AOC Sunday Report - Eleventh Sunday after Trinity

Happy Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.  Is it just me or does the Endless Green Season really go on forever?  Anyway,  the AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE, or by clicking on the picture at the top.

We have exceptional sermons today, oddly enough from the same lectionary, from Bishops Jerry and Roy and Revs Jack and Bryan.  Each is remarkably different and interesting.  I particularly enjoyed Jack's, perhaps because though I read all of them, I also got to listen to his.  Anyway, like always they come with a double your money back guarantee.

There are a lot of people who crave your prayer, please start with Amy and her family whose dad Bill died late Wednesday night, and Bob whose broken arm is healing after surgery while he is fighting off cancer and Shamu whose fight is legendary, work out from there.  Don't forget to pray for our respective governments as they either fight for or against our peoples and God in this manufactured pandemic.

There is a wonderful week ahead, but you will never see it without God's freely given grace through  the operation of the Holy Ghost.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

Sermon Notes - Eleventh Sunday after Trinity - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - 23 August 2020, Anno Domini

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

O

 GOD, who declarest thy almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Collect for the 11^th Sunday after Trinity is beautiful as it is in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; however, the wording was changed by the revisers of the 1662 and 1928 Prayer Books. The change made from the original wording of the Gelasian Collect as accurately translated by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer makes the prayer more legalistic than graceful. The change occurs in the second clause of the prayer: Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments. The translation of that phrase by Cranmer made our reception of grace a matter of mercy and pity on God’s part (there is no OTHER part): Give unto us abundantly thy grace, that we, running to thy promises, etc, etc.  This restores the grant of grace back into the Hands that are the only ones capable of giving it. I will always prefer to run to the promises of God rather than to His Commandments though I love His Law.

Cranmer and the English Reformers wove the lectionary together brilliantly to reflect the wide expanse of God’s consistent plan for man and his salvation from the Books of the Law, History,  Poetry, Prophets (Major & Minor), to the beauty and profundity of those truths laid out and extended in the New Testament. The Old Testament mirrors our inability to earn our salvation by way of perfect obedience and, so, the Law is a curse to us. Perhaps this is why God ends His Old Testament books with the word curse:  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Mal 4:6)  So, also, does the Gospel text for today (Luke 18:9-14) fit nicely with God’s desire to see hearts thrown upon the throne of grace and mercy (as was that of the publican) rather than, as the Pharisee, lifted up in prideful boasting and self-righteousness.

If there was any great truth re-established by the great Reformers of England, and Luther of Germany, was the fact that we are not saved by the good works of our hands, but by GRACE alone! 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. (Eph 2:8-9) Martin Luther fairly nailed the matter when he said, Woeful sinners like you and me are justified – made righteous – by our faith in Jesus Christ. Neither good works nor the intercession of other sinful men can save us from God’s just wrath. Christ is our intercessor. 

The Epistle

1 Corinthians xv. 1.

B

RETHREN, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

The Gospel

St. Luke xviii. 9.

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ND he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:9-14)

            Once more, the Prayer of Collect calls us to dependence upon mercy and grace rather than a reliance on the work of our own hands. For it is by grace that we are saved and not of our works. The Epistle of the Day complements both the Prayer of Collect and the Gospel reading in its revelation of grace as being the sole agent of labor in the ministry of Paul, and of all who call upon the Name of the Lord.

            The parable is essentially about worshippers – two kinds: the kind who worship in pride and believe themselves better than others; and the humble worshipper who comes seeking the continual mercy and grace of God.

I have preached and written often on the Gospel passage from Luke 18 - of the Pharisee and the publican. But with each visit to this account of Christ, my heart is stirred in new and mysterious ways in seeing its beauty and truth. 

            This parable was spoken in the closing days of our Lord’s earthly ministry. The lesson Jesus teaches is one that is hard for man to grasp when viewed through the eyes of the flesh. If we can grasp the point of this parable, it must be through the eyes of the Spirit and of the humble heart. The purpose of the account is presented in its opening line: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Do any here trust that they are righteous? If so, we are not unlike the hypocritical Pharisee about whom Christ speaks. Before we can ever be saved, we must first recognize that we are hopelessly lost and unable to save ourselves – it is upon the Mercy Seat of God that we must cast our appeal for deliverance. If we believe that the Scriptures are true – and we MUST – there is none righteous. There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10-12) While it is true that none may enter heaven under the condemnation of sin, it is also true that God has provided a means whereby we may be accounted righteous – that is through the redeeming and atoning blood of Jesus Christ! The PRIDEFUL will be the most difficult to understand that they can never earn their salvation by doing good works since even GOOD WORKS are sin to the unsaved.

            All who do not know Christ are truly walking dead, or, as Boris Karloff would claim - ZOMBIES!  Have you ever been dead and required resuscitation? Have you been dead and brought back to the land of the living? If you know Christ as your Lord and Savior, surely, you were once dead and are now made alive. Read these verses from Ephesians 2: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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. (Eph 2:1-2) and But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:4-6) So now, the question I asked earlier takes on a deeper and more significant meaning, doesn’t it? Have you, friend, been dead and made alive? Pride makes it very hard to admit that we were, indeed, dead in time past. A dead person can do nothing to help themselves for they are DEAD. Only the revitalizing and life-giving Spirit of God can make a DEAD person live! So we can do nothing to save ourselves – it is a work of Grace through Faith!

            So we come to the example of two men who have come to the Temple for the same reason – to pray. 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. These two men represent the whole of the professing church today. One of these men is a fancy-dresser and a hypocrite. The other is a sin-laden and humble publican. They both have come to the RIGHT place for the RIGHT purpose, but there is a difference that separates the two through which you could drive Napoleon’s army. To all appearance, the Pharisee is a devout and righteous fellow, but there is a darkness about him that lies unrevealed to the observer – it is a heart that is ‘full of itself’ and not of Christ! Each man prays, but the prayers are vastly different. Let us read on:

            11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Though it is not stated specifically, the impression is that the Pharisee stood with proud posture. His words reveal truly his self-pride. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Matt 6:5) Notice how the Pharisee prays: prayed thus with himself. His prayer never got any higher than the pit of the heart from which it sprang. He prayed just as many professed Christians pray today – to be heard of men, not to be heard of God. And WHAT did the Pharisee pray? God, I thank thee. This is well and good. I believe if some of our prayers ended at the salutation, they might be more Godly. But WHAT did the Pharisee thank God for? . . . I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Oh, I see! Thank God that we are so very good and pious! It would seem that God needs to forgive nothing in this Pharisee since he is so righteous, but wait! There is none righteous but God! So, regardless of his personal faith, something, in the eyes of the Pharisee, makes this publican, and all men, less righteous than himself. What is it? It is a smug religious self-righteousness that has prevailed in the prideful hearts of lost men from Cain until our own day – especially, our own day! NO one is as good as pretty, innocent, little-old ME! Just look at my clean washen hands and noble posture. 

            Unfortunately to his own soul, the Pharisee is not finished damning himself in the eyes of God for he continues: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Though this may be true, it is a false righteousness. He is boasting of that false righteousness. Jesus has clearly counseled on the ways in which we must fast: Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Matt 6:16-18) The moment we boast of our righteous acts, they become egregious sins! This Pharisee, like many of his fellows and Christians today, was a flaming hypocrite! But to those standing by, it is perhaps true that he was regarded as more righteous in the eyes of the crowd. Do you pray to the crowd or to God? Do you live unto Him, or unto THEM? How long do you labor for the fancy words to impress the listening crowd?

            Now comes the prayer of a man who knew he was unworthy of the mercies of God – just as none of us are worthy! He came with a very pitiful opinion of himself, but a mighty high opinion of God! He is a man hated by the people for his perceived collusion with Rome as a tax collector. He is considered, along with Zacchaeus, as the scum of the earth, before Christ! He does not dare come so near the Temple as the ‘honorable’ Pharisee – And the publican, standing afar off. So he stands back at a respectful distance – not daring to set his foot upon the Holy ground that he believes surrounds the Temple. May I suggest that all approach God from a far off place for it is not our nature to be Holy? We return like the Prodigal Son – from a far country into the loving arms of the Father. This publican has missed the ‘self-esteem-building classes’ of our modern public schools. He esteems himself as nothing, and he regards God as the All-in-All! How can any sinner approach God in any other way? Would that the Pharisee could have followed the example of the publican!

            What was the outward attitude of the publican? Was it prideful and boastful? Would any person, raised up in the pride of their persons, come to God as does this publican? Observe his approach and plaintive cry: . . . . would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. He makes no DEMAND of God as is so common in the modern charismatic services. He was in deep mourning for his sins. He was not good enough to look God in the eye. His sins had become an intolerable burden from which he desperately sought relief. Our Lord had this poor man, and you and me, in mind when He said: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)

            Please note the object of the publican’s prayer as opposed to the prideful boast of the Pharisee: God be merciful to me a sinner . He asks for NOTHING more than MERCY and Grace! Because he was humble and sincere, he uttered the very words which were entirely in the Holy Will of the Lord to grant. A sincere prayer of repentance is ALWAYS heard by the Lord and answered. It is the only prayer an unforgiven sinner can utter that is heard in Heaven. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. (Psalms 66:18) Have you ever been so overburdened by your sin that this prayer was evoked from a heart full of pain?

            What is the effect of the two different prayers? Does God regard persons and their social status in hearing prayer? What of the poor bum on skid row who, slowly dying in his filth and misery suddenly sees a Light in Heaven and makes humble and desperate appeal thereto? Will God save the wretched sinner in his filth, and reject the dignified and proud boaster? See what Jesus says of the two: 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. So much for pomp and circumstance! The prayer of the Pharisee was heard where it was sent with himself but not by God. The publican, being a desperate sinner, had his prayer heard and answered. He was forgiven and justified! ….the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7)  . . . every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Once more, we see that PRIDE is the mother of all sins.

            Though there are many stark truths to inform us in this text, there is one that stands out foremost – the proper means of prayer! We may pray beautiful and sophisticated words, yet the pride that motivated them sink them to the depths of the sea. We may pray with utter simplicity out of a sincere heart, and these simple and unpolished jewels of prayer may rise to the ‘third heaven.’ Attitude is everything. If the sentiment is not in the heart, it will not find a genuine expression through the lips. 

            Are you resurrected in Christ today?

The Holy Spirit as a Seal – 21 August 2020, Anno Domini

N

EVERTHELESS the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.  (2 Timothy 2:19)

B

UT ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.   (Romans 8:9-11)

            The mysterious references to ‘Marks’ and ‘Seals’ of the book of Revelations become more clearly discerned in light of the two text at the top of this devotion. These are not physically imposed marks, seals, or computer chips, but define a state of judgment and acceptance in the mind. It is the frontal lobe of the brain in which judgments of right or wrong are comprehended. When the brain – the seat of the mind – is imbued with the Mind of Christ, that will constitute a seal of our faith in Christ and serve as the seal that identifies us as belonging to Him alone. Let me give you only two examples from Revelations –

The Mark

A

ND he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. This mark identifies those who accept in their judgments the authority of the beast over them (IN their foreheads) and whose works reflect that acceptance (IN their right hand).

            

The Seal

A

ND I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelations 7:2-3 Those saints belonging to the Lord have His SEAL IN their foreheads. They have taken upon themselves that Mind which was in our Lord Jesus Christ – 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 & 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

            Both the Mark and the Seal represent WHO we are and to whom we belong! If we belong to Christ, we have that Seal of Love for Him in our hearts and minds to determine our walk and path. If we belong to the other, we have a mark of unrighteous distinction in our hearts and minds to dictate our ways and to describe our rejection of righteousness in Christ.

            I have nothing more to say of the reprobate mark of the beast, but let us examine a bit more the nature of the SEAL more fully described in Keach’s Preaching from the Types and Metaphors of the Bible:

1.     In olden days, the seal of the king was highly valued and recognized as representing his full authority. It was carefully maintained and closely guarded. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is the King’s Seal, the King of Kings of Heaven and earth. It is highly valued by the Christian so sealed by the Holy Spirit of God.

2.     A manmade seal makes an impression in wax and leaves a resemblance there of itself. Likewise, the Holy Spirit Seal leaves an impression in the heart and soul that produces a resemblance to the One who placed it there and is represented by that Seal – our Lord Jesus Christ.

3.     A Seal, in producing an impression on wax, requires the wax to be made soft and pliable. The same is true of the Holy Spirit Seal – the heart must be made soft, broken, and made pliable by the efficacious working of the Spirit and the Word of God. The benefits of mercy and grace must fit the heart to receive that Seal. This is none of our own labors, but all of the Holy Ghost.

4.     Before the seal is applied to wax, it has an undefined form and is without a discernible image; but once the seal has made its impression, the wax takes on a clearly defined image. So is the human soul changed from a formless mass to that of the image of God when the Seal of God has impressed its image there. It becomes recognizable as belonging to our Lord and bears His image.

5.     The seal in business confirms a contract, covenant, or binding agreement between men. The Seal of the Holy Spirit certifies an acceptance of a covenant with God to obey and follow His direction and leading. The wax of God’s covenanting grace is comprised of the Wax of Love to which the Seal is applied and made manifest. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 119-22)

6.     A seal distinguishes between one and another in business. My seal, or signature, represents only my own interest and authority, while another represents his own. The Seal of the Holy Spirit distinguishes between those who are the Lord’s and those who remain outside the Gates of Mercy and Grace. The seal of man is uncertain. Even the seal of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, proved useless before the Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. But God’s Seal is certain: 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)

7.     No law has any obligation of obedience and is not authentic until it bears the seal of the sovereign authority. Our Lord Jesus Christ sealed our redemption at Calvary.  3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

8.     A seal is used to secure and keep safe many possessions of mankind. Jars of home-canned fruit must be sealed to preserve them edible. Utilities using water must be sealed to prevent leaks. Marriages are most often concluded and sealed with a kiss. The Seal of the Holy Spirit secures the elect and protects and preserves them to serve their fore-ordained purpose of God. 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Revelations 7:3)

9.     The human seal is sometimes counterfeited by unsavory men in order to deceive and ruin their victims. Satan, too, will often counterfeit the Holy Spirit to deceive many into believing a lie and causing them to act in the exact opposite way of God’s Holy will.  Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light and marks his false ministers with that same counterfeit of the spirit – yes, the devil is spiritual and acts through the spirit, but not that Spirit called Holy. But the very lives and actions of the Elect give evidence of the Seal in the hearts.

I conclude with an example of a true seal of God. The following is an account of the great minister of Scotland, Andrew Bonar: 

Well, my dear, and what is your name? he asked. The question was addressed to a returning medical missionary who was friends with Bonar’s sister. Christine, was her answer. What a lovely name! said the aged Bonar. You see, my dear, you have Christ in your name, but have you Christ in your heart? She was silent to that important personal question, but could not forget it. That night after a long talk with her brother, she flung wide open the door of her heart to the Savior, Christian living and faithful service and has shown by years of consistent living among the Edinburgh students, the reality of her decision.

Well, if you are a believer, you, too, have Christ in your name – you are called a Christ-ian. That means your master is Christ, and you bear His seal and name by your faith, your holiness, your compassion, and your love for others. 

When others see you, do they recognize that Seal as the likeness of Christ?

Captain of the Host – 20 August 2020, Anno Domini

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ND it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? * 15 And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15)

            Though some Bible scholars may disagree, I believe there is absolute biblical evidence to show this Captain of the Host of the Lord was none other than the pre-Incarnate Christ! Who else is presented in Scripture leading the Host of Heaven, and who else, as a man, is deserving of worship?

A

ND I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  (Revelation 19:11-16)

            Joshua was standing on the frontier of the city of Jericho perhaps assaying his battle plan to breach the tall walls that fortified the city. It is likely that Joshua’s plan would never materialize, for God had another plan which would have made no sense to Joshua. It was God who would bring the walls of Jericho down and not Joshua and his army.

            As the faithful Joshua surveyed the approaches to Jericho, he spied a stranger before him with sword drawn as for battle. Joshua was courageous and undaunted by the first glimpse of this figure, but he would later fall down and worship this image of God. He went right up to the man whose sword was drawn  (that took courage) and asked if he was friend or foe. The stranger’s answer was not directed to the choice Joshua offered, i.e., friend or foe, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. Man is feeble in character and resolution. God is not on any man’s side. No, if men will have the security and protection of the Lord, they must be on the Lord’s side! Christ is our Captain, and He will lead the Armies of Heaven on His return, not come as a humble little baby. He is our militant Captain, and the Captain of Mercy and Grace to us:

Y

OU made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour, and did set him over the works of your hands: 2:8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned wit h glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 2:11 For both he that santifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2:7-11)

Notice Joshua fell down and worshipped this figure (I say ‘figure’ because He was not mortal man). But worship is not acceptable to any other than God. We have two examples of the angel rebuking John the Revelator for kneeling in worship to him with the added counsel – worship God (only). 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit  of prophecy. And 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to wors hip before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. 22:9 Then says he unto me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.  (Revelations 22:8-9)

Another time came Moses to the environs of Mt. Horeb when he came across the Burning Bush. Notice the similarity of counsel from God in the Bush to that given Joshua by the Captain of the Host of the Lord: 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh here: put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stand is holy ground.  3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:2-6)

            Let us now examine the peculiar nature of the term used here – ‘CAPTAIN.’ This is a military term and suggests that militancy must also be practiced by the people of God. A Captain is a leader of men. In the American military, a Captain is a Commissioned officer. He is commissioned by the President of the United States to act in his capacity as a leader with the authority of the President. So is the minister and laity of the Church commissioned by God to act on His behalf as directed in the Great Commission: 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19 Go all of you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) This represents the apostolic commission which the Church has been remiss in following – either in works, or in truth.

            Likewise, our Lord Jesus Christ was commissioned by the Father for His earthly ministry: 12:48 He that rejects me, and receives not my words,  has one that judges him: the word (o. logos) that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.12:49 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. 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:48-50)

         As you can see, God delegated His work to His Son to fulfill according to the Councils of Heaven before the worlds were made. Jesus was faithful to His Father’s commandments in every tiny detail. Likewise, our Lord commissions us to act on His behalf in the world by carrying forth His message to every race, tongue and tribe of peoples scattered throughout the continents of the world and to the isles of the sea.

            I once had the privilege and honor to serve as a captain in the Army. One of my responsibilities as company commander was to keep an account of every soldier assigned on the muster rolls. A captain must know his men, and so does Christ know His followers. He, too, keeps a Muster Roll in Heaven. It is entitled the Lamb’s Book of Life in which every name of the faithful are inscribed. the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:3-5)  A good soldier follows his captain into any arena of combat. In fact, that is the Infantry Slogan at Fort Benning – ‘Follow Me!’

            Our Captain is a Warrior and a man of war. 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.Exodus 15:3; but He is also the Captain of our Salvation and the Bishop of our souls. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)

            Are you seeking to get the Lord on YOUR side; or do you seek to forever stand on the LORD’S side?

The Secret Place of the Most High – 19 August 2020, Anno Domini

 

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E that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.  9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;  (Psalm 91:1-9)

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OR in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)

            When we were very young, we never ran to the security of our house when a threat such as a mean dog or a loud thunderclap arose. What did we do? We always ran to our father’s side for we knew wherever our father was we would find comfort and safety. Our father was big and strong, and plenty able to defend us from every imaginable threat – or at least so we supposed. Certainly, our father would protect us to the utter extent of his strength, but there are many sorrows and fears that arise in life that are beyond the power of a mortal father to address. But there are no threats or dangers in this life that are beyond the power of our Father in Heaven to neutralize. He is our fortress, shield and buckler; and, yes, His wings are strong and broad in covering His children from all evils.

            In a sense, we enjoy even greater intimacy of protection than His wings. We abide in His Heart, and He abides in ours. No worldly power can enter in to threaten that abode in Christ. He does not sojourn as if a visitor, but He ABIDES in the Temples of our souls. This is the very Secret Place of the Most High – a place of security, joy, and hope of which the world cannot know or intrude.

            The 91^st Psalm is a psalm of encouragement throughout the long, dark night of our souls. It is preceded by a prayer of Moses (90th Psalm) which extolls our attention to our sins and the detriment they afford to our souls. That 90th Psalm sets the stage for our understanding of the wages of sin; and the 91st Psalm informs us the security that is made available in Christ where the penalty for sin has been satisfied by a Beautiful Savior and Redeemer.

            It is the Godly love instilled in every believer by the Holy Ghost that, like Christ, we should have compassion on sinners whose hope is forlorn and whose souls are dead in trespasses and sins. We can relate to that unfortunate state of the soul for we walked in the same darkness ere the Light of the World lighted our path and brightened our steps. The close and intimate relationship we enjoy in Christ defines that Secret Place of our souls. This is not merely addressed in many of the Psalms, but throughout the Bible. That which our Beloved Teacher, the Holy Spirit, wishes us to remember with certain soundness, he reiterates over and over again. Repetition aids recall is a principle of learning of which God is the Master Teacher.  9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah 28:9-10)

            It is within the hidden chambers of the heart the Holy Ghost makes His Temple at the moment of conversion. There is none stronger in protection and security – none able to satisfy the thirst and hunger of the soul with such complete grace and harmony of spirit.

            The outward appearance of piety may be deceiving. But the perfect representation of our Lord Jesus Christ is defined in the Wilderness Tabernacle. Within it was decorated in fine linens, silk, gold, silver, and burnished brass. But to the world viewing the Tabernacle from the outside, it was perhaps the most common in attraction of all structures – in fact, it was covered outside with goat hair. This presented a very plain and uncomely appearance compared to the beauty of the inner courts. This perfectly depicts our Lord whose outer appearance was common and ordinary, yet His divine Spirit and Soul was invested in beauty, compassion and love. 

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OR he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:2-7)

            There is an old Gospel song which asks: “Where  can I go but to the Lord?” The question is rhetorical since there is no other savior or redeemer to whom we may make appeal. He is the place of safety and our Ark of Salvation to which we must flee to avoid the coming day of wrath. As surely as that Ark of Noah rose higher and higher in the flood waters above the ruin and devastation below, so shall the believer in the Ark of Christ be lifted up in like manner on “the terrible day of the Lord.”  5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. (Psalm 27:5-7)

            Every home has a ‘secret place’ of meeting with God – the prayer closet. It may be an enclosed structure in the house, merely a veil of covering, or a quiet and solitary place at which we can meet our Lord in prayer face-to-face. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  (Matt 6:5-6)

            In His earthly ministry, even our Lord had a secret place of prayer to His Father in Heaven: 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.  (Mark 1:34-35) Why did our Lord resort to a solitary place? Because the Voice of our Father may be drowned out in the hustle and bustle of the busy thoroughfare. When the noise of barter, trade and entertainment is blasting in our ears, it is not easy to hear that still small voice which spoke to Elijah. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

            Until the heart is still and attentive in prayer, it is unlikely that we will hear the Voice of the Lord though He is able under every circumstance to open our ears. Enter into that “secret place of the Most High” and make your appeal directly to the Lord of Mercy and Grace. His ears are not stopped by any extraneous circumstance.

Hymns of the Church - I am Dwelling on the Mountain – 18 August 2020, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

This is a beautiful devotional hymn not only for its depth of meaning, but the beauty of its poetry. It was composed by William Hunter around 1859. The tune by is Rev JW Dadmun. The descriptive nouns and adjectives employed are expressive of the natural beauty of God’s Creation and the manner in which He places an appreciation for that beauty in the souls of believers.

I am Dwelling on the Mountain,

I am dwelling on a mountain,

Where the golden sunlight gleams

O’er a land whose wondrous beauty

Far exceeds my fondest dreams;

Where the air is pure, ethereal,

Laden with the breath of flowers,

That are blooming by the fountain,

’Neath the amaranthine bowers.

Chorus:

Is not this the land of Beulah?

Blessed, blessed land of light;

Where the flowers bloom forever,

And the sun is always bright?

I can see far down the mountain,

Where I wandered weary years,

Often hindered in my journey,

By the ghosts of doubt and fears;

Broken vows and disappointments

Thickly scattered all the way;

But the spirit led unerring

to the land I hold today. [Chorus]

I am drinking at the fountain,

Where I ever would abide,

For I’ve tasted life’s pure river,

And my soul is satisfied;

There’s no thirst for earthly pleasures,

Nor adorning rich and gay,

For I’ve found a richer treasure,

One that fadeth not away. [Chorus]

Tell me not of heavy crosses,

Nor the burdens hard to bear,

For I've found this great salvation

Makes each burden light appear;

And I love to follow Jesus,

Gladly counting all but dross,

Worldly honors all forsaking

For the glory of the cross. [Chorus]

Oh! the cross has wondrous glory!

Oft I’ve proved this to be true,

When I’m in the way so narrow,

I can see a pathway through;

And how sweetly Jesus whispers,

“Take the cross, thou need’st not fear,

For I've trod the way before thee,

And the glory lingers near.” [Chorus]

            1 I am dwelling on a mountain, Where the golden sunlight gleams O’er a land whose wondrous beauty Far exceeds my fondest dreams; Where the air is pure, ethereal, Laden with the breath of flowers, That are blooming by the fountain, ’Neath the amaranthine bowers. Every believer resides on higher ground than the common mass of humanity. They are lifted there by the Word and Spirit of God. The Light of God constantly bathes their inner being where no man can enter. That Land of Promise which Moses beheld from Mt. Nebo is as a wilderness compared to that Land to which every saint of God has His destiny. The breath of the Holy Spirit serves as a continual fragrance to those whose love is fixed above. The flowers of faith always bloom near the Fountain of Life which is symbolic of our Lord. The amaranthine flowers are those wonderful flowers of purple tint that never die.

            2 I can see far down the mountain, Where I wandered weary years, Often hindered in my journey, By the ghosts of doubt and fears; Broken vows and disappointments Thickly scattered all the way; But the spirit led unerring to the land I hold today. [Chorus] When we are too close to the world, we often see the marred remnant of God’s Creation – marred by sin and ruin; but from the mountaintop, we have a better perspective of the true beauty of His original art. The higher we ascend the mountain, the less there is of the world about us. We do have memories of our sinful past, but this serves as a reminder of what God has done to change us and make us new. Down on the lowly plain of the world below the mountaintop, we can see all the ill-winds and broken roads which we formerly traveled in our self-wills. But the Holy Spirit, at the moment of our salvation, has lifted us from that muddy path of old and placed our feet on the solid ground of the mountain peak.

            3 I am drinking at the fountain, Where I ever would abide, For I’ve tasted life’s pure river, And my soul is satisfied; There’s no thirst for earthly pleasures, Nor adorning rich and gay, For I’ve found a richer treasure, One that fadeth not away. [Chorus] We need drink of the Water of Life daily while traversing this wilderness pilgrimage. In fact, we must make our homes by her flowing waters. There is no water that satisfies as the Water of Life which our Lord provides. Those things that once bore an overbearing and unquenchable appeal now seem as paltry rags of the depraved. The old silken robes we cherished, and gems of exquisite charm, no longer bear a value to us – we have donned the Robe of Righteousness provided by Christ to cover our sins (filth). That Robe never fades and shall be our wedding garment at the last day.

            4 Tell me not of heavy crosses, Nor the burdens hard to bear, For I've found this great salvation Makes each burden light appear; And I love to follow Jesus, Gladly counting all but dross, Worldly honors all forsaking For the glory of the cross. [Chorus] Do you believe your cross too heavy to bear. Could you bear that cross of Christ as He ascended Mt. Calvary? His cross was a combination of every man’s cross added together. If it were given, could you carry a one-hundred-pound sack of gold twenty feet? You would do so if you had to move a mountain! So, this burden of compassion for others, and love of the lost, must not be so heavy as to quench your devotion. Following Christ is the Way of sacrifice, but it is tinged with glory and joy. At your last breath, you will not regret not having that last fling on the town, or amassing more money – no, your thoughts will turn to those eternal considerations that loom larger than any earthly consideration. Will you close your eyes in peace and joy, or go screaming and struggling into the dark doom that is the reward for a life of sin unrepented?

5 Oh! the cross has wondrous glory! Oft I’ve proved this to be true, When I’m in the way so narrow, I can see a pathway through; And how sweetly Jesus whispers, “Take the cross, thou need’st not fear, For I've trod the way before thee, And the glory lingers near.” [Chorus] The tiny cross you bear – is it not the reward of a believer whose burden is made light by our Lord? If it grows too heavy, it may be made much lighter with a dose of renewed faith. We are unable to bear our crosses in our own paths and wills – we must follow our Lord whose shoulders are broad to share our burdens, and His Way is filled with glistening hope! 

AOC Sunday Report - Tenth Sunday after Trinity

Happy Tenth Sunday after Trinity as the seeming endless Green Season bakes on here in the Northern Hemisphere.

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE!

There are, as always, excellent sermons today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  I really liked Jack's, but I heard it. They all read very well.

Every week there are a long list of people who need your prayer, this is no exception.  Today I ask that you pray for Amy and her father Bill as he prepares to leave this earth for home, and for Shamim who never gives up and needs much prayer and for Bob; work out from there.  Please pray for our respective countries as we fight through the real and artificial horrors of the Covid 19 virus.

There really is an EPIC week ahead, and I know you have heard this before, but you won't have a clue how good it can be unless you let that Third God Guy guide you.

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America