Fifth Sunday after Trinity 05 July anno domini 2026 Holy Communion
The Epistle: 1 Peter 3:8-15a The Gospel: Luke 5:1-11
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that the course of
this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance,
that thy Church may joyfully serve thee in all
godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
# 210, 214, 218
“In the End, we will win”
In these most turbulent times we must look to the Word of God to find comfort and peace.
It is so hard at times for us to see anything good coming out of all the chaos that we see on a daily basis. And yet, we must understand that the Victory is His. Because Jesus died on the Cross he made all things right for eternity. The flaws of the Garden would be reversed. A new heaven and a new earth will be created, all because when Jesus Christ uttered those words “...it is finished”. He was telling us and Satan that all was completed. The disease, death, sorrow, uncertainties, ravages of time on our earthly bodies, all that would now be overcome.
1. We need to stop shooting our wounded. Christians have the propensity to attack the wounded brethren instead of helping them. We are so interesting in majoring in the minors, {there are many examples of this in church history}, that we forget the overarching theme of God’s love towards us. “...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins...” The Gospel that should be preached to the unsaved, the lost, to those who are on the broad path, that is tantamount to what we as followers of Christ need to be doing. As we carefully read the passage from 1 Peter 3:8-15, consider the words of Peter as he wrote of reconciliation not retribution in the life of believers in his day. It really isn’t any different today. We need to stand with believers in other faith groups when we face the evil that is attacking the Church that seems to have no bounds. Now before you ask let me clarify the definition of “faith groups”. We are looking at others who understand and believe the “faith once delivered”. In other words, that which we find in the Word of God. When we recite the Creed, we are confirming our belief in what has been passed down through the generations. Understanding that Christ is God, understanding that God is the Holy Spirit as well as the Father. In other words, the creed of the Trinity. If we hold that in common with other believers, the minor aspects of our faith are not so troubling. Mode of baptism, frequency of Holy Communion, keeping to the Church calendar, and other ‘minor’ practices. We must all have a belief in the inerrancy of the scriptures, i.e.. the Bible; otherwise we have no guide. Remember, we are the People of the Book. Let us show that daily, weekly, always, by our walk with God.
Please understand this isn’t a surrender of the orthodox tenets of Scripture as presented in the received texts, no this is where agreement in Christ-like matters are apparent. We do not lay aside our beliefs in the name of unity, no we just agree on those aspects of other believers that are based on true reading of the Word of God.
The following passage from the book of Romans is an excellent point in what is important as to the life we should be living for Christ. The careful reading of the Word will keep you from error.
Romans 16:17-20
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2. The next concept I would like to address, the day after our national celebration of independence, is that we have a great legacy to look up to and to remember.
When we consider that it has now been 250 years since our declaration of independence, shouldn’t we praise God for the unique blessing this nation has had on world history?
Think about the many beneficial things our nation has shared with the rest of the world. Many things that have brought better health, better nutrition, better government, and stable economics, all part of the good that we as a nation have shared with the world. The anger and contempt shown towards this nation, originating from atheistic colleges and universities in our nation, has tainted and poisoned a whole generation of citizens. We should always praise God for the blessings of these United States. It was by His divine providence that this nation has grown and survived these two hundred fifty years. Let us never forget that. It is God’s blessing upon this nation that has created a society that values the individual, as understood as created in the image of God. This value is not foundational in other civilizations which is why as a nation, we stand out and are unique in our founding. It is time for believers to turn to God and ask Him to bring us back to the greatness that has made the United States of America a beacon of light and hope for this world. It is only because of God that we are that “city on the hill”.
One of the reasons we can celebrate this day of independence is because of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.
Most especially we should remember all those who served our country in her time of need. Those who‘...all gave some, some gave all...’ — they should never be forgotten.
We must pray to our Father in heaven to forgive us as a nation for turning our backs upon Him. We must pray for reformation, a turning from our wickedness, repenting of the same and seeking the Lord...while He may be found. We must stop this mindless plunge into the abyss; for if we don’t, God will declare us Ichabod.
3. Finally if we understand that in the end, God’s peace and the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only concept that will live in eternity, ALL evil will be vanquished. Satan will be overthrown, he will be in power no more, {in power over the evil on earth}. We will win because we are with Christ. He is our King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen and amen.
Listener, are you with the King of kings and Lord of lords? Now is the time of your salvation.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, who in the former time didst lead our fathers forth into a wealthy place, and set their feet in a large room; Give Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, to us their children, that we may always approve ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Defend our liberties; preserve our unity; save us from lawlessness and violence, from discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Fashion into one godly people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom we entrust in Thy Name with the authority of governance, to the end that there may be good government at home and peace with all the world. In the time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail. All which we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
O God, whose Name is excellent in all the earth, and Thy glory above the heavens; who on this day didst inspire and direct the hearts of our delegates in Congress to lay the foundations of our national peace, liberty, and safety; We bless and adore Thy glorious Majesty for all Thy loving kindness manifested towards this land and people; and we humbly beseech Thee to continue Thy goodness to us, that the heritage received from our fathers may be preserved in our time, and be transmitted unimpaired to the generations to come; that all nations of the earth may know that Thou, O Lord, art our Savior and mighty Deliverer, and our King for ever. Grant this, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, whose kingdom ruleth over all; Bestow Thy blessing, we beseech Thee, upon those who hold the civil authority in this state and nation, that by their right administration of the laws and our careful obedience to the same, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
