Trinity 4 2019 Sermon Fr. Michael Cawthon

Sermon Trinity 4 2019 Sermon Fr. Michael Cawthon

Readings for the day

Many desire to be one with their Lord Jesus

yet struggle with their faith.

The Jesus part of Jesus Christ is the focus of many (and the easy part – you know that cute little baby of Mary;)

However; often people struggle with the Christ part.

The title of Christ implies a saviour and redeemer

who will bring salvation to God’s people.

Acknowledging a Saviour, frightens some as they reflect upon their own lives and some deem themselves as unworthy.

This feeling of being inadequate causes many to give up.

None of us

are worthy of salvation and redemption

for this reason came Jesus to:

be the Christ

to rescue His lost sheep;

for indeed, many have gone astray

from their original goodness.

A goodness

that came from our God,  for it is He who said:

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

and let them have dominion…

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God created he him;

male and female created he them”

and it was He the LORD God (who)

formed man of the dust of the ground,

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a “living soul.”

Each one is created good…

none were created to be evil,

to spend eternity in hell.

We were created to be with our God — our Creator—

because He loves us.

Yes all mankind is Predestined,

Predestined to be God’s people,

and we,

just as the seed of an acorn tree

is predestined to become an acorn tree,

but often do not reach our predestinated state.

This is false:

“that some are created good and some evil”

for this train of thought cheapens the Love of God

and His work and deeds / for our salvation.

Recent sermons have spoken of a world without God,

and it is through Jesus Christ that “all is now ready,”

and just last week we spoke of Jesus searching for His sheep

who have become lost because of this dreadful disease called SIN.

It is sin that our Lord battles everyday –

it is Satan that Christ has defeated –

and it is sin

that causes the “goodness” of man to slowly disappear

into the shadows and darkness

within an environment that pulls man towards this world;

through a physical attraction to the things contrary to God’s will

and this battle we will win

(don’t believe me (?) – read the last chapter of the Book called The Holy Bible.)

The perverseness of this world

and its love for power and wealth through corruption of what is good,

are things of Satan

and it is leading us to the ultimate battle that will be fought –

not necessarily – war as we know it,

but a war within the souls of man, a Spiritual war.

Because God has given us “The Law”

the world now knows right from wrong

(although many try to confuse

even the simple basics.)

Instead of searching our own heart, soul, and mind;

we sometimes cast the first stone (usually with a sharp tongue)

satisfying a prideful desire for superiority.

Instead of bringing mercy and compassion,

this attitude keeps us in the shadows and darkness.

My brothers and sisters this why we must

“cast out first the beam that is in thine own eye.”

This beam of darkness causes us

to easily and blindly judge and condemn others,

thus allowing us to avoid the giving of forgiveness.

None of us will be “Judged” worthy of salvation without Jesus Christ.

And if the world’s standard of judgement is used, we all will be found guilty.

But praise the Lord because the judgement that God uses

is a judgement based upon His love for us.

Yes God will judge at the last day,

but His judgement will be one of

true Godly justice

based upon the love,

of and from,

his sheep

who have returned to their Creator through Him – Jesus Christ.

Once we are found, we are to act as Christians.

This does not mean that we are to become silent Spiritual Wimps,

but we are to stand up

and speak out against what is evil,

never condoning what is contrary to God’s will

which is revealed in Holy Scripture through His Church.

Christian Soldiers are to be strong,

but we are do so within Christian Charity – Christian Love.

We should never lash out in emotional anger,

for not even our Lord did so

as the nails were driven into His body.

Strong yes, strong in faith, not judging another ones soul,

but acknowledging the actions that are contrary to God,

and by doing so, helping to save a soul through Jesus Christ.

Out of pride we often see ourselves as “better” than others,

thus making it eary to “condemn” and criticize others.

Instead of acting out of love,

how many of us have criticized others

with a spitefulness and mean spirited heart, even in a state of rage.

Compare this with exercising towards others that charity

which thinks no evil,

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,

endureth all things –

through Jesus Christ.

Give Charity and love, and receive the same from your Saviour.

Forgiveness is the trait of our Loving God.

As well, it can be a gift to ourselves and can bring great joy;

for it offers us freedom,

to our souls,

often filled with bitterness and darkness.

Through forgiveness given,

there can begin to grow within our soul a space

for the Holy Ghost to enter and heal us.

When forgiving, we must remember they are our brothers and sisters…

although, often they are brothers and sisters

who are diseased with this awful sickness we call sin.

Once we forgive, then we can began to heal and show forth the grace

of a loving God.

Giving of ourselves to others is God’s desire

and demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ.

Giving can bring great joy as others benefit from your actions;

but as well,

sometimes it can be painful when our giving does not appear to help.

But even then, we must remember that all

is in God’s time and His way.

Often times we do not see the benefits of our Charity to others,

but we must remember

we give Charity

for the benefit of God,

not of our own.

By removing the beam from our own eye,

we can then help to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

Thus, the blind is not leading the blind.

So seek and wait for the adoption of your soul,

into the Glory that is only found in Jesus Christ.

We are to long for things that are eternal.

Yes, we are to pray daily, Come Lord Jesus.  So be it!

The hour cometh and now is…..