Michael Milton

Michael Milton and Faith for Living, Inc.

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May 5, 2015

The Sixth Sunday in Easter

 St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem by Charles Poërson (France, Vic-sur-Seille, 1609-1667), France, 1642, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem
St. Peter Preaching in Jerusalem by Charles Poërson (France, Vic-sur-Seille, 1609-1667), France, 1642, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

In the Sixth Sunday in Easter (in Year B of the Revisied Common Lectionary) I am drawn to the First Lesson from Acts 10:44-48. I am drawn to this remarkable passage because I want what Peter has and I desperately desire to rid my life of the malady of parochial faith that the others had. These Jewish believers, Christians, were “astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been pourd out even on the Gentiles…” We live, so often today in a culture of privatized, personalized, and parochial faith. This sort of faith supposes a God who is only capable of taking care of a small group. This sort  of faith limits God to only what they know in their own experience. And the problem with that sort of faith is that it is not a faith in the God of Biblical revelation, but rather an imagined God of our personal, limited experience. And that can be—can be—, in fact, no faith at all. The Lord is infinitely and abundantly greater than the sum total of our own experince of Him. Perhaps, then, we should “allow” that God can be as original with others as we was with us.
The Collect

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Lesson

Acts 10:44-48

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

The Psalm

Psalm 98 Page 727 BCP

Cantate Domino

1
Sing to the LORD a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
2
With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
3
The LORD has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4
He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to
the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5
Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6
Sing to the LORD with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.
7
With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
8
Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.
9
Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10
In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.

1 John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

The Gospel

John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

Podcast

Faith For Living
Faith For Living

Commited to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Distinctive Differences of Jesus Our Lord
byDr. Michael Milton

Faith For Living with Dr. Michael Milton
March 28, 2023
– A study from Mark 1:1.


https://accradio.com/programs/erskinefaithforliving/faithforliving032823.mp3

Download (Right-Click To Save)

The Distinctive Differences of Jesus Our Lord
The Distinctive Differences of Jesus Our Lord
March 28, 2023
Dr. Michael Milton
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What is Faith For Living?

Faith for Living is the 501c3 North Carolina non-profit ministry of the Rev. Michael A. Milton, Ph.D. that exists to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through every means available, so that there will be a multitude caught up to be with Jesus Christ when He comes again. Faith for Living reaches out to support individuals, the Church, and other non-profits through communication, discipleship, and education.

Featured Music of Michael Milton

“Christ is Risen” words & music by Michael Anthony Milton
© 1999, 2012, 2020, 2021 Bethesda Music (a div. of Faith for Living, Inc.) | BMI | CCLI

Featured Book

“When your heart is broken, when your spirit is so crushed that you wonder if you will live again; when your life is in a total blackout; then, this book will give you the light and strength you need to carry on.”

—Russell, Amazon Reviews.

Songs in the Night is available in paperback and Kindle. Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise is NOW AVAILABLE in  Audiobook on AUDIBLE. Click here to purchase now.

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