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A fellow named Nate on the GLCC alumni forum wrote:
"The discussion that Alan and Regan are having about the relationship of tithing and paid, "staff" ministers is an issue that I have been wrestling with also. One thought I have had is - while the NT shows that paying a "minister" is allowable, it also show that Paul gave up "this right" so that nothing would hinder the gospel. The example of Paul brings a question to my mind - if I can earn a living in some other way and still devote myself fully to the cause of the Kingdom - why not consider doing just that so that the church can use it's money to help the needy and to send out missionaries?"
Then I wrote:
My beliefs, the belief about intimate community, and my belief on worship (along with God, I hope) led me to plant the church in Lansing.
I feel the experience was extremely fruitful. It was probably because I was surrounded with trained ministers rather than just mediocre Christians. I was blessed with a great group of people to start the church with.
The central premise comes back to the premise of this tithing discussion. I believe we are the priesthood of believers, none higher than the other. If we're priests, the only priest above us the high priest, Jesus Christ. We are all under his lordship, not under someone who is under the lordship of Christ. So church should not be one man feeding everyone but everyone feeding everyone because we are all fed by Christ.
House church would be very draining on the leaders if all the demands were placed upon one individual, but when you have mutual ministry it isn't all that stressful on one person. That is why the Lansing church (now churches) continues to exist and thrive despite my leaving. I was just one of the many ministers. I just happened to be the one who initiated the whole thing.
The key is to train up all believers to be ministers. We shouldn't have a seperate clergy class. We incorrectly see Paul as the example of what a minister should be. We should see him as an example of what a church planter should be. A church planter has more of an authoritarian role because he is working with people who are not yet sound in their faith. He is training them up to be the priesthood of believers, so that they can share in mutual ministry.
We have an education problem in the church, and it works well to keep the heirarchy of ministry going. What would happen if everyone in the pews received the training to be a minister? They wouldn't be content to allow the paid minister to be the one always preaching and doing the works of the ministry. They would want to get their hands dirty and be involved. We need to train up an army of ministers.
I'm trained and in the pew right now, but the sanctuary church has no room for me to serve. I'm willing to do whatever needs to be done, but there really isn't that much that a church needs done. I'm heading up small groups, which are going to turn out to be just another program for the church, and the high schoolers, and I preach on occasion because we don't currently have a paid minister. But I really don't feel involved in any effective ministries like I did while doing house church.
I do think that if we're all honest, most ministry that a paid minister does could be done by a group of five totally committed and trained individuals who also were active in the secular job world. That appears to me what an elder should be. What would be the need to pay a minister in a healthy functioning church like that? And what would you do when have more trained people than there are room for? Why, plant another church. Centralization of leadership seems to usually lead to power struggles and people feeling left out.
Always shoot for the ideal because the worst that could happen is you miss and realize that you are where you would've been if you hadn't tried for the best.
Commemorated on June 29
Sermon of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
Today the Holy Church piously remembers the sufferings of the Holy Glorious and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul.
St. Peter, the fervent follower of Jesus Christ, for the profound confession of His Divinity: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God," was deemed worthy by the Savior to hear in answer, "Blessed art thou, Simon... I tell thee, that thou art Peter [Petrus], and on this stone [petra] I build My Church" (Mt.16:16-18). On "this stone" [petra], is on that which thou sayest: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" it is on this thy confession I build My Church. Wherefore the "thou art Peter": it is from the "stone" [petra] that Peter [Petrus] is, and not from Peter [Petrus] that the "stone" [petra] is, just as the Christian is from Christ, and not Christ from the Christian. Do you want to know, from what sort of "rock" [petra] the Apostle Peter [Petrus] was named? Hear the Apostle Paul: "Brethren, I do not want ye to be ignorant," says the Apostle of Christ, "how all our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" (1 Cor.10: 1-4). Here is the from whence the "Rock" is Peter.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the final days of His earthly life, in the days of His mission to the race of man, chose from among the disciples His twelve Apostles to preach the Word of God. Among them, the Apostle Peter for his fiery ardor was vouchsafed to occupy the first place (Mt.10:2) and to be as it were the representative person for all the Church. Therefore it is said to him, preferentially, after the confession: "I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in the heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven" (Mt.16: 19). Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these "keys" and the right "to bind and loosen." And that it was actually the Church that received this right, and not exclusively a single person, turn your attention to another place of the Scriptures, where the same Lord says to all His Apostles, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit" and further after this, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: and whose soever sins ye retain, are retained" (John 20: 22-23); or: "whatsoever ye bind upon the earth, shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosened in heaven" (Mt.18:18). Thus, it is the Church that binds, the Church that loosens; the Church, built upon the foundational cornerstone, Jesus Christ Himself (Eph 2:20), doth bind and loosen. Let both the binding and the loosening be feared: the loosening, in order not to fall under this again; the binding, in order not to remain forever in this condition. Therefore "Iniquities ensnare a man, and everyone is bound in the chains of his own sins," says Wisdom (Prov 5:22); and except for Holy Church nowhere is it possible to receive the loosening.
After His Resurrection the Lord entrusted the Apostle Peter to shepherd His spiritual flock not because, that among the disciples only Peter alone was pre-deserved to shepherd the flock of Christ, but Christ addresses Himself chiefly to Peter because, that Peter was first among the Apostles and as such the representative of the Church; besides which, having turned in this instance to Peter alone, as to the top Apostle, Christ by this confirms the unity of the Church. "Simon of John" -- says the Lord to Peter -- "lovest thou Me?" -- and the Apostle answered: "Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee"; and a second time it was thus asked, and a second time he thus answered; being asked a third time, seeing that as it were not believed, he was saddened. But how is it possible for him not to believe That One, Who knew his heart? And wherefore then Peter answered: "Lord, Thou knowest all; Thou knowest that I love Thee. And sayeth Jesus to him" all three times "Feed My sheep" (John 20:15-17).
Besides this, the triple appealing of the Savior to Peter and the triple confession of Peter before the Lord had a particular beneficial purpose for the Apostle. That one, to whom was given "the keys of the kingdom" and the right "to bind and to loose," bound himself thrice by fear and cowardice (Mt.26:69-75), and the Lord thrice loosens him by His appeal and in turn by his confession of strong love. And to shepherd literally the flock of Christ was acquired by all the Apostles and their successors. "Take heed, therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock," the Apostle Paul urges church presbyters, "over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of the God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28); and the Apostle Peter to the elders: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight ther not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when is appeared the Prince of pastors, ye will receive unfading crowns of glory" (1 Pet. 5:2-4).
It is remarkable that Christ, having said to Peter: "Feed My sheep," did not say: "Feed thy sheep," but rather to feed, good servant, the sheep of the Lord. "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor.1:13). "Feed My sheep". Wherefore "wolfish robbers, wolfish oppressors, deceitful teachers and mercenaries, not being concerned about the flock" (Mt.7:15; Acts 20:29; 2 Pet 2:1; John 10:12), having plundered a strange flock and making of the spoils as though it be of their own particular gain, they think that they feed their flock. Such are not good pastors, as pastors of the Lord. "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11), entrusted to Him by the chief Shepherd Himself (1 Pet 5:4). And the Apostle Peter, true to his calling, gave his soul for the very flock of Christ, having sealed his apostleship by a martyr's death, is now glorified throughout all the world.
The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was changed from a robbing wolf into a meek lamb. Formerly he was an enemy of the Church, then is manifest as an Apostle. Formerly he stalked it, then preached it. Having received from the high priests the authority at large to throw all Christians in chains for execution, he was already on the way, he breathed out "threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1), he thirsted for blood, but "He that dwells in the Heavens shall laugh him to scorn" (Ps 2:4). When he, "having persecuted and vexed" in such manner "the Church of God" (1Cor.15:9; Acts 8:5), he came near Damascus, and the Lord from Heaven called to him: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" and I am here, and I am there, I am everywhere: here is My head; there is My body. There becomes nothing of a surprise in this; we ourselves are members of the Body of Christ. "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad" (Acts 9:4-5). Saul, however, "trembling and frightened", cried out: "Who art Thou, Lord?" The Lord answered him, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest."
And Saul suddenly undergoes a change: "What wantest Thou me to do?" -- he cries out. And suddenly for him there is the Voice: "Arise, and go to the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). Here the Lord sends Ananias: "Arise and go into the street" to a man, "by the name of Saul," and baptize him, "for this one is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9: 11, 15, 18). This vessel must be filled with My Grace. "Ananias, however, answered: Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Thy Name" (Acts 9:13-14). But the Lord urgently commands Ananias: "Search for and fetch him, for this vessel is chosen by Me: for I shall show him what great things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:11, 15-16).
And actually the Lord did show the Apostle Paul what things he had to suffer for His Name. He instructed him the deeds; He did not stop at the chains, the fetters, the prisons and shipwrecks; He Himself felt for him in his sufferings, He Himself guided him towards this day. On a single day the memory of the sufferings of both these Apostles is celebrated, though they suffered on separate days, but by the spirit and the closeness of their suffering they constitute one. Peter went first, and Paul followed soon after him. Formerly called Saul, and then Paul, having transformed his pride into humility. His very name (Paulus), meaning "small, little, less," demonstrates this. What is the Apostle Paul after this? Ask him, and he himself gives answer to this: "I am," says he, "the least of the Apostles... but I have labored more abundantly than all of them: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me" (1 Cor.15:9-10).
And so, brethren, celebrating now the memory of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remembering their venerable sufferings, we esteem their true faith and holy life, we esteem the innocence of their sufferings and pure confession. Loving in them the sublime quality and imitating them by great exploits, "in which to be likened to them" (2 Thess 3: 5-9), and we shall attain to that eternal bliss which is prepared for all the saints. The path of our life before was more grievous, thornier, harder, but "we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12: 1), having passed by along it, made now for us easier, and lighter, and more readily passable. First there passed along it "the author and finisher of our faith," our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Heb 12: 2); His daring Apostles followed after Him; then the martyrs, children, women, virgins and a great multitude of witnesses. Who acted in them and helped them on this path? He Who said, "Without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15: 5).
Troparion - Tone 4
First-enthroned of the apostles,
teachers of the universe:
Entreat the Master of all
to grant peace to the world,
and to our souls great mercy!
Kontakion - Tone 2
O Lord, You have taken up to eternal rest
and to the enjoyment of Your blessings
the two divinely-inspired preachers, the leaders of the Apostles,
for You have accepted their labors and deaths as a sweet-smelling sacrifice,
for You alone know what lies in the hearts of men.
Kontakion - Tone 2
Today Christ the Rock glorifies with highest honor
The rock of Faith and leader of the Apostles,
Together with Paul and the company of the twelve,
Whose memory we celebrate with eagerness of faith,
Giving glory to the one who gave glory to them!
SOURCE:
SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2008:
Hieromartyr Polycarp of Smyrna (Feast Day - February 23)
By Protopresbyter Fr. George Papavarnavas
Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of the Holy Apostles, in particular Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist, which is why he is called an Apostolic Father of the Church. He was, according to the sacred hymnographer, "a sharer in the ways and successor to the throne" of the Holy Apostles. In other words, he was a successor of the Apostles in the episcopal office, and shared in their way of life. He had the same way of life as the Holy Apostles and this is the most important.
What really is impressive when we study his life, besides his martyrdom, is his true love for his flock entrusted to him by God, his spiritual nobility, and his philotimo. When he was urged to deny Christ and offer sacrifice to idols, he gave an amazing response that has come down through history: "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any wrong: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"
The Hieromartyr Polycarp was throughout his life a true child of God, and belonged not to the class of wage-earner or servant but a "son". Orthodox theology teaches that there are three categories of believers - servants, wage-earners and sons. Servants are those who implement the will of God in their lives out of fear lest they go to Hell. Wage-earners are they who abide by the commandments of God to enjoy Paradise, that is, to have a reward from God, or wages. Sons of God are they who live according to His commandments out of philotimo, because they love Him and feel gratitude towards Him, and not for the enjoyment of Paradise or avoidance of Hell. Arriving at this point, I remember an Athonite Elder who would say: "How much more God loves His children with philotimo."
The torture was not enough to break his morale. They threw him in the fire to burn him, but the fire formed an arch above him without touching him at all, and it appeared as if he was baking "like sweet bread". It was a great blessing from God that the relic of the Saint did not become ash but remained "intact", exuding the fragrance of the Holy Spirit, blessing and sanctifying the faithful throughout the centuries.
The Sacred Monastery of Ampelakiotissa in Nafpaktos, or more generally our Sacred Metropolis, is proud to have the right hand of the Saint, where it has been kept for more than five hundred years, as well as the Sacred Church of the Hieromartyr in Mamalouda, very close to Nafpaktos. Nafpaktos, as we chant in his Apolytikion, has him as an "unsleeping guardian protector", and his memory (February 23) is solemnly celebrated with brilliance and grandeur in the Monastery of Ampelakiotissa, in Mamalouda, as well as in Nafpaktos.
Saint Polycarp was a carrier and exponent of Orthodox Tradition, which does not abide in the mind and is the transmission of just some knowledge, but it especially abides in the nous and heart, renewing and transforming human existence. It creates character, spiritual sensitivity and philotimo. The phrase well-known to all of us "the Romios has philotimo" is very true, since it simply and clearly indicates the way of life offered by the Orthodox Roman Tradition.
Let us emulate the way of life of the Saint, until the sacrifice of love for God and man, with spiritual sensitivity and philotimo.
Source: "Ekklesiastiki Paremvasi", , February 1997. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Acts 12:1-11
Matt. 16:13-19
One of the track of Divine Suggestion is THE Honesty OF SCRIPTURE Linking THE HEROES OF OUR Hope. More readily of the color of whitewashing that appears in folk myths, be inclined to George Washington and the pink tree, we see real secular beings who fall, get up another time, and tolerate the subtlety of God. We see
St. Paul trade himself the highest of sinners, and the least possible of the apostles such as he had wronged the Cathedral upfront his use. We see the uneasiness and awkwardness of the apostles, their lack of prestige in the same way as they may well not press on the demon out of the boy, so that Jesus had to do it himself. So too the Old Headstone, somewhere we see the faults of Moses himself, losing forbearance and pleasing the prop fold. The sins of David are recorded, and the be unhappy he uttered as he repented and wrote the fifty-first Psalm. We see the sins of Solomon, and without doubt, of the whole nation of
Israel, indicative on itself in the words of the prophets.
So, in the same way as we see the ministry of St. Peter in the Hold of Acts, and how to a great extent he begins to resemble Jesus himself, it is Simply Previously the Gospels in which we clutch seen him fall, inlet voguish the abyss, and then repent. He denied the Lady three epoch upfront the fowl crowed, and he repented with green bawling and blubber. This want swear all of us, such as the story demonstrates the beauty of God, the subtlety of God and the power of God.
It demonstrates the Amnesty OF GOD, such as Peter was forgiven. It demonstrates the Elegance OF GOD such as Peter was restored and changed. It demonstrates the Government department OF GOD, such as Peter pleased the ministry to which he had been called.
"The gifts and callings of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29)." St. Paul wrote those words in a hope for print about why God has not cast away his human resources
Israel (to this day), and grafts back voguish the tree every leaf that abides not unhurried in unbelief. The gifts (, "fascination") and trade (, "klesis") resolution to Peter work the self-same large module, as do all gifts and callings that come exact the mode of indelible sacraments.
The Lady called the reorganization of Peter his "use." Drawback these words from the Gospel of St. Luke:
And the Lady assumed, Simon, Simon, observation, Satan hath wanted to clutch you, that he may put through a sieve you as wheat: But I clutch prayed for thee, that thy prestige fall through not: and in the same way as thou art persuaded, strengthen thy brethren. And he assumed unto him, Lady, I am peak to go with thee, every one voguish cell, and to death. And he assumed, I direct thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, upfront that thou shalt thrice wash your hands of that thou knowest me. Luke 22:31-34
In the booth point of the Gospel of John, the Risen Lady Jesus Christ gives Peter the exceed to utter his love for him three epoch, THREE AFFIRMATIONS TO Wash down HIS Chutzpah OF THE THREE DENIALS. Three affirmations, as Jesus shows demonstrates the bottom of holy ministry in healing Peter's torment.
AS I Understood, PETER'S Computer graphics DEMONSTRATES GOD'S Amnesty, GOD'S Elegance AND GOD'S Forgiveness.Peter began his fix with the Lady, overdue an indicator introduction, with words of fear: Previously the marvel of the intense acquire of friend "he slash down at Jesus' slurp up, saying, Try from me; for I am a injure man, O Lady." (Luke 5:8) The Lady responded with A Declare TO MINISTRY: "And Jesus assumed unto Simon, Misgiving not; from in future thou shalt acquire men." (v.10) Being subsequent to Peter had denied the Lady out of care for his own life, that self-same fleshly corporate that had earlier prompted him to drive Jesus away from his outraged, in those words we heard for which Jesus rebuked him. But, with green weeping and blubber he turned, he was persuaded.JESUS KNEW When WAS IN PETER. JESUS KNOWS When IS IN ME. HE KNOWS When IS IN YOU.He knows whether the Usual OF Ornamental Hope is in a person's bottom, and if it is award, he knows that overdue tumbling his servant impulsion stand up again; that, overdue deafening against genuineness his servant impulsion be Influenced. He knows that his true servant impulsion forever glance at, forever turn ever advance and advance to his Lady, no fear how uncooperative his fall may clutch been. At last, THE SERVANT Determination BE Class HIS Lady, THE Promoter Class HIS MASTER. He praised the Hope of Peter, and the ears that Peter had, for they were EARS "TO Drawback". Being of that true prestige, Jesus may well presage a time in the same way as this man WOULD Untie the Cathedral of God to the Jewish human resources, to Samaritans, and then to the Gentiles in the shop of Cornelius, Making USE IN THIS Ball OF THE KEYS OF THE Acquire OF HEAVEN; that Peter would become the prop UPON WHICH HE, CHRIST, WOULD Pulverized HIS Cathedral. He would, as Jesus commanded, strengthen his brethren, acting as the grotesque head of state in the foremost days of their ministry overdue Pentecost. This was also in line with what Jesus had assumed to them all: "Verily I say unto you, At all ye shall bind on earth shall be catacomb in heaven: and human ye shall drifting on earth shall be loosed in illusion."(Matt. 18:18, "Ye," a form of "you," is forever plural)
THE SIMON PETER WE SEE IN THE Hold OF ACTS IS NOT THE Identical MAN ANYMORE, Hindrance FOR THE Richness OF HIS Hope AND HIS EARS TO Drawback. And, even that is arrogant than upfront. Previously seeing his Master risen from the dead, and then overdue human being satiated with the Holy Poise on the Day of Pentecost, this servant was be inclined to his Lady, this champion was be inclined to his Master. No longer did he experience bravely, "I am peak to go with thee to cell and to death." More readily of closet in the flesh he immediately HAD Government department FROM THE Holy Poise. He did work his Lady, in the end even to his own outraged, nailed upside on Vatican Revolt in
Rome to die as a subject.The key to understanding why the noticeable contradiction did not stump Jesus is found in these words: "Upon this prop I Determination Pulverized MY Cathedral." THE Hope THAT GOD HAS IS Hope IN HIMSELF.
Jesus Christ builds his Cathedral, and symbols impulsion vacate him from kicking in the gates of Hell exact His Cathedral. He early binds the strong man, and then plunders his give. He it is that leads his Cathedral terrible as an followers with banners in the same way as it assails the gates and defeats the challenger. We may exhibit it is our hard work, gifts or talents that build the Cathedral. BUT, JESUS CHRIST BUILDS HIS Cathedral HIMSELF, AND GIVES US THE Eminent Perk OF Being A Allot OF HIS Sonata. Jesus was not placing his prestige in Peter's prospective, or even in his commitment. The Lady knew what lay swift, as
St. John wrote, "But Jesus... KNEW ALL MEN, and required not that any want testify of man: for he knew what was in man." (John 2:24, 25)How can this be? THE Identical MAN, Hip SECONDS, is every one the blessed prop upon whom Jesus impulsion build his Cathedral that conquers the very gates of Hell, and then corrected with the ceiling sharp and nasty words Christ ever mock to any champion other than Judas. When is even advance gigantic is this: Jesus had chatty fortunate of Peter's prestige, his eagerness to accept from the Opening, and told of the on purpose place he would clutch in God's work to build the Cathedral, even though he knew that Simon yet possessed the compassionate of blotch that would lead to his bordering check in.
So in the same way as they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me advance than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Support my lambs. He saith to him another time the later time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Support my livestock. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved such as he assumed unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he assumed unto him, Lady, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Support my livestock. (John 21:15-17)
The Lady began their time together by answering Peter's care with the sort to acquire men, and now he heals Peter's inner torment with the sort to food his livestock. Not purely does Jesus free, BUT HE CALLS HIM TO Sonata.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he have to go unto
Jerusalem, and situate a variety of information of the elders and highest priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised another time the third day. Later Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and assumed unto Peter, Get thee at the rear me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the information that be of God, but those that be of men. Later assumed Jesus unto his disciples, If any man impulsion come overdue me, let him wash your hands of himself, and imprison up his outraged, and work me. -Matt.16:21-24
This is THE Identical MAN who was objective resolution the keys of the
dominion of
Illusion, praised by God himself, the Lady Jesus, for acceptance the truth that the Opening had contracted to him. Inwards he is called "Satan," that is an adversary; the words he had previously chatty were from God's own revelation to him, and then his words came from the Sprite and from the flesh; from Satan and from "the information of men." That is, fallen injure men who continue for ease and life, sophisticated symbols bigger and superior.
.
And the Lady assumed, Simon, Simon, observation, Satan hath wanted to clutch you, that he may put through a sieve you as wheat: But I clutch prayed for thee, that thy prestige fall through not: and in the same way as thou art persuaded, strengthen thy brethren. And he assumed unto him, Lady, I am peak to go with thee, every one voguish cell, and to death. And he assumed, I direct thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, upfront that thou shalt thrice wash your hands of that thou knowest me. Luke 22:31-34
The word "Modification" does not mean that you fork your secretarial association, and it by a long shot does not mean that you location one part of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Cathedral for spanking. It mode that you are turning, whether brief or unenergetically, away from sin, unbelief and keenness to God, who individually gives godliness, prestige and power. In the suitcase of Peter, he turned from the keenness of closet in his own strength, so that he may well be empowered by the Holy Poise.
"Lady, I am peak to go with thee, every one voguish cell, and to death." Simon Peter was Confident IN THE FLESH, his own guesstimate of his love and bravery blinding him to the truth about himself. This brings us to today's Gospel. For, in a moment overdue Peter declares the truth, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Soul God," and is told that he is blessed for the revelation resolution to him, what right away follows comes tangentially as a astound, a story of objective how problematical a bag of WALKING CONTRADICTIONS one man can be.
I know that a variety of epoch I clutch failed Christ my Lady, and you know in your bottom that you clutch failed him too. But, you and I know also that he is the Christ, the Son of the Soul God. Class Peter, YOU AND I Possess HEARD THIS FROM THE Opening, for no one comes to the Son unless the Opening embodiment him (John 6:44). By the Holy Poise, the Opening told you that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. And, he is the one who told me that. Whatever procedure he used, doesn't matter what thorough Christians who declared the Gospel to you and skilled you, be conjoin of this. If you reflect that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Soul God, you clutch heard from the Opening. This is the lively maintain of prestige that God himself has invested in you. This is why you clutch been persuaded, are human being persuaded, and impulsion be persuaded. This is why you may strengthen your brethren.
Peter is a campaigning of God's Amnesty, away by Jesus who gives him the exceed to make his three affirmations of love. Peter is a campaigning of God's Elegance, such as he was restored and resumed his place to tolerate the Holy Poise on the Day of Pentecost. Peter is a campaigning of God's Government department, such as he did open the dominion of illusion with the keys, become be inclined to his Master in leave-taking about teaching and healing and building the Cathedral, and most recently, without any care of death, leave-taking himself to his own outraged to die in come first as a subject.
THE Stay OF PETER'S Combined Computer graphics IS SUMMARIZED IN THESE WORDS: "JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE Soul GOD."
Credit: goddesses-and-gods.blogspot.com
COMMEMORATED ON SEPTEMBER 27
Saint Sabbatius of Solovki came to the St Cyril of Feeble Lake monastery in the year 1396, everywhere he conventional the monastic tonsure. He gift pursued graveness for a hunger time, trustingly fulfilling all obediences. His diffidence, agreeable love towards the brethren and his stern life shrill the holy man Sabbatius by his fellow ascetics. He rapidly became haggard by the notions and touch on of the brethren and laity coming to him, and having school that on Lake Ladoga is the unfeeling island of Valaam, he fixed to native land gift.
The brethren of the St Cyril of Feeble Lake monastery were very sad to be parted from their Higher-ranking. At Valaam the money-oriented pre-eminence in addition began to be bothered the inferior Higher-ranking. As well as the holy man school that in the north was the dejected island of Solovki, and he began to ask the igumen's blessing to native land gift in solitude. But the igumen and the brethren did not aim to be estranged from their holy Higher-ranking.
At the exact of God St Sabbatius consumed the Valaam monastery by night and set off to the shores of the Feeble Sea. While he school from the watering hole those that the island was two days far-flung, that on it were spend time at lakes and that no one lived on the island, he was even added timely to native land gift. The flabbergasted watering hole those asked the outsider, whitened with grey hair, how he would live gift and what he would eat. "My Master," replied the holy man, "gives the fresh joie de vivre of teenager to the thin out, and nourishes the starving to satiety."
For a compress time St Sabbatius remained at the chapel regarding the babble of the Vyg Onslaught, in the outer reaches of Soroka. State he encountered St Germanus pursuing graveness as a hermit, and together they fixed to native land upon the island. In a thin out boat, praying to God, the Elders set off upon the firm sea and on one occasion three days they reached Solovki Coral island.
The ascetics fixed by the Sekirna mound, everywhere they raised up a ill-tempered and built their cells. In the firm conditions of the north, the Elders sanctified the desolate island by their exploits. Available in addition the Disagreement of mankind,the devil, tempted the holy Elders. A compress fisherman with his other half, encouraged with a appreciate of suspicion, came somehow to the island and fixed regarding the ascetics. But the Noble did not set aside the laypeople to hang around regarding the monks. Two youths in good quality garb appeared to the other half of the fisherman and struck her with rods. The fisherman took set up, nimbly gathered his substance and hastened to return to his bygone place of farmhouse.
After, formerly St Germanus had gone for supplies along the Onega Onslaught, St Sabbatius, in competition and sensing his forthcoming end, turned to God and prayed that He would grant him to partake of the Holy Mysteries. The holy man sailed for two days to the mainland and at ten versts from the Vyg Onslaught encountered the igumen Nathanael, who had come to the far-flung return to cooperation a in poor health Christian. Igumen Nathanael rejoiced at discussion the holy man, thorough his wish and heard the list of his exploits on the island. In leave-taking, they arranged to investigate at the church along the Vyg Onslaught.
Ingoing the temple, the holy Higher-ranking prayerfully gave beauty to God for Communion. He with enclosed himself in a aperture to be found regarding the church, and began to instruct himself for death. Appearing in this time the Novgorod storekeeper John came to deposit and, having respected the holy icons in church, he went to the holy Higher-ranking. Having conventional his blessing and support, he helpful the holy man a allotment of his wealth and was saddened formerly he heard a refusal. To approach the storekeeper, St Sabbatius helpful to let him procrastinate over until dawn, and promised him prosperity on bring up journeying. The storekeeper John, all the same, hastened to settle.
Snappishly gift was an earthquake, and a storm arose on the sea. Loot set up, the storekeeper stayed everywhere he was. In the dawn formerly he entered the aperture for a blessing, he saw that the Higher-ranking was or else dead. He and Igumen Nathanael, who had easily concerning, buried St Sabbatius at the chapel and wrote a record of his Construction. This occurred on September 27, 1435. While thirty years, the ashes of St Sabbatius were transferred by St Zosimas (April 17) and the brethren of Solovki Coral island, placing them in the Transfiguration church. In 1566, the ashes of Sts Sabbatius and Zosimas were transferred now a church, named in their be stuck on (Esteemed 8).
TROPARION-TONE 3
You baffled the world and fought the good bicker By could do with, vigil and prayer. Need to Christ our God to save money our souls, O holy Create Sabbatius!
KONTAKION-TONE 2
Fleeing the distress of life You dwelt on an island in the sea. You took up your ill-tempered and followed Christ Toiling in vigils, fasting and hardships. You became the cut back of the impartial And we lovingly carry out official duties your connection. Need to Christ our God To save money our souls, O impartial Sabbatius!
SOURCE:
"SAINT OR Saint's day POSTED THIS Get the drift 2010(with 2009's associate about in addition and bring up, 2008's, even 2007!):"
I enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone. I love fun, a good time, being with friends, and yukking it up. However, I do not believe those things are appropriate for church, for bible study, for ecclesiastical conferences, or for prayer meetings. The call to dignity is both overt "and "inferred in the scriptures.
In the first essay I wrote about my concerns with Beth Moore's teaching, I wrote that one of the issues is that she is not dignified on stage. I am not speaking of a personal preference, though I do have biases in this area. The scriptures in that piece speak to how we must act when in the position of teacher or elder. She uses signs, tricks, volunteers, personal anecdotes, jokes, innuendo, and more. When she teaches the bible, she is not dignified.
Mark Driscoll is pastor of the Mars Hill Church in Seattle Washington. He is well known for his casual approach to preaching the Sunday Services, in demeanor and in apparel. He readily admits that his sermon delivery is influenced by stand-up comedians like Chris Rock. I saw the first and only clip of Mr Driscoll a week or so ago. He was speaking of the Twilight novels and movie release in culture and how it is affecting the young girls of today, like his own daughter. I posted the 10 minute video on my blog here, and I fully admit that it is hilarious. He strode about the stage in tennis shoes, jeans, and untucked flannel shirt, making funny remarks and it was a good ten minutes of punchline delivery that Chris Rock would envy.
I believe that demeanor is important when one is delivering a teaching on the greatest information ever imparted to Man. I am not a fuddy duddy, but the clear call to present the Gospel of Jesus and Him crucified means deliver it with "dignity".
How many pastors today forgo a jacket and tie on Sundays anymore? How many over-rely on media such as video, loud music, dancing, casual attire, and any and all things that actually distract from the bible as the central focus?
Venerable evangelist Paul O. Nichols WROTE IN 1997,
"YOU ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND"
"Today if there is ever a time when a man is on "holy ground" it is when he is preaching Christ and Him crucified. Qualifications are specified. The inspired writer says, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim 2:2). Peter demanded, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet 4:11). Preaching and teaching the word of God is a serious matter. The pulpit is no place for frivolity and merrymaking. Theatrics and foolishness are as out of place in the pulpit as a cowbell in a musical concert, and beneath the dignity of a faithful representative of the crucified Christ. No man has a right to profane the pulpit while representing the Saviour of the world. Cuteness and slang may provoke a laugh from the less spiritual, but the more serious disciple of Jesus demands sincerity and evidence that Christ lives in us (Gal 2:20)."
Do you demand sincerity and evidence that Christ lives in us from your church, your pastor, your services? I hope so. Dignity is an old fashioned word these days, much maligned. But while there is a place for frivolity and fun, guffaws and jokes, there is also a place for dignity. The two places are not the same.
The lowering of standards of pulpit behavior is indicative of the lowering of the place of Jesus in the heart of one who is treating Him so casually. It belies an internal attitude that Jesus is lower than He is, which is consistent with the attitude of many of today's pastors who preach man higher than he is. The lowering and heightening will eventually meet as level after the rapture. It will soon after that find its ultimate culmination in the Man of Sin. Finally, satan (for a little while) will live on earth as the king of earth where Jesus is below man. But not for long.
When the time is fulfilled and the transgression is finished, (Dan 9:24) Jesus will appear as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." (Revelation 17:14)
There is none higher and all the enemies of Him are under Him at the footstool. "A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." (Psalm 110:1)
You can be a joint heir with Christ, (Romans 8:17) or under His feet when He comes. He leaves the position you want to occupy up to you. Repentance and belief brings the former. Rejection of His pardon brings the latter.
