St. John the Divine Anglican Church

The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful– for he cannot deny himself. From the second letter to St. Timothy. Continuing in the second letter to St. Timothy, we read St. Paul exhorting St. Timothy to keep

“God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” from the second letter to St. 2 Timothy 1:1-14 This is probably the last letter written by St. Paul, during the time of his second imprisonment in Rome, perhaps from 66 to 68 AD. He knew that he would not escape punishment this time, and that he was nearing

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners– of whom I am the foremost.” from the letter to St. Timothy. The first and second letters to Timothy, along with the letter to Titus form what are called Paul’s Pastoral Epistles. Timothy is first mentioned in the 16th chapter of the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Paul and Barnabas had a falling out after a sharp disagreement over

“When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus.” from the letter to Philemon. How can we pronounce this name: Phi Lee’ mon, Phu lay mon, Phil Emon Greek: φιλήμονος Fu lay’ monos. Say it however you like! The letter to Philemon, from which we read today, is a very

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” From the letter to the Hebrews. We have been reading a section of the Letter to the Hebrews, and for the last two weeks we have heard about fire as a purifying, refining force. “Our God

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” from the letter to the Hebrews. Last week we heard these words from the Gospel according to St. Luke; “Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it

“Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” From the Letter to the Hebrews. Last Sunday we read from the Letter to the Hebrews, Chapter 11, about faith. Let me refresh your memories of the key verse in this section: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.” From the letter to the Hebrews (11:1ff) The letter to the Hebrews has been read in churches since the second century, and while many of the Church Fathers attribute it to St. Paul, there has been some doubt. There is no address, or personal greetings like many of

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” From the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians. This short letter from St. Paul to the believers in Colossae, is full of good advice for Christian living. Colossae was in the region of Phrygia and Galatia, in Asia Minor. In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke records some details

“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” From the Gospel according to St. Luke. “Lord, teach us to pray.” That is at once a simple request, and profound statement. It seems odd to me that the disciples would ask such a question. Surely they would be familiar with