What God Wants
February 27th, 2010 by Ptr. Vince
“For I desired mercy and not sacrifice—and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6
Tags: How To Resolve Marital Problems
November 10th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Currently, me and my wife is attending a bi-monthly seminar on “Fireproofing Your Marriage”. So far, we are really enjoying discussing things about marital relationship within the couple’s group of our Church. Each partner in the group is also trying to work on our daily task, “The Love Dare”.
Today’s reading is a very useful tool in resolving marital conflicts. I believe each couple should try to take note of this post since this has been a great treasure in most successful marriages. And I do agree to what the author says about marital conflicts and problems. I quote this post from “The Love Dare” book by Kendrick.
The post is all about the boundaries in dealing with conflicts. Before I forget, I suggest that you print this post or at least bookmark this page so that you will be able to go back here if in case you will be needing this post in the future.
Why Alcohol Drinking Is Not For Christians
October 20th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Alcohol Drinking Is Not Good For Our Lives
This is one of the most common heated debates inside Christian communities. This is because there are many Christians who still drink alcoholic beverages even after several years of being a Christian.
The main issues raised were the following:
* Is alcohol drinking forbidden in the Bible?
* Is alcohol drinking an immoral practice?
* Is alcohol drinking encouraged in the Bible?
* Moderate drinking is a healthy practice as long as you do not get drunk.
Many of those Christians who used to drink uses the following issues above to defend that alcohol drinking is completely allowable and it is only “us” who forbid it to do. Plus quoting the incident in the wedding of Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.
But why is it that many Evangelical Churches forbid or at least impose a “no alcohol drinking” policy among its members?
Now, let’s go to the main discussion of the issues raised.
Is Alcohol Drinking Forbidden In The Bible?
The answer of course is no. The fact is, most people in the Bible drink at least a wine coming from grapes. One thing is clear about the limitations in drinking, and it is found in Ephesians 5:18. “Do not get drunk.” This is why most Christians that still drink alcoholic beverages hold this very strongly. As long as they don’t get drunk.
Christian Disciples According To Bible
October 18th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
There is no exact definition in the Bible that will describe exactly what a disciple is. One thing is very clear when Jesus called his disciples “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)” A disciple needs to follow the one who called them. And since it was Jesus Christ who called us, then we are to follow Jesus Christ.
But the game doesn’t end there. Because Christ called us to be “fishers of men” and not continually become a fish.
Luke 6:40 “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.”
In this description, we can see that a disciple is someone being taught, and not the one teaching. His knowledge is more limited than that of his teacher. However, when fully trained, he will be like his teacher. This means that if his teacher can teach, he can definitely teach when fully trained.
Luke 14:25-27 “25 Now large crowds were accompanying Jesus, and turning to them he said, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Here we can see that Jesus is giving an instruction concerning our priorities. Of course this doesn’t necessary mean to literally hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, it simply means that we need to love him ABOVE all.
Furthermore, new believers that comes from extremely closed culture, closed family, and closed religious backgrounds usually suffers a lot when it comes to Christianity, being his new found faith. People around the new believer will criticize him, mock him, and even cast him out from their relationship. But this is what Jesus Christ have said. Thus, a disciple “HAS” to make a decision whom to obey, his family or Jesus.
The Power of the Perfect Heart
October 8th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you did rely on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand—for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. . .”
II Chronicles 16:8-9a
When He has full reign, He will work in/through us in ways we’ve never seen before.
George Muller was once traveling to Quebec, Canada from England for a speaking engagement. But, one morning, off the coast of Newfoundland, they found themselves in a very thick fog and moving forward was virtually impossible.
Muller went to the captain on that Wednesday morning and said, “Sir, I have a speaking engagement on Saturday morning and must be there. I’ve not missed a single one in 57 years.”
The captain, weary from trying to keep the steam-powered ship from running aground or hitting something in the dense fog, replied with exasperation in his voice, “Sir, I’m helpless in this! Can’t you see how thick the fog is?!?”
Muller replied, “Sir, my eye is not on the thickness of the fog, but upon the One Who can lift it.” He then asked the captain if they could go to his chartroom and pray. The captain, a nominal Christian at best, reluctantly obliged and the two went there and knelt in prayer. Muller prayed, “O Lord, you know I delight to do Your will and believe You’ve led me to speak in Quebec on Saturday. So, thank You that You’ll lift the fog in five minutes.”
Making Disciples
September 28th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 5 – Making Disciples
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable to obey the previous lesson.
The items for accountability are:
Continue to monitor your spiritual life in reference to the Disciple’s Cross.
* The Lordship of Christ in your life – Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* The Word – Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Prayer – Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Show your journal or share 1 insight from and your obedience to what God showed you.)
* Fellowship with other Christians – Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
* Witness to non-believers – Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell their name.
* Show your “oikos” list of names.
* Who is your prayer partner?
* How many times did you pray for your first group of 5?
Review previous story/lesson
From Jesus’ instructions in Lk. Chapter 9 & 10, who were the disciples to look for? (a Person of Peace)
What does a Person of Peace do to help the spread of the Gospel? (They can “open doors” and introduce the messenger to their “oikos.”)
What are some things only God can do? (from Rom. 3:10-12 and John 8:44-45 and 16:8
Only God can draw people to Himself.
Only God can cause people to seek after Him.
Only God can convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment.)
Spiritual Emphasis: God’s great plan is that everyone will witness, and make disciples, thus reproducing the pattern so the whole world is reached.
Jesus Sent Out Twelve and Seventy Two
September 28th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 4 – Jesus Sent Out Twelve and Seventy Two
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable to obey the previous lesson.
The items for accountability are:
Continue to monitor your spiritual life in reference to the Disciple’s Cross.
* The Lordship of Christ in your life – Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* The Word – Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Prayer – Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Show your journal or share 1 insight from and your obedience to what God showed you.)
* Fellowship with other Christians – Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
* Witness to non-believers – Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell their name.
* Show your “oikos” list of names.
* Who is your prayer partner?
* How many times did you pray for your first group of 5?
A Call to Reproduce: Whom will you tell about Jesus?
September 28th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 3 “A Call to Reproduce” Whom will you tell about Jesus?
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable for obedience.
The items for accountability are:
* Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Have them show journal or share 1 insight from their reading and their obedience to what God showed them.)
* Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell me their name.
* Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
Review previous story/lesson
Spiritual Emphasis Disciples should be reaching out to others. Oikos lines are the most natural.
Survey on how people we brought to church
* 5% – Through a Pastor
* 2% – Through Church programs
* 4% – Through Sunday School
* 1 %- Through Evangelism (crusade)
* 84%- Through relatives and friends
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