The Imperceptible Moth – 23 October 2020, Anno Domini

  

B

LOW ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin. 9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. 10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment. 12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness. 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. 14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.    (Hosea 5:8-14)

 

            The title of this devotion may seem strange for the casual reader, but a deeper study of this text and others will reveal a judgment under which the modern world and particular nations are coming – in fact, are well on their way to be eaten away in silence and lack of awareness.

 

            God uses a number of natural creatures to describe the divine nature in a manner which the mortal human being can grasp. In Hosea 13:7, God says: As a leopard will I observe them (sinners). On my last mission trip to Kenya a few years, I visited a zoo in Kenya in which were kept many vicious animals of the wild. On passing the caged pen of a leopard, I noted the leopard had its head turned aside from us and appeared to be asleep, but Bishop Job assured me that leopard was watching us intently. He said the leopard appears to close its eyes until its prey is too close to escape. 23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jeremiah 13:23 Why can the leopard not change his spots? It is because his spots are on his skin even if you shave off the fur.

 

            7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: 8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. (Hosea 13:7-8) The lion is persistent in his tracking of his prey. His eyes penetrate the darkness of night. He avenges with severe punishment any who harm him or his cubs. Once he launches his attack, there is no stopping the tearing and hurt he inflicts. That is much like our God of Judgment. We may feel that we have lost his pursuit for a time but comes the night and he strikes out with impunity. The revenge of the lion will scarcely be survivable. The bear, too, will often devour its victims alive. No reprobate will ever escape the wrath of God even if that wrath is delayed over time.

 

            So, in the leading text, God gives a different example of his working among the lost that seems much more gradual than the retribution of the lion to its offender. The moth is tiny and harmless to man when it stands alone. But the example is not of man’s personal well-being, but his physical comfort and treasure. Like rust that eats away at our armor and conveyances, the moth eats away at our fine and presumptuous robes and fancy apparel. His favorite feats is upon velvets, fine wools, and silk. He does not force his way into the closet by physical violence. He enters unseen when the door is momentarily ajar. Silently, he eats away at the threads that hold the garment together. He devours large patches that renders our prideful garment of no use to impress. It is much like the social disease of America that, at first, go undetected but gradually is revealed when much damage has already occurred. Sin spoils the nation and the moth of desolation is God’s means of bringing judgment: 7 Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 25:7)  The closet is our decadent churches; the garments are the erstwhile sinners that have gained preeminence therein.

 

            You may believe the greatest danger in America comes from the propagandizing curricula of our public institutions of learning, or the radical elements pervading our streets, or drugs and alcohol abuse, or sexual sins and perversions; but these are only symptoms of a luke-warm church that has compromised on her duties to her Betrothed and sold away her doctrines for profit. It is the churches of America that are responsible for the horrible decline in morality and respect for constituted law in our nation. While the churches have burned with lust and permissiveness toward sin, her shepherds have, like Nero, fiddled away during the time.

 

            The moth will not invade where the garments are kept clean, dry and free of dust and dirt. They prefer the closet of carelessness and disarray. The same is true of the abject sin that has entered into the heart of America owing to a failure of the churches to call sin by name and to label its progenitor as the devil himself. 

 

            The work of the moth is done in secret. So do the spoilers of a nation work secretly to erode the foundations of the city and church. God will often work secretly in preparation for his damning judgment, Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Does any Christian in his right mind believe that God has overlooked the sins of America and forgotten his righteous judgment of Sodom? Sodom! A city whose very name has come to mean the salient and grievous sin for which the city was destroyed.

 

            When the pillars of moral decency are being destroyed, the sinful society may believe that they are getting off scot free of the accountability for their apostasy. But God is working beneath the surface to cause their very sins to be the cause of their coming downfall. The moth will eat through the outer cover of a garment and imbed himself in the inner linings where his presence is kept unseen until immeasurable damage has occurred. The same is true of our blessed America. Who would have believed that the nation would have come to this immoral state of today at the end of the Second World War? Who would have believed the total disregard for compassion and value for human lives – especially the most innocent among us in a mere fifty years? Who would have believed the demeaning of the Holy Estate of Matrimony in such a manner as to mock the very substance of God’s first Institution at Eden?

 

The solution to our moral decay is almost too simple to repeat. 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Please read this text carefully. Does it say that the whole nation must pray, repent and turn from their sins? No! It says If my people, which are called by My Name! If the churches of America will repent of their departures from truth and love and repent, prayerfully turning from their sins, then, and only then, will God heal our land. 

 

This is what America needs above all else at this time. It is amazing that the solution for every social and moral ill of our nation finds solution in the Word of God; yet, that is the ONLY solution that is totally unacceptable to the hell-bent social engineers of our age. Wake up, America! Wake up, my brothers and sister! Face the music and the Ensign that should lead us out of bondage – the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Only Way – 22 October 2020, Anno Domini

 

F

OR the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:18-32)

 

            The Pontiff of Rome has more convincingly earned for himself, with credible logic, the moniker of ‘anti-Christ’ (if any doubt remained) in his most recent disavowal of clearly stated biblical morals – in fact, standing the counsel of Holy Writ on its head – by his advocacy of what he terms ‘civil unions’ for practicing homosexuals. “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in an interview for the documentary "Francesco." “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.” Homosexuality is a grave sin, and those who practice the sin are NOT the Children of God, but of the Devil. “41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:41-44)

 

            The underlined portions in the text above from John 8 perfectly describe “the little horn” of Rome – Francis. 

 

            I remember the tired old idiom, All Roads Lead to Rome[1], arrogantly proclaimed by my Roman Catholic friends. The term arose from the road system of the Roman Empire which was the central convergence of all Roman roads constructed by the Empire. It later came to refer to the Roman Catholic Church, and rightly so, since that church represents the mammon of Caesar more than any other. All roads of Catholicism may lead to Rome, but certainly not to the Gates of Heaven. There is only One Way that leads to salvation and that Way is Jesus Christ. 

 

            I make frequent trips to Atlanta from southern Alabama. My community is surrounded by a network of roads – many beginning in a northerly direction toward Atlanta, but either stop short, or swerve off-course prior to that destination. To be sure of getting to Atlanta, I must take I-85 in order to be assured of getting to Atlanta. 

 

            But the road to Heaven is even more restrictive than any choice of roads – it is limited to the Narrow Way laid out by our Lord Jesus Christ and not some, golden-robed, tin-horned saint in a dark chamber in Rome. 

 

            “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Words of Jesus, John 14:6

 

The pope of Rome feels absolutely comfortable in contradicting and defying the Word of God and claiming an holy mandate in so doing. He is no representative of God on earth – that representative is Jesus Christ – the Lord is my Bishop and the Bishop and High Priest of all who claim His grace and mercy. “ 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

 

            On the obverse side of the Roman coin would be the over-judgmentalism demonstrated by many Protestant Christians concerning the abject sin of sexual perversion. No sin is beyond the scope of our Lord’s forgiveness other than that of a constant rejection of the Holy Ghost and its counsel. If a person who is an admitted homosexual comes to my church, I will in no wise refuse him admittance. The sinner comes to church for a reason. But I will not satisfy his perversions by giving comfort to him in his sins.  Can God forgive such a person and change the very course of their lives? YES, He can do so! He has done so for everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Note the below text from Paul:

 

K

NOW ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (I Corinthians 6:9-11)

 

Note that there were SOME among the audience to whom Paul spoke who had practiced all those sins listed – including sexual perversion. But now their sins had been washed clean by the redeeming Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            I love my Roman Catholic friends in spite of the grave errors taught by their man-run church. I believe many love the Lord and are His children by faith. But their testimony could be made so much stronger and valid were they to recognize the evils of the man who declares counsel in contradiction with the Word of God and His Book. I urge them to lay aside all superstitions with which they have been deceived and go to the very source of the Fountain of the Waters of Life rather than drinking downstream (i.e. from Rome) where the feet of men and beasts have muddied the waters.

---

[1] It is equally true All roads lead away from Rome.

The Wall of Fire – 21 October 2020, Anno Domini

 

W

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



F

OR I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zechariah 2:5)

 

            A Wall of Fire affords an enormous barrier of protection from those within. During the Vietnam War, perimeter defense was the first order of business when a unit moved into a hostile area. Part of that defense often involved establishing a line of foo-gas (Fr: fougasse) as the last line of defense if the enemy penetrated our outer defense. This foo-gas was a mixture of gas and a powdered substance that resembled napalm. When ignited, the explosion blew the mixture over any enemy before the lines. It was like a jelly that adhered to the skin like glue as it burned – a horrible weapon and an equally horrible way to die. But when confronting an unscrupulous enemy, extraordinary measures were required. God, too, takes extraordinary measures in protecting His Church. He accomplished that with a Pillar of Fire by Night and a Pillar of Smoke by day in leading Israel out of bondage. The Fire becomes a blessing to those for whom it is a protection, and a curse to those who violate the limits of God’s approbation.

 

            When we read that God is a ‘consuming fire,’ we may be moved with a feeling of dread and doubt, for we have learned that God is love. God is both a consuming fire and love at the same time. Both are perfect descriptions of our God. We may erroneously consider that the love of God will override His perfect sense of judgment – that is not the case. Because the judgment of God is immutably averse to sin, He will tolerate no sin in His presence. His Judgment is so unwavering that He sent His only Begotten Son to pay the required penalty for our sins.  The love of God cannot cancel out His certain Judgment. It is not a question of intention, but one of impossibility. 

 

            It is by the means of fire that God will finally judge this wicked world. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:9-12)

 

            The elements will be dissolved with fervent heat! That would be comparable to a combination of both fusion and fission nuclear reactions as in the sun. THAT IS HOT! Whoever is left on this old globe will be burned to physical, but not spiritual, oblivion. Perhaps there is a message for the fickle modernist today in this warning. Though not a fan, I do like the illustration of the Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, who tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience thinks this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again applauded vigorously. At last he can do no more. The fire raced through the whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. ‘And so,’ concluded Kierkegaard, ‘will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators.’

 

            The invention of fire-making marked a great leap forward in civilization. Things that before were impossible suddenly became possible. Metallurgy suddenly came into practice. Not only metal tolls for cooking were possible but, unfortunately, the making of more deadly weapons came into popular practice. There are two sides to every technological advance – good and evil. 

 

            With the advent of fire, man was able to more properly cook his foods. He was able to endure the cold winter weather in greater comfort, and he was more able to secure his lodgings by building fires in the perimeters to scare away ravaging animals. 

 

            But fire is a deadly weapon used to destroy homes, cities, and fields of harvest. It is a dreaded resource of the greater numbers of men and women on the surface of the earth. Perhaps it is because, deep in the hearts of all, fire is the destiny of all who are wicked. Despite efforts to modern so-called Bible translators to expunge the reality of a fiery destiny to those who are reprobate sinners, the Word of God cannot be denied. An eternal torment is not palatable to the modernist, so two verses reflecting that fact are removed in most modern perversions of the Bible (translated from corrupt text): 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  (Mark 9:43-46) KJV The most popular corrupt translations, NIV & ESV, delete the verses (44 &46) lined through above in the text. It is a lot easier to graphically delete than it is to change or eliminate truth. 

 

            Yes, fire is a deadly weapon, but it is also the Lord’s instrument in protecting His people. That Wall of Fire to which Zechariah alludes is constantly encircling the people of God and He truly is in the midst. That Wall of Fire could not be breached by the Rich man who shunned the Beggar Lazarus.

 

            11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Cor 3:11-17 )

 

            Having a Rock-solid foundation in Christ, the security of the soul is assured even if unmeritorious works are not accepted. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Christ, but we have assurance of salvation and forgiveness in Him.

Hymns of the Church – My Savior’s Love– 20 October 2020, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)

 

Today’s Gospel song devotion arose from a special memory re-enacted in Statesville yesterday at the graveside of Betty Hoffman by Cinder, Chery, and Jim. They gathered to memorialize Betty’s life on what would have been her birthday. They sang this Gospel song that was also sung over Betty’s passing on 5 May 2017 – ‘MY SAVIOR’S LOVE.’  The author of this piece is Charles H. Gabriel. Mr. Gabriel also composed the tune. It was written in 1905. This song is not in the 1940 Hymnal since it is not a classical hymn. It is not suited as a worship song since it lacks strong biblical reference; however, it is intended as a devotional piece evoking strong emotions of reverence and love. ‘MY SAVIOR’S LOVE is perfectly suited and recommended for a Good Friday devotion, and Betty went to be with her Lord on Friday. It is the last song Betty’s ears heard ere she passed beyond the Gates of Splendor where she may have been welcomed by the Heavenly Host singing the same.

 

My Savior’s Love

 

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love me

A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me!

 

He took my sins and my sorrows

He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calvary

And suffered and died alone.

Refrain

 

When with the ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see

'Twill be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me.

Refrain

 

I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene And wonder how He could love me A sinner, condemned, unclean. It is a wonder in itself that we could be amazed at the Love of Christ for while we were yet sinners. He died to certify the profundity of that immeasurable love; however, the human mind could never comprehend the depth of that love in this life. We were walking dead ere the Holy Ghost sounded our names calling us to eternal life. Like Barabbas, we stood condemned of our sin, but Christ bore the penalty for our sins on that hateful instrument called the cross. 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. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:1-9)

 

The change salvation evokes in us is immediate and visible. Our desires will have changed, our behavior will have changed, and our humility will be manifested much like that of the publican at the Temple. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. 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)

 

He took my sins and my sorrows He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calvary And suffered and died alone. Death is a doorway to eternity. We all must enter that door alone and face our Maker on the other side – either to eternal glory or eternal damnation. Christ must have died alone in order to redeem us. He must have been buried. He must have defeated death and Hell, and He must have risen to complete that marvelous work of salvation. It was all His work and none of our own.

 

When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see 'Twill be my joy through the ages To sing of His love for me. How were we ransomed, and from what? We all were serving a life’s indenture to sin. None of us had the means to purchase our freedom – only Christ, being sinless, could do so. 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:23-24) and 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Our worship services in heaven will have no time limits for there is no time-scale in Heaven. Our fellowship begins the moment we cross the threshold of Heaven and will have no end. What a privilege to meet our Maker face-to-face, then the other saints whom we have loved as well as read. 

 

This stanza is fully explained in the following text:  9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:9-17)

 

Refrain

            O how marvelous! O how wonderful! And my song shall ever be: O how marvelous! O how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me! The refrain is merely a summary of all the reverence, hope and love the song embodies in its entirety.

AOC Sunday Report - Saint Luke the Evangelist, superseding the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

  

Happy feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, superseding the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity!

The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded RIGHT HERE or by clicking on the picture above.

We have great sermons today from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Like pretty much always, they are truly outstanding.  I am not aware of any place else you can find such simply understandable expository sermons that are a joy to read or hear.

As we work our way through this seemingly endless Green Season, we sometimes get a little treat with a special day, today we celebrate Saint Luke, writer of the eponymous Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, Bishop Roy talks about him in his sermon.

There are a lot of people who need your prayer, start with Shamu, Loretta, Bob and work out from there. If you have someone on the prayer list, please see if their entry is up to date.

There is an epic week ahead - IF you accept help from that Third God Guy, the Holy Ghost!

Godspeed,

Hap

Church of the Faithful Centurion

Descanso, California

United States of America

Sermon Notes - Saint Luke the Physician and Evangelist superseding the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity - Saint Andrew’s Anglican Orthodox Church - Enterprise, Alabama (USA) - 18 October 2020, Anno Domini

 

Saint Luke the Evangelist. [October 18.]

The Collect.

 

A

LMIGHTY God, who didst inspire thy servant Saint Luke the Physician, to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of thy Son; Manifest in thy Church the like power and love, to the healing of our bodies and our souls; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Collect.

Due to his particular calling as a physician, the Lord inspired Luke to accent the whole healing benefits available in Christ. The only healing that will suffice for the soul is offered in the Gospel of Christ that Luke so skillfully presents. Luke advocates the same role of the church of healing the whole body and soul of its adherents in Christ. All power vested in the Church remains that delegated authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke is known as the Beloved Physician for that was his practice. It is true that Luke is beloved of all Christians, and it is true that Luke was a physician administering the healing arts; but more important than these characteristics stands the claim of Christian professor. All of the other pursuits of Luke’s life was directed toward the propagation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Luke shared his writings in such a manner as to emphasize the compassion and healing power of His Lord. Being a physician by trade, he was able to capture the absolute and miraculous healing power of our Lord. Not only could the Lord heal from every disease and even call back the dead to life, but He could heal the greatest affliction of all mankind in the forgiveness of sin.

            Owing to his practiced understanding of medicine, Luke is very precise in his descriptive writings of diseases healed by our Lord, but that precision of terms spills over into all of Luke’s other writings. Luke wrote more in the New Testament than any other (including Peter). He also authored the Book of Acts. Luke recorded that latter historical book of the New Testament with the same attention to detail as he paid to all his writings of the miracles of Christ.

 

The Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.

 

The Collect.

 

O

 GOD, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

The Collect for the Day

This Gelasian Collect was translated by Archbishop Cranmer to say “grant us thy grace to avoid the temptations of the world, etc”  but the learned revisers of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer made the seemingly small change to read: “grant us they grace to withstand the temptations of the world, etc”. Though the change of a single word may seem trivial, it is not, for we shall certainly encounter the temptations of the world. They cannot be avoided and are often allowed by the Lord for our preparation as courageous people of God.

 

            How do we “withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil?” How do we withstand the several diseases of the physical world? First, and most desirable, is that we are inoculated to be immune from those diseases that threaten our physical health. Secondly, there are some diseases for which there is no vaccine and for which we must receive prompt attention. The temptations of the world to our souls are of a similar nature. The Devil seeks to infect us with the disease of sin. If he is successful, a diseased sinner becomes one who carries his contagion into the presence of all with whom he associates. Sin, like wild weeds, spreads across the landscape without cultivation or tillage. It is not the weeds, but the good grass, vegetables and fruits that need careful watering, fertilization, and tillage. 

 

            Is it possible to be immune to some of the Devil’s temptations? By all means, it is possible! The best immunity is the avoidance of diseased environments. If we restrain from close familiarity with those who are constantly driven to lust and sinful inclinations, we shall avoid those direct temptations foisted upon those who do so associate with the friends of the world and of the Devil. But there are temptations that lie dormant deep in the heart of man that will emerge from time to time in spite of Godly love and zeal. How are these temptations confronted and defeated?  By watchfulness in guarding the soul, and in constant prayerfulness, we may withstand those strong and ungodly temptations that arise in the heart of every Christian: And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:37-38)

 

            If we are strong in prayer, and watchful against that old Adversary of our souls, he will elect to bring his greater temptations to bear elsewhere. When Christ is the sole owner of our hearts, no other shall dare to invade those sacred chambers of the Temple of God. We shall be stronger than the Devil and all of his cunning traps if we have the One in our hearts who has handily defeated that old Dragon. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:  But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (Luke 11:21-22)

 

            “ . . . with pure hearts and minds to follow thee, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Sin is dirty. It changes our countenance of purity into a grimy image of filth. It makes us sick and we lose the energy to perform good service to God and man; and we gain a greater desire to go to the saloon of Satan for more of the “hair from the dog that bit us.” We track our filth everywhere we go. One little ‘white’ lie about a friend (or even a stranger) may circulate among the multitudes until that person’s character and reputation are savaged. One promiscuous encounter can ruin a marriage and the lives of children. An aged parent, dishonored, carries that testimony directly to the face of Christ when he departs this life. Sin has consequences that are often irreparable.

 

            Satan is not omniscient, but he does have a mind and the means of observation. He has learned the weaknesses in our defenses. He has watched intently as we have prepared our lines. He knows where the walls of our souls are weak and unprotected. It is at these points that he concentrates his forces and makes his assaults. If he is able to penetrate our defenses, even at the weak points, he gains command of the battlefield in rendering even our strong defense impotent. He has outmaneuvered our flanks and gained a tactical access to our innermost deployments of battle. When our lines are overrun, we have only the option to call upon our reserves – hidden and unseen to the enemy. If that reserve is God Almighty, He will expeditiously rout the unwelcome enemy from our ranks, strengthen our interior lines, and restore order on our outward defenses.

 

            What one vaccine has the greatest effect in dispelling the sinful nature?  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:10-11) We defeat the wiles of the Devil by seeking the Lord with our WHOLE HEART, then there remains no faculties free to contemplate sin. We hide God’s Whole Counsel in our hearts which is a defense and a fortress against sin. A casual piety will not do – it is the whole being that must belong to God – the Heart, the Mind, the Soul! Is your faith a casual faith, or does God own your soul – lock, stock, and barrel, Friend? If Christ is the SOVEREIGN of your heart, no enemy can take possession of it.

 

Is He?

 

 

 

The Gospel.

St. Luke x. 1.

 

T

HE Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. 

 

            In today’s text for the observance of St. Luke the Evangelist, we see the first part of a bipartite nature of the Gospel.  Christ sends his disciples out in two’s: “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.” Is the Christian required to go among wolves in such a way throughout his calling? Why did the Lord send these men out in such manner? The Lord Himself answers that question: “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” The Harvest is already ripened and ready to take. The ground has been prepared and the wheat grains are heavy. So Christ sends forth these to prepare for His reception on His coming to them: “THE Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place,whither he himself would come.” 

 

            “And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.” This is not the manner of performing our mission work today in hostile lands. God desires that we have courage to go forth wherever He sends, and in such manner as He sends us, but we are not facing the same Providential circumstances as that to which our Lord makes reference in this lesson text. It would be foolish for the Christian missionary to go among ISIS – known demonic servants of the devil, to attempt conversions. He does not desire we waste our lives foolishly. But in the case presented here, the fields were ripe for Harvest and need laborers there.  

 

            We must remember that it was the same Luke who scribed the caution our Lord gave His on the night of His betrayal: “31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.”

 

            I hope you will have noted the contrasts in these two circumstances: the first was to lay the foundation for the reception of the Gospel; the second was to preserve His disciples from danger of death. He would be taken for crucifixion this very night. He did not desire his disciples as well to suffer death. The swords were not for protection of Christ for He must be offered up. They were for the protection of the disciples. 

 

            That night, the brash Peter drew a sword and severed the ear of one of the soldiers. Peter was trying to protect Christ from danger, but that was not the Lord’s intention. Observe the great courage of Peter in the near Presence of the Lord; but also observe his cowardice in the face of the accusations made that he was a follower of Christ when he was separated from the Lord. “50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.”

 

            Jesus intended that the offense against Himself was to be allowed, but the disciples were to only protect THEMSELVES.  “Suffer ye THUS FAR!”

 

            But, being separated from His Lord, see how Peter’s courage failed him: “54 ¶ Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilæan. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.”

 

            We are in the time of the Church Militant. We are not to do as the Muslims do, that is, advance the faith of Christ at the point of the sword, but our Lord has given us the right and responsibility to defend ourselves against a malicious enemy. A dead Christian can no longer be of benefit to the lost. We owe an obligation to defend our families, our church, and our nation. 

 

            Jesus commanded his disciples at the last minute before His being taken in the Garden to buy a sword if they did not have a sword. He declared that command, not to defend Himself, but His disciples on that night of danger. We should feel the responsibility and obligation as well. Any man who would allow his child, wife, home, or nation to be abused by an evil and wicked invader is neither man nor Christian.

Ambassador of Heaven – 16 October 2020, Anno Domini

 

B

EHOLD, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.  (Mal 3:1-3)

 

            An ambassador is one who represents the sovereign power of his own nation to a foreign nation. The Kingdom of God is a wonderful domain far above any conceivable to the mind of man. The earth is definitely a foreign power compared to that of Heaven even if it possesses no power whatsoever to threaten the Gates of Splendor. John the Baptist was a sent as an advance herald of the coming of the very Ambassador of God the Father. But it was our Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son) who was the only legitimate Ambassador with authority to speak for the Father.

 

            From the distant venue of eternity past, before the worlds were made, a decision was made in the Councils of Heaven concerning the man that God would create to populate the world which He would make. Even before the first word was uttered by the mouth of God in Creation, it was decided that mankind would require a Savior to redeem him from his sins. God would create man and woman in His own image and likeness and, in so doing, man would have a will that was capable of discerning between right and wrong. The world itself would be a stage upon which man could learn knowledge and wisdom, or perish in the absence of it.

 

            Knowing the frame of mankind which He would create, God knew that the heart of man would be fickle and changeable – so much so, that he would never be able to keep the Commandments of the Lord his God. He would sin and fall short of the glory of God; and the presence of sin could never be tolerated in the Presence of the Lord his God. This would present a dilemma for man. How would he be made pure to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven on his own merits which were woefully short of the required righteousness of Heaven? 

 

            It became the role of our Lord Jesus Christ, even in eternity past, to meet that requirement as Redeemer, Lord, and Savior. It was He who would be the Lamb of God : 16 . . . . Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  (1 Peter 1:16-21)

 

            It will be well to note that we, too, were chosen  and predestined in eternity past: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. (Eph 1:3-7)

 

            There is a contingent plan involved in our salvation – that only ONE of perfect innocence could redeem sinful man. May I tell you that other creatures such as pets and wild animals, not knowing the law, are innocent of the sins of which man is guilty. In fact, the first innocent blood shed upon the earth was of an animal (perhaps a lamb) whose life God took in order to cover the nakedness (sins) of our first parents in Eden. (see Genesis 3:21) This also prefigured the Lamb of God who was to come as Redeemer. But Christ is Holy. He is perfectly righteous though He was tempted in every way as we are. He never gave in to sin. By the power of His Word, He rebuked the Dark Prince of the forty-day wilderness – It is written! I learned the power of this approach as a child. If I once declared my intended sin to be a violation of the will of God, and quoted scripture to fortify my stand, I found that I simply could not do that thing with which I was tempted. That does not mean that I did not sin in a thousand different ways, but at least not THAT one occasion of temptation. I believe the Word of God is our best defense against the devil – in fact, I KNOW it is., and should be depended upon in every circumstance of temptation. But we gain Heaven, not by our own righteousness, but the IMPUTED righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            The imagination of man needs a physical example to represent reality. God gave Adam and Eve only ONE Commandment in the Garden at Eden and, yet, they could not even keep that ONE. Instead of choosing the Tree of Life (representing Christ), they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil rendering them subject to sin and a bondservant thereof. The self-will of man is imbued with a propensity to sin. Man presumes his self-will to be what some call ‘free will,’ but that would be a grave error. The self-will of man is nothing other than bondage to sin and the devil. There is no freedom of will or soul apart from the redemption made available in Jesus Christ. When we surrender our self-wills to Him and put on the Mind that is in Christ, then are our wills truly free. Our desires now match those of our Lord perfectly and we are free in all things.

 

            Like a fearful wild animal, man could not identify with a God who was apart and above them. If anything, they feared such an unseen God. So God’s plan of redemption was continually worked out in man’s failure to keep the Commandments, by the prophets God sent, and finally by His Ambassador in the Person and Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. At His coming, man was able to identify with God. They came to know sinless perfection in a Redeemer. This Ambassador did not make demands of His followers which He was unwilling to satisfy Himself. He lived a life of physical deprivation not having a place to lie His head. He labored from sunrise to midnight to teach and to counsel, to heal and to make alive. 

 

            Finally, this Ambassador showed us the meaning of bearing our crosses. Down the Via Dolorosa He bore a shameful, rough-hewn cross. He never complained nor hesitated to do that which must be done. Love was His compelling force. Having spilled His life-blood at Calvary, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. In this, He demonstrated that we, too, would be buried in a borrowed tomb for we would arise at the last Trump.  He did arise on the third day as prophesied. His mission accomplished, He would ascend to the Father again at whose right hand He sits as our High Priest and Intercessor. But He did not leave us alone. He has sent His Comforter in the Person of the Holy Ghost to guide, teach and remind us of all that is mentioned of our Lord in the Law, prophets, Gospels, Epistles and every other parcel of Holy Writ. The Mission of the Holy Ghost is to point us to Christ – not to glorify Himself.

 

            The Ambassador of Heaven having returned to His domain, He has left us as His emissaries to carry forth the Gospel Banner into all the world. We do so, not to satisfy political, financial, or social objectives, but to satisfy the claims of our Sovereign King on High. He has commissioned us to act on His behalf and with His authority insofar as we do so in accordance with His Holy Word. That is the meaning of a commission – to act on behalf, and with the authority, of our sovereign. The last Words of our Lord prior to His ascension are recorded below:

 

A

LL power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:18-20)

 

We have a formidable responsibility in satisfying the commission given us. Please read it once more – word for word. If we take upon our shoulders the responsibility to teach others the way of righteousness, how well we must demonstrate that righteousness in our own lives! We must do more than teach the ‘rudiments’ of the Gospel, but ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you. Are we fulfilling our mission as His emissaries?