asmSite

Thanksgiving Commitment - Keeping our Commitment

9/23/2010 10:45:09 PM

Keeping the Commitment

A) God’s covenant of an everlasting commitment of Salvation. (Gen 3:17)

- It was promised @ the time of Adam’s fall
- It is fulfilled by the person of Jesus Christ (Matt 21-23)

B) Jonathan and David covenant (1 Sam 18:3)
- Jonathan made a commitment to protect from father (SAUL)
- David made his commitment until to the children of Jonathan (Mephibosheth)

C) Daniel’s Commitment

   1. He did it with politeness - Dan 1:8b
   a. Note that "he requested"
   b. He did not "demand", but respected the authority of those over him

   2. He did it with God's help - Dan 1:9
   a. God gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of eunuchs
   b. Similar to how Joseph found favor in prison - cf. Gen 39:21

   3. He did it through persistence - Dan 1:10-11
   a. He did not give up after the refusal by the chief of the eunuchs
   b. He tried something else, going to the steward directly over them

   4. He did it through willingness to test his faith - Dan 1:12-15
   a. He was confident that God's way was the right way
   b. He was willing to demonstrate the superiority of God's way
   c. So he asked the steward to give him and his three friends
   just water and vegetables for ten days

   HOW TO SUCCEED IN KEEPING OUR COMMITMENT TO THE LORD...

   1. Be polite
   a. There is never any reason to be rude or arrogant
   b. Impoliteness just aggravates a situation rather than helps it - cf. Pro 15:1

   2. Seek God's help
   a. Without God, any effort is more likely to fall - cf. Psa127:1-2
   b. God seeks to help those who are loyal to Him - cf. 2 Chr 16:9

   3. Be persistent
   a. Don't give up trying after meeting the first obstacle
   b. Remember what Jesus taught about persistence:
   b1) Those who keep on "asking, seeking, knocking" will receive, find, have doors opened to them - Mt 7:7-11
   b2) The parable of the persistent widow - Lk 18:1-8

4. Be willing to test your faith

a. If not willing, how committed are you to trusting God?

b. Yet God often invited people to test His promises - cf. Mal 3:10

c. And so does Jesus - cf. Jn 7:16-17; Mt 6:31-34

To live is Christ and to die is gain

9/23/2010 7:10:34 AM

To live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:29)

Intro:

Death is not a choice. All of us will gone through that stage except when caught in Christ at His coming. Birth is not also a choice. We all born to this world not by our choice. But one thing you must choose, to spend eternity. Spending eternity is a choice wether to reject the gift of Christ salvation or to recieve Him. (John 12:48)

In the case of Paul, to live and to die are both gainful.

To live.

A) Is to use his flesh for the glory of God. To gather more fruit (Phil 1:22)

B) To continue exhorting churches and taking care (Phil 1:25)

C) To continue in the ministry of Evangelization (Phil 1:27)

To die

A) Is something more exciting "to die is gain" (Phil 1:29)

B) In Phil 1:23, it's more desire to depart and to be with Christ( 2 Cor 5:8)

C) To recieve the rewards( 2 jn 1:8)

I was invited to speak in funeral service and I come with this message to comfort Christians whom their love ones depart. For a Christian who certainly knows his eternity with the Saviour is just like entering a door with full of amazing things waiting.

Thanksgiving Commitment - When do we give thanks ?

9/17/2010 12:13:21 AM

When do we give thanks to God?

- It should be instant for every blessing that we receive.

- Out of 10 lepers only one turn back to Christ to give thanks. (Luke 17:15-16)

Some reason why a man tends to forget to give thanks:

1. Ungratefulness – Not sensitive to the source of blessing

2. They have influenced by their religion. (Luke 17:14)

- Christ says “Go show yourselves unto the priests” but they haven’t return to Him.

- They render their thanksgiving to their religion

- Religion render religious activities as their thanksgiving etc. (e.g. fiesta)

3. They are lost (Luke 17:18)

- God send blessing to everyone (save/unsaved) (Matt 5:45)

- They could not give thanks because they are lost

- The are covetous (Luke 12:15)

- They are proud of their blessings (Luke 12:16-20)

What is in the grateful leper ?

1. He returned back immediately after he was healed for thanksgiving.

2. He humble down and glorify God (Luke 17:16)

3. He was a Samaritan, a stranger (means 2nd class citizen of Israel)

- Mostly of the thankful people are the poor and needy.

- For Salvation, mostly people saved are the destitute.

Christ respond to the other lepers.

1. Christ ask where the other? (Luke 17:17)

- this means that thanksgiving is a must to all that receive blessing

- Only 1 out of 10 responded on that w/c means that few are practicing this thanksgiving even to our time.

2. Christ will continue to bless those who are returning their blessing to Him ( Luke 17:19)

- Christ says “Arise, go thy way” means live life bountifully

- Faith is the key of the thankful leper.

- Salvation is the key of thankful Christian.

Principles for living

9/10/2010 4:25:58 AM

Text: (Ecc 9:7-17)

Intro: How many times we fail in our targets, we fail in our dreams? Reading the book of Ecclesiates 9:7-17, we would find some principle and depth understanding for living.

I. Princinple # 1 (Doing and loving our work) – Ecc 9:7-10

a) Enjoy the fruit your labor. Share your blessings

b) Live joyfully with your wife. Don’t make the fruit of your work to be a stumbling block of your relationship.

- some husband don’t trust their wife for financial budgeting

c) Do your work at your best

II. Principle # 2 ( Time and chances) – Ecc 9:11

a) Some think success is for the brilliant and skillful people

- but the bible clearly states that it would happen to anyone

- Wait for God’s time and don’t be hasty (Pro. 21:5)

- If chances come, don’t procrastinate (Pro 12:27)

III. Principle # 3 (Take heed to counsels) – Ecc 9:13-18

a) To be wise is to know our weakness

- our common mistake is ignoring the correction of others most specially to the man of God, to our superiors even to our fellows. Sometime we think we are better.

ILLUSTRATION: In the sea, the lighthouse would never CHANGE its course or direction, it’s the ship.

- we are not the lighthouse, we are the ship. We should correct our course when we are corrected. That is wisdom.

b) In verse 15: we could illustrate “wise poor man” here as Jesus Christ as He came to this world in a poor manger. His wisdom would save the entire world but few take heed to this wisdom.

IV. Principle # 4 (Live with integrity) - Ecc 10:1

- One mistake destroys everything

- Christian lost his effectiveness in witnessing people when his testimony is destroyed.

Conclusion: This chapter of Ecclesiates gives us principles to live our life a successful Christian.

Thanks Giving Commitment I

8/19/2010 11:42:13 PM

Thanksgiving is an act of:

1. Worshipping God (Rev 7:12)

2. Prayer (Phi 4:6)

3. Blessing (1 Ti 4:4)

4. Magnifying God (Psa 69:30)

5. Coming before His presence (Psa 95:2)

Why should Christian render thanksgiving unto the Lord?

1. We are redeem freely

- Salvation can’t be bought by our riches but we have it freely (Psa 49:7)

- We are adopted to God’s family (Gal 4:5)

- We are bought w/ a price by Christ blood (1 Cor 6:20)

- We are made perfect creation through Jesus Christ (Eph 4:13, Col 1:28)

- We are made heir of God’s riches (Gal 4:7)

2. God is faithful in His daily supply to our needs. (Matt 5:44-45)

- He is faithful even unto to the unbelievers

3. God is molding us (Isa 64:8)

- He is correcting us with our errors

- Christian should take some negative aspects in life as the hand of Lord molding our life

4. God gives us heavenly wisdom (Col 1:9-10)

- He gives us wisdom to walk upright and to be fruitful

- He gives us wisdom to understand His words (1 Cor 2: 13-14)

How do we render our thanksgiving?

a. w/ humble heart

- Not like the Pharisee (Luke 18:11)

b. thank God even for the blessings that other receive (1 Cor 1:4)

- Paul is thankful to God for the grace that the Corinth church receive

c. thank God without ceasing (1 Th 2:13)

- Paul exhort to thank God to the words they receive because it is not from men but of God

d. thank God by counting your blessings (Matt 6:30)

- Some Christian don’t recognize that it is a blessing already, that’s why they are not thankful

e. thank God by rendering our substance to God (Pro 3:9)

Make it a commitment or an attitude.

a. Christian should develop a thankful heart

b. be thankful to God even in little ways (Phil 4:6)

(ILLUSTRATION) * Think of those who have less than you

- be thankful to our fellows because it will encourage him and others as an example (Acts 27:3)

- The believers in Sidon express warm welcome of apostle as a show of thankfulness

(ILLUSTRATION) * Don delay in expressing appreciation

Hinduism

8/13/2010 12:15:30 AM

Intro:

Hinduism is not a religion in the same sense as Christianity is; it is more like an all encompasing way of life -- much as Native American spirituality
generally regarded as the world's oldest organized religion
Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic religions. They recognize a single deity, and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God
grown to become the world's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. It claims about 950 million followers -- about 14% of the world's population. ₂ It is the dominant religion in India, Nepal, and among the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Sacred text:

- Vedas, Upanishads, Sutras, Bhagavad Gita

Fundamental Hindu beliefs:

Authority of the Vedas (the oldest Indian sacred texts)
Brahmans (priests);
reincarnation -he existence of an enduring soul that transmigrates from one body to another at death
karma- etermines one's destiny both in this life and the next.
Dharma- Aspect of dharma is paying the five debts
Debt to the gods for their blessings; paid by rituals and offerings.
Debt to parents and teachers; paid by supporting them, having children of one's own and passing along knowledge.
Debt to guests; repaid by treating them as if they were gods visiting one's home.
Debt to other human beings; repaid by treating them with respect.
Debt to all other living beings; repaid by offering good will, food or any other help that is appropriate.

Most Hindus are devoted followers of one of the principal gods Shiva, Vishnu or Shakti, and often others besides, yet all these are regarded as manifestations of a single Reality.

- The ultimate goal of all Hindus is release (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). For those of a devotional bent, this means being in God's presence, while those of a philosophical persuasion look forward to uniting with God as a drop of rain merges with the sea.

Practices:

Devotion to God (perceived as Brahman, Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti) or several gods. This devotion usually takes the form of rituals associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines.

Hindu Gods:

Devi, the Divine Female, is also known as the Mother Goddess.
Ganesha -The beloved elephant-faced deity known as Ganesh or Ganesha clears away life's obstacles.
Shiva - is a major Hindu diety, and the Destroyer or transformer of the Trumurti.
Vedic Gods-The ancient Vedas describe a number of deities, most of whom are personified forces of nature
Vishnu -Vishnu, the "All-Pervading," is the protector of the world and the restorer of moral order (dharma).

Ultimale goal of Hinduism - goal of unity with Brahman (Ultimate Reality that is behind the universe and all the gods- "the One.”)

Babylon Mystery Religion IV

8/10/2010 3:32:47 PM

Babylon Mystery Religion IV (Matt 15:9)
Christmas.

I. When was Jesus born?
A. Popular myth puts his birth on December 25th in the year 1 C.E.
B. The New Testament gives no date or year for Jesus birth. The earliest gospel St. Mark's, written about 65 CE begins with the baptism of an adult Jesus. This suggests that the earliest Christians lacked interest in or knowledge of Jesus birthdate.
C. It must not be December: the flocks were still in the fields by night

II. How Did Christmas Come to Be Celebrated on December 25?

Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed.
Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week
At the festival's conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman.
Describes the festival's observance: In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license
Dec 25 was the birth of the unconquered sun or Saturn. In Babylon, this is Nimrod and the rebirth of Nimrod in Tammuz (fire god). Tam means to make perfect and muz fire.
In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians
The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia's concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus birthday.

In conclusion of Christmas

The Origins of Christmas Customs
1. Christmas tree- The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.
2. MISTLETOE
  It comes from the ancient Druid ceremony celebrating winter solstice? This once pagan tradition started when a girl would stand beneath the hanging plant and a boy would walk up, pick a berry and then kiss her. When the berries were gone no more kisses!
3. YULE LOG
  Was taken from ancient sun worship rituals? Yule Logs are supposed to be cut from red oak trees and burned all of Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day.
4. RUDOLPH (the red nose)- invention of Rudolph was an advertising gimmick. The red-nosed reindeer was born in 1939 when a 34-year old writer for Montgomery Ward named Robert L. May was asked to invent a Christmas story.
5. Santa Claus- Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th (the patron of children and sailors). He was immortalized because of his generous and loving nature towards children.
- In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy
- There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania. who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas death, December 6.
- The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing.
- In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th.
- The Dutch called him Sint Nikolass, which eventually evolved into Sinter Klaas. It wasn't until the Dutch began entering America that the colonials of New York began calling him Santa Claus.
- In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa's fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol.
- It is clear that is more paganistic than a Christian activity.
- It is a doctrine of men where Christ is againts ( Matt 15:9)
- Christ give more importance on His death than His birthday (Luke 22:19)

When I'm Saved can I Loose My Salvation

8/10/2010 3:16:40 PM

Others says that salvation can be loose if you go back sinning or commit sin. Well Let us look what the bible says:

A) I John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- It is clear that we can still commit sin because we are still alive but God give us a way out through Jesus Christ who is our advocate when we commit sin by confessing to Him. - But not make salvation as a license of wiilfully committing a sin. Here's a warning. Heb 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. You will recieve physical punishment from God. God's children always take His reprimand but the unsaved He will not because they are not His children.

B)Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. - When you got saved, you are sealed wwith the Holy Spirit. Your body now is the temple of the holy Spirit.He will guide you to do good works as a fruit of your salvation. Not doing good works to be saved but you are doing good works because you are saved.

C)John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. - It is very clear that God will not llet you gone in His hand when you already recieve the gift of salvation.Eternal means forever. He said I give unto them eternal life. God is not a liar. When He gives eternal that means forever.

Conclusion: Salvation is only once to happen. It is not on and off. Other Christian who profess that they are saved but can't be seen in their life, maybe they are not truly saved or just assuming. A true saved person can be seen in their life and testimonies.Backslider will have their horrible reprimands before God if they are truly God's children

Firstfruit

3/19/2008

ROM 11:16

What is firstfruit?

- First fruits offering honors God and gives you the power and anointing to get wealth according to the word of God.
- (Deut 26:2) The children of Israel were instructed to bring a special offering to the Lord at the start of each harvest season
a) Jews celebrates firstfruit every month of Tu Bishvat (late January or early February)
b) Israel is holy to the Lord, the firstfruit of His harvest (Jer 2:3)
c) Israel is holy to the Lord, the firstborn of the Lord (Exo 4:22)
d) God spared their firstborn at the night in Egypt (Exo 11:5)
e) Israel offer all their firstborn as a remembrance of their deleverance form Egypt (Exo 13:2-3)

Why Christians is encouraged to offer firstfruit?

1. Saved Christians are holy to God since Jesus Christ offer himself as the firstfruit. (Col 1:18)
- Christ is the firstborn from the dead, so all he saved will also be born again and resurrected
- Christians are the firstfruit of Jesus Christ (Jam 1:18)

2. The principles that a first fruit offering taught was that a future harvest was promised
- The offering called "first fruits" because it represented the first portion of much more to come.
- A portion of the entire year harvest w/c is offered as firstfruit, the entire whole year harvest will be prosperous since it become holy unto the Lord (Rom 11:16)
- (Pro 3:9) the bible says it is honoring God and a key to prosperity
- God is please to the prosperity of His servants (Psa 35:27)

The Value of the firstfruit

1. It should be holy and the best-For Christ is holy
2. It should be of love-For Christ offer Himself because of love (John 3:16)
3. It should be prepared and prayed-For Christ prayed at Gethsemani the night before he offer Himself.

The Long Journey Blessing

3/18/2008

Exo 13:17

Intro: This verse talks about the God's promise blessings but He is much all knowing what is the best for His people.

A) The long journey blessing of the Israelites
1. What awaits the Israelites in this journey
a) The promise land (Exo. 3:8)
- full of milk and honey
- A great blessings

b) Deliverance
- from oppression
- under the rule of a foreign country

2. What makes this journey long while the promise land is just a mile away? (Exo 13:17)
a) The promise land also have a better resistance (V 8)
b) God knows they are not ready for such blessing.
c) Instead God brought them to wilderness of the Red sea ( Exo 13:18)

B) The long journey blessing of a Christian
1. Some Christian got discourage of an unanswered prayer
a) Maybe you are not ready. Your heart is not ready. (1 Cor 4:2)
- It required faithfulness.

c) Lack of faith
- The Israelites looks for direct miracle during Exodus that why God knows they are not prepared for a great blessing. - Some Christian thinks blessing is equivalent to "material"
- Matt 6:19 ( Lay not treasure on earth, but treasure on heaven)

3. Some Christian don't recognize blessing (Exo 13:20:21)
- God faithfully protect His children (Israelites) during the Exodus
- Yet they murmured (Exo 14:11)
- It is also same to us Christian, God daily faithfully serve us to sustain, yet murmured

C) God's plan
1. Bring us to wilderness
- For sanctification (fiery trial) I Pet 4:12
- For maturity because God does not want us to remain babes in Christ ( 1 Cor 3:1-2)

2. it's a long journey
- To prevent us from backsliding
- remember, every material blessing has great responsibility

CONCLUSION: Even though, our requested blessing seems too late to arrive, but God gives us daily blessing which more valuable than we requested.

Valentines Day

2/17/2008

A Worldly Celebration of Love

Intro: Valentines Day - the world celebrate this festival every 14^th day of February.

1. History and origin:

- It was originally a Roman festival Lupercalia

- Held in the spring and regarded as a festival of purification or februa (where February gets its name) and fertility

- Each year on February 15, the Luperci priests gathered on Palantine Hill at the cave of Lupercal to offer sacrifices to gods.

- Roman armies took the Lupercalia customs with them as they invaded France and Britain

- One of these was a lottery where the names of available maidens were placed in a box and drawn out by the young men. Each man accepted the girl whose name he drew as his love - for the duration of the festival, or sometimes longer.

- During the Christian-Pagan marriage in 4^th century, this Lupercalia festival was change into St. Valentines feast by, Pope Gelasius on 496 AD. The Roman church get pattern of Lupercalia custom of lottery, instead of a name of a maiden woman, they change it to a name of a saint that whosoever name of a saint they pull, they try to emulate their lives.

- Confusion surrounds St Valentine's exact identity. At least three Saint Valentines are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of February 14th. One is described as a priest in Rome, another as a Bishop of Interamna, now Terni in Italy, and the other lived and died in Africa.

- The Bishop of Interamna is most widely accepted as the basis of the modern saint. He was an early Christian martyr who lived in northern Italy in the third century and was put to death on February 14th around 270 AD by the orders of Emperor Claudius II

2. Is this modern festival encourages the love they celebrate?

- This festival encourage sexual lust on to young people (1 Tim 4:1)

- Promotes sexual immorality.

- Practicing the wrong kind of love.

3. To understand love

a) Filial Love

A 1) Affection (storge, στοργη) - the love of children for their parents and parents to their children and relatives

A 2) Friendship (philia, φιλια) - is a strong bond existing between people who share a common interest or activity.

b) Eros (έρως) is love in the sense of 'being in love' of opposite sex. Sexual attraction. (This is the kind of love mostly the world celebrates every 14^th of Feb.)

c) Caritas (agapē, αγαπη) Agape is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance. It is unconditional love.This is the love Christ gives to us. (John 3:16)

The originator of Agape love

1. God is love (1 John 4:8)

2. Because of God's love, He saves us (1 John 4:10)

3. Because of love, He lay down His life for His friends (John 15:13)

4. Because of His love, He is full of mercy (Eph 2:4-5)

Conclusion: For God loves us we also ought to love our brethren (1 John 4:11). For the unsaved, tell them about Jesus, For the saved, pray for them in their Christian living.

The prayer of a failed Christian

2/10/2008

The Prayer of a Failed Christian

Psa 51:1-3

Intro: Chapter 51 is the prayer of King David when he fails the standard of God.

What makes David failed?

a) He commit adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-5)

- He yields to the circumstance of sinning

b) He commit conspiracy and murder to Uriah the husband of Batsheba (2 Sam 11:15)

- This is the chain of event after David committing adultery

- He realize his failure after Nathan's rebuke

What David lost when he failed or commit sin?

a) He lost his joy in the salvation of the Lord (Psa 51:12)

- This leads to loss of joy in serving God like soul winning (psa 51:13)

b) He lost his joy in his music ministry (Psa 51:14-15)

c) He lost his sensitivity of sin (2 Sam 11:27)

d) He lost his blessing (2 Sam 12:14)

What David prayed when he realized that he failed?

a) David prays to God for forgiveness (Psa 51:1-3)

- We could now notice that David is sensitive to his sin

- He acknowledge his sin

1. mine iniquity

2. my sin

3. my transgression

- David acknowledge God's judgment because of his sin (Psa 51:4)

- Other people curse God when they are judge

- David acknowledge of his sin nature (Psa 51:5)

b) David prays for inner renewal or revival (Psa 51:7-12)

- David prays for purging and cleaning power of inner self and this manifest the work Christ (Heb 9:14)

- He prays for revival and joy of salvation (Psa 51:12)

c) David prays for his ministry in serving the Lord (Psa 51:13)

- He will teaching other transgressor based on his mistake and failure

- He prays that his guilt will be taken away that he could continue his choir ministry

- He prays that his mouth will be right in praising

CONCLUSION:

Although David was a man after God's own heart, he still possess the sin nature w/c is responsible for blinding people thoughts and understanding (1Cor 2:14) but we can allow the Holy Spirit w/c is in us after salvation (1 Cor 6:19) to control us and ask God forgiveness(1 John 1:9)

Sinulog Festival

1/18/2008

There are three versions of the origin of the Sto. Nino now venerated in the San Agustin Church in Cebu

1st Version

The most widely-held version of course is that the Sto. Nino image found apparently of Flemish workmanship that was brought by Magellan from Spain in 1521.

-Antonio Pigafetta gave as a gift to the local queen, Dona Juana
-Miguel Lopez de Legaspi arrived in Cebu on April 28, 1565. Forty yrs later after Magellan's death and bombarded Cebu. Juan Camus, a soldier of Legazpi, found the image of the Santo Nino in a wooden box lying side by side with the native idols

2nd version

-is a more obscure view; that the image came from China, where the Franciscans were already proselytizing around the 14th century, and that from China, the image, possibly the work of a Chinese artisan, found its way to the Philippines before the time of Magellan, brought here either through the agency of Chinese traders or unknown Franciscan missionaries. And this is supposed to be the image the Spaniards discovered in 1565.

3rd version

Was a native Cebuano idol long before Magellan appeared on our shores.
it was a mere agipo (firebrand) that was fished out of the sea, which turned out to have magical attributes, and was later transformed into a pagan idol and subsequently, in Legaspi's time, into the present Sto. Nino dressed in European royal crown and finery. (Coulbe the Black Sto. Nino)
The idol was a magical guardian of the grains, protector from pestilence, harbinger of good harvests

SINULOG
- Sinulog festival in Cebu City is held every year on the third Sunday of January Sunday

- Sinulog was originally danced by the natives in honor of their wooden idols and anitos.
- The Sinulog dance steps were believed to originate from Rajah Humabon's adviser, Baladhay.
- Humabon ordered his natives to bring Baladhay into a chapel where the image of Sto. Nino was.
- Moments later, Baladhay was found dancing infront of the image with two forward and one backward believing he was healed.
-In 1980, David S. Odilao, Jr., then Regional Director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development (MYSD), who organized the first ever Sinulog Parade.
- The idea caught and thus, under the direction of the Cebu City Mayor Florentino S. Solon with the help of several influential Cebuanos, Odilao turned over the Sinulog project

Does this festival conform to the standard of God?

It is clearly paganism festival.
This activity is just for business.
The bible says it's a curse (Deut 27:15)
But the idolaters says it performs many miracles
But the bible also says that many perform miracles in the name of Christ but Christ does not know them ( Matt 7:22)
The bible says it profits nothing (Isa 44:10)
The molten images is of falsehood (Jer 10:14)
The graven image is a teacher of lies (Hab 2:18-19)

The devotees says it is child Jesus they worship. Is it the biblical Child Jesus they worship?

The graven child they worship is very elegant
- The biblical child Jesus is very humble and a son of carpenter born on a manger. (Luke 2:16)
The graven child they worship remain a graven child.
- The biblical child Jesus does not remain a child but He grew in all aspects. (Luke 2:40)
The graven child they worship can not save them from the lake of fire. The devotees worship the graven image just for material, physical and worldly needs that the devotees ask.
- The biblical Christ which does not remain a child but offer himself to the cross to save them that seek salvation from eternal damnation. (John 3:16)

Idolatry

1/4/2007

What is idolatry - simply stated any desire or service that is placed before God. Ancient Mesopotamia (Babylonia) had a pantheon (collection of idol gods) of over 1500 gods. The Egyptians worshipped a god with the head of a jackal and the body of a man named Anubis

Kinds of idolatry.

A. Physical idol worship - worship or reverence given to any created object or person. (Exo 20:4-5)
An instance in the bible that God hates idolatry:

B. Material idolatry - setting up their idols in their heart ( Eze 14:3, 2 Ti 3:4)
1. Covetousness, pleasures (2 Ti 3:4)
2. Love worldly praises (John 12:42-43)
3. Human idols (actors, singers, performers etc) (Acts 12:21-23)
Result of idol worship:

Lastly: The bible always warn us to keep away from idol (1 John 5:21)

Israel made a golden calf to worship as the god that saved them (Exo 32:7-8)
1. They think that calf as a representation to God, made our God appreciate.
2. Calf signifies abundance.
3. The idolaters has no faith, their faith depend on what they see (Exo 32:1)
4. Because of idolatry, it became the source idolatrous festivals (Exo 32:5)
5. It caused people naked (Exo 32:25)
6. Because of idolatry, it made the people blind and stiff-necked (religious pride) (Exo 32:9)
1. It brings destruction (Deut 9:20)
2. It bring curse until to our grandchildren (Exo: 20-5)
3. It bring a curse of homosexuality ( Rom 1:24-27)
4. Many times Israel has been captive to their enemies due to idolatry (Jer 52:29)
  
  For a Christian that does not worship idol but still have an idolatrous heart regarding material
  - God brought for the idolatrous people refining afflictions (Isa 48:5-10)
1. - fiesta
  - excessive praise to a person (actors, superheroes)
  - excessive idle time consuming to the world
  - settle our priorities (Matt 6:33)

Babylon Mystery Religion IV

8/10/2010 3:41:31 PM

Babylon Mystery Religion IV (Matt 15:9)
Christmas

Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed.
Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week
At the festival's conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman.
Describes the festival's observance: In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license
Dec 25 was the birth of the unconquered sun or Saturn. In Babylon, this is Nimrod and the rebirth of Nimrod in Tammuz (fire god). Tam means to make perfect and muz fire.
In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians
The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia's concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus birthday.

In conclusion of Christmas

The Origins of Christmas Customs
1. Christmas tree- The Druids of ancient England and France decorated oak trees with fruit and candles to honor their gods of harvests. At the festival Saturnalia the Romans decorated trees with trinkets and candles.
2. MISTLETOE
  It comes from the ancient Druid ceremony celebrating winter solstice? This once pagan tradition started when a girl would stand beneath the hanging plant and a boy would walk up, pick a berry and then kiss her. When the berries were gone no more kisses!
3. YULE LOG
  Was taken from ancient sun worship rituals? Yule Logs are supposed to be cut from red oak trees and burned all of Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day.
4. RUDOLPH (the red nose)- invention of Rudolph was an advertising gimmick. The red-nosed reindeer was born in 1939 when a 34-year old writer for Montgomery Ward named Robert L. May was asked to invent a Christmas story.
5. Santa Claus- Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th .(the patron of children and sailors). He was immortalized because of his generous and loving nature towards children.
- In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy
- There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania. who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas death, December 6.
- The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing.
- In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th.
- The Dutch called him Sint Nikolass, which eventually evolved into Sinter Klaas. It wasn't until the Dutch began entering America that the colonials of New York began calling him Santa Claus.
- In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa's fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol.
- It is clear that is more paganistic than a Christian activity.
- It is a doctrine of men where Christ is againts ( Matt 15:9)
- Christ give more importance on His death than His birthday (Luke 22:19)

Babylon Mystery Religion III

12/27/2007

Babylon Mystery Religion III

THE ROSARY SAINTS AND STATUES

Rosary - it is originally used by Phoenicians, a circle of beads resembling a rosary, used to worship of Astarte, about 800 B.C.

Different groups influenced by the Babylonian usage resembling the rosary.

What Christ teaching about this kind of prayer?
- Use not vain repetitions in praying (Matt 6:7-13)

- Common perception of saint- "refers of a person (dead) who has attained some special degree of holiness"
- Biblical definition -> All who are living (Eph 1:1) whom who receive heartily Christ as their
personal savior and has been cleanse from the blood of Christ and clothe from Christ holiness and righteousness (Rom 10:4, Eph 2:8)

Their Statues

When Rome conquered the world, the same idea was carried out:
Ex: Brighit- goddess of smiths and poetry
Juno Regina - goddess of womanhood and marriage
Minerva - goddess of wisdom
Mercury - the god of orator where Paul was mistakenly identified by the people of Lystra (Acts14:11)

To conquer all pagans to Roman Church this now adapts Christian beliefs in 3rd century - their methodology is to associate pagan gods and goddess to Christian martyrs as saints.

Ex: Architects - St .Thomas, Musicians -St Cecilla, Astronomers - St. Cominic, Beer drinkers - St Nicholas , To obtain a wife - St Anne , Bites from dogs- St . Hubert, Headaches-St. Denis, to obtain husband - St Joseph etc. etc.

Roman church teaches to honor (by kissing bowing), venerate each statues represented to them.

1. Brahmans - used ten and hinders of beads
2. Worshipper of Siva used 1,008 beads resembling the names of their gods
3. Mohammedans-, bead of string consisting 33,66,99 counting the names of Allah
4. Buddhist similar usage of the worshipper of Vishnu, 108 beads
5. Roman church rosary (1050 AD to present) - has 59 beads - 53 Hail Marys, 6 Lord's Prayer, 5 Mysteries, 5 Glory be's and apostles creed.
6. Anglican rosary - 33 beads
1. SAINTS and their STATUES
1. The bible condemns all attempts to commune w/ the dead ( Isa 8:19-20, Deut 18:11)
2. But the bible promotes communing living saints (Jam 5:16) and Christ is our ultimate communion because He is living forever
1. It is originally traced back to the mother of false religion "Babylon" that people prayed to and honored a plurality of gods.
2. Babylonian religion developed 5000 god and goddesses
3. Babylonian religion assign gods to each problem, task, locations, protection, seasons etc. and have individual festivities in honor w/ them.
4. This is also true in Buddhism, the gods of Syrians (the god of war, gods of special task, the god of hills (1 Ki 20:23)
1. Roman church teach that by praying to them they may able to obtain help that God would other wise not give
2. But the Bible says (Rom 5:1-2), we have a direct access to God by faith
1. - But the bible clearly condemns idolatry (Exo 20:4-5, Deut 7:25)
  - Honoring, venerating to statues is just a lighter term for worshipping (idolatry).

Babylon Mystery Religion II

12/27/2007

Babylon Mystery Religion II

Mother and Child Worship

- One of the most outstanding examples of how Babylonian paganism has continued to our day may be seen in the Mary Worship replace the ancient worship of the mother goddess.
- Originally known at the Babylonian goddess mother Semiramis and Tammuz
- When the people scattered from Babylon, they carried their religion.
- Different names occurred due to the confusion of language at Babel (Gen 11:4-9)

Different names per countries:

Chinese: Shingmo or "Holy mother". She is pictured with child in arms and rays of glory around her head.
Germans - Virgin Hertha with child in arms.
Scandinavians - Still Hertha but called her Disa with child in her arms.
Estruscans - called her Nutria
Druids - Virgo-Patitura was worshipped as � Mother of god�.
India - was known as Indrani who was also represented w/ child in arms, Devaki and Crisna
Greeks - called Aphodite or Ceres
Sumerians - Nana
Rome - Venus or Fortuna and her child Jupiter.
Asia - called Cybelle and the child as Deoius
Ephesus - great mother called Diana ( Acts 19:27)
Egypt - mother was known as Isis and her child Horus

This mother-child worship was prominent until the birth of Christ by Mary.

Chronology:
1st -3rd Century - the true church was persecuted by pagan Kings/emperors
3rd century - the marriage of Christianity and Paganism

This is called church of Pergamus in Rev 2:12-15
Most of the pagan belief were carried out and mixed with Christianity
This includes mother-child worship and Mary is the most logical person of choice

Why Mary should not be worship?

She is a creature and not a creator.
She also recognize a saviour ( Luke 1:46-47)
Christ exalts his words than his earthly mother (Luke 11:27-28)
She is not a co-mediatrix (1 Ti 2:5)

Some pagan title of Semiramis transferred to Mary:

Queen of heaven
Lady of the sea "Phoenicians"
Mother of God "Title of Isis"

Babylon Mystery Religion I

12/27/2007

BABYLON MYSTERY RELIGION PART I (Rev 17:1-6)

Intro: The bible uses a aymbolic language, a "woman" or a church religion system.

In contrast of a true church:

likened to a bride, chaste virgin, woman w/o spot/ blemish (Eph 5:27)

Babylon church :

unclean woman, defiled woman, a harlot

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

- After Noah's flood , men migrate from the east and settle @ the plain of the land of Shinar (Gen 11:2)
- It is here the city of Babylon was built later known Mesopotamia.
- Euphrates @ Tigris river makes the city abundant in farming.
A) Nimrod (Gen: 10:8-9)

a mighty hunter and the first one to organize the city of Babel (Gen 10:10)
He was ungodly ruler, Nimrod means "marad" or he rebelled or he who made all the people rebellious against God.

B) Semiramis

wife of Nimrod who declared Nimrod as sun God after his death.
worship as the queen of heaven (Jer 7:18, 44:25)
organized priest (Baal priest / babylonian priest)

C) Tammuz
-Son of Semiramis and Nimrod

was declared Nimrod as the saviour and Nimrod reborn as her basis at the prophecy of Gen 3:15
Died in a hunting activities but believed by his people that he is ressurected after 40 days thus yearly the temple virgins fast as a memorial to Tammuz death/resurrection w/c later called "LENT"

- LENT-> is observed 40 days ending with easter or "ISHTAR" Acts 12:3-4, Eze 8:13-14

II THE SPREAD OF BABYLONIAN RELIGION

From Babylon to Phonecia under the name of Ashteroth and Tammuz.
From Phonecia to Pergamos in Asia Minor.

Mother-Child worship spread

Egypt->Isis and Horus
Greece->Aphrodite and Eros
Rome->Venus and Cupid
India->Devaki and Crishna

III INFLUENCED TO THE ROMAN EMPIRE

- Julius Ceasar was made pontiff "head of the priesthood" in Estruscan Order in 74 BC
- In 63 BC made the "supreme Pontiff" of the Babylonian Order becoming the first empire successor of the Babylonian religion.

Daniel's 70 weeks

12/27/2007

Daniel's 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24-27)

Intro: Daniel's 70 week purpose is to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24).

The 69 weeks already fulfilled

- Daniel 9:25 (7 week + 62 weeks = 69 weeks * 7 days= 483 year ( day= 1year)
- Artaxerxes command to build the 2nd temple ( around 513 BC) to Christ death is 483 years (Nem 2:8)
-The prince of the people (Nero) Daniel 9:26 destroy Jerusalem and the diaspora of the Jews at the 69th week

The 70th week a future prophetic week or called the 7 years tribulation period

Some bible verse contrast of non continous context :Zechariah 9:9 and 9:10

1. v. 9 Messiah entering Jerusalem on a donkey
2. v 10 He is seen ruling over the nations (prophectic)
3. Isaiah 9:6 and 9:7
4. V 6 A child is born, a son given
5. V 7 He is ruling on David's throne over the nations (prophetic)
6. Same also with Daniel 9:26 and Daniel 27
7. V 26 people of the prince (Emperor Nero)
8. V 27 he shall confirm the covenant (The anti-Christ, false Messiah)

Evidence of 70th week a future prophetic week (Daniel 9:27)

1. after 69th week the temple destroy and 70th week needs a temple for sacrifice
2. The covenant maker is a covenant breaker opposite of Jesus Christ

Events prior to 70th week or 7 years tribulation

1. After 69th week, Israel is no longer a nation, 70th week require Israel a nation (1948)
2. Israel must have the desire to rebuild the Temple
3. The prince who is to come will be a world leader and a descendent of Roman Empire
4. The Dome of the Rock must be removed to make way for the Third-Temple.
5. The rapture of the saved Christians

The 1st half of the week (confirm a covenant)
1. The prophetic week clock stops at Christ death and starts again at anti-Christ covenants
2. Peace treaty to all (Jews,Islam,Gentiles) using force. The word confirm in Hebrew is rb'G, Gabar and means to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty
3. Many Jews will realize that Jesus is the Messiah and the persecution takes place for the next 2nd half week (Rev 7;1-8) (Matt. 24:15 Jesus warning about Daniel)
4. Many wars, earthquakes, asteroid fall, pestilences, millions would die. (Matt 24)

The mid week The prince who come would break the covenant and seat at the temple and proclaim that he is god (2 Thes 2:4)

1. the little-horn (Daniel 7:8), takes reigns of his earthly kingdom and attempts to eliminate all Jews

The 2nd half week - All those who refuse to pledge allegiance, receive the mark (Worship) the prince who is to come, the Antichrist , are killed for their faith, but their spirits are seen in Heaven. (Revelation 15:2)

1. Those who are left of the nations then gather for battle, against God in the hills of Megiddo, Armageddon against the remaining surviving Jews.
2. Christ come to destroy evil kingdom with the rapture saints to battle against. (Daniel 2:8)

Nebuchadnezzar's dream

12/27/2007

King Nebuchadnezzar's Statue (Daniel 2: 31-35)

Intro: The symbolism used in this prophecy was an idol that was made of precious metals. The value of the metal decreased as you went from head to toe, but the strength increased.
Metals. - As time progressed the metals became less valuable but stronger. Each successive kingdom would become more brutal and would be an even greater enemy of God.
These are the kingdoms that rule over Israel.

Head of Gold - Babylon (609-539 B.C.) Daniel 2: 36-38

Babylon, under the leadership of king Nebuchadnezzar captured Israel and first took the upper class into slavery
One Head and One Neck. The head represents the single strong nation who would rule and it would not be broken up when it was defeated.
Symbolize with a lion (Daniel 7:4)
Chest and Arms of Silver - Medo-Persia (539-331 B.C.) Daniel 2: 39
The Medes and Persians next conquered Babylon and Cyrus allowed the Jews to go home. He made arrangements to have the temple rebuilt. But the nation was still ruled by foreigners.
Two Arms and One Chest. The two arms are the two empires of the Medes and Persians who succeeded the neck of Babylon
Symbolize with a bear (Daniel 7:5)
Belly and Thighs of Brass - Greece (331-168 B.C.)
One Belly and Two Thighs. The belly represents the first phase after they defeated the Persians, when there was one leader. It eventually was divided into four and then two sections at the end.
Symbolize with Leopard (Daniel 7:6)

4.Legs of Iron - Rome (168 B.C. - 476 A.D.) Daniel 2: 40

word "Rome" means strength, and iron is the strongest of the metals.
Two Legs. Prophetically, Rome was always a nation of two divisions later became the Western and Eastern (Byzantine) empire
Symbolize with fierce beast with 10 horns

5. Feet of Iron and Clay - Europe (476 AD to the end) Daniel 2: 41-42

A kingdom of wars (WW1, WW2, Napoleon wars etc.) always divided
The ten toes are the ten European nations (European Union) presently
Combination of weak and strong nations
Where the anti-Christ rule
Symbolize with fierce beast with 10 horns and a little horn came up (anti-Christ) Daniel 7:8

Stone - The Second Coming (Future) Daniel 2: 44-45

Kingdom of Jesus Christ
Believers also will rule Kingdoms
Symbolize with garment of white as snow (Jesus Kingdom)

Conclusion: The word of God will not passed with fulfilling all its prophecy

Signs of Christ Coming

12/27/2007

Intro: Christ coming is one of the most awaited event for a saved Christian. It's the end of sorrow, persecution, trials and a start of an eternal joy. Below we would take some signs of His coming.

World Great Apostasy - Matt 24:24-25
World Wars (WW1, WW2, Gulf War Mid-East Wars) Matt 24:26-27
World Evangelization ( Many surrender for mission around the world) Matt 24:14
World population (Rev. 9:16)
Daniel's prophecy (Matt 24:15)

6 Prophecy concerning Israel

Information Age Daniel 12:4
Fast Transportation Daniel 12:4
Middle East Peace Process Daniel 9: Palestinian Muslim Arab conflict, Dome of the rock in Jerusalem
. The plan for rebuilding the 3rd temple (later be used by anti-Christ) 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 . www.templeinstitute.org (Temple Mount Faithful organization)
Great earthquakes and tsunamis tsunamis Luke 21:11, v.25
The birth of the mark of the beast. Rev. 13:17-18

- RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). In February 2007 Hitachi unveiled an even smaller RFID device measuring. Human implant. Just after the operation to insert the RFID tag was complete

CONCLUSION:

A Christian must be excited because what the bible written are all coming in place and Christ promise of return is very near. You must be saved prior to His coming

Blood Atonement IV

12/27/2007

Atonement Part 4 ( Heb 10:12-14)

The Blood Atonement of Christ

What can the Blood of Christ do to us?

We are justified freely through his blood (Rom 3:23-24)
We receive redemption and forgiveness of sin (Eph1:7)
It sanctify his redeemed (Heb 13:12)
His blood is an everlasting covenant which means salvation is everlasting (Heb13:20)
Before we are enemies of God, now we are reconciled to God by his blood (Rom 5:9-11)

The High Priest Atoning Blood

Traditionally, the high priest brings the blood of animals for atonement (Heb 9:6)
Now the High Priest of the new covenant brings His own blood (Heb 9:11-14)

The necessity of death for a testament

It is required the death of the testator (Heb 9:16)

1. the 1st testament is weak due to the testator's life not offered (Heb 9:17)
2. Moses uses the death of animal instead of his own as a testator (Heb 9:18-20)
3. The high priest offers the blood of the other (animal) (Heb 9:25)

The new testament was attested by Jesus own death and blood (Heb 9:11-12)

1. as a testament required testator's death, he offered His own blood
2. This testament has a promise of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15)
3. All that look for Him shall appear without sin unto salvation (Heb 9:28)
4. The 1st testament priest is no more effective (Heb 10:11)
5. The 1st testament was perfected by a new testament by one offering perfected forever (Heb 10:12-14)

The Effectivity of Christ Blood Atonement

It starts when you receive Christ as your personal savior (2 Cor 6:2)
It's only once and lasting forever (Heb 9:28, Heb 10:14)
It is free (Eph 2:8-9)

CONCLUSION:
It is only by the blood of Christ can atone us perfectly and eternally by faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mosaic atonement by animal blood/penance/money offering is not perfect and not lasting.

Blood Atonement III

12/26/2007

The Blood Atonement of Christ (Matt. 26:28)

History: Sin sprout to humanity through Adam & Eve (Romans 5:12)
Humanity is separates from God (Romans 3:23)
Penalty of sin is death (Rom 6:23) spiritual death
So then , coming to God is by blood (Heb 9:22)
God promise a eternal atonement to come which is Jesus Christ (Gen 3:15)

This is a prophecy of Christ Victory over death/satan/sin

The importance of Blood

It is life (Deut: 12:23)
A lasting ordinance of God to the Jews not to eat blood (Lev 3:17)
Blood should not be shed casually or needlessly (Gen 9:5)

Blood was reserve for Sacrifice

Israel was born from blood as Passover lamb was slain for deliverance (Exo 12:1-8)
From then, God establish a system of animal blood sacrifice in the wilderness (Lev 17:11)
Over the centuries, millions of gallons or liters of blood shed in the Tabernacle.

The imperfect animal blood sacrifice

It expires yearly
The essence of blood atonement is defeated by money (Matt 21:12-13)
The mediator/priest needs to atone himself
Still all under the animal blood sacrifice was not eternally reconciled with God
It is only a symbol/shadow for a greater Atonement to come (Heb 10:1-4)

The Blood of Christ

- It is with out spot , and a purge ( Heb 9:14)
- Precious (1 Pet 1:19)
- Cleaner from all sins (1 John 1:7)
- It is a blood of new testament (Matt 26:28)
- Innocent (Matt 27:4)
- Is a redemption (Eph 1:7)
- Brings peace (Col 1:20)
- It is shed because of LOVE (Rev 1:5, John 3:16)

Blood Atonement II

12/26/2007

-missing-

Blood Atonement I

12/26/2007

Atonement Part 1 ( Leviticus 16:29-30)

Jewish Modern Practice:

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri (Between September and October)
It is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day
It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur
It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before
specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes
It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Is. 1:18)

Atonement means

setting at one, or reconciliation, of two estranged parties in Hebrew kipper", to make atonement
covering of the eyes (Gen 20:16)
Hebrew word Koper means ransom or bribe or gift (1 Sam 12:3 )

Kinds of atonement (2 Sam 21:3) David ask to Gibeonites of what shall he do to atone them. Gibeonites ask the sons of Saul and David give it except Mephibosheth.

Animal blood atonement (Lev 17:11) the priest offers animal (lamb,goat,calf) blood as an atonement for their sins.

-Blood used as atonement because it has life in it
-Mosaic ritualism the atoning blood thus actually meant the bringing about of a reunion with God, the restoration of peace between the soul and its Maker . Expiatory sacrifice was accompanied by a confession of the sins for which it was designed to make Atonement.
-In case of murder, a heifer will be offer for atonement (Deut 21:1-7)
-Annual atonement ritual offer a ram,bullock,goat (Lev 16:5-11)

Money atonement (Exodus 30 15:16) then money is appointed for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation and an atonement for the soul

Prayer and fasting atonement (Deut 9;18, 25-26) Moses prayed and fast to atone God's fury to the people.

Christ Blood atonement (Matt 26:28, Rom 5;10-11)

CONCLUSION: It is the only Christ blood atonement is the perfect reconciliation to God.

What is in a Christian?

12/21/2007

When i was a unbeliever before, I said to my self : Thus this pepole don't tired going to church every Sunday every Wednesday evening, prayer meeting. Its a boring life. What I don't know is that they are happy of doing that.
So what is in a Christian?
1. In a Christian, they have a happy and peaceful heart. - Jesus Christ brings peace to every person He healed (He saves) - (Luke 7:50) A sinful woman healed from sin by her faith recieves peace. - (Luke 8:48) A sick woman healed form her sickness by faith recieves peace. - (Luke 24:36) during the fellowship of the apostles after Christ risen, Jesus came in the midst of them and they all recieves the peace. - We Christians before are sick and troubled minded, but Christ healed us by faith in Him.

2. We have the fellowship with Christ. A safe fellowship. - (Matt 18:20) Two or more gather in Jesus name, have fellowship in Him. - In our old wicked time, Two or more gather in tanduay name, the devil is in the midst of them. - Fellowshipping with the devil is a very dangerous game. It will kill you. - But in Christ everything is secure. (1 John 1:7) Because we are walking with Jesus, He is the light of our way. - John 6:67-68 : Is sure of whow he is fellowshipping

3. In a Christian, knows how to call God, knows how to utiilize the promises from God. - In times of trouble, a christian know whow he call first. - Jesus Christ show us a concrete example of whom a christian to call during trouble a) In the garden of gethsemane (Luke 22:42 he ask the Father for sympathy) b) In contrast in the bible that we ask help from Mary during oppression but in John 19:26, Jesus Christ is the one comforting His mother. Jesus Christ is keeping in contact with the Father. - We Christian has an access now to the Father through Jesus Christ. John 14:13 -14 - The greatest promise of all the living is the Salvation through faith in Christ.

4. In a christian has a strong spiritual defense against temptation/trials - A christian knows that no temptation which he can't bear (1 Cor 10:13) - A christian is happy of every passed temptation because it has a reward (Jam 1:12)

5. In a christian has fear of the Lord - Psalm 25:14 : The secrets of God will be revealed to every God fearing christian - Psalm 33:18 : God keeps in touch on every God fearing christian - Psalm 111:11 : God gives wisdom to every God fearing christian

Conclusion: - So that it, why every christian live peacefully with confidence and trust to God. A saved christian has this elements in their hearts and the basis of these are all written in the bible.

When I'm Saved can I Loose My Salvation

12/21/2007

Others says that salvation can loose if you go back sinning or commit sin. Well Let us look what the bible says:

A) I John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
- It is clear that we can still commit sin because we are still alive but God give us a way out through Jesus Christ who is our advocate when we commit sin by confessing to Him. - But not make salvation as a license of wiilfully committing a sin. Here's a warning. Heb 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. You will recieve physical punishment from God. God's children always take His reprimand but the unsaved He will not because they are not His children.

B)Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. - When you got saved, you are sealed wwith the Holy Spirit. Your body now is the temple of the holy Spirit.He will guide you to do good works as a fruit of your salvation. Not doing good works to be saved but you are doing good works because you are saved.

C)John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. - It is very clear that God will not llet you gone in His hand when you already recieve the gift of salvation.Eternal means forever. He said I give unto them eternal life. God is not a liar. When He gives eternal that means forever.

Conclusion: Salvation is only once to happen. It is not on and off. Other Christian who profess that they are saved but can't be seen in their life, maybe they are not truly saved or just assuming. A true saved person can be seen in their life and testimonies.Backslider will have their horrible reprimands before God if they are truly God's children

Positive things over Negative things (1 Cor 1:27)

11/26/2007

Do you wonder why God implemented the law before grace? Why not implement grace automatically after the fall of Adam.

A. Before we will take the answer, let us examine the pattern of magnifying His will. Let take the example of the:

1. The poor widow (Luke 21:2 - 4) -Man's view is the poor widow cast only nothing comparing to others. -God's view is the poor widow cast much than any other. God magnify giving with whole heart

2. The publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) -Man's view is the Pharisee(priest) are very holy and to be respected. because they are clean than others. -God's view sinners who repent are the most loved by God. God magnify humility and repentance before him.

3. The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-13) -Man's view is the older brother is should be love more than his prodigal brother. -God's view is a joy in heaven when lost sinner return.(Luke 15:10) God magnify His forgivefulness and mercy to all who are willing to ask Him. With this three samples we get with see a a pattern: When God want to magnify something, He introduce a negative contrast in order people could notice. God wants to magnify grace over law which is the free gift of salvation. If He immediately established grace how could people recognized that it is already grace.But still many people could not recognized the grace even the clarity of contrast between grace and law. II. Personal blessings. When God give you great blessing, God will give you prior hardship. Example: 1. Salvation is a great blessings. - Many are are saved but prior to that are great problems. (Acts 16:25)

B. Sanctification - Many become mature prior to many God's reprimand (sickness,tragedy,etc.).

C. Conclusion When trials and afflications comes to life, check if something is wrong with your self (Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,the Lord will not hear me) and treat it as blessings. 08/05/2005 ;

How do I get saved?

11/25/2007

What would I do to be saved? Or What would I do to go heaven?

This question is very common mostly to all people that believe the existence of God. Religion says that just do good works, be a good person always but the question is, can you always be a good man? I think NO. How much work we need in order to qualify salvation. The bible says that all are sinners (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.) and the good works of people are just rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Sin's penalty is death (Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death) That death talks about spiritual death which we should pay in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.) That's the reason why Jesus Christ died on our behalf. (John 3:16)

So then How can I obtain salvation?

You must accept that you are a sinner and repent. (Luke 5:32 )

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Repentance means 180 degress turn away from sin.

You must believe and trust only Jesus Christ to save you.(John 11:25-26)

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? He paid our sins all at the cross of calvary instead of us. But only to those who believe(John 3;16). Accept Him as you Lord and ONLY personal saviour.

(Acts 4:12) You must call Him in prayer.(Romans 3:13)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.(Romans 3:9) After reading this. Just follow this little prayer for you. Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of salvation you given us. I am a sinner and you are the only one can wash this sin through your blood. I ask you to enter in my heart and save me from the penalty of sin which is death. From now on, I will believe that I'm save. In Jesus name .AMEN. If you do this with faith and heartily then now you are saved.(2 Cor. 6:2) For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

BDV-548039-BDV