AOC Sunday Report - Fifth Sunday after Trinity - Independence Day

 

Happy Fifth Sunday after Trinity, which is Independence Day in the United States of America this year.

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE.

Today was the Fifth Sunday after Trinity in the Endless Green Season, superseded by Independence Day in the United States of America.  We celebrate Independence Day, 4 July 2021, Anno Domini which marked 245 years since the establishment of this country on the solid foundation of Divine Providence.  That would be God.

 

There is a marked tendency to think of the Fourth of July as just another holiday, perhaps special because of the fireworks.  It is not.  This day marks the establishment of the only successful Republic the world has ever seen.  It is a special country with special relationship with God.  It is not that God is on our side, but rather we are on God’s side.  If we lose that relationship, we lose the special nature of our country.

 

We trust you and your families had the very best Independence Day.  While you were enjoying the day, we hope you took the time remember the terrible cost of our freedom and those who paid it for us.

We have great sermons today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Rev Jack's sermon is available on video RIGHT HERE.

There are always a lot of people who desire your prayers, today is no exception.  Please start with Shamu, who just had her 31st surgery and has been told she has to go back for another, and Jim who must get up and move about and for Laurie who needs help with her lungs and move out from there.

Tomorrow is a holiday in the United States of America, whether that is good or bad is open to question.

If you have not already done so, please consider opening your heart to that Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost, so you can be part of the EPIC week ahead.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

Fifth Sunday after Trinity - Independence Day

Rev Jack's Sermon can be viewed as a video RIGHT HERE!

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

… through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace…

 

In the Collect, we acknowledge God’s role in the struggle for our independence and founding of our country and ask His favor in maintaining the liberties so dearly purchased while living according to His Will in peace and tranquility.

 

The collect acknowledges that we need God’s help to maintain our liberties and to live in righteousness and peace. Without God’s help and influence we will see a lot of turmoil and strife, which is what is happening in our country right now. As we have turned our back on God, instead of living together in harmony and peace, we are divided against each other and in turmoil and confusion. Turmoil and confusion are not of God but of Satan. We can see how through the influence of Satan, the liberals and the communists have infiltrated all of our important institutions, the schools, the churches and now the military. They have embraced the debauchery that is the transgenderism and homosexuality and abortions. These are all behaviors that have brought down every single country or empire in the past and ours is no exception.

 

If we as a country would repent of these behaviors and turn back to God, then our fall might be stopped or at least suspended.  The Epistle reading from the book of Deuteronomy reminds us that our God is a just God, mighty and terrible. It is wise to not provoke Him. Unfortunately a large portion of our country are set on tempting Him. Our founding fathers knew His Wisdom and founded our Country on His Wisdom. They sought his counsel frequently. George Washington prayed fervently to Him and did his very best to follow His counsel and examples. He was not perfect, neither are we, but he knew he was not and sought the advice of the One who is, the great I am. Our founding fathers relied on His wisdom as they created the framework of the Constitution which is the bedrock of our country’s founding principles.

 

How are we to deal with our country men in today’s uncivil environment? The Gospel provides us with the convenient answer. Love our enemies, bless them that curse us, and do good to them that hate you. This is essence killing them with kindness. Two evils do not make a right, so do not repay evil deed for evil deed, but do your best to follow Christ’s example and choose do good. Also following the words of Saint Paul, live as peaceably with your neighbor for as long as you are able to. Jesus is counseling us in all things we need to follow the Father’s example and try to work on getting as close to perfection as we can in our imperfect bodies and souls.

 

However not all of those who we will try and reach out to will listen to His Message. 

 

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. 

 

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

Sermon Notes - Fifth Sunday after Trinity - By the shores of Gennesaret - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 4 July 2021, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity.

 

G

The Collect.

RANT, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

A

ND it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, ² And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. ³ And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. ⁴ Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. ⁵ And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. ⁶ And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. ⁷ And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. ⁹ For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: ¹⁰ And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.¹¹ And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.  (Luke 5:1-11)

 

Jesus stands by the lake of Gennesaret and is urged by the people to speak to them the Word of God. Every Word that Jesus spoke was the Word of God for Christ is God also. 

 

A

ND it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret

 

Why would so many people follow every move of Christ and seek to hear Him? 

 

1.     Christ did not differentiate between Prince and Pauper. He treated all men alike with respect and dignity as human beings only.

2.     Though Christ, was sinless, He was kind to all sinners except the hypocrites (Pharisees and Sadduccees). 

3.     He cared most for those who were oppressed and poor.

4.     He recognized the needs of men and women.

5.     Jesus taught the pure Word and not the diffused and diluted Word taught in many churches of our day.

 

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. ³ And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 

 

These two ships had finished the day’s work. The fisherman were washing their nets which suggests that they had caught no bounty of fish else they would have first taken the fish to the market before they spoiled. 

 

Christ decides to make a separation of Himself from the people during His preaching. This is a concern to every minister. We, too, must separate ourselves, not only from the world when we preach, but even from our own selfish desires. So Jesus makes a distance from the people to better assess them and conduct His teaching. The boat He commandeers to accomplish this belongs to Simon Peter.

 

And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

 

Jesus was the Teacher. The people were the students. Jesus sat down to teach because He taught with Authority. The people, as students, stood to receive the Word eagerly.

He spoke from the waters to the land. Just as the refreshing showers of blessing are drawn up from the sea into the air masses and move landward, so were the Words of Truth dispensed from the very Water of Life.

 

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

 

Christ was never guilty of any lapse in courtesy or failure to reciprocate a favor. He had used Simon’s ship, now He will recompense Simon therefor. 

 

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

 

Again, proof that all the labors of the day had failed to get any fish. The sea may not give up its bounty to man, but it certainly will give up its bounty to its Maker. In fact, the day will come when all the dead even who have perished in the sea will come up out of the sea and even from Hell itself! And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (Rev 20:13)

 

The Creator of all Creation exercises power over it.

 

Though Simon doubts of the result, he will nevertheless let down the net at the command of Christ. To Simon, this is a waste of time. That which makes no sense to man makes an abundance of sense to God.

 

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. ⁷ And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

 

Please note that this was no ordinary fishing expedition. These fishermen had never caught so many fish as to sink their boats. Look at how profusely Christ repays those who are gracious and who obey His Word even when they doubt the result somewhat. We, too, must obey the Word of God even if we cannot imagine any benefit to ourselves.

 

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. ⁹ For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

 

We are not worthy to be in God’s presence; however, He has allowed us to come to Him. Our being in the presence of God requires reverence, unlike the screaming and shouting we observe in many churches. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. (Psalm 89:7)

 

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:28-29)

 

The miraculous catch of fish was adequate proof to Simon of who Christ was coupled with all else he had witnessed. He knew himself to be unworthy of Christ. Do we so recognize that we are not worthy either – that it is simply by God’s grace that we are made worthy.

 

So were the other two called apostles: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.

 

If they believed catching such a tremendous number of fish was exceptional, Christ will further make them fishers of men so that their nets will be overloaded - And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

 

Fisherman are persistent in their labors.

 

·       They know WHERE to fish, and for how long.

·       They know what will attract fish to their nets.

·       They know the TIME to fish.

·      These fish were taken alive just as men must be taken alive. Once dead, they are of no account to God or the Church.

 

This is a progressive call to Peter, James, and John. 

 

The First Call 

³⁵ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; ³⁶ And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 

 

 ³⁷ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? ³⁹ He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. ⁴⁰ One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. ⁴¹ He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (John 1:35-42)

 

The Second Call

¹⁸ And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. ¹⁹ And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. ²⁰ And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. ²¹ And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 

 

The Third Call

²² And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. (Matt 4:18-22)

 

We see a progressive role being established here:

 

1^st, a stone. 

2^nd, fishers of men

3^rd, not only fishing for men, but catching them in abundance.

 

Each of us has been called of Christ to a mission with a specific role. Are we still at the point of loitering by the sea, working to convert souls, or have we arrived at the point where our efforts are so credible that men will follow?

Fifth Sunday after Trinity - Independence Day- Propers with explanation - Rev Jack's Sermon

 

The Propers for today are found on Page 263-264, with the Collect first:

 

Independence Day. [July 4.]

 

The Collect.

 

O

 ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

 

For the Epistle.

Deuteronomy x. 17.

 

T

HE Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regard- eth not persons, nor taketh reward: he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

 

The Gospel.

Matthew v. 43.

  

J

ESUS said, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion - Descanso, California

Today’s sermon brought the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and is partly contained in the forewords above. 

 

Consider these words from the Collect:

 

… through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace…

 

In the Collect, we acknowledge God’s role in the struggle for our independence and founding of our country and ask His favor in maintaining the liberties so dearly purchased while living according to His Will in peace and tranquility.

 

The collect acknowledges that we need God’s help to maintain our liberties and to live in righteousness and peace. Without God’s help and influence we will see a lot of turmoil and strife, which is what is happening in our country right now. As we have turned our back on God, instead of living together in harmony and peace, we are divided against each other and in turmoil and confusion. Turmoil and confusion are not of God but of Satan. We can see how through the influence of Satan, the liberals and the communists have infiltrated all of our important institutions, the schools, the churches and now the military. They have embraced the debauchery that is the transgenderism and homosexuality and abortions. These are all behaviors that have brought down every single country or empire in the past and ours is no exception.

 

If we as a country would repent of these behaviors and turn back to God, then our fall might be stopped or at least suspended.  The Epistle reading from the book of Deuteronomy reminds us that our God is a just God, mighty and terrible. It is wise to not provoke Him. Unfortunately a large portion of our country are set on tempting Him. Our founding fathers knew His Wisdom and founded our Country on His Wisdom. They sought his counsel frequently. George Washington prayed fervently to Him and did his very best to follow His counsel and examples. He was not perfect, neither are we, but he knew he was not and sought the advice of the One who is, the great I am. Our founding fathers relied on His wisdom as they created the framework of the Constitution which is the bedrock of our country’s founding principles.

 

How are we to deal with our country men in today’s uncivil environment? The Gospel provides us with the convenient answer. Love our enemies, bless them that curse us, and do good to them that hate you. This is essence killing them with kindness. Two evils do not make a right, so do not repay evil deed for evil deed, but do your best to follow Christ’s example and choose do good. Also following the words of Saint Paul, live as peaceably with your neighbor for as long as you are able to. Jesus is counseling us in all things we need to follow the Father’s example and try to work on getting as close to perfection as we can in our imperfect bodies and souls.

 

However not all of those who we will try and reach out to will listen to His Message. 

 

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. 

 

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

How many loaves have ye? – 3 July 2021, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

A

ND disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.    (Matthew 15:33-34) 

 

            The Words of our Lord – every single one of them – is packed with power and meaning. It is like a saber that points in every direction to clear doubt and confusion and to condemn lies. “How many loaves have ye?” such a simple question with profound meaning! Our Lord Jesus Christ knew how many loaves were on hand before asking. He knew the few loaves on hand would not begin to feed the 4,000 men present plus the women and children. It was a test of faith, and proof of its power. Neither did He need the seven loaves and few fishes since it was His Word that created the heavens, the earth and all that is in them. But He allows us to have a role in His miraculous works. Like a doting father who allows his little child to drive the crooked nail into the classic bookcase he is making, Jesus makes allowances for our frailty in helping our Father’s work.

 

            Our Lord often asks the same kind of question before calling a minister into His service. “What have you to offer?” Or, before calling His chosen to the Throne of Grace. If we are honest, we have NOTHING to offer our Lord except our hearts filled with the love of His own provision. None are worthy to be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, but those whom He calls, He enables to perform according to His purpose. We would rightfully answer to His call, “Nothing, my Lord and Savior.” It is the only acceptable answer. It is only when we recognize our complete unworthiness that the Lord is able to take us up and mold us. It is His righteousness – His worthiness – that makes us suitable for His service. “And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.”

 

            The Lord will take what we have and multiply it beyond our wildest imaginations. He will take our few loaves and two fishes as earnest for the building of a mansion beyond the Gates of Splendor. He will warmly receive the widow’s two mites and multiply them in eternity to more than all the wealth of the world while rejecting the golden nuggets of the Pharisee.

 

            When the Lord receives our pitiful offerings of small sacrifices, all He commands is that we step aside in our weaknesses and witness His power to build the new man of His creation. “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.” All things of the Lord is done in good order and with reverential obedience. Our good works belong to Him, not to us. Only our failures belong to us. All of our good works belong to Him – “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”   (John 15:5)

 

“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” Even the Son of God deems prayer of thanks essential – “He gave thanks before feeding the multitude. He allows His ministers a hand in His service – “ and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” What a supreme honor to be used of the Lord in preaching His Word and feeding His people. How strange that even one such as I am privileged to write of His love for you and all His Church!

 

The abundance of God can never be exhausted. Even after all are fed and satisfied – both at the Lord’s Table and in Service of the Church – there is a mighty abundance held in reserve in the seven baskets of God’s provision – each loaf became a basketful left over. God always gives us more than that with which we began. Remember Job! 

 

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”    (Job 42:10)

4 July 2021, Anno Domini (the 245th year of American Independence)

  

4 July 2021, Anno Domini (the 245^th year of American Independence)

 

T

HE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.     (Isaiah 61:1) 

 

In the midst of perilous times, I believe it incumbent upon our people to examine themselves as a nation and as a people in the face of grievous abuses against the Perfect Law of Liberty and the natural order that the God of Nature has instilled into His Creation. If these times are not most perilous to the Christian principles upon which our nation was founded, I would be at a loss to imagine what would describe our present age and predicament more suitably.

 

Looking to our common society and character as Americans in the same nation founded by our patriotic Founders, how do we in our present age measure up? Are we the same Americans that braved the ocean deep to come and establish a home in a land hitherto unsettled and uncultivated amidst unfriendly natives, scarce resources, and unknown customs? Are we the same Americans who fought, under overwhelming odds, a great land, and greater sea, power to gain our freedoms of speech, religion, and self-determination – and won that war?

 

Are we the same rugged Americans who carved out a nation from the wilderness and fought our bloodiest war between brothers and thereby established a stronger Union? Are we the same young Americans who fought, bled, and died in the trenches of World War One to make the world safe for democracy; or braved the fierce enemies of the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation during World War Two to prevent the enslavement of whole nations to totalitarian dictatorships? Are we the same Marines who slogged through the ice and snow of the Chosin Reservoir of Korea in defense of a people whose language and customs were alien to our own? 

 

My friends. Is our American society the same that just half a century ago valued the handshake of an honest citizen to be of more worth than a signed contract today; a people who would neither countenance nor tolerate perversion of our youth or the intentional deprivation of our rights and liberties granted by God and enshrined in our Founding Documents – the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution?

 

I venture to say that we are NOT those same Americans. In all our great wars and battles of the past, the blood of the entire nation was offered as security to stand against any invader. It is not so today. We have a paid volunteer military whose blood we offer on the altar of freedom in lieu of our own. Though that military is dedicated and patriotic, it is no substitute for an entire nation whose sacrifices are all presented on behalf of the defense of freedom. Even our youth are being taught, with impunity, to hate our nation, themselves, and all the principles that underlie the foundation stones of this great nation that is unsurpassed in the annals of history for its blessings granted by the Providence of God. 

 

Perhaps it is high time the American people awaken to the true values of freedom and liberty, take uncompromising pride in our flag and Founding documents, and restore the memory of our great men, women, and institutions of the American Republic to the public forum and our schools. A beneficent God will favor our undertakings that reciprocate His blessings on this land – One Nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for All. If we fail, how will our Maker respond? “But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.     (Jeramiah 34:16-17)

For,

Anglican Orthodox Church

JERRY L. OGLES

Presiding Bishop

JLO:pma

One Nation, Under God will result in Liberty and Justice for all

The Anglican Church, being founded on the principal of one nation, one church, holds patriotism and true love of country in great regard.  It is quite interesting the majority of the Founding Fathers were members of the Church of England and transferred their national church identity to what became the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States.  Like Henry VIII and Thomas Cranmer, they saw the need for a national church.  Not a captive arm of the government, but a link to God for the people of the nation.

We hold our Independence Day dear to our hearts and it is one of our religious feasts or holidays.  A proper Red Letter Day!

The Independence Day Propers are found on Page 263-264.

 

Independence Day.

[July 4.]

The Collect.

 

O

 ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle comes from the Tenth Chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy beginning at the Seventeenth Verse: 

 

T

HE LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen..

 

Today’s Gospel started in the Fifth Chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew beginning at the Forty-Third Verse: 

 

J

ESUS said, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees – 2 July 2021, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

 

    

T

HEN Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?        (Matt 16:5-11)

 

            How are we to understand this passage? It bears both doctrinal meaning against legalism, as well as an implied meaning of the symbolic use of the element of unleavened bread in the Communion Service.Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.  (Matt 16:12) The symbol should bear the nature of that which is symbolized.

 

Have you wondered why we use the thin unleavened wafers in the Communion Service? It is the same bread as the matzo bread used in the traditional Hebrew Passover service except for the grid stripes and piercings: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced,and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son,   (Zech 12:10)  and and with his stripes we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5) The Jews do not realize the significance of these two symbols in their unleavened matzo bread. But their entire Passover Service points directly to Christ as the Lamb of God and the Lamb of the Passover. 

 

            In Scripture, leaven almost always represents sin and false doctrine. Most biblical scholars admit that the bread our Lord served in His last supper was unleavened, but insist it doesn’t matter if we use leavened or unleavened bread in the communion. I disagree. But I know for certain that it is not wrong to use the same symbol of bread our Lord used (unleavened). 

 

            But more than the symbolic nature of leaven in bread, our Lord points to the impurities of doctrine added by the legalistic Pharisees. Pure doctrine of the Gospel is not puffed up above its clear meaning. Though it requires obedience to the Law, it nonetheless empowers obedience thereof through the agency of LOVE. Perfect obedience to the Law (an impossibility) is not possible without love (see 1 Cor 13). Love combines grace and mercy to justice under the Law through the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.

 

            One great error of the ministry is to preach above the understanding of the people. Though the vocabulary may impress, meaning may be lost in obscurity. Our Lord followed a tried and proven approach to teaching of which we termed with the acronym in the military as KISS – Keep it Simple, Stupid. The Lord taught in the simplest and most tender of language. Only the presumed sophistication of the Pharisees either did not understand or chose not to understand.

 

            Many of the modern churches of the day have added the same impurity of leaven (false doctrine) to worship. Instead of being the salt and light of the world to bring men to holiness, they have adopted the ways of the world in both preaching and worldly music. Instead of carrying the Gospel into the world, they have brought the ways of the world into the Gospel. Instead of preaching the evils of sin, they have actually adopted sin as a means of pleasing itching ears. They have taken the gold of Egypt and transformed it into a Golden Calf to be worshipped as an idle. These are your modern Pharisees and Sadducees that corrupt reverential worship and truth. You can find these beggars of filthy lucre every early morning hour of TV soliciting phenomenal donations of the widow’s last mite. Solution: prove every word by the Bible itself. As my father taught me, always drink from the spring’s source and never downstream of the herd where the hands and men and feet of beasts have spoiled the waters. 

 

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:9) and, We ought to obey God rather than men.   (Acts 5:29)