Tag Archives: Church of God

The Servants Who Shall Have Confidence in the Day of Judgment

29 Monday Apr 2013

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(From the Sermon entitled “Ang Mga Kapatid na Nagtataglay ng Pagkakatiwala sa Araw ng Paghuhukom”, dated April 25 and 28, 2013)

 

There is Judgment Day.

God appointed the Day of Judgment, to judge the deeds of everyone. (Acts 17:31) “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

It is a day that the Lord God has made to give justice for everyone. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” On that day, God will execute judgment upon all, and to convince all, that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 15)

And Jesus Christ will be the supreme Judge on that day. He will execute judgment to all people, the prize of salvation for all who overcome, and the eternal punishment for all sinners. (2 Timothy 4:8) “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Shall we fear the Day of Judgment?

Apostle John says if we our love will be made perfect, then we shall have boldness and confidence in the Day of Judgment. Boldness means without fear, and confidence is self-assurance. Therefore, if we really are serving God with faithfulness in our hearts, then we shall never fear even the Judgment day comes. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:” (1 John 4:17)

The Bible said that servants would not be included in the Day of Judgment because judgment has already begun in the house of God, which is the church of God. (1 Peter 4:17) “For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” The trials and tests that we experience are all indicators of God’s judgment.

Judgment will come first to us so that we would be judges of the world on that day. (1 Corinthians 6:2) Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits?

Earlier, Christ says, “Truly I say to you that in the time when all things are made new, and the Son of man is seated in his glory, you who have come after me will be seated on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28) This is a clear sign of the things to come, when all the servants will become judges at the Day of Judgment.

Paul advises not to cast away the confidence that we shall have on the Day of Judgment because it shall give us great rewards. (Hebrew 10:35)

Who are those who will be surely included in the Day of Judgment?

It is important that we know who will surely be included on that day, because it will be a sign and a warning to all of us before it happens. The following are those who will surely be judged according to the Bible:

1.      First, those who deliberately sin against God after being given the knowledge of the truth. (Hebrews 10:26-27) For if we do evil on purpose after we have had the knowledge of what is true, there is no more offering for sins, But only a great fear of being judged, and of the fire of wrath which will be the destruction of the haters of God.

2.      Second, those who mistreated Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:28-29) How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

3.      Third, those who turned away from all His teachings and advices as mentioned in Proverbs 1:23-30. “Repent at my rebuke!  Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,  I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.  “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke.

What shall we do now that we know that there is an appointed time of Judgment?

We have learned before that we were not given the right to judge others.

Being a Judge is a sole attribute of God, and we cannot take that attribute because it is His glory and honor. (1 Corinthians 4:5) “For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.”

Paul’s advise coincides with what Jesus taught about judging others. (Matthew 7:1-5) “Be not judges of others, and you will not be judged. For as you have been judging, so you will be judged, and with your measure will it be measured to you. And why do you take note of the grain of dust in your brother’s eye, but take no note of the bit of wood which is in your eye? Or how will you say to your brother, Let me take out the grain of dust from your eye, when you yourself have a bit of wood in your eye? You false one, first take out the bit of wood from your eye, then will you see clearly to take out the grain of dust from your brother’s eye.”

Judging others means great disrespect towards another believer. If we believe that we commit sins from time to time, then we have to put in mind that means we need to understand the sins of others, and not judge them. And if we say that we don’t sin, then we are making God a liar, for all people are sinners. (Romans 14:10) “But you, why do you make yourself your brother’s judge? or again, why have you no respect for your brother? because we will all have to take our place before God as our judge.”

Remember that judging others means judging our own selves. So, we need to be careful. (Romans 2:1) “So you have no reason, whoever you are, for judging: for in judging another you are judging yourself, for you do the same things.”

Instead of judging others, what sort of things we should do?

By judging others, we are not aware that it causes some negative effects to some believers making them stumble or feel weak spiritually. If we always see the mistakes of others, and we don’t see our own faults, then that means love is not in us. (Romans 14:13) “Then let us not be judges of one another any longer: but keep this in mind, that no man is to make it hard for his brother, or give him cause for doubting.”

And if we were the reason behind a believer’s doubt, then it would be better if a big stone will be put in our neck and we will be dropped to the sea. (Mark 9:42) This means we deserve to be judged and punished.

Believers are important to God, and we have no right to hurt them, judge them or mistreat them. We are committing a huge sin if we do. (1 Corinthians 8:11-12) “And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death. And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ.”

 

 

 

God’s Advise on those who have entered the Gate of Heaven

04 Saturday Aug 2012

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Heaven has a gate. But it is not the typical gate that we see in the movies; we can read in books, which are all product of man’s imagination. The gate of heaven mentioned in the Bible is the “house of God,” which we can read in Genesis 28: 17, that says, “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

In this verse, we can read the vision seen by Jacob in his dream. In his dream, he saw a ladder from the ground reaching up the heaven. And from there, he saw the angels moving up and down. He heard the voice of God telling him about how his seeds will multiply as God promised to Abraham and Isaac. God also promise that He will never left him wherever he goes.

In other scriptures, the house of God was built by Solomon and was later called the temple of Jerusalem. This temple was destroyed and was built again according to history.

When Christ came, He stated that His body is the temple of God. Later on, it was explained that He was referring to a spiritual body, which is the church or the congregation He founded. He is the head of the church and the members are all parts of the spiritual body. (Hebrews 3: 4, 6 ) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Anyone who enters into Christ will be given rest, which means anyone who became part of the church He founded will be given peace and will be comforted. (John 10: 7, 9) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Entering the church will not be that easy because according to Christ, the way is narrow to enter. But although it is narrow, it will surely lead us to life, which is the everlasting life. The commandment is clear, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7: 13-14)

What does the Bible say about those who found and entered the narrow way?

Jesus says, we must “strive,” which means we need to do our best and do everything we can, if we want to enter the narrow way. This is because not all have been given the chance to enter it. Many people would love to serve God but don’t care about entering His church (strait gate (Luke 13: 24) Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Like what we learned, entering the narrow way and strait gate will not be a walk in the park. There will be hindrances and sufferings are always present when serving God. But through sufferings, we will learn to be patient and from there we can attain holiness.

Aside from the sufferings, sins can also hinder us from serving the Lord. God’s enemy won’t stop until he fulfills his mission, which is to turn us away from the true God. He will do everything he can to stop us from doing the will of God. So, we need to overcome these sins. (Hebrews 12: 1) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Not all who serve God have the same level of spritual maturity. There are some who showed lack of faith in God. In many things they demonstrated weakness. Like a typical body, we can also feel weak when sickness comes. (1 Corinthians 11:30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

And because of this, many servants failed to remain faithful in the church. Some turned away and fell from temptations and worldly lusts. Some fell from wrong teachings and material promises. Others became enemies of the truth. (1 Timothy. 4:1; 2 Timothy. 3:7-9)

This goes to show that the number of those who will be saved are not many but few. And who are these few? The Bible states clearly, only those who “strive” to enter will have the chance to receive life. This means if a person doesn’t even try hard to listen and obey God’s calling, he must not expect that he will have any chance of receiving God’s promise.

Entering the narrow way would mean absolute obedience to the will of God. It says narrow because for men, obeying God’s commandment is a very difficult thing to do. We need a lot of sacrifice to be able to do them like turning away from our own self and carrying our cross. (Luke 9: 23) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Carrying the cross means the sacrifice we must bear each day, not only once a year but to all the days of our lives.

Anyone who wishes to serve God and obey Him will set aside his own righteousness, will sacrifice everything just to be upright in the sight of God and the utmost priority is serving God. Everytthing will only become secondary such us our love ones, money, business and wealth. (Luke 9: 59-62) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

As a servant of God, we need to adopt ourselves from the doctrines of His church such as always thinking about holiness in everything we do. Each member therefore, should turn away from his old self and become a new being created in the holiness of God.  (1 Timothy 4:7-8) But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Trying to live holy won’t be as easy as it is, days of trials and tests will be there to prove what we really are in the sight of God. We will experience unordinary sufferings to establish our true faith in God. (1 Peter 1: 6-7) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Why do we need to overcome all of these things?

Some of the sufferings we experience are all part of God’s righteous judgment. And it comes first to His house, which is the church of God. So, expect all the members to feel not little amount of pains and sufferings because He wants us to be judged now and not to become part of the judgment on the appointed Day of Judgment. (1 Peter 4: 17-19) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

And what did the Bible advise us to do?

The Bible says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10: 19-23)

It is very clear that we can’t afford to waste all the things that God had given us especially the chance that each of us had when He let us enter into the holiest blood of Jesus and let us live a new and living way. We should therefore try to live according to His glory by proving our faith and trust in Him, turning away from every wicked things in this world. Remember, that no unrighteous being will enter the kingdom of Heaven (Revelation 21:27). We should always keep in mind that being holy and righteous is the only way to inherit His promised eternal life.

Apostle Paul says we need to serve God in absolute obedience of His will while keeping ourselves into discipline. (1 Corinthians 9: 25-27) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

 

 

The Things that the Servants of God can’t Change

14 Saturday Jul 2012

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Everyone who is called is in the church of God is justified. Being justified means treated as acceptable as if doing the commandments of God. Those who received and believed in His words have been blessed to be called and be justified. “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30)

Being justified doesn’t mean servants are free from performing their holy duties before God. Being called and justified is only the beginning. Members are called in the church of God to perform holy things, that is, by walking according to God’s standards and doctrines. (1 Corinthians 1: 1-2) “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”

Walking in truth and trying to be holy in the sight of God is not that easy. We need to turn away first from our old ways, which is totally opposite of what the Lord’s will is. We throw away all our earthly pleasures like vices; immoralities and all wickedness that we have before we were called. We need to change the ways of our lives by walking according to what God desires on us. Our ways of lives should conform to God’s will and commands, otherwise, we are still living according to our own desires and living according to the principles of this present world. (2 Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  (Ephesians 4: 21-24) “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

The Bible explains those who repented and baptized were called and added to the church of God. (Acts 2: 38, 41,47) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” 

God’s desire on His servants is to do good deeds by following His will and commands so that they become worthy and attain perfection. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3: 15-17)

But what are the things that the servants of God cannot change?

There are many things that we cannot control and change in this life. All we have to do is to accept them. As servants of God, we need to understand that we were called to embrace all the doctrines and teachings without questions and doubts. We need to totally obey all these rules and instructions given to us because all of them are for our own good. Anyone who disobeys will commit sin against God.

Each one has its own attitude, mind-set or way of thinking. But the Bible explains that there is also a standard “behavior” that must be followed in the church. God set all these standards so that each one can attain perfection, through complete and absolute obedience but with loving relationship with God and to everyone else in the church. (1 Timothy 3: 15) “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

These conducts were not made nor in any way conforms to the standard of this world, because they were all arranged by God so each member will live according to His will. There is not space for conducts and behaviors that were not set by God. This is the reason why we need to be taught first with the basic doctrines and teachings before we perform the baptism. And once we were baptized, we continue to hear the sermons and teachings in the gathering of the congregation. (2 Timothy 3: 14-15) “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

These doctrines were not set by man’s standards but of the standards of God which were written in His scriptures. (Galatians 1: 11-12) “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 

Some of the behaviors that we need to maintain is the virtue of “humility.” Christ showed this good quality as an example for us to follow, and all servants of God should observe this. Christ humbled Himself, made Himself of no reputation and took Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2: 5-8) We should therefore imitate Christ’s paradigm and be humble always in the front of our brothers and sisters.

The story of Diotrephes showed misconduct regarding humility.  (3 Juan 9-11) “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

What is the lesson that we need to learn?

Being called in the church of God would mean absolute submission to the perfect will of God. Our own desires and way of thinking should not be followed, thus, any behavior that we turned away from should never be brought back again. (Galatians 2:18) “For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.”

If there is someone who entice us, we should never let it happen or let it triumph over us. Only the will of God should stand in His house. Remember, not all who were called in the church of God stayed. Some of them turned back and were casted away by God. God will never let the evildoers dwell in His house. (Psalms 101: 7-8) “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.” 

We should always take good care of our relationships as brother and sisters, always united by His doctrines and teachings, and always tied up with His Holy Spirit, which gives us the strength to be more loving and peaceful members of the church. (Ephesians 4: 1-3) “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  If we show love and respect to one another, then they will say that we are indeed true servants of God. 

The Truthful Teachings in the Church of God

05 Saturday May 2012

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How do we value the teachings we here every time we attend worship? How do we give importance on them? How do we accept them in our lives?

Is it important for us to hear our favorite preachers or the words that we hear?

How did the Bible explain the teachers of the church of God?

Paul says that it is God who appointed the preachers of the Gospel of God. (1 Cor. 12: 27-29) And you are the body of Christ, and members in part. And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of power?

These people who were called by God are assigned to feed the church of God, whom Christ purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28) Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood.

They were chosen to be pastors or ministers of the fold of God to teach them of His doctrines and truth so that the people of God will walk according to His will. (Jer. 3:15) And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Not all who were called by God are assigned to be ministers or pastors. There were really some who are elected to be one. The fact that they were called and elected is an honor and glory coming from God Himself and signifies God’s great trusts in them.

For ministers, their ministry and calling is above all glory. For what reason? Because God trusted them His beloved sons and daughters, to feed them, to care for them and nourished them with His words. And a minister should value the trust given to Him by God.  (1 Cor. 4: 1-4) So let a man think of us as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And the rest, it is sought among stewards that one be found faithful. But to me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by a man’s day; but I do not judge my own self, for I know nothing by myself. Yet I have not been justified by this, but He who judges me is the Lord.

Though preachers possess the spiritual duty of caring for God’s church, it doesn’t mean that they were already perfect and sinless. They are also people who can commit sin against people and of God. Apostle Paul confessed that he too had a torn in his flesh (2 Cor. 11: 6-8). Apostle Peter denied Christ three times. Some of the Apostles fled when the soldiers caught Christ. They are not perfect when they were called to be an Apostle of God.

Later, they became martyrs of faith.

How should the members of the church of God accept the ministers and the teachings?

Paul says that receiving their words as words of God and not of men is something that they are very thankful for. This is what they expect to the members of the church of God, since they were elected to be Apostles and ministers of God to preach His words to them and to the other people.

Members of the church therefore, should accept the preachers as an instrument or channel bringing only the good news of the salvation. It is also not enough that they accept these words, they need to walk on them. (1 Thess. 2: 13-14) And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered these things by your own countrymen, even as they also by the Jews;

What is the purpose of the truthful teachings in the church?

The purpose of a preacher is to make sure that the children of God walks according to the truth and of the will of God. John says, it is their great joy to see that the brethren are walking according to that purpose. (3 John 1: 3-8) For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than these things, to hear that my children walk in the truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you work for the brothers and for strangers, who in love bore witness of you before the church, whom you will do well to send forward worthily of God; because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the nations. Therefore we ought to entertain such, so that we might be co-workers in the truth.

If everyone walks according to the truthful teachings of the ministers, eventually they will attain the perfectness of their faith. They will become strong and founded upon faith and their relationship with God will grow even more. (Col. 2: 6-7) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

The more we are deeply rooted through the words of God, the more stronger faith we have. And while we have stronger faith, we become more nearer to Him, the more we become righteous in His sight. That is why the ministers and the teachings are both important to all the members of the church. They help us grow  more in faith and relationship with God.

Until we all attain the perfectness of faith and the promised salvation. (2 Tim. 3: 17) .. that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

To a preacher, it is his duty to be prepared at all times, to be a model of all faithful in love and in faith, and most especially to be cautious of what he is preaching because the salvation of all his listeners depends on what he will preach. (1 Tim 4: 12-16) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Until I come, attend to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders. Meditate on these things; be in these things in order that your improvement may appear to all. Hold on to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them, for doing this you shall both save yourself and those who hear you.

 

The Lord Knows Who are His

23 Wednesday Nov 2011

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(2Ti 2:19) But the solid foundation that God has laid cannot be shaken; and on it are written these words: “The Lord knows those who are his” and “Those who say that they belong to the Lord must turn away from wrongdoing.”

Many people claim they are God’s children, that they are His chosen people, that they are elected to be His apostle or preacher. They say they know God and follow His commandments.

Meanwhile many people believe that it doesn’t matter where you belong as long as you certainly believe in God, then you are already a son of God. They say all of us are children of God by virtue of being sons and daughters of Adam of Eve.

Is this what the Bible teaches?

Does every one has the right to claim being a son or daughter of God?

One thing is for sure, if we are God’s sons and daughters, then we are His.

All people are created by God. He is our creator and He owns us. (Psa 100:3) Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock.

This was the situation before many people have turned their ways against God, specially the Israelites. They worshiped other gods, neglected the laws and commandments of God, and became wicked in the sight of the Lord.

It became a cycle for the Israel to return back to the Lord after they committed such wickedness. Many prophets have been sent for them to return to God’s grace and some of them returned back to God. After that, they will again return to their wicked ways. Another prophet will be sent and they will again return to God. A continues cycle for the so called people of God. Until such a time, God manifest Himself in the flesh through Jesus Christ. He came for His people (read John 10).

(1Ti 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

But did the so called people of God accepted Him?

The answer is – NOT ALL! (John 1:11) He went to his own people, and his own people didn’t accept him. (GW) But to those who accepted Him, He gave them the chance to be called His sons and daughters.

(Joh 1:12-13) However, he gave the right to become God’s children to everyone who believed in him. These people didn’t become God’s children in a physical way-from a human impulse or from a husband’s desire to have a child. They were born from God.

Those who accepted Him didn’t just say “I believe in Him,” they were born from God. (For topics on how to be born from God : The True Born Again, Baptism in the Church of God, Fellowship in the Church of God, Why do we need the church of God?, The Church of God-How it started?, The Prophecies concerning the Church of God, The Relationship between the Church, the Path or Way, Sect and Religion, What is the church? )

So basically, God knows who are His. We can’t just say we are His people.

According to Apostle Paul to further give proof on this, (Gal 4:9) But now that you know God—or, I should say, now that God knows you—how is it that you want to turn back to those weak and pitiful ruling spirits? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again? This gives us proof that indeed, there are people whom God identified as people whom He knows and not only who knows God.

And how important that we become part of those whom He knows?

The Bible answers, (Mat 7:21-23) ”Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’

Become God’s people and be heir to His promise.

(Gal 3:26-29) You are all God’s children by believing in Christ Jesus. Clearly, all of you who were baptized in Christ’s name have clothed yourselves with Christ.l  There are neither Jews nor Greeks, slaves nor free people, males nor females. You are all the same in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants and heirs, as God promised.

Clearly, it is easy to say we are His people, but we can show it through our works if we turn away from wrong doings and dedicate our lives in giving praises and glory to the One who called us.

(1Pe 2:5 )You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

(1Pe 2:9) But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven.

(1Pe 2:10) In the past you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; then there was no mercy for you, but now mercy has been given to you.

Why did David desire to dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of his Life?

08 Monday Aug 2011

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David is referring to the temple of God as the house of the Lord.

Psa 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

David desired to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, because he wanted to look on God’s beauty and to inquire in His temple. During his time, the temple of God dwells only in tents and usually they move it from one place to another. Inside the temple, the ark of the Covenant can be found. 2Sa 6:17 And they took in the ark of the Lord, and put it in its place inside the tent which David had put up for it: and David made burned offerings and peace-offerings to the Lord.

2Sa 7:5-6  Go and say to my servant David, The Lord says, Are you to be the builder of a house, a living-place for me? For from the day when I took the children of Israel up out of Egypt till this day, I have had no house, but have gone from place to place in a tent.

King David wished to construct a temple for the Lord God, but it did not come to fruition because his hands have shed blood. His son Solomon fulfilled his plan. It was believed that King Solomon built the temple of God, later called Solomon’s temple between 970-930 B.C. It became the main place of worship and sacrifices were made there as a replacement for the many portable sanctuary since the time of Moses.

According to historical records, the temple was damaged during Israel’s slavery by the empire of Babylon (586 BC). According to the book of Ezra, the temple was built again (Second Temple) by the order of Cyrus the Great (538 BC) after the fall of the empire of Babylon. The construction lasted for almost 23 years during the reign of Darius the Great (515 BC).

In 20 B.C. the temple was built again by Herod the Great after it was destroyed and profaned many times. And although the construction was under the Roman empire, it was later managed by the Jewish people. Later, the temple was destroyed in the year 70 A.D. The Jews failed to rebuild it during their revolts against the Roman empire. In the 7th century Jerusalem was captured by Muslims and on the site of the temple, they build the Islamic shrine known as the Dome of Rock.

From its history, we can trace that the temple of God was a place of worship. Sacrifices and services were held here by the servants of God like Moses, David and others. For King David, the temple is not only an ordinary building, it is the house of the Lord where they gather to praise God and pray to Him. Isa 56:7 I will make them come to my holy mountain, and will give them joy in my house of prayer; I will take pleasure in the burned offerings which they make on my altar: for my house will be named a house of prayer for all peoples.

Why David desired to dwell in the House of the Lord all the Days of his Life?

From here, we learn what kind of servant of God David is. For him, God is his refuge, hope, salvation, pastor and because of these, David offers his life to the Lord. His desire to dwell in the house of God all the days of his life signifies his intention to be with God and that means he doesn’t want to be separated from God’s grace and mercy.

David’s reasons consist of two things: (1) to behold the beauty of the Lord and (2) to inquire in His temple.  He wants to see how beautiful is serving the Lord because he knows that serving the Lord is a form of holiness and being holy is beautiful in God’s eyes. Not all beautiful things are holy in God’s eyes, but all holiness are beautiful to God. Anyone who wishes to serve God must serve Him in the beauty of His holiness. And this is what David wants to see.

Psa 96:8-9 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

In David and God’s eyes, the services done in the temple are all beautiful. David was delighted to see all these beautiful services made to God. Psa 110:3  Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. Psa 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

David also know that holiness can be found in the house of the Lord. Psa 93:5  Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. 

Secondly, David wants to inquire in the temple of the Lord. He wants to seek something. Seeking is different from mere looking. We can imagine how David wanted to look for everything  inside the house of the Lord. But did David want to look only for the things inside the house of God? What is the meaning of David’s desire to inquire?

The other meaning of the word inquire is to ask. David wants to seek and ask about God’s words and commandments. And the commandments of God can surely be found inside the house of God. Literally, the ark of the Covenant, where the Ten Commandments can be found is inside the temple of the Lord. In Ezra 7: 23, we can read, Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven:

What about in the New Testament? What does it say about the house of God? Is it the same physical structure? Apostle Paul describes the church of God as the house of God. He writes, 1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

We have learned that the church of God is the spiritual body of Christ - Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: This is where we can found redemption and forgiveness of our sins - Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Also, those who were called are also placed inside the house of the Lord, which is the church of God - 1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Jesus Christ is the head of this church and His church are made up of people, a congregation of faithfuls - Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Comparing the house of God mentioned by David in the Old Testament and the house of God discussed in the New Testament, the temple or the physical structure is the place where holiness, prayers, services and sacrifices were done. The church of God is a congregation made up of people called upon to serve God. They are both house of God, in both we can found the commandments of God, the beauty of serving God, the beauty and holiness of worshiping the one and only true God.

Each member of the church becomes a part of the house of God  - 1Co 3:16-17  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. And not only do they become part of the house of God, but as well as they become children of God - Eph 1:5-6  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. If they are children of God, then they dwell in the house of God - Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. And they are heirs to the promise –  Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

The Bible narrates how the early Christians give importance for their being part of the house of God. They endured everything in life. Even if sufferings are there, even if they are poor, these did not become hindrance for them to continue their generosity, to help others, to help the members of the church, to help in the duties of the church to preach the words of God.

2Co 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Even if there are many persecutions going on that time, they continue to serve God - Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Even if life is at stake, even in death, they give importance to their spiritual duties. Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Like David and the early servants of God, we are all invited to see the beauty of God and His holiness, let us inquire in His temple, in His house, let us worship Him, offer Him praises and thanksgiving, and sacrifices, which are all beautiful. Let us manifest the beauty and holiness of God within us.

Weekly Audio Blogs – (part 15)

24 Sunday Jul 2011

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Rom 10:17  So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

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Episode 15 – The True Born Again – English version

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Episode 15 – The True Born Again – Filipino version

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He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.(James 1:18)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1: 23 NIV)


For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, (1 Thessalonians 2: 14)


Weekly Audio Blogs (part 14)

17 Sunday Jul 2011

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Rom 10:17  So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

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Episode 14 – Baptism in the church of God – English version

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Episode 14 – Baptism in the church of God – Filipino version

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“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure–the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”(NLT) Colossians 2:11-12.

“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4 (NIV)

Weekly Audio Blogs (part 11)

26 Sunday Jun 2011

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Rom 10:17  So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

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Episode 11 – Is There a Need to Build Another Church – English Version

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Episode 11 – Is There a Need to Build Another Church – Filipino Version

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“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”  (Eph 2:19 – 20)  

Is There a Need to Build Another Church?

21 Tuesday Jun 2011

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We learned that the word church is from the Greek word ekklesia which means an assembly of people called out with faith.

The Church is the Body of Christ

The church is defined in the Bible as the spiritual body of Jesus Christ.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

The church was built by God through Jesus Christ to be an assembly of His faithfuls. Joh 10:16  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The church is made up of people whom God had chosen particularly the Apostles. 1Co 12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1Co 12:28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

The Church is Important to God

The church is important to God. God won’t build it if it is not important to Him. One of the characteristics of the church according to Jesus Himself is that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

To give further proof that indeed the church is important to God, the church was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Usually, we use money to buy anthing, but the church of God was purchased by His own blood. Therefore, God gave real importance to the church. Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Why is there a need to buy the church of God with the blood of Jesus Christ? What is the symbolical meaning of it?

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The shedding of blood of Jesus Christ symbolizes redemption from sins. We are all separated because of the sins we committed against God and His laws. Anyone who becomes a part of the church receives the forgiveness of sins from God. Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Anyone who repents and comes back to the Lord God through Baptism will become a part of the church of God and will receive the forgiveness from God.

 

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

If God’s purpose of building the church is to give chance for people to come to Him, therefore, we should also give importance to the church of God.

Is there a need to build another church?

There is only one church built by Christ, the church of God. If the church of God was built, is there a need to build another one? What is the answer of the Bible? 1Co 3:10  As a skilled and experienced builder, I used the gift that God gave me to lay the foundation for that building. However, someone else is building on it. Each person must be careful how he builds on it. 1Co 3:11  After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.

If we can’t build another church because there is an existing church built by Jesus, what do we have to do then?

As written in the Bible, we need to imitate what the early Christians did. 1Th 2:14  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

So, we follow and imitate what these members did, we follow the teachings and have the same foundation as the Apostles and the Prophets. Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Those who became members of the church of God are all followers and imitators of the teachings of the Apostles. They walked on the same teachings and doctrines founded by Christ and thus, they all became part of the house of God – the house of God is the church of God. There is only one church of God – we all have to be part of it, we all have to be members of it by imitating and following the teachings.  1Ti 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

 

 

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