- 2 days ago
Matt 25:14-18
14 For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.
15 To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one — to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.
17 And likewise he who had received the two talents — he also gained two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
14 For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.
15 To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one — to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.
17 And likewise he who had received the two talents — he also gained two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
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LearningTranscript
00:27Today for this reflection,
00:29I have entitled this subject as
00:32A Journey into Discovering Liturgical Worship for New Testament Christians.
00:38But before we get started,
00:41if you have been following us for any period of time,
00:44you know I always like to clarify up front
00:47that I am not a spokesman for the Orthodox Church,
00:50but I'm merely a recent believer who has been surprised by the love of God
00:55as the eyes of my heart have been enlightened
00:59by the missing truths of the ancient faith of Orthodoxy.
01:03Every reflection that I present,
01:06I like to preface,
01:07it is only a small part of a big subject,
01:10and especially this one today,
01:12it stands above all others
01:14in that it is the very new covenant offering
01:18that once and for all offering,
01:22which is Christ himself as a high priest,
01:25presents at a heavenly altar
01:27as an offering in which we participate
01:31in worship through divine liturgy in the Church.
01:35I always like to add as well
01:38that the timeline of the history of the Church
01:41traces her birth and continuity
01:43back to Pentecost A.D. 29
01:46up to this present day.
01:49Many people have never heard of the Orthodox Church,
01:52and I was one of these.
01:55After teaching and preaching the Bible for 28 years,
01:59I feel like I have come home
02:01to what has been calling me back
02:03for a very long time,
02:05and that is, as our title reflects today
02:08and refers,
02:10A Journey into Discovering Liturgical Worship
02:13for the New Testament Christian.
02:16If any one of us has been a believer
02:19in Jesus Christ for any length of time,
02:22we know that God is love,
02:24and yet this can just be head knowledge
02:27or information lodged in our minds
02:30as rational thinking,
02:31which has not yet moved down
02:33into our hearts or news
02:35as true, enlightened, and vibrant love
02:39for our Christ
02:40until we have discovered
02:42what is presented in the liturgy
02:45of the New Testament Church
02:47and founded only
02:48in this most ancient faith of Orthodoxy.
02:521 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 1 and 2
02:56declare,
02:58Though I speak with the tongues
03:00of men and angels,
03:02but have not love,
03:03I have become a sounding brass
03:05or a clanging cymbal,
03:08and though I have the gift of prophecy
03:10and understand all mysteries
03:12and all knowledge,
03:13and though I have all faith
03:15so that I could move mountains,
03:17but I have not love,
03:20I am nothing.
03:22And I am not saying here, dear ones,
03:24that what we knew in our love
03:27for Jesus Christ
03:28was not real.
03:30I, as many Christians did and do,
03:33have genuine love for my Savior,
03:35which I personally,
03:36I can't deny,
03:38or never would.
03:39But I realize that love
03:41for my beloved Lord
03:43could only go so far,
03:45because there is a deeper
03:46and greater love
03:47and understanding of it
03:49that awaits every professing Christian
03:51who truly wants to please
03:53and reverently know
03:54their beloved Christ,
03:56according to what he established
03:58before he went to the cross,
04:00completed on the cross,
04:01and fulfilled in his resurrection.
04:03And this now
04:05is the new covenant offering,
04:07this once-for-all offering
04:10of himself,
04:11which he, as high priest,
04:13presents at the heavenly altar
04:15as an offering
04:16in which we participate
04:18through divine liturgy
04:20in the church.
04:21This is the worship
04:23of the New Testament church.
04:26This is once-for-all
04:28offering of himself,
04:30which is now,
04:32since that time
04:33is told in Hebrews
04:34chapter 7, verse 27.
04:37Let's read
04:38and start with verse 26.
04:41For such a high priest
04:43was fitting for us,
04:44who is holy,
04:46harmless, undefiled,
04:48separate from sinners,
04:49and has become higher
04:50than the heavens,
04:51who does not need daily
04:53as those high priests
04:54to offer up sacrifices
04:56first for his own sins
04:58and then for the people.
04:59For this he did
05:01once for all
05:02when he offered up himself.
05:05And for me,
05:06this missing ingredient
05:07was discovered
05:10and became alive
05:11in my discovery
05:12and learning about
05:13liturgical worship,
05:15which is even found
05:16in heaven
05:17and is celebrated
05:18by all the hosts of heaven,
05:21even as it is on the earth
05:22in the Orthodox Church
05:24all over the world
05:25every time
05:26the liturgy
05:27is offered up
05:28in behalf
05:29and honor
05:30of our great
05:31high priest,
05:32Jesus Christ.
05:34Having lived
05:35as a cradle Catholic
05:36in my late 20s
05:38and later
05:39as a Protestant,
05:40whenever we would
05:41sporadically
05:42partake of
05:43the act of communion,
05:45I must say
05:46it never carried
05:47the depth,
05:48the mystery,
05:49or living understanding
05:50that I now have encountered
05:52in the ancient church
05:54of Orthodoxy.
05:56What once felt symbolic
05:59or merely commemorative
06:00has shown to be something
06:02far more profound
06:03as it is now living
06:05and breathing
06:06as the very heart
06:07of Christian worship,
06:09preserved with deep reverence
06:11from the night
06:12when Jesus Christ himself
06:13instituted it
06:15before going to the cross
06:16for the salvation
06:17of all of mankind.
06:18In Orthodoxy,
06:21the Eucharist
06:21is not an accessory
06:23or an adornment
06:25to worship,
06:25but dear listener
06:27and followers,
06:28it is the life-giving
06:29partaking
06:30of the embodiment
06:32of Christ himself
06:33into our souls.
06:35It is the moment
06:36when heaven
06:37and earth
06:38meet
06:39when Christ
06:40offers himself
06:41to us
06:41not as a memory
06:43but as true life.
06:45the church
06:47has guarded
06:48this mystery
06:48with awe
06:49from the beginning
06:50and stepping
06:51into that continuity
06:53feels like
06:54stepping into
06:55the living stream
06:56of this faith
06:57that has never
06:58been broken.
07:00What once felt
07:01symbolic
07:02or merely commemorative
07:04to me
07:04has revealed itself
07:06in something
07:07more profound
07:08and very personal.
07:10It is the very heart
07:12of Christian worship,
07:14preserved
07:14with deep reverence
07:16from the night
07:17when Christ himself
07:18instituted
07:19the partaking
07:20of the Holy Eucharist
07:21before going
07:22to the cross
07:23for the salvation
07:24of all mankind.
07:26And I have learned
07:27that the Orthodox Church
07:29has never treated
07:30the Eucharist
07:30as a symbol alone
07:32but as the real
07:34life-giving
07:35body and blood
07:36of Christ
07:37just as the
07:38early fathers
07:39proclaimed.
07:40For instance,
07:42Saint Ignatius
07:43of Antioch
07:44who lived
07:45into 140 AD
07:46and wrote
07:48calling the Eucharist
07:49the medicine
07:50of immortality,
07:52the antidote
07:53that we would
07:54not die
07:55but live forever
07:56in Jesus Christ.
07:59And Saint Justin
08:00Martyr
08:01testified
08:01in the second century
08:03which was
08:04100 to
08:05165 AD
08:07and said
08:08that the Church
08:09does not receive
08:10the Eucharist
08:11as common bread
08:12or drink
08:13but as the flesh
08:14and blood
08:15of that
08:16Jesus
08:17who was made
08:18flesh.
08:19And Saint Cyril
08:21of Jerusalem
08:22who lived
08:23in
08:24313
08:25to 386 AD
08:27taught the newly
08:29baptized
08:29that when Christ
08:31said
08:31this is
08:33my body.
08:34He says
08:35no one
08:35should dare
08:36doubt that
08:37for
08:38he himself
08:39has declared
08:40it
08:40and you
08:41must believe
08:42his word.
08:43I truly
08:44embrace that
08:45fact
08:46that in
08:46orthodoxy
08:47this ancient
08:48faith
08:48is not
08:49an idea
08:50but a
08:51living reality.
08:52The Holy
08:53Eucharist
08:54is the moment
08:55when heaven
08:56and earth
08:56meet
08:57when Christ
08:58offers himself
08:59to us
09:00not as a memory
09:01but his true
09:02life.
09:04I still
09:04stand in awe
09:05of the early
09:06fathers of the
09:07church.
09:08These
09:09God-filled
09:10men
09:10whose courage
09:11and wisdom
09:12and unwavering
09:13devotion
09:14shaped the
09:16very foundations
09:17of this
09:17most ancient
09:18faith.
09:19Many of them
09:20stood firm
09:21in the face
09:22of persecution
09:23and countless
09:24others died
09:24in their testimony
09:25with martyrdom.
09:28And what
09:28amazes me
09:29most dear
09:30listener and
09:31followers
09:31is realizing
09:33that these
09:34were not
09:34primitive
09:35or unlearned
09:36people
09:37as I once
09:38imagined
09:39far from
09:40being cave
09:40dwellers
09:41or simple
09:42villagers
09:42they were
09:43devoted
09:44spirit-filled
09:45men
09:46who truly
09:47loved their
09:47Savior
09:48Jesus Christ.
09:49They were
09:50writers
09:50theologians
09:51and leaders
09:52whose spiritual
09:53insight continues
09:54to guide the
09:55church
09:56even today
09:57in unbroken
09:58continuity.
10:00St. John
10:00Christosom
10:01who lived
10:02in 347
10:03to 407
10:04AD
10:05said that
10:06in divine
10:07liturgy
10:08the altar
10:09is surrounded
10:10by angels
10:11and that
10:12faith stands
10:13in the presence
10:14of the same
10:15Christ
10:15who offered
10:16himself
10:17at the
10:17mystical
10:18supper.
10:19St. Basil
10:20the Great
10:20who lived
10:21in 329
10:23to 379
10:24AD
10:25said the
10:26Eucharist
10:27perfect
10:27and life
10:28giving
10:28communion
10:29is the
10:30center
10:30of
10:31Christian
10:31existence.
10:33You see
10:33the church
10:35has guarded
10:35this mystery
10:36with complete
10:37awe from
10:37the beginning.
10:39As was
10:40mentioned
10:40this has been
10:41like a
10:42stepping
10:42into
10:43that
10:44ancient
10:44continuity
10:45that goes
10:46back until
10:47the time
10:47of our
10:48beloved
10:48Christ
10:49he instituted
10:50his holy
10:51worship
10:51in the
10:52first century
10:53which is
10:54somewhere
10:54between
10:5430
10:55to
10:5533
10:56AD
10:56and
10:58this
10:58feels
10:58like
10:59I
10:59have
10:59entered
10:59into
11:00the
11:00living
11:01stream
11:01of
11:02faith
11:02that
11:03has
11:03never
11:03been
11:03broken
11:04which
11:05I
11:05wholeheartedly
11:06without
11:06reserve
11:07want to
11:08hold on
11:09to
11:09and embrace
11:10until
11:11the
11:11very
11:11day
11:12my
11:12Lord
11:12comes
11:13for
11:13me.
11:14What
11:15I
11:15once
11:15knew
11:16only
11:17as a
11:17ritual
11:17and
11:18outward
11:18form
11:19has
11:19revealed
11:20itself
11:20in
11:21orthodoxy
11:22to be
11:22a deeply
11:23solemn
11:24and reverent
11:25worship
11:26handed down
11:27from the
11:27apostles
11:28themselves
11:29to the
11:30very same
11:31sacred
11:31mystery
11:32they
11:32received
11:33they
11:34practiced
11:34and defended
11:35and ultimately
11:37it sanctified
11:38their lives.
11:39Just think
11:40about that.
11:41What they
11:42preserved
11:43through
11:43in struggle
11:44in sacrifice
11:46and unwavering
11:47faith
11:48has become
11:49our
11:49inheritance
11:50today.
11:51we
11:52do
11:52not
11:52merely
11:52benefit
11:53from
11:54their
11:54legacy
11:54dear
11:55listener
11:55and
11:56followers
11:56we
11:57experience
11:58the
11:58warmth
11:58of
11:59their
11:59embrace
11:59through
12:00their
12:00eternal
12:01blessing.
12:02Practically
12:03all
12:04students
12:04of the
12:05Bible
12:05realize
12:06there
12:07was
12:07liturgical
12:08worship
12:08in
12:08Israel
12:09and
12:10it
12:10is
12:10shown
12:10that
12:11immediately
12:11after
12:12God
12:12gave
12:13Moses
12:13the
12:13Ten
12:14Commandments
12:14in
12:15Exodus
12:15chapter
12:1620
12:16verses
12:171
12:18through
12:1817
12:19he
12:20received
12:20instructions
12:21for
12:22building
12:22the
12:22altar
12:23and
12:24we
12:24read
12:24about
12:25that
12:25in
12:25further
12:26verses
12:26in
12:26the
12:26same
12:27chapter
12:27verses
12:2824
12:29through
12:2926
12:30and
12:31then
12:31came
12:31the
12:32instruction
12:32concerning
12:33the
12:33Sabbath
12:33the
12:34annual
12:34feasts
12:35and
12:35various
12:36offerings
12:36and
12:37furnishings
12:37in
12:38the
12:38sanctuary
12:38now
12:40following
12:40in
12:41this
12:41continuing
12:42chapter
12:43of
12:4326
12:44through
12:4530
12:45we
12:46learn
12:46it
12:46deals
12:47with
12:47such
12:48matters
12:48as
12:49the
12:49design
12:49of
12:50the
12:50tabernacle
12:51the
12:51altar
12:51the
12:52outer
12:52court
12:53the
12:53priest
12:54vestments
12:54and
12:55their
12:55consecrations
12:56and
12:57instruction
12:58for
12:58daily
12:58offering
12:59dear
13:00listener
13:01and
13:01followers
13:02liturgical
13:04worship
13:04is also
13:05found
13:05in
13:05heaven
13:06which
13:07is to
13:07be
13:07expected
13:08since
13:08God
13:09instructed
13:10Moses
13:10to
13:10make
13:11the
13:11earthly
13:11place
13:12of
13:12worship
13:13as
13:13a
13:14quote
13:14copy
13:15and
13:15shadow
13:16of
13:16the
13:17heavenly
13:17things
13:18as
13:18stated
13:19in
13:19Hebrews
13:20chapter
13:208
13:20verse
13:215
13:21but
13:22also
13:22in
13:23Exodus
13:2325
13:24verse
13:2440
13:25which
13:25declares
13:26and
13:27see
13:27to
13:27it
13:28that
13:28you
13:28make
13:29them
13:29according
13:30to
13:30the
13:30pattern
13:30which
13:31was
13:31shown
13:32to
13:32you
13:32on
13:33the
13:33mountain
13:34this
13:35is
13:35very
13:35profound
13:36dear
13:36ones
13:36we
13:38should
13:38stand
13:38in
13:38awe
13:39and
13:39be
13:39amazed
13:40at
13:40the
13:40love
13:41of
13:41God
13:41that
13:42he
13:42has
13:42for
13:43the
13:43success
13:43of
13:44mankind
13:44in
13:45each
13:46one
13:46personally
13:47coming
13:48to
13:48him
13:48he
13:49has
13:50done
13:50this
13:50through
13:50his
13:51plan
13:51and
13:52design
13:52of
13:54liturgical
13:55worship
13:55he
13:57cares so
13:58much
13:58for
13:59each
13:59one
13:59that
13:59he
14:00has
14:00given
14:00each
14:01human
14:01being
14:01a
14:02gift
14:02and
14:03this
14:03gift
14:03is
14:04called
14:04having
14:05a
14:05personal
14:05self
14:06awareness
14:07of
14:07himself
14:08which
14:09is
14:09meant
14:09to
14:09grow
14:09into
14:10a
14:10vibrant
14:11and
14:11loving
14:11relationship
14:12with
14:13him
14:13and
14:13from
14:14there
14:14onward
14:15to
14:16a
14:16deep
14:16fellowship
14:17or
14:17union
14:18with
14:18him
14:19which
14:19is
14:19called
14:20partaking
14:21of
14:21the
14:21divine
14:22nature
14:22of
14:22God
14:23and
14:23the
14:23Greek
14:24word
14:24for
14:24this
14:24is
14:25called
14:25theosis
14:26and
14:27this
14:27is
14:28the
14:28true
14:29purpose
14:29of
14:30human
14:30life
14:31this
14:32is
14:32the
14:32absolute
14:33love
14:34of
14:34our
14:34creator
14:35for
14:35his
14:35most
14:36wonderful
14:36masterpiece
14:37called
14:38mankind
14:38nobody
14:40is
14:40left
14:41out
14:41or
14:41preferred
14:42over
14:42another
14:42in
14:43God's
14:43absolute
14:44love
14:45that he
14:45has
14:46for the
14:46human
14:47soul
14:47from
14:48the
14:48moment
14:48of
14:48conception
14:49God
14:50places
14:51within
14:52each
14:53and
14:53every
14:53human
14:53being
14:54regardless
14:55of
14:55color
14:56creed
14:56tribe
14:57or
14:57tongue
14:57gifts
14:58that
14:59reflect
14:59his
14:59own
15:00image
15:00and
15:01he
15:01loves
15:02each
15:02person
15:03equally
15:03and
15:04this
15:04is
15:04why
15:04all
15:05of
15:05humanity
15:06bears
15:07his
15:07likeness
15:08and
15:08these
15:09divine
15:09gifts
15:10include
15:10a
15:11rational
15:11mind
15:12free
15:12will
15:13a
15:13conscience
15:14creativity
15:15the
15:16capacity
15:16to
15:17love
15:17and
15:18the
15:18longing
15:19for
15:19the
15:19absolute
15:20for
15:20God
15:21and
15:21himself
15:22and
15:23a
15:23personal
15:23self
15:24awareness
15:24of
15:25God
15:26you
15:27see
15:27dear ones
15:28God
15:29is
15:29love
15:29we
15:30grasp
15:31so
15:32little
15:32of
15:32the
15:33depth
15:33of
15:33his
15:33love
15:34that
15:34he
15:34pours
15:35out
15:35upon
15:35us
15:36when
15:37we
15:37come
15:37to
15:37understand
15:38that
15:38he
15:38cares
15:39for
15:39us
15:39so
15:39profoundly
15:40that
15:41he
15:41fashions
15:42us
15:42in
15:43his
15:43image
15:43and
15:44endowed
15:44us
15:45with
15:45gifts
15:46that
15:46shape
15:46that
15:47very
15:47image
15:48within
15:48us
15:49then
15:49we
15:50begin
15:50to
15:50see
15:51their
15:51purpose
15:51these
15:52gifts
15:53are
15:53meant
15:53to
15:53draw
15:54us
15:54upward
15:54to
15:55lead
15:56us
15:56into
15:56the
15:57pursuit
15:57of
15:57his
15:58likeness
15:58into
15:59a
15:59life
16:00growing
16:00communion
16:01with
16:01him
16:01this
16:03sacred
16:03ascent
16:04is
16:04what
16:04the
16:04church
16:05calls
16:05theosis
16:06which
16:07is
16:08our
16:08participation
16:09in the
16:09very
16:10life
16:10and
16:10nature
16:11of
16:11God
16:11this
16:13this
16:13not
16:13an
16:13external
16:14sentimental
16:14sporadic
16:15feeling
16:15but
16:16rather
16:17it
16:17is
16:17a
16:17whole
16:18hearted
16:18reality
16:18of
16:19actually
16:20knowing
16:20God
16:21exists
16:21and
16:22is
16:22desirous
16:23of
16:23drawing
16:24you
16:24and
16:24me
16:25into
16:26personal
16:26union
16:27with
16:28himself
16:28this
16:29does
16:30not
16:30happen
16:30overnight
16:31dear
16:31ones
16:31but
16:32this
16:32is
16:33developed
16:33along
16:34our
16:34life
16:35long
16:36journey
16:36in
16:37partaking
16:37of the
16:38divine
16:38nature
16:39of
16:39God
16:39found
16:40in
16:41the
16:41liturgical
16:41worship
16:42as a
16:43New
16:43Testament
16:43Christian
16:44just
16:45as
16:45our
16:45title
16:45reflects
16:46in
16:46this
16:46message
16:47today
16:47and
16:48this
16:48is
16:48why
16:49it
16:49is
16:49important
16:49that
16:50we
16:50understand
16:51a
16:51little
16:51history
16:52of
16:53the
16:53old
16:54and
16:54the
16:54new
16:54covenant
16:55and
16:55that
16:56the
16:56divine
16:56liturgy
16:57was
16:57established
16:58by
16:58Jesus
16:59Christ
16:59himself
17:00and
17:00why
17:01it
17:01is
17:01important
17:02in
17:02our
17:02understanding
17:03Hebrews
17:04chapter
17:058
17:05verses
17:061
17:07through
17:076
17:07speaks
17:08of
17:08the
17:09new
17:09priestly
17:09service
17:10by
17:10declaring
17:12now
17:12this
17:12is
17:13the
17:13main
17:13point
17:13of
17:13the
17:14things
17:14we
17:14are
17:14saying
17:15we
17:15have
17:16such
17:16a
17:16high
17:16priest
17:17who
17:17is
17:18seated
17:18at
17:18the
17:18right
17:19hand
17:19of
17:19the
17:19throne
17:19of
17:20the
17:20majesty
17:21in
17:21the
17:21heavens
17:22a
17:22minister
17:23of
17:23the
17:23sanctuary
17:24and
17:25the
17:25true
17:25tabernacle
17:26which
17:26the
17:27Lord
17:27erected
17:28and
17:28not
17:28a
17:29man
17:29verse
17:303
17:30for
17:31every
17:31high
17:31priest
17:32is
17:32appointed
17:32to
17:33offer
17:33both
17:33gifts
17:34and
17:34sacrifices
17:35therefore
17:36it is
17:36necessary
17:36that
17:37this
17:37one
17:37also
17:38have
17:39something
17:39to
17:39offer
17:40for
17:40if
17:41he
17:41were
17:42on
17:42earth
17:42he
17:43would
17:43not
17:43be
17:43a
17:43priest
17:44since
17:45there
17:45are
17:45priests
17:45who
17:45offer
17:46according
17:46to
17:46the
17:47law
17:47verse
17:485
17:48who
17:49served
17:49the
17:49copy
17:50and
17:50shadow
17:50of
17:51heavenly
17:51things
17:51as
17:52Moses
17:52was
17:52divinely
17:53instructed
17:53when
17:54he
17:54was
17:54about
17:55to
17:55make
17:55the
17:55tabernacle
17:56for
17:57he
17:57said
17:57see
17:58that
17:58you
17:58make
17:58all
17:59things
17:59according
17:59to
17:59the
18:00pattern
18:00shown
18:00to
18:01you
18:01on
18:01the
18:01mountain
18:02but
18:03now
18:03he
18:03has
18:03obtained
18:04a
18:04more
18:04excellent
18:04ministry
18:05in
18:06as
18:06much
18:06as
18:06he
18:06is
18:06also
18:07mediator
18:07of
18:08a
18:08better
18:08covenant
18:09which
18:09was
18:10established
18:10on
18:11better
18:11promises
18:12and
18:13dear
18:13ones
18:14Christ's
18:15covenant
18:15solves
18:16the
18:16problems
18:17that
18:18Moses
18:18covenant
18:19could
18:19not
18:20both
18:21covenants
18:21come
18:22from
18:22God's
18:22grace
18:23and
18:23require
18:23man's
18:24willful
18:25response
18:25and
18:26obedience
18:26but
18:27Moses
18:28covenant
18:28is
18:29external
18:30to
18:30man
18:31and
18:31cannot
18:32solve
18:32the
18:32root
18:33of
18:33man's
18:33problems
18:34his
18:35sin
18:35and
18:35death
18:36and
18:36not
18:37only
18:37that
18:37it
18:37cannot
18:37reunite
18:39or
18:39restore
18:39and
18:40make
18:40whole
18:41man's
18:41soul
18:42it
18:43is
18:43learned
18:43by
18:44teaching
18:44and
18:45also
18:45heated
18:45with
18:46fearful
18:46obedience
18:47or
18:47compliance
18:48and
18:48gives
18:49imperfect
18:50forgiveness
18:51Christ's
18:52covenant
18:53on the
18:54other hand
18:54is
18:55internal
18:56and
18:56it
18:57heals
18:57our
18:57nature
18:58it
18:59unifies
18:59the
19:00inner
19:00man
19:00and
19:01the
19:01heart
19:01and
19:02mind
19:02are
19:02joined
19:02in
19:03union
19:03with
19:04God
19:04and
19:05is
19:05therefore
19:05grasped
19:06intuitively
19:07or
19:07easily
19:08understood
19:09and
19:09heeded
19:10with
19:10willing
19:11cooperation
19:11or
19:12better
19:12called
19:13synergy
19:13which
19:14is
19:14cooperation
19:15with
19:15God
19:16the
19:16Holy
19:17Spirit
19:17and
19:18also
19:19God's
19:20covenant
19:20gives
19:21perfect
19:21forgiveness
19:22even of
19:23those sins
19:24the old
19:24covenant
19:25was
19:25powerless
19:26to deal
19:27with
19:27you see
19:28heavenly
19:29worship
19:29is revealed
19:31in such
19:31passages
19:32as
19:32Isaiah
19:33chapter 6
19:34verses
19:351 through
19:368
19:36where we
19:37see
19:37prophet
19:38Isaiah
19:38caught up
19:39to the
19:39heaven
19:40for
19:40liturgy
19:41and
19:41also
19:42Revelation
19:42chapter
19:434
19:43which
19:44records
19:45John's
19:46vision
19:46and
19:47also
19:47Revelation
19:48chapter
19:484
19:49which
19:49records
19:50apostle
19:51John's
19:51vision
19:52of
19:52heaven's
19:53liturgy
19:54Isaiah
19:55chapter
19:556
19:56beginning
19:56in
19:57verse
19:571
19:57tells
19:58us
19:59in
20:00the
20:00year
20:00that
20:01King
20:01Uzziah
20:02died
20:03I
20:03saw
20:04the
20:04Lord
20:04sitting
20:04on
20:05a
20:05throne
20:05high
20:05and
20:06lifted
20:06up
20:06and
20:07the
20:07train
20:07of
20:07his
20:08robe
20:08filled
20:08the
20:09temple
20:09and
20:10above
20:10it
20:10stood
20:10seraphim
20:13each
20:13one
20:13had
20:14six
20:14wings
20:14with
20:15two
20:16he
20:16covered
20:16his
20:16face
20:17with
20:17two
20:18he
20:18covered
20:18his
20:18feet
20:19and
20:19with
20:19two
20:20he
20:20flew
20:20and
20:21one
20:21cried
20:22to
20:22the
20:22other
20:22saying
20:23holy
20:24holy
20:24holy
20:25is
20:25the
20:25Lord
20:25of
20:26hosts
20:26the
20:27whole
20:27earth
20:27is
20:28full
20:28of
20:28his
20:28glory
20:29and
20:30the
20:30post
20:31of
20:31the
20:31door
20:31was
20:31shaken
20:32by
20:32the
20:32voice
20:33of
20:33him
20:33who
20:33cried
20:34out
20:34and
20:35the
20:35house
20:35was
20:35filled
20:36with
20:36smoke
20:36so
20:37I
20:37said
20:38woe
20:38is
20:39me
20:39for
20:40I
20:40am
20:40undone
20:40because
20:41I
20:41am
20:41a
20:42man
20:42of
20:42unclean
20:43lips
20:43and
20:44I
20:44dwell
20:44in
20:44the
20:44midst
20:45of
20:45people
20:45of
20:46unclean
20:46lips
20:47for
20:47my
20:47eyes
20:48have
20:48seen
20:48the
20:48King
20:49the
20:49Lord
20:49of
20:49hosts
20:50then
20:51one
20:51of
20:51the
20:51seraphim
20:52flew
20:52to
20:52me
20:52having
20:53in
20:53his
20:53hand
20:53a
20:54life
20:54coal
20:54which
20:55he
20:55had
20:55taken
20:55from
20:56the
20:56tongs
20:56of
20:56the
20:56altar
20:57and
20:58he
20:58touched
20:58my
20:58mouth
20:59with
20:59it
20:59and
20:59he
20:59said
20:59behold
21:00this
21:01has
21:01touched
21:01your
21:02lips
21:02your
21:03iniquity
21:04is
21:04taken
21:04away
21:05and
21:05your
21:06sin
21:06is
21:06purged
21:07and
21:07I
21:08heard
21:08the
21:08voice
21:09of
21:09the
21:09Lord
21:09say
21:09whom
21:10shall
21:10I
21:11send
21:11and
21:12who
21:12will
21:12go
21:12for
21:12us
21:13then
21:13I
21:14said
21:14here
21:21greatly
21:21influenced
21:22the
21:22development
21:23of
21:24orthodox
21:24Christian
21:25worship
21:25for
21:26the
21:27church
21:27like
21:27heaven
21:28has
21:28an
21:29altar
21:29a
21:30throne
21:30smoke
21:31from
21:31the
21:31incense
21:32and
21:33believers
21:33singing
21:34holy
21:35holy
21:36holy
21:36which
21:37is
21:37the
21:37thrice
21:38holy
21:39hymn
21:39with
21:41the
21:41live
21:41coal
21:42touching
21:42Isaiah's
21:43mouth
21:43he
21:44experiences
21:45the
21:45symbol
21:45of
21:46the
21:46Eucharist
21:47which
21:47is
21:48taken
21:48from
21:48the
21:48altar
21:49to
21:49be
21:50served
21:50to
21:50the
21:50faith
21:51faithful
21:51in
21:52fact
21:52after
21:53an
21:54orthodox
21:54priest
21:55receives
21:55communion
21:56he
21:56quietly
21:57quotes
21:58the
21:58seraphim
21:58proclamation
21:59in
22:00verse
22:007
22:00which
22:01declares
22:01behold
22:02this
22:03has
22:03touched
22:04your
22:04lips
22:04your
22:05iniquity
22:06is
22:06taken
22:06away
22:07and
22:07your
22:08sin
22:08is
22:08purged
22:09I
22:10have
22:10learned
22:10in
22:11my
22:11journey
22:12in
22:12this
22:13most
22:13ancient
22:13faith
22:14called
22:14orthodoxy
22:15and her
22:16missing
22:16truths
22:17that
22:17from
22:18the
22:18Old
22:18Testament
22:19to
22:19the
22:19New
22:19Testament
22:20the
22:21history
22:21in
22:21both
22:22is
22:22pointing
22:23to
22:23the
22:23Divine
22:24Liturgy
22:24and
22:25partaking
22:26of the
22:26Eucharist
22:27or Holy
22:27Communion
22:28the very
22:29body and
22:29blood
22:30of our
22:31Lord Jesus
22:31Christ
22:32I
22:33I
22:33have seen
22:34I have seen
22:34that the
22:34Old Testament
22:35is not
22:36merely a
22:36collection
22:37of historical
22:38facts
22:39or events
22:40or moral
22:41lessons
22:41but rather
22:42it is a
22:43continuous
22:44revelation
22:44preparing
22:45humanity
22:46for the
22:47sacramental
22:48life of
22:48the New
22:48Covenant
22:49and learning
22:51this
22:51has truly
22:52impacted
22:53my view
22:54of salvation
22:55by showing
22:56me that
22:57God's plan
22:58has always
22:59been to
22:59bring mankind
23:00into communion
23:02with himself
23:02through the
23:03Holy
23:04Eucharist
23:04which is
23:05celebrated
23:06during
23:07Divine
23:07Liturgy
23:08the
23:09Orthodox
23:10Church
23:10teaches
23:11that every
23:12major act
23:13of God
23:13in the
23:14Old Testament
23:15foreshadows
23:16the Eucharist
23:17the offering
23:18of Melchizedek
23:19the Passover
23:20Lamb
23:21the manna
23:22in the
23:22wilderness
23:23the sacrifices
23:24of the
23:25temple
23:25the prophetic
23:26visions
23:27of Isaiah
23:28and Ezekiel
23:29all point
23:30to the
23:31true bread
23:32from heaven
23:33in the
23:34New Testament
23:35these Old
23:36Testaments
23:36are but
23:38shadows
23:38and are
23:39fulfilled
23:39when Christ
23:40himself
23:41institutes
23:42the mystical
23:43supper
23:43declaring
23:44this is my
23:45body
23:45this is my
23:47blood
23:47revealing that
23:48the Eucharist
23:49is not a
23:50symbol
23:50but the
23:51true life
23:52of God
23:52given to
23:53his people
23:54and when
23:55Christ
23:55commands
23:56do this
23:57in remembrance
23:58of me
23:58he is not
23:59offering a
24:00suggestion
24:01but he is
24:02establishing
24:02an ongoing
24:03act of
24:04worship
24:04and spiritual
24:05life
24:06that is
24:06preserved
24:07and only
24:08within the
24:08divine
24:09liturgy
24:09of the
24:10church
24:10even up
24:11until this
24:12present day
24:12until the
24:13time he
24:14returns
24:14and therefore
24:16the entire
24:17biblical
24:18account in
24:19history
24:19come together
24:20in divine
24:21liturgy
24:22where heaven
24:23and earth
24:23meet
24:24and the
24:25faithful
24:25partake
24:26of the
24:26holy
24:27mysteries
24:27that were
24:28prefigured
24:29in the
24:29old covenant
24:30and fulfilled
24:31in the
24:31new covenant
24:32the
24:33orthodox
24:34church
24:34has preserved
24:35this unbroken
24:36understanding
24:37showing that
24:38the Eucharist
24:39is not an
24:40addition to
24:41the faith
24:42but the
24:42very heart
24:43of God's
24:44plan
24:44from the
24:45beginning
24:45Saint
24:47Seraphim
24:48Zivandinsky
24:49lived in
24:50the early
24:5120th century
24:52from
24:531883
24:55to
24:551937
24:56during the
24:57era of
24:58the Soviet
24:59persecution
25:00and he
25:00taught that
25:01the divine
25:02liturgy
25:02is quote
25:03the radiant
25:04life-giving
25:05center of
25:06Christian
25:07existence
25:07a priceless
25:08diamond
25:09a golden
25:10bridge to
25:11eternal
25:12life
25:12a place
25:13where
25:13Christ
25:14himself
25:14shines
25:15as the
25:16eternal
25:16son
25:18let us
25:19remember
25:19dear ones
25:20Christ
25:21himself
25:21instituted
25:22the way
25:23that the
25:23church
25:23is to
25:24worship
25:25the
25:25triune
25:26God
25:26that is
25:27the
25:27father
25:27the
25:27son
25:28and the
25:28holy
25:29spirit
25:29and this
25:30worship
25:31is her
25:32doctrinal
25:33purity
25:33that has
25:34been
25:34tenaciously
25:35maintained
25:36maintained
25:36by the
25:37continuity
25:38of the
25:38orthodox
25:39church
25:39from her
25:40beginning
25:41at
25:41Pentecost
25:4229
25:42AD
25:43but it
25:44must be
25:45made
25:45known
25:46that
25:46Christianity
25:47is far
25:48more
25:48than
25:49adherence
25:50to a
25:50set
25:51of
25:51correct
25:51beliefs
25:52alone
25:52the
25:53life
25:54of the
25:54church
25:55is
25:55situated
25:56at the
25:56very
25:57heart
25:57and center
25:58and she
25:59has expressed
25:59her worship
26:00her adoration
26:01of God
26:02the
26:02father
26:03the
26:03son
26:03and the
26:04holy
26:04spirit
26:05in
26:06John
26:07chapter
26:074
26:07verse
26:0823
26:09it
26:10was
26:10Jesus
26:10himself
26:11who
26:11told
26:12the
26:12woman
26:12at
26:12the
26:13well
26:13the
26:14hour
26:14is
26:14coming
26:15and
26:15now
26:15is
26:16when
26:17true
26:17worshipers
26:18will
26:18worship
26:19in
26:19spirit
26:19and
26:20truth
26:20for
26:21the
26:21father
26:21is
26:21seeking
26:22such
26:22to
26:23worship
26:23him
26:23and
26:25again
26:25it
26:26was
26:26at
26:26the
26:26last
26:27supper
26:27Jesus
26:27instituted
26:28the
26:28Eucharist
26:29the
26:30communion
26:30service
26:31when
26:32he
26:32took
26:32the
26:32bread
26:32and
26:33the
26:33wine
26:33gave
26:34the
26:34blessing
26:34and
26:35said
26:35to
26:36his
26:36disciples
26:37this
26:38is
26:38my
26:38body
26:39which
26:39is
26:39given
26:40for
26:40you
26:40do
26:41this
26:41in
26:42remembrance
26:42of
26:42me
26:43and
26:43this
26:44is
26:44the
26:44new
26:44covenant
26:45in
26:45my
26:45blood
26:46which
26:46I
26:47shed
26:47for
26:47you
26:49this
26:49is
26:50the
26:50heart
26:51of
26:51our
26:51worship
26:52and
26:52salvation
26:53dear
26:53listeners
26:53and
26:54followers
26:55theosis
26:56or the
26:56partaking
26:57of the
26:58nature
26:58of
26:58God
26:59is
26:59not
27:00a
27:00metaphor
27:00but it
27:01is
27:01real
27:02participation
27:02in the
27:03divine
27:04life
27:04of
27:04Jesus
27:05Christ
27:05this
27:06participation
27:07in
27:08knowing
27:09him
27:09is not
27:10just about
27:10having
27:11information
27:12but it
27:13means that
27:13we share
27:14in his
27:15life
27:15by receiving
27:16the Holy
27:17Eucharist
27:17in celebrating
27:18the divine
27:19liturgy
27:19this
27:21this
27:21is
27:21true
27:21worship
27:22as a
27:23New
27:23Testament
27:24Christian
27:24we
27:25don't
27:25just
27:26receive
27:26concepts
27:27or
27:27impressions
27:28but
27:28rather
27:29our
27:29very
27:30existence
27:30is
27:31united
27:32to
27:32him
27:33through
27:33Christ
27:34in
27:34the
27:34Holy
27:35Spirit
27:35the
27:36Holy
27:36Spirit
27:37makes
27:37this
27:38union
27:38real
27:39in
27:39knowing
27:40that
27:40the
27:40Father's
27:41love
27:41is
27:42possible
27:42because
27:43the
27:43precious
27:44Holy
27:44Spirit
27:45lives
27:46in
27:46us
27:46transforms
27:47our
27:48beings
27:48into
27:49sons
27:49and
27:50daughters
27:50of
27:50adoption
27:51as
27:52Orthodox
27:53believers
27:53we
27:54partake
27:55of
27:55communion
27:56with
27:56Almighty
27:57God
27:57when
27:58we
27:58receive
27:59Christ
27:59through
27:59the
27:59sacrament
28:00of
28:00the
28:00Eucharist
28:01we
28:02are
28:02not
28:02simply
28:02reminded
28:03of
28:03the
28:03Father's
28:04love
28:04but
28:05we
28:05are
28:05truly
28:06united
28:06and
28:07are
28:07being
28:07transformed
28:08into
28:09the
28:09likeness
28:10of
28:10the
28:10Son
28:10and
28:11through
28:11him
28:12we
28:12grow
28:13to
28:13truly
28:13know
28:14the
28:14Father
28:14and
28:15this
28:16is
28:16not
28:16by
28:17feeling
28:17or
28:17emotion
28:18but
28:19this
28:19is
28:19by
28:19obedience
28:20to
28:20the
28:20very
28:20commands
28:21of
28:22the
28:22doctrine
28:22and
28:22mandates
28:23of
28:23our
28:23triune
28:24God
28:24this
28:25knowledge
28:26is
28:26sacramental
28:27and
28:27mystical
28:27and
28:28is
28:28experienced
28:29in
28:29baptism
28:30the
28:30Eucharist
28:31and
28:31prayer
28:32where
28:32our
28:33whole
28:33being
28:34is
28:34transformed
28:35and
28:35united
28:36into
28:36a
28:36deep
28:37and
28:37living
28:37fellowship
28:38with
28:38them
28:39and
28:39this
28:39again
28:40is
28:41called
28:41partaking
28:42of
28:42the
28:42divine
28:43nature
28:43of
28:44God
28:44if you
28:45ever
28:45wondered
28:46whether
28:46the
28:46church
28:47has
28:47any
28:48true
28:48continuity
28:49with
28:50worship
28:50of
28:50God
28:50revealed
28:51in
28:51the
28:51Old
28:52Testament
28:52you
28:53only
28:53need
28:54to
28:54step
28:54inside
28:55the
28:55Orthodox
28:56Church
28:56you
28:57you
28:58will
28:58see
28:58you
28:59that she is
28:59patterned
29:00at the
29:00very
29:00structure
29:01of the
29:01ancient
29:02temple
29:02the
29:03outer
29:03court
29:04the
29:04inner
29:04court
29:05the
29:05Holy
29:05of
29:06Holies
29:06reflected
29:07in
29:07the
29:07narthex
29:08the
29:08nave
29:09and
29:09the
29:09altar
29:10you
29:10will
29:11experience
29:11incense
29:12just as they
29:13used in
29:14scripture
29:14throughout the
29:15Old
29:15and the
29:16New
29:16Testaments
29:16that is
29:17still a
29:18part of
29:18the worship
29:18of God
29:19today
29:19in the
29:20Orthodox
29:20Church
29:21and
29:21as you
29:22look
29:22farther
29:23you
29:23will
29:23notice
29:24the
29:24vestments
29:24of the
29:25clergy
29:25are
29:25rich
29:26in
29:26color
29:27beauty
29:28and
29:28symbolism
29:29and
29:29these
29:29garments
29:30are
29:31not
29:31modern
29:31inventions
29:32but
29:33living
29:33continuous
29:34of the
29:35ancient
29:36priestly
29:36vesture
29:37described
29:38in
29:38scripture
29:39much
29:39like
29:40the
29:40priests
29:40of
29:40old
29:41the
29:41clergy
29:42of
29:42the
29:42Orthodox
29:42Church
29:43are
29:43clothed
29:44in
29:44garments
29:45that
29:45proclaim
29:45holiness
29:46dignity
29:47and
29:47the
29:47glory
29:48of
29:48God
29:48every
29:49color
29:50every
29:50thread
29:51every
29:51ornamentation
29:52serves
29:53as a
29:53purpose
29:54reminding
29:55us
29:55that
29:56worship
29:56is
29:57heavenly
29:57in
29:57origin
29:58and
29:58that
29:58the
29:59church
29:59stands
29:59unbroken
30:00in
30:01continuity
30:01with
30:02the
30:02worship
30:02of
30:03God
30:03from
30:03the
30:03beginning
30:04this
30:04is
30:05no
30:05accident
30:05it
30:06is
30:06the
30:07living
30:07continuation
30:08of
30:08the
30:08worship
30:09of
30:09God
30:09himself
30:10which
30:10he
30:11established
30:11every
30:12Orthodox
30:13temple
30:13is
30:14beautifully
30:14adorned
30:15radiant
30:16with
30:16color
30:17and
30:17filled
30:17with
30:18holy
30:18icons
30:19which
30:19proclaim
30:20the
30:20incarnation
30:21and
30:21the
30:22kingdom
30:22of
30:22God
30:22nothing
30:24is
30:24merely
30:25decorative
30:25everything
30:26reveals
30:27a
30:27spiritual
30:28reality
30:28the
30:29church
30:29is not
30:30only a
30:30building
30:31it is a
30:32living
30:32temple
30:32a
30:33foretaste
30:34of
30:34heaven
30:34a place
30:35where
30:35God
30:36meets
30:36his
30:36people
30:37check
30:38it out
30:38for
30:38yourself
30:39find
30:40an
30:40Orthodox
30:40church
30:41in
30:41your
30:41area
30:42go and
30:43experience
30:43a
30:44service
30:44and see
30:45that
30:45worship
30:46is totally
30:46different
30:47from any
30:48Protestant
30:48service
30:49you have
30:50ever sat
30:50through
30:51one
30:52cannot
30:52help
30:53but
30:53stand
30:53in
30:54awe
30:54of
30:54God
30:55I
30:56invite
30:56you
30:56to
30:57join
30:57me
30:57next
30:58time
30:58when
30:59we
30:59journey
30:59through
30:59the
30:59ancient
31:00faith
31:00of
31:01Orthodoxy
31:01to
31:02discover
31:02more
31:03truths
31:03which
31:04have
31:04been
31:04at
31:04the
31:04heart
31:05of
31:05the
31:05early
31:05church
31:06since
31:06her
31:07beginning
31:07at
31:08Pentecost
31:0829
31:09AD
31:09these
31:11truths
31:11are
31:11first
31:12and
31:12foremost
31:13which
31:13take
31:14us
31:14into
31:14an
31:14encounter
31:15with
31:15our
31:15living
31:16and
31:16personal
31:17God
31:17whose
31:18boundless
31:18love
31:19knows
31:19no
31:20end
31:20and
31:21who
31:21embraces
31:21all
31:22of
31:22mankind
31:22and
31:23calls
31:24us
31:24each
31:24into
31:25deep
31:25fellowship
31:26with
31:26himself
31:27let us
31:28not
31:28tarry
31:29in
31:29answering
31:30his
31:30call
31:39to
31:41to
31:42to
31:43to
31:43to
31:43to
31:48to