December 14th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
I got this really nice article while browsing the web. It talks about suffering and its relationship with God’s work. Are you suffering from something right now? Are you asking God why are you in that burden? This article perhaps can answer this question.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Author: Jack Wellman
Why does God allow suffering that He is fully capable to stopping? This question has not only challenged Christians, but anyone. To witness histories or current atrocities and worldwide suffering on such catastrophic levels, can be a major stumbling block even for believers in Christ, not to mention atheists or agnostics. If God is “supposed to be an all-powerful and all-loving God, then why doesn’t He stop it? Is He powerless, is He tired, is He even there…or maybe He’s asleep.”
Being a Christian is no insurance against cancer, disease, disability, and an unexpected death. In fact, Jesus clearly stated that we will suffer. I have searched many theologians, pastors, and books, and have finally discovered this: God’s ways are past our finding out and beyond human comprehension. No human can ever wrap their mind around What and Who God is. that is precisely what makes Him God. There is infinity in Him. We are simply finite. The answers to our questions may not be answered until Christ returns for us, or in the way we expect, or what seems best to us.
Read the rest »
December 14th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“. . .And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:24c
Joy in the Holy Ghost begins at Redemption and should be a part of our daily lives.
“And they began to be merry.”
Six small words. But, what great implications they have in the Pilgrimage of Faith.
How difficult do you think it was for the prodigal son to engage in this merriment after his return home? Try putting yourself in his place and allow your spiritual speculation to engage for a few minutes:
You’ve played the fool. The young, defiant, discourteous, rebellious fool. You demanded your portion of the inheritance (v.12), even though the father by law didn’t have to give it until after his death.
But, in love he gave it.
And, with tearful eyes he watched you head off to “a far country” (v.13) with a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face and a spring in your step. But, not even the tears streaming down his face deterred you from your “appointment with destiny.”
Such is always the case when hearts are set on sinning.
But, soon things began to fall apart (vv.13-14). The once-bulging wallet was empty and there were no more hearty pats on the back or singing of “For he’s a jolly-good fellow.”
Read the rest »
December 13th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight and am no more worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe and put it on him. And, put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet—and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it. And, let us eat and be merry—for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:21-24
The road Home may be long and wearisome, but the Reception that awaits us defies description and is beyond our wildest dreams (I Cor. 2:9).
Who is this “prodigal son”. . .so defiant, discourteous and demanding of the father. . .who “gathers all together, journeys into a far country and there wastes his substance with riotous living” (vv.11-13)?
We know, don’t we?
Yes, it’s every one of us. By nature we’re stupid, straying sheep, so prone to wander as the old Gospel song says “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”
And, those “roving eyes and dancing feet” always lead us into “a far country”. . .where we can live it up and cry “Belly up to the bar, boys—the drinks are on me!” Wine, women and song.
But then the money’s gone (v.14a). And, so are the “friends.”
And, just as quickly “there arises a mighty famine in the land” (v.14b). It’s the ‘ole “Morton’s Salt Syndrome” (i.e., “When it rains, it pours”). One setback after another. Heartache and headache.
Read the rest »
December 12th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Today’s sermon is all about the biblical true love. Here we will discover how deep true love is. In contrast to how the world defined it, love is beyond description. All we can do is to draw a small picture on what it is.
The Real True Love
Text: 1 Corinthians 13
Introduction
Last time we talked about becoming a part of the body of Christ. We talked about how important it is for each part to function well. If a part of the body does not function well, he becomes the cause of the pain of the whole body. And this is exactly the same in the body of Christ. When members of the body of Christ refuses to function well, then the body of Christ experiences pain and difficulties to move on.
The passage in chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians ended up in saying, “And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison.” And then it was immediately followed by the lesson about love. Today, we will have a closer look of what really love is.
Some people defined love as:
* Love is blind.
* Love is not blind, it sees, but it doesn’t mind.
* Love is like a rosary, full of mystery.
* Love is like a bubble gum, kung mupilit makabuang.
People have defined loved in many ways. Today, we will be looking at the real meaning of love and what it really does for us.
Read the rest »
December 12th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“For Godly sorrow works repentance. . .”
II Corinthians 7:10a
It is both a decisive act and a lifelong process.
Repentance.
Taken from the Greek word “metanoia,” this word basically means “an about-face, a reversal in direction, a u-turn, etc.” Another way to look at it is “a turning from and a turning to.” Thus, we’d do well to spend much time meditating upon the reasons for and results of true repentance lest we confuse “fleshly remorse” with “Godly sorrow that produces repentance.”
What is this “Godly sorrow”?
The Apostle Paul shed more light on this in Rom. 2:4 where he asked, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering—not knowing that the goodness (Grk. ‘chrestotes’—‘usefulness, moral excellence in character or demeanor, gentleness, kindness, graciousness, etc.’) of God leads you to repentance?” Simply put, it’s the Heavenly Father’s Character and Conduct—i.e., Who He is and what He has done for us.
Thus, realizing how loving the Lord is to us. . .and how our sinning grieves His Holy Heart. . . should produce in us a deep conviction of sin that results in a turning from it. We must forever remember: Confession is not repentance; it is an acknowledging of our sinfulness or an “agreeing with God,” but it is still not a “turning away from sin.”
True repentance is a “coming to ourselves” (Lk. 15:17a) even as the prodigal son did that day in the pigsty and realizing how far we are from the Father/Home. And, then it is “arising and going to the Father in brokenhearted, penitent confession that seeks reconciliation and restoration” (Lk. 15:17b-24).
Read the rest »
December 10th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“. . .no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.”
John 14:6d
The invitation is unconditional, but the entrance is conditional.
His words in today’s Manna were pretty audacious to say the least, even by the standards of His day. In fact, they were downright offensive both then and now; yet, such is always the way when we’re confronted with the two-edged Sword of Truth (Heb. 4:12).
Assuredly, down through the centuries there have been others who’ve said “I’ve found it” or “We’ve got the corner market on God. Come over to our side and live in the truth; don’t settle for some counterfeit substitute from those who don’t know what they’re talking about.”
And, the beat goes on and on and on.
It seems that another religion, sect, cult, ideology, etc., is born every day. Everyone’s an expert. And, everyone’s found “The Answer.”
Read the rest »
December 9th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“Jesus said unto him ‘. . .I Am The Life’. . .”
John 14:6c
No wonder Paul said, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a); he knew the difference between Life and death.
How do you know if something’s alive?
“Well, you just know,” someone replies. “It’s just obvious. It’s breathing. It’s got a heartbeat—unless, of course, it’s a plant or a tree or something like that. And, even then you can tell if it’s alive because it’s healthy, got a good color, not wilting or drooping, etc. You can just tell when something’s alive by looking at it.”
Is that so?
Maybe in the biological, physical world. But, what about in the spiritual realm?
That’s not so easy, is it?
No, not at all—for many a person who darkens the door of a church building is a walking dead man, woman, boy or girl (Eph. 2:1-3). . .filled with “dead men’s bones” (Mt. 23:27). Outwardly, they are beautiful. Physically fit. Healthy. Well-to-do. Every hair in place.
But, inwardly, they are dead. Spiritually dead. Eternally dead. Living in emptiness and despair. No purpose. No passion. Just existing. And, dreading the “inevitable.”
Read the rest »
December 9th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Today’s sermon is all about the Body of Christ and how each part is related with each other.
Title: Principles of The Body of Christ
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Introduction
This morning we talked about the principles concerning spiritual gifts. We talked about spiritual gifts as God given, that there are different kinds of gifts with different kinds of manifestation.
Tonight, we will be talking about the Body of Christ as the basic composition of God’s community, God’s church.
Principles Of The Body of Christ
Principle 1: The Body Is One (v.12-13)
The passage has been very clear that the body is a unit (v.12) composed of different parts. Let us talk first about the Body. The Body of Christ that we are talking about here is the basic unit of the church. This pertains to the local church in contrast to what other people is trying to prove about the “Universal Church”. Yes, we also belong to the Universal church, but the passage is not referring to the universal church but to the local church.
As a local church, each one of us were baptized in one Spirit into one body. Yes, we are one body. This means that we are identified as one, having the same goal, having the same outlook.
As we act as a body, all our actions are being defined as one. Let us take for example an individual. When his hand steal, it is not only the hand that goes to jail, but the whole body. Likewise, if the hand does well, it is not only the hand who is being commended but the whole body.
As one body we have the same goal. We move forward toward a common goal. Just like an individual who decided to go to a certain place, his whole body walks through the same direction, it makes a step each one at a time until he reach his destination.
As one body we also have the same outlook. As an individual plans ahead of time what does he wants to achieve, so are we as one body in Christ Jesus, we plan as a whole to achieve what we want to achieve in the future. There is no part of the body that go against the flow of the plan. But each one function for a common interest, to achieve the same outlook and goal.
Read the rest »
Tags: 
If you enjoy the free information on this site, you're sure to appreciate our FREE Christian Resources Updates 
