260329 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
PALM SUNDAY
March 29, 2026 – Sunday Report
Palm Sunday
The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.
The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 134-1373.
Almighty and Everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Epistle for Palm Sunday. Philippians ii. 5.
LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Gospel for the Palm Sunday. St. Mathew xxvii. 1.
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HEN the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marveled greatly. Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but t hat rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
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hen released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
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nd after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
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nd when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; and set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
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nd about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
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ow when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
On Point – Communion with God
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. (Mark 1:35)
Jesus would always find time for prayer — or make time for it. If His days were full of excitement and toil — He would take time out of His sleep for communing with God. At least He never allowed Himself to be robbed of His hours of devotion.
There are some Christians who think they are excused from prayer and meditation in secret — because they are so busy. Their work presses them so in the morning — that they cannot possibly get time to pray. Their cares occupy them so all day — that they do not find one quiet moment to go alone with God. In the evening — there are so many social or other engagements, meetings, societies, parties; or they are so tired, that prayer is crowded out. The example of Christ speaks its solemn rebuke of all such trifling. We must find time for communion with God — or God will not find time to bless us!
There are some people, also, who claim that they can pray and commune with God, just as well in one public as in private. They do their praying while they walk about, and while they work. They see no use in going apart from others, to pray. Surely if anyone could pray well in a crowd or while engaged in work — Jesus could. No doubt He did hold communion with His Father even in His busiest hours — but this did not meet all the needs and longings of His soul. He left the crowd, left even His own disciples — and retired into places where no eye but God's could see Him — where no human footfall or voice could interrupt the quiet of His soul, and where He would be absolutely alone!
Surely if Jesus required such conditions in praying — then we do too. We need to find a place for prayer, in which nothing can intrude to break the continuity of thought or devotion. But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which seeth thee in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)
Jerry Ogles,
Presiding Bishop,
Metropolitan - AOC Worldwide
We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.
Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:
Bishop Ogles
Blog:
https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com
Bishop Ogles
You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg
Fifth Sunday in Lent: PASSION SUNDAY
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/03/youtube-video-player_23.html
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZbcSAXoBD4
Wednesday Evening Video: The Two Woes of David
Bishop’s Blog link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/03/youtube-video-player_25.html
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvzUQUyKak
Friday Evening Devotion: In the Beginning
Bishop’s Blog link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/03/youtube-video-player_27.html
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a29AttJo5RA
†Jerry Ogles
Saint Paul's Anglican Church
- Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Morning Prayer
Psalm 24; First lesson: Zechariah 9:9-12; Second lesson: Mark 11:1-11
Almighty and Everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Hymns # 390, 145, 549
The Sunday next before Easter falls within the period of the church calendar known as Passiontide. This period, not widely observed by many churches today, focuses on the intense period of the last days of Christ’s earthly ministry, pre-crucifixion. This would include his last days of life before his brutal death, one that he willingly went to Jerusalem to face. Also during this period we will read where several more prophecies will be fulfilled.
The Old Testament reading from the prophet Zechariah is an excellent example. ‘...behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon the colt the foal of an ass.’ (Zechariah 9:9)
He is a king, the king of the people of Zion, of Jerusalem, and yet he comes to his own in the most lowly and humble way possible; riding on a donkey. And yet even though he comes in such humility look at what he will do; He destroys the capacity to do war and most importantly he proclaims peace. Not just peace to them who live in Jerusalem, but from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth, this being the peace that passes understanding.
Christianity, in its truest form, teaches peace. Yes, there are the struggles with evil and with those who oppose Christ and his Church, and yet the individual believer can have peace. Remember the words ‘peace that passes understanding’?
What may have helped convert the unbeliever in the early church years was this peace as they observed those who were being killed for following the WAY or Christianity, demonstrated peace as they were being led away to their deaths. Many understood that there had to be something more than just a profession of the faith, there was this inner peace that could be seen on the faces of the condemned. How many of us could do that today?
In our New Testament reading from St. Mark we can find a number of Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled. Along with the aforementioned passage from Zechariah, there are also references to this event in Isaiah 62:11, Ps 118:26, Malachi 3:1. These are just a few of the dozens of passages found in the Old Testament that either foreshadow or outright predict the coming of the Messiah.
If we think back to the presentation of the Christ child at the temple, there were several senior citizens who knew, by the enlightening of the Holy Spirit, who this child was, Simeon and Anna, for instance. Remember the prayer of Zacharias, the father of John the baptizer’s; “...blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,” from Luke 2: 68-79.
Now let us see what the prophet David wrote about this coming King and Savior. In our psalm today, the opening is describing the kingdom of the Lord. What does this description entail? The earth, the sea, the entirety of the earth, created by God, is His. ‘It is his and he made it’. ‘His hands prepared the dry lands...the sea is his and he made it...’ Do you see a common thread here? This is God’s creation, this all belongs to Him.
The next several verses of this psalm describe both Christ and his followers; those who can approach God. Those who can ascend the hill of the Lord. Christ the Lord ascends the hill, because it is his, we can ascend the hill because Christ died for our sins thereby giving us access to that holy hill. What is on that holy hill? Blessings from the Lord and most importantly, the salvation of God for his people.
The last four verses can describe what was happening on that day so many years ago, when Christ entered the city of Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey, to the cries of Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Who is this King of glory? THE LORD, STRONG AND MIGHTY.
Who is this King of glory? THE LORD OF HOSTS, HE IS THE KING OF GLORY!!!
Without a doubt David is pointing down through the ages to that time when the King of glory would enter the city in triumph and yet this triumph was not the kind we as humans originally understood.
The real triumph was the next step in the overthrowing of Satan and his dominion. Christ in His death, burial, and glorious resurrection was going to overthrow Satan, Death, and all that, from Adam’s fall, that had separated us from God the Father.
And on that glorious Easter Day he does triumph over all; Satan, Death, all that has/had separated God from his creation, mankind. Mankind, that which was created in the image of God.
This is the Good News. Christ came to claim his own. Let us make sure we tell others that his sacrifice was for them. This most sacred season of the church should not entail bunnies, chocolate, or colored eggs. The true message of this time of the year is Christ came to save sinners. Let us go and proclaim the truth of Easter.
Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, the Comfort of the sad, the Strength of sufferers, let the prayers of those that cry out of any tribulation come unto Thee; that all may rejoice to find that Thy mercy is present with them in their afflictions; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who hast prepared for those who love Thee such good things as pass man’s understanding; Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee, that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who hast made all those that are born again in Christ to be a royal and priestly race; Grant us both the will and the power to do what Thou commandest; that all Thy people may have the same faith in their hearts, and the same piety in their actions; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord bless us, and keep us. The Lord make His face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up
+ Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office
Palm Sunday
Matthew 27: 1:54
After Jesus dies, the oppressive darkness over the earth is lifted. Everyone knew something significant had happened. The death of Jesus brought light to a world lost in sin and darkness to all those who accept him by means of faith. He gave his life that we may be set free from our sin. There were several significant occurrences that happened immediately upon the death of our savior. God provided five miraculous signs. These five supernatural events that accompanied Jesus’s death are recorded in verses 51-53 of today’s text. Verses 54-56 tell us of some of the people that witnessed some of these events and how some of them were affected.
The first significant event that happened is found in the first sentence of verse 51: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to the bottom….” This was significant as only God could have carried out such an incredible feat because this veil was too high for human hands to have reached it, and too thick to have torn it. The Jerusalem temple originally built by King Solomon and rebuilt and expanded by Herod had a veil that was approximately 60 feet high, 30 feet wide and at least 4 inches thick. It was torn from the top down, meaning this act must have come from above.
So what was this veil and why was the renting (tearing) of it such a significant event upon the death of Jesus? During the lifetime of Jesus, the holy temple was the center of Jewish religious life. The temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out and worship was followed faithfully according to the laws of Moses. There were three parts of the Temple.
The outer court yard area where all people could gather and worship and two inner separated areas of the temple. (Heb. 9:1-9). We are told in Heb 9, v2 the first inner area of the tabernacle which contained the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread was the sanctuary (Holy inner room). This is where only the priests were allowed to perform burnt offering sacrifices and other religious ceremonies. We are told in Heb 9, v3, this sanctuary or holy room was separated from the innermost part of the tabernacle called the Holiest of all (Holy of Holies) by a large veil.
The word veil in Hebrew means a screen, divider, or separator that hides. What was this veil hiding? Essentially, it was shielding the presence of our holy God from sinful man. This Holiest of all area of the temple contained the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat with the cherubim mounted on each end, and filling the Holiest of all was a Cloudy visible presence of God above the mercy seat. This Holiest of all area of the temple was so sacred that only once a year on the Day of Atonement (referred to as Yom Kippur) only one man, the high priest was allowed to enter. If anyone else entered, he would die!
Even as the High Priest entered the Holiest of all on the Day of Atonement, he had to make some meticulous preparation. He had to wash himself, put on special white garments, bring burning incense to let the smoke cover his eyes from a direct view of God, and bring blood from the lambs or other animals that had been sacrificed on the altar. He then would enter the Holiest of all area by lifting up a corner of this veil and offer this blood as a sacrifice. Heb. 9:7 “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people.”
Thus, the presence of God remained shielded from man behind this thick veil during most of the history of Israel. Only the high priest had a sense of communion with God.
The tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus death dramatically symbolized that his sacrifice, the shedding of his blood was a sufficient atonement for our sins. It also signified that now the way into the Holies of all was now open to all people at any time, both Jews and Gentiles. The way into the presence of God was unknown to the Gentile, and only seen dimly by the Jew, until Christ died. When Jesus died the veil was torn, and God moved out of that place never again to dwell in a temple made with hands according to (Acts 17:24). God was through with that temple and its religious system and the temple and Jerusalem were left desolate (destroyed by the Romans) in 70 A.D.
In a sense, the veil was symbolic of Christ Himself as the only way to the Father just as Jesus tells us in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” This is indicated by the fact that only the high priest was to enter the holiest of all through the veil. Now Christ is our superior high priest, and as believers in the sacrifice of his blood for the atonement for our sins on the cross, we can now go directly to Him. We can now enter into the holiest of all through his flesh, which links manhood to Godhead. Just as St. Paul tells us in Hebrews 10: 19-20: “19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.”
So in essence, the rendering of the veil was the symbol of the ending of the old Covenant ceremonial law and sacrifices and the beginning of the new covenant inaugurated through the blood and death of Jesus.
The next three signs that occurred at the moment of Jesus death were the Earth Quaking, Rocks renting (splitting) and graves opened. Look at the ending of verse 51 and the beginning of verse 52. “And the earth did shake, and the rocks rent and the tombs opened.” God was making another statement about His son to the world and his chosen people in the earthquake that devastated Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Perhaps it reflected the immensity of the earth –shaking revelation that had just taken place with the rendering of the veil. Through the death of Jesus, the way had been cleared for sinful man to enter the company of the holy God.
The earth quake shook the ground so hard that it caused fissures (cracks in rocks and earth) and graves to open. The death of the Savior had and is still having a splitting open of Graves impact on mankind. The splitting of the rocks and the resulting opening of Graves was evidently a preview of the final resurrection, guaranteed by the imminent resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (1Cor 15:20, 23)
The final sign is that the Saints were raised in verse 52 and 53. “…52And many bodies of the saints which slept arose. 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” This sign served as a testimony to many people in Jerusalem concerning what had just happened. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Although the earthquake happened at the time of Jesus’ death, these dead saints were not raised until after the Lord’s resurrection. Although the stones and earth shook loose, exposing the bodies at the time of the crucifixion, they could not come out of their graves until after Jesus Resurrection. Why? Because St. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:20 and 23 that Jesus is the First fruit. Jesus had to rise first!
Those chosen saints who were resurrected after Jesus arose on Easter Sunday, began to walk around the Holy City. They appeared to many as confirming witnesses to the reality of Jesus’s resurrection.
Their appearance in bodily form testified to Christ resurrection and to God’s promise to raise all those who put their trust in Christ (1st Cor15:22, 51-53). To whom the Saints appeared or how they disappeared we are not told. Sometimes, we must not desire to be wise above what is written.
Despite the temporary abandonment by his own disciples (except John), there were still several witnesses to Christ’s death and the subsequent Supernatural events. Verse 54 tells us “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, truly this was the Son of God.”
A centurion was a Roman military officer in charge of 100 men and was therefore of significant rank. This particular officer had been given the responsibility of supervising the three crucifixions. It is likely that he and the other soldiers who with him keeping guard over Jesus had been in the Governor’s palace when Jesus was first brought there by the Jewish Leaders. They doubtless had heard the charges brought against Him by those leaders and Pilate’s repeated declaration of Jesus’ innocence of any crime against Rome. They had also heard the screams of “Crucify, crucify, by the crowd but hardly had any idea what was behind the intense bitterness.
But as the fourth hour of His Crucifixion began, several things happened to change the soldiers’ attitude, and when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, the soldiers became very frightened. One of the things that would have unnerved them would have been when they had been suddenly plunged into darkness three hours before Jesus death. They would not have been aware of the tearing of the Temple veil and probably not of the opening of the graves. But they were shaken by the earthquake and its violent splitting of rocks which must have been a terrifying experience even for hardened legionnaires.
The context and circumstances of the passage clearly indicate, however, that the centurion and his men were frightened of much more than the supernatural darkness and earthquake. They sensed that those awesome natural phenomena had a supernatural origin, and their primary fear was not of those events themselves but of the divine power behind them. Their emotional fright soon turned to spiritual as testified by the fact that they did not run for their lives or try to find a place of safety but rather declared, “…54Truly this was the Son of God.”
These Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus were transformed into believers of a sort when they witnessed the manner of Jesus death and the events that happened around them. If you read past the Gospel text, verses 55 and 56 there were other witnesses to these supernatural events. We are told that “…55there were many women there beholding afar off.…56Among which was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Josses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.” (Matthew 27:55-56)
In closing, through these miracles the Father was bearing witness that the cross of His Son is the only hope for sinful man, the only way to receive eternal life. For those that place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, access to God is open wide and those who enter the open door are assured of living in His eternal Kingdom.
And as St. Paul tells us in (Heb 4:16) “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
In the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. AMEN
The Rev. Don Fultz+
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Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
Palm Sunday
In our epistle lesson we heard the words of St. Paul who penned the following, Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Our Lord commands that level of respect and awe as he is the one who did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He gave himself for us as a sacrifice for our sins and trespasses. That is why we bow our knees to him as regenerated souls in Christ, in gratitude for his selfless death and for his mighty resurrection and ascension to glory. He thus made it possible for us to come into the presence of God and be welcomed as sons and daughters and not as criminals to be judged and punished as the unregenerate will be. Sadly, many of the unregenerate will not come because they love their sins and will not be rid of them. Their rejection of our Lord’s offer of redemption speaks volumes as to who they are and where they are headed. Many regard their rejection as a choice among choices with no consequences. So then let us now see what God has to say in his word written.
In Genesis 3, we are told how mankind failed to follow the LORD’s instructions and were seduced by the Devil to violate the SINGLE command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve did indeed eat of that tree and as a result they lost their innocence. Their actions introduced death into the world. And what’s more, God expected mankind to do what was right—all the time— because they did in fact know the difference between good and evil. Over time, God gave mankind his laws for life. The Ten Commandments are the basis of that law. They express the major doctrines of faith, family, and society relative to godly living. The Hebrews were expected to follow the commandments and ordinances of God for their good. They were even supplied a means of approaching God’s throne that they might be relieved of their sins and trespasses if they would offer certain sacrifices and offerings. Mind you, these offerings and sacrifices only provided temporary reprieve from their sins. Even still, they often failed to make those offerings and sacrifices with a whole heart. Tell me, what sort of prayer, offering or sacrifice is of any worth if your heart is not there when you make it? And there is another sad fact which must be pointed out, as we have learned from the apostle James, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (2:10).
It should be clear that original sin is like an incurable disease that we are powerless to heal. And that is where God stepped in. He knew from the beginning that mankind was unable to provide a remedy for such. And so with the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, he supplied that true redeemer who would save us from our sins as well as free us from the bondage of the law. As the apostle Paul noted in his epistle to the Galatians, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath conclude all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (vv. 19-26).
And consider also the words of the apostle Paul who said, But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this , that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, and for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust (I St. Timothy 1:8-11).
Now the novice or carnal Christian might respond: “Wait a minute, did the scriptures say concerning the law that it was made, for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners?” Most assuredly it does. As we read previously in Galatians and now in First Timothy, we were not given the law as a means of salvation but to point us to that means of salvation apart from the law in Jesus Christ. Seriously, the law is the knowledge of sin. For example, think about the laws of our country, state and locality. If you violate them, you will be subjecting yourself to an array of punishments. The judge who will hear your case and will eventually pass sentence upon you is not there to “save you” from its ill effects. That is the job of your “advocate” or “mediator”— read, attorney.
On the other hand, our Lord Jesus Christ can provide us with a full pardon when it comes to the law of God. He is the advocate who will stand beside us before God and say “No Charge” for every count against us. For when we accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord, we are regenerated by the power of the Holy Ghost. In that state, we can seek God’s forgiveness in his name and God will remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:13). They are thus forgiven and forgotten. That is power of God in Christ by means of the Holy Ghost. For it is he that can do this if, and only if, we truly believe on him as our Saviour and Lord. So then, trust God and trust Christ. Seek to be filled with God’s Spirit. And while we are not to sin willfully, the apostle John noted, ...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (I St. John 2:1-2).
As we have seen, God’s justice demands no mercy for unrepentant sinners. They did not seek such in their unbelief, and one must have faith for it to work. But God is also merciful as he has supplied a way of escaping his wrath if we but repent of our sins and trespasses in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The law remains; but grace can set aside judgment for sin and free the regenerated soul from the bondage of it. Those who are born-again of the Spirit know that they have erred and will humble themselves before God. That is why I encourage each of you to confess your sins to God in Christ and humble yourself beneath his mighty hand and he will pardon and relieve you of your ills. God is waiting to do for you what you cannot do for yourself. He has provided that one way, one truth and one life via the atoning work of our Saviour, and so you need only to repent and embrace him as your only Saviour.
And with that you now know why every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. And what’s more they will do it not just in heaven but in hell beneath where those souls will acknowledge the Christ they did not accept to their eternal ruin. Let that sink in, will you?
Let us pray,
O holy Father, we thank you for the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus; and help us to live our lives daily in service to thee, and this we ask in that name which is above every name, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bryan+
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian.
Palm Sunday
Jesus watches for us
(And we must watch with Him despite our failings and humanity)
“…Could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
Palm Sunday. The Greek Church uses the names “Sunday of the Palm Carrying” & “Hosanna Sunday,” “ Blossom Sunday “ in England or “ Flowering Sunday.” The official title is the “Second Sunday of the Passion” and usually the account in Matthew is read. The Ukranians and Poles strike each other gently with the palms which they call “God’s Wounds” as the scourging of Christ.
In Italy people offer palms as a token of reconciliation and peace to those who they have quarreled with . In Austria and the Slavic countries they walk through fields and buildings on the afternoon of Palm Sunday with the palms to draw God’s blessings on the harvest.
In the passion we did not read the whole today. Matthew 26:40 tells of Jesus in the Garden of Gethesame meaning “oil press.” Here Jesus would be pressed. Jesus wonders credulously why Peter, James and John could not watch with him one hour. The fisherman who stayed up all night fishing could not stay awake for the Lord. “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) Earlier they seemed eager to be there. Peter said he would not deny him. At the Last Supper Jesus told of the coming betrayal. “…one of you shall betray me.” (Matthew 26:21) And every one said, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22)
We too like the disciples are unable to stay with Jesus but one hour. “…the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 26:41 How many times have we gone down a road that God said , “you can go down that road but I told you it leads to nowhere?” Did you ever see a dead end sign? How many of you, men especially, if driving, have to go down there to see if it really is a dead end? Most men do! (I had one of those garmin driving things and it took me to a dead end while I was in Montgomery, Al visiting a parishioner. They are not perfect, are they?} It is good to know that God leads us where we should be, and that is better than any map or Garmin for sure. We often doubt it. I have had my doubts, but somehow it all works out to His glory and my good despite my human failings. I certainly identify with Peter who could not even watch one hour.
In the Valley of Vision ( by the way if you would like a copy of this book I highly recommend it ----published by the Banner of Truth) a collection of English puritan prayers we read, :“ I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief, in a felt spiritual darkness. My heart is full of evil surmising and disquietude, and I cannot act faith at all.”
Jesus said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful…tarry ye here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38) Yet we are not able. Like the disciples we fall asleep at the switch. We fall away one by one in the hour of His dire need and temptation. “…Could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
The good news of the gospel is that while we cannot watch with Jesus one hour, He watches with us. The righteous for the unrighteous, the sinless for the sinful, the Eternal Son of God become human sheds His blood on our behalf. “For Christ also hath suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God: being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the spirit.” (I Peter 3:18) How many times has this happened that Jesus watches with us? I have lost count. Here in this solemn passion week that we begin today we remember His gift of love and grace to us. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Throughout this passion week remember that while we are unable to watch with Jesus , He never is forgetful to watch with us. He remembers our sins no more in the sanctifying and justifying grace of His shed blood. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) Do we know that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us? Do we know that when we felt that things were not going to work out that He works out things?
As He rides today into the Holy City on the donkey the people cried, “Hosanna” (Save now) but were saying “crucify Him” by the end of the week. But on the Cross, He who suffered for our sins knows pain on our behalf and does not give into the devil. He does not turn from the Cross but says, “…My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
I suppose the one thing we desire in our lives is direction. How do we know which way to go when there seem to be so many ways to go? This way or that way? We feel like Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz” looking at the scarecrow who points in two directions at the same time. Instead of waiting on God we are impatient. Instead of praying we worry all the more.
We wish for instant answers and easy solution . In all these things Jesus does not abandon us. He is trying to get our attention. He always does if we will but listen. For the prophet Elijah exhausted after seeing the power of God, He comes not in the earthquake, nor the fire but in “a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:12) In our inability, God teaches us about His ability. In our lack of watching and praying, God teaches us about His prays on our behalf. And in our hopelessness, Jesus comes to us as our Hope.
We who are so inadequate can rest in the adequacy of the power, grace, wisdom and love of God which knows no bounds. In the Garden we fall asleep but Jesus prays. In our faithlessness, He is ever faithful. He does not shun the road of difficulty. “Could ye not watch with me one hour?” No, you cannot, but I can watch for you.
That certainly does not allow us not to try to be His Disciples and to watch with Him. Often our excuses are louder than our prayers. We can not take away His watching for us, and that is special, but we must try harder to watch with Him.
Let us pray: “O heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray thee so to guide and govern us by thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget thee, but may remember that we are ever walking in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
David D. Mc Millan+,
Pastor, & Chaplain (Major) US Army, ret.
AOC Worldwide Prayer List –
I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.
Prayer Needed:
Man, who is a friend of many – Brain Cancer
Bobby Effinger – recovery from heart surgery and ongoing heart issues
Steven – recovering from surgery on scar tissue compressing his Spinal Accessory Nerve
Brannon – hospitalized due to chronic unknow source of muscle spasms – 3 year old
Rency – 2 year old suffering from RETTS Syndrome
Joseph Broddie – recurring throat cancer
Judy Fauble – end stage Alzheimers – pray for Judy and family
David Williams – serious cardiac issues – pray for David and wife Sherie for coping with changes
Jack Williams – had to enter long term care due to vascular dementia – pray for wife Karen
Audrey Beebe – For the Family who are mourning her passing.
James “Buzz” Pickens Family – who are mourning His passing
Colby Landry - cancer. Please pray for his wife, Leah and their family at this time of trial.
Persecuted Christians - subject to persecution and imprisonment for their faith.
Bobby Bryan - suffering with cancer and cardiac issues.
For an increase in the true faith in Jesus Christ here and across the globe.
David – needing Hip transplant
Bobby Bryan – cancer and cardiac issues
Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain
Dennis Potrikus - fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab
Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission
Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery
Michelle – metastasized lung cancer – treatment ongoing – 50% positive remission
Sue – Praise the Lord – she rented her house and traveling mercies to return to NC
Extended Issues need continued prayer;
Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions - Myanmar,
Harper-IBS, Jim Sevier- God’s
Peace, Linda –
multiple myeloma, Donna-chemotherapy,
Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer, Donna - cancer, Malou –
cancer,
Archie- CHF, Eloise, Janice, Dakota, Katie, Bobby, Effie, Marilee, Myra Cox, Faye Miller,
Points to Ponder:
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Matt. 15:19
Our nature even at rest is sinful. But it is never at rest. It has thoughts and desires, suggestions and purposes; and these motions and acts of the soul are sin. Actual sin is everything whereby evil is committed or good omitted, against God's Law. When you slander your neighbor, you commit evil and sin; if you do not defend him when slandered, you omit good and therefore sin. " To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Many people say that they harm no one. But the question will also be asked of them, "What good have you done?" The fig-tree had harmed no one, yet it was cursed by Christ because it had done no good. Not only every tree bearing no fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, but also every tree that bringeth forth no good fruit. There are sins of the heart, of the eye, of the tongue, and... of action. Do not try to persuade yourself that your sin is only a little sin. There are no little sins. Every sin is a great sin. Even when the believer sins involuntarily, it is a grievous sin in the sight of God; but as his faith clings to God's forgiving grace, his sin is at once forgiven by the all-sufficient merits of Christ. But if he sins voluntarily, however, with a set purpose, against the warning of his conscience, he falls from faith, and his sin is unforgiven, whether great or small. All our little omissions are great sins. And to the unbeliever every sin is an unforgiven sin. Even his seeming virtues are sins because he does not believe and trust in God and does not love and fear Him. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Do not despise sins because they seem small. How difficult is it for you to renounce the one which is your darling sin! Take heed of this one sin, especially if it is a secret sin! Every sin entails guilt.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles–excerpt from “What is Actual Sin?” 3-7-26
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