Tue, 14 May 2024 20:37:48 -0700WeeblyWed, 12 Apr 2023 17:45:25 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/elisha-cures-naamans-leprosyNow, you might believe that I am about to engage in a treatise concerning the sin of not wanting to submit to the Will of God, when we pray to Him.

And, indeed, if we forsake our ego, we can help God fulfill those miracles we petition Him for. 

Yet, that is NOT what the main message of this scripture is! I will be brief in explaining what lesson each one of us should learn in this story, because that is ALL that is required!

More than a history of a miracle, this is a Biblical Warning against SIMONY.

Simony is ACCEPTING or OFFERING anything as payment for Sacraments or ANYTHING that is being bestowed or conferred on  or to someone on behalf of God or in His name or honor.

If you are clergy, a prophet or any other servant of God, JUDGMENT is more severe if you are guilty of this SIN than the it would be for other members of the Faithful.

But, servant of God or not, the message is clear and unambiguous! Let me paraphrase in my own words and understanding:

"SIMONY will buy you a one-way ticket to HELL faster than MURDER!"

     ~Even MULTIPLE MURDER might be forgiven before SIMONY is!~

Having said that, if you are a subject in God's Kingdom, and a member of the Faithful, even just the temptation or suggestion of simony should be avoided at all costs! 

DON'T ACCEPT OR OFFER PAYMENT ~MONETARY, GIFTS OR FAVORS~ OF ANY KIND IN EXCHANGE FOR BLESSINGS, SACRAMENTS, WORKS, HEALINGS, MIRACLES OR ANYTHING GIVEN IN HONOR OF GOD!

Sorry about the SHOUTING, but, I did not want you to be confused about my interpretation!

So, be CAREFUL what you PRAY for, and, how you expect God to answer or fulfill your request!


]]>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 17:30:12 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/the-light-of-the-bodyThis scripture reveals a lot about a different sort of awareness.  It is a consciousness we can attain that complements our baptism. 

There is a baptism of the body, a baptism of the mind, and, a baptism of the soul. I believe, in this passage, Jesus Christ is talking about the baptism of the mind.

It becomes possible when the Holy Spirit helps our mind become sound. When the ears attain the ability to see, and,  the  eyes achieve  the means to hear, the mind acquires a new perspective. 

And when the mind is sound, the whole body is illuminated by being able to discern what is right from wrong.  In other words,  it learns to listen to the voice of  its conscience...

...A conscience that has God's word and law imprinted on it. 

]]>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 22:16:12 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/the-healing-of-a-centurions-servantThis is a story of what having complete Fidelity to Jesus Christ's Authority means.  Asking through prayer for our Lord God to intervene in our lives is the process through which we submit our faith to His Divine Will. The centurion not only does this, he also trusts that the Word of Christ is sufficient unto itself.

There is nothing about a command that is optional.  And, with Jesus  Christ that includes whether or not His orders are dependent on time or place.  The centurion surrenders to the Will of God by telling of how his own soldiers and slaves are subject to his commands. He cooperates far more than most of us do, when we pray, in that for him, the Lord's Word alone is sufficient to accomplish whatever is asked for.

The centurion lets Jesus know this by saying, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed."

Jesus is amazed at the man's faith! He then does give His consent to heal the servant, but only after revealing that many will be called to join the prophets in the kingdom of heaven, but that those who don't believe will be left answering in the darkness outside.

Like the centurion, we should pray to God and then let God's Authority be enough for us. That means: don't let our intentions interfere with our faith by writing a script or plot for God to follow. We need to let God worry about the details just by accepting that His Word is sufficient to manifest our requests.

]]>Sat, 30 Apr 2022 04:05:07 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/the-cure-of-a-demoniacThis is an interesting Bible verse for what it says through explicit and implicit meanings.

My personal interpretation of it may be somewhat unorthodox. I believe the Demoniac who receives the Love and Compassion of Jesus Christ, represents anyone who needs to be healed!

The Lord can, and does, cure all manner of diseases, sicknesses, ailments and conditions. It does not matter whether they are of the body, mind or soul. He is the most preeminent physician that has ever lived!

In order to be treated successfully by ANY doctor, the patient has to submit to their Authority, AND, "Follow orders!" 

In this narrative, the demoniac ~ a mental patient in my assessment ~ recognizes Jesus Christ, but, seems to mock Him so as to make the Lord reveal and manifest Himself before He is ready. 

We all suffer from some sort of psychosis or neurosis. We just cope and function with them differently. How we do so, contributes to our unique personalities. Each one of us needs to be cured of something: physical, mental or spiritual.

The problem, I believe, is that we too recognize who the Lord God Jesus Christ is, BUT, we want to undermine His Authority by making Him answer our prayers according to our time frame.

Like the Demoniac, whether or not our prayers turn into the Miracles we desire them to, depends on the Lord's Decision. If we want the demons inside of us to be exorcised, and have the angels within take charge of our destiny, we have to check our Ego.

Jesus answers our prayers, but does so at His Discretion. That includes WHEN and HOW they will be answered! Instead of mocking Him, we should just SUBMIT OUR WILL TO GOD! If we cooperate, sometimes all it takes is the Authority of His WORD.

In other words, Jesus will just COMMAND US TO BE HEALED! Our Faith will be revealed and manifest through His Word.




]]>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:56:15 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/the-raising-of-lazarusThis, I believe, is the most important scripture verse in the Bible, for those of us who believe that resurrecting our fellow brothers and sisters in Faith is possible. Through inference or deduction, it seems that if a Servant of Jesus Christ discovers or figures out the meaning of this Miracle --- and how to imitate the Sacred Rites it teaches --- then ALL other Miracles are possible!

If we have Faith, and submit to the authority of our Lord God Jesus, not only as Master, but, also as RABBI, then He can teach us how to work Wonders in His name as great as those He performed.

Once the Mystery of how to ASK Jesus to resurrect someone who has died is solved in your Faith, the other Miracles should reveal themselves much easier! All that is required is to Believe and ask through fervent and earnest PRAYER!

​We must always remember, however, that ultimately, it is the LORD GOD'S DECISION! It can be favorable in response to our Prayers, if we respect Jesus Christ's Authority.


]]>Sun, 23 Jan 2022 11:00:28 GMThttp://thechurchoftheresurrection.com/the-sermon/miracles-take-time-to-manifestJoin us, as we discuss the possibilities! 
Building a church requires the entire community's participation, support and commitment.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step!"

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