives on the central figure in our religion, Jesus Christ.  

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found…

 

The very first phrase is critical to understanding the world and our place in it.  We want to follow our own hearts, that is the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, which will lead us not to heaven but to hell if left unchecked. These unruly wills and affections of ours are what have caused the problems in the world. People wrongfully try and cast blame on God, but it is us that has caused the problems in the world and not God. If we did what God told us to do, the world would not have these problems. These problems all stem because of our natural inclination to not to want to listen to God. The Collect points out that we cannot order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men, as we are but imperfect creatures. Only God can do this and we have to rely on Him to help us get our unruly wills under control and back on the path towards righteousness. 

 

In order to get back on the path towards righteousness, we have to internalize His commands into our hearts through listening and then through repetition, action.  Like any other skill, repetition is key in order to get better with this. This is the only way we can follow His Commandments and show the World we follow Him. For all of the above to happen we have to let God into our hearts, souls, minds and bodies and let His Directions carry us through life. In order to be true believers, we have to actualize our stated beliefs. Actions show that we don’t just talk the talk, but that we walk the walk as well. This means we have to live out our Christian Faith and not just talk about it. This is easier said than done, but it is something that we must do our best to do as much as it lies within us. God can and will help us do this, but only if we let him into our hearts. 

 

Our life will be better when we follow His directions and if we will allow God to rule us and desire His help, we will be able to attain the state of happiness we will then deserve. It may not be what seems to be easy at the time, but we have to trust that God knows that He is doing and that He knows what truly is good for us. And in the end it will be easier than if we went through the “easy” route and took shortcuts in life that aren’t really shortcuts.  He knows what is right and what is wrong for us. He does not want us to lead so called puritanical lives with no fun allowed whatsoever, but we must have fun the right way and not the wrong way. The right way can lead to a lifetime of happiness, whereas the wrong way leads to a life time of misery. It is as St. Paul says moderation in all things. Too much of a good thing can end up becoming a very bad thing. Moderation in all things, as Paul so rightly notes.  This is why God puts limits on us, not to punish us, but to help us live our lives in a spiritual and a physically healthier manner.

 

Many people think that God forbids things for us, because He does not want us to have fun. Nothing can be further from the truth. He forbids things harmful for our spiritual well being, and encourages us to have clean spiritual, joyous things in our life to develop our spiritual well being. God knows what can hurt our spiritual and physical and mental  health and is advising us to avoid those things so we do not inflict unneeded harm upon our souls, bodies and minds.  Those people confuse the things harmful for our spiritual well being with fun and think things actually helpful for our spiritual well being are not fun. When it is completely not the case. The Holy Spirit will help us to truly see what is harmful for us and what is not harmful for us.

 

We need God’s help (this is one of the places the Holy Ghost comes in) to be able to want for ourselves that which He Wants for us.  Because clearly we are not capable of doing this on our own without His Help. The Collect asks us to allow God into our hearts to bend our will towards His Will and His Wants.  If we can desire what He Wants, our ability to follow His Instructions will be much enhanced. And not only will they be much enhanced, but the more we follow His Instructions, the easier it will be for us to continue on that straight and narrow path towards heaven. It is like practicing any sort of learned skill, the more you practice at it the better you will get. Of course, we will never be fully perfect at it, but as long as we keep doing our best to get as close as we can to perfection, that is all that matters.

 

We are God’s creatures, first among all His Creation with all the privileges (which we like) and all the responsibility (which we are not so keen on) which come with that status.  All good comes from God, who is always with us; always the same; a true bearing in world in a constant state of flux. While the world may change, the Word will never change, no matter what happens in the world today. His Word is a refreshing constant, in this world where nothing ever seems certain. The Ways of the World go to and fro, in a constant state of flux. However, God’s Word always stays the same; its meaning never changes, as God never changes. As God is truth, which by its nature cannot change, so should we never change in our beliefs towards Him. 

 

So, how can we hear?

 

When Jesus got ready to leave this world for His, He told the disciples He would send them the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to keep them in Him and to help them understand what they had so far been unable to truly grasp.  Unless we allow the Holy Ghost to enter into our hearts, we will never understand that which is from God. This is an important concept with messages that are not from God being bombarded across the world through principalities and powers of this world. Only the Holy Ghost can help us remain grounded within the truth. We need the Holy Ghost to enter into us that we might be able to hear the Word of God, and more important than just hearing the Word, we need the Holy Ghost to be able to act upon the Word. We must allow the Holy Ghost to enter in to our hearts and souls so we can understand what God has for us.  It is that simple.  Open your heart, pray for God to send Him into that open heart. 

 

For with the Holy Ghost’s help, you can hear, understand and act on The Word.

 

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

Hymns of the Church – Savior, Lead Me, Lest I Stray – 23 April 2024, Anno Domini

 

T

HE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.   (23^rd Psalm verses 1-3)

 

            Our Lord has led His people from the very beginning of days. He both led, and followed, the Children of Israel through the Red Sea waters and on through the Wilderness for forty years. His leading did not stop at Jordan Banks, but continued through the inspired text of His Holy Word, by Law and Prophets, until His personal coming as a Babe in Bethlehem. He is our constantly vigilant Shepherd to keep us from the dangers of the mountain trails and valleys of death’s shadow as long as we hear His Voice and follow on. 

 

            The author of this hymn is FM Davis (1839-1896).who is also the composer of the musical score for the hymn. He published the hymn in 1882.   

 

Savior Lead Me, Lest I Stray

 

Savior, lead me lest I stray,

Gently lead me all the way;

I am safe when by Thy side,

I would in Thy love abide.

Refrain:

Lead me, lead me, Savior, 

lead me, lest I stray;

Gently down the stream of time,

Lead me, Savior, all the way.

 

Thou the refuge of my soul,

When life’s stormy billows roll;

I am safe when by Thy side,

All my hopes on Thee rely.

            Refrain

 

Savior, lead me, then at last,

When the storm of life is past;

To the land of endless day,

Where all tears are wiped away.

            Refrain

 

            1 Savior, lead me lest I stray, Gently lead me all the way; I am safe when by Thy side, I would in Thy love abide. The Christian way consist of two components – leading and following. For us to benefit from the leading of the Good Shepherd, we must be good followers. We cannot get lost in the dry gulches of this sorry world if we adhere to His paths. He will ALWAYS lead in the paths of righteousness. If we get on the wrong path, it is because we did not persevere in our following Him. Just as the Pillar of cloud by Day and Fire by Night both led and followed Israel in the Wilderness, so does the Lord both lead in the right way, and He also goes behind to guard against the wolves and predators of the soul. Walking by His side, hand in hand, as our big Brother, no demon or devil will dare approach. Abiding in the love of Christ is the ecstacy of the soul that brings joy and contentment. We cannot abide in the love of Christ without returning that love its Source.

 

2 Thou the refuge of my soul, When life's stormy billows roll; I am safe when by Thy side, All my hopes on Thee rely. [Refrain] The eight souls of the family of old Noah remained safe inside the Ark of God despite the greatest flooding deluge in the history of the world. They trusted in the counsel of God and were secure in that obedience. Remember: God did not tell Noah to go into the Ark, He told him to COME into the Ark. “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1) Why did God same Come into the Ark? Because that is the place of security where God commands. Our Ark of Salvation is Jesus Christ. He invites us to come in. We have every hope fulfilled in Him, but without Him all is hopeless.

 

3 Savior, lead me, then at last, When the storm of life is past; To the land of endless day, Where all tears are wiped away. [Refrain] We may have trod the stony ways of the unrighteous until the grey hairs appear; however, our beginnings and wrong choices of early life can be annulled by our flowing Christ at last instead of traveling the broad and crowded Way that leads to destruction. We truly need not our tears today in this life if we have turned them early to Christ. One of my favorite prayers of the Book of Common Prayer is written thusly in the shorter service for Family Prayer:

 

O

 LORD, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.

 

            That safe lodging can only be had in the Kingdom of God whose mansions were made possible for our lodging by the redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Refrain 

            Lead me, lead me, Savior,  lead me, lest I stray; Gently down the stream of time, Lead me, Savior, all the way. The stream of time is a relentlessly flowing river. The same water does not pass the same point twice. Life is like that river. Joys, sorrows, opportunities, worries, pains, and comforts are constantly rolling to the sea of eternity. All things earthly pass on to that sea, but the love of God and of others does not pass away. Neither does God’s immutable Word and Promise.

 

AOC Sunday Report – Third Sunday after Easter

Happy Third Sunday after Easter!  The Day of the Resurrection!  Not bunnies, eggs, flowers and chocolates.

 

The AOC Sunday report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE.

 

We have excellent sermons today from Bishops Jerry, Roy, Yves and Jack, as well as Rev Bryan and a Second Sunday after Easter sermon from Rev Stephen Cooper.  Each of them is really good, interesting and different. They are all very easy reads, each is well worth your time.

 

Bishop Jack’s sermon can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/VT11O0NmgQA

 

Bishop Jack’s sermon looks at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we continue to celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come.  God is a Triune God; Father, Son, Holy Ghost. One of the Holy Ghost’s jobs is to open our souls, hearts and minds to God’s Will. One of His main functions to help us see where we are in error and how to fix those errors.   We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. Act in a manner consistent with the fact you will live forever and be responsible for your actions forever. Action, not diction is what counts. It all comes together.

 

As always, we have a lot of people who desire your prayers. I know that seems to never change, that is because the need is always there.  Once again today we ask you start with the Richards family; Rachel Richards is still in very serious condition after a very bad car accident. They are the wife and daughter of Rev Joshua Richards.  Rachel’s injuries are severe.  More details in the report.

 

As we witness the miracle of our Lord’s return, are we following up with action on our part.  We all need to see if we are really opening our heart to God’s guidance in the form of the Holy Ghost. If we’re not, and I doubt any of us really are as much as we could, we need to try harder and harder to do that. It is very difficult to follow God’s instructions if you don’t listen to them.

 

May you set your course on the constant North Star of our Lord.

 

Godspeed,

 

Hap Arnold

Bishop Coadjutor

Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide