AOC Sunday Report – Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Happy Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

We have excellent sermons today from Bishop Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Bryan is recovering nicely from his bypass surgery.  We have no sermon from Bishop Jerry today, he had some things he had to take care of after church and was not able to prepare the summary.  Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/WmGJMbco6wU

The Collects often are repetitive, in that we pretty much ask the same thing week after week.  Why is that?  We have the same failings and frailty week after week. We are asking Him to make us want to follow Him that we might gain the prize which He promised.  Paul ppoints out if we do not change, we will be drawn to the wide downhill road towards the pit and away from the narrow uphill trail towards the summit of heaven.  When Luke tells us of Jesus and the ten lepers whom He heals and only one expresses thanks, do you think he is only telling of lepers? It is a metaphor for us. When things go wrong, we often blame God. When things go right, oh weren’t we so clever?  It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.

There are always a lot of people who desire your prayer, this is no exception.  Please pray for Mr. Kim, Tricia, Shamu, Zachary, Laurie and work out from there.

The United States of America and the world in general does not seem to be headed in a direction congruent with the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The only thing that can save us all is the only person who can save each of us.  If you cannot see this, it is an indication you need to open your heart to God; get help from the Holy. Ghost.  ASK and ye shall receive. 

Have a superb week ahead.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity - Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon – With Video

  

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/WmGJMbco6wU

 

The Collects often are repetitive, in that we pretty much ask the same thing week after week. Why is that?  We have the same failings and frailty week after week. We are asking Him to make us want to follow Him that we might gain the prize which He promised.  Paul ppoints out if we do not change, we will be drawn to the wide downhill road towards the pit and away from the narrow uphill trail towards the summit of heaven.  When Luke tells us of Jesus and the ten lepers whom He heals and only one expresses thanks, do you think he is only telling of lepers? It is a metaphor for us. When things go wrong, we often blame God. When things go right, oh weren’t we so clever?  It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.

The Propers for today are found on Page 209-210, with the Collect first:

 

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

 

The Collect.

 

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LMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Epistle came from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, the Fifth Chapter beginning at the Sixteenth Verse.  Paul tells  us that Heaven and Earth are in conflict in our lives, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”  If we are led of the Spirit, we are not under the law.  If we are subject to the law, which we are bound to break due to our own inability to be ultimately good, we are also bound to the pit.  But if we are with Christ, we are forgiven of our sins, providing we are truly repentant.  We will enjoy “the fruit of the Spirit … love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

 

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 say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

 

Today’s Holy Gospel began in the Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke, beginning at the Eleventh Verse.  Jesus comes upon ten lepers who appeal to Him,  “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”  He does and tells them, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.”  As they left him, their leprosy disappeared.  One of the ten, “when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan[1].”  Jesus marveled at the nine who turned not saying, “Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”  Once again a Samaritan, the “least” among the Jews was the only one to recognize and offer thanks to the Power of God.  Do we recognize the power of God in our lives and do we thank Him for the good He does us? 

 

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ND it came to pass, as Jesus went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

 

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[1] Samaritan - Of or pertaining to Samaria, in Palestine. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Samaria; also, the language of Samaria. [1913 Webster]

  Samaritans were descendants of those who had stayed behind during the Captivity and had been separated for many years from the body of Judaism.  They had not developed, nor did they subscribe to them, all the rules the Jews managed to invent during their separation.  The main body of Jews viewed them as lesser peoples, not really Jews. 

Sermon – Reverend Jack Arnold - Time and Action

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon can be viewed on video HERE ->https://youtu.be/WmGJMbco6wU

 

Today’s sermon tied the Collect, Epistle and Gospel together and talked, as is oft the case, of the need for action, not simply diction.

 

Today we consider The Law and how it failed to solve the problems of the people it was designed to help and think about how getting around technicalities is different than doing what is right.

 

Consider the words of the Collect, “…give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love that which thou dost command …”

 

The Collects often are repetitive, in that we pretty much ask the same thing week after week.  Why is that?  We have the same failings and frailty week after week. We are asking Him to make us want to follow Him that we might gain the prize which He has promised us.  That prize is eternal life which begins when we accept it, not when we die. We need to realize this fact and adjust our lives accordingly. We have to shift our focus from the short term to the ultra-long term (i.e, eternal) view of our actions. This will help us to become better spiritual stewards of the gifts which God has bestowed upon us.  And once more we ask God to help us want what He wants for us not what we want for ourselves.

 

We are praying for the increase of faith, hope and love, so we can maintain that course guidance.  Just like Paul says, if we do not have these qualities in us, it is impossible for us to stay on course. We need these qualities if we are to stay on our course on that narrow uphill trail towards heaven. It is impossible to navigate this trail without those qualities. And we do not obtain these qualities from ourselves, but from the Holy Ghost. We need to listen to Him in order to stay on course. Not just listen to what He says then go off and do what we want to do. He is our infallible navigation aid. He will never fail us. The problem lies more in us failing Him. But with His Help and Guidance we will succeed. To succeed, there must be change on our part, modification of our behavior to follow Him. It requires actual action. This is the constant of Christian living that is unavoidable. 

 

Paul lists out the actions that are the works of those who are still under the influence of this world or the flesh, i.e fornication, heresies, strife, envying etc. If we are truly people of God, then we will not have those qualities and will do our best to quell them. These are qualities that will draw us towards the wide downhill road towards the pit and away from the narrow uphill trail towards the summit of heaven. Those are all qualities that make us worse human beings and draw us further away from God and not nearer to Him. Then he lists out the qualities of those who are of the spirit, long suffering, peacefulness, good faith, gentleness meekness etc. These are the qualities that if we let the Holy Ghost into our hearts we will heave.

 

It is only by having the qualities of faith, hope and charity that we are able to follow God and do to His Will. Without the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we will be unable to have these qualities and have less happier lives. We have to make the effort to let the Holy Ghost in and shine his light in our hearts and drive out the bad qualities and let the good qualities in. The good qualities will not only help us to serve God, but make us a lot more pleasant human beings to be around.

 

These qualities will improve not just our spiritual but our physical lives immensely. The bad qualities can take a toll on our physical body not just our spiritual selves. The good qualities will do the opposite, will have a positive effect on our physical body and spiritual selves. These good qualities will have a rejuvenation effect on us. It is in our best interest to do our best to follow God, and we will not only help Him by doing so, but helping our selves at the same time.

 

In order to perform action actions to serve Him, we need the Holy Ghost. However, the question is who will listen to the Holy Ghost? The only people who listen are those who are in need, hurt, pain and despair.  Often it is because they, or one of their loved ones, are ill or injured, perhaps near death.  Perhaps they are unemployed or undergoing some family upheaval.  Their situation is less than perfect.  They need help and they know it.  In their own mind, they are the Samaritans of this world. It is no accident Jesus’ parables and stories center on actions, not words, thoughts and meditations.  We need to retrain ourselves to ask for His Help before we are in need, pain or despair. The Holy Ghost can help us retrain ourselves, if we will but let Him in. Actions show who you truly are. Actions show the world who you follow, God or Mammon. You are not truly be a believer if you don’t act for Him. Without action, there is nothing. The key driving principle behind his parables are actions for Him, are those of goodness, not of evil.  Those who believe on me keep my commandments.  

 

Actions!

 

Yet, those who turn to God in “need” are no different than each of us.  To quote Paul, “None are perfect, all fall short.”  We, each and every one of us, need God’s help.  Perhaps some need it more, none need it less.

 

When Luke tells us of Jesus and the ten lepers whom He heals and only one expresses thanks, do you think he is only telling of lepers? It is a metaphor for us. When things go wrong, we often blame God. When things go right, oh weren’t we so clever?  All too often, when God assists us, we do not turn back to Him in thanks, but merely go on our way and credit ourselves for being so smart. One of the lessons is that when God helps us in our lives, we should always take the time to give thanks to Him who helped us and created us.

 

 

Through our Lord, God is there for each of us if we will accept His help.  When He gives that help, how do we react?  Frankly most of us just think it our due.  We oft fail to give thanks for all that He gives us.

 

When we get an answer we don’t expect, do we thank Him?  What if we get an answer?  Do we thank Him?

 

Like the lepers only one in ten will show thanks for the mercy and help given them.  Rarely do people give thanks for large efforts done to help them. We must endeavor to be grateful for Him and for all of those who strive hard to help us out in our times of need.  In the case of the lepers, it was the Samaritan[1], showing that fancy dress and rules are not as important as doing what is right and being grateful for what we are given.

 

Are you part of that 10 percent?

 

Remember, it is Please and Thank You that are the magic words, not Please and I don’t have time for you. 

 

Heaven is at the end of an uphill trail.  The easy downhill trail does not lead to the summit.

 

The time is now, not tomorrow.  The time has come, indeed.  How will you ACT?

 

It is by our actions we are known.

 

Be of God - Live of God - Act of God

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[1] Samaritan - Of or pertaining to Samaria, in Palestine. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Samaria; also, the language of Samaria. [1913 Webster]

 

Samaritans were descendants of those who had stayed behind during the Captivity and had been separated for many years from the body of Judaism.  They had not developed, nor did they subscribe to them, all the rules the Jews managed to invent during their separation.  The main body of Jews viewed them as lesser peoples, not really Jews.

Two Epic Events of Christ – 8 September 2023, Anno Domini

 

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ND there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. ⁷ Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. ⁹ When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, ¹⁰ And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (John 2:6-10)

 

            It is likely only Mary perceived the grandeur of the miracle at Cana. This was a wedding celebration, and these were held in the highest esteem of the people. They often lasted for many days. Wine symbolizes the warmth and joy of the Holy Spirit in points of Scripture. The best wine of the house was usually served first for the guests, and when many had well partaken of the best, the inferior was then served to the oblivion of the celebrants. 

 

            Quite noteworthy is the fact this is the first miracle of our Lord, and He chose a wedding celebration to perform it. This defines the exalted esteem in which God considers the institution of marriage which was also the first that He instituted between one man and one woman back in Eden.

 

            In order to eliminate any perception of subterfuge, our Lord had the servants fill the water jugs to the very brim with water. His act of kindness to the wedding company was not in part but in whole. He saved the family of the couple great shame and dishonor. The best wine was saved for last because the wine of the Holy Spirit is free of any impurities. I believe we could compare that wine to the Oil of the Spirit which each of us receives at conversion, and it is the BEST!

 

            I do not consider it coincidental the next great event of our Lord’s ministry was to cleanse the Temple of the money-changers who had made the House of the Lord a den of thieves.  The money-changers and merchandisers still inhabit the portals and enclaves of the modern church. That next event is revealed in the remaining verses of John 2 beginning at the 12^th verse.  When Jesus entered the Temple, He ¹⁴ . .  found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: ¹⁵  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; ¹⁶  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.   (John 2:14-16)

 

            Why do you suppose these were the first two major events of our Lord’s ministry? How are they related? Do you recall the Institution of Marriage was the first our Lord instituted? What was the 2^nd and only other institution? If you answered ‘the Church’, you receive a gold star, for that is exactly the case.

 

            The Institution of Marriage is sacred in the eyes of the Lord for it represents the more profound 2^nd institution of the Church. The Church is the Bride of Christ which is foreshadowed and symbolized in the relationship of marriage between one man and one woman. The woman must be faithful to her husband whose love is exemplified in his willingness to lay down his life for her – a picture of our Lord’s purchase of the Church:

 

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IVES, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (Ephesians 5:22-28)

 

            The first miracle Christ performed at the Marriage Ceremony at Cana of Galilee represents His esteem for that first institution of God at Eden – marriage between one man and one woman. 

 

            The second event of the Lord’s earthly ministry of the cleansing of the Temple demonstrates His high regard for the Lord’s second institution of the Church. As the Bride of Christ, it must remain pure and undefiled of the world. Christ is the Man whose Bride is the Church. To corrupt that relationship of Christ as the Bridegroom and the Church as the Bride is a defilement of such enormous proportions as to be labelled an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. It is for this reason the satanic forces of the world attack the institution of marriage with such vehemence. It is not only an attack on traditional marriage, but upon the Church itself to defile and corrupt it beyond recognition. This is the shameful issue of our day and one we must stand against.

Mysteries of the Kingdom – 7 September 2023, Anno Domini

 

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ND the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? ¹¹ He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.    (Matthew 13:10-11)

 

            Our introductory text raises a serious issue concerning our understanding of the Holy Scriptures: How is it that we came to understand the Gospel and its deeper channels of life-giving waters while others seem to have no understanding whatsoever? Just as it is not enough to superficially understand the meaning of theorems and formulae of mathematics, we must, as well, be able to apply them to the practical solving of problems; so, must we not simply have a mental comprehension of the meaning of Scripture, but how to apply its benefits in life by a heart comprehension of its meaning to us. These mysteries are revealed by the Holy Spirit in our studies.

 

            It is important to note this understanding is not acquired by a superior intelligence or behavior, but it is a gift of God: “ . . .  Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” There is more than one purpose for the study of Scripture. For some, it is a matter of gaining acceptance and prestige in the church social setting. For others, it may be a means of persuading the Church to ordain as ministers for the unfortunate purpose of making money and deriving a living therefrom. But for others, there is a change made in the heart that imparts a knowledge of their need for a Redeemer and a thirst to learn of His saving graces. 

 

This change occurs as a result of the quickening impulse of the Holy Ghost deep in the unseen chambers of the heart. It is a life-imparting gift of God that we are awakened from the sleep of death in our transgressions and made alive to hear the Voice that calls us to arise: “1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”  (Ephesians 2:1-3)

 

Though the mysteries of the portals of salvation are made very clear to the new convert, there remain mysteries to be uncovered to reveal the beauty and glory of the One who died for us. This is an increasing revelation of mysteries to sanctify and edify our deep love for our Lord. Salvation itself is a gift of grace and not of merit or works: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Once we have been made alive in the spiritual grace of God, our love and gratitude compels us to search the Scriptures daily, and more deeply, in order to comprehend the width, the depth, and the wideness of God’s love. As we know Him more, we more aptly reflect His image of which we are intended to reflect. As Matthew Henry has well said:

 

“Not of yourselves. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any  natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast. These things are not brought to pass by anything done by us, and therefore all boasting is excluded; he who glories must not glory in himself, but in the Lord. There is no room for any man's boasting of his own abilities and power; or as though he had done anything that might deserve such immense favors from God.”  

 

            We see mysteries every day of which we are not even aware. But to those who are given the insight, these mysteries reveal wonderful truths across many broad horizons. In my home city of Enterprise, Alabama, the weather is subject to violent storms at times. When a tornado has been detected on the radar, a siren sounds loudly throughout the city. If one is not accustomed to this warning, they could be caught in the open and perish as a result. But the informed resident will know to seek cover. If we see a statue of a military figure on a horse, we may fail to grasp the meaning that the statue conveys to those who understand military statuary. If the horse is rearing, it means the rider died in battle. If the horse is standing with one hoof lifted, it means the rider later died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse is standing with all fours on the ground, it means the rider died of natural causes. So, knowing that, we may understand something about every such statue.

 

            The mysteries of the Bible will never be completely revealed to us until we go to the Lord on the Last Day; however, as we love Him more, and study His Word with diligence, He reveals more and more of His mysteries to us. It is good that we can never learn all mysteries of God else we would grow bored of study. Study strengthens us and gives us life, and it is not restricted to merely hearing a weekly sermon, but DAILY.

Four Roads of Destiny – 6 September 2023, Anno Domini

 

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ND an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isaiah 35:8)

 

            I am addressing four different roads of the Bible in this devotion though there are many more in addition. Actually, life itself is a road that leads to one of two destinies – the Narrow Road to the Gates of Heaven, or to the only other destination, the arches of Hell. That Road of Life has many tributaries, and I intend to describe four of them, the Roads to:

 

·      Jericho

·      Emmaus

·      Calvary (via Dolorosa)

·      Damascus

 

Each are distinctive in many points and, yet, similar in others.

 

Road to Jericho

Our first Road of note is to Jericho from Jerusalem. It is a parable of our Lord that lays out the ultimate and perfect example of the duties and compassions of a Christian – one which very well illustrates the character of our Lord and His love for us. A Jewish man is robbed on the downward road from Jerusalem and left for dead. His own people deny any assistance to him – even religious workers, but a Samaritan, whom the Jews hated, came up the road and saw the man and cared for him with all the compassion a human heart could muster. He even allowed the man to ride on his own beast as he carried him to a familiar inn. He continued to care for the man at the inn not simply dumping him as a burden to the inn-keeper. Still having pressing business in Jerusalem, he pays the inn-keeper two day’s pay to continue caring for the man and, if more was required, he would pay him more on his return. This truly outlines the ways that love and compassion compel God’s people to follow the example of the Savior. The Samaritan declares that he is coming again just like our Lord Jesus Christ will do after leaving His Church in the hands of His ministers and people. This is the Road of Love and Compassion that characterizes every person that bears his cross and follows Christ.

 

Road to Emmaus

            Our next Road is that of the Road to Emmaus on which two disheartened disciples sorrowfully walked on the first day of the week following the crucifixion of their Lord. What could have been more devastating to these two than to see their expectation and hopes dashed in a single day by such a dastardly deed as the crucifixion. They were devastated and forlorn. Had they believed his words of prophecy concerning Himself, their sorrow would not have been abated. In their state of mind, all hope was gone and nothing remained for them. It is at such times of hopeless despair that the Lord is closest – as a matter of fact, walking right beside them. He counseled the two of all things written of Him in Holy Scripture. Arriving at their home, they insisted that He come into their homes and “abide” with them. At the breaking of bread, their eyes were opened to know Him as their resurrected Lord. The same happens every day to some disheartened Christian for whom the Lord opens new life and vision. This is the Road of Revelation.

 

Via Dolorosa

            The next is the Via Dolorosa, or the Road of Sorrows on which the Lord carried His cross to Golgotha. It is the Road of seemingly greatest despair to the blinded mind; yet, this Road assured us of the greatest hope of all for redemption in Christ and a life eternal with Him. It was a necessary Road which not only led to the cross, but to the grave – to resurrection and ascension - making the same possible for us who having also taken up our crosses and followed on the same Road of Self-denial and Sacrifice. This is the Road of Sacrifice.

 

Road to Damascus

            Our last Road is that of the Road to Damascus on which Saul of Tarsus embarked on a mission to destroy the churches of Damascus and bring the members in chains to Jerusalem for condemnation to the same fate as Stephen. In fact, Saul (Paul) had been the perpetrator of that stoning of Stephen. Saul was knocked to the ground and blinded by the Light of Christ. He had to be blinded before He could see with spiritual eyes – haven’t we all! It was the Road of Calling for Saul whom the Lord renamed Paul. It is good that the Lord gave him a new name else he would have born the unbearable shame of past deeds to the grave. He will give all a new name written on a white stone in glory so that no one can attach any sinful report to us. Most of us have experienced this profound awakening to the call of God like that of Saul. We will call this the Road of Calling.

 

            We are subject to traveling these roads, but the two that are essential are that of the Good Samaritan and the Road of Sacrifice and Mercy. But all are tributaries to that sparkling River of Life.

 

            Each must be found on the Narrow Way that leads up or else shall suffer the fate of their fellow travelers on the road that leads to destruction.

Hymns of the Church - I know who holds tomorrow – 5 September 2023, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

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HE ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  (Luke 12:15-21)

 

This Gospel song was written in 1883 by its author Ira F. Stanphill. It begins with the Mortals’ lack of certainty of future days but ends with the certainty of God’s perfect knowledge and wisdom. It is not a classic hymn in its character since it is more representative of a personal testimony rather than the application of God’s Word to all singers. It reveals a life of faith from a personal standpoint. Of course, such faith can be shared with others as an example to benefit those who are facing difficult circumstances.

 

I know who holds tomorrow

 

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain:

Many things about tomorrow,

I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand.

 

Every step is getting brighter,

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter;

Every cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye,

At the ending of the rainbow,

Where the mountains touch the sky. 

[Refrain]

 

I don't know about tomorrow,

It may bring me poverty;

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion,

May be through the flame or flood,

But His presence goes before me,

And I'm covered with His blood. 

[Refrain]

 

            1 I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don't borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. I don't worry o'er the future, For I know what Jesus said, And today I'll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead. At the human level, who can know with certainty what tomorrow, or much less, the next minute may hold? But we have the author of time and truth as our Lord and Master who knows the future as well as He knows all things past. A passenger from New York may board an ocean liner with a destination of Tokyo. The passenger has no idea of what course to sail or what conditions to expect on the high seas, but the Captain of the ship knows, and it is in his knowledge and skill that the passenger puts his trust. The Church is like that ship and we are merely passengers who have placed outrtrust in the skill and knowledge of our Captain who is also Maker of the Seas. There will not always be smooth seas on such a long voyage of life, but rest assured, the Master of the Sea can deal with all uncertain waters. It is enough to walk with Him when we know not the way, for He surely does for He is the WAY.

 

            2 Every step is getting brighter, As the golden stairs I climb; Every burden's getting lighter; Every cloud is silver lined. There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye, At the ending of the rainbow, Where the mountains touch the sky. The walk of the awakened Christian is into ever-increasing Light. Remember, the Narrow Way leads up to the very Gates of Light and Love. As we gain our higher ground, the gravitational pull of the world grows less and less until, at the moment of earthly death, we break the bonds of earthly bondage, reach escape velocity, and travel the ether between the world and Heaven as the Light beckons. It is true that every cloud has a silver lining to the believer, and a treasure will be found at the end of the true Rainbow of God – not the counterfeit six-striped so-called pride rainbow. God’s Rainbow is seven-colored representing the fulness of God’s Creation – six represents the frail power of man. 

 

            3 I don't know about tomorrow, It may bring me poverty; But the one who feeds the sparrow, Is the one who stands by me. And the path that be my portion, May be through the flame or flood, But His presence goes before me, And I'm covered with His blood. Poverty can pose no degradation to the soul whose heart is stayed on God. Only a Christian can be poor and wealthy at the same time. As the old adage goes, He who has much wealth and Jesus Christ, has no more than he who has Christ alone. As David the King has proclaimed, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:25) The Children of Israel followed the Lord in the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire through the depths of the Red Sea, and the Three Children followed Him through the fires of Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace and emerged unharmed. So may we walk under such threats as long as we walk with the One who has power over flame and flood. 

 

Refrain

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand; But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand. The world is oblivious to the power of the Might Hand which upholds the believer and directs the affairs of nations. It is a Hand that never let’s go. Regardless of the challenges which arise in our lives from day to day, none can break the grip of that Mighty Hand.

AOC Sunday Report – Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

 

Happy Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity!

AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

Today we have really excellent sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Bishop Jerry discusses the Gospel, one of the more memorable, The Good Samaritan, a term used in conversation and a legal term.  If you read this sermon, you will understand not only the origin of the term, but what it really means.  More than that what being a Christian actually means.  Action, not Diction is what counts.  If you really ARE one, you have no choice but to BE one in ACTION when the time arises.  You have no choice but to DO your duty.  You will not see a choice, you will not see an option.  Also, as an aside, never ask a question in public to which you do not know the answer.  Bishop Jerry normally has very good sermons at the worst. But, this one is truly exceptional.  I beg you take the time to read it.  

Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video HERE -> https://youtu.be/X8YKlcRcVwk

 

In the Collect, we acknowledge His greatest gift is we are, through Him, able to give Him true service.  For, it must be understood the only way we can really be happy is when we align our being with His Being.  In his epistle, Paul tells us we must be truly aligned, not trying to get around by using loopholes. By truly aligned, we mean actively trying to follow God and His Will and Scripture and not sitting there thinking of ways we can get around what God wants us to do.  In the Gospel. Jesus points out the only really important rules come from:

 

1.     Love thy God with all thy heart and soul and mind;

2.     Love thy neighbor as thyself. 

 

Jesus presented the story of the injured man helped by the Samaritan, then asked, Who was neighbor to the injured man?

It all comes together, read or listen and find out how.

We always have a lot of people who need your prayer, today is not the exception to that rule.  Please start with Mr. Kim, Amy and Matt, Tricia, Shamu, Laurie and work out from there.

If you are having trouble seeing a good week ahead or deciding what to do in a particular circumstance, perhaps you need to look to God for help. He has this fellow who will help you out. All you have to do is ask. The Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost. Open your heart to Him and the way forward will be clear; that narrow, difficult to find upward path will become bright as day.

Have an EPIC week ahead.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America