Preached on October 05, 2016
By Pastor Boy Aguinaldo Main Text: John 4:6-30 KJV [6] Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. [7] There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. [8] (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) [9] Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. [10] Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. [11] The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? [12] Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? [13] Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: [14] But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. [15] The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. [16] Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. [17] The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: [18] For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. [19] The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. [20] Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. [21] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. [22] Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. [23] But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [25] The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. [26] Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. [27] And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? [28] The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, [29] Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? [30] Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. Worship is a part of our newly-led life in Christ. We express our reverence, adoration, and thanksgiving to God by the various ways of worship. We are taught to give whatever we have for the glory of the Lord. But the Bible has given us the quality in which we must do our worship - in Spirit and in Truth. A. The Location The coming of Jesus Christ broke the Jews' tradition of place of worship. Verse 20-21 of the main text, tells us that we ought to worship God in all places. Him being the bridge that reconciled men with God, and Him being the intermediary, we now can worship God in anywhere. It is not discriminatory, whether one is a Jew or a Gentile (Isaiah 56:6-7). We praise God we have Jesus Christ in our behalf. B. True Worshipers In verse 23 and 24, Jesus states that true worshipers will eventually come that is characterized by worshiping in Spirit and in Truth. No more no less. The Father seeks people who do these kind of worship. Worship is a matter of heart and directed by the truth. Our foundation of worship is our motivation. If we are motivated by our bodies (1 John 2:15-16) then our worship is not pleasing to God. Our worship of God should be directed by our love of God. As we love, so we worship. C. Worship in Spirit True worship must be in the Spirit - that is engaging the whole heart. Unless there is real passion for God, there will be no worship in Spirit. This kind of worship must be produced by the Holy Spirit. D. Worship in Truth Worshiping in the Truth must be based on the Holy Scripture. One must be properly informed. We must know God for who He is and what we are. If we worship ONLY IN SPIRIT, we will get burnout. As soon as the emotion is over, so is the worship. If we worship ONLY IN TRUTH, we fall into legalism. There's no love in doing, and we fall into what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13. The true worship Jesus describes results in joyous appreciation of God. As we know God, we appreciate Him (TRUTH). As we appreciate Him, we deepen our worship (SPIRIT). As we deepen our worship, the more God is glorified (JOY). "Only the Truth can influence our emotions in a way the brings honor to God." /written by: Jenzhel Sanchez /published by: Em Gacad
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Preached on September 22, 2019
By Pastor Godwyn Aguinaldo Main Text: Joshua 1:1-9 KJV [1] Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, [2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. [3] Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. [4] From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. [5] There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. [6] Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. [7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. We’ve read countless times how God has sought the betterment of His chosen nation, Israel, through His plans and promises. They were taken away from slavery in Egypt and was promised an inheritance of a land flowing with milk and honey. While they were on the course of fulfilling God’s promise, they were also guided with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night as they were also aided with food. However, when they were within arms reach of the promised land, Israel was discouraged and faltered when they heard reports about strongholds that they needed to conquer first before occupying the land. God has had it with the whole generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, and did not allow them to come into the promised land due to their disobedience and unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 1:32-35). Instead of trusting that God will give them what He promised, they faltered and doubted God’s faithfulness; they’ve found their reasoning to be more sound than God’s power and might. In our current generation, the pattern still persists. So, for us to obtain the promises of God, how do we make sure that we do not falter? 1. Walk According to His plan Walking According to His plan means that we should act and follow God’s instruction. In John 8:12, we read that the Lord Jesus is the one who will guide us towards God’s promises. Him being the perfect example is key as to how we should act. The more that we are like Jesus, the less likely that we will falter. John 8:12 KJV- "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." It might be difficult at times to truly understand God’s plan for us, but we believe that He reveals it to us believers one way or another. Once we are convicted of God’s desire for us, we should cling unto that and do whatever it takes to fulfill our end of the bargain. If we put our trust in God, it is sure that no stronghold can withstand us into fulfilling God’s promises. 2. Walk with Fear in God To fear God is to give reverence, failing to do so has its consequences. To give reference is to take heed of how powerful our God is. In Jeremiah 33:3, we are challenged to see for ourselves how mighty He is. If we truly trust in God’s power, we should feel secured by His presence. Israel literally saw God’s powers through the parting of the Red Sea. They saw for themselves the presence of God. The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light. Had Israel feared God, and realized His power early on, they might have not tarried so long in the wilderness. Jeremiah 33:3 KJV - "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." 3. Walk in God’s Word Where else can we know God’s instruction but by His word. To walk in God’s word means to dwell in the wisdom, knowledge, and instruction of the Living God. It is through the word of God that we are convicted of His personal promises towards us. It is in the richness of the Bible that we realize God’s blessings and the plan that He has set before us. Psalms 119:105 KJV - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." God’s word guides our decisions, it provides a clear separation between right and wrong. God’s permissive will allowed Israel to falter. However, God’s mercy reigns supreme as He gave Canaan to Israel, it's just that they’ve had to deal with God’s judgment first. Had Israel listened to God that He will fight for them (Exodus 14:14), they must have headed on courageously at the very beginning. We are blessed to have known these things as a reminder of both God’s mercy and justice. God always knows what’s best for us, more than we know for ourselves. Walking with Him, fearing Him, and learning more from Him through the Bible is the best way to acquire His promises. /written by: Raphael Pacheco /published by: Em Gacad Preached on January 06, 2021 - Prayer Meeting
By Pastor Godwyn Aguinaldo Maint Text: Luke 18:13 KJV [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. As children of God, we know the importance of having a prayerful life. Aside from strengthening our relationship with God, it is also an avenue for us to practice our faith. Oftentimes, our prayers are filled with gratitude, repentance, and requests. We are also taught to always pray for our brethren, for it is the simplest but sincerest thing that we can do for them. However, it is not wrong to pray for ourselves. It is not selfish, but rather an act of humility when we pray for ourselves. In fact, even the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for Himself (John 17). Now, ask yourselves, when was the last time that you prayed for yourself? Here, we will find the things that we should ask God for when we pray for ourselves. 1. Pray for God's mercy The word "Mercy" in Hebrew is "Racham" which translates to: to love and have compassion. Everyday, we are stained by our sins, that is why everyday, we need God's mercy. Asking for mercy means we admit that we are sinners. It shows that we humble ourselves before God because we know that we need His forgiveness. Obtaining mercy from the Lord is as simple as praying for it. As proven in Psalm 116:5, "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful." And we are being reminded by Matthew 5:7 that if we want mercy from the Lord, we must also be merciful to others. 2. Pray for God's help We are all aware that even as children of God, for as long as we are living, there will still be challenges and problems that will come our way. Some are simple hurdles that we can easily pass through, but there are those that seem impossible for us to solve. That is why, the second thing that we must pray for is God's help. Asking God for help means that we acknowledge His power in our lives. The truth is, we cannot really face and overcome these problems on our own. No matter how light or heavy it is, we still need God to get through it. 3. Pray for God's strength Just like how much we need God's help, we also need God's strength. In life, there will be many things that can bring us down and make us weak. The temptations, discouragements, and disappointments that we get to face everyday will always test the strength of our faith. One thing that we must remember is that our main source of strength is the Lord. The strength that comes from the world is temporary. May it be physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, we can only rely on God to make us strong. Exodus 15:2 KJV [2] The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Our dependence on God's strength brings Him glory because then, all our victories against the forces of evil will be because of Him alone. Just like what Paul used to say, "for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). 4. Pray for God's blessing Asking God for blessings does not make us selfish. Blessings are not just material things, it can be in the form of peace, joy, health, and many more. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 KJV [9] And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. [10] And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. In the prayer of Jabez, as shown above, the first thing that we must learn when we pray for blessings is to be specific with what we want. We must also learn that we should be prepared for what we ask for. This preparation includes keeping our focus to God and praising Him more. Praying for blessings means that we acknowledge that God is the giver of all that we want and need. Receiving these blessings is not the end point, but rather the beginning of the flow of blessings as we share it to others in need. 5. Pray for God's will We must pray to discover God's will in our lives. God knows what is best for us, even before we existed, God has already planned everything for us. But there are times when the will of God and what we want are different things. Still, we must learn to fully trust and obey God. One of the best examples that comes to mind when we talk about praying for God's will is the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 26:39 KJV [39] And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Here, we can learn that although some of the things that we have to go through in order to pursue God's will may be difficult, sometimes too difficult that it makes us want to take a different route, we can never escape what God has planned for us. Remember, God's will is always greater than ours for it is perfect and He is a perfect God. /written and published by: Em Gacad Preached on October 20, 2019
By Pastor Godwyn Aguinaldo Main Text: Psalm 16:1-11 KJV [1] Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. [2] O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; [3] But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. [4] Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. [5] The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. [6] The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. [7] I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. [8] I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. [10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither will thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Every believer must have absolute certainty that the Lord our God will continue to sustain our life - spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, etc. - even in the face of all apparent opposition. In verse 5 of the main text, the Psalmist asserted that it is God that maintains his lot and that God is the portion of his inheritance and cup. The "lot" here talks about his life and the "portion" talks about the inheritance that God has imparted him. Remember that in Romans 8:17, we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, and that we co-inherited the Kingdom and His righteousness. In this article, may we learn to admire the greatness of our inheritance. What makes our inheritance from God great? 1. Its DISTANCE Most of the time it's hard to appreciate how far we've come unless we remember where we were before. Some times we dismiss the abundance of God's grace without reflecting on where we came from. We should realize that God had lead us far off and more than we could imagine. For some, they might not have been where they wanted or thought of, but know that God's redirection isn't off. A lot of Christians have already known it's purpose, but whether we already know or not, we could only trust Him who have seen it. We've already come a long way from the life that we used to live. And all those hardships that comes with it should've been worth what we now enjoy. 2. Its DELIVERANCE We ought to remember that God has delivered us from the slavery of sins through His Son Jesus Christ. We now live a life that is free from the guilt of sin. Knowing that, we have this certainty of joyful experience of God's blessed hope. Not only that but God has bestowed on us His infinite grace, to which His mercies are new every morning. 3. Its DIVIDENDS Now that God is our Father and we are His sons, he provides for us endlessly. Just us He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness all throughout their journey and gives them a more abundant provision at Canaan, He still desires to demonstrate His faithfulness in provision and maintenance of our lot in life according to Philippians 4:9. The Lord our God whom we serve has never been less than enough. Remember that God is an unlimited God. We have not a single ounce of reason to not count on God. Sure, our life here on our is far beyond perfect. But we ought not forget the inheritance that sustains our lot. May we all serve the Lord with gladness. /written by: Jenzhel Sanchez /published by: Em Gacad |