2002 - 1st Quarter
Table Of Contents:
THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
The
Church: The Living Organism
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
January 6, 2002
Matthew 16:13 - 18
Christ established His church
but not on shallow foundations.
- The Church was Personally
Originated by Christ.
- On v. 18, Jesus referred
to Himself as the "Rock".
Jesus Christ is the First Cause.
He only acknowledged from Peter that it was revealed to him that Christ
is indeed the Son of God.
The Founder and the Foundation is one.
- He Picks the people and
Overrules the Church.
- It was in the Pentecost
when the Church was started.
But God has already picked His people even before the foundation of the
world.
The Church is the Body of Christ, souls which are "called out" from darkness
to light.
The Church is owned by Christ and is overruled by Him alone.
- He has Power to Overcome.
v. 18 "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
The Church is not bound for defeat
but rather will conquer.
It will hinder the works of the enemy and overpower Satan permanently.
We, being the Church, having
committed lives, will trumpet the message of Christ through the gates of hell.
Let us not live a defeated life. We, as the Church, have the promise of Christ
that we shall prevail.
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
Formation Of The Church
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
January 13, 2002
Ephesians 1:3 – 14
The Past Aspect of the Body
of Jesus Christ.
- How did God form the Body?
- v. 4 – "according
as He hath chosen us"
He exercised His sovereignty and His power to choose.
He chose for Himself and was not influenced by anything else.
The purpose of election is that we are for Him.
- Who was formed?
God has chosen "us", the universal body, called out from the darkness (of
sin) to light, irregardless of person or status.
2 Responsibility of Salvation:
- responsibility of God’s
electing power
- responsibility of human
response
IV. When was the Body formed?
v. 4c – "before the foundation of the world"
The Church was a mystery until
Jesus came to earth and introduced it to His disciples.
It was manifested only when Jesus shed blood and the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
Let
Us Run!
Reverend Ezzard Ayson
Guest Speaker
January 20, 2002
Hebrews 12:1 – 3
Christian life is a marathon.
It matters how you finish it.
- Some things that we must
see.
- See the saints who have
gone before us.
- They are the "clouds of
witnesses", our examples and inspirations.
- See that the Savior is
beside us.
He is the Author and Finisher
of our faith.
II. Some things that we have
to set aside.
- Things that burden us –
"priorities" that keep us from our service to God.
- The sin that easily beset
us – our lack of faith.
Hebrews 3:12 – "evil
heart of unbelief"
III. Some things that we must
study.
- Study the Savior’s
example -
- example of endurance
- example of enjoyment
B. Study the Scripture’s
exhortation – Heb. 12:5 – 7
IV. Some things we must strive
for.
- Strive for patience
- Strive for peace –
with all men
- Strive for purity –
or holiness
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
Living The Church Life
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
February 3, 2002
Ephesians 1:4 – 14
To Live According To The Definition
Of The Church
3 General Stages:
- Informed In Christ –
Matthew 11:28 – 30
After our salvation, we immediately
learn the Word of God Not as mere intellectual knowledge but as experiential
knowledge by the gradual pursuit of knowing Christ in our daily living.
The best way to learn Christ
is during times of storms, wherein the Power of Christ is exhibited more.
- Involved In Christ –
Matthew 4:19
To be involved in the work of Christ is to fight the battle, which is in
the hearts of men.
Let us actively participate in the work/ministry, which is for all who were
bought by Christ.
- Influencing Others –
2 Timothy 2:2
The transmission of learning.
All things that we have learned should influence others.
The "faithful" are those who
shall be able to teach others also, having teachable spirits.
In what ministry are we involved with now?
Are we influencing people to maturity or to destruction?
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
Portrayal Of The Church (part 1)
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
February 10, 2002
Ephesians 2:14 – 22
The Church Has 3 Portrayals:
- The Church as the Body
of Christ – Ephesians 1:22 – 23
- Christ as the Head –
His authority over the local church
- All are put into subjection
under His feet.
With Jesus’ Eyes – we have a clear direction and we can never
go wrong.
With Jesus’ mouth – we have a Mediator in heaven before God.
- We are His Body Parts
- We must function correctly
by His design – His design of a victorious life.
- We must function according
to His will – which can be found in His Word.
- We must function according
to His way.
II. The Church as the Building
of Christ – Ephesians 2:19 – 23
He is involved in 3 ways as
the Master Builder:
- 1st Activity –
He sees to it that our foundation is upon the apostles and prophets, to
serve as our examples. We are a Body in the form of a family.
- 2nd Activity –
Being the Chief Cornerstone, He holds everything together. Our lives having
Christ as the Cornerstone, makes us the habitation of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, we can enjoy blessings and resources, which will never run out
for eternity as God dwells in us.
- 3rd Activity –
He makes sure that all the building are fitly formed.
We are the human bricks making
up the whole church working in unity.
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
Portrayal Of The Church (part 2)
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
February 17, 2002
Ephesians 5:25 - 33
The Church Has 3 Portrayals
(continued)
- The Church as the Bride
- The Destiny of the Bride
– that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church
- The Church must be glorious
because it Has a glorious Founder.
- The Destruction of the
Bride
- The Church has its vulnerability
but must keep herself spotless, unblemished.
Spots, wrinkles as in secularism will lead to its destruction.
- The Drive of the Bride
The mission/purpose of the
Church is to be holy, blameless, and unblemished.
- The Church must be Separated
– ecclesiastical separation.
The Church may be in the world
but must be apart from the system of the world
- because of our testimony
in the community
- because of our testimony
in our own homes
2. The Church is being Sanctified
– as we draw our lives near to God.
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THEME: PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH
The Mission Of The Church
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
February 24, 2002
Ephesians 4:11 – 16
- EXALTATION – "to
worship" John 4:24 – 26
Worship comes first not as
the result of our good works or graces.
We worship God because He is the Father and not what He can give.
- Worship is the chief Priority
in our service.
- We personally discover
God in our lives.
We must make sure that Jesus is our priority in worship and everything will
be added unto us.
- Worship is our sacred Privilege.
It is our special privilege
being His children
II. EDIFICATION – "to
build up" Ephesians 4:11 – 16
- The Personnel – the
instruments of the Lord to equip the Church
- The Purpose – a continuous
action
- for the perfecting of the
saints
- for the work of the ministry
- for the building up of
the Body of Christ
C. The Program – a future
aspect; until we become united in Christ.
III. EVANGELIZATION –
"to witness" Matthew 28:19 – 20
- It is an Irrevocable mandate
by Christ. 2 Timothy 2:2
- It is an Irreversible need
of the people - doomed to hell.
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"How Can We Experience God’s Blessings In Our Lives?"
Reverend Brent Parschauer – Guest Speaker, Word Of Life Bible
Institute
March 3, 2002
Text: Psalm 1:1 – 5
Our existence is finite and
temporary and all of us desire the hand of God’s blessings. If we are
to experience these blessings, we are:
- To Avoid:
- "Counsel of the Ungodly"
– that which we give our attention the most will influence us the
most. God’s Word is the godly counsel.
- "Stand in the way of Sinners"
– we must not allow those whom we know who are sinners to be close
to us.
- "Sit in the Seat of the
Scornful" – we must not be puffed up with pride as God opposes the
proud.
Avoiding these we can are
then:
II. To Enjoy:
- "The Law of the Lord" –
the Word of God
We delight in the discipline
of regular study and meditation of His Word, establishing a disciplined relationship
with Him.
III. To Become:
- "A Tree Planted by the
Rivers and Bears Fruits" – continually meditating on God’s truth
will nourish us and make us continually bear fruit.
IV. To Escape:
- Instability – being
"like the chaff", the most useless part of the grain, being tossed away
and driven by any spur of the moment.
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"How
Is It Possible To Find Joy In The Face Of Adversity?"
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
Vesper Service March 3, 2002
Text: Philippians 4:4
Looking on the example of
Daniel who was thrown in the lions’ den but completely trusted in the
Lord. He had complete joy despite of adversities.
- The Answer Requires an
Exchange between:
Burdens and Blessings
Barriers and Bridges
We are to discover the greater plan of God for us.
II. The Exchanged Answer Requires
a Right Attitude:
We are to settle a right attitude within our hearts. We may not control our
surroundings but we can take control of our attitude. We are to learn to be
flexible in uncontrollable circumstances.
The Right Attitude Requires a Close Walk With God.
- Through prayers and the
reading of His Word, we are to learn to focus our eyes daily unto Jesus.
Trust that He sees everything and sees through anything. Jesus never misses
in helping us in our troubles.
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"How
Close Are We To The End?"
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
March 10, 2002
Text: Matthew 24:1 –
8; Luke 21:26 – 27
It seems that we are living
in the final generations of this world as we see the decline of our world
today:
- The Signs In the Religious
World:
- The Proliferation of Cults
– who would claim that they are the modern society, a religion of
cold formality. Deceiving people with self-proclaimed messiahs.
There is only one Way and
that is Jesus.
- The Signs In the Political
World:
- Decline in the Political
Scenario –
There would be division among
kingdoms, nations, families, wars and rumors of wars.
We are living under these dangerous scenarios/circumstances that make us realize
that we are never safe.
But in the Hands of God there is Jesus Christ where we are forever safe, our
permanent dwelling.
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"The
Uniqueness of Christian Unity"
Pastor Paterno Tondo – Guest Speaker Baptist
Bible Seminary and Institute
March 17, 2002
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:11
- 31
"I am fearfully and wonderfully
made by God." There should be no basis of comparison with our fellowmen. We
should only compare ourselves to the Perfect Model.
- The Illustration Given:
The Corinthian Church as well as the Universal Church was illustrated as
a human body.
- The Example Given:: Verse
14 – 16
Though having many members we ought to be just One Body and the Head of
which is Christ. Each member of the Body has its opportunity to serve in
the Church. The differences in each parts serve as check and balance in
the ministry.
- The Exaltation: Verse 21
No part of the Body is dispensable,
even the weaker parts. Each part should have equal concern for the Church
and the Ministry.
The Purpose of this Body can
be found in Ephesians 4:12 – 13
"For the perfecting of the
saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ."
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"How
To Stay Spiritually Educated?"
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
Vesper Service March 17, 2002
Text: Philippians 3:7 –
14
Are we living meaningful lives?
Is my life counting for God?
- By Having a Passionate
Pursuit for Christ:
We are to consistently follow Christ. We are to exchange the Self for the
Savior, no matter how painful that process may be.
v. 7 – 8, As we count our credentials, they are nothing compared to
the gain we can have from Christ.
What are our gains in Christ? We owe everything to God.
- By Having a Persistent
Pursuit of the Power and Presence of Christ:
The most important things
for us to rediscover in our lives. We tend to minimize His power in our lives.
But we ought to remember that nothing is impossible to God.
Without His presence, our efforts are useless.
With His power, His grace is upon us.
With His presence, we avoid sin and we become effective in His ministry.
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"How Close Are We To The End?" (part2)
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
March 24, 2002
Text: Matthew 24:8 –
14
It seems that we are living
in the final generations of this world as we see the decline of our world
today:
- The Signs In the Natural
World:
- Famines – thousands
of which die everyday
- Pestilence – by viruses,
incurable diseases
- Ocean Contamination –
tanker spills, garbage
- Radiation – radioactive
wastes
These are only indications
that we are bound to decay until the Lord comes.
II. The Signs In the Social
World: verse 12 (social indicators)
- Cultural Decline –
moral freefall
- Crime Ascendancy –
lawlessness
- Economic Anxiety
Amidst all these, we are
to trust in the Lord. We should not worry about the future. God will always
provide for our needs according to His riches. We should wait and look forward
to His glorious return.
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"Resurrection: Making Sense In My Life"
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
March 31, 2002
Text: Philippians 3:7 –
13; Hebrews 13:5 – 8
There is Power in the Resurrection
of Christ.
- The Demonstration of His
Power:
- His Power Over Death –
an ultimate power which continually works in our lives. God demonstrated
this through Jesus’ rising from the dead (His resurrection)
This is the essence of the gospel – that we may not be afraid to die
(physically)
- Universal Propagation to
Deliver – He freed us from our sins.
He is able to deliver us from sin. And He is also very much able to deliver
us from our circumstances.
- His Pursuit to Endear Us
– it is because of His unthinkable love that sought us.
- The Definition of His Person:
Hebrews 13:8 embodies the
truth in the Person of Christ. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day,
and for ever."
- His Claims are Truthful
- His Cementing Proximity
– Jesus is always at our side forever, "never to leave us nor forsake
us"
Thus we are not to fear to
go on for He is with us always.
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"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15