What is Saving belief? Can we believe and yet “not believe?” We have bishops teaching heresy that do just that. 2nd Wed of Pascha, 2023 Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-wed-02_2023+saving-belief+bishops-with-false-beliefs-which-do-not-honor-god.mp3 Video: https://youtu.be/E9bOpAvsXzE First a comment about a portion read from the acts of the apostles today., where the ruling Jews called the apostles “Laymen”. These “laymen” are higher than bishops, and their characterization shows how ignorant they were of what was happening around them. Then we do exegesis of the reading from John 5:17-24, which is also one of the readings for the reposed throughout the year. At the end of this segment of John, our Lord speaks of belief, and this is not the belief that is standard in our culture but is a belief of action and purpose. We also discuss the rich Christology of this passage and, unfortunately, alas, how some current Orthodox hierarchs are not honoring the Father because they are not honoring the Son since they are honoring religions and ways of life that do not honor the son. Audio & Video Timestamps 3:27 – 3:53 The tale of a Protestant professor who wanted to become Orthodox, because his scholarship convinced him that Orthodoxy is the true church, but he could not, because of personal matters. An example of un-salvific belief. 3:58 – 4:14 The pandemic exposed many who “believed”, but not in a salvific way. 4:14 – 4:35 What is the truth? 4:35 – 5:15 How does the Gospel of John differ from the other Gospels? 5:26 – 6:16 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” John 5:17-18 6:25 – 7:19 “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” John 5:19 7:18 “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” John 5:20-21 7:49 – 8:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 8:22 23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him 9:02 – 9:55 Modern day heresy from some bishops who do not honor the father. 9:55 – 10:17 Moslems “believe” in Jesus Christ, but not salvificly, and in so doing, the do not honor the Father. 10:17 24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 15:24 11:40 – 12:36 How do we believe with action and purpose? ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9bOpAvsXzE

A Private liturgy with Tikhon Almost like a prison liturgy. The private prayers. This is almost a transcript of the video. Yesterday, Tuesday morning, because I was shut out of the prison because of a lockdown, I went early to Tikhon's parent’s house near Rockdale Texas. He is convalescing at his parent’s house in between chemotherapy treatments and he looks pretty good but he's still having a hard time and has daily challenges. I try to help anyway I can. The best way is to pray. I can't do that well but I do pray, every day. Until I develop the character such that my prayer is like that of Elias, I must do other things as well. It's like that for most of us, I think. Prayer is the foundation, but it certainly is not the only thing we do to love our brother. I think a good rule is: “Pray. And if you can do something else, do it”. I went down to where he was staying and celebrated the Divine Liturgy, just him and me. I could have just brought the reserved sacrament, but liturgy is better. They have a cozy enclosed deck, and it was a beautiful morning day we were actually literally facing east, into the rising sun. It was a very intimate setting and I really love these small quiet liturgies. It was like a prison liturgy except that it was not hot, or humid, or smelly or extremely noisy! Actually, there is a significant similarity to prison liturgies. I sing the entire liturgy, and those I serve with are so close to me that no private prayer is private, so I dispense with the usual way of saying the private prayers, and say them all aloud. I like this difference very much. I do not say them this way in regular liturgies in the parish, for many reasons, and I am burying the lead here – it would be hard for everyone to hear the prayers, the liturgy on Sunday would be too long, especially for those whose behavior makes me suspect it is already too long for them, and, my bishop would definitely give me a deserved talking to for liturgical renovationism. In prison liturgies and our liturgy together yesterday, one may take a few liberties. One needs to adapt. In our supposedly enlightened age, where people have the liturgy in the palm of their hand, but do not know the purpose of their life or the cure for their anxiety and unhappiness, or cannot even say the 50th psalm, I think it is good for everyone to be exposed to these prayers. Our theology is fully on display, and all good theology has a heart that cares for people. Actually, now that I think of it, there is no “bad theology”. There is the knowledge of demons, which does not save. All theology comforts, teaches, and strengthen the soul. These intercessory prayers certainly have a heart. They are more powerful, it seems to me, when I pray them aloud with a small group. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kbldIw1X2Y