260405 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
EASTER SUNDAY
HE IS RISEN, INDEED!
April 5, 2026 – Sunday Report
Easter 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 165-166.
The Collect for Easter Sunday.
O GOD, who for our redemption didst give thine only begotten Son to the death of the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy; Grant us so to die daily from sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same thy Son Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle for Easter Sunday. I Corinthians v. 6.
KNOW ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The Gospel for the Easter Sunday. St. Mark xvi. 1.
WHEN the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
On Point –
Anglican Orthodox Church
OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDING BISHOP
P.O. Box 128
Statesville, N.C. 28687
Phone: 704-873-8365
Email: aocworldwide@anglicanorthodoxchurch.org
Website: www.aocinternational.org
Bishop’s Easter Letter - 5 April 2026 (15 Nisan)
Passover in Goshen; “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:2) This month of Nisan is the first month of the New Year - a new beginning.
Easter symbolizes many varied and wonderful truths. One of those truths that I would like to emphasize for this Easter Season is an early beginning to all that we do in the service of our Lord.
The dear lady, Mary Magdalene, sets an excellent example of doing seeing to one’s duty “early, while it was yet dark.” She could afford no time to waste in satisfying a duty her love compelled her in seeing to the final honors of her Lord and Savior. She hazarded the dangers of the darkened streets of Jerusalem and the wagging tongues of busybodies to be at the tomb at the earliest possible hour to complete the anointment of the Lord’s body with oils. It was that same diviner love that compelled her to be at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion while all of the other disciples had fled, save John. It was that same love that compelled her to remain at the cross until the Lord’s body was carried to the tomb where he witnessed his burial.
Love will always dictate an early satisfaction of its treasured object. When David the King was hounded and harassed in the wilderness, he found consolation in seeking the counsel of his Lord early: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.” (Psalms 63:1-2)
It is no coincidence that Easter (or the Lord’s Passover) is observed at the beginning of the Hebrew New Year. “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (Exodus 12:2) Nisan is first month of the New Year - a new beginning.
It heralded a new beginning in the Creation of God. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (1 Colossians 1:15-17)
Early in Eden, Adam and Eve began on the wrong foot. In this new Creation of our new life, let us start off each new day of our lives with that new heart granted by the Lord Jesus Christ to all who believe and follow Him.
Mary Magdalene’s life had been one tormented by sin and doubt, but the love of her life in Christ turned all things to joy. Her love was multiplied when her heart was cleansed and filled with the Holy Ghost.
Let us take note of Mary and King David in seeking the Lord early every day of our lives until the Lord calls us home to be with Him for eternity. Our first waking moment should remind us of the blessings of being chosen and adopted into the family of our Lord.
A very Happy Easter to all who seek Him early.
In Christ Alone during Eastertide,
† Jerry Ogles, D.D
Presiding Bishop
The Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide Communion
Chancellor, Faith Theological Seminary
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
New Series for Youth of All Ages - Mr. Sola Scriptura
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/03/youtube-video-player_30.html
You tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K14CYEgiu3I
Wednesday Evening Video: The Two Woes of David
Easter Eve Video 2026
You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDS0c0jXmVQ
Bishop Ogles Easter Video Summary Sermon
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/sermon-summary-click-on-url-for-video.html
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRt-jyftCfs
Charles Morley
Bishop of Alabama
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
We are always happy to get the instruction and devotions that Bp Morley is giving to us. We hope you enjoy the following:
THE CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
or vestus virum facit
With all due respect to Hans Christian Andersen, the hubbub created by the recent elevation of a woman to the Archepiscopate of Canterbury has a great element of The Emperor's New Clothes about it. As one who professes and calls himself an 'Anglican,' I do very much claim to have a dog in this race. My friends and enemies would earnestly claim to the contrary, noting that I belong to a jurisdiction that does not, indeed cannot, ordain women, and that I can't do anything about those who do, I should remain silent and be about my own business.
But the fact remains that what is presently, obviously dividing the Body of Christ is very much my business - and should be for all who profess and call themselves Christians. Many years ago, I took a solemn oath to banish and drive away from the Church all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to God's Word, and that oath has neither geographical nor temporal boundaries. Fact is, the ordination of women has been accepted by the majority of Christians, Anglican or otherwise, and those few who oppose the innovation must bear the brunt of harsh criticism from the majority.
Remember when we were told, both by the secular media and by church sources, that Gene Robinson was to be "the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church." This statement was patently false but knowingly promulgated by all sides dealing with the matter as though it was newsworthy. The Episcopal Church had been ordaining "openly gay" men and women for years but somehow the fact that Robinson was a bishop disturbed some to the point of threatening schism. Indeed, a large group did in fact leave the Episcopal Church, claiming that Robinson was a large part of their reason for leaving. At the time, there were several "openly gay" bishops in the Church but this did not seem to warrant the publicity given to Robinson. One has to wonder why? Otis Charles, the bishop of Utah, came out of the closet in 1999, divorced his wife and "married" his much younger companion in a public ceremony. You can see the "wedding" pictures of his second marriage on Google. No one left the Church because of Otis Charles.
Sarah Mullaly may be the first female Archbishop of Canterbury but she is far from the first female bishop of the Anglican Communion. She is not even the first "openly gay" female bishop - or archbishop for that matter. The Archbishop of Wales was appointed months before Mullaly - and the "conservative" Anglican bishops said and did nothing. As far back as 1997, Barbara Harris, an openly gay woman, became the first female bishop of the Episcopal Church - and the entire Anglican Communion. There were mild protests but no threats of schism, no world-wide response to the departure from a two thousand year old tradition and scriptural practice. In fact there was much praise - from women's groups and the increasingly powerful liberal wing of the Church of England and the British government.
It may be argued that Canterbury is more influential in the Communion than lesser female prelates - but then are we arguing theology or power politics? These neo-con "Anglicans" ignore the fact that denominations other than their much-touted Anglican Church of North America have existed for years and have sought to preserve orthodox beliefs and practise for over a hundred years. The new ACNA did not even bother to choose a new name - they simply ignored the fact that the first ACNA was organized in 1978 and was dedicated to many of the same principles as the new ACNA, sharing much of the same difficulties of "recognition" by the wide Anglican Communion. Canterbury failed to recognize the first ACNA which suffered greatly because of it.
Canterbury also failed to recognize the new ACNA which first claimed to be "in communion" with Canterbury, recognizing this as a selling point to American churchmen. "Apostolic Succession" was then the golden fleece of world-wide Anglicanism - which greatly feared that the Communion would split, and used this false doctrine as a litmus test against potential schismatics. The new ACNA went to great lengths to secure a succession that would be recognized by Canterbury and courted African and Asian bishops in an effort to obtain validity. But as the Anglican Communion and a succession of Archbishops of Canterbury slipped further and further into liberalism, the Canterbury Connection was dropped and has ultimately resulted in the present Balkanization of the Church. This has enabled the "new" ACNA to disassociate itself totally from the conservative Episcopal and Anglican organizations and churches which have preceded it, paving the way for the acceptance of an Anglican Church which is purposely independent of Canterbury.
It was absolutely necessary to vilify the present Archbishop, not simply on the basis of gender - the ACNA does not oppose women's ordination - but on the accusation that her liberalism is too radical to maintain leadership of the world-wide Anglican Communion. The duplicitousness and hypocrisy of this position is ungodly and challenges the integrity of the historic Reformed Protestant Church. (to be continued).
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FINIS
+CEM
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Holy Communion – EASTER SUNDAY
The Epistle: Colossians 3:1-4; The Gospel: John 20:1-10
ALMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Hymns # 124, 338, 145
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The simple lesson of the Resurrection is just that, simple. Many sceptics over the centuries have tried very hard to find a way to prove that Christ did not rise again from the dead. The attempts over the years to certify that the disciples were a bunch of loons or just not very stable characters, a people one should avoid, has been tried again and again.
Over the next couple of Sundays we will study how up to at least five hundred people saw Christ Jesus alive AFTER having witnessed his death on Calvary. These would be people who would in some cases be forces to give their lives because they would not renounce the fact of resurrection of Christ. If the event were not true, why would anyone be willing to die for an untruth?
Our lesson today is that Christ the Lord is risen today. We base our hope of the life after death in the fact that we believe that Jesus Christ laid down his life on Good Friday and he came back to life, in a glorified body on Easter Sunday.
The First Sunday of the new Life in Christ.
Everything was different after Easter Sunday. Nothing would ever be the same. Because He lives we can see tomorrow. As we read the passage from Romans six, we are given a clear outline as to what happened that glorious Easter morning. Because Christ rose victorious over death, we too can look forward to that glorious day where Death will have no hold over us, we will be free from the pangs of Death. Christ’s death and resurrection has made us alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 7For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:9-11)…….20CHRIST is risen from the dead : and become the first fruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1Corinthians. 15:20-22)
The two previous selections of scripture give us the greatest hope in a world of chaos and confusion.We see that because Christ went before us, defeated death by rising again from the dead, we have that hope the world lacks. We know that we are now alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We read that the original curse laid upon us by Adam, that being physical death, is now vanquished by (Emmanuel) God in the Son, who over came that same death by the glorious resurrection that first Easter Day.
And so now in this week and in the weeks to come, let us reflect upon the great work that Christ has done for our salvation.
Let us remember the great gift that God the Father has bestowed upon us, through his Son Jesus Christ the Risen One. Let us ever be mindful that he will restore us and keep us to that day, the day of our own resurrection, the corruptible to the incorruptible, from that which was lost to that which is saved.
Glory, Christ the Lord is Risen. He has risen indeed
Let us pray:
…7CHRIST our Passover is sacrificed for us: 8therefore let us keep the feast, Not with the old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness : but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor. 5:7-8)
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 daily life we may never forget thee, but remember that we are ever walking in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O LORD God, who hath wounded us for our sins, and consumed us for our transgressions by thy late heavy and dreadful visitation; and now, in the midst of judgement remembering mercy, hast redeemed our souls from the jaws of death; We offer unto thy fatherly goodness ourselves, our souls and bodies, which thou hath delivered, to be a living sacrifice unto thee, always praising and magnifying thy mercies in the midst of thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Spirit, bless you and keep you; the Lord make his Face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his Countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen
Christ alone during Eastertide:
Roy
Sermon - Bishop Jack Arnold
Anglican Orthodox Church of the
United States
Diocese of the West
Church of the Faithful Centurion
- Descanso, California
EASTER SUNDAY
Good morning! I hope you are all doing well. In today’s sermon we will be looking at the unifying message of the Collect, Epistle and Gospel and examine how they share a common message of action as we celebrate Jesus’ delivery of the promise of life eternal with Him in our life to come. This Day of the Resurrection is when the promise of eternal life is delivered. Those who condemned him on the Friday morning now left on the ash heap of history.
Today is Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The central event of not only the Christian Year; but of Christianity and the entire world. Witness the terms AD and BC. Anno Domini (the year of our Lord) and Before Christ. Even the politically correct BCE - CE (that is to say, Before Common Era and Common Era) divides time at the birth of our Lord. Even those who fall in that trap must recognize Him!
When you google images for the term Easter, you find 95 percent of the images, eggs, bunnies and chocolates. That is NOT our celebration. That is NOT what Easter is about. Easter is not about finding goodies inside plastic shells. It is not about the end of Winter and the coming of Spring. What it is about is the beginning of a new life for those who will accept it.
The Christian Year has four main celebrations:
1. Christmas celebrates the incarnation or human birth of Jesus, the Christ of God.
2. Epiphany celebrates His revealing to the Gentiles, that would be us!
3. Good Friday observes or remembers, the word celebrate hardly fits here, the one time sacrifice for all mankind for all time by our Lord and Savior (that is where the word savior comes in) that we might be accounted as perfect when we stand before Him at the final judgment day.
4. Today, Easter is, in Spanish La Resurreccion, in English The Resurrection, The Return to Life of Jesus, Christ of God, who returned from death, from Hell, to deliver His promise of eternal life in person!
Let us start by reading today’s Collect:
Easter Sunday.
The Collect.
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LMIGHTY God, who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
¶ This Collect is to be said daily throughout Easter Week.
Consider these words from the Collect:
… who through thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ hast overcome death, and opened unto us the gate of everlasting life; We humbly beseech thee that, as by thy special grace preventing us thou dost put into our minds good desires, so by thy continual help we may bring the same to good effect…
In the Collect, we acknowledge by the sacrifice made on Good Friday by the One and Only Perfect Man, a single sacrifice, made one time, for all mankind, for all time by our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ of God, we have eternal life. We are no longer bound by the animal sacrifices that marked the Old Covenant and did not really do the job. Jesus was the perfect Lamb that was sacrificed for our sins so that we might have that precious eternal life. We must always remember how special this is and keep it in remembrance. We must remember that God did this for us because of His tremendous love for us. When you think about it, it is pretty incredible that God sent His Only Begotten Son, that we should not perish but have everlasting life. It shows how deep and meaningful that His Love for us that He sent us son to not only guide us but to give his Earthly Live for us for our eternal freedom.
When God sent His Son to be our Savior, the Creator, Lord and Master of the Universe sent His only Son to not only live amongst us and minister and guide us, but to give His earthly life as a one time sacrifice for our sin that we might be accounted as perfect in our final accounting, the resurrection. Today is the day of His Resurrection, where we celebrate His triumphant return from his descent into Hell after he died on the Cross and battled Satan for our souls. There is a lot made of His rather unfair trial and then subsequent agonizing death on the Cross and of course His Resurrection for good reason. However what is less talked about is after He died upon the cross, His Soul went into hell to do battle for our souls. As painful as His Death was on the cross, His work had only just begun as He had to go down into Hell and battle with Satan for our souls. We will never know the full details of that battle, but it is enough to know that He triumphed and He returned to Earth victorious. On Easter Satuday, that is something that we need to think about. But now, on Easter Sunday, we can rejoice and share in the triumph that He won and has secured our souls future for all time.
Jesus set an example of humility and patience, both exceedingly rare qualities in us. He has set for us the ultimate example to follow in regards to both qualities. That example is extremely difficult for us to follow without God’s help. However if we are to be Christians not just in name only, but in deed, it behooves us to follow Jesus’s example to the very best of our abilities. This is a concept that is easier said than done, but it is something that must be done all the same.
There was a reason God set Easter, as well as the Passover, in the springtime. Not only was the time of His death and rising again, but it came at a time where the flowers bloomed anew, having been dead in winter, as Christ had been dead, and rose again, just as those flowers bloom again. This is truly symbolic of His Death and Resurrection and it is no coincidence Easter happened during this time.
If you think doing our best to following Jesus’s standard is too hard to accomplish, stop and think about what Jesus went through, is it as hard as His Trials and Death and Battling Satan? No matter who you are, the answer is never going to be yes. In the end, the path we must follow will still be easier than if we refuse to follow Him and try and forge our own path. We have to remind ourselves that we will be far happier if we follow His example and lead a righteous and steadfast life, full of grace and humility, as well as patience.
In our lives, it is important to think about Jesus’ example before we do what we want to do. Is what you are wanting in line with Jesus’ message? Think about the answer. Think about what He would do in a given situation. We must not let our natural inclinations guide us as they are most likely to be wrong. We must use the Scriptures like a pilot uses instruments when he is flying in the weather, as his senses would lie to him about the aircraft’s true attitude. So too will our natural inclinations lie to us about where we are in life, unless we rely on the tried and true instruments of Scripture.
Jesus knew what was coming, how much it would hurt both His Body and Soul as He went through with the crucifixion and subsequent descent in to Hell and the battle that awaited Him for our souls. Yet, He also knew this was God’s Will that we might live. If He did this for you, how can you not follow Him wherever His Will takes you? If He was willing to do that for all of us, then how can we not repay Him? His Sacrifice demands that we repay Him to the best of our ability, by the sheer nature of it; his perfection being offered in place of our imperfection. He set the ultimate standard for following God’s Will even if it leads to bodily injury/pain and or death. We must strive to emulate that standard as much as we are able to.
These days people have forgotten how special Jesus’s Death and Resurrection is to us. It is a sign of the times, perhaps maybe even close to the end times that Churches have fallen into apostasy and are even actively denying His Ministry, His Death and His Resurrection. It is important now, more than ever that we must not follow those Churches into the Pit, but follow the Holy Ghost on the narrow uphill path towards heaven. Jesus commanded us to always remember His Death and Passion, that we might be partakers of His Heavenly Kingdom. We do not yet know if this is the End Times but we would be wise to treat it as if it is and live as if every day could be our last day here on Earth.
If we do not remember His Death and Passion, can we truly be partakers of His Heavenly Kingdom?
How can we?
He is asking us to act and if we do not choose to act for Him then we cannot be truly on His Side. It is not enough just to ‘have’ faith, we need to back our faith up with actions and choose to act For Him, to remember His Ministry, Death and Resurrection and do our best with the help of the Holy Ghost to follow the standard He set.
Jesus set an example difficult to follow even with the help of the Holy Ghost, but impossible to follow without the help of the Holy Ghost. Our eternal life does not come to us for free. It was paid with the blood of God’s only begotten Son. We have a debt to Him we cannot even close to repaying, but we can start by choosing to follow Him each and every day. Where we fall short, we get back up the next day and do better than the previous day.
We must remember His Example when times get harder and more difficult as it becomes closer to the end of this world and the beginning of our eternity with God. Let us act for Him and make it known that we reject mammon and embrace the example of Jesus Christ. We may lose friends and even family as a result of standing with God; the consequences for not standing with God are far worse than losing shallow people in your life.
By the way, did you notice when John and Simon Peter came to the empty tomb they awa the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself? Why were the linen clothes simply discarded, but the napkin that had been around His head neatly folded? Like a guest getting up from the table for a bit, He folded His napkin because He would return.
When the time comes, how will you ACT?
It is by our actions we are known.
Be of God - Live of God - Act of God
The Rev. Don Fultz
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office
We are grateful to have Don's Sermon today on Easter Sunday!
Easter Sermon: 1st Cor. 15: 12-20
Benefits of the Resurrection
Today, we celebrate another Easter Sunday. He is risen….He is risen indeed! The death and resurrection of Jesus are the greatest events in the history of Mankind. His resurrection is the culmination of God’s plan of Salvation and represents the cornerstone of our Faith and the key to our Salvation.
The most powerful three words before Jesus’s death on the cross, that was critical to our Salvation and deliverance of mankind was Jesus last dying words “It is finished.” Another powerful three words spoken after the resurrection that brings us hope and joy is “He is Risen”. You will find accounts of Jesus resurrection in the bible in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Even though these Gospel writers had different introductions, they concluded and emphasized on his resurrection from the dead.
So how important to us as Christians is the Resurrection of Jesus? If there were no resurrection of Christ from the dead; there would be no Christianity just as St. Paul says in this morning Text in verse 14: “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
Some people question whether Jesus dying on the cross was more important than his resurrection. In reality, they are equally important, and they cannot be separated from each other. Just Like the two wings of an airplane, both are important, and both are essential. Why is this? The reason is our greatest need is the forgiveness of our sins.
Even just one sin separates us from God who is absolutely holy and pure. This is why we needed Jesus who was without sin or blemish to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Without Jesus’s death, we have no hope of God’s forgiveness and without Jesus’s resurrection; we have no hope of eternal life. It is through Jesus’s punishment and death on the cross and his resurrection that allows us to become holy enough in the eyes of God and be able one day to get to heaven.
St. Paul says in this morning’s Gospel reading in verses 12 through 19 that there are six Christian needs or benefits that would be in shambles if Christ had not been raised from the dead. But then in verse 20, he says that since Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, all these shambles have been turned into victories. This morning, due to time constraints, I would like to just focus on the three most important benefits of Christ’s resurrection.
The first is validation of the forgiveness of our sins and justification. St. Paul says in verse 17, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” So how is the resurrection connected to our forgiveness of our sins? Isn’t it the death of Jesus on the cross that takes away our sin, because He bore our sins and took our Judgement? Yes, but they are connected. God had to confirm the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. By his resurrection Jesus defeated the power of sin, death and Satan. St. Paul expounds on this in 1st Cor. 15:55-57 where he says: “55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It took a powerful force to move the stone from the entry of Jesus’s tomb. In addition, the entrance to His tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers. St. Matthew 28:1-4 tells us God caused an earthquake and sent his angel from heaven and rolled back the stone. The Roman soldiers in fear of him did shake and became as dead men. Did Jesus need to have the stone removed to rise from the dead and escape his tomb? No, according to the writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham “The angel who came to the garden where Jesus body lay on Easter morning, rolled away the stone not to let Jesus out, for He was not bound by death, but when the stone was rolled away fresh air and morning light filled the empty tomb proving that the savior had indeed risen from the dead.” This allowed his early visitors on Easter morning, such as the women who came to finish embalming Jesus to see clearly He had risen and to see the white linen cloth Jesus had been buried in lying in the empty tomb. Keep in mind that Jesus had been buried in a borrowed tomb. This was a very large deep cave like tomb that Joseph of Arimathea had built for his own family.
According to scripture, after Jesus’ death on the cross and his subsequent burial in the tomb of Joseph Arimathea, he appeared alive to more than 500 people, on twelve separate occasions. (1st Cor 15:6 plus N.T. Gospel eye-witnesses) All but one of those appearances occurred within the first forty day period following Jesus resurrection. The lone exception was Jesus appearing before Paul on the road to Damascus that happened after Jesus ascension to heaven.
Jesus resurrection confirmed that God, the father accepted His sacrifice for our sins and by putting our faith and trust in Jesus we are saved. Let’s take a look at what St. Paul tells us in Romans 4:25 says: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our Justification. “Simply put, justification is to make one right with God. Justification is God’s declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being imputed to the accounts of those who receive Christ. Just as St. Paul tells us in 2nd Cor. 5:21: “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. “Paul believed justification to be a very important part of our salvation. John Calvin said that justification is the main hinge on which religion rests. It is foundational and its benefits are many.
Prior to our conversion, because of our sins, we are separated from God and incapable of a relationship with Him as the Prophet Isaiah tells us in 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you that He will not hear.” After our conversion, Paul says that “being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. “(Rom. 5:1) Not only have we been pardoned from our sins but we have been accepted by God as well. We are now in tune to speak to God. In addition, in Rom. 5:2, Paul says we have access by faith to go directly to God with our petitions (our prayers).
Finally, justification affords us adoption, sweet acceptance by God. Adoption is the doctrine that makes all of justification click. According to St. Paul in Romans 8:14, we are made “sons of God.” Because of this, we can call Him “Father” and have the responsibility to obey Him and the privilege to love Him.
Through the shedding of his blood, Jesus had fully satisfied all of God’s judgement that was upon us. Our justification was complete. Therefore, when Romans 4:25 says He was raised for our justification, it means because Jesus’s suffering and death was sufficient, God accepted his sacrifice for our sins and raised Him from the dead as confirmation of this sacrifice. Through Jesus resurrection, our sins have been validated as forgiven when we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Through our faith in Jesus we are made righteous in the eyes of God. As believers in Christ, God sees Christ’s own righteousness when He looks at us. This meets God’s demands for perfection; thus, He declares us righteous…He justifies us.
The second benefit we receive is that our faith is well-founded. Paul says in verse 14b that if Christ had not been raised, then our faith would be in vain. However, we can say due to Christ’s Resurrection our Faith is not in vain but rather well-founded, or to put it more personally there is someone we can trust absolutely! We believe that Jesus is God incarnate. We believe that He is the Son of God. We believe that he died for our sins and rose again on the third day. Because Jesus rose from the dead, our belief in Him is trustworthy. We can trust God’s holy word and his promises of eternal life. When Jesus rose from the dead, he was showing us that his love for us is also trustworthy. Through his resurrection, God was showing us that our faith, our trust, and our confidence in Jesus are not in vain.
Jesus will never let us down. He will never leave us, disappoint us, or forsake us. After his resurrection, Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 28:20 “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
The last most important benefit of Christ’s resurrection is eternal life in heaven. Paul says in verse 18: “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Paul is saying if Christ did not rise from the dead, then those who have died in faith for Jesus are lost when they die. But then Paul says in verse 20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.” What Paul is saying here is that Jesus’s own resurrection secures the future resurrection of all those who have died in him on the last day.
Paul tells us in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 that when Christ returns “…16the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” When this happens, all who believe in Him will be given new glorified bodies. On that day there will be no more tears, no more death, and no more pain. (Rev.21:4) We will be alive for eternity. What a great gift this is.
The chance to have eternal life and a place in God’s heavenly kingdom is the best gift God has ever given us. So what is eternal life? It is basically eternal joy and happiness. Adam and Eve had it in the Garden of Eden before they disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God had planted this garden for them with every tree that provided food and also an abundant of vegetables that were grown.
There was a river that flowed through the garden that watered everything. It was like paradise. Before they committed this sin before God, they were in perfect harmony with Him. They never got sick. They worked and enjoyed doing so. Imagine your life today, without all of your problems, heartaches, and pains. Now take that life and multiply it by infinity and that’s how you’re going to feel in heaven for all of eternity. Won’t it be wonderful! In addition, we have hope to see our loved ones who have died in Christ again on that wonderful day when Christ returns.
In closing, let us all be thankful this Easter day that we have a loving, and merciful God who is full of Grace and that sacrificed his only begotten Son for our sins. Also, let us remember the words of St. Paul about renewal of our minds in Rom. 12:2 : “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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
Easter Sunday
In our epistle lesson for today (Colossians 3:1-4, the apostle Paul wrote, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. This world and all that is in it will one day be transformed by fire so it is important for us as regenerated souls in Christ to seek those things which are eternal for our good and his greater glory. (II St. Peter 3:10-13). With that in mind we learned from Scripture that prior to his betrayal and arrest by the temple authorities, our Lord spoke to the disciples of his coming crucifixion and death as well as his resurrection from the dead with these words: Verily, verily I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (St. John 16:20). His disciples did not fully grasp what was about to happen to him. While they had followed our Lord throughout his earthly ministry and had witnessed his miraculous works; they were to experience one that would confirm in their minds and that of others as well— his resurrection from the dead.
The importance of the resurrection is clear. It is the chief tenet of biblical Christianity as it binds the others together into one complete package. Both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds affirm this important principle as integral to the Christian faith. For, after all, it is through this tenet that God will one day bring to fruition his work of redemption and deliverance for all who believe on his only begotten Son. Let us now consider what the Scriptures have to say about the resurrection to life. Hear now the words of Job on this subject: For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25-27). Job was a man beat down and oppressed by Satan. The devil turned all he had into ruin and even had his wife and friends joining in to pounce upon his character. In spite of all they leveled at him, Job was given by inspiration to proclaim the coming of God upon the earth and that he would see him in a new body— a resurrection body. And King David was also given of the Holy Ghost to write: I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:8-11). David tells us that there is life everlasting, and that it will be pleasurable. He spoke not only of our Lord being raised from death to life, but that he too would experience the fulness of God’s presence. And our Lord confirmed the same when he said in part that all who would believe on him might have life and have it in abundance (St. John 10:10).
The prophet Isaiah was inspired to pen the following message to the children of Israel regarding their national resurrection as well as the coming resurrection of all who are of the true faith in Christ: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
(Isaiah 26:19). As national Israel would be resurrected, so too will the Messiah also arise from death to life eternal. And our Lord affirmed this when he said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (St. John 5:24-29).
The apostle Paul also informed us that our Lord not only arose from the grave, but he did not leave the lower world alone, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men (Ephesians 4:8). This is the foretaste of the blessed hope which all faithful Christians are praying for and which helps us walk in spiritual comfort even in the worst of conditions. Consider also the words of the prophet Daniel who in like manner as Isaiah penned the following: And at that time [the great tribulation] shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1-2). Daniel spoke of that very same resurrection which our Lord spoke of in St. John 5.
The two-fold nature of those aforementioned Old Testament passages concerning the resurrection were meant to provide comfort to the children of Israel during the dark times of their captivity and dispersion. They were also meant to point them to the coming of the Messiah. Consider St. Peter’s message to the people at Pentecost when he proclaimed that the Messiah was Jesus of Nazareth. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses... Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:32, 36). But the apostle was not done. After he had pricked their hearts, the people asked what they should do, to which the apostle responded, Repent, and be baptized every of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:37-39). God’s intention from the beginning has been to save those who will respond to his calling. Even as he intends to one day save a remnant out of national Israel, so too does he intend to save his elect out of every nation for as the apostle Peter also preached, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:34-35).
Every human being throughout history even unto today must come to terms with the fact that they will face death. It is not a case of IF but WHEN. Sadly, there are a host of folks today who are not at all comfortable with their coming demise. As St. Paul noted in his first epistle to the Thessalonians, But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (4:13). Those which have no hope are people who die without Christ. The Christian HAS hope because he or she has been saved via our Lord’s sacrificial act. That is why God’s plan of redemption included the resurrection. Jesus Christ had to suffer and die in our place— to take our punishment and bear our iniquities upon Calvary’s cross— in order to serve as our redeemer-kinsman. He died so that we might live. His resurrection then is proof positive that we too will one day be resurrected in a body that will be like his resurrection body. We will live again, and not simply exist as disembodied spirits.
In chapter 15 of First Corinthians, the apostle Paul supplied believers with an explanation of the resurrection. Consider these verses: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (v.20). The Christian’s body sleeps in the earth while his or her soul is present with the Lord just as our Lord’s body slept in the tomb before his resurrection. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. (vv.21-23). The reference to Adam as the first man is clear enough in that on his account we were dead to God before we came to Christ. We were by nature children of wrath and not fit for the means of his grace (Ephesians 2:3). We had to be made right with God first and that could not be accomplished by our own meager efforts. Therefore, what men are unable to do for themselves, Christ Jesus has done for us. Now, all a person need do is come to him in repentance and accept him as their Saviour and Lord. Such a one need bring only their sins and not their works, because there are no works of justification on the part of mortals that could atone for their sins.
So it stands to reason that all who would come to Christ must believe on him as the Messiah, the Prince of Peace and the Author and Finisher of their faith, whose single work of redemption paid our sin debt forever. That is why we ought to come humbly seeking his pardon. For only after we have received his free gift of grace will our works then be acceptable in his sight. The resurrection of our Lord distinguishes biblical Christianity from all other religions so-called. It is a promise which has been fulfilled in part and whose completion will mark the end of the story of this ordeal we call human history apart from God. It reveals the love that God has for his own, and that love is predicated on our acceptance of the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. Therefore, let all regenerated souls turn away from sin and degradation, and look forward to a new life in God’s coming kingdom. While it is true, We shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed. (I Corinthians 15:51). Still, for those of us who do pass from this life, we too shall experience the joy of the resurrection on that day when our Lord returns. May it please our good and gracious God to bless you with that resurrection unto everlasting life and joy in his coming kingdom.
Let us pray,
Father, deliver us from the anxious cares of this life, and assist us as we prepare ourselves for the joys that are before us in your coming kingdom; and this we ask in the name of him whose resurrection from the dead opened to us the way of life everlasting, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Bryan+
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian.
Easter Sunday
Easter from the Colossians 3 Reading
"We cannot arrive at the perfect possession of God in this life, and that is why we are travelling and in darkness. But we already possess Him by grace, and therefore in that sense we have arrived and are dwelling in the light." Thomas Merton
I like this quote for several reasons. It is positive and reflects our Christian life that should be light here while we live to others. God's grace should be evident in our Christian practice. Words are good, but not sufficient.
Somehow if we were honest, we would say that our lives are not that full of goodness and truth. This happens to us just as it did in the time when the Apostle wrote his letter to the Christians in Colossae. Our walk does not imitate our talk for sure. We are guilty in this area.
Some gnostic (knowledge only is salvation and not our behaviour....from the Greek word gnosis or knowledge) heresies/false teaching had crept in to the church. I remember going with my mother when I was stationed at Fort Ord, CA to an Easter Sunrise Service. The pastor (I hate to mention he had to be a liberal of some sort) said the Resurrection could have only been spiritual and not physically real. I was rather upset about this after I got home. Why go to a Resurrection Service with no resurrection? What are we celebrating then? It was quite disappointing and threw cold water on the reality of who Christ is and what He has done through His death, resurrection, and Ascension to the "right Hand of God." Colossians 3
1. Paul is adamant about the real Resurrection. "If ye then be risen with Christ..." Colossians 3:1
" In the mystery cults which flourished in the apostolic age the great promise which was held out was salvation through enlightenment. Those who were initiated partook of the knowledge which was reserved for the inmost fellowship,..the rites and ceremonies of the cult were but the pathway to this esoteric knowledge." Herbert Carson in his "The Epistles of Paul "
Does this sound familiar? It unfortunately has taken root in ceremonies and dressing up for clergy in modern denominations that reject the teaching of the NT about Christian behaviour and life. In other words, if we look good at the Service and dress up and play Church, then we are good to go. But these churches are often bereft of doctrinal teaching. The teaching of the Scriptures do not allow for nonsense. The congregations usually continue to give their money to false teaching and clergy that seem not to stand up for much at all in my thinking.
Also mentioned are anger, division, slander (abusive words) and unethical conduct which Christians should have left a long time ago in their lives.
2. Christ sits at the right hand of God. "The right hand of God is the place of holiness, of intercession and of power..thus growth in holiness, depth in prayer, and advance in spiritual power should be the aim which fill the believer's horizon." Carson
" I believe ....And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father "We say this every Holy Communion , pg. 71 of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, The Nicene Creed
Christ reigns in heaven. He is accorded every privilege because of His Resurrection from the dead. The world is corrupt and evil, but our trust is in the Father and the Son who direct, sanctify and govern His people through His Spirit to the glory of God.
This is not a small thing at all. We are comforted if we have Christ in our life that all things will work together for good. We are not adrift as many think. We are heading in our lives to the glory for which Christ has bought our eternal life by His own blood.
If we look at the world we will see chaos and people in fear. But as Christians we have been graced with His love and compassion in the time and places in which we live. Our eternal journey will be made complete when we pass from life to death and are in the presence of God forevermore.
Psalm 84 reminds us of the journey and the destination all along kept by God.
"2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.4Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah 5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them"
As Merton said in our introduction, we are presently His by grace and traveling in the light now. We are alive in His light.
3. Lastly, we should set our affection on things above." All our petty divisions (distinctions ) are shown to be of no ultimate importance once it is seen that Christ is everything, and dwells in all, i. e. in all His people whatever their race or background. " Carson
I am so glad that the Anglican Orthodox Church has many Churches throughout the globe. One that amazes me is the AOC in Pakistan. They are quite remarkable in Pakistan. I see pictures of their work throughout the year and am amazed. In a culture that is not generally Christian it is a testimony to their perseverance and faith that so many Churches there do exist and are thriving. We can learn much from their witness in the Americas.
How can we set our affection on things above? It seems rather simple but we let the news, the culture and our petty arguments with others divide us instead of thinking of what has already been so beautifully accomplished by God through His Word and Church.
We should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together to encourage and listen to one other's concerns as it says in Hebrews 10:25.
I have often found the 1940 hymnal to be a place I go to when I need encouragement as well. The hymns are set to generally singable tunes and lift my spirit as I find the hymns of Passion week and Easter to sing.
Hymn 470 has an opening verse that caught my eye:
" Where is death's sting? We were not born to die,
Not only for the life beyond the grave;
All that is beautiful in earth and sky,
All skill, all knowledge, all the powers we have,
Are if thy giving, and in them we see
No dust and ashes, but a part of thee." G.F. Brady, 1929
Passion turns to Power to raise from the dead. All that are gone we will finally see as we see God face to face. A reunion with the creatures, the friends is soon to come. I look forward to that day! 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:
Debbie Grimes: colon cancer - surgery
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 – Judy went to be with the Lord, please pray for her family and Friends.
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.
USA – Leaders, citizens, military, first responders
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, Toni – remission
praise God,
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
Sermon – Time and Action – Bp. Hap Arnold
Good Friday’s sermon is contained in the BC strip below. It pretty much covers the meaning of Good Friday. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3.16
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