SERMON OF SYNOD 2023 OPENING SERVICE DELIVERED BY THE RT. REV. DR. OLUSOLA AKANBI ON THE SYNOD THEME “ANGLICAN SPIRITUALITY: EXPLORING THE POWER IN THE EUCHARIST
The Third Session of the Twelfth Synod of the Diocese of Osun began on Thursday 27th April, 2023 at the Cathedral of All Saints, Balogun Agoro, Osogbo. The guest preacher at the opening service was The Rt. Rev. Dr. Olusola Akanbi, Bishop of Diocese of Offa.
The preacher gave thanks to God, the Bishop of Diocese of Osun, The Rt. Rev Dr. Foluso Olugbenga Babatunji and prayed that his Episcopal ministry will continue to wax stronger. He also extended greetings to Mama Bishop, Mrs. Margaret Mofoluwake Babatunji, the Clergy of the Diocese and their wives, the House of Laity and everyone that make up the synod.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Olusola Akanbi noted that, the theme for this Synod is more of “a talk” than “a sermon”. He said the theme is a desire to make known what the work of the Anglican is, noting that in the Anglican Church believe in the Doctrine of the Trinity, and said that all our beliefs are Bible based. Whatever cannot be found in the Bible, we call unbiblical. He highlighted that; “We Kneel to Pray”, “We stand to Sing” and “We sit to listen to the Word of God.”
He noted the penchant of Anglicans to copy some of the traditions of ‘Modern’ churches in very unscriptural, sighting example that we do not stand any more to sing. He went further to berate the pollution of Anglican traditions and much of eye service, but emphasized that the only service that remains constant in the Anglican Church is the Holy Eucharist.
The preacher said “Eucharist” from the Greek word means “thanksgiving”, and some also calls it the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion. Quoting from I Corinthians 11: 22 – 25, he said the Eucharistic service originated from the Lord’s Supper. In the text Paul was reaffirming his claim that the Eucharistic service was instituted by Jesus. When we celebrate it, we believe that Jesus is in the Eucharist, “Blood” and “Flesh”. In the Eucharist Service, it is expected that members of the congregation would have prepare themselves for the service.
He went further to highlight some important Components of the Eucharist service:
• we start by praying God;
• we purify ourselves;
• we give God glory;
• we remind ourselves of the commandment;
• we seek forgiveness for our sins;
• we recognize Jesus as the source of Peace, emphasize the importance or peace, and
• we then take the sacrament.
The preacher stressed that there is so much power in the Holy Communion. To receive the power fully, the communicant must:
• be born again. John 3: 3;
• serve God with his resources and time;
• have a good relationship with God. Col. 1: 13;
• follow peace with all men. Heb. 12: 14, Luke 9: 52 – 56;
• be Holy and sincere. Matt. 5: 20;
• be good examples to others;
• take the Eucharist regularly, and
• those who are not fully members of the Anglican Church must not take the Eucharist.
Speaking on what we get by taking the Holy Communion, the preacher listed the following:
• Spiritual rejuvenation & healing;
• Closer walk with God;
• Protection over our lives and families (esp. for the celebrant of the Eucharistic elements);
• A cleric who performs the Eucharist can never lack;
• When we take the Eucharist, it does not vitiate fasting;
• It takes away our sorrows and pain, and
• It gives victory.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Olusola Akanbi reiterated that the priest’s deficiency/unworthiness does not hinder the efficacy of the Eucharist as emphasized by Article 26 of the 39 Articles of Faith of the Anglican Church. And in conclusion, he opined that all that Jesus did in the institution of the Eucharist can be summarized as; service to God and service to humanity.