CHRIST IS RISEN!<\/p>\n
Using the Eastern calendar, the one my church uses, today is easter! I love easter, and I had to share the easter sermon with you all.<\/p>\n
This was written by John Crysostom, an early early christian, and it’s so good that we kept it. Thanks goes to M C Steenburg<\/a>, who put it on the web for me to grab.<\/p>\n I just want to say, celebrating Christ’s triumph over death, and his forgiveness and acceptance of every human that will have it is more amazing than I can say.<\/p>\n Let us all live fully the gift of life and love God has granted.<\/p>\n ——————————<\/p>\n If any man be devout and loveth God, If any have laboured long in fasting, For the Lord, who is jealous of his honour, Wherefore, enter ye all into the joy of your Lord; Let no one bewail his poverty, By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. It was embittered, for it was abolished. O Death, where is thy sting? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown! To Him be glory and dominion Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHRIST IS RISEN! Using the Eastern calendar, the one my church uses, today is easter! I love easter, and I had to share the easter sermon with you all. This was written by John Crysostom, an early early christian, and … Continue reading
\nLet him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast!
\nIf any man be a wise servant,
\nLet him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord.<\/p>\n
\nLet him how receive his recompense.
\nIf any have wrought from the first hour,
\nLet him today receive his just reward.
\nIf any have come at the third hour,
\nLet him with thankfulness keep the feast.
\nIf any have arrived at the sixth hour,
\nLet him have no misgivings;
\nBecause he shall in nowise be deprived therefore.
\nIf any have delayed until the ninth hour,
\nLet him draw near, fearing nothing.
\nAnd if any have tarried even until the eleventh hour,
\nLet him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness.<\/p>\n
\nWill accept the last even as the first.
\nHe giveth rest unto him who cometh at the eleventh hour,
\nEven as unto him who hath wrought from the first hour.
\nAnd He showeth mercy upon the last,
\nAnd careth for the first;
\nAnd to the one He giveth,
\nAnd upon the other He bestoweth gifts.
\nAnd He both accepteth the deeds,
\nAnd welcometh the intention,
\nAnd honoureth the acts and praises the offering.<\/p>\n
\nReceive your reward,
\nBoth the first, and likewise the second.
\nYou rich and poor together, hold high festival!
\nYou sober and you heedless, honour the day!
\nRejoice today, both you who have fasted
\nAnd you who have disregarded the fast.
\nThe table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously.
\nThe calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
\nEnjoy ye all the feast of faith:
\nReceive ye all the riches of loving-kindness.<\/p>\n
\nFor the universal Kingdom has been revealed.
\nLet no one weep for his iniquities,
\nFor pardon has shown forth from the grave.
\nLet no one fear death,
\nFor the Saviour’s death has set us free.
\nHe that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it.<\/p>\n
\nHe embittered it when it tasted of His flesh.
\nAnd Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry:
\nHell, said he, was embittered
\nWhen it encountered Thee in the lower regions.<\/p>\n
\nIt was embittered, for it was mocked.
\nIt was embittered, for it was slain.
\nIt was embittered, for it was overthrown.
\nIt was embittered, for it was fettered in chains.
\nIt took a body, and met God face to face.
\nIt took earth, and encountered Heaven.
\nIt took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.<\/p>\n
\nO Hell, where is thy victory?<\/p>\n
\nChrist is risen, and the demons are fallen!
\nChrist is risen, and the angels rejoice!
\nChrist is risen, and life reigns!
\nChrist is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave.
\nFor Christ, being risen from the dead,
\nIs become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.<\/p>\n
\nUnto ages of ages.<\/p>\n