"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
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"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
2003 - 2nd Quarter
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH YOUTH AFLAMED!"
The
Focus and The Purposes of the Lord's Table
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
April 6, 2003
1 Corinthians 11:20 - 34
v.26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup,ye do shew
the Lord's death till he come."
Introduction:
The apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian Church for their disrespect of the
Lord's Table, taking the ordinance lightly and forgetting its significance.
Jesus, Himself, taught
the Lord's Table and its meaning. And this is what the Lord's Table is not:
1. It is not a means to salvation.
2. It is not the only table in the Church. There are other tables, meaning
feastings, which the Church celebrates.
I. The Backward Focus
of the Lord's Table. v.23 - 25
As we "take and eat" the bread, which was Christ's body, we are
reminded of what Christ has done for us.
In the Old Testament, unblemished animals were sacrificed by the High Priest
as atonement for the sins of men. In the New Testament, the High Priest and
The Offering is one and the same - Jesus Christ.
Christ voluntarily went to the cross. The Cross is our message, not the wooden
cross per se, but the Person crucified on the tree.
What does Christ's death mean to you (as a Christian)?
II. The Inward Focus
of the Lord's Table. v.27 - 32
The Corinthian Church lost track of the focus of the Lord's Table. They took
it very lightly, thus, some of them "asleep" (died), and some get
sick.
The Lord's Table calls for a serious, deep reflection in ourselves. To avoid
consequences (pagpapalo), have an open confession to the Lord. The Lord's
Table is a time for heart searching, breaking down of relational barriers
between us and our loved ones, even friends.
Are there barriers in our relationships?
III. The Outward Focus
of the Lord's Table.
The Lord's Table is evangelistic by nature. It should remind us that the unbelievers
should also be able to partake in the Lord's Table. It is a commissioning
of all Christians to look out for souls.
IV. The Upward Focus
of the Lord's Table. v.26
We do the Lord's Table because of our hope - "until He comes" -
during the Rapture.
While we wait, we serve the Lord.
What are our contributions for Christ?
Conclusion
The Lord's Table is a time for fellowship in the family of God and this communion
should change our lives for the better.
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH YOUTH AFLAMED!"
"Y.O.U.T.H."
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
April 13, 2003
1 Timothy 4:12
Introduction:
The youth (40 and below) should take an active stand for Christ while they
are still in their tender years. In the book of Ecclesiastes: "remember
now thy Creator in thy days of thy youth." Think of our strength right
now and give it to the Lord. At least follow them (the leaders) while they
bear the torch, even if we are not leaders yet.
I. Y - yield. Romans
6:13
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
Yield unto righteous
living.
A. We are to give God the right to direct our lives. God should take the primary,
open avenues for our lives. Our youth, if held and directed by God, is our
good foundation prior to old age.
B. We are to submit to the active working of the Holy Spirit in our young
lives. Let us not be ignorant of the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
is actively working in us if we submit ourselves to Him.
II. O - obedience. Hebrews
5:9
"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto
all them that obey him;"
Obedience unto salvation
is our positional/doctrinal obedience.
Obedience in terms of God's leading in our lives is to obey the truth. This
is our positional/practical obedience (1 Peter 1:22). Jesus Christ is the
Truth (John 6) and He takes the pre-eminent position in our hearts and in
our lives.
Blessings start from obedience. When we start to obey, promotion comes. Obey faithfully and the Lord will bless us.
III. U - undefiled/unspotted.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness?"
This refers to our moral
righteousness. We all have darkened pasts but let us confront our present
defilements. We ought not to suffer for our wrong choices. We are called to:
1. separation from ungodly relations.
2. separation from ungodly worldly systems.
The solution is to set
our hearts on these:
1. love
2. faith
3. prayer
4. Bible reading
5. faithful church attendance
6. stewardship
IV. T - thrill. Psalm
103:5
"Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youthis renewed
like the eagle's."
Our Lord Jesus Christ is not a "kill joy". We ought to enjoy our Christianity (and the freedom that the Lord has given us).
A. We are living in
borrowed times. No surety. Let us grab the thrill of being a Christian.
B. We are living with borrowed strength. (coming from God)
C. We are living with borrowed life.
Where are we spending our lives? (which, in truth, is not really ours). Is my life only for my family, work, ambitions? This life is given to us by God. Might as well use it not just for ourselves but for Him, for His ministry. Enjoy serving the Lord. Catch the thrill.
V. H - hope.
We should continue in hope.
Why do we have to use our lives for God? It is because of the hope ahead of
us, our promotion to Heaven.
Conclusion
The hope of the Church is in the youth? As young as we are, what are we doing
with our lives?
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH YOUTH AFLAMED!
The Manna From Heaven
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
April 20, 2003
Deuteronomy 8:16
"Who fed thee
in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble
thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end."
Introduction:
In the Old Testament, the manna was a temporary provision for a temporary
need. But in the New Testament, the Manna from Heaven is Jesus Christ.
John 6:48-58 - v. 58 "This is that bread which came down from heaven:
not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread
shall live for ever."
I. The Christ - His Person.
Philippians 2:5 - 11
The "Manna of Life" is to be "eaten", then there will
be security of eternal life.
A. Jesus Christ - His Divinity.
v. 5 - 6
He is equal in position, power, character and plans with the Father.
B. His Humanity. v. 7.
In the human mind it is difficult for God to leave His kingdom, make Himself
of no reputation and take the form of a servant. This is His absolute humility.
As a servant, the very nature of His humanity is to totally give His life
to serve them (us).
II. The Cross - His Passion.
Because He is God, He is qualified for the Cross (suffer for us).
The Cross symbolizes the anger of the people and the depth of the love of
our God and His death on our behalf. Jesus Christ made 2 sacrifices:
A. Self-emptying sacrifice - the "kenosis". He made Himself void
of power, position and was stripped even of His garments.
B. Self-sacrifice - to obey unto death.
God thought of the perfect plan of Jesus' death for our sins. The Lord wants us to realize how He paid the penalty for our sins.
III. The Crown - His Price.
To make it clear, He did not die on Calvary for the purpose of getting a crown.
He is not an inferior God elevated to glory because of His self-sacrifice.
The Cross has an eternal effect which will crown our Lord. He already has
the crown as the King. He only put it down temporarily and had it again on
the day of His resurrection.
Time will come we will see Him face to face wearing His crown and "every
knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."
The Crown can also be our price. We are alive because this life has a purpose, a meaning. We can be used of God, at least to show others about our God who died for all our sins.
Conclusion
Do we go to Church just for the reason of "showing up"? Or do we
go to Church to worship, to be equipped for the battles in the regular routine
of our lives?
Easter Sunday is a reminder of His promise fulfilled. It is a reminder that
Jesus lives again and commanded us to share His salvation. When was the last
time we handed over the Manna of Life to another soul?
He promised to be with us in reaching others. The God who promised to rise
up again on the third day will be true to His promise ever!
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH YOUTH AFLAMED!
Give Your Best To The Master
Pastor Randolph Dela Cruz
Youth Pastor
April 27, 2002
Main Text: Ecclesiastes
12:1
"Remember now thy Creator in he days of thy youth, while the evil days
come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure
in them;"
Introduction:
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes when he was already old. He saw what needs to be
done while one is young and while one has the strength.
I. Rejoice in the Lord. Ecclesiastes
11:9
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in
the days of thy youh, and walk in th eways of thine heart, and in the sight
of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee
into judgement."
A. Because we are young. We
ought to rejoice in the Lord and not in the world (worldliness).
B. Because we are saved. The Christian ought to rejoice because of the hope
that he has in Jesus.
Romans 5:2 "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein
we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
I. Acknowledge His power.
Jeremiah 10:12
"He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by
his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion."
We remember God by acknowledging
Him.
A. Because He created everything. Ecclesiastes 12:2
B. Because He provided everything - our daily needs. No Christian is a beggar.
God always blesses His child.
III. Nigh everything to God.
Psalm 73:26 - 28
v. 28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust
in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works."
Draw near everything to God.
A. Because we trust God. We believe that God is our refuge and shelter. Entrust
everything to Him. Let us not rely on our own strength. We cannot do anything
apart from our Lord. God is our strength. (It is foolish to acknowledge our
own strength.)
IV. Demonstrate your faith.
Romans 1:16 - 17
v. 16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;"
A. Because God loved us first.
Some young people are ashamed to let others know that they are Christians.
They hide Christ.
Matthew 5:16 "Let you light so shine before men, that they may see, your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
V. Yield yourselves to God.
Romans 12:1 - 2
v.1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service."
A. Because this is our reasonable service.
Ecclesiastes 12:3 - 5. Do we wait until we are old and our strength has failed us till we serve the Lord?
Conclusion
Remember the Lord now and not tomorrow.
Serve Him now and not tomorrow.
Serve Him with all our lives, with whole of our hearts.
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH SPIRIT-CONTROLLED WOMEN
What God Will Do With What You Have
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
May 4, 2003
Main Text: Exodus 4:1
- 5; 1 Samuel 17:40 - 49
Selected Scripture passages
Introduction:
The above passages will show to us the us of what is in our hands.
I. Moses' Rod.
Exodus 4:2 "And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And
he said, A rod."
Moses was being commissioned by the Lord to get Israel out of Egypt. But Moses had many alibis (however legitimate); in that the people will not hear or hearken unto him. Why so?
A. He was conscious of his
past. He was well aware of the murder that he had done.
God showed that at the present, Moses had his rod.
No matter what we have become in the past God sees what we are in the present.
God can do something out of what you are right now, whatever it is that you
are holding in your hands right now.
B. The rod, itself, is powerless.
Unless it is blessed by God then it becomes powerful.
We will see our incapacity, but God will use it as His opportunity to show
His marvelous power.
Allegorically, the "rod" is anything or anyone that you have that
God can use to display His power. Let us not withhold from God whatever we
have.
C. The purpose of the rod - thay they may believe.
II. David's Sling.
1 Samuel 17:50 "So David prevailed over the Philistine (Goliath) with
a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there
was no sword in the hand of David."
(v. 40) The "5 stones" are the indication of David's confidence in the Lord. It was the Lord who gave David the strength to face Goliath. The slingshot, itself, has no power. (It was the heart of David that God has blessed).
A. God can do something big with our humble obedience.
B. David, an ordinary shepherd,
made a big difference.
How ordinary are you right now? We will soon discover what God can do with
our ordinary lives when we start giving our lives to the Lord (in obedience).
C. Obedience can promote us.
Start obeying in little ways, God will do something to promote you.
Conclusion
What do we have in our hands right now that we can give to the Lord?
Start in obedience, give our lives to the Lord.
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH SPIRIT-CONTROLLED WOMEN!
Power of Positive Aging
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
May 11, 2003
Main Text: Ecclesiastes
12:1 - 7
v.1 "Remember now thy Creator, in the days of thy youth, while the evil
days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure
in them;"
Introduction:
Geriatrics - the branch of medicine that deals with the process and diseases
of old age. The writer of Ecclesiastes 12 showed to us the signs of old age
as he tells the young that preparation for old age starts now. While we are
young we are told, "Remember now thy Creator..."
The Signs:
I. The 1st Sign - There would
be mental darkness. (cognitive/intellectual)
v.2 "While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened,
nor the clouds return after the rain:"
The sun, moon, stars, clouds describe the "seasons of life". The
aging person starts to be unappreciative of the seasons of life. In old age,
mental darkness comes which may make us forget our Creator. But before this
happens, "Remember thy Creator..."
A. The aging person will be a "kill-joy". He becomes unappreciative of life, less enjoying things that he used to enjoy very much.
B. He is prone to depression. Though depression occurs to any age, it will highly occur in old age.
II. The 2nd Sign - Natural
deterioration of our body. (physical decline)
v.3 "In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the
strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few,
and those that look out of the windows be darkened."
v.4 "And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the
grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the
daughters of musick shall be brought low;"
"keepers of the house
shall tremble" - the most busy people. They refer to our hands and legs
that will tremble when we are old.
"the strong men shall bow" - refer to our bones, as we will be bent
and deformed.
"the grinders will cease because they are few" - the grinders are
our teeth, which will become few as they will fall out.
"those that look out of the windows will be darkened" - they are
our eyes which will dimly see.
"the doors shall be shut" - our hearing shall fail
"he shall rise up at the voice of the bird" - old people have shorter
hours of sleep and they sleep very light, easily awakened to slight noises.
"the daughters of musick shall be brought low" - they will be aesthetically
dull, less appreciative of beauty, music (and other arts.)
We know for a fact that we will grow old, before all these happens to us, "Remember now thy Creator..."
III. The 3rd Sign - There
will be social fears.
v.5 "Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears
shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper
shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home,
and the mourners go about the streets:"
A. Old people become fearful
of alot of things. They start to be afraid to go out - to venture out.
B. The tree blossoms but their desires shall fail. They loose their various
appetites.
C. Loss of desire.
D. They now start to be in the funerals of their friends, "mourning in
the streets".
IV. The 4th Sign - Functional
Incapacity.
v.6 "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken,
or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."
A. Decline in productivity.
"the silver cord" - refers to our ability to work.
B. Decline in functional capacity.
"the pitcher" - can no longer carry or lift a weight.
V. The 5th Sign - Spritual
Accountability
v.7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit
shall return unto God who gave it."
A. Death will come.
B. We have the Christian accountability. What can we render God when our spirit
returns to God?
Where are we using our life and energy right now? Is it worth it? Is is for
God?
Conclusion
All these 5 signs, before they start, while we are young, "Remember thy
Creator..."
Women in the Bible: Sarah and Jochebed
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias
Senior Pastor
May 18, 2003
Main Text: Genesis 18:9
- 14; Hebrews 11: 23 - 27
Selected Scriptures
Introduction:
We look into the characters of Sarah and Jochebed as we understand what women
today are going through and what God can do for them.
SARAH:
I. Consider women's Vulnerabilities
A. They can be very annoying with their attitudes.
v.12 "Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed
old shall I have pleasure, my lord (Abraham) being old also."
1. Sarah's Problem
A messenger of the Lord came to Abraham to confirm God's promise. The promise
of the Lord unto Sarah that she should be a mother of nations (v.16) seems
to have been taking so long. Sarah has become doubtful of the promise and
so "she laughed" and this thing annoyed the messenger of the Lord.
In the Hebrew culture, it was also unethical for women to listen to men's
talk. This is an indication that her attitude is still not ready for God's
promise.
The promise was delayed because God has yet to deal with the annoying attitude
of Sarah.
Before God brings His blessing,
He fixes something in our lives first.
We ask ourselves now, are we ready to receive God's blessings?
2. Sarah's Position
As Abraham and the angel were talking, she was listening to their talk behind
the curtain hiding.
Women use alot of excuses ("hiding behind the curtain") from serving.
Where are we spiritually located? Are we behind the curtain? There are no
blessings there.
Come out, be excited and fix your attitude.
3. Sarah's Perspective
For her, she was facing an "impossibility", but to that the messenger
of the Lord answers...
v.14 "Is anything too hard for the Lord?
What are our crises? Our defense lies in our attitude in every crises. Can we truly believe in our hearts that God is still in control and that nothing is impossible with God?
B. They can be very doubtful
in their answers.
Sarah's point was very much valid - that she was too old to bear a child.
But her faith was not valid.
Our lack of faith manifests in our mouth. Our lack of faith is not a built-in
attitude but women can be overwhelmed by circumstances and realities of life.
Our God will deal with it. Has God ever lacked in His provisions?
C. They can be very dedicated
in their aspirations.
Sarah, after she was corrected, was dedicated and supportive of her husband.
Positive support: when we look beyond the weaknesses of others close to us;
when we rather protect our family in the midst of circumstances rather than
to dwell on the negative.
JOCHEBED:
II. Consider women's Vocation
Motherhood is a calling from God.
Jochebed is the mother of Moses, a woman in a difficult time. Her career,
her profession is to deliver and nurse Moses, who will deliver Israel out
of the bondage of Egypt.
A. This mother saw what her
son can do (someday).
v.23 "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's
commandment."
She saw the potential of her child. She believed in her child.
B. She was willing to trade
her life for him.
Not only she shared her life when she gave birth to Moses, but she also thought
out how she could protect him.
1. She dared to risk her life.
(protecting/hiding her child against the direct commandment of the pharaoh).
2. She dared to violate the law.
Here is where situational ethics is applied. She would rather obey God than
obey man.
3. She was not afraid. She had courage to face perilous times for her child.
She had courage with all faith to let go of her child in the river. And the
Lord honored her faith.
4. She shared her faith to her son.
When pharaoh's daughter found Moses, Mirriam suggested to her that she should
find a Hebrew nurse for Moses. And so Mirriam called Jochebed to nurse him.
Jochebed was able to teach Moses. And Moses became one of the heroes of faith.
Behind the success of a child is a caring mother.
Conclusion
As a wife and/or as a mother, ask yourself these:
What are your vulnerabilities? Where are you positioned, hiding behind the
curtain of excuses, playing safe? There are no blessings there. Are our attitudes
prepared for God's blessings? Are we giving positive support to our family?
THEME: GROWING THE CHURCH... THROUGH SPIRIT-CONTROLLED WOMEN!
"Girl
Power In The Bible"
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
May 25, 2003
Main Text: 2 Kings 4:8
- 37
Selected Scriptures
Introduction:
"Girl Power" in our society today pertains to our societies concern
for equal power of men and women, no gender discrimination. On the extreme,
"girl power" leads women to push leadership over the men. This is
the "girl power" as dictated by the world.
But there is an example of "girl power" in the Bible. Let's look at a Shunammite woman with this kind of "girl power".
Background: 2 Kings 4
The prophet Elisha frequently passes to Shunem and the Shunammite woman would
always invite her into their home to give him bread and a place to sleep.
As Elisha passes by continually, she finally decided with her husband to make
him a little room. In return for her kindness, the prophet promised her a
son (as she had no children, her husband being already old) to be born of
her. And so she conceived, the boy grew; but one day, the boy fell ill and
died... read on for the rest of the story.
The Shunammite Woman:
She had no name in the Bible, only known as the Shunammite woman. She can
be a picture of all women today. Ffrom the text, we can see that she is a
great woman, a woman of influence in their society, of wealth and contentment.
What is the "girl power" that she exercised? How did she show it?
I. Her Love For God's Servant
She showed her "girl power" by her love for the prophet of God.
She had a great heart. She learned to look at people according to their needs.
A. What proves her love?
1. She saw the the servant of God's need for a place.
She was having the eyes of Jesus Christ as Jesus saw the needs of the people
in the New Testament.
How can we emulate her? Try to look at people and see their needs.
2. She got herself involved.
It was enough for her to see the need but she acted on it. She was also a
busy woman but still acted on the call of others
She was having the hands of Jesus Christ. The Lord went out of his comfort
zone and dealt with the needs of the people.
We thank God for busy women today who still extend their work at home and
at church.
It is also well worth noting
on v.9 - 10
She still consulted her husband in her desire to build a room for the prophet.
With all heart, told of her plans to her husband. v. 10 "Let us..."
is not to dictate but to share her desire.
Principle # 1: Girl Power is the power to care and to love God's workers.
II. Her Satisfaction for God's
Sustenance.
v.17 She did not ask the prophet for any special favors nor speak of any of
her needs in exchange for her kindness. The favor was freely given to her.
She was already contented to what the Lord was handing to her.
We ought to realize the kind of contentment that she has.
A. Because of her goodness,
Elisha offered her something.
How do we see her contentment?
1. By Elisha's offering to
repay her. v.13 (it was a customary action in their culture at that time)
But her response was: No. What she gave was of good faith, in exchange for
nothing. This is a clear implication of her contentment.
a. Contentment in terms of
what we're having from the Lord.
Discontentment should only apply in terms of our service to the Lord. We ought
to be wanting to expand/enlarge our ministry.
B. Her refusal to the offer.
Her refusal is not pride but only an indication of her hope that the Lord,
Himself, will reward her someday.
God sees the very little that we do and rewards them back.
Principle # 2: God honors sacrifices by repaying you back; just be contented.
III. Her Confidence/Loyalty
to God's Power
v.18 Her son fell ill and died.
She knows that her son was a "miracle baby". She knew well enough
that it was of God's power that she had conceived of this son.
Still, she was very composed, did not panic, not hysterical. She was confident
in the Lord.
It was clear to her that the God who gave her this son is the God that will
return her son.
She saddled an ass and went to Elisha (v. 24 - 37). Elisha was just an instrument to manifest God's power. The child was brought back to life.
Principle # 3: When we trust God's power, we have all the confidence in victory even though we are in the toughest times of our circumstances.
Conclusion
With all the things that we are going through, do not lose hope in the power
of God.
There are things that we cannot do, cannot think of or comprehend; but God
is doing something for us.
Are we able to trust God the way the Shunammite woman did?
A
Daddy In Tough Times
Pastor Arthur P. Ornias – Senior Pastor
June 1, 2003
Main Text: Genesis 7:1
- 7; Genesis 6:8 - 9; Hebrews 11:7
Selected Scriptures
Introduction:
"It is not an easy time to be a father as in the days of Noah."
The days of Noah were tumultous times and Noah was a father in those tough times.
I. What made him a successful
father?
Genesis 6:9 "... and Noah walked with God."
"walked" - he lived
according to the will of God.
"with" - to be alongside
Being a successful father is not based on what you earn and provide for your family.
A. The Evidence of the Holy
Spirit.
Genesis 6:3 "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with
man, for that he also is fleshL yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty
years."
The Holy Spirit dwelled in him, he nourished the Holy Spirit. Tough times
should not lead us away from God.
B. The Evidence of his constant
search for God.
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord."
He seeked to understand how God operated in his life. For us, this can be
done through Bible reading, devotions, etc.
The Lord deserves a constant relationship with us.
C. The Evidence of his response
to God's grace.
Genesis 6:8 He accepted his mission.
Lesson # 1: If fathers want
to be successful, they need to consistently devote time for God.
How you've walked with God is the legacy that you will leave to your children.
Know God better, understand God better, know His purposes in our lives.
II. What is his example that
made him a great father?
Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as
yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which
he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
He was entrusted by God, commissioned
to do a job - - - to build an ark and to preach for 120 years.
He witnessed to others but he had no convert but his own family.
A. His love for souls
Genesis 7:1 - 7
He was ridiculed and rejected for 120 years.
B. He was never discouraged.
C. He stayed true to his mission.
God saw all his efforts. His family also saw his efforts and his consistent life, thus, his family followed him.
Lesson # 2: If a father wants to be great, he must not get tired to be an example in all things in the family.
III. What made him a tough
husband?
Genesis 7:7 "And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons'
wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood."
He never forgot his family.
His principle is "family first".
To show that you are strong/tough, it is not by force but by love.
Lesson # 3: If a father wants
to be a tough husband, he must put his family first.
Family first before your work, job, ambition or any other thing.
Conclusion
"Love not words win arguments."
Isang
Pamilya sa Paglilingkod ay Sama-Sama
Pastor Randolph Dela Cruz
Youth Pastor
June 15, 2003
Main Text: Joshua 24:14
- 17
v. 14 "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and
in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side
of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
v.15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this
day whome ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were
on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land
ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
v.16 "And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake
the Lord, to serve other gods.
v.17 "For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers
our of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great
signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among
all the people through whom we passed."
Background:
Joshua succeeded Moses in leading the Israelites unto the Promised Land. Joshua
was teaching them and reminding them of the goodness of the Lord; and that
they should never forget what God has done for them.
I. The Goodness and Faithfulness
of the Lord
The Lord was faithful unto them in the wilderness and has provided for them
food and even fought for them and with them against the armies they had to
face in the Promised Land.
II. The Power of God
The people remembered and recognized the "impossible things" that
the Lord has done for them to see them through in their difficult times.
--> Have we forgotten or failed to realize how God has saved us on the cross? How he has provided for us in our needs? Remembering all that He has done for us, what is stopping us from serving the Lord?
III. The Decision of Joshua
Joshua made his decision: that all of his house will serve the Lord
Joshua presented to the people their choices: to serve the Lord God or to
serve the idols of the Amorites.
The people made their decision to serve their Lord God as they remembered His goodness, faithfulness and love.
Conclusion:
Focus on the God who is ever ready to listen to our prayers rather than on
"gods" which destroy our spirits.