BA2007-3-27: Absolute Surrender

I Chronicles 21
PRIDE: Absolute Surrender
Ptr. Jun Manuel (Bangladesh Missionary)

Context: David sinned because of numbering his people.
- moved with pride and rebellion in his heart (v.7)
- God is displeased with pride (John 4:6)
- God made him choose from three punishments
- David chose to fall in the hand of God because of God’s great mercy (v.13)
- When we sin we are not the only one affected (v.14)

1.) THE KING’s REQUEST
- Ornan’s threshold which is precious to him
- He gave it all to David
“What you decide today will have a long effect in the future”

2.) THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST
- For the Glory of God (v.22)
- For the Salvation of his people. (v.22)

3.) THE RIGHT OF THE KING’s REQUEST
- He is the king. (v.3)
Two privileges
- It is a privilege to work with God.
- It is a privilege presenting Him to the whole world.

4.) RESPONSE TO THE KING’S REQUEST
- Responded willingly – because he knew that what he is to give is not really his but belongs to the king

5.) THE RESULT
- Ornan was rewarded (blessed)
- God is glorified
- God’s judgment was aborted

“IF GOD WILL CALL YOU, HE WILL EQUIP YOU”

BA2007-03-26: GOD IS ABLE

Sunday Evening Service: March 4, 2007

Ephesians 3: 20 - 21
GOD IS ABLE
Ptr MR

- Our experience limits what our human intellect can imagine
- We have a limited vision

KNOWING AND STUDYING GOD CAN’T BE COMPREHENDED AT ALL
1.) Sheer limitation of the human mind
2.) Moral problem – the presence off sin
3.) We have a resource problem – God does not simply told us all about himself
- we cannot define God because we only experience God

THE ONLY CONSOLATION IS THE PRESENCE OF OUR IMAGINATION
- how wild are your dreams?

GOD IS ABLE:

1.) He is able beyond our asking
- In Impossibility – miracles are still working
- In Insufficiency - our needs can be met
- In inability – beyond our strength

2.) He is able beyond our thinking
- we have the power of the mind
- we can’t grasp a changed life
- we can’t grasp heaven
- we can’t grasp at all

3.) He is able beyond our working
- we may literally consume our bodies to work but still short of achievements
- God grants the good success
- God gives the security

BA2007-03-25: TURNING BURDEN INTO A BLESSING

Sunday Morning Service: March 4, 2007

I Chronicles 4: 9-10
Turning Burden into a Blessing
Ptr Fred Frendol

- we are designed for excellence/ for good things
- God wants us to prosper (Luke 16:32)
- Don’t fear for fera paralyzes us. (Lk 2:35)

Jabez’s name was given an honourable mention out of the 600 names. Jabez is a common man with uncommon faith.

1.) Jabez has a great ambition.
- he wanterd to expand and grow in life for God
- Some misconceptions:
- Confusing humility with faith (lack of faith)
- Confusing contentment with laziness (Philippians 4:11)
- Confusing spirituality with small things (serve God in bigger ways)

2.) Jabez has a growing faith
- attempt great things for God, expect great things from God
- what is your handicap?

3.) Jabez has a Genuine Prayer Life
- because of his simple prayer
- God’s power in his life (Jn 15:5 we can do nothing without God)
- God’s presence in his life
- God’s protection over his life

BA2007-03-24: THANK GOD ANYHOW

Prayer Meeting: March 1, 2007

Habakuk 3: 17-19
THANK GOD ANYHOW
Bro. Leonard Castillo

1.) Thank God, His sovereignty never fails
2.) Thank God, His Salvation never ceases
3.) Thank God, his strength never collapses

Exodus 15:2

BA2007-02-23: LOVE: A MORE EXCELLENT WAY: THE REFNING

Sunday Vesper Service: February 25, 2007

I Corinthians 13: 9-13
LOVE: A More Excellent Way : THE REFINING
Ptr M.R.

“LOVE CAN BE PROCESSED”

HOW DOES LOVE BECOME REFINED TO US?
I. It is given in whole but we exercise it in parts. (v.9-10)
- God’s love is pure and unadulterated
- As human being, we don’t have intrinsic value of love (not natural)
- It always takes time (no shortcut in love) Fidelity not romance that make the love of marriage work.

Why? We learned/knew by parts in this life. (fiber optics work)

(I Jn. 3:2) Our perfection in love will take place as we see Jesus face to face.

II. Love can be learned from one maturity to another. (v.11)
- How does a child (immature) learns to love
o Parent are angry
o The child obeys through bribery
o When in misery
o When it understands love as family
- Love goes through stages as you mature in years. (from phileo – storge – agape)

III. There are blind spots in the context of love, but nevertheless love covers them all. (v.12)
- Cover – atonement ( I Peter 4:8)

BLIND SPOTS we see when we apply love:
1.) Rough Edges (wrong & ugly)
2.) The repeated nd unlearned manner
3.) The love you share is never compensated, yet you still love at all. (I Peter 4:8)

BA2007-02-22: TARGET MARKET

Sunday Morning Service: February 25, 2007

Acts 16: 9 - 10
TARGET – MARKET (Evangelism)
Ptr M.R.

“We can always choose whom we want to belong with.”
- You may not always be able to choose your crowd, but you can choose your confidante.”
- We call this as your target market

I. DEFINE YOUR TARGET MARKET
A. People (Regardless of their ethnicity)
- God has given us
- Vision – “mental image” (Prov. 29:18)
- Invitation – “come over” (matthew 20: 19 – 20)
- Responsibility – “help” (Luke 19:10)

II. DISTINGUISH YOUR TARGET MARKET
A. Process them
- You cannot compartmentalize them (box people)
- You cannot easily convinve them (deepest level of crisis: the Crisis of Truth)
- But you can commit for them (pray, invite, acquaint)
B. Never Discriminate
- Key Factor: A unity in diversity

III. DELEGATE YOUR TARGET MARKET
A. Places to go
- Go over to them to their partners, companion and select group. (luke 10: 1,2)
- Create an atmosphere to their needs

BA2007-02-21: THE POWER OF PRAYER

Prayer Meeting: February 22, 2007

Ephesians 6:18
THE POWER OF PRAYER
Ptr J.C.

PRAYER:
1.) A Basic thing to do
2.) We have an armor through prayer
3.) Prayer can change us

Prayer also:
1.) Reflects our dependence on God
2.) Far better than complaining to each other
3.) Can restore relationship with God

BA2007-02-20: LOVE: A MORE EXCELLENT WAY

I Corinthians 12:31; 13: 4-8
LOVE: A More Excellent Way
Ptr M.R.

Theme: Love
Topic: Definition
Title: The Real Thing

LOVE – defined in verse 4

BIBLICAL USAGE (Literal Meaning)
1.) Phileo – Brotherly Love
2.) Eros – Romantic Love
3.) Storge – Sentimental Love
4.) Agape –Unconditional Love (Jn 3:16)

PRACTICAL USAGE (language to convey)
1.) Acts of Service
2.) Words of Affirmation
3.) Quality Time
4.) Receiving Gifts

CONTEXTUAL USAGE (lasting definition)
1.) INTERNAL (love is…) v.4
a.) Patient – Waiting is an attitude in a fast-paced world
b.) Kind – breaks the ‘eye for an eye’ mentality
- a pleasant mood
c.) Not Jealous – jealousy is a rottenness of the bones
- we make friends, not enemies (PeaceMakers)
d.) Not Boastful – the older he get, the better he was
- God resisteth the proud (I Peter 5:5)

2.) EXTERNAL LOVE (Love is…) v.5
a.) It is not Rude – Insult is a mockery (Jer. 9:24)
b.) It is not self-seeking – the first law of life is the preservation of self
- Jesus emptied His divine prerogative
c.) It is not easily angered – anger is a denied feeling of right
- slow to anger (wrath)

3.) EMOTIONAL LOVE (Love is…) v.6
a.) It keeps no record of wrong
- memory bank
- visiting the past versus lingering in the past
b.) Rejoiceth not in iniquity but in truth – manipulative in nature, violation of God’s will – iniquity)
- truth is triumphant


4.) IDEAL LOVE (Love is…) v. 7-8
a.) Bears – to cover, Passover in silence, to keep confidential
b.) Believes all things – a positive outlook
c.) Hope – in the face of greatest odds
d.) Endures – to sustain the assault of the enemy

AGAPE LOVE NEVER FAILS.

BA2007-02-19: The GRACE of GOD

I Corinthians 15:10
Grace of God
Pastor Emmanuel Sinoy
- a missionary in Burma
- He told a story about a man who at the age of 44 has read the bible for the first time when Ptr Sinoy shared it to the man. How many in the world, like that man, who had never read the Bible?

1.) All is because of the Grace of God
- Salvation
- Needs
- Faithfulness
We are what we are because of God’s Grace.

2.) Prayer – churches, pastors… are praying for us
3.) Continue the things that you are doing for the Lord.

BA2007-01-18: GOD'S PROMISES

Psalms 105:1,3,7-8
Promises of God
Bro. Mike Famador

God’s promises are enough to satisfy us and live righteously.

Why can’t we get our hands on God’s promises?
1.) What kind of ground (personality) are we? (parable of the seed)
2.) What kind of fowls (foes) around us. (fowls – Satan)
3.) The Stones – the persecutions and tribulation
4.) The Thorns – Deceitfulness in Life

GOD DESIRES OUR FAITHFULNESS AND OBEDIENCE.
In every promise, you must show God you are worthy of the promise through obedience and faithfulness.

BA2007-01-17: DEPRIAVATION OF LOVE

I Corinthians 12:31 – 13: 1-3
DEPRIVATION OF LOVE
Pstr Manolito Ramos

I Corinthians 12:31 – 13: 1-3

31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

LOVE should be expressed in a right way.

Two things that are deprived:
1.) Material Aspect
2.) Emotional Aspect

We are in a period where success matters.
1.) Status Symbol – accepted and applauded by the society
2.) Security - not bothered by tomorrow
3.) Satisfaction – well-meaning feeling

IRONY OF SUCCESS: Instead of fulfillment, we experience the bloated sensation of being full of our self. The result is not contentment but nausea.

Apostle Paul’s advice in verse 31.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR:
1.) Spiritual Enablement
2.) Capacity for Specific Service

The exercise of Spiritual Gifts should be substantiated with love.

WHEN DO WE DEPRIVE LOVE? (Even if we are successful and spiritually gifted)
1.) When our SPEECH is EMPTY OF FEELING. V.1
- full of sound but no substance
Speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15
- we create emotional wounds (sliced feeling)

2.) When our SPIRITUALITY is ENVELOPED IN FORMALITY (v.2)
- every person has a spiritual stance
- with knowledge but no attitude of love
- we cannot false spirituality. Love is felt like a magnet.

3.) When our service is externally and fleshly. V.3
- Man enjoys showmanship. Love is convincing.
- True colors lie inside. Love is natural.

“LEARN TO DEFINE LOVE, NOT DEPRIVE IT”

BA2007-01-16: BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP

Luke 16: 10-12
BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP
Pstr Edwin Tan

Passage Luke 16:10-12:
10He that is
faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust
in the least is unjust also in much.
11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

I. ELEVATION

Faith should be dynamic… continue moving.

1.) FAITHFULNESS – Luke 16: 10-12; Jer. 12:5, Matt. 6:26
a.) Things that are LITTLE
There are no little things in God’s eyes, it’s faithfulness that counts.
b.) Things that are LITERAL (v.11) example is money.
c.) Things that are LOANED.
How can you be more careful on the things that you own if you can’t take care of the things that do not belong to you?

2.) FORTITUDE – Luke 19:13, 20, 21, 24 (courage)
a.) RESOURCES – widow and Macedonian churches (they give what they have, regardless of how much it is)
Dreaming beyond the ordinary is also pleasing in God’s eyes, even though we may not achieve it. (giving of material things)
b.) RELATIONSHIP – Abraham & God the Father ( giving of their Sons)
c.) RENUNCIATION of Self – John 15:13, Romans 5:8

3.) FORESIGHT – Luke 16: 1-9
a.) COMMENDATION
b.) COMPARISON
c.) CHALLENGE (v.9)

II. EFFECTS

1.) LASTING EFFECT (v. 19b – 20b)
2.) LOVING EFFECT (v.21, Colossians 3:2)
3.) LIBERATING EFFECT (v. 22 -24)

Pilgrims – trancient. They only carry minimum things with them until they arrive at the final destination.

Out main purpose here os to battle and rattle Satan so we could free other people.

BA2007-01-15: BIG PRAYERS TO AN ALMIGHTY GOD

Jeremiah 33:3/ Psalms 82:10
Big Prayers to an Almighty God
Bro. Fabby Obillo


ALMIGHTY – absolute power, no restriction

1.) PETITION – personal prayer
2.) INTERCESSION – prayer for others
3.) COMMUNION - devotion

“God is willing to help us in a condition that he is acknowledged as the only God.”

What hinders us from making Him as our only God?
IDOLS – anything that separates us between God
1.) Strange gods (10 plagues to 10 gods of Egypt)
2.) Busy Schedules
3.) Self Reliance
4.) Rest and Favourites

Why ask for big things?
1.) God is inviting us
2.) God is commanding us (Jeremiah 33:3)
3.) God is willing to answer us. James 4:2

BA2007-01-14: JESUS KING OF OUR LIFE

John 20: 28 – 29/ Acts 17: 1-7
JESUS KING OF OUR LIFE
Pstr Fred Frendol


WHY MAKE JESUS KING OF OUR LIFE?

1.) JESUS RESURRECTED. He defeated death.
Romans 14: 8-9 – Live or die, we are the Lord’s

2.) No one call Jesus as Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. There should be no idols (other gods)
Other gods:
- Economic Force - Global Forces - International Forces
- Religion Forces - Personal Forces

3.) JESUS is LORD of the FUTURE,

Matthew 28:18 says that WE HAVE THE RIGHT.

HOW CAN JESUS BE KING?

1.) KNOW HIM. Romans 10:9
Daniel 11:32 – know God and you shall be strong
I Thessalonians 4: 3-9 – moderate and control oneself

2.) IMITATE HIM - Hebrews 12:2

3.) NOTIFY THE WORLD

4.) GLORIFY GOD. Philippians 3:14

BA2007-01-13: COPING WITH CHANGE

Malachi 3:6
COPING WITH CHANGE
Pstr Henry Cabalang


6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

TROPOPHOBIA – fear of change

- Everything is moving faster. Progress never slowed down anything except of the death process.
- Life gets complicated – we are swimming in the world of many choices. Every value counts
- Change cause stress.
Things of stability are needed when life gets rocky.

ISLANDS OF STABILITY
1.) GOD’s LOVE. Jeremiah 13: 31 -33
I never need to doubt God’s love. Romans 8:38-39.

2.) GOD’s WORD is always right. (Psalms 19)
The Word of God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
First temptation was to question God’s Word.
Memorize the Word of God

3.) GOD’s PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE
Isaiah 14:24
I Samuel 15:29
Habakuk 3:6
God doesn’t have a plan B for my life.
John 10:10/ Romans 10:9

BA2007-01-12: LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

Romans 14: 7-12
LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
Pstr Fred Frendol

7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God.

12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 10: 9 – Saviour and Lord

BASIS OF LORDSHIP
1.) DECLARED – Acts 10:36
2.) AUTHORITY – Daniel 2:21
3.) FAITH – Romans 10:9

IMPLICATION
1.) Total Submission – I peter 3:15
2.) Absolute honorship
2.) Obedience – Luke 6:46

BA2007-01-11: ETERNITY: Beyond the Present

Sunday Vesper: January 28, 2007
Ecclesiastes 3:11
ETERNITY: Beyond the Present

Passage Ecclesiastes 3:11:
11He hath
made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their
heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning
to the end.

God has planted eternity in us.
God has given mankind the ability to see beyond the present.
- dreams
- pursuit
- ambition
- goals & purpose
- sunrise & sunset
- earthrise & earthset
- death & life

JESUS WENT OVER THE PHYSICAL AND PUTS PREMIM TO THE SPIRITUAL. (Matthew 6:25-34)

PAUL’S LESSON
- BE GODLY – godliness
- BE CERTAIN – we can carry nothing
- BE CONTENT – food and reinment. Being content means striving hard but be grateful in what you have

TWO KEY ATTITUDES
- a current perspective on eternity
- a simple acceptance of essentials

“This life is a preparation for the next.” – Rick Warren
“Surely God would not have created such being as a man to exist only for a day! No,no, man was made for immortality.” – Abraham Lincoln

“We see either the dust on the window or the view beyond the window, but never the window itself.” – Simeone Weit

God has given us faith – an evidence confirmed by the Spirit. Our faith reaches us to eternity. (eternity – curiosity about the future)

What if eternity is beyond our comprehension and attention?

GOD’s OFFER
1.) Perspective – Psalms 119:4 – “I wait for your words…”
2.) Serendipity – the dip of the serene – Isaiah 29:14)
- something beautiful that breaks into motonous and mundane
- it is marked by ‘suprisability’ and ‘spontaneity’

“WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY, YOUR VALUES WILL CHANGE.”
II Corinthians 4:18

BA2007-01-10: Moving Force

Sunday: January 28, 2007
Acts 20: 17-28
MOVING FORCE

Passage Acts 20:17-28:
17And from
Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18And when
they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I
came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20And how I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have
taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21Testifying both to the Jews,
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not
knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23Save that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24But
none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that
I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of
the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25And now,
behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God,
shall see my face no more.
26Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I
am pure from the blood of all men.
27For I have not shunned to declare unto
you all the counsel of God.
28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to
all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

LIFE
1.) Life is always Temporal
2.) Life is always Tempteous
3.) Life is a Terminal – there’s an endpoint

WHAT MOVES YOUR LIFE?
1.) Are you moved by circumstances? (calendar, schedules, sales)
2.) Is it commitment? (no matter what happens, you’re still in it)
a. How to qualify a commitment?
i. You were scolded (immaturity)
ii. Were you stirred? (moved but not changed)
iii. Did you stumble into it? (multi-generational system)
b. The law is made for the obedient
3.) Is it Christ? (your pattern)

“Follow me as I follow Christ…” Paul

STORY v.18
- we love to tell our story, no matter how ugly or resentful it is
- our story is a prime mover for other people

SERVICE v.19
- Humility of Mind – must be emptied for God
- Sin of the mind is “militant ignorance” (continous resistance)
- Many Tears – so that you can be broken
- Temptations – can be in all sorts. Air Strike (satan) Ground Strike (humanistic)

SACRIFICE v.20
- What is supposed to be yours is gained by others
- What sacrifices are you reasoning today?
"You have not resisted yet unto blood” Hebrews 12:4

BA2007-01-09: Able to Look At

Prayer Meeting: January 25, 2007

Exodus 3: 6-10
ABLE TO LOOK AT
Pstr Manolito Ramos

Passage Exodus 3:6-10:
6Moreover he
said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the
God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of
my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their
taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8And I am come down
to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of
that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey;
unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the
Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9Now
therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have
also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh,
that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of
Egypt.

“We see things as we are, not as they are.” Ananis Nin

(Proverbs 23:7) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:


The ableness of God to look at us is within His attributes.
- God’s attribute is consistent.

WHAT CAN WE FIND HERE IN HIS ABLENESS TO LOOK AT US?
1.) We have a SEEING GOD
“I have surely seen the affliction…”
IGNORANCE – loss of knowledge – “I don’t know”
APATHY – loss of care - “I don’t care”

2.) We have a SYMPATHIZING GOD
God knows our grief. Grief is always present. Grief – something is missing
EMPATHY – feeling with…. (you feel the pain)
SYMPATHY – feeling at … (you feel and carry the pain with you)

“Man is not able, because it took us a Mediator (Jesus Christ) to look upon God.”
He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (John 14:9)
Sinners are afraid to look upo God. (jz like Moses)


WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE ABLENESS TO LOOK AT GOD
1.) Eyes of Understanding – to be enlightened.

(Ephesisans 1:18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

2.) Eyes of Faith – to increase.

(Luke 17:5) And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

3.) Eyes of being blessed.

(Matthew 13:16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

BA2007-01-08: BEATITUDES

Sunday: January 22, 2007
Matthew 5: 1 - 12
BEATITUDES

Passage Matthew 5:1-12:

1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Sermon of the Mount: God’s Territory
1.) God’s Peak (ascensions)
2.) God’s Breeze
3.) God’s view (altitude)

From the Beatitudes:
1.) Complete opposite to the earth’s teachings.
- the race is not always to the swift and the mighty
- the world dominates but the kingdom distinguishes
- earth recedes, heaven is increased
2.) Rewards are both in heaven and earth. “What binds here, binds there”
- Virtues are still rewarded though its popularity has become insignificant.
- Pain is delayed gratification for greater recognition.
3.) It gets you closer to God.
- Broken – “come unto me…”
- Blessed –
Content:
1.) Use to riches
2.) Condition of Greek gods- can get anything they want.
4.) Brightened - rejoice

BA2007-01-07: PRESERVING FAITH

Sunday: January 22, 2007

Matthew 15:21 - 28
PRESERVING FAITH
PMR

Mat 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and
Sidon.
Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman5 of Canaan came
out of thesamecoasts,and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy
on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter4 is
grievously vexed with a devil.
Mat 15:23 But he
answered her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth
after us.
Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I
am not sent but unto the lostsheep of the

Mat 15:25 Then came she and worshiped
him, saying, Lord, help me.
Mat 15:26 But1 he
answered and said,It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Mat 15:27
And1161 she said, Truth,Lord: yet the dogs eat
of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
Mat 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her,
O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even
as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from
that very hour.

FAITH: A serious topic to ponder about

1.) One soteriological (doctrine of Salvation) blessing
2.) Because not all people have faith in God
- loss faith about goodness

AS BELIEVERS, WE ARE PREDICATED BY FAITH
1.) Measured – “according to your faith…”
2.) Motivated – “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” Heb. 11:6
3.) Marked – “the just shall live by faith” Heb. 10:28

FAITH
1.) Spiritual in Nature – Heb. 11:6
2.) Substantial in Form – Heb. 11:1 – the substance of God. When we have faith, we carry God with us.
3.) Source of life – Heb. 10:38

WHY PERSEVERE IN FAITH?
1.) Active Faith – keeps on believing what is the truth
2.) Passive Faith – has a belief but nit moving
- not doing something for Christianity sake
PERSEVERANCE – to keep on something despite of difficulties

WHAT PAID OFF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE PHOENECIAN WOMAN?
1.) The presence of problems in life. The woman represents to us the sudden appearance of prophetic people.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT PROBLEMS:
1.) Every human being has a problem.
2.) Every problem has a stand (it will stop someday).
3.) Each problem holds spiritual or positive realities (problems can become a source of blessing).
4.) You can choose what your problem can do for you.

“You will be remembered for two things in your life. The problems you solved and the problems you caused.”

PEOPLE SADDENED WITH PROBLEMS NEEDS:
1.) Mercy - v.22 – You have nothing but God gives you
2.) Motivation (course) v.23 – “send her away…”3.) Ministering – v.24,25 – “lost sheep ---Lord help me”

BA2007-01-06: ABLE TO LISTEN

Thursday: January 18, 2007

Isaiah 59:1
Able to Listen
PMR

Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened,
that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Communication – (latin) meaning to share or partake

In communication, God has not only imparted, but He’s also a partaker of our desires and prayers.

God listens (“Talk to me…”)

To be a good communicator, one must be a good listener. (Focus, content, emotion)

God applies active listening skills.
God manifests thru Revelation (I Corinthians 2:9-14) – God has certain good plans to those who love Him.

Nature of Revelation
1.) Verbal – thru dreams and visions
2.) Anthropomorphy – representing God having human bodily parts
3.) Intervention in History
4.) Religious observance
5.) Nature (Psalms 19:1)
6.) Conscience – intuitive in knowledge
7.) Miracles
8.) In Christ (Hebrews 1:2)
9.) Thru the church (I Peter 2:9) God’s Testimony

God Listens to us - - -
1.) Periodically – Psalms 55:17
a.) God knows we live through times and we can arrange our time.
b.) We’re not always conscious on Him
c.) God has set us seasons to remind us of the temper times.

2.) Systematically – Matthew 7:7
a.) God in His sovereignty has already seen our needs and our prayers can’t alter His plan.
b.) But God id the God of order. He sets paradigmatic law to comply orderliness.(Ecclesiastes 5:1)
c.) In God’s system, we simply obey.

3.) Wonderfully – Jeremiah 33:3
a.) He is accessible. It is us that get short circuit (sin). V.2
Iniquity – violation of God’s will
b.) God’s answer is limitless. As He listens to us (great and mighty things which thou knowest not).
c.) God’s invitation to have wonderful time with Him.

4.) Intimately – I John 5:14
a.) Remember the sparrows (maya)
b.) Reflect the creation
c.) Regard the petition

BA2007-01-05: NEW TERITORIES: Finding God to New Beginnings

Sunday: January 14, 2007

Joshua 1: 1-8
NEW TERITORIES: Finding God to New Beginnings
PMR

Jos 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the
servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua the son of
Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Jos 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now
therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land
which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Jos 1:3 Every
place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you,
as I said unto Moses.
Jos 1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon
even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites,
and unto the great sea toward the going downof the sun, shall be your coast.
Jos 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the
days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee.
Jos 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for
unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I
swore unto their fathers to give them.
Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and
very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which
Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the
left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Jos 1:8 This
book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate
therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is
written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou
shalt have good success.

Context: Joshua getting into a new beginning as the new leader when Moses died.

One great truth: All faded away except the Word of God. (1 Peter 1: 24 -25)

We must find God in new beginnings.

GOD IS THERE:
- IN CREATION: He was there. He spoke there. Prime Personality
- IN DISPENSATION: (period in time when God has a specific task) He acted on every period and events in the life of man. (Innocence, conscience, human government, law, kingdom)
- IN MAN’S ALIENATION: Man became a sinner. God took man to a new task and roles. Man as the provider and woman the keeper of the home.
- IN ETERNAL SALVATION: God is the instigator of new life in Jesus which promises eternal life.
- IN DAILY VISITATION OF GOD: God’s faithfulness is new every morning.

“God is there and God is not silent.” Francis Shaeffer

REALITIES:

1.) Surprises will Come
a. Downers
i. Expectation will not always happen
ii. Enjoyment can be hampered
iii. Energy may come to a halt
b. Uppers
i. Answer to your needs that was not prayed for
ii. Miracles of life by the Grace of God

2.) Struggles will Continue
- You simply change your place of struggle. (Ex. When going abroad)
- Job said, “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of struggles.”
a. Conflict is inevitable (bound to happen)
i. “Conflict is inevitable but to combat is an option”
b. Crisis is inescapable
i. Crisis is concentrated information
ii. The greatest is the Crisis of Truth

3.) Separation will Conquer
a. Every day there is death
b. Death signals a new territory to face: Heaven or Hell
c. For the Living:
i. Death means a new beginning. A new perspective.
ii. Death means a barometer. A measurement
iii. Death means a breakthrough. Though Christ’s death, man is healed.

4.) Stability will Calm.
- In the Bible, stability means “not changing the structure”
a. Be Strong
b. Be Straight. V.7
c. Be Still. V.8

BA2007-01-04: ABLE TO LAST: Commitment

Prayer Meeting: January 11, 2007

John 6: 60-71
ABLE TO LAST: COMMITMENT
Pstr Manolito Ramos

Joh 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they
had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
Joh 6:61
When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them,
Doth this offend you?
Joh 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man
ascend up where he was before?
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that
quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you, they
are spirit, and they are life.
Joh 6:64 But there are some of you that
believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not,
and who should betray him.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto
you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no
more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also
go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall
we go? thou hast the wordsof eternal life.
Joh 6:69 And we believe and
are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Joh
6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is
a devil?
Joh 6:71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he
it was that should betrayhim, being one of the twelve.

Two Attitudes that PMR Noticed w/in the week:
1.) Impatient
2.) Imbibing

Christian Race
1.) Patient
2.) Personifying

“Christianity is a marathon and not a race.” So run with Endurance.

Grey headed people as they grow old.
1.) Tested by Times – Psalms 37:5 (David)
Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

2.) Tried to Strength – Joshua 14:11 (Caleb)
Jos 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

3.) Deepened by Experience – Genesis 30:27 (Laban)
Gen 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.


CONTEXT: The Disciples are Tested by Jesus’ Teachings.
1.) Meat for the Belly – v.52 – (the disciples thought)
2.) Meat for Eternity- v,48, 51 (what Jesus meant)

WHY PEOPLE CAN’T MAKE A COMMITMENT AND LAST LONG?
1.) Lack of understanding to true plans of God. V.60
a. Jesus wants people to absorb Him. V-56
b. The Disciples
i. A Hard Saying. V.60
ii. Complaints. V.61 – we question the power of God
2.) A life that’s fleshly in motivation. V.63
a. Church is used for Spiritual Reformation
i. It takes time and money (against Work)
ii. Interferes with leisure and rest
iii. Competes with personal ambition
3.) A lost of belief. V.64
a. Check: Why is one cold in Christ?
i. Are you saved and elected? V.65
ii. Are you still walking with God? V.66
4.) A look to other alternatives. V.67-68
a. They think God is not enough
b. God is absolute and there should not be an alterntive
(Thou shalt have no other God)

INTEREST – we pursue as long as it is convenient
COMMITMENT – we pursue even it isn’t convenient

BA2007-01-03: CHAIN REACTION

Sunday Vesper: January 7, 2007

II Timothy 3: 10-17
CHAIN REACTION
PMR

2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2Ti 3:11 Persecutions,
afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2Ti
3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and
worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in
the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom
thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known
the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be
perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

1.) CREATION – no man is an island
2.) RELATION – people not things that make life worthwhile
3.) CONDEMNATION – sowing and reaping principle (Romans 5:12)
4.) SALVATION – one man’s death is a result of life

PAUL’S CHAIN
1.) Consequences of a Godly Life (v. 10-12)
- Noble Effect
- Disabling Effect
- Nature: Individual, Universal, Remedial
2.) Contamination of Evil
- Presence of pain & suffering
- We live in a Spiritual world
- Evil: Prolongs, Pressures, Practice more
3.) Continuity of Learning
- Be Steadfast (v.14)
- Be Striving (v. 15)
- Be Scriptural (v. 14-17)

BA2007-01-02: DOING IT RIGHT

Sunday: January 7, 2007

Genesis 18:23-33
DOING IT RIGHT
PMR

(Gen 18:23) And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the
righteous withthe wicked?

(Gen 18:24) Peradventure there be
fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place
for the fifty righteous that are therein?

(Gen 18:25) That be
far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked:
and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not
the Judge of all the earth do right?

(Gen 18:26) And the LORD
said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will
spare all the place for their sakes.

(Gen 18:27) And Abraham
answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord,
which am but dust and ashes:

(Gen 18:28) Peradventure there
shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack
of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy
it.

(Gen 18:29) And he spoke unto him yet again, and said,
peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for
forty's sake.

(Gen 18:30) And he said unto him, Oh let not
the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found
there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

(Gen
18:31) And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the
Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not
destroy it for twenty's sake.

(Gen 18:32) And he said, Oh let
not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten
shall be found there, And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's
sake.

(Gen 18:33) And the LORD went his way, as soon as he
had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

In decision making, are you doing it right?
Romans 11:29: Walang pagsisi sa calling.

Abraham’s characteristics: Calm, calculated and composed in thoughts and manner
- we should calculate our decisions

Reasons why he left Ur to follow God’s calling:
1.) Needed to be removed from old friends and situations that might hinder his full obedience.
2.) A definite step of faith that contributed a Spiritual development.
3.) Shift the center of God’s working from Mesopotamia to Canaan.
- Usually, in following God, events shifts from convenience to conflict.
4.) His calling changed the whole complexion of God’s dealing with mankind.
- Abraham became the father of a nation, from where the blood line of Jesus came.

BA2007-01-01: ABLE TO LEAD

Prayer Meeting: January 4, 2007

Genesis 1:26 - 29
ABLE TO LEAD
PMR

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let
them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and
over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the
earth.
Gen 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing
seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is
the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

- God’s Consistent Pattern to Lead
- God shared Creation to man to lead it – “have dominion” v.26

i. Even
ii. Entreat
iii. Enjoy

- The KEY: Know who you are

i. God’s Image
ii. To Conform to Christ’s Image (Romans 8:29)
For whom
he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his
Son, that he might the firstborn among many brethren.

- The RESULT: Blessings (v.28) after knowing the Lord blessed them

i. INDIVIDUAL Blessings
ii. INSTANT Blessings
iii. Innumerable Blessings
(the hardest arithmetic)

- KEEP IN MIND

i. Be Faithful: Gain Something
ii. Be Multiplying: Growth
iii. Be Overseeing: Guide your work. Manage it well

Legends