260420 AOC Sunday Report
Worldwide Communion
Second Sunday after EASTER
April 19, 2026
Sunday Report
Second Sunday after Easter
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 171-172.
The Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of. his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle for the Second Sunday after Easter. I St. Peter ii. 11.
THIS is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The Gospel for the Second Sunday after Easter. St. John x. 11.
JESUS said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and know my sheep, and am known of mine, even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.
On Point –
"Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15, 54—57.
"To-morrow I am going home!" repeatedly exclaimed the sainted Dr. Walther the day before his death. For this faithful servant of our Savior, death was really swallowed up in victory and had lost its very last vestige of terror. To our pious teacher, the restorer of our ruined American Lutheran Church, the grave was but the door through which he entered into the home of everlasting rest and joy of Jesus. With Job he could say, and did say in all his many sermons and writings: "I know that my Redeemer liveth." In his ever-memorable sermon on Easter Day,
1851, in which he so convincingly refutes all the arguments brought forth by modern unbelief against our Savior's resurrection, he gave the following eloquent testimony of his faith: "That [the resurrection of Christ] is the reason why all Christians can declare before all the world: 'Know, 0 world, that we actually enjoy the grace of God.' Does the world say: 'But are you not still sinners and therefore debtors?' They can answer: ' No; who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. He justified our Bondsman, and in Him justified us.' Does the world object: 'But does not the Law still condemn you?'
They can reply: 'No; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, — He fulfilled the Law.' Does the world again say: 'But does not death still await you and hell threaten you?' They can answer: 'No; our death is no longer death, but the door of life; and hell? — we can laugh it to scorn; for death is swallowed up in victory.'
In conclusion, does the religious fanatic ask: 'But do you not feel that you still have sin? How, then, can you boast of grace and righteousness?' They can answer: 'True, the sense of sin and guilt lies as a heavy stone on our heart and conscience. But go with us to the garden of Joseph of Arimathea. In this grave He was imprisoned who had taken upon Himself our sins. But behold! the stone is rolled away, the grave is empty, and shining messengers of God say to us: "He is risen!" ' 0 glorious message: 'The stone is rolled away from the grave of my sins, my death, my condemnation! Hallelujah!'"
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
Tuesday Evening video Worship for 1st St. Peter 1:1-13
You tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Kwe8Tweys
Bishop’s Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CCBx1bvzt/
Wednesday Evening Video Lectionary Message: 1 Peter 1:13-24
Bishop’s Blog Link: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/lectionary-lesson-on-1-peter-113-24.html
You tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA4Ftjc-bD0
Thursday Video Study of St. First Peter 2:1-10
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ4Ognp7F6o&t=8s
Saturday Evening Prayer Sermonette: 1 Peter 2:18-25
Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player_42.html
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qjnKCrabI
Sunday Evening Sermonette: 1 Peter 3:1-12
Bishop’s Blog : https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-post_82.html
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml3O8PRrVcw
Sermon for the Second Sunday after Easter
The Collect.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:11-16)
What a wonderful subject is today’s text after the sorrow of the cross, and the glory of resurrection morning! It encourages us to know that our Good Shepherd has been over all the rocks and crannies of life, the well springs of rivers and seas, and through the dark valley of the shadow of death. He suffered all that His lambs can ever imagine, even death of the cross. Yet, He walked up to the gate of death and hell and battered down the door freeing captives that were held by the bondage of sin – you and I among them!
So the sheep may feel complete confidence and satisfaction in that Good Shepherd who knows the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and is, Himself, that Way – that Truth – that Life. He knows the mountain trails because He has made the mountains. He knows the still waters for He is the Water of Life. He knows the place of resting peace and safety for His sheep for He is the very Ark of security and salvation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ confirmed all that God had promised in long ago prophecies of a Redeemer. He is explicitly described by the aging King of Israel, David, in the 23rd Psalm. It matters not to you or me how Good Jesus is as a Shepherd unless He is our Shepherd; and David KNEW Christ to be his Savior and Shepherd. The Good shepherd will see that His sheep lack nothing that is essential for their health and wellbeing. He knows better than they the good way, and He will urge them from the dangerous and treacherous mountain gorges with His gentle staff and cajoling Voice. All of His sheep may proclaim with David: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!”
The leading verse of our text reiterates an often overlooked and grand truth of the Gospel – Jesus is the Great I AM! He is David’s Shepherd as much today as when David, under the tutelage of the Holy Ghost, penned those lines of the 23rd Psalm. He was as much your Shepherd yesterday and today as He shall be in a million years or more. He dwells in the eternal Presence.
The preceding verse of John 10 relate another great truth: Jesus is the Door by which all must enter into the fold. There are no other doors to the sheepfold. Not only is Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He alone is that Way, Truth, and Life. In our day, a different Jesus is being preached from the greater number of pulpits of the world – a Jesus who is lax on sin, and who seems less divine than a member of the Triune Godhead should be. There are several reasons for this downgrade of faith, I believe:
1. Many clergymen today have chosen the ministry as a career field rather than having been effectually called of God. If they are not called of God, they lack authority – and it shows! Their sermons are sterile and worldly, and they lack any reproach for sin.
2. Many men who ARE called to the ministry delay their response far too long than is efficacious to take advantage of the many years wasted by their hesitation. God chases them over hill and dale until they finally surrender, or are taken out of the world. Such men are a waste of spiritual enlightenment.
3. Compromise with the world is a leading cause of the luke-warm condition of the modern church. The old classic hymns, so reaffirming of biblical faith and doctrine, are relegated to the dustbin while the light and unscriptural little ditties of the modern composer of rock music has taken their place. It is not only the words that lack spiritual truth, but the music itself which is sensual enough to be very much like that which is played in bars and night clubs. This is referred to by the sponsors of such music as ‘relevant.’
4. New Bible versions are pointing away from the central figure of the Good Shepherd, as Lord, and made Christ simply a fairly good teacher lacking divinity. The commonly received text of the Bible upon which the courageous Reformers relied is replaced with spurious manuscript evidence that lacks credibility on the face of it. A diminishing respect for the Truth and Holiness of God’s Word has clearly led to many grave shortcomings of the modern church.
5. Consumerism and profit motive are also big players in the diminishing faith of our age. False and deceptive ministers have made the House of the Lord a house of merchandise instead of a House of Prayer. Enlarging the monetary treasury of the church has become far more important than repentance and contrition of the sinners heart. Those who give the most money are viewed as the most righteous. This is not always the case since many who lack the wealth of others do so because they have shared their wealth with the widows, orphans and destitute of means.
So what does this have to do with the text today? It has everything to do with it! We have failed to follow the Good shepherd in our day. His Voice has not changed since the day we first heard Him call our names, yet we have forgotten to recognize that loving Voice. One problem may be that we disagree with the Voice of our Lord. When He calls us from the sinful and dangerous way, we believe that we are safe and continue to seek grass in places where wolves and predators lurk. He has defined sin in the most serious and clear terms, yet we have called good evil, and evil good.
Our Lord’s definition of a good shepherd is one who will sacrifice even His life for the lowly sheep: “the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” There are far more under-shepherds who are willing to lay down their lives on the foreign mission fields of the world than we have today in America; in fact, it happens often is countries today that are hostile to the Good Shepherd. If the under-shepherds are not willing to die for their flocks, how does our Lord classify them? “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” It is a fact that we have an exceeding number of hirelings today, and too few true shepherds of the flock of Christ. The sheep are left to wander in barren places and are kept only for the fleecing of their wool, or the consumption of their very souls.
The Good Shepherd was promised by God most profoundly in Jeremiah 23: 1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. 2Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. 3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. 5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jer 23:1-6) This passage is both a prophecy of the Good Shepherd, but also a condemnation of the hireling shepherds that populate the churches as those demons that live in the branches of the Mustard Tree.
An earnest seeker of the Word of the Lord is more likely to learn a false gospel in the modern church than the pure and unadulterated Word of the Lord. 16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. 17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. (Jer 23:16-17)
The great contrast of our Lord as Good Shepherd with the false pulpit dandies of our day is this: Our Lord is a Shepherd who is completely GOOD. “14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Our Lord and shepherd knows our simple hearts thoroughly, and far better than we, ourselves, know them. HE KNOWS US! There is no question, either, in the heart of the sheep of the Goodness of their Shepherd, for His sheep also KNOW Him! None other has laid down His life for us – the sinless for the sinful – as our Good Shepherd has done. This the world cannot comprehend. Why would a rational Shepherd die such a horrible death for mean and lowly sheep? The trade-off to the world does not make sense. Well, truly, it does not make worldly sense; but it makes abundant heavenly sense when the great love with which our Lord has loved us a His sheep is taken into consideration. Love is a quality that is unknown to the world. It cannot weigh it, spend it, or measure it. So it remains unknown to the world.
Our Lord delivered this counsel of His role as the Good shepherd to the Jews gathered about the Temple in Jerusalem.
A small number believed, but a greater number hardened their hearts against our Lord and the words of His Father which He spoke. It will always be the case. The number of believers that Christ claims at His return will be woefully few. Remember that only eight souls were saved out of the millions who died in the Great Deluge of Noah’s Day. Thank God that there are sheep of the Good shepherd’s other than those few to which He spoke. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. It is my prayer that all who hear the words of this sermon are a part of those “other sheep” of the Lord’s. He has a pitiful few in every land and nation, but when gathered from the four quarters of the world, they will constitute a happy fold – perhaps that Camp of the Saints to which John the Revelator makes mention. The devil will gather the armies from all over the world to destroy the people of God, but he will suffer a blistering (literally) defeat: And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Rev 20:9)
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+Jerry L. Ogles
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:
So what has happened in world-wide Anglicanism that warrants a comparison to a fairytale naked emperor? The answer is that no one is willing to address the degree of the sea-change that has taken place in Anglicanism in less than fifty years. The Episcopal Church of this century bears no relation whatsoever to the historic Protestant Episcopal Church. The present state of the Churches of England, Ireland, and Canada are not only markedly changed VISUALLY but the doctrine, discipline, and worship of these noble bodies would be unrecognizable to our grandparents. Some of the changes are subtle, some shocking - but they have all been ENGINEERED to accomplish the goals of their perpetrators. They are the results of manipulative decisions on the part of a small group of clergy who have delegated themselves as "leaders" and used the media and technology to their advantage.
Urban T. Holmes in his book "The Future Shape of Ministry" admits that the creators of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer sought to radically alter the historic faith and practice of the PECUSA. They purposely chose to do so along Anglo-Catholic lines, as most laymen were no longer established in the firm Protestantism of their forebears. The extant liberalism of American Society would make radical change acceptable even amongst the stodgy old churchmen who had kept the identity of the American Church pretty much unchanged for two hundred years. Holmes rightly recognized the shift of American society from rural to urban, from class consciousness to "the melting pot." He also wisely took advantage of the shift in urban churches from narrow Protestantism to the powerful "Ecumenical Movement" and the far-reaching effects of Vatican II. A small but powerful minority was able to alter the identity of "the Church of America" by gaining control of the Church Hymnal Corporation (publishers of the revisions of the Prayer Book) and the Ministries Commission.
So, how were these radical changes brought about and what accounts for the present Balkanizing of world-wide Anglicanism? It would be impossible to underestimate the power of the Internet as the prime mover in the present state of the Church - in every possible expression of the same. Information at our fingertips - instant news from every corner of the globe - images in living color of every human event, regardless of significance. Every denomination, regardless of size, origin, or leadership now had a public presence and the opportunity to present their own interpretation of Anglicanism. before the Internet, the legitimacy of denominations/churches depended upon their actual history and physical existence. Now, organizations created their own reality in the Cloud - and the game was afoot. Denominations calling themselves "Anglican" appeared overnight with handsomely created websites - but consisting entirely of a handful of self-proclaimed clergy. Every variety of churchmanship was offered - with appropriate claims of apostolic succession - and varying degrees of connection with Canterbury - and offering a variety of liturgies.
The conservative movement which had arisen in the '60s and 70's, while primarily Anglo-Catholic but tolerant of supporters of the historic Prayer Book, abruptly ended. The Ecumenical Movement generated by Vatican II had an overwhelming effect on American Episcopalians. Any hint of a strong Protestant identity or of the Protestant Episcopal Church as the unique expression of Anglicanism was eradicated. Episcopal Church had fully embraced the new theology of the 1979 Prayer Book and the few conservatives who remained were more concerned about the addition of "the passing of the Peace" during "Eucharist Rite II" than of the major changes which had overcome the American Church. The Roman Catholic understanding of the role of bishops became firmly ensconced in parochial life - bishops now determined doctrine, discipline, and worship which defined the Church. Diocesans now owned all church property and wielded authority accordingly. Personalities became more important as given popularity by websites and Internet information pages. The works of John Charles Ryle were now available to all, read by thousands who had no idea of his existence beforehand - discovered a masculine biblical Protestantism was part of their Anglican heritage - and promptly REJECTED that heritage in every practical sense. The Articles of Religion were buried forever amidst a flurry of new Prayer Books, charismania, and bishops sporting hats and sticks.
And so it has come that Anglicanism is whatever the believer wished it to be, in the supermarket of twenty-first century religion. Thanks to the Internet, it has become a sect of Catholicism that (at best) damns it's Protestant origins with faint praise. It has eighteen Bibles, six Prayer Books, and approximately twenty "jurisdictions" not in communion with each other. Some "speak in tongues" on a regular basis, some celebrate "Solemn High Pontifical Mass" and others sport orders of monks and nuns. Some ordain women, some ordain homosexuals, ALL maintain that they have "valid apostolic succession." God bless the Internet - it puts them all on the same playing field - but is very confusing to anyone looking from the outside in. What is to be the future of Anglicanism you might ask? One answer might be whatever Anglicanism wants to be - as long as there are hats and sticks involved.
+CEM
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
Psalm 23; First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-1; Second Lesson: John 10:1-10
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of. his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
hymns # 563, 450, 464
The fifty days after Christ’s resurrection will be the most intense period of learning for the disciples and the other followers of Christ. (40 days with the risen Savior, and ten more waiting for the Holy Comforter, [Pentecost]. It will be during this period that they will begin the long process of learning about what it means to be a true follower of Him. They will have one object lesson after another that will help them to understand many of the parables that Jesus taught during the three and a half years leading up to his death.
Psalm 23
If you meditate on the following verses from the 23rd Psalm you can then understand what Jesus is trying to say to his disciples and those who will follow them down through the halls of history. We should all take time to meditate on these verses and see how David as a prophet, gives us a glimpse of the coming One, He who will redeem His people.
1The Lord is my shepherd : I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me bside still waters. 3He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointeth my head with oil, and my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Remember right after Jesus was taken, the disciples ran away. Yes, Peter did follow Jesus into the courtyard where he would later be tried, but before the first rooster crows, Peter will have denied Christ three times. Just as Christ predicted Peter would. Peter will also run away.
So now after Jesus has come back from the dead, he will gather his followers around and calm them, teach them and prepare them for the coming fury of Satan. Understand that Satan knows that he is defeated, but he will not go down without trying to take others with him. He will do his best for the next several millennium to destroy what Christ left behind here on earth.When we reflect on the 23rd Psalm we can see the Good Shepherd concept revealed, that being Christ the Good Shepherd. This forty day lesson time would be a time of much learning and a ‘connect the dots’ time for the disciples and others who had followed Jesus faithfully those three and a half years.
Now we can read and understand the parable of the door and the sheep door. A total enveloping of love and care for God’s own. No other religion gives us this type of comfort. They all rely on human effort to gain peace, prosperity, and some type of end time settlement. All of which is utterly impossible without divine intervention. We cannot save ourselves. Only God with us, Emmanuel, who shed his blood to erase our debts and make us clean as fresh snow, can provide that salvation.
John 10:1-10: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.,
In this passage from the tenth chapter of Gospel of John we learn that the man, the one who tries to enter the area where the sheep are safe, is a thief and a robber. One who wants to deny and take away that which Christ has given us, our salvation. This is all part of the fight that Satan is engaged in. Because this parable was spoken several weeks before Jesus went to Jerusalem for the last time, many did not understand what he meant by passages such as “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” His followers can now understand what he meant. Look at the verses 17 and 18. “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it again. This commandment I received of my Father.”
Interesting note as we study this passage of John’s gospel, we even see a prophecy that pertains to non-Hebrew believers. Notice what Jesus says in verse 16. “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” Jesus is referring to non-Hebrew believers here, those of us who are Gentiles. This is where the Great Commission comes into play. “19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:19-20
It is now clear what he meant, now that the disciples are talking to Jesus, after he came back from the dead. Over the forty days that Jesus lingers on earth after Easter there will be at least five hundred people who witness to his being alive. This will be so convincing that these people will be willing to give up their own lives when they are confronted and forced to choose between Christ and other choices. The Hebrew authorities will try to force these early believers to abandon the faith they now have, they will be threatened with death, shame, being cast out of the synagogue and all manner of trouble. But they will not give up their belief in the Risen Savior. This willingness to give up their life rather than denounce their faith, will actually cause the Church to grow over the early years of persecution.
Many a pagan will come to the Lord after witnessing believers willingly giving up their lives for this risen savior. Death in the pagan world was to be feared and all omens or signs that pointed to death were to be avoided. Even the Hebrew people wrote and spoke angrily about death. David wrote many a time about being dead and not remembered. He does not like the idea of death. So when these new believers came along and did not fear death, it will cause people to take notice. “Surely there must be something about these people that causes them to willingly go to their deaths.” The Isaiah passage set aside for today deserves a sermon on it alone. There are so many aspects of fulfilled prophecy that were first written down in that 40th chapter of Isaiah. So we will leave it for another Sunday message.
We must learn from those who have gone before us. We must read, digest, and use the Word of God, the Bible. We must follow Jesus, because He is the good shepherd, he will not lead us astray, he will not fail us. Let us follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.
Let us pray:
O God of unchangeable power and light eternal: Look favorably upon the body of thy whole church, and by thy eternal providence accomplish the salvation of man, that all the world may see and know that what was fallen has been lifted up, and what was grown old has been made new, and that all things are restored by him through whom they were made, even thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, stir up the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant uss all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind withing the holy church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you , and remain with you always. Amen
Christ alone during Eastertide:
+Roy
Yves M. Méra, Bishop of France
AOC France Anglican Orthodox Church Worldwide
We are fortunate to have a sermon from the Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Church of France and the Administrative Coordinator of Europe and Africa. As you will read, he is an excellent writer. The sermon is easy to read and provides much insight.
SERMON for the 2nd Sunday after Easter
1 Peter2:19-25; John 10:11-16
JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD ABUSED
In John 10, the Gospel of the Good Shepherd presents Our Lord Jesus Christ as a loving Shepherd who sacrifices Himself for His sheep. He offers His person to the ravening wolf in place of His sheep, so that they may be spared. And since Our Lord is also the Creator of the wolf, He is stronger than the wolf and He completely dominates it by raising Himself from the dead on the third day. Satan is defeated by the glorious power of Christ! And the Good Shepherd, Jesus, freely gives "life in abundance" to the sheep the Father entrusts to Him, and this abundant life is eternal.
The wolf has scattered the sheep. They will not return home on their own. They don't have any GPS nor compass. They are lost; And they go head-on to the infernal ditch of perdition. It's so much easier to go down than to climb uphill! The mercenaries here are the priests of the Temple of Jerusalem, who behave like ecclesiastical civil servants and take advantage of their position to enrich themselves by deceiving the common people. This is nothing new. Samuel's sons were already behaving like religious hirelings (1 Samuel 8:3): “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.” In short, they were corrupt and venal. They served themselves, and worked for money rather than for God. However, the Master warns His Apostles (Luke 16:11-14): “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” Not only are religious leaders greedy and corrupt, but they also make a mockery of justice and of the King of Righteousness, Our Lord Jesus Christ. They went so far as to have him crucified by the Roman soldiery, handing him over to an army of foreign occupation. The priests of the Temple of Jerusalem and the Pharisees are like hirelings; they do as much as possible for themselves, and as little as possible for those for whom they are charged and responsible (John 10:13): “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
When I was in theology school, I was always surprised by these mercenary-minded students – they were a majority amongst us – who only cared about their future salary and the perks that come with it: free housing, free car, free heating and electricity. And when I suggested that they work to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow as it is written in Genesis 3:19: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” they cried out, "I'm not going to make tents, like Paul." And yet Paul declares, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” (Philippians 3:17). In fact, Paul worked at night to support himself and depend not on anyone in the church of Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:9): “And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.” And the same Paul insists in the next chapter (2 Corinthians 12:14): “Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” Today, we find more and more of these pastors and shepherds who have taken on the detestable habit of living well on the backs of others. We all know them. I need not to draw you a picture.
Neither Paul nor Jesus is of that sort. Not only do they not live on the beast, but they take care of it, and for free. They ask for nothing (Philippians 4:15): “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.” And Paul barely accepts voluntary donations, settling for the bare necessities and sending the surplus to the Saints of the Church in Jerusalem, for their needy poor. It is precisely for this purpose that the Apostles instituted Deacons in Acts 6:1-2: “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” The tables are the counters like those found at Caritas and other Charities, dedicated to feeding the needy.
Paul, therefore, speaks clearly of the sharing of gifts with the Saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1a... 3): “Now concerning the collection for the saints ... when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” Notice and note that Paul is not referring to the Apostles specifically, but to all “Saints” that is, members of Christ's Church who are in need. It is possible that Paul, the great imitator of the Good Shepherd, was more generous to the Saints than his parishioners themselves, applying to himself his Pauline precept (2 Thessalonians 3:10b): “… if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
But the world does not understand goodness. On the contrary, he is suspicious of it. The world is quick to criticize, and this criticism is demonic when it opposes the Word of God (1 Corinthians 4:12-13): “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” In this area and in this respect, nothing surprises me anymore.
Christ ends this passage of the Good Shepherd with a prophecy (John 10:16): “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” But who are these “other sheep… which are not of this fold" if not the converts to Christ who are not Jews, if not you and me? Today we hear the voice of the Lord through His Word read, developed and explained by faithfully preaching. And the Good Shepherd leads us into the green pastures provided for Abraham's descendants. This is the Great Replacement of the New Testament: We are grafted onto the Lord's vineyard, instead of the Jews who denied and had Him crucified (Romans 11:17-21): “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” But God is merciful to those who repent, and Paul adds in verse 23 of the same Epistle to the Romans: “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.” Jews or Christians, all are saved through faith and repentance. (Galatians 3:26-28): “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” And there is no sin that cannot be forgiven through repentance, except the sin against the Spirit.
The 1st Epistle of Peter (at the end of chapter 2) describes the ordinary fate of the Good Shepherd and His sheep: If Christ was criticized and abused, so are we. If Christ suffered, we suffer also, though to a lesser extent. If Christ was dead, we shall die also, unless the trumpet of the angels sounds before. And what was the Lord's reaction, if you please? He was silent, like a sheep at the slaughter (1 Peter 2:22-23): “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” Yes, Christ suffered absolute injustice, to rescue us from the clutches of Satan, the mortal enemy of our souls. The Good Shepherd is condemned by those who judge Him by the wrong standards that are not biblical. While we judge them according to the righteous standards contained in God's Word, the Righteous Judge. Only once did Jesus protest, showing that He was able to do so and that He was willingly silent and allowed Himself to be done (John 18:23): “Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” Notice that Jesus condemns not; He appeals to everyone's conscience by asking personal questions. He invites his interlocutors to think about their own behaviour, and to change it. This is repentance. Not crocodile tears, which are so easily and quickly forgotten.
And it is by suffering martyrdom in our place, by drawing upon His person the thunderbolts of Hell joined to those of the Father's wrath in a deadly battle, that Jesus Christ is lifted up from the earth on a cross, as the divine lightning rod. In verse 24 it is written: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” And Peter extends this example of Christ to all Christians in verse 19: “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”
However, Peter is no sadist. Neither is God. But His holy and divine wrath against sin is such that a human sacrifice is justified, but He makes it to His only begotten Son, just to spare His elect. Again, God pleasures Himself not in evil and suffering. But these are inevitable misfortunes, for the world which thinks itself free but remains a slave to Satan rejects the Truth. In verse 20, Peter makes it clear that God delights not with sacrifice, but with our submission to His decrees, as Christ submitted Himself to the will of the Father; In Gethsemane, “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36). And the Father's will was to sacrifice His Son, the Good Shepherd, as His disciples were warned (Mark 14:27): “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” Jesus was forsaken by all, even by His Father. And we are all Isaacs, sons of Abraham destined for the supreme sacrifice, for capital punishment, but spared by the grace of the substitution of a ram, also sent by the Father (Genesis 22:13): “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” A battering ram heading for death, caught by the horns in just the right place, and at the right time, it was surely not a coincidence, nor was it from Abraham’s skillfulness.
Peter concludes this passage by making specifically reference to the Good Shepherd, who was abused because of our sins, in order to redeem us (verse 25): “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Yes, the Good Shepherd draws to Himself those whom the Father gives him (John 12:32): “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” And Christ is the Bishop of our souls – not I, for I have deserved no such thing, unlike Christ who sacrificed Himself for each of us and earned us salvation and eternal life. Let us meditate on this in our prayer of thanksgiving, every morning and evening, as the Book of Common Prayer invites us to do. Amen.
Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop for France.
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Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
Second Sunday after Easter
When we hear the words of our Lord as found in St. John 10:11— I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep— what comes to mind? The Jews of our Lord’s earthly ministry were entirely familiar with what he was describing save one exception. For while they understood the particulars of herding livestock; they ignored the allusion of himself as the Messiah who would shepherd his people.
In the 23rd Psalm, David gives us the sense of what our Lord had mentioned in John's gospel. The LORD is my shepherd...he maketh me to lie down in green pastures...he leadeth me beside the still waters... These comforting words were reinforced by our Lord's remarks to his disciples on the night before his crucifixion as found in St. John 14:1-3: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And further on in that same chapter our Lord said...I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you ( vv.16-18).
The Good Shepherd has sent the Holy Ghost to guide, comfort and indwell his elect saints until he comes again. He does not stand apart from us, but resides within every regenerated believer, speaking to us the deep things which God through Christ would have us know for our edification. And it is by virtue of the Spirit of God that select men are called into the ministry for the purpose of shepherding the various flocks of our Lord that are scattered across the world.
Additionally, our Lord has warned us about Satan’s counterfeit shepherds—mere hirelings, or grievous wolves— who will hide their true natures behind a sheepskin of godliness, all the while denying the power thereof (II St. Timothy 3:5). A hireling is one who is supposed to watch the sheep, but has no concern for them apart from his paid position. As the sheep are not his own, he does not exercise due diligence in the maintenance of their sheepfold. And if faced with a dangerous predator, he will run away, leaving the sheep open to being despoiled. And such accurately describes the state of the ministry today. A host of churches have fallen under the influence and control of hirelings and wolves in sheep’s clothing. The hirelings have sought their pastoral positions for profit and little else. The wolves have sought their church offices under the influence of their master, the god of this world. Regardless of their reasons for seeking a church office, each has labored to increase the membership of their respective churches, not for God’s glory, but for their own. Ergo, they have been and are now making merchandise of the very souls over which they have been given charge by church boards and vestries. Sadly, the majority of those who hold membership on said governing bodies are utterly clueless with regard to God’s word concerning the appointment of ministers. Given such conditions, it is not at all surprising that they have opened their church doors to these miscreants instead of exercising godly discernment which would have likely kept them out. For once the wolves and hirelings are inside, they will weaken the church with their false gospel and destroy the faith of many.
But, such is not the case with the good shepherd. Our Lord said, ...the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Through his able ministers, he has provided the template for the formation and continuation of godly church bodies. Examine Article XIX of our Articles of Religion (1928 Book of Common Prayer, p. 606): “The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.” That is the acid test in Anglicanism, but it should be so in all churches.
The Good Shepherd came to establish a more perfect relationship between God and mankind. The church is the fold of Christ, a haven from the world, a place of sanctuary, and a place of sanctity. It is a place where God’s peace is shared by those who are born again of the Spirit and have faith in his promises. It is a place where God’s word written is respected as the whole truth against all else. It is a place where healing can be sought and where the penitent can be restored to fellowship by those possessed of a forgiving spirit. It is a place where all who are in Christ Jesus have been renewed in their minds and hearts. It is a place of joy and rejoicing in the power of the Holy Ghost as set forth in both the spoken word, and in songs which lift up the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our church is just such a fold of Christ. But we are not alone as there are many others which are scattered across the globe. Like us, they are worshipping and praising the Godhead as we are doing at this present. They may speak different languages, and use differing forms of worship, but they are, nevertheless, our brothers and sisters because we all possess the one door, and follow the good shepherd, who is none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
One day, the many folds shall be one when our Lord returns in the clouds and call us to himself. In the Book of Revelation (3:9-10), he said: To the angel of the Church of Philadelphia write:...I have set before thee an open door...Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth... And why? For as the 100th Psalm so states, ...we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. We belong to the good Shepherd.
So let us then live in humble expectation of that august promise as noted in First Thessalonians 4:16-18: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Therefore lift up your voices in joyful praise to our heavenly Father, and thank him for his wonderful gift which he has provided for all who believe on his only begotten Son.
Let us pray,
Father, keep us steadfast as we watch for our Lord’s return, that by the indwelling of thy most holy Spirit we might be kept safe from all wolves in sheep’s clothing and all hirelings; for this we ask in the name of him who is our Good Shepherd, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Bryan+
Rector of St. Peter’s AOC located in the AOC National Office
We are grateful to have Don's sermon today from St. Peter's AOC
Second Sunday after Easter
“The Good Shepherd”
St. John 10:11-16
In the gospel reading this morning, Jesus is continuing his confrontational discourse with the Jewish religious leaders who had set themselves up as the shepherds of the nation of Israel. Jesus is challenging their claims as spiritual shepherds by explaining the true work and nature of the legitimate shepherd. In spite of His miracles, these false shepherds of Israel had strongly rejected Jesus’ message and proclamation that He was the Messiah and the Son of God. Their actions showed they had no concern for the spiritual welfare of Israel, but were just hirelings who used the sheep for their personal benefit. Sheep herding was very common in Israel. So Jesus used this familiar illustration to show He was the true Shepherd of Israel who cared for the people and their spiritual welfare.
Therefore, when Jesus spoke the words of our Gospel to His listeners, everyone knew about shepherds and everyone knew about sheep. Secondly, Jesus was speaking to Pharisees and others who were familiar with the Scriptures, and so they could not have missed the obvious reference to the prophecy of Ezekiel 34, 11-12, 23-24 “For thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day , And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd, And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.”
Jesus was talking to people other than merely the disciples. He had just stated that those who had ‘come before Him’ were thieves and robbers. He wasn’t talking about everybody before Him, just those who presented themselves as the Messiah, or as False Prophets. False Messiahs and religious counterfeits had blossomed abundantly in the decades before Jesus came. Acts 5: 36-37 records two such false messiahs named Theudas and Judas of Galilee who tried to lead Israel, but the people did not follow them and they failed. That is part of the strategy of the devil. He can make people wary and skeptical about saviors in general, or confuse the issue with too many choices. That is why there is such an overabundance of religions and denominations today! The good thing is, according to Jesus, that the Sheep did not hear those false shepherds.
That was a good thing because those others - among whom most of the Pharisees and scribes belonged, came only to steal and kill and destroy. They had no promise. They had no life to give, and they knew it. Their motives were to just promote their own self-interest and personal advantage. They had no care for the people they served. Their problem with Jesus was that He saw them and their motivations all too clearly, and they did not want the public image they had worked so hard to create destroyed. But the sheep of the flock of the good Shepherd do not hear the others. They do not take them seriously, or believe them, or follow them.
The dangers of false teachers and bad theology still exist today. The wolves are still out there.
Jesus in his sermon on the mount warns us to “beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.“ (Matt.7:15). The Apostle John also gives us a warning in 1 John 4:1 “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone into the world.”
Such wolves exist in the form of those who insist that we are all Christians, without specifying what the limits of that declaration is! It is just that we have different focuses, different emphases. Sometimes the wolves take the form of those who want to be open to new ideas, new methods, and new ways of approaching worship, or doctrine. There is a different spirit in many of the churches today. The world around us certainly wants us to be open and accepting of just about anything, even if it goes against God’s Holy Word. This is causing division among many churches today!
As Christians we must guard against following false doctrines, as another one’s mistake will not excuse our own as St. Matthew tells us in Chapter 15 and verse 14: “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
But Jesus tells us this morning that “I AM the Good Shepherd”. Why do we need Jesus to be our shepherd? The prophet Isaiah answers this question in 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.“ The identity of the “Good Shepherd” is confirmed by the cross when Jesus laid down His life for the sheep. The sheep of the good Shepherd live in perfect safety because He will never let them go. He lays down His life for the sheep and leads them and guides them and protects them.
In Palestine, the shepherd was absolutely responsible for not only the care of the sheep but also for their protection.
If anything did happen to the sheep, he had to produce some kind of proof that it was not his fault. We read in Amos 3:12 about a shepherd rescuing two legs or a piece of an ear out of the lion’s mouth. The idea is that the shepherd must bring home proof that the sheep had died, and that he was unable to prevent the death.
In 1 Samuel 17:34-36, we read about David telling Saul how when he was keeping his father’s sheep, he had on two separate occasions, a battle with a lion and a bear that were attacking one of the lost sheep. In both incidents, he slew the lion and the bear. To the good and faithful shepherd it was the most natural thing to risk his life in the defense of the sheep which was his flock. Sometimes, he had to do more than just risk his life for the sheep: he had to lay down his life for his sheep. Especially, when thieves and robbers came to try and steal some of them.
Others, who Jesus referred to as “Hirelings” or hired hands come to take advantage, will not lay down their lives, but will flee in times of danger, and leave the sheep to the wolves. The word, “Wolves”, refers to any of the dangers confronting the people of God. They can be financial. They can be social. They can be false doctrines. They can be anything or anybody that comes to threaten the people of God by hiding the truth of the gospel from them. But the thing that is so striking here is that the sheep of the good Shepherd know Him and follow Him. In fact, just a few verses after our gospel lesson ends, this morning; the Jews challenge Jesus to tell them plainly if He is the Christ - the Savior. Jesus responds, verses 25-28 “I told you, and ye believed not, the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
The reason that people do not follow the Good Shepherd is that they are not of His flock. If they were, they would hear His voice and follow Him. Most of the Pharisees and Scribes could not follow Jesus because they did not believe. Neither evidence, nor argument will turn those who do not belong to Him around.
On the other hand, if you are His you can hear His voice and when you listen and follow the voice of your Savior, no one, no strange teaching, nothing can snatch you out of His hand.
Jesus told the people He was speaking to that He had sheep that were not of that fold. He was speaking about you and I and all of the other Gentiles, who were chosen from the foundation of the world to be a part of His flock. We have been joined to the flock of God, a flock which has existed from the very beginning of the world. We are among those who enter through the Door of the sheep fold which Jesus says is Himself. We enter in to share in the abundant life which He promises to those who are His own. He came down from Heaven to save us from our sins so that we “might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly.” According to John 10:10
You can hear a lot of misinformation about that abundant life if you listen to enough preachers. They talk about how God wants people to be healthy and wealthy and happy. Of course, He does but maybe not necessarily in this world and during this part of our lives. Sometimes His will is for hardship, sickness, and economic difficulties . We serve Him and He blesses us often in good and difficult times. Of course, we know from St. Paul that He works through us in our troubles and weaknesses. He says, in 2nd Cor. 12:9 “My strength is made perfect in weakness”. That just means that when we are weak, God’s power does all the work, and we are clearly not the power behind all that He does through us.
When we are healthy and wealthy, we often forget to thank God for all his blessings. St. James 1:17 tells us “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father. “ So He keeps us humble, and works through us, while providing that abundant life (eternal life) he mentioned in the verses following our text, and “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish”. (John 10:28)
We live in strange times, when compared with most all of human history. The world around us is more prosperous, and has more to tempt us than ever before. Christians are confronted with many more distractions. There are more voices telling us that we should listen to them and follow them.
It has always been something like this for the people of God, and yet we live in different times. The answer is the same as at all the other times of human history. We need to listen to the message of the Good Shepherd. He has us in His hands. We are secure.
Those who are not with us, those who do not believe, are not with us because they are not hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd. We should love them. We should pray for them. We should invite them in but the door of the sheep-fold is Jesus, not the latest program for church growth, not the newest fad in worship, nor changing our beliefs according to His holy word. We have our entire hope and promise in Jesus. He gives everlasting life, and eternal protection, and true security because it does not start with us or depend on us at any point, but it comes from Him. He is truly “The Good Shepherd.”
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large - Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian.
The Second Sunday after Easter
Good Shepherd Sunday. John 10 ; I Peter 2 Thoughts
I remember one Sunday in the Army Chaplaincy helping out in Anglican services and the higher ranking Chaplain , Major, Bill, asked me, "You have not heard of Good Shepherd Sunday?" I said, " no." He couldn't believe I had not. But I came from an older group that did not have that. Now I am glad I have been adopted by it.
"11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:11-16
What can be more beautiful than the Good Shepherd, our Lord Christ ? Vanessa and I used to worship in a little Church in the Philly suburbs ST. Matthew's Reformed Episcopal in Havertown, and behind the Table was a lovely stained glass window of the Christ as Good Shepherd with the sheep He was herding. (I know the discussions about the images issues ....but I find myself rather on either side of it.)
We usually discuss this Gospel on this Sunday, Good Shepherd, and there are many delightful words in there for us to ponder. Jesus is the Door to the Sheepfold for example. The others are not to be allowed. Sheep follow the Shepherd. He calls them by their name. (That part is rather wonderful to me for my love of all the animals--I have named my cats outside for ex. that are basically strays, but live outside on our porch)
I was rather directed to the Epistle reading this Sunday. Peter applies the Good Shepherd of the Gospel to us. And then I asked ,"What are Shepherds supposed to be doing?" In other words, what are we supposed to be doing as God's Shepherds, undershepherds and followers or disciples of the Lord Christ?
I follow this under the part that says," Follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21). Oops a challenge we may not always meet very well. That can be hard if we are not doing it as a goal. But the good thing is that we can by God's grace be picked up and go on the path of Jesus and walk in His steps as His followers. There is reconciliation. There is redemption. There is healing. WE have been healed by His stripes on the Cross and now look to righteousness, not ill will and evil speaking.
---Revile not when we are reviled. v. 23, What does that revile mean? Here is is:" loidoréō(from /loídoros,"a reviler") – properly, to say harsh things (make verbal assaults); to revile; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using mean-spirited, insulting words to demoralize (humiliate)." Biblehub.com I Peter 2:23
I find that very hard to do. It seems this is not natural to us. For Christians, we may need to work on this one. Perhaps as we learned in a youth meeting about bullying, "Take a time Out" or "Ignore it" Our ex. is the Lord Christ and He did not revile when reviled. "Follow His Steps"
---He committed Himself to the One that Judges righteously. Who is that? God alone can take it and bring good out of evil.This reminds me of the woman in John 8. Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you" She probably never heard that before.
Can this be a way to talk to unbelievers? They are used to condemnation for their ways. We may think of starting with a bridge to God by loving and being nice. Is that possible? Of course it is. You have to start where people are.
I used to go religiously to the motorpool to visit with my vehicle to see if it was needing something. The real reason I went was that the Army Soldiers would see me and I had many opportunities to chat with them.
Silas Robertson, affectionately known as “Uncle Si” to “Duck Dynasty” viewers, sometimes writes down John 3:16 and 17 when giving his autograph. Si said in an interview, “Most people can tell you what 16 says, OK. ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; but they don’t know nothin’ about 17. It says Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. If anybody had a right to condemn someone, it would be the Son of God. If He didn’t do it, then hey, we definitely are not qualified to do it.” from preaching.comillustrations
I have mentioned this story several times to others that the SFC (Sergeant First Class-- a senior enlisted Soldier) that felt surprised by my ashes on the forehead on Ash WED, but then came into my office , the closet we called it literally, it was,...,then after the comment, in the Army Chemical School ---we had a good chat . He opened up to me about why he didn't care about religion, and I got to listen, and talked with him about God. What a lovely time that was! WE parted better friends. And we always seemed to have something in common to talk about after that.
---Finally, the whole passage of I Peter 2 is about our behavior as Christians based upon what Christ has done for us, v. 24. "He bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin , should live unto righteousness...."
Our whole lives long we should be asking, "What does this look like? and what can I continue to do as a Christian to be there?"
V. 25 reminds us that we were as sheep going astray but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop or our souls.
"Christ's way – ultimately, his way of redemption – leads through suffering. Christ knew suffering. He knew anguish. He knew fear. Yes, even suffering has a meaning. That is why it is such a blessing to have faith, to know there is a God who has created you and loves you, and who has a plan for you beyond this temporal existence of ours. To know you have an immortal soul, and to respect it as such, is a true blessing. Respect your soul, and respect the souls of those around you. Then your life will have lasting meaning." Alice von Hildebrand, a Catholic philosopher and known for her opposition to the Nazis, died in 2002. 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:
Rev. Geordie: needs prayer for medical issues
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
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.
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/sinus infection, Donna-chemotherapy, Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer, Toni – remission
praise God, Donna - cancer, Malou –
cancer, Ginger - sinus infection, Archie- CHF, Eloise,
Janice, Dakota, Katie, Bobby, Myra Cox, Faye Miller,
Points to Ponder:
The Scriptures give us the only
authentic portrait of Jesus Christ. If you want to know what Christ was like,
study the Scriptures; that is where you find the real Jesus, and we are not at
liberty to tamper with what we find there or to change it.
The Rev. David Samuel–Anglican Theologian and author (The Church in Crisis,
p. 4-5).
[Remember], the Apostle Paul is
writing to the Thessalonians [when he said] “Prove all things.” He does not
say, “Whatsoever apostles... evangelists, pastors and teachers; whatsoever your
bishop... your ministers tell you is truth, that you are to believe.”... He
does not say, “Whatsoever the universal church pronounces true, that you are to
hold.” No! he says, “Prove all things.”... This is the practice we find
commended in the Bereans, in the Acts of the Apostles. They did not take the
Apostle Paul’s word for granted when he came to preach to them. We are told
that they, “ searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so”... No
man can say into what depths of false doctrine we may be drawn if we will not
do what God requires of us and, “prove all things.”
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle– 19th century Anglican bishop and author (Knots Untied, p. 46-49).
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