LORD’s Day #44

“..I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”

Psalms 84:10b

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SOME EXCERPTS AND LESSONS FROM TODAY’S MESSAGE

SUNDAY SCHOOL

STUDY FOCUS: “BASIC DISCIPLINES OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE: NATURE AND ASPECTS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH”

The nature of spiritual growth:

1. THE MIND
2. THE AFFECTION
3. THE ACTION

This week’s focus:
A. ENLIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING
– A person can increase in knowledge but is not really growing. But no one grows without knowledge
– We cannot proudly say that we don’t study the Bible and we just live with it. How can we live something that we do not know?
– Our ability to live the Scriptures is in proportion to our understanding of it.
– It is impossible to practice the Scriptures without doctrine.

MORNING SERMON

SERMON FOCUS: “LIVING PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN: THE GOVERNMENT AND THE TRUE AUTHORITY”

Text: Romans 13:1-7
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

1. THE CONNECTION
2. THE RELATIONSHIP
3. THE AUTHORITY

– Paul is continuing the teaching in Chapter 12. The theme: Living peaceably with men.
– One of the tasks of the government is to avoid disorder and thus, the reason behind these writings.
– It is because God punishes wrongdoings partly thru the government.
– In Rome, the congregation is predominantly Gentiles and a few Jews. Most Jews were notorious because they misinterpreted Deut. 17:15 creating tension between accepting Jewish ruler vs Gentile ruler.
– The Jews had an issue with recognizing foreign powers. They also had a wrong concept of the Messiah thinking that it will be a political/military leader.
– A spirit-filled believer will need to submit to the authorities ordained by God. The authority of the government/state is ordained by God (Romans 13:1)
– We are all in human relationships. We should value all institutions that were given by God.
– As Christians, we should assert that the law, the human government, and all its authorities were ordained by God. We should value and respect these authorities.
– How about as we subject to EVIL leaders? What is important is our attitude as we appeal to evil-doers – In the sense that we should accept that God put these people in governance.
– Paul did not encourage rebellion against governing authorities.
– It is not at all times that God put wicked leaders to bless but also to curse nations. Moreover, (as Christians) it also FOSTERS our HOPE and TRUST for the RETURN OF CHRIST.
– We should TRUST in the enabling power of God that we ought to pray for our rulers.

AFTERNOON MESSAGE

SERMON FOCUS: “THE CHURCH AS GOD’S PURCHASED POSSESSION”

Text: Acts 20:28
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

1. GOD POSSESSES HIS CHURCH
2. GOD PROVIDES FOR HIS CHURCH
3. GOD PROTECTS HIS CHURCH

– Church of God – in genitive or possessive case, the church belongs to God.
– No one can snatch away the church from God’s hands. Why? Because He purchased the church and paid with His blood.
– Lest we forget these things. we might fall towards doubt and discouragement.
– The Lord’s Supper ought to remind us about Christ purchasing the church and that we are valuable to His sight as His possession.
– Part of God’s provisions to every church – are the ‘pastors’ appointed to be overseers.
– Pastors are under-shepherds under the authority of God.
– God provides for His church and takes care of His possession.
– God protects His church thru His Word in form of warnings, exhortations, and admonitions.
– A very serious warning was given: There will be forces inside and outside the church that may challenge the believers.
– We are valuable not because we love God but because God loved us first.

“We are valuable not because of our intrinsic values, we are valuable because of the expensive price that Christ paid through His own blood.”

This has been an extra special day for our local church here at Herald of Grace Covenant Bible Church of Dasmarinas. Because the LORD added four new covenant members in our midst. Today, as we all partake of the LORD’s table, we are all reminded once again that we are nothing but sinners saved by grace. What a tremendous truth this is!

Blessed LORD’s day, dear brethren!
To God alone be the glory!