Vol. 25 | Issue 33 | August 16, 2015
from your
Pastor
In God’s presence is fullness of joy. That reality which is worth experiencing daily is supported by the Scriptures, specifically by Psalm 16:11. With our inspiring monthly theme, “God can give us joy” reverberating in our ears, refreshing our hearts, and rejuvenating our souls, we should ardently choose to rejoice in the Lord always. We can do such because God can give us joy in our assured salvation sealed with His eternal security. How blessed are we to possess heavenly gladness as we go through our earthly tasks and busy schedule by His grace. We praise the Lord indeed that because of His granted joy, we can still manage to smile with genuine glee and to burst with unrestrained laughter despite life’s challenges. The restoring and empowering joy of the Lord is likewise graciously available, and He freely bestows it upon us for our constant revival. We must humbly recognize our position before God, as well as to realize clearly our need of His mercy. Then with sincere repentance, we should return to Him, considering that He loves us so much. We thank the Lord moreover that He can fill us with His joy in His sanctuary. He makes us delight in His warm invitation to worship Him truthfully, in His ready welcome to fellowship with Him sweetly, and in His mighty enablement to serve Him faithfully. These can wondrously enrich
our spirituality and abundantly increase our faith as they are means and ways provided by God to confirm our Christianity. We must then decide to come to our church gatherings punctually, to attend our church prayer meetings regularly, to grow in our church discipleship fervently, to participate in our church activities purposively, to involve in our church programs earnestly, and to support our church projects willingly. With the many victorious proofs of God’s accomplishments in our church, we must never neglect to thank Him jubilantly. We rejoice for the triumphant anniversary celebration of our Outreach in Singapore last Sunday, as well as for the glorious anniversary occasions of our Missions in Iriga and in Goa, Camarines Sur last Tuesday and Wednesday. During those events, souls were evangelized, saints were edified, and the Lord was exalted. Meanwhile, our church building’s renovation is progressing well. Altogether as one body, let us joyfully dwell in God’s will, encouraged by our Lord and Saviour’s prayer for us in John 17:13, “… that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”
DR. ED M. LAURENA
God Can Give Us Joy
Joy in Soulwinning Proverbs 11:30
I. There is joy in being used of God for the salvation of the lost. A. Turning sinners to the person of Christ brings joy. B. Turning sinners to the place of Christ brings joy. C. Turning sinners to the purpose of Christ brings joy. II . There is joy in being obedient to the great commission of God. A. Obedience brings joy to the believers. B. Obedience brings glory to God.
02
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SERVICE
SPECIAL NUMBERS •
August 16 - Senior College Men/ Area 4 • August 23 - Age 4/ Area 5
03
Anibersaryo ng Misyon sa Iriga City at Goa, Matagumpay na Idinaos Tunay na dakila at makapangyarihan ang ating Diyos na pinaglilingkuran. Kung paanong Siya ay tapat na nagsusugo ng mga manggagawa, ganundin naman ay tiyak din ang Kanyang pagtataguyod at pagsubaybay sa kanila. Noong nakaraang Lunes, Agosto 9, ay tumulak sina Rev. Jun Garapan, Preacher Jonah Ra単a at lima pang manggagawa ng Simbahan patungong Bicol upang maging pagpapala sa dalawang misyong magdiriwang ng kanilang anibersaryo. Noong Martes ng gabi, Agosto 11, ay matagumpay na idinaos ang unang taon ng katapatan ng Panginoon sa Christian Bible Baptist Mission sa Iriga City, na pinangungunahan ni Preacher Jeffrey Manzo. Ito ay dinaluhan ng mahigit 20 First Time Visitors at 15 sa mga ito ay sumunod sa tubig ng bautismo. Nang sumunod na araw, lumipat ang grupo sa Christian Bible Baptist Mission sa La Purisima, Goa, Camarines Sur, na nagdiwang naman ng ikalawa nitong anibersaryo. Sila ay sinalubong ng masaya bagamat abalang mga miyembro at manggagawa na pinamumunuan naman ni Preacher Nelson Pa単a. Dinagsa ang pagtitipon ng mga bisitang umabot sa 176 na katao. Mahigit sa 200 ang kabuuang bilang ng mga dumalo upang makinig sa pangangaral ng Salita ng Diyos. Ang lahat ay namangha sa dakilang pagkilos na ipinamalas ng Diyos sa Kanyang gawain. Ating ipanalangin ang mga misyong ito, na ang Panginoon ay patuloy na magdagdag ng tao sa kanyang Simbahan, habang patuloy ang Kanyang pagtawag sa iba pa upang magsimula ng gawain sa marami pang dako ng mundo. Sa Diyos ang papuri! 04
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” —Psalm 126:6 Some Christians foolishly believe that Jesus was only commissioning His apostles to go Soulwinning in Matthew 28:19 and 20; but this is not so. Jesus plainly taught His disciples to “teach” others to do the same things He had taught them to do. Every believer has a responsibility to win souls to Christ. The fulfillment of this accountability carries a joy that far outweighs all joys known and felt by men. BROKENNESS BRINGS JOY. How many believers do you know have a broken heart over sin and lost sinners, and are moved to tears? It is no trifle matter that the Bible mentions “weeping” in Psalm 126:6. Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 that the love of many would “wax cold” because of iniquity (or injustice). We are living in a relatively selfish society today. Tens-of-millions of babies have been legally murdered by abortion. Pornography is almost legal. Feminism is legal. Marriage annulment is legal. Drunkenness and booze are allowed. Fornication is an accepted behaviour. Homosexuality and its marriage are legal. We are headed for destruction. Jeremiah was known as the "weeping prophet," because he often wept over Israel's rebellion against God and the
destruction that the Jews brought upon themselves... "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12). Jeremiah was sitting in the ruins of Jerusalem when he made this statement, after the king of Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem and carried away God's people into captivity. This is where sin always leads...captivity. People are captivated and enslaved by sin. We must be willing to share with them the Gospel to free them from such bondage.
BEARING FRUIT BRINGS JOY. In much the same way that joy shines
through a home in the birth of a baby or an added family member, there comes an unspeakable joy in bearing fruit for God's kingdom through winning souls. It is God’s desire for each and every believer to reproduce new believers in Christ. This is clearly evidenced in Luke 8:8 and 15 in Jesus’ parable of the seeds… “And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear… But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” It is God’s desire for every Christian to reproduce. A believer with an honest and good heart, just as Luke 8:15 says, will surely obey the Bible by going forth with the Gospel, as a soulwinner. No believer can please God without being a soulwinner who shares the Good News of Christ crucified with lost sinners. The word “Gospel” means “good news.” Whereas we all deserve to be punished in hellfire for our sins, Jesus paid the price with His precious blood so we do not have to go to Hell... that alone will suffice to give us a glorious rejoicing. Rewards will not make us happy in Heaven if we have never won a soul to Christ. We may be a very hardworking and giving Christian but if we never went soulwinning, never passed out any Gospel tract, never tried to reach out to the local community with the Gospel, our priorities were backwards. We may receive some rewards in Heaven because of what we did in Jesus’ name. However, we will hardly see any convert in Heaven and what will all those rewards matter if there is no convert to share them with? Our goal should not be to receive rewards in Heaven; but rather, to be able to cherish joyously the company of those whom we led to Christ on earth. What a day that will be!
05
“Ako ay Soulwinning Baptist, Hindi Calvinist!” “Panginoon, kung nais mo akong mag-akay ng kaluluwa patungo sa iyo ngayon, bigyan mo po ako ng palatandaan kung sino ang aking babahaginan.” Tuwing umaga ito ang usal sa panalangin ni Michael, isang binatang may patotoo, di umano, ng kaligtasan at pag-ibig kay Hesus. Isang araw, sa loob ng bus na halos kumakalog dahil sa iilang pasahero, isang malaki at matipunong lalaki ang kay Michael ay tumabi. Taliwas sa inaasahan, si Michael ay nabalot ng hiya at pagkahina ng loob. Kumakabog ang kanyang dibdib habang hinihintay ang susunod na bus stop para siya ay makababa na. Subalit bago pa sumapit ang pagtigil ng bus, sumigaw ang sigang lalaki, “Kailangan ko ang Diyos, hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta ang aking kaluluwa pag dumating na ang aking kamatayan! Kailangan kong maligtas!” Makailang sandali pa ay bumaling ang kanyang tingin kay Michael at nagtanong, “Maaari mo bang ipakita sa akin ang daan patungo sa langit?” Kaagad ay nanalangin si Michael at bumulong, “Ito na po ba ang palatandaan, Panginoon?” Ikaw ba ay katulad ni Michael na naghahanap pa ng palatandaan para magsimulang magbahagi ng Ebanghelyo? Ano ang pumipigil sa iyo para mag-abot ng tracts, ngumiti at mag-umpisang magpatotoong si Hesus lamang ang daan patungo sa langit? Sapat ang pangangaral sa pulpito at ang pangakong presensya ni Kristo bilang pundasyon ng ating paghayo. Tunay na Kristyano lamang ang makauunawa ng kahalagahan ng “soulwinning,” na bagamat hindi literal na nabanggit sa Bibliya, ang terminolohiyang ito ay hayagang tumutukoy naman sa Great Commission na ipinahayag sa maraming talata sa King James Bible (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, John 20:21 at Acts 1:8). Huwag nawa tayong mag-asal Calvinist na may paniniwalang ang kaligtasan ay para lamang sa pinili ng Diyos. Ang Calvinism o ang Reformed Christianity ay pangunahing sangay ng Protestantism, na ang sistema ay hango sa biblikal na interpretasyon ni John Calvin. Ang mga Calvinist ay may limang puntos na pinanghahawakan: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible 06
Grace at Perseverance of the Saints, o mas kilala sa acronym na T.U.L.I.P. Naninindigan silang ang tao (ang kanyang katawan, isip, puso at maging kalooban) ay lubhang apektado ng kasalanan. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit, anila, ay walang kakayahan ang tao na makilala, manampalataya at piliin ang pag-ibig ng Diyos. Ang kaisipan ding ito ang ugat ng kanilang katuruang noon pa man ay hinirang na ng Diyos ang mga maliligtas (predestined election). Kaya nga mag-soulwinning man o hindi, ay may mananatiling daan para maligtas ang mga naturingang “elect.”
hindi lahat ay magpapasakop sa kaligtasang handog Niya, tulad ng mga sisiw na hindi susukob sa proteksyon sa ilalim ng pakpak ng inahing manok. Pangalawa, ang kaligtasan ay para sa lahat: “For God so loved the world… (John 3:16)”… “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb 10:10)” Alam ng Panginoon ang hindi tatanggap sa Kanya. Gayunpaman, hindi maaapektuhan ng pagtanggi ng iba ang katapatan ng pag-aalay ng buhay ng Kanyang bugtong na Anak.
Hindi dapat ito ang ating maging disposisyon! Una, bagamat tayo ay makasalanan, ang Panginoon ay hindi tumingin sa ating kahinaan kundi sa ating kalooban at kagustuhang maligtas. Sa Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”, ipinahayag ni Hesus na nais niyang maligtas ang lahat, ngunit
Kaya nga mapalad tayo dahil ang bawat gawain sa CBBC ay naka-angkla sa pagsunod sa Dakilang Tagubilin. Ang ating pakiisa ay nagpapatibay ng ating pahayag na tayo ay soulwinning Baptist, hindi Calvinist! Ang bunga ng ating pagsusumikap sa pagaakay ng kaluluwa ay maghahatid sa atin ng lubusang kaligayahan tulad ng naranasan ni Apostol Pablo, “… my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Phil 4:1).
We Are Joyfully Blessed Beata B. Agustin
We are blessed to have a right relationship with the Lord! Indeed made possible when He reached down to us with His pardon-record. Now, we can awesomely enjoy His precious favor according to His immutable Word Being truly satisfied marvelously thru His compassion-kindness’ cord. Joyful are we for His granted grace He alone can afford!!! We are blessed to possess eternal salvation! Indeed very sure upon God and His infallible truth’s steadfast foundation. Now, we can heartily rejoice in our new nature thru His act of regeneration-justification Being truly secured constantly midst perilous transgression’s guilt-affliction. Joyful are we for His sacrifice completing our redemption!!! We are blessed to own a glorious mansion in heaven! Indeed certain because of our life everlasting which our Father has given. Now, we can expectantly delight always in His presence in our supplication-haven Being truly sanctified genuinely with our repentance from iniquities’ leaven. Joyful are we for His proven answers to us whom He has forgiven!!! We are blessed to experience holy worship! Indeed victorious as the Spirit meets us within His sweet fellowship. Now we can gladly increase in our faith to please Him, especially in our stewardship Being truly strengthened firmly despite oppositions with His assured partnership. Joyful are we for His righteousness reigning in His leadership!!! We are blessed to practice biblical servanthood! Indeed virtuous since it was shown by our Master Himself in His joyous mood. Now, we can acceptably offer sacrifices of beatitudes excellently best, not merely good Being truly settled evidently along many trials and persecutions we have withstood. Joyful are we for His acknowledgement of our dedication among our brood!!! We are blessed to pursue after profitable investment! Indeed valuable with productive labor toward kingdom advancement. Now, we can diligently work with mirth along Christ’s faithful perfection’s fulfillment Being truly steadfast boldly by His enabling in our ministry involvement. Joyful are we for His might upholding our commitment!!! We are blessed to claim praiseworthy heritage! Indeed great and abundant enriching our Christianity’s pilgrimage. Now, we can cheerfully give to the church of our Saviour Who freed us from sins’ bondage Being truly sealed magnificently and established peacefully against hell fire’s damage. Joyful are we for His love, grateful that we’re His heirs of divine advantage!!! 07
Dr. Ed M. Laurena, Pastor CHURCH ATTENDANCE Aug 9 & Aug 12 Sun. School Sunday AM Sunday PM Wendesday FTVs Baptisms
2, 489 2, 800 1, 180 533 152 19
St. Francis Homes 2, Landayan, City of San Pedro
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY ∙Sunday School ---- 8:30 am ∙Morning Service --- 9:30 am ∙Youth Fellowship -- 2:00 pm ∙Discipleship -------- 3:00 pm 7 Stage Discipleship Children's Discipleship Men Mentoring Men ∙Afternoon Service - 4:00 pm WEDNESDAY ∙Doctrine Class ----- 5:45 pm ∙Prayer Meeting----- 7:00 pm THURSDAY & SATURDAY ∙ Soulwinning and Visitation
Maaari Mong Matiyak ang Langit! Ang 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 impiyerno. Magtiwala ka kay Hesus ngayon! Roma 6:23 “Kung ipahahayag ng iyong bibig na si Hesus ay Panginoon at mananampalataya ka nang buong pusong Siya’y muling binuhay ng Diyos, ikaw ay maliligtas”. Roma 10:9 1. Aminin mong ikaw ay isang makasalanan. Roma 3:10
2. Magsisi ka sa iyong kasalanan. Gawa 17:30 3. Manampalataya kang 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. Nananampalataya po akong nadanak ang dugo ni Hesus at Siya ay
ACTS29 - the official Sunday publication of Christian
tel - (02)869.0433 cel - 0905.3004422 Website: www.cbbcphilippines.com Email address: admin@cbbcphilippines.com BIBLE READING Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Jer 18-22 Jer 23-25 Jer 26-29 Jer 30-31 Jer 32-34 Jer 35-37 Jer 38-41
namatay sa krus para sa akin. Nagsisisi po ako sa 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 nang 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. Bible Baptist Church