Grace Bible Church

Gracean August 2007

2007-10-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

Gracean July 2007

2007-07-30T01:56:00.000-07:00

GBC: Life Summer Camp

2007-03-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

Revealed: A story of Divine Adoption

2007-02-18T03:13:00.000-08:00

"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. " - Johann Schiller

It has been said in Heb 12:12 that we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, for the very reason that He is the author and perfecter of our faith. The same could be said of the story of our brother Enzo, whose testimony speaks of the manifold grace of God that writes stories amazing stories of people whose lives have been lead to faith in Christ.

Looking back from the beginning

Like most of us, I underwent a difficult life before coming to know Christ; having grown up in a seemingly regular home; except for an unspeakable relational gap between me and my father. Later on I learned from my mother that the reason for the apparent aloofness of my father was brought about by the fact that I was in truth adopted after my mother showed me a letter from my biological mother entrusting me to the care of my adoptive parents. Realizing this I, began to ask difficult questions from God as to why such a 'tragic fate' came about my life.

It was during that time that I began contemplating a lot of things which, would at times go as far as suicide. But praise God for the love and care of my mom which caused me to refrain from arriving to such rash decisions.

As time went on, when I grew up into adolescence, as most kids my age savoring the apparent ‘freedom’ that comes with living life as I pleased. Thankfully God was already at work. Without my knowing, it was at that time when I eventually come across Cristina Derillo on Friendster, who’d eventually be used by God to plant the seed of the Gospel, and who’d also get me in touch with an evangelical Christian church. It was there that I learned about God, and the joy of Christian fellowship.

However this newfound faith was easily retarded as the 'world' and its pleasures consumed my time and attention that it led me to fail in my studies.

It was there that I came to a realization that I was in fact really living an empty life and like in the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible, I realized the necessity of repentance and turning to God in faith.

A New Beginning

Later on, God again used Cristina and her friends to invite me to Grace Bible Church. During its Easter service last April 16, 2006, God gave me a "burning desire for the Word" akin to that of the Disciples in Luke 24:32. Eventually, what was supposed to be my first visit to GBC would be followed by another and it didn’t take long for me to become involved in the church’s youth ministry, where I was immersed in the study of the Bible and in fellowship with fellow young Christians.

It was in those various activities such as the Afternoon Service message series on the Epistle to the Romans and the Restback youth retreat that I’ve found real spiritual satisfaction in terms of knowing God and experiencing Christian friendship. And as it went on, I also began to notice how I was being changed by the Lord and how He enables me to let go of my bad habits that I had long before I became a Christian.

Along with it came the realization which answers the question as to why my life unfolded in such a manner: it was for me to become a witness to the power of the Gospel of Christ in the lives of men.

Life Goes On

As of now, life along with its ups and downs still goes on for me. I’d encounter the same struggles that we as people seeking to do God’s will experience. But by God’s grace I continue to persevere in my newfound faith in Christ and I cannot help but look back feel blessed by what Pastor Lito once said to me in one of our conversations, that even though I may not be with my biological father now; it is certain that I now have a Spiritual Father in heaven Who is actively at work in my life, and a spiritual family in the church who’d care for me.

As for my parting words all that I can say is that life still goes up and down but I have Jesus to hold on to, and whatever circumstance would come my way, He will never let me down, no matter what. Never under estimate Jesus. Our mission as disciples of Christ is to tell everyone of the Good News of Jesus and my story is just one of the 'good news' that our Lord has penned.

Glory to God!

Lorenzo Capistrano

Penned By...

2007-02-06T03:05:00.000-08:00

Body Building

I'm sure many of us made New Year's Resolutions this year? If so, how many have you broken since January? One of the best ways to keep a resolution is to set some low standards. Do you know that one of the most popular resolutions year after year is to lose weight (or gain weight just like me) and exercise?

I want to suggest this morning, that while it is important to be in our best physical shape, it’s even more crucial for our church to get involved in some "body building" exercises. We want to make sure that GBC is healthy and so we’re going to "work out" by studying some of the "one another" statements in the New Testament.

I believe that that the most important thing we can do, our most revered resolution, if you will, is to personally surrender our lives to God. Once we surrender to the Savior, we must then flesh out our faith in fellowship with others. The life of worship is a life lived in the context of relationships. God saves us individually through personal faith but He doesn’t leave us to live the Christian life alone. We see that in Romans 12:4-5: "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

In Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians, Paul makes over 30 references to the church by using the analogy of a human body. Just as our bodies need care and attention, so too, the church can only be healthy and experience growth when everything is brought into balance and properly exercised.

Vigorous church growth is always multi-dimensional. We must strive to keep our five purposes/mission statement (GRACE) as a church in equilibrium with each other in order for the GBC body to remain healthy. In other words, our message must remain biblical and our mission must reflect balance.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get out of balance in your life? The same is true for the church. We must guard against overemphasizing one aspect of ministry at the exclusion of the others. Some unbalanced churches end up stressing only one or two purposes and can easily become unhealthy.

We use this GRACE statement to guide our preaching diet and leadership decisions so that we don’t ignore any of the biblical mandates. While we must continually focus on all FIVE purposes, it’s also helpful on occasion to isolate one characteristic so that we can understand it in greater depth and experience the advantages of a church-wide emphasis on this one particular aspect. For the next two months, we’re going to give our attention to the "C" of GRACE: Caring for one another.

I’m reading a very challenging book right now called, Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. The picture that he paints of the church is gripping: "There is nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and offers truth to the confused. It provides resources for those in need and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned... Whatever the capacity for human suffering, the church has a greater capacity for healing and wholeness…the radical message of transforming love has been given to the church" (Pages 21-23).

Are you ready for a good work out? Let’s pump some biblical iron so that we can experience this radical message of transforming love.

PTR. LITO SESE

Revealed:GBC-PLM Registered Nurses

2007-02-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

After graduating, their names became a regular in the prayer request list of the GBC church bulletin. They asked for everyone to pray with them as they review and prepare for the exam that will make them “legitimate” nurses. Everyone saw how they worked hard; but what was more noticeable was how this group of aspiring RNs (Registered Nurses, that is) banded together and come out of this “make or break” exam getting what they have worked so hard for.

After graduation, how did you make you prepare for the Nursing Board review?

After four years of hard works, sleepless nights, and endless quizzes and requirements, God has been faithful that we have endured them all! But it is not yet over, here comes our six months in-house review hosted at the preferred review center of our college department and during that time, we were also completing our Operating Room (OR) and Delivery Room (DR) cases. Whoosh! Even though there was so much work to be accomplished, God has provided the needed strength to all of us. Likewise, it was such a blessing that God also prepared us both intellectually and spiritually. We were having our devotion and prayer every Saturday before our review class would start and we were also given the privilege to join the Mission in Benguet (MIB).

Aside from the review, how else did you prepare for the Nursing Board?

Since our review session ended last October, we decided to have our group study for the remaining 2 months. Sometimes we have it in our church or in a friend’s house. If someone is not available, we just studied on our personal time. Moreover, one of our churchmates, a recent board passer was a great help because he lent his precious books to us.

What role did your friendship play as you prepare for the Nursing Board?

During the time of our reviews, we learned the value of friendship and being sisters and brothers in Christ. Like Shadrach, Meschach, and Abed-Nego (written in the book of Daniel), we supported and strengthened one another in difficult times. We stood together in honoring God and in prayers.

Having taken the exams, how was it waiting for the results to come out?

Though we were anxious about what would be the result of our exams, we presented our prayers and petitions to God with thanksgiving; and truly what is written in Phil. 4:6-7 is true; the peace of God that transcends all understanding guarded our hearts in Christ Jesus.

How did you feel seeing the results of the exams?

After 44 days of waiting, we felt so blessed and a joyful feeling filled our hearts because among us no one failed the examination. In addition, we are so thankful to all of you who have prayed with us and for us.

Now that you have passed the Nursing Board, what are your plans?

As of now we are planning to work here in the Philippines. Maybe after 3 or more years, some of us might want to work abroad. But at the moment we want to practice our profession here in our country while serving the Lord.

Anything else you’d like to share to the people who have seen your hard work during your preparations and have prayed with you as you waited for the results of the exams?

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your persistent prayers for us. Truly our God is so faithful especially to His children! God has revealed us that if we truly and genuinely delight ourselves to Him, He will really give the desires of our hearts.

It is our yearning that our attitude in giving thanks to the LORD would be the same kind of eagerness and sincerity we always express when we all seek His will regarding our prayers. May it be a “yes” or a “no”….He will always give what is best for us!

All of us have passed the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination that we may give back all the glory and honor to God… Let’s continually praise Him!

In His grip,

GBC-PLM RN’s

Penned by...

2007-01-28T02:51:00.000-08:00

Being accountable to our own task
(John 21:20-22)

One of my favorite Bible characters is Peter because I can identify myself with him; his character, weaknesses, and failures. There is always a little bit of Peter within us.

Call him impetuous if you will, but it is because of Peter that we have some insights into the Master’s mind that perhaps we, otherwise would not have been privileged to, had it not been for the impetuousness of Peter!

The text before us reveals that Peter was a lot like many of us! Look at his immediate response! Jesus had just told him how he was going to die, yet the first thing he wants to know is what’s going to happen to John!

What was Peter’s motivation in asking this question? I can think of 2 things:

1.) Perhaps he couldn’t stomach the thought that he would be the only one to die a martyr’s death!

Somehow, we feel a little better when we know that we are not the only ones suffering or going through something! And if we are not careful, we will let others’ experiences serve as an excuse for us not to do anything about our experiences. In fact, there are many Christians who don’t do, simply because others are not doing! We fail to understand that God is not going to judge us based on what others did or did not do! Our judgment will be based on what we did or did not do! Every man will have to see God for himself! What others do not do is not a valid excuse for our failure to do what we should do!

2.) Perhaps Peter wanted to know whether or not his experience would be unique or was it something that John would suffer also.

There is a natural human tendency to always try to compare one’s experience with the experience of someone else! Sometimes we do this to make ourselves feel better than others! You remember the self-righteous Pharisee don’t you? Sometimes we make this comparison to try to make sure others are doing as much as we are doing! You remember when Jesus went to visit Mary and Martha’s house?

But notice how our Lord responded to Peter’s inquiry! He said, (in our common everyday language)"Peter, don’t you worry about what is going to happen to John, that’s none of your business! Your business is to just follow me!" That’s the message the Lord has for us today! Many Christians don’t do what they are supposed to be doing because they are obsessed with making sure others are doing! Everybody is trying to watch and make sure everybody else is doing and as a result, no one doing their own business!

If we are not careful, we can even fall into this trap, even in regard to ministry. Someone asked me: "Ptr. Lito, why don’t you do like pastor so and so?" My response was that each man has a unique calling. The Lord did not call me to do or be like pastor so and so; he called me to do what he called me to do!” We err when we try to pattern our ministries and churches after the ministries of others. Each Christian, each church, each ministry has a unique calling. I am out of order when I try to do what the Lord has uniquely called you to do. You are out of order when you think that your experience is the "norm" and thereby measure everybody else’s experiences by your own. It’s not ours to try to enforce the diligence of others; our task is to make sure that we are doing that which the Lord has uniquely called us to do. What difference this will make in our church!

In Peter, we can see the error of our being overly concerned about what he has given others to do. Though your fellow Christian may seem to be prosperous while you are suffering God is not unjust. You don’t know what that brother has been and is going through. Don’t worry about him: You just make sure that you are doing what the Master has assigned for you to do. We will be accountable to our own task someday.

PTR. LITO SESE

Penned by...

2006-12-31T02:57:00.000-08:00

A December to remember

One of the most unforgettable experiences during our childhood is the Christmas season because it brought fun-filled memories. The sad thing about being an adult is that it seems that the "magic" and excitement about it has gone. But for those who celebrated a Christ - filled Christmas, it’s not just memorable and exciting but one that was especially meaningful.

A meaningful celebration this season was those moments I shared with the people I serve. To name a few were the Small Group Christmas Fellowship held last Dec.3. It was an early celebration but I was amazed of how God provided for the overflowing gifts and food that time. As was said, "walang umuwing gutom at luhaan" especially the people in the outreaches we are ministering. Even the extended program for our SGM leaders was fun. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and friends from GBC. But Christmas is not always fun. The death of Warlita Aquino on Dec.10 brought sorrow to us and the bereaved family but we praise God for the opportunity to extend comfort through the preaching of God's word and songs during the funeral and interment services. Then we had the Christmas Cantata held last Dec.17. With just few weeks of preparation, the choir managed to present a beautiful and meaningful message to bring us back to Bethlehem through their songs. As my long time friend Ptr. Mac Blanco who attended that night commented "wala paring kakupas-kupas ang choir nyo". Praise God!

Another meaningful event was the Christmas Fellowship I had with my co-workers last Dec. 22. Together with our families and some deacons, we spent that day with simple games, prizes and affirmations from each other during our exchange gifts. The evening was special when the choir caroled us, gave encouraging words and prayers. I also enjoyed the time I spent with them when we went to NTM in Bataan last Dec26. Our mini-concert brought encouragement to all of the missionaries who came to attend the conference including Emma and Clara, our old time missionaries. One choir member was so happy to see the place once more after 20 years. Of course my most meaningful was the Christmas I spent with my family and in-laws. Aside from requesting me always to say grace for the food (kasi Pastor), we won 2 major prizes during the game. If you happen to guess what were those prizes, (and the game) we will give them to you. Ask my wife Loida.

I must admit that Christmas is sometimes stressful. Many times I slept late at night because of varied things to attend to and it is not something I am accustomed to do. But it did not deprive me of a meaningful experience because I spent Christmas with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. They are not just connected with me but most of all related to me because of our common bond After all, the essence of Christmas was when Christ spent time with the people whom he loved.

PTR. LITO SESE

Revealed: Faith that defines our lives, providence that comes from God and the management of it all

2006-12-02T03:04:00.000-08:00

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added onto you.
Matthew 6:33

The Bible verse above is my life verse because in my heart, it sums up the way a Christian should live his life; whether in the full-time service to our King or as a lay Christian providing the necessary support to those who are in the ministry.

The verse is in fact the clincher for a whole chapter devoted on how we should manage our lives and become a steward with Christ as we sail through it. When the Apostle Paul used the word steward, the original text he used means 'under-rowers in a Roman galley (a Roman war and trade ship similar to a Spanish galleon).' Under-rowers during those times are slaves whose choices are very limited. Thus, as stewards with Christ, we ought to be like servants taking care or managing His resources here on Earth.

We are meant to take care of what is entrusted to us. We ought to have a mind-set that none of these is ours. None of our talents. None of our families and friends. None of our precious kids. None of our possessions. As such, we should always believe in our hearts that we are held responsible for how we manage the things that are given to us. It's almost the same as being held responsible for a job given to us by our superiors or a thesis assigned to us by our professors that need to be completed by a certain date. If we do good, we get good performance reviews/pay hike or we get good grades. If we don't, we can get fired or fail the subject. As stewards of Christ, the stakes are much higher. It is about our crown in heaven. There will always be debacles and times when we mismanage what is entrusted to us. That shouldn't dishearten us. For as long as we can center back to Christ, everything will work out well.

As the true and only captain of our soul, Christ gave these things to us in our care for a purpose. Of course, the ultimate goal is for the glory of His Kingdom and for the Gospel to be heard by everyone. Individually, I believe that God has a specific agenda in each of our lives for giving us whatever He has given us or intends to give us. Whatever it is, we do need to be sensitive to God’s purpose in our lives.

Whatever is entrusted to us, we should always believe that those are providence from God. Whilst some of those are as a result of our hard work, it still is not ours. It is always very difficult to fathom how God appropriates these things to each of us. Most of the times, we feel that what ever is given to us by God, those are not enough. We are always encouraged to count our blessings. Not always easy to do. There's not much to say except that whatever is given to us by God, we do have to make the best out of it. Never question God's providence nor understand His wisdom. It is His and His alone to appropriate.

Through out my Christian life, I always believe that God provides more than what we asked for; for as long as we make good use of those for the purposes those are given to us. There are a lot of things I was given in this life that I did not think I would have. But God has so graciously given those to me. In breaking the principle I’ve written above about not understanding His wisdom, I can only surmise that those have been provided to me because I’m doing something good with those that are entrusted to me initially. At least this line of thinking keeps me centered on God.

Another thing that we need to hold on to is that to whom much is given, much will be asked for. Thus, the more we receive from God, the better we ought to look after those that are given to us.

Lastly, it all starts with faith. The kind of faith that allows us to put our life in God’s hand and truly allow Him to move through us. This sounds daunting! There isn’t any one pattern or template or guidelines on how this is done. I believe each of us has a unique way of how we can have a faith define our lives. It’s up to us find out.

When I finished my bachelor's study, I immediately got a job. Three months into my first job, I resigned. What follows next is the move of faith that defined how I lived my life. Immediately after I resigned, I asked God if he’d wanted me to be in the full time ministry. Just so that I knew I was doing that properly, I volunteered my time to the Living Circle and other church ministries. At the same time, I committed myself into prayer. I visualized how my life would be if I am in the full-time ministry and in the same breath visualized how my life would be if I stay a lay Christian. At that time, I visualized my life for the next fifteen years or so. I committed those to God and made sure I got the correct answer. To this day, I know exactly what I prayed for and I know exactly why I am a lay Christian. I had lived it and them some. God gave me more than what I asked for.

I am again at another cross-road of my life. I know that I reached this with 'almost' the same amount of faith I had when I asked for the kind of life I asked God for when I came off college. I know that my faith these days is a tad short of what it was before. This was because of the successes and achievements in life that brings about pride and self-reliance. Also, because of the failures and debacles that brings about doubt in God's promises. There are two things to be had here. The first is that, there are several cross-roads ahead; it needs to be visualized earlier on and it needs to be brought in God’s presence even before we hit that crossroad. And the second is that, whatever happened in the past, it should be worked out that the faith is made stronger if not maintained for what lies ahead in life.

John John De Leon

Penned By...

2006-12-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas B.C.

I once heard a preacher who gave a profound concept about Christmas. He said “Time can not wither Christmas because it belongs to eternity.” This statement is true to me in two ways. First is that Christmas can not be outdated. We all know that time and history were divided into B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini) meaning “in the year of our Lord.” This proven fact made Christ the center of the past, present, and future history of the world and we can’t deny the truth that everything about Christ including His birth is “His Story.” Second is that Christmas originated from our eternal God. Christ’s coming into this world was not man’s idea. God in His mind planned it even before the world begun. The prophecies of old pointed out that Christ existed from all eternity even before Christmas.

Did you know that if you listen closely, you can hear the sounds of Christmas in the Old Testament? Written over a 1,000 year period, the Old Testament contains several hundred references to the coming existed long before Bethlehem. Jesus the man came into being with His conception in Mary’s womb but Christ the Son of God existed from all eternity.

It is my prayer that our series this season will not only encourage us to look at several key Old Testaments passages that link the prophecy of Christ’s birth with the events of the Christmas, but will also help us understand who Jesus is and why His coming is so important.

Our theme this December does not only convey the truth that Christmas is B.C. (Before Christ) but also my way of greeting you in advance – Have a B.C., a Blessed Christmas!

Nearly two thousand years ago, there was a man whose name is Jesus Christ, who was born contrary to the natural laws of life. Despite Jesus’ obscure background, His life has changed the course of history. History is marked by His coming: B.C. – before Christ, and A.D. – anno domini (in the year of our Lord). Indeed, history is His Story.

PTR. LITO SESE

Penned by...

2006-11-05T02:54:00.000-08:00

What Money Can Do To Your Lives

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Mt.6.24).

Money is a spiritual force in our lives. It is not just a 'neutral medium of exchange' as some economists have claimed but a force that can be positive or negative. There’s power in money that can either draw us to God or lead us away from Him.

Among the risks of money are: 1) we can be deceived into believing that money is our ultimate source of security; 2) we can be tempted to sacrifice our integrity to get more of it; 3) money can compete with our affection to God; and 4) money can blind us to our spiritual condition.

On the other hand, money can provide an opportunity for greater responsibilities in God's kingdom (Lk. 16.10-12). Furthermore, it can be an avenue to know more of God and His will. And lastly, money gives the occasion for God to trust us with more of it.

Well, beloved, the bottom line here is that money is opportunity, an opportunity for spiritual disaster or spiritual development in our lives.

Thus, our theme for this month is 'Habits of Highly Effective Stewards'. We will seek to answer the question, 'How do we make it a positive force? How do we let money become an opportunity for spiritual development?' We will look at the importance of diligence in making money (without becoming enslaved to it), the habits of spending, saving and giving, etc.

I pray that this series will help you in the 'real world' of managing our finances and move you toward experiencing the spiritual upside.

I hope you’ll be here.

PTR. JONG LIMLINGAN

Revealed: A band of brothers

2006-04-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

I was having a very difficult time with writing this article. I wasn't sure why, perhaps I really don't know where to start.

But to what seemed to me as a grueling endeavor of conceptualization seemed to be more than meets the eye, because the best place to start writing about how the Lord worked in the lives of the Baclagon family was basically me.

Simply put, I was a product of this God's work in this church through the ministry that was bestowed upon my brothers. I practically grew up in Grace Bible Church (GBC), with the memories of playing with Edward Nogales and Tercy Manalo in the old building as one of my few childhood memories of the church. Truly: "the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. "

The Lord's work was set into motion with my Kuya Manny's introduction to the gospel through the Living Circle Ministry (LC) in Manila Science which subsequently led him to bring my other Kuyas to GBC starting with Kuya Louie who also became part of the LC Ministry in V. Mapa High School; followed by Kuya Peddie, Benjie and Gerry.

It was through GBC that they came to know the Lord and have decided to follow Him. Back then being a Christian in our household was not as laid-back as it is now because at the time being 'born again' was uncommon in our family who hailed from a Roman Catholic religious background, but as time passed our parents have seen the changes that God brought in the lives of my brothers that they become more understanding of their faith and tolerant of their participation in the church's ministry.

As time passed I too was brought here at GBC early on through the numerous cantata's that were produced during Christmas and Easter and later on through the Sunday School and Junior Worship Services. Eventually I came to a personal relationship with Lord through the church's solid Bible-based preaching which provoked me to realize my need for a Savior.

It was here that I witnessed how the Lord worked in the lives of my brothers as they all later on started their own families here at GBC and still continued to serve the Lord through their own respective ministries: Kuya Benjie as a fulltime campus missionary Kuya Louie through the Board of Trustees and Kuya Gerry through the offertory.

GBC is celebrating its 57th Anniversary this month and I believe that it is but fitting for the Baclagons to give praise to the God that has used this church and its people to minister to us as a family. After all, who would have known that simple preaching of the Gospel in Manila Science High School would weave our family life as brothers that are not only related by blood but also of the same Spirit.

Soli Deo Gloria

chuck baclagon

2006-03-17T02:04:00.000-08:00

Penned by...

2006-03-15T03:04:00.000-08:00

“Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”
John 12:21
At first impression, the Greeks who came to the apostle Philip and uttered those words may seem to have been making just a simple request. But I believe it was a request that came from a deep need and hunger in their souls. They didn’t just want to see what Jesus looked like—they wanted to meet Him in a special way, to know Him personally, to come away refreshed by being in the presence of the Savior.

This heartfelt request perhaps best captures the idea behind our message series in the Afternoon Praise entitled “Encounters with Jesus”. In fact, this is the thought behind all the series of messages lined up in the Afternoon Praise this year. It is a conscious and deliberate attempt to make Christ the center of our preaching. Because honestly, sometimes we forget.

The Bible talks about many things: how to live, how to serve, how to relate to one another…But first and foremost, it speaks of a Lord and Savior Who is to be the center of our lives, our service and our relationship with one another. A loving, trusting, and worshipping relationship with Christ is still the foundation for all these.

The Greeks, who approached Philip, came from a people with great knowledge, culture, heritage, and wealth. Yet all these didn’t matter because they didn’t know Christ.

“We would like to see Jesus,” they said. This is a good reminder to us. Whether we stand in the pulpit or in front of a Sunday School class or singing on the stage. In the church or at home, the school or in the workplace— the cry is still “we would like to see Jesus.” May it be so this year. This year, may people see Jesus through the church’s ministry. And may the Holy Spirit really work among us and cause us to grow in our passion, not only for the church, but most of all, for the Lord Jesus.

Lord, it is my chief complaint
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore;
Oh, for grace to love Thee more!
William Cowper

Benjie Baclagon

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2006-03-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

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The Pastor's Message

2006-02-27T01:16:00.000-08:00

Warm welcome to Grace Bible Church!

I am sure you have heard it said that home is where, when you go there, they have to take you in.

As families today continue to disintegrate, they need the church to be like a substitute for them. They need a place where they can find genuine care and affection.

For 56 yeas now, GBC has always been committed to be a place not only to hear the gospel preached, but also a place for genuine friendship, family spirit, and deep caring relationship.

Join us as we celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God for His children. We invite you to become a part of our growing family; the family of God here at GBC, A PLACE TO BELONG!

For the love of His Church,
Pastor Angelito G. Sese

Contact Us

2006-02-27T01:14:00.000-08:00

Mail: 3041 Nagtahan St., San Miguel 1005 Manila

Telephone : (+632) 715-0983 or (+632) 715-0985

Website : www.gracebiblechurck.tk

Email: gracebiblechurch3041@yahoo.com

Prayer Text Brigade: +63928.6262940 / +63916.5463879 / +63922.8909088

For counseling and/or inquiries, please contact
Pastor Lito Sese, +63917.6107094; Pastor Jong Limlingan, +63918.597848

To reach GBC:

Take any of the following jeepney route and go down at Nagtahan Rotonda

Divisoria - Cubao/San Juan
Quiapo - Pasig/Bacood/Santol
Pandacan - Rotonda
Paco - Rotonda
Take LRT 1 and go down at Doroteo Jose Station then take a jeepney
Take MRT 3 and go down at Altura Station then take a jeepney

Landmark: Foot of Nagtahan Bridge in front of EARIST campus

Our Program

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Schedule of Activities

Sunday Service

Morning Worship - 9:00AM
Sunday School/Discipleship Class - 11AM
Afternoon Praise - 4:30PM

Prayer Meeting

Wednesday, 6:30PM

Living Circle Campus Ministry

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)
Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Scinece and Technology (EARIST)
Garcia High School
Christian Academy of Manila (CAM)

Our Plan

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The Strategy

1. Worship

Christ-centered, edifying to believers, and seeker-sensitive worship services.
Prayer that is oriented to mission and people.
Prayer and worship as a lifestyle.

2. Evangelism

Lifestyle and relational evangelism.
Bridge events that respond to the needs and interests of unbelievers.
"Win-Win" Evangelistic approach - creative in reaching people, but not compromising Biblical teachings and church unity.

3. Fellowship

Small Groups - Sunday Schools and Cell Groups

4. Discipleship

Systematic classes that raises people's level of commitment to Christ and the church.
Discipleship through small groups and personal mentoring.

5. Ministry

Ministry involvement through SHAPE (Spiritual Gift, Heart, Ability, Personality, Experience).
Holistic approach in ministering to people.

The process:

Build relationships with people.
Tell them about Jesus.
Add them to our family.
Disciple them to Christ-like maturity.
Equip them for spiritual multiplication and for ministry.
Send them to their mission in the world.

Our Passion

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Lifestyle Statement

1. Dependence on God (Ephesians 6:18, John 15:5, 1 Peter 4:11)

Seeking God's will and empowerment in everything that we do.
Dedication to prayer and Scriptures.

2. Integrity (2 Timothy 3:16, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:21-24)

Faithfulness to Scriptural truths and principles.
Sense of fairness and justice in everything that we do.
Being honest in all our dealings.

3. Relationship (Concern for People) (Genesis 1:26, Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Peter 3:18, Acts 5:42)

Acknowledging the dignity of the individual.
Sensitivity to the needs, concerns and interests of unbelievers.
Accountability and close fellowship among believers.
Dedication to the growth and equipping of believers.
Commitment to small groups.

4. Excellence (2 Timothy 2:15; Philippians 3:12:-14; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, 10:31, 14:40)

Offering our best in our service to God and people.
Passionate pursuit for growth.
Creativity for effective and efficient ministry.
Ministry with professionalism.

5. Cooperation (Teamwork) (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:1-16; Hebrews 13:7,17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)

Working together with a common purpose and strategy.
Cooperation between leadership and membership -- submission to leadership, sensitivity to membership.
Mutual respect and trust in all our relationships.
Appreciation and recognition of one another's contribution.
Seeking to understand others and working together towards a win-win solution.
In essential things unity, in non-essential things liberty, and in all things charity.

6. Total Ministry (Holistic Ministry) (Matthew 25:35-36,40; 2 Corinthians 8:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Colossians 1:28-29)

Seeking to glorify God in our family, church, community and other areas of influence.
Ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of people.
Helping people mature in all aspects of Christian life and service.
Participation in nation building.

7. Stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30, Ephesians 5:15-16, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2)

Committing our talents and resources in advancing God's kingdom.
Wisdom in the use of time and money in doing the Lord's work.

Our Philosophy

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Doctrinal Statement

1. God

We believe in one Triune God, eternally existing in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal in being, co-identical in nature, co-equal in power and glory, and having the same attributes and perfections. (Matthew 28.19; Luke 3.22; Acts 5.3-6; II Cor. 13.14).

2. Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, became man, without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem all sinful men.

(Matthew 1.18-23; John 1.1-3,14; Titus 2.13; Heb. 4.15).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the Cross as a vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice, and that our justification is made sure by His bodily resurrection from the dead.

(Isa. 53.5-6; Matt.20.28; Luke 24.36-43; John 20.25-28; Gal. 3.13; II Cor. 5.21; Heb.9.11-12; 10.12-14).

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest and Representative, He fulfills the ministry of Intercessor and Advocate.

(Heb. 4.14-16; 9.24; I John 2.1)

3. Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Triune God and who convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; and that He baptizes and indwells all believers, sealing them unto the day of redemption, at the moment of their regeneration.

(Matt. 28.19; John 16. 7-15; Rom. 8.9; I Cor. 12.13; Eph. 5.18; 4.30; I Cor. 6.11).

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Teacher who indwells and empowers all believers for Christian life and service, and Who guides believers into all truth; and, that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Spirit. Some gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the gift of the speaking in tongues and the gift of healing were temporary gifts, and never the necessary signs of the filling of the Holy Spirit.

(John 14.26; 16.12-15; Acts 4.8,31; Rom. 8.23; I Cor. 13.8; Gal. 5.22; Eph. 3.16).

4. The Bible

We believe that the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is inerrant and verbally inspired of God in all its parts, and is of supreme and final authority in faith and life.

(Matt. 5.18; John 10.35; 12.42; 17.17; II Tim. 3.16; II Pet. 1.21).

5. Man

We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that in Adam's sin the human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God; and that unregenerate man is spiritually dead, and utterly unable by himself to remedy his lost condition.

(Gen. 1.26-28; 3.1-14; Mark 7.21-23; John 3.3-5; 8.42-44; Rom. 3.23; 5.21; 7.18).

6. Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man wholly by grace alone and received by repentance and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins, and that apart from Christ there is no possible salvation.

(John 3.16; 6.28-29; Acts 16.30-31; John 14.6; Acts 4.12; Rom. 3.24; 6.23; 4.4-5; Eph. 2.8-9; Luke 13.3,5; Acts 20.21).

We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by God's power, secured in Christ forever, and guaranteed never to perish; and that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of salvation through the testimony of God's Word, which, however, clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion to the flesh.

(John 5.24; 10.27-30; Rom. 3.22; 6.14; 8.16; Gal. 3.26; Eph. 1.3; I Thess. 5.23-24; I John 3.1-3; 5.10-13).

We believe that every saved person possesses two natures - the old and the new nature; and, that although the old nature can never be eradicated in this life, provision has been made for victory of the new nature over the old nature through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

(Rom. 7.15-25; 13.14; I John 1.7-9).

7. Good Works

We believe that all believers should live in such a manner as to glorify their Saviour and Lord, that separation from all forms of religious apostasy and compromise, and all worldly and sinful practices, pleasures and associations is commanded of God.

(Rom. 12.1-2; II Cor. 6.14-16; Eph. 5.11; II Tim.1.13; 4.2-5).

8. Church

We believe that a New Testament church is a local body of born-again believers associated together for worship, observance of the ordinances of the church, and the spread of the Gospel to all the world. All true Christians are also members of the Universal Church which began at the day of Pentecost.

(Matt.16.15-19; 28.19-20; Acts 1.8; 2.41-42,47; I Cor. 12.12-31; Heb. 10.25).

We believe that there are two ordinances which believers are to observe until He comes - Believer's Baptism and the Lord's Supper; and that the immersion of a believer in water baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sets forth the essential facts of redemption (the death and resurrection of Christ) and also the essential outlook of the believer (death to sin and alive unto God). The Lord's Supper is the symbolical commemoration of Christ's death until He comes and should be preceded always by a solemn self-examination.

(Matt.28.19; Luke 22.14-20; Acts 2.37-41; 8.36-39; Rom. 6.3-10; I Cor. 11.23-24).

9. Satan

We believe in the personal existence of Satan, the great adversary of God and His people, who is judged at the cross and whose final doom is certain; and, that Christians are able to resist and overcome Satan and his demons through the blood of the Lamb and the whole armor of God.

(Ezk. 28.13-17; Isa. 14.13-14; John 12.31-32; 16.11; Eph. 6.12-18; I Tim. 3.7; Rev. 20.10).

10. Future

We believe in the imminent return of the Lord for His church before the Seven-Year Tribulation Period, and in His subsequent glorious and visible return to the earth with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom.

(John 14.12; Rom.13.11; Acts 1.6-7; I Cor. 15.51-58; I Thess. 4.13-17; I Thess.2.1-8; Titus 2.13; Rev. 3.10; 19.11-16; 20.1-6; Daniel 9.24-27).

We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men - the saved to eternal conscious bliss with the Lord, and the unsaved to everlasting, conscious punishment in the lake of fire.
(Dan. 12.1-2; Matt. 25.41; Mark 9.44; John 5.25-29; Rev. 6.9-10; 20.10-15; 21.1-8).

Our Purpose

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Vision and Mission Statements

Our vision is to see

The world reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and people grow to full maturity in their love and knowledge of God.

Our mission is to

Glorify God

Reach people for Christ,

Accept them in His family,

Care for them towards maturity, and together

Our Past

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The GBC Story

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men" (Titus 2:11)

In 1949, Dr. Edwin Spahr, an ABWE missionary, led a small group of Christians for Bible studies and prayer. About 15 people attended that first Bible study in Tanduay street. They began inviting their family members, relatives and friends to attend. When the Bible study group grew to forty members, they formed Grace Bible Chapel, which later became the Grace Bible Church.

In the beginning, church services were held in English. Later, a separate worship for the Chinese-speaking congregation was needed, and with the assistance of a missionary from the China Inland Mission, the Chinese-speaking congregation was born. That congregation later became a separate church, Grace Gospel Church, which is now one of the recognized Chinese churches in Manila. The Tagalog service was started in 1973, and it continues today. After several years, the Vesper Service was introduced. In the late 80's, under the leadership of Rev. Andrew Tenefrancia, attendance in GBC Sunday Services grew to 450. It was also during this time that the Lord used the church to begin several congregations in Metro Manila and in Northern Luzon and established campus ministry through the Living Circle.

The church, however, struggled through the 90's. There were difficult experiences, times of instability, painful decisions that the Lord, in His wisdom, allowed the church to undergo. For most of those years, GBC was without a senior pastor. More importantly, we lost God's vision for us and our sense of purpose. But by His grace, we continue to exist and He is now renewing our passion for Him and His kingdom.

Grace Bible Church is a mission-oriented church whose first offering was offered to missionaries. The purpose of the church reads, "the formation of this church is to do our part in fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior... and desire to use every possible Scriptural means of evangelism." And this is what we want to pursue NOW.

Thus, our vision is to see the world reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and people grow to full maturity in their love and knowledge of God as found in Matthew 28.18-20 and Colossians 1.28. The Scriptures state all Christians are called by the Lord to be ministers. Each believer is commissioned, endowed and empowered by God to minister to those in the church, to spread the Gospel and to disciple others.

God has called us to fulfill the Great Commission. We welcome all who are willing to share the same vision with us for His glory.