St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Kansas City - weekly talks St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

27. Genesis 15_7-21 (The Cutting of the Covenant) Bill Baldwin by St. Aidan's Anglican Church, KC

John 15:9-17
English Standard Version

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

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.

Dr. Matthew Barrett is professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion is teaching the Great Tradition of the Church. He is the author of Simply Trinity and the Reformation of Renewal. He is the host of the Credo podcast and Director of the Center for Classical Theology. He is currently writing a Systematic Theology (Baker Academic) for seminary students.

The Fifth Sunday of Eastertide

John 14:15–21

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, the root and offspring of David, fulfills God's promise in Ezekiel 34 for God to come and shepherd his flock. In so doing, his flock will be delivered from the false shepherds who come to steal, kill and destroy. The rule of King Jesus is like a shepherd, caring for his flock with the utmost concern. The Lord is our Shepherd!

Ezekiel 34:1f.
Psalm 23
I John 3:1–10
John 10:11–18

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Walking through the Book of Genesis

Luke 24:36–49

Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.