AOC Two

L  ET  us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man .   (Ecclesiastes 12:13)                 One sterling character has my highest admiration, and still does, of any other of the annals of American history, and exemplifies all that is honorable and praiseworthy in the Christian  gentleman - General Robert E. Lee. He was a man who placed duty above the goal of glory and, in the end, won both glory and duty well-performed.    He has written,   Duty, then is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.                   Duty is a word which has lost popularity in our modern culture; however, the highest mark in Christian living is to perform our duty to God, family, and country.                 Duty is more than a sentiment – it requires ACTION. Used as it is used in Ecclesiastes above, it entails not only the knowledge of that which God has comman

    C  ONFESS  your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  17   Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  18   And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.         (James 5:16-18)               Many moons have passed over the sky since I was honored to share fellowship with one of the most honorable friends, and spiritually deep men of God, I have ever known. He was Isaac Mokoena, Bishop of South Africa, and co-consecrator at my consecration in October 2000. Though a graduate of Oxford University, Isaac was unpretentious and preached in such a simple manner as to be understood by all, including children – much as our Lord taught.               Having arrived in Statesville, North Carolina, in the Autumn while the tempe

   Happy Second Sunday after Easter! The AOC Sunday Report can be found  RIGHT HERE ! This morning we have excellent sermons from Bishops jGerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  This being Good Shepherd Sunday, I think that you will find these sermons each quite different and quite enjoyable.   Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon can be viewed on video  HERE  ->   https://youtu.be/HvhpntdtFn4 In the Collect, we acknowledge God sent His Son to be both a sacrifice for our sins and a guide for our behavior.  In his General Epistle, Peter points out Christ serves as a perfect example for the conduct of our lives. Not only was He sent to sacrifice His Life for us that we might have eternal freedom, He was sent to provide a perfect example of us, to how we should live our lives. John’s Gospel reading this morning describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a role with many facets.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  Every week we have a full

Propers with explanation – Rev Jack’s Sermon – With Video Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video  HERE   ->   https://youtu.be/HvhpntdtFn4   In the Collect, we acknowledge God sent His Son to be both a sacrifice for our sins and a guide for our behavior.  In his General Epistle, Peter points out Christ serves as a perfect example for the conduct of our lives. Not only was He sent to sacrifice His Life for us that we might have eternal freedom, He was sent to provide a perfect example of us, to how we should live our lives. John’s Gospel reading this morning describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a role with many facets.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  The Propers for today are found on Page 171-172, with the Collect first:   The Second Sunday after Easter . The Collect.   A LMIGHTY   God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life

  The Second Sunday after Easter . The Collect.   A LMIGHTY  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.   The Epistle. 1 St. Peter 2. 19.   T HIS  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 himsel

  I  AM  sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.  (Isaiah 65:1)               It is often the case the unbeliever is drawn to Christ without seeking Him out. It is the irresistible draw of the Holy Ghost that may bring the sinner fighting and screaming to the Mercy Seat of God. This may seem illogical to the reasoning mind of man, but, of course, all miracles are illogical – and they happen every day.               When our Lord came into His earthly ministry, there were, in fact, two Israels – one national, the other spiritual. These were in complete contradiction to each other. National Israel considered only the material and visible blessings to be evidence of the coming Messiah. They looked forward to a messiah who would defeat every enemy of national Israel and vanquish the Roman Empire from their land. They expected national Israel to be exalted above all nations – pol

    Happy First Sunday after Easter! The AOC Sunday Report can be downloaded  RIGHT HERE ! We are back to our full compliment of sermons. There are excellent sermons from Bishops Jerry and Roy, as well as Revs Jack and Bryan.  Each is quite different, and each is very enjoyable.    Rev Jack brings the Propers together today.    His sermon is below the propers and can be viewed on video  HERE  ->   https://youtu.be/Zxv3HAzTsck   In the Collect, we acknowledge God sent His Son to be both our Savior and Sacrifice.  The Collect goes on to acknowledge it takes only a small ‘leaven’ of malice and wickedness to contaminate out entire being.  In his General Epistle, John tells us that if we truly follow Jesus, we will by our very nature overcome the world.  He goes on to describe the composition of the Triune God.  John’s Gospel portion this morning describes Jesus sending the Holy Ghost to the disciples and more.  It all comes together, listen or read to understand how.  There are  always

    The First Sunday after Easter . The Collect.   A LMIGHTY   Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification; Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord .   Amen.   T HE   same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them,  Peace be unto you.   20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  21  Then said Jesus to them again,  Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.   22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them,  Receive ye the Holy Ghost:   23   Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins