The Calling Of The Disciples

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

January 26, 2026

in Spritual Growth

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January 25, 2026

Readings: Amos 3:1-8
1 Corinthians1:10-17
Matthew 4:12-23

3rd Sunday of Epiphany 2026 – Abp.Hines

Thirty years after His birth, Christ now begins His ministry. He was setting a pattern for our lives to follow Him. In the Psalm reading today, it talks about the awesomeness of God, how He knows everything and that we cannot hide from Him. He not only knows everything, but He is also everywhere. We think we can get away with certain things, but the truth is, we cannot escape Him. Scripture tells us, “I will give thanks to Him for I have been fearfully and wonderfully made.” We are the creation of God, and we must see His greatness. Man cannot duplicate God’s awesomeness. We should be thankful at all times. One of the reasons the world is in the condition that it is now is that we do not really see the awesomeness of God’s creation.

In the Gospel today, we see that John has been taken into custody. And although Herod had a high regard for him, John was also blunt with him and told him that it was unlawful to take his brother’s wife as his own. During an event, Herod asked his stepdaughter, Salome what she wanted and that it would be granted unto her. She had been requested to dance at Herod’s birthday feast. On the prodding of her mother, Salome said, “give me the head of John the Baptist.” Herod was pressured into heeding this request because he had promised her that whatever she wished for it would be granted. And so he had John killed. Jesus at this time was living in Nazareth. But He had to leave Nazareth and go to Capernaum. The people here were more open and receptive to the Gospel. It is here where Jesus began His ministry and started preaching, where many of His disciples were called and where He performed numerous miracles.

The Jews were very traditional and legalistic. Christ was not. He wasn’t like them. He preached about repentance and God’s love. He only began His Ministry work after John was arrested and killed. He did not want to compete with John. Even in creation, He was demonstrating how everything was made in an organized manner, not one element trying to outdo the other. Each was created one after the other. While John emphasized the importance of being baptized, Jesus taught about the truth of God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Ephesians 4: 4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Christians today are teaching so many different gospels. Some only teach about prosperity. One church would claim theirs is the true gospel, another would claim their gospel is the truth. We are not one. There are divisions. Jesus came to give only one and the same message. And He came for both the Jews and the Gentiles. There should be no division among us. Ephesians 2:21-22 In whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

The prophecy of Isaiah in the latter days indicates that the younger generation will not follow the elders. Isaiah 3:5 “And the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor; The youth will assault the elder, And the contemptible person will assault the one honored.” But we should respect the elders. We should not make fun of them, nor belittle them. Scripture tells us that in the last day when heaven and earth become one, there will be no need of a temple, because Christ will be present all the time. We have one spirit, we are one family and we should respect each other. Ephesians 2:22 In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Christ draws us to Him, because the Spirit of God is in us.

We belong to one household. Our wisdom comes from Him. He is our strength, our hope. The cross is the very power of God. It is here that He gave us victory. Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.” Hebrews 10:38 “But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” In Him we are made whole. Sickness has no right to be with us. God gave us new life. We are children of God. His Spirit dwells within us.