AOC Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church _sm

Worldwide Communion

Third Sunday after EASTER

April 26, 2026

Sunday Report

 

Third 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 173-174.

 

 

The Collect for the Third Sunday after Easter.

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Epistle for the Third Sunday after Easter. I St. Peter ii. 11.

DEARLY beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 

 The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Easter. St. John xvi. 16.

JESUS said to his disciples, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrow-ful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she re-membereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

 On Point –

 

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."1 Tim. 6:8.

God’ s apostle commands: “Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have.” A man is content when he is satisfied with what God has apportioned to him, whether it be much or little, and when he is not continually craving things which God has not given him. Such contentment makes one truly happy. For such contented people cheerfully per­ form the labors and duties of the station and calling in which God has placed them and, without perplexing their minds, leave it to God to give the increase. They do not harass their minds with things of the past, which cannot be recalled or altered, or with things of the future, of which they know nothing, but, attending to the labors of the day, they leave past and future in the hand of God.

People who live so contented can nevertheless not enjoy perfect happiness, because in this vale of tears they remain surrounded by evils, but they live comparatively happy because they put up with evils and make the best of things that are not just as they would like to have them. Such contentment is indeed great gain.

How can a man acquire such contentment? It does not dwell in man by nature, neither can he acquire it by his own energy; God must give it; it is His gift, and of Him we must ask it. But if we are to ask God for this gift, we must first be able to lift up our eyes to Him with cheerfulness and confidence. We must know that our sins are forgiven. No man on earth can have a truly contented and quiet heart unless he knows that he has forgiveness of all his sins, that God has become his gracious and loving Father, and that he shall not be brought into the judgment of condemnation. No man can possess the gift of true contentment unless he is a Christian; but the Christian does possess it. And that is great gain. He can say: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

Prayer.
O beneficent Father, let us not forget that all things we receive come from Thee and are Thine. For this very reason do Thou grant that we may never be dissatisfied with what Thou givest. We pray Thee to ward off from us whatever might render our livelihood difficult. Let each one be content and satisfied with his lot, that both rich and poor may recognize Thy power and may praise Thee. Grant that the rich do not place their trust in their wealth, that the poor enjoy the little they have in good health, and that we all may delight in Thy goodness. Amen.

 

 

 

 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

 

 The Four Steps to Repentance: Video Presentation

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player_22.html

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbt_4F18Rzk&t=42s

 

  Thursday Evening Video Devotion: What Shall We Do?

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player_23.html

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBGN23m7Xl8

 

 

 

Article 7: Of the Old Testament: Video Devotion of the 39 Articles of Religion

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-post_20.html

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdmrI4qAno

  Article viii (8) of the 39 Articles of Religion

Bishop: Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/click-on-url-httpswww.html

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-lIe17K6_8&t=44s

 

 Article IX (9) of the 39 Articles of Religion: Video Presentation

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/blog-post_22.html

You tube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk-vIUS83_U

 

 Article X (10): Of Free Will, of the 39 Articles of Religion: Video Presentation

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player_23.html

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5vA8SztzPk

 

  Friday Night Devotion Video: Remember Lot’s Wife

Bishop’s blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/youtube-video-player_24.html

You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drX9FYr8RqM

 

   Article XI: of the Justification of Man – 39 Articles of Religion

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/iframe-width560-height315-srchttpswww_24.html

You Tube: https://youtu.be/IzMbTEe2r9I

 

 Saturday Night Video Devotion: The Tragedy of Lot

 Bishop Ogles Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-tragedy-of-lot-click-on-url-below.html?spref=fb

 You tube: https://youtu.be/fKh8VO09f8w?si=rbCdb4KCOoajE-Pc

 

   Article XII of the 39 Articles of Religion: Video Presentation by Bishop Ogles

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/04/iframe-width560-height315-srchttpswww_25.html

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAj7WUjkhHo

 

Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC

 

 Morning Prayer – Third Sunday after Easter

Psalms 124; First Lesson:1 Samuel 2:1b-1; Second lesson: Acts 2:22-36

ALMIGHTY God, who showest to them that are in error the light of thy truth, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness; Grant unto all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s Religion, that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

                                                   hymns  # 565, {49}, 377

Peter certifies Jesus as both Lord and Christ

   Today let us witness the work of the Holy Spirit.   

     Only a few weeks earlier, Peter had denied Christ three times. Peter was the last of Christ’s disciples to abandon him before he was tried and convicted on trumped up charges, that chaotic Friday.

  After his resurrection, Christ will meet again with his disciples. And it is at this time he will restore Peter as a follower of Christ. Now we are several weeks away from the Ascension of Christ into heaven. After 40 days of instruction and final fellowship this side of heaven with his disciples and followers; Jesus has prepared his followers for the next step in their spiritual journey. In our scripture reading from the Book of Acts we find Peter speaking to a large crowd in Jerusalem.

    The occasion is the Feast of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has descended on the disciples and they begin to speak in the various languages of the people who have come for the feast.  Everyone there understood what the disciples were saying, because they were speaking in the various the languages of the Jewish diaspora, those people who lived around the Mediterranean and other parts of the Roman Empire. These faithful Jews would try to come back to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover or Pentecost at least once a year, if they could. They were a multi-lingual group of Jewish faithful and as such they would be astounded at hearing the Gospel recounted in their native tongues. 

    1. The first level of certification would be in the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to send a Comforter. When the Holy Spirit came, his manifestation at this time, was the ability of the disciples to speak in recognized foreign tongues. ²²Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

    2. The next certification was the witness of Christ’s resurrection as prophesied by David. He writes of Christ not seeing corruption in the grave. In other words he will rise again to newness of life. He will not be bound or held by the pains of death, he will overcome death.  Peter explains that David could not possibly be writing about himself, since he was dead and his grave was there in Jerusalem for anyone to see. [vv. 25-29]

²³Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

 As Peter preaches this message you must understand that he is giving both a history lesson and a lesson on heritage to those assembled Jews there that Pentecost Day in Jerusalem. Peter is able to preach this message because he is now filled with the Holy Spirit. He gave Peter the words to say. The whole message was the Gospel, it may have been the last chance these assembled Jews ever got to hear the True message of God. That being that ‘....whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved...’.   Peter then finishes this message with what many there had witnessed, that being the death, burial of Christ.

 Some of them may not have been aware of Christ’s resurrection. Peter explains this in the next couple of verses. And makes the bold statement that many in the crowd were witness to Jesus being raised from the dead.

     3. Why does Peter need to certify Jesus as Lord and Christ? Throughout the Old Testament we find the title of Lord used. The determination is Lord God, Lord of the Universe, Lord of Creation. When Peter certifies Jesus as Lord and Christ, he is explaining to those Jews from far off lands, that the Messiah has come. His name is Jesus. [ref. John 1:1-51]

     The witness of Jesus, Lord and Christ, was accompanied by signs and wonders, miracles, by the wondrous Resurrection of Christ from the dead. The evidence of this resurrection was witness by up to 500 people those forty days before Christ the Lord ascended into heaven.  

³⁰Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  ³¹He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ³⁴For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

     Peter will conclude the sermon with this admonition found in verse 36: ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

    Notice what happens now. Those who listened to Peter’s sermon were convicted of their sins. They asked Peter what they needed to do. He told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and he promised them the gift of the Holy Ghost.

   This is the beginning of what will be the model for evangelizing the whole world. 

         I. You must repent of your sins.  

        II. Be baptized as a new believer in Christ Jesus the Lord. 

       III. Begin to multiply. In other words, you need to tell others the Good News of Jesus  Christ  the Lord.

         Not all of you are preachers, teachers, or evangelists, and yet there is a place for every believer.  Each one of us can reach those around us by living as close a life in Christ as possible. By sharing our faith with others, determining every day to make a difference in each life we touch throughout each day.

Let us pray:

Almighty and Everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of us Thy servants, and grant unto this Parish all things that are needful for its spiritual welfare: schools wherein to bring up the young in Thy faith and fear; ministers to labor in this portion of Thy vineyard; a church perfected according to the beauty of holiness; strengthen and increase the faithful, visit and relieve the sick, turn and soften the wicked, arouse the careless, recover the fallen, restore the penitent, remove all hindrances to the advancement of Thy truth and bring all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of Thy Holy Church, to the honor and praise of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

THE peace of God, which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always.   Beloved go in peace this day and in the week to come. Amen. 

 Christ alone during Eastertide:

 Bishop 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 Third Sunday after Easter

SERMON for the 3rd Sunday after Easter.

1 Peter 2:11-17 - John 16:16-22

SADNESS AND JOY

Our Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t do anything without giving a warning. His delicacy towards His chosen ones is irreproachable. The Gospel of John tells us one of Christ's warnings to His disciples: “your sorrow shall be turned into joy” (John 16:20d). And this sadness will not be small; it will be a great despair: “Ye shall weep and lament” says Jesus in the same verse. Luke reports this total sadness of the disciples of Emmaus in chapter 24 of his Gospel, in verse 17: “And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”. They both are completely depressed.

Speeches don't save anyone, and don't even console them. Listing events and rehearsing them provides no overview, as long as we do not have the key to interpret their meaning. And this very needed key is the Holy Scripture. This divine, supernatural key is all that is missing in television news reports! This is why viewers who rely on television are sad and anguished like the disciples of Emmaus.

See instead what they mutter among themselves (Luke 24:18-21): “And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” Our two pilgrims saw their dearest hopes disappointed. But these hopes were wrong, because they were short-sighted. They believed in God, they had seen the miracles and heard the teachings of Christ. But they could not conceive or believe in another world. They expected material and immediate salvation. The death of Jesus on the cross ruined their hopes, but these hopes were in vain. In John 18:36, during His public trial, Jesus said to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

A hundred times Christ had spoken of the Kingdom of Heaven from which He had descended to incarnate Himself in the womb of a young virgin woman. But His disciples did not understand Him. For the Jews, the Kingdom of God ought to be here on earth: it is the State of Israel, promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:7: “And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.” The disciples at Emmaus expected God to fulfill this promise by freeing Israel from Roman occupation (Luke 24:21): “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” They did not expect Christ to free them from the demonic infestation of sin. Now sin makes us slaves to sin and demons. Willfully sinning is the obvious sign of this. The unrepentant sinner WANTS to do what the devil tells him to do.

On the day of His temptation in the desert, after 40 days spent in prayer and fasting, Jesus resisted the devil by quoting the Bible. Praying and meditating on the Word of God are the weapons that God gives us not only to fight temptation, but also to DEFEAT the devil! (Matthew 26:41): “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He who does not pray, or even worse: who stops praying, deprives himself of the spiritual weapons that God had entrusted to him, he becomes weak, he falls and submits to Satan; he is struck down, he is defeated. This may seem too simple to you, or even magical, but it works that way because God wanted it that way. And this is what Christ teaches us in Mark 9:28-29: “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”

Don't listen to those who say demons don't exist! They lie about it, because they themselves are secret agents of the devil, the Great Liar. They try to reassure themselves by lying to themselves. And they end up persuading themselves. It is neither more nor less than the Coué method applied to infernal propaganda.

And what does Jesus do in such a case? He does a minister’s job. He explains Holy Scripture to His disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27): “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” He draws from Holy Scripture the key to His mystery: Christ is indeed the promised Messiah, announced and awaited by the Jewish nation. It is He alone who must be preached, listened to, loved, prayed and adored. If we do this, then our sadness will turn into lasting joy, just as the pain of the woman in labor turns into joy when she finally sees the child she carried for 9 months in hen womb, and who was invisible to her until birth. Here we have an image of faith in God: we do not see God, but those who pray to Him notice its effects like a pregnant woman feels her baby moving in her womb. And one day, we will see God, in another world, as the young mother sees her child, who has come into our world (John 16:21): “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” And there is no greater joy on earth than giving life to your child. Think of the joy of Our Heavenly Father when we are born again by faith and become His children! (John 3:3): “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Let us not be ashamed to share the joy of Our Father!

Yes, then we will know joy, true joy, great joy, and this joy will be eternal (John 16:22): “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” Being born again by faith, our spiritual eyes begin to see what is invisible to the eyes of the flesh (Luke 24:31): “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” Having recognized the resurrected Christ, alive after His victory over death, the disciples of Emmaus rushed to Jerusalem to bear witness to their encounter with Christ (Luke 24:33): “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them”

What marks unbelieving men is their lack of patience. They despaired of seeing their Lord Jesus Christ again, when He reappeared two days later. Two days... what is that compared to a lifetime, and eternity? Their impatience still pushes them to immediately inform the Church of their encounter with Christ. More speeches! (Luke 24:36-40): “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet”.

Christ does not just give speeches. He is the Word who acts, as in the time of Creation. (1 Peter 1:23): “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Christ comes among His disciples; He returns among them when they pray (Matthew 18:20): “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And Christ will return again at the end of the age, as He promised, and as we have this hope (Revelation 22:20): “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Then our joy will be full (John 15:11): “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

My friends, we are all witnesses of Emmaus. And meditating on the Bible warms our hearts (Luke 24:32): “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” This is in fact the goal of preaching the Word: to explain the Scriptures, without seeking to indulge nor please. This doing does not attract crowds, for the truth repels unrepentant sinners, and there are many of them out there in the world. But this is what Our Lord asks us to do and say: (1 Peter 2:11,15-16): “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul … For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” Wickedness here means sin.

However, the same Peter invites us to submit to the authorities of this world. And in his day, they were pagan. Why and how should we who are Christians obey pagans? Because Christ asks us to do so (1 Peter 2:13-15): “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” The goal of Our Lord is not that we grovel blindly before Authority, but that we bear witness before it to the purity of our lives and the good that we do, and above all to the love that we have for one another, in the Church (1 Peter 2:12): “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

Our Lord does not urge us to sin, nor to approve of sin, but to bear witness to the Good, while God observes and judges the world. Christian martyrs preferred to let themselves be killed rather than obey orders contrary to the Word of God. And the Eternal Father gave them the strength to resist evil until their last breath. But as long as the orders of the representatives of the authority - bestowed upon them by God - command us things consistent with the Bible, then we must submit to them as if these orders came from Our Heavenly Father Himself, as Paul invites us to do in Romans 13:1-9: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

God chooses those who govern us. To holy peoples, he gives Saints, like king St. Louis of France. To wicked peoples He give tyrants. Voting well is not enough. We must still behave holy, imitating Christ, God made perfect man. (Isaiah 65:18): “But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.” God blesses those who obey Him. Amen.

Rt. Rev. Yves Méra, AOC Bishop for France.

  Jose Rios - Bishop of Colombia, Cartegena
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

Jose began writing daily devotions in his native language on Christmas. If you would like to receive them by email, we would be happy to send them to you. Email aocworldwide@gmail.com.

 

DE LA LUZ A LA OBEDIENCIA: PEREGRINOS EN LA ESPERANZA PASCUAL

DEVOCIÓN PARA LA TERCERA DOMÍNICA DESPUÉS DE PASCUA

Oración inicial:

Dios de vida y resurrección, que por la victoria de tu Hijo has disipado las tinieblas del error y nos has llamado a la luz admirable de tu verdad; inclina nuestros corazones a tu Palabra, para que, siendo instruidos por tu Espíritu Santo, caminemos en santidad, perseveremos en la fe y esperemos con gozo la plenitud de tu Reino; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.

Colecta del día:

DIOS Todopoderoso, que manifiestas la luz de tu verdad a los que se hallan en error, para que puedan volver al camino de la justicia; Concede que todos los que son recibidos en la comunión de la Fe Cristiana, eviten todo lo que es contrario a su profesión, y sigan lo que es conforme a ella; mediante nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Amén.

 

Meditación:

En esta Tercera Domínica después de Pascua, la Iglesia se sitúa contemplativamente ante la iniciativa soberana de Dios que, en su misericordia, disipa las tinieblas del error mediante la irradiación de su verdad. No se trata de una iluminación únicamente intelectual, sino de una epifanía moral y espiritual que reorienta la totalidad de la existencia humana hacia la justicia. La súplica de la Colecta encuentra una resonancia profunda en la teología veterotestamentaria de la revelación, donde la Palabra divina no solo instruye, sino que guía eficazmente, “lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra” (Salmo 119:105), expresión que denota dirección concreta en el peregrinaje ético del creyente. En este sentido, la Colecta articula una doble dimensión, por un lado, la primacía de la gracia que rescata del error; por otro, la responsabilidad del creyente de conformar su vida a la verdad recibida. Tal articulación refleja con precisión la enseñanza normativa del anglicanismo, especialmente en los Treinta y Nueve Artículos de Religión (Artículo XII), donde se establece que las buenas obras, lejos de constituir mérito justificante, emergen necesariamente como evidencia orgánica de una fe viva. Así, la verdad revelada no permanece en el ámbito abstracto, sino que se traduce en una ética visible que testimonia la autenticidad de la comunión eclesial.

 

La epístola de 1 Pedro 2:11-17 profundiza esta lógica al situar la identidad cristiana en clave de extranjería y peregrinación, categorías que no solo describen una condición sociológica, sino una ontología teológica, el creyente pertenece a otro orden, el del Reino de Dios. Esta autocomprensión remite tipológicamente al Israel del éxodo, cuya travesía por el desierto —bajo la guía luminosa de la presencia divina (Éxodo 13:21)— constituye un paradigma de dependencia, disciplina y esperanza escatológica. La exhortación petrina a abstenerse de los deseos carnales no debe leerse como una negación de la corporalidad, sino como una llamada a la subordinación de los apetitos desordenados a la vida según el Espíritu. En este marco, la conducta ética adquiere un carácter misional, las buenas obras no son solamente privadas, sino que poseen una dimensión pública orientada a la glorificación de Dios entre los gentiles. La intuición agustiniana de que “la vida del cristiano es una predicación silenciosa” (Sermón 256) subraya que la credibilidad del evangelio se juega en la coherencia existencial. Asimismo, la exhortación a la obediencia civil debe entenderse dentro de una teología del orden providencial, donde las estructuras de autoridad, aunque contingentes e imperfectas, son instrumentos permitidos por Dios para la preservación del bien común (cf. Romanos 13). No obstante, esta obediencia es siempre relativa y subordinada a la lealtad suprema debida a Dios, lo que preserva la conciencia cristiana de cualquier absolutización del poder humano.

El evangelio de Juan 16:16-22 introduce una clave hermenéutica decisiva para la existencia cristiana en el tiempo pascual, la transformación del sufrimiento en gozo mediante la mediación de la resurrección. La pedagogía de Cristo no elude la realidad del dolor, sino que la reconfigura teleológicamente. La imagen del parto, arraigada en la tradición profética (Isaías 66:7-9), no solo ilustra la intensidad del sufrimiento, sino su fecundidad intrínseca, el dolor se convierte en umbral de vida nueva. Esta metáfora, de notable densidad teológica, revela que la economía salvífica de Dios opera a través de procesos pascuales donde la pérdida y la aflicción son asumidas y transfiguradas. En la exégesis patrística, San Juan Crisóstomo interpreta este pasaje como una anticipación del gozo pascual que, al irrumpir tras la cruz, redefine retrospectivamente el significado del sufrimiento (Homilía sobre Juan 79). La tradición litúrgica anglicana, particularmente en el tiempo pascual, mantiene esta tensión escatológica entre el “ya” de la victoria de Cristo y el “todavía no” de su consumación plena, invitando al creyente a habitar el presente con una esperanza activa. De este modo, la luz de la verdad, invocada en la Colecta, no solo corrige el error doctrinal o moral, sino que sostiene al creyente en la experiencia concreta del sufrimiento, asegurándole que toda aflicción, asumida en Cristo, participa de una finalidad redentora que culmina en un gozo irrevocable.

La convergencia teológica y espiritual entre la Colecta, la epístola y el evangelio de esta Domínica pascual se articula en una dinámica unitaria de iluminación, peregrinación y consumación, que define la existencia cristiana como un tránsito sostenido por la gracia y orientado hacia la plenitud en Cristo. La Colecta implora la manifestación eficaz de la verdad divina que rescata del error y ordena la vida conforme a la justicia, estableciendo así el fundamento ontológico y moral del creyente; la epístola, por su parte, concreta esta realidad en la experiencia histórica de una comunidad que, consciente de su condición de extranjería, encarna una ética visible y contracultural, donde la coherencia entre fe y conducta se convierte en testimonio público de la gloria de Dios; finalmente, el evangelio ofrece la clave escatológica que sostiene este itinerario, al revelar que la tensión entre aflicción y gozo no es contradictoria, sino constitutiva del misterio pascual, en el cual el sufrimiento es asumido y transfigurado en vida nueva. De este modo, la luz que ilumina la inteligencia en la Colecta se traduce en obediencia concreta en la epístola y se consuma en esperanza indestructible en el evangelio, configurando una espiritualidad integral donde el creyente, formado por la verdad, disciplinado en la santidad y sostenido en la esperanza, participa activamente en el movimiento redentor de Dios que conduce de la oscuridad a la gloria.

Lectura orante de la Palabra:

Amado Señor, al escuchar la exhortación de tu apóstol Pedro, reconocemos nuestra condición de peregrinos en este mundo. Nos llamas a vivir con sobriedad, absteniéndonos de todo aquello que oscurece el alma y contradice nuestra vocación. Como tu pueblo antiguo fue llamado a ser santo porque tú eres santo (Levítico 19:2), así también nosotros somos llamados a reflejar tu carácter en medio de una generación que necesita ver tu luz. Danos la gracia de vivir de tal manera que nuestras obras sean testimonio de tu verdad, y que, aun en medio de estructuras humanas imperfectas, sepamos honrarte con una conducta íntegra y reverente.

Señor Jesucristo, al meditar en tus palabras de despedida, sentimos el peso de la tristeza que embargó a tus discípulos, pero también la promesa gloriosa de un gozo que nadie podrá quitar. Así como el pueblo de Israel pasó por el mar rojo antes de cantar victoria (Éxodo 15), también nosotros atravesamos momentos de dolor que anticipan la alegría de tu presencia. Enséñanos a esperar con fe, sabiendo que toda aflicción es pasajera y que tu resurrección ha inaugurado un tiempo nuevo. Que nuestro corazón se ancle en esa esperanza viva, y que, en medio de las pruebas, podamos decir con el salmista: “El llanto podrá durar toda la noche, pero a la mañana vendrá la alegría” (Salmo 30:5).

Preguntas para reflexionar:

1.      Desde la Colecta: ¿Estoy viviendo de acuerdo con la luz de la verdad que Dios me ha revelado, evitando aquello que contradice mi fe cristiana?

2.      Desde la Epístola: ¿Mi conducta como peregrino en este mundo refleja la santidad y el testimonio que glorifica a Dios ante los demás?

3.      Desde el Evangelio: ¿Cómo estoy enfrentando las pruebas presentes, con desesperanza o con la confianza en el gozo futuro prometido por Cristo?

Aplicaciones prácticas:

1.      De la Colecta: Examina tu vida a la luz del evangelio y renuncia conscientemente a prácticas o actitudes que contradicen tu identidad cristiana.

2.      De la Epístola: Practica una vida de integridad visible, especialmente en tu entorno social y laboral, como testimonio silencioso del evangelio.

3.      Del Evangelio: En medio de una dificultad actual, cultiva una actitud de esperanza activa, recordando que el dolor es temporal y que Dios está obrando un bien mayor.

 

Oración final:

Señor Dios, fuente de toda verdad y consuelo, te damos gracias porque en tu Hijo resucitado has manifestado la luz que disipa nuestro error y nos guía por el camino de la justicia. Concédenos, por tu Espíritu, vivir conforme a nuestra santa vocación, rechazando todo lo que es indigno de tu nombre y abrazando con fidelidad lo que agrada a tu voluntad. Haznos peregrinos fieles en este mundo, testigos de tu gracia en medio de las naciones, y sostenidos por la esperanza viva que brota de la resurrección. Transforma nuestras tristezas en gozo, y llévanos a la plenitud de tu Reino eterno; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.

 

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

FROM LIGHT TO OBEDIENCE: PILGRIMS IN PASCHAL HOPE DEVOTION FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

Opening Prayer: God of life and resurrection, who through the victory of your Son have dispelled the darkness of error and called us into the marvelous light of your truth; incline our hearts to your Word, so that, being instructed by your Holy Spirit, we may walk in holiness, persevere in the faith, and await with joy the fullness of your Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Day:

ALMIGHTY GOD, who show the light of your truth to those who are in error, that they may return to the way of righteousness; Grant that all who are received into the fellowship of the Christian Faith may avoid all that is contrary to their profession, and follow all that is agreeable to it; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 Meditation: On this Third Sunday after Easter, the Church places itself contemplatively before the sovereign initiative of God who, in His mercy, dispels the darkness of error through the radiance of His truth. This is not merely an intellectual illumination, but a moral and spiritual epiphany that reorients the entirety of human existence toward righteousness. The petition of the Collect finds a profound resonance in the Old Testament theology of revelation, wherein the divine Word not only instructs but also guides effectively—"Your word is a lamp to my feet" (Psalm 119:105)—an expression denoting concrete direction in the believer's ethical pilgrimage. In this sense, the Collect articulates a twofold dimension: on the one hand, the primacy of grace that rescues from error; on the other, the believer's responsibility to conform their life to the truth received. Such an articulation accurately reflects the normative teaching of Anglicanism, particularly in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Article XII), wherein it is established that good works—far from constituting justifying merit—emerge necessarily as organic evidence of a living faith. Thus, revealed truth does not remain within the abstract realm but translates into a visible ethic that bears witness to the authenticity of ecclesial communion.

The Epistle of 1 Peter 2:11–17 deepens this logic by framing Christian identity in terms of sojourning and pilgrimage—categories that describe not merely a sociological condition, but a theological ontology: the believer belongs to another order, that of the Kingdom of God. This self-understanding points typologically back to the Israel of the Exodus, whose journey through the wilderness—under the luminous guidance of the divine presence (Exodus 13:21)—constitutes a paradigm of dependence, discipline, and eschatological hope. The Petrine exhortation to abstain from fleshly desires should not be read as a negation of corporeality, but rather as a call to subordinate disordered appetites to a life lived according to the Spirit. Within this framework, ethical conduct acquires a missional character; good works are not merely private acts but possess a public dimension oriented toward the glorification of God among the Gentiles. The Augustinian insight that "the life of the Christian is a silent preaching" (Sermon 256) underscores that the credibility of the Gospel hinges upon existential coherence. Likewise, the exhortation to civil obedience must be understood within a theology of providential order, wherein structures of authority—though contingent and imperfect—serve as instruments permitted by God for the preservation of the common good (cf. Romans 13). Nevertheless, such obedience remains always relative and subordinate to the supreme loyalty owed to God, thereby safeguarding the Christian conscience against any absolutization of human power.

The Gospel of John (16:16–22) introduces a decisive hermeneutical key for Christian existence during the Easter season: the transformation of suffering into joy through the mediation of the Resurrection. Christ’s pedagogy does not evade the reality of pain, but rather reconfigures it teleologically. The imagery of childbirth—rooted in the prophetic tradition (Isaiah 66:7–9)—illustrates not only the intensity of suffering but also its intrinsic fruitfulness; pain becomes the threshold of new life. This metaphor, of remarkable theological density, reveals that God’s salvific economy operates through Paschal processes in which loss and affliction are embraced and transfigured. In patristic exegesis, Saint John Chrysostom interprets this passage as an anticipation of Paschal joy—a joy that, bursting forth in the wake of the Cross, retrospectively redefines the meaning of suffering (Homily on John 79). The Anglican liturgical tradition—particularly during the Easter season—sustains this eschatological tension between the “already” of Christ’s victory and the “not yet” of its full consummation, inviting the believer to inhabit the present with an active hope.

Thus, the light of truth—invoked in the Collect …...the Collect not only corrects doctrinal or moral error but also sustains the believer in the concrete experience of suffering, assuring him that every affliction—embraced in Christ—shares in a redemptive purpose that culminates in irrevocable joy. The theological and spiritual convergence among the Collect, the Epistle, and the Gospel for this Easter Sunday is articulated through a unified dynamic of illumination, pilgrimage, and consummation—a dynamic that defines Christian existence as a journey sustained by grace and oriented toward fullness in Christ. The Collect implores the effective manifestation of divine truth—a truth that rescues from error and orders one’s life in accordance with justice—thereby establishing the ontological and moral foundation of the believer. The Epistle, for its part, concretizes this reality within the historical experience of a community that—conscious of its status as sojourners—embodies a visible and countercultural ethic, wherein the coherence between faith and conduct becomes a public testimony to the glory of God. Finally, the Gospel offers the eschatological key that sustains this journey, revealing that the tension between affliction and joy is not contradictory but rather constitutive of the Paschal mystery—a mystery in which suffering is embraced and transfigured into new life. Thus, the light that illuminates the intellect in the Collect translates into concrete obedience in the Epistle and finds its consummation in indestructible hope in the Gospel, thereby shaping an integral spirituality in which the believer—formed by truth, disciplined in holiness, and sustained by hope—actively participates in God’s redemptive movement, which leads from darkness into glory.

Prayerfully Reading the Word: Beloved Lord, as we listen to the exhortation of Your Apostle Peter, we acknowledge our status as pilgrims in this world. You call us to live with sobriety, abstaining from all that obscures the soul and contradicts our vocation. Just as Your ancient people were called to be holy because You are holy (Leviticus 19:2), so too are we called to reflect Your character amidst a generation that needs to see Your light. Grant us the grace to live in such a way that our deeds bear witness to Your truth, and that, even amidst imperfect human structures, we may know how to honor You with integrity and reverence in our conduct. Lord Jesus Christ, as we meditate upon Your parting words, we feel the weight of the sorrow that overwhelmed Your disciples, but also the glorious promise of a joy that no one can take away. Just as the people of Israel passed through the Red Sea before singing of victory (Exodus 15), so too do we traverse moments of pain that anticipate the joy of Your presence. Teach us to wait with faith, knowing that all affliction is fleeting and that Your resurrection has inaugurated a new era. May our hearts be anchored in that living hope, and may we, amidst our trials, be able to say with the Psalmist: “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Questions for Reflection:

1. From the Collect: Am I living in accordance with the light of truth that God has revealed to me, avoiding that which contradicts my Christian faith?

2. From the Epistle: Does my conduct as a pilgrim in this world reflect the holiness and the witness that glorifies God before others?

3. From the Gospel: How am I facing my current trials—with hopelessness, or with confidence in the future joy promised by Christ?

Practical Applications:

1. From the Collect: Examine your life in the light of the Gospel and consciously renounce any practices or attitudes that contradict your Christian identity.

2. From the Epistle: Practice a life of visible integrity—especially in your social and professional environments—as a silent witness to the Gospel.

3. From the Gospel: Amidst a current difficulty, cultivate an attitude of active hope, remembering that pain is temporary and that God is bringing about a greater good.

Final Prayer: Lord God, source of all truth and consolation, we give You thanks, for in Your risen Son You have revealed the light that dispels our error and guides us along the path of righteousness. Grant us, through Your Spirit, to live in accordance with our holy vocation, rejecting all that is unworthy of Your name and faithfully embracing that which pleases Your will. Make us faithful pilgrims in this world, witnesses of Your grace among the nations, and sustained by the living hope that springs from the resurrection. Transform our sorrows into joy, and lead us to the fullness of Your eternal Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.                                                                    Bishop Jose Rios Nieves

     

                                                                                                         

Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi  

We are always grateful to get these wonderful sermons from Rev. Bryan, they keep us on our toes!

Third Sunday after Easter

Let us return to our gospel lesson from St. John 14 and hear again the words of our Saviour: I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (v.6). Our Lord sought to comfort and assure the disciples. He wanted to prepare them for the things that would transpire over the next few days prior to his death on the cross. Our Lord knew that their faith was in a more or less formative stage. True enough, they had heard his words and seen his miraculous works; but the best was yet to be. For in less than a week, they would see the risen Lord standing before them clothed in his resurrection body. At that moment they would behold with their own eyes the truth our Lord had communicated to them prior to his arrest. That event would mark the turning point for them as it was that witness which would enable their witness to Jew and Gentile— for all people in this dispensation (Ephesians 1:10). As St. Peter once observed: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance (II St. Peter 3:9). Our heavenly Father has provided a sacrifice that will effectually remove our sins and trespasses, making our citizenship in his kingdom possible if we would but believe on the Lord Jesus and accept him as our Saviour. As the apostle Paul has written, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9).

I often hear from the unregenerate that the Christian faith is too narrow. In response, I have found it best to supply them with the testimony of our Lord who said, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (St. Matthew 7:13-14). Nevertheless, they are expecting our Lord to just overlook their sins and trespasses so that they might enter whatever heaven there might be. But consider this: no right-thinking person would demand a portion of the estate of another with whom he did not share a close familial connection and who was not so named as an heir by the testator in his will. So it begs the question: why then should God open his kingdom to those who are not of his chosen elect? Our Lord answered that question when he said, Not every one that saith unto to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?... And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (St. Matthew 7:21-23).

Seriously, how can one spend a lifetime of degradation apart from Christ and expect to receive God’s blessed hope of a joyous and eternal life with him? St. Paul noted in his first epistle to the Thessalonians that he would not have us to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (4:13). The people who have no hope are not asleep in the Lord but are dead to the Godhead and their souls are in the fires of perdition. They are eternally separated from the love of God by their own choice. The apostle Paul noted in his epistle to the Romans that, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (1:18-21).

The Christian alone has that hope which is firmly grounded in Jesus Christ. Why would God offer him up as a sacrifice for sin if no sacrifice was necessary? No, my friends, God the Father sent his only begotten Son into the world to redeem us from the wrath come. He came that through the shedding of his blood we might find redemption and release from our sins and be made citizens of his kingdom. It is, therefore, a fantasy indeed to believe that God is going to just overlook the sins of those who claimed no kinship with Jesus Christ and yet wish to spend an eternity enjoying the benefits of his sacrifice— a sacrifice which by their own admission they have rejected through their perpetual refusal to embrace him as their Saviour and Lord.

And God desires us to have not only a relationship with him but to have fellowship with him. Relationships can be distant, and irregular. Fellowship is face to face, and heart to heart. Fellowship speaks of personal contact and familiarity. There is love and friendship within the bonds of fellowship, and God wants that with us. Nevertheless, such a relationship must be on his terms and not ours and that is where the Holy Bible comes in; for within its pages we are given that one important name through which we can establish our relationship and our fellowship with the Godhead, and that name is Jesus Christ.

And it should be further understood that we cannot offer up to God our prayers and petitions and have them answered in any meaningful way if we will not follow his prescriptions for life and worship. If we are to have fellowship with the LORD, we must come before him with reverence and holiness. Psalm 66:3 states, Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works. And in Psalm 96:9 we read, O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. The Rev. Matthew Henry once noted that, “All... acts of worship must be performed with a holy awe and reverence.” Our Lord admonished us to, Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea I say unto you, Fear him (St. Luke 12:5). So then we ought to come before his presence with song, and with praise, as well as with reverence.

Sadly, too many Christians have permitted their houses of worship to become places of spectacle more akin to a circus than a house of prayer. God’s house is a house of prayer. It is supposed to be a place dedicated to his worship and not a platform to bring glory and praise to anyone else. How can we honor the Lord when we are busy drawing attention to ourselves? It would seem that those who embrace such practices are more desirous of God coming to them rather than the other way around. Again, hear the words of our Saviour, I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. And further, I have heard the proponents of charismatic religion claim in all earnestness that their worship is acceptable to God as it makes them “feel good.” Nevertheless, we must be cautious as sincerity of purpose is not enough to please God. We cannot offer our Lord what we think he ought to have and keep from him that which he expects regardless of our feelings. God expects reverence— putting him first, giving him the glory— not taking it for ourselves.

Finally, our worship ought to include a proper presentation of God’s word written by godly men who have been called to that purpose, and who possess a firm belief in the truth of Scripture. Therefore every minister, pastor, priest, bishop and deacon, as well as every Sunday school teacher, ought to be a fundamentalist with regard to the truth of the Scriptures. In order for our worship of God to be accepted by him, we must accept his word written as the truth against all else. Our Lord prayed to the Father concerning all who would come to him, They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (St. John 17:16-17).

Please keep in mind that we are not working to serve ourselves as laborers in God’s harvest. We are not simply mercenaries gathering loot, but soldiers in his army sent forth to advance the gospel of truth. We are thus witnesses in his church who have been called to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ to others so that they might come to accept him as their Saviour and Lord. We do these things that the fold of Christ may be perhaps enlarged and preserved. That others may be assured of salvation and have their names inscribed in God’s Book of Life. May it please our gracious and loving God that through our lives and service more souls will come to know the truth about our Lord Jesus Christ and accept him as their Saviour. Make that your prayer as well.

Let us pray,

O gracious heavenly Father, send down to us the Holy Ghost the Comforter to assist our witness on your behalf; and this we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week!
Bryan+

 

 Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large - Alabama 

 

We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian.

The tHIRD Sunday after Easter

 

Easter Comfort - I will see you again

John 16:16-22 “…A Little While and Ye shall see Me”

16:22 is my text. " ²²And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."  Sorrow here is - lýpē – properly, distress, vexation; (figuratively) physical or emotional pain; heavy, heart-sorrow (grief) that brings a person down. Biblehub.com

 Joy is grace, charis in the greek which is the same word for God's grace. This is good because all good things come from God alone actually. 

    As Christians we have the hope based on the certainty of the record of Holy Scripture that Easter is true.  But we do not live that way, do we?  We live more as the world where our lives seem empty, hopeless and bereft of the comfort of God. We seek those things that can never give us what we need. The things of this world are temporal but the things which are unseen are eternal. 

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:18) Of course we have sorrow that our loved ones are no longer here with us.  And that is human and natural for us to have that reaction.   Jesus wept, but He also rose again from the dead.

      Listen again in this Eastertide to His words.  “A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go the Father.”  “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy” The sorrow we feel when someone close to us is not here in the body is only temporary. As Christians , Jesus indicates our sorrow is only temporary. Our joy shall be forever when we are in their presence once more.

      Just what is death anyway?  We know it is the way of our humanity. We all die because of Adam’s transgression ,but in Christ we are made alive. “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more!” We say that ancient canticle called the Pascha Nostrum , Christ our Passover in morning prayer. “Death hath no more dominion over him”

      A little while, You shall see me. See Him in all in resurrected body glory that is a body that never dies.  That is a picture of what we will have too.  “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor 5:1  “To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” 5:8

      Our loved ones that are not with us here in this earthly life are those that could echo what Jesus says here in John, ‘and a little while, and ye shall see me because I go to the Father.” Ye shall see me.

       And now we have sorrow, Jesus says in vs. 22.  He likens this with mothers. Our mothers had great pain when they gave birth. But as soon as the child is delivered, she has joy for a child has been born into the world.  Easter and mothers have something in common!

     And now we do have sorrow. We have a limited sorrow that remembers how wonderful our families were to us in some shape, manner or form. We recollect those times when perhaps it is a mother that we sat at their feet or just sat there talking with them.  And now we sorrow. We sorrow but we do not sorrow as though who do not have hope.  If we hope only in this life, “ we are of all men most miserable. “  Cor 15:19  But our sorrow is turned into joy Jesus says for He says we shall see Him.  “ Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” I Cor 15:50.  Death is the way to life eternal .

      We should not sorrow as though who do not have hope.  But this hope we have is not just a “ I hope so.”  Oh, “  hope I go to heaven.”  Oh , “I hope I see my loved ones again.” No, this is not the hope we have.  Our hope is steadfast, like an anchor we are told in Hebrews 6:19 .  “It is impossible for God to lie”  Frankly I am tired of hearing so called Christians tell me “I will go to heaven if there is one.” That is not faith. That is called unbelief. And I am sorry for people that have some kind of Christian faith that gives them no certainty, no hope, nor no assurance.  “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life.” I John 5:11

        “ and now ye therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice..”  We should not live as though who do not have hope. We shall be in heaven with the Lord where there is no night.  ..and no sorrow, and no crying and no death. Dr . Lloyd Jones (the famous reformed pastor of Westminster Chapel in London) said it well when approaching death,”Do not hold me back from the glory.” Here is a more full explanation of his faith, "Towards the end of February 1981, with great peace and assured hope, he believed that his earthly work was done. To his immediate family he said: ‘Don’t pray for healing, don’t try to hold me back from the glory.’ On March 1st, St. David’s Day and the Lord’s Day – he passed on to the glory on which he had so often preached to meet the Saviour he had so faithfully proclaimed."  from graceonlinelibrary.org

He knew that God 's Word was true. Dr. Lloyd-Jones had the faith that he had a journey ahead that would be better than the world and what it offered.

         Dear Christian friends let us be encouragers of those who struggle in this life for whatever reason.  We have a calling to tell forth and show forth the love of God in all that we do and say. May we be faithful witnesses as was Mary Magdalene who said on that Easter day, “ I have seen the Lord!”

 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:

Deborah Johns – in ICU – heart issues

Ben Hancock – treatment for colon cancer

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 – President Trump & all Cabinet Members Safety

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

Dave – COPD – breathing issues – getting used to using oxygen – shortness of breath

 

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

Church of the Redeemer - minister, strength for the process  

 

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, Bronchitis, 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: 

Someone asked, where do the quotes come from? The answer is from the people who uttered them. But, how did you find them? Oh, that. Some from Bishop Jerry, others from Rev. Geordie and many from Rev Bryan Dabney and a few from other places.

              Rev. Geordie Menzies-Grierson – England (above)

 

 

 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).

Let me speak first of the right, the duty, and necessity of private judgment. When I say the right of private judgment, I mean that every individual Christian has a right to judge for himself by the Word of God whether that which is put before him as religious truth is God’s truth, or is not. When I say the duty of private judgment, I mean that God requires every Christian man to use the right of which I have just spoken; to compare man’s words and man’s writings with God’s revelation, and to make sure that he is not deluded and taken in by false teaching. And when I say the necessity of private judgment, I mean this, that it is absolutely needful for every Christian who loves his soul and would not be deceived to exercise the right, and discharge the duty, to which I have referred; seeing that experience shows that the neglect of private judgment has always been the cause of immense evils in the Church of Christ.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle– 19th century Anglican bishop and author (Knots Untied, p. 46).

A wicked man sins, not only without regret, but with delight. A fool walks by no rule, acts with no sincerity or steadfastness. But a man, the eyes of whose understanding are enlightened by the Spirit, lives a sober, orderly, regular life and studies in everything to conform himself to the will of God; this is a constant pleasure and joy to him.
The Rev. Matthew Henry - 17th and 18th century English pastor and author.

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind; which, when it was full, they drew to shore and sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away." (Matt. 18:47-48) The kingdom of heaven, that is, the Church, is likened by our Lord to a net cast into the sea. The net spoken of is a hauling-net, which was sometimes half a mile in length. A net of such dimensions will naturally enclose fish of all sizes and kinds, some bad and others good. And so it is with the net of the Gospel... But as the divine fishermen, the ministers of Christ, cast their net and enclose an abundance of human fishes, they find that not all are of the same quality... Behold, then, such is the outward appearance of the Church upon earth. Where the true Church is established, there you will find the sad effects of Satan's pernicious work. You will find wicked people among the good, godlessness developing alongside of piety, vice cropping forth on the very side of virtue, and children of the Evil One standing next to the children of God. This has always been the case, and thus it will be to the end of the world. Was there not a Judas among the disciples of Christ? Do we not find divisions in the congregations of the early Church, much quarrel and angry controversy among the members, injustice, a wrong use of the Lord's Supper, false prophets, men denying the doctrine of the resurrection, even a man who had committed incest? Is there a congregation or a whole church-body which has arrived at the stage of perfection? There is no such congregation or Church on earth; and why? Because Satan will always corrupt the divine Word; and our hearts, corrupted by sin, are always susceptible of all that is evil.
The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles– 20th and 21st century Anglican Orthodox Presiding Bishop (excerpt taken from his daily blog entitled: Nature of Visible Church, 3-13-26).