VOLUME 21 ISSUE 14 | APRIL 03, 2011
Christian Bible Baptist Church official Sunday publication
Victorious Christian Living in our FOLLOWSHIP Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17
from your
church
outline Victorious Christian Living
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UR monthly theme now is “Victorious Christian Life through Followership.” Victory in Christian life can never be achieved apart from learning first to follow. With this requires an acknowledgement of God as the final authority, and a recognition of those human authorities God has placed over us. These are our government leaders, pastor, parents, and godly counselors. May we learn through our Sunday School lessons that virtue of being a good and obedient follower. The first quarter of this year quickly passed and God be glorified for what he accomplished through our church. As we approach these summer months, I believe that God has prepared more blessings for us. There are more souls, more responsibilities, more blessings, more victories and more truths from His Word. Let us get involved and be more faithful! This Sunday, I am here in our Singapore outreach. The work here also is a manifestation of God’s power. Continue to pray for our brethren here as they grow in grace. Finally, let me personally congratulate all the students from our church who graduated and will graduate. I am privileged to be your pastor. This speaks of God’s faithfulness and provision for you. We will not be where we are today if not because of him. Do not let education overpass our main purpose, to glorify God. I pray that whatever you will attain in life, you will continue to stand for what is right and serve God! DR. ED M. LAURENA PAGE 02 | APRIL 03 | ACTS 29
I. Following civil government as the ordinance of our sovereign Almighty God is His will for His people. A. God is the One responsible for putting civil authorities in position. B. God is the One being resisted when people resist civil authorities. II. Following civil government as the ordinance of man serves as deterrent to evil and not to good. A. The three Hebrew men’s exemplary courage and fortitude to submit willingly to the ordinance of the King Nebuchadnezzar won the support of the king. B. Daniel’s example of non-resistance to the ordinance of King Darius won the soul of the king.
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Get ready for our most awaited youth event...
National Baptist Youth Convention 12 • April 18-21, 2011
1 4 DAYS TO GO! For more information: www.facebook.com/barangayBYF nbyc@cbbcphilippines.org Registration fee: P100.00 (food not included)
Your schooling may be over,
Obedience is not servitude of man to man, but submission to the will of God who governs through the medium of men. It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn’t want our success; he wants us. He doesn’t demand our achievements; he demands our obedience.
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VICTORIOUS THROUGH FOLLOWING OUR MAGISTRATES
(Following Our Magistrates - Civil Government) Romans 13:1-5
but remember that your education still continues.
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Graduation Schedules
ATTENTION
Don't miss our 7-Stage Discipleship Graduation this afternoon at 3:15 pm.
April 8, 9:00 AM • CBBC School for the Deaf April 8, 5:00 PM • Christian Bible Baptist Academy April 19, 6:00 PM • Baptist Heritage Bible College
ACTS 29 | APRIL 03 | PAGE 03
avoiding a Train Wreck This is the time of year we see our graduates “commence” or begin their post-high school adult lives; so it would be appropriate to consider the top three challenges facing every graduate. It could be stated that these are the first big and immediate tests that confront a young adult immediately after high school or college. If they pass these tests, they avoid the bad decisions that can lead to a spiritual train wreck. THE CHALLENGE OF A JOB Exodus 20:9–10 says, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.” God created us to work and expects us to lead productive lives. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). And every young adult is excited about having that first job! What a joy! And yet, so many young people allow their jobs to become their first spiritual downfall, often within a few weeks of high school or college graduation. They Work at the Wrong Place. Even in a tough economy, starter jobs are fairly easy to find, especially for hardworking, honest, and cleancut young people. It’s amazing how many Christians will take jobs at places where a Christian has no business working. No amount of money is worth corrupting your heart and mind. It is possible to work in the world without “eating the king’s meat” (Daniel 1:8). For every Christian, there ought to be some places we just wouldn’t work, no matter what. They Work at the Wrong Time. The first test of a new job is Sunday work. How is it that we can toss God and His church aside for at least P40.00 an hour? One of the greatest reasons PAGE 04 | APRIL 03 | ACTS 29
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Have you ever seen a train wreck? To o o f t e n w e s e e high school and college graduates celebrate their graduation n i gh t an d star t down th e tracks of adulthood only to wreck their lives just a few miles from the train station!
young people fall away from God after high school or college is that they stop attending church because of work! But for those who honour God’s commands and protect Sunday, God always provides for their needs in a better way. God always takes care of those who protect His day and who stay deliberately and faithfully involved in their local churches. They Work for the Wrong Purpose. Some young people view their new jobs as nothing more than a way to meet new friends and buy clothes or high-tech gadgets, while others see it as a temporary means to a more important end and a way to be a witness for Christ. Those with a higher purpose— pursuing the will of God—always keep their jobs in check and view them as an opportunity to facilitate God’s will in other areas.
Acquaintances are people I will influence. These are the people I will determine to exert influence upon without becoming like them. These are co-workers, class-mates, and people who just aren’t going the same direction in life. Amos 3:3 teaches, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Often, young people feel an obligation to relationships—an obligation to give in to pressure, to fit in, to need acceptance from the wrong people. To survive this challenge, my greatest obligations must be to honour the Lord and associate closely with people who will help me walk with Him. Graduates should feel no obsession or obligation to potentially harmful relationships or associations. And every graduate should expect that the devil will try to bring distracting relationships into his life very soon.
THE CHALLENGE OF FRIENDS Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Nothing changes more rapidly after high school than friendships. A new job, less time with youth group friends, and college bring a whole new world of associations into the life of a young adult. This is a wonderful opportunity that brings with it some danger for those unprepared. Essentially, every graduate needs to understand how to draw a careful line between friends and acquaintances—defined as follows: Friends are people who influence me. These are the people I desire to be like and with whom I will spend more time. These are the people whom I will allow to have influence and a sharpening effect in my life. These should always be Christians and godly authorities who will continue to develop and mentor me in God’s grace.
THE CHALLENGE OF FREEDOM This third challenge speaks of the increasing freedoms that always accompany adulthood. These freedoms are well deserved, but they must be handled properly—for many abuse their freedom to their own death. First Corinthians 10:12 teaches, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Often, graduates step onto the slippery surface of adulthood only to soon fall and crack their heads open because they didn’t realize how slippery this new surface was! You would first choose to step very carefully! Every step—every decision—would be made deliberately and cautiously. Beyond that, you would be wise to find some tool to provide stability and grip. There are three vital dynamics that provide grip and stability on the slippery surface of adulthood.
Godly Direction It is always those who have “no idea what to do” after high school that end up floating pointlessly through life only to ultimately make a mess of their lives. It is absolutely vital that every graduate find God’s direction and pursue it—for direction gives grip and solid footing. For the graduate who honestly does not know God’s direction, priority one should be to seek and solidify that direction, and sometimes that makes a year of Bible College a really good idea. Embracing Responsibility As great as freedom is, it brings with it an amazing level of responsibility. Those who handle their freedom in light of the greater responsibility always survive the journey across the slippery surface. Maturity is not age; it is the acceptance of responsibility. Treating freedom with great responsibility makes a person more spiritually stable and less likely to slip and fall. Voluntary Accountability Those who stay close to godly authorities—by their own free will—always stand stronger and enjoy God’s greater blessings in the outcomes of their decisions. Those who quickly cast off authority and accountability usually end up broken and bleeding in the middle of a “slippery nowhere.” Wise people always choose to remain voluntarily accountable to godly friends and influences just so they can have the grip to survive the journey. for those who tter and better find grip to surbe ts ge st ju fe o Li ood! and for those wh live God’s way d temptations of young adulthre of an s st bewa , ch ur ch vive the te r ou d uates of d prayerfully an To the new grad challenges, an s to face these g bi e re th e es th epare yourselve purposefully pranding strong in God’s truth! st ile wh tests ACTS 29 | APRIL 03 | PAGE 05
Great isod' s G
1st Quarter (January-March) ATTENDANCE REPORT Average Attendance in Services
Leadership by Sis. Beata Agustin
Great is God’s triumphant leadership everyone does acknowledge Such is sovereign throughout our earthly mileage; It stands upon His omniscient wisdom and full knowledge. Following the Lord assures reward of eternal privilege!!! Great is God’s triumphant leadership with divine love’s reigning Such is compassionate midst our sinning; It shows His perfect character and might’s strengthening. Following the Lord brings joy of spiritual gaining!!! Great is God’s triumphant leadership toward promise-fulfillment Such is true defying our doubts’ impediment; It presents His abiding faithfulness and commitment. Following the Lord yields peace of divine contentment!!! Great is God’s triumphant leadership along His sure direction Such is complete which we truly need for our instruction; It reveals His pure heart that seeks for willingness and submission. Following the Lord affirms surrender of genuine devotion!!!
January February (Anniversary) March
TOTAL
FTV
Baptisms
691
164
10,608
21
793
167
12,092
352
Average Attendance per Sunday School Class
Great is God’s triumphant leadership of glorious majesty Such is powerful for our Baptist Church’s authority; It declares His direct call for ministry-service with sincerity. Following the Lord demands duty of responsible accountability!!! Great is God’s triumphant leadership through heavenly standard Such is absolute in enabling our faith-growth upward; It shouts His warning alarm to overcome crises’ blows so hard. Following the Lord requires obedience of prayerful safeguard!!! Great is God’s triumphant leadership that proclaims righteousness Such is sober to guard our ways from sinfulness; It heralds His clear command for the pursuit of holiness. Following the Lord negates vanity of alluring worldliness!!! PAGE 06 | APRIL 03 | ACTS 29
TO GOD BE THE GLORY! ACTS 29 | APRIL 03 | PAGE 07
CORNER
church March 27 & 30
1st AM Service 2nd AM Service Sunday Afternoon Wednesday First Time Visitors Baptisms
1,687 1,122 1,259 603 146 26
reading
Baptist Youth Fundamentalist @ 1:30 PM
&
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
MORNING EVENING 2 Sam. 16-18 Ps. 87 2 Sam. 19-21 Ps. 88 2 Sam. 22-24 Ps. 89:1-26 1 Kings 1-3 Ps. 89:27-52 1 Kings 4-6 Ps. 90 1 Kings 7-9 Ps. 91 1 Kings 10-12 Ps. 92
Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God. The really important thing in life is not the avoidance of mistakes, but the obedience of faith. By obedience, the man is led step by step to correct his errors, whereas nothing will ever happen to him if he doesn’t get going.
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JUST TRUST AND OBEY!
Ayon sa Biblia, Iisa Lamang ang Daan Patungong Langit! NG sabi ni Hesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay: walang makapupunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko.” Juan 14:6
Wala nang iba pang makapagliligtas sa iyo mula sa impierno. Magtiwala ka kay Hesus ngayon! (Roma 6:23) “Kung ipahahayag ng iyong bibig na si Hesus ay Panginoon at mananampalataya ka nang buong puso na Siya’y muling binuhay ng Diyos, ikaw ay maliligtas”. Roma 10:9 1. Aminin mo na ikaw ay isang makasalanan. Roma 3:10 2. Talikuran mo ang iyong mga kasalanan (magsisi). Gawa 17:30 3. Manampalataya ka na si Kristo Hesus ay namatay para sa iyo, nalibing at nabuhay namagmuli. Roma 10:9-10 4. Sa pamamagitan ng panalangin, tanggapin mo si Hesus sa iyong puso bilang iyong Tagapagligtas. Roma 10:13
MANALANGIN KA NG GANITO Panginoon, ako po ay isang makasalanan at nangangailangan ng kapatawaran. Nanampalataya po ako na nadanak ang dugo ni Hesus at Siya ay namatay sa krus para sa akin. Tinatalikuran ko na po ang aking mga kasalanan. Tinatanggap ko po si Kristo Hesus sa aking puso bilang aking Tagapagligtas. Amen. Kung tinanggap mo si Hesus bilang iyong Tagapagligtas, ito na ang simula ng iyong bagong buhay kay Kristo (Roma 8:1). Ngayon: 1. Basahin mo ang iyong Biblia araw-araw upang makilala pa ng lubusan si Kristo Hesus. 2. Makipag-usap ka sa Diyos sa panalangin araw-araw. 3. Manambahan ka sa isang simbahan na pinapangaral si Kristo at ang Biblia ang tanging pamantayan. 4. Ibahagi sa iba si Kristo Hesus.
ACTS 29 - Christian Bible Baptist Church official Sunday publication St. Francis Homes 2, San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines 4023 • Dr. Ed M. Laurena, Pastor telephone: (02)869-0433 • email: info@cbbcphilippines.org • website: www.cbbcphilippines.org
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!