Hope That Does Not Disappoint

By Manuel Rodriguez II

God’s hope does not disappoint.

When we hear the word “hope,” it stresses two things. First, it stresses futurity, event or events that which is about to happen. The second one, it stresses about the invisible things, or the things that are not present yet, things we want to come on our lives.

Biblically speaking, the word hope means strong and confident expectation. It is never static or passive, in fact it is dynamic, and it is active, directive and life-sustaining.

The question now is how can we be sure in the midst of suffering to take hold of this (biblical) hope?

In the midst of pain and suffering Jesus Christ tells us to be uncompromising, unwavering and unshakable.

UNCOMPROMISING

Be determined to have that hope.

Romans 5:1-2 says: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into his grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. The point on the verse is God’s grace will grant you peace. A parallel verse made the message clearer, Hebrews 4:15 - 16 states: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities…Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

If we are determined, the mercy and grace of God will come to us. Then we can hope.

The story of the apostle Thomas in the Bible will teach us this kind of determination. Whether we see Thomas as the doubter or the believer, in any case we will see the grace of God in his story.

The account says that Thomas doubted, but we can be sure that he was determined to see the piercing on the hands of Jesus. Jesus could have ascended to Heaven right away without proving himself to Thomas, but he came to his disciple to satisfy the doubt. He came back for Thomas, the doubting disciple.

God will show up and will prove his grace to you.

Like Thomas, we also have doubts and questions. And the faithfulness of God tells us He has answers. Just like what Jesus did to Thomas, he too will come back to us just to satisfy our doubt even to the point of showing up again. So that you will be continued to be strengthen on your faith. Like Thomas, we too should be determined.


UNWAVERING

Be focused to have that hope.

God’s grace will allow you to possess the future.

Romans 5 tells us how the “hope” were talking about is produced. To summarize the entire chapter it points out that we should rejoice in tribulations for it produces patience, and patience produces experience, and experience produces “hope.”

The Bible tells us that we should be focused despite pain and sufferings because it leads to hope. If we remain focused, hope will be secured in our lives.

In the resurrection account in John 20, we’ll see the story of Mary Magdalene. There she was very sorrowful facing the empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

We know the story; she stayed at the empty tomb, meaning she persevered despite her sorrow. She could have left the tomb, but she remained.

If Mary left, she will not see the risen Jesus. The lesson for us here is to persevere even on the moments of facing our empty tombs. We should remain and trust that Jesus will reveal himself.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God is always in control. It says: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It is okay if we are struggling with reality, but we should hold on to Christ. If we do not turn our backs even in the midst of sufferings…we will see the glory of God. So we welcome pain with rejoicing, for we know that our God will deliver us victorious.

Suffering may be a word about today, but hope is a word about tomorrow.


UNSHAKABLE

Be in love with God.

Probably, out of the three this is the most difficult thing to do.

Despite the hardships and trials, he is asking us to love Him still. Why? Because the grace and love of God is more powerful than all our sufferings combined. So be in love with God even in suffering.

In this life, it is easier to lift the name of Jesus if things are going on our way, but it is harder if things are falling on places we do not expect.

The biblical account in John 21 is very popular. It is the story of the conversation of Jesus and Peter. In the said account Jesus asked Peter “do you love me?” thrice. The third time Jesus asked, Peter became a bit mad to Jesus for asking the same question over and over again. Of course we know what happened to Peter on the latter part of the story, he denied the Son of Man thrice. But let us not dwell on the story of Peter’s denial; instead we focus on the conversation between Peter and the Son of Man whom he called the Christ.

In our Bible translations probably we failed to see a message on the word “love” Jesus mentioned on his question “do you love me?” to Peter due to the rich grammar of its original Greek scriptures counterpart.

In the Greek Bible, the first and second “do you love me?” question to Peter, Jesus is talking about the unconditional love translated to greek as agape. Peter replied to Jesus, “Yes Lord, I love you.” The “love” Peter mentioned on his answer to the query of his master refers to brotherly love or phileis in Greek.

The third time the Christ asked Peter “Do you love me?” he stoop down to the level of Love Peter can give. There, Jesus was referred to the brotherly kind of love (phileis).

To give a wide-ranging view of the scenario of the account between Jesus and Peter here’s a better translation/version of the conversation:

JESUS: Do you love me unconditionally (agape)?

PETER: Yes Lord, I love you with a brotherly love (phileis).

JESUS: Do you love me unconditionally (agape)?

PETER: Yes Lord, I love you with a brotherly love (phileis).

JESUS: Peter, do you love me with a brotherly kind of love (phileis)?

PETER: Yes Lord, I love you with a brotherly kind of love (phileis), how many times do I need to tell you that Lord?!

The above conversation, tells us what really transpired between Peter and the man he called the Son of the Living God. But what does the story tell us now.

He is willing to step down for us so we could hope simply because he loves us unconditionally (agape). Like what happened to the story of the doubting Thomas, Jesus went back for his disciple because he loves him. God’s love can reach us.

Brothers and sisters do not stop loving our Lord. He is willing to receive your love no matter how small. No love given to Jesus is insignificant.

We can always hope because we know God loves us. He will always step down; he will always go back for the Thomases and the Mary Magdalenes.

That is the kind of hope that we have, a hope that does not disappoint.

Therefore, the things we should remember in despair to gain hope are the following.

Be determined. Be focused. Be in love with God.

There is always a reason to hope.

Having Same Passion with the Christ

by Manuel Rodriguez II

John 21: 15-19

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Jesus asked Peter: “Do you truly love me more than these?” As Jesus asked that question, he went straight to the matter of the heart.

That question put a shame on Peter and unto us as well. The question to Peter is still being asked by the Lord to us now, “Do you truly love me more than these?” To rephrase the question Jesus asked it says: “Am I of second importance to you?”

Who is God to us anyway? In the question to Peter let me emphasize on the adverb truly.
Peter was asked by the Christ three times. Biblical scholars say that if a phrase, word or sentence in the Scriptures is mentioned three times it means that it is emphasizing itself.
In asking that question to Peter (and to us) it should be clear that God wants us to know what’s inside of us. Most of the time people are being blinded, we thought we love someone but the truth is we don’t. We should be honest to ourselves.

God is all knowing, He knows the answer to His question. He is asking the question not for Him to know the answer but for us to know what is inside of our hearts.

As always, His grace allows us to see his presence. But more than His presence, the conversation between Jesus and Peter allowed us to see beyond His presence. It allowed us to see the passion of Jesus.

God want also His heart to be revealed to you. His passions. His ideas.
God is not just concerned whether you love Him. He is also concerned in sharing to you His heart.

What is the passion of Jesus? It’s the people!

The Bible says that the heart of Jesus cries out for the people. Let us remember the lepers, the tax collectors, the prostitute, the poor people and etc. His heart cries out for all.

That passion is what he wants to share with us.
“Feed my lambs.”
“Take care of my sheep.”
“Feed my sheep.”

If we have truly seen the Lord, then we have seen His heart. If we have truly seen the Lord, then we have also his passion.

For Jesus…people matters. Not programs. Not ministries.

Jesus came to this world not to put up a program, not to put up a religion, not to establish an activity and etc. but to show His passion.

Do we care for the things that Jesus is caring about? Are we willing to exchange our personal interest for the One we love?

And if we look at the heart of Jesus, we’ll see ourselves inside because He cares for us. You were once lost but now you’re found. He is passionate about you.

This is the message He wants to share to Peter, and to all of us.

Our love to God is always translated to our love to the ones around us because the passion of Jesus is for the people. That should be the obvious lesson of the passage.

His heart cries out for you and me. He cares for the eternally significant.

My prayer is that we will be passionate to the people around us and care for what Jesus care, the eternally significant things.

Respond to love because that is the passion of the Lord. Is it easy for me to say? Yes I know, but not impossible because of Jesus Christ.

Think about the fishermen, the prostitute, the tax collectors, the unschooled, the criminals and etc. Jesus loved them all. We too should.

May we have the same passion with our Lord.

Righteousness of God

(Sermon delivered by Aniceto B. Fontanilla on Reformation Sunday at UCCP-Ellinwood Malate Church, October 31, 2004.)
by Nick B. Fontanilla, Ph.D.

The Mayonnaise Jar and the Wine

A professor in his philosophy class picked up a very large and empty jar and filled it with golf balls. He asked the students if the jar was full. The students agreed that it was.

The professor picked up a box of pebbles and poured the pebbles into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced a glass of wine and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, Church, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your other important things -- that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he said, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important.

What this story tells us is that we should pay attention to the things that are critical to our life and that we should set our priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a glass of wine with a friend."



Symbols of Protestant Reformation

In a way, this story captures what reformation of the 16th century has done to Christianity. Reformation opened our eyes so we can recognize what is big stuff and what is small stuff. It rejected rituals, practices, symbols, corruption, doctrines and all those things that represent the small stuff such as the elaborate altar that was common in the old church.

In place, it reformed the church so that Christians are able to focus on things that represent the big stuff. Thus, we see the sanctuary of the reformed church as a picture of simplicity with the Bible at the center, symbolizing the Christ-centeredness of the reformed faith.

Other reforms include Christian principles and doctrines, some of which are shown below:

A Catholic scholar priest acknowledged the importance of the reformation in his book A Biblical Defense of Catholicism that was written in 1991. In this book, he quoted Karl Adam who lamented the loss of Luther whom Adam described to have marvelous gifts of mind and heart, warm penetration of the essence of Christianity, passionate defiance of all unholiness and ungodliness, and the elemental fury of his religious experience.

He says, “Had Martin Luther brought all these magnificent qualities to the removal of the abuses of the time . . . had he remained a faithful member of his Church, humble and simple, sincere and pure, then indeed we should today be his grateful debtors. He would be forever our great Reformer . . . comparable to Thomas Aquinas and Francis of Assisi. He would have been the greatest saint of the German people.

It was, however, not meant to be. The Catholic hierarchy never gave Martin Luther the chance to reform the church. Instead, it pushed him out of the church and gave him the mandate to reform the church outside of the hierarchy.

The Protestant Reformation

The Reformation of the Roman Catholic Church was a major 16th-century religious revolution that ended the ecclesiastical supremacy of the pope and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant churches. The map below shows how the reformation spread from Germany to various parts of Europe:

With the Renaissance and the French Revolution that followed, the Reformation completely altered the medieval way of life in Western Europe and initiated the era of modern history. The UCCP-EMC traces its roots from this reformation, as shown in the history chart below:

Reformation Sunday

Today is Reformation Sunday. It is on this occasion when we recognize the faith, courage, and perseverance of those who risked and lost their lives in their effort to reform the faith and life of the church.

There have been many great Reformers in the history of the church:

1 John Wycliffe and John Huss who initiated reforms even before Martin Luther;

2 Ulrich Zwingli who began the Swiss Reformation;

3 John Calvin, who reformed the church in Geneva and had a profound impact on what we believe as Presbyterians; and

4 John Knox who reformed the church in Scotland and is considered the father of Presbyterianism.

But if was Martin Luther who ignited the Reformation of the church. Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk serving at the University of Wittenberg. Through the years, he became miserable because of what he had been taught to believe.

One night, he reflected on Paul’s letter to the Romans, the very same words we read as our scripture reading. Verse 17 says: For the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, the one who is righteous will live by faith.

When Luther reflected on Paul’s words that the righteousness of God is revealed through faith and that the righteous live by faith, he realized the omissions of the church. For Luther, this was a life changing revelation, a spiritual rebirth.

He learned that God’s righteousness is the means by which God judges sinners. In his reflection, Luther discovered that God’s righteousness was more than just an attribute of God; it was a quality of God, a grace of God that is given to sinners that makes sinners acceptable before God.

It was this radical new perspective that changed everything for Martin Luther. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words written by Paul, he had been set free.

With this new understanding of God’s righteousness and a hope of salvation, Martin Luther composed his 95 Thesis against the practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church. And on the night of Halloween, the eve of All Saint’s Day, October 31, 1517, exactly 487 years ago, Martin Luther walked out of the front doors of the University of Wittenberg, to the front door of the Catholic Church, and there he nailed to the door his 95 Thesis. With that move, the history of the church changed forever.

For Luther, The one who makes us right before God is not ourselves; it is God, the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. That understanding remains central to our faith and should be one of the big stuffs that should fill up our lives.

The reformation started a new culture, a new form of humanity. It touched every aspect of life: work, economics, art, literature, music, science, etc. The doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone based on scripture alone released energy into a society that had previously been preoccupied with an 'other-world' piety.[2]

Reformation was so pervasive that some historians have blamed the Reformation for the rise of capitalism. The 'Weber' thesis equated Protestantism with material success. Weber claimed that Calvinism so stressed predestination that anxious believers began to seek signs of God's election in earthy prosperity, which is not true because Both Luther and Calvin attacked capitalism as unrestrained greed and called for government control of capitalism. Moreover, Zwingli and Calvin contributed to the development of modern social welfare programs, urban renewal and urban and state welfare programs. They forced governments to accept responsibility for the prevention and alleviation of poverty.

The reformation enlightened our understanding of our mission to proclaim the word. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, tells us that we have been set apart for the gospel in this generation.

In Romans 1: 8-17, Paul summarizes the reasons why we have been set apart for the gospel in this generation, that is, we should live from faith to faith. This means that as God’s righteousness is revealed to us, we become his instruments to reveal God’s righteousness to others. Paul says that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.

God’s righteousness is not revealed to us on the basis of our own merits. We discern that righteousness "from faith to faith." Faith is the beginning of our relationship with Christ. But it does not stop there. It goes from faith to faith. And throughout this whole cycle of faith, the righteousness of God is continually revealed – to believers and non-believers.

This is why Martin Luther wrote his famous statement Ecclesia semper reformanda, the Church is always to be reformed. Christianity always needs to be reshaped – that is to be cleansed and sharpened in terms of its theology, reformulated in terms of its culture and reorganised in terms of its practise, and to reveal God’s righteousness from faith to faith.

After all, the classic definition of theology is “faith seeking understanding. Understanding involves grasping clearly what our experience of God tells us about who God is and what God has done for us. It involves engaging in a quest to see our world in a special way from the perspective of God who has created that world and sustains it including all the stuff of theological reflection as we try to understand those experiences from God’s perspective as well as our own. Finally, it involves transformative action, calling us to be prophets proclaiming the gospel.”[3]

Radiant Faith

In our Old Testament text, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with a radiant face. Every time he came down from the mountain, his face was radiant. God’s righteousness was revealed to Moses which he discerned from faith to faith. Every time he came down, he experienced the transformative action of the righteousness of God. And every time, he shared God’s message to his people, proclaiming God’s word, and revealing God’s righteousness faith for faith. [4]

Like Luther, Moses’ encounter with God was a life changing revelation that was nothing short of a spiritual rebirth. Like Luther, he was set free.

Continuing Conversion

Today, on Reformation Sunday, let us reflect on Paul’s message to the Romans -- “For the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith’” and Moses’ encounter with God that made his face so radiant.

As we do that, let us contemplate on what it is that we have to become as faithful followers of Christ and as a congregation to be faithful to the mission and purpose of Reformation.

Many theologians believe that the critical challenge facing the church today is not how to make Christianity credible to the modern world. Rather, the crucial challenge is ecclesiological: the creation of a new and more faithful church, the transformation of the church, not through accommodation, but through conversion.

The key challenge involves thinking through the question, What kind of community are we called to be in order to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ? and to be consistent with the purpose that the reformers fought for and died for, that is to proclaim the gospel.[5]

I would like to paraphrase the recommendations of Darell L. Guder of Princeton Theological Seminary. He says,

“The church can effectively carry out its missionary calling by building a new theology of evangelism that has its focus on the church itself.”[6]

Guder says that we must not succumb to gospel reductionism, and defines Gospel reductionism as an action that reduces the gospel in all its fullness and mission to a controllable, manageable, and comfortable level. He says: "We are constantly tempted to assert that our way of understanding the Christian faith is a final version of Christian truth."

Reductionism as he defines it severely restricts church involvement as it diminishes what for him is vital to become an "incarnational witness." Here he refers to God's grace reaching out in a Christian's call and vocation.

Many mainstream churches are guilty of gospel reductionism. Our local congregations, including the big churches in LCSMC, face this dilemma, one way or the other. Cosmopolitan Church, the bright star in the UCCP LCSMC, took all of 70 years before they embarked on a program called 7x7, meaning seven daughter churches in seven years.

In UCCP-EMC, we are proud of our mission work, having produced many daughter churches in 97 years. But this accomplishment pales in comparison with many young evangelical churches. We now have a mission center that is energized by the many volunteer workers. But it took all of 10 years before it became a reality. We struggled with the thought that it possibly could not be done.

Consistent with the message of the Reformation, Guder recommends continual conversion. By continual conversion, he refers to a rather liquid, dynamic movement in Christianity without boundaries, yet constantly refining what institution is already there.

When Christians become concerned about maintenance, he says, mission is lost. Continual conversion refers to this movement back to mission.

As Martin Luther wrote, Ecclesia semper reformanda -- the Church is always to be reformed. Christianity always needs to be reshaped – that is to be cleansed and sharpened in terms of its theology, reformulated in terms of its culture and reorganised in terms of its practise. That is one important message of reformation.


[1] Spiritual Rebirth (http://www.finleypres.org/worship/sermons/20021027.htm)

[2] Mr. Bill Meischke. Building an Economy of Care. WWW.

[3] Nancy Ammerman, et at. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook. Abingdon Press. Nashville. 1998.

[4] Barbara D. Fillette, North & Southampton Reformed Church, Date: 1/28/01, Title: "Living the Highs and Lows", Occasion: Transfiguration Sunday

[5] Raymond O. Bystrom. On the Church and Our Culture. WWW.

[6] Based on an essay regarding the book Continuing Conversion of the Church written by Professor Darrell L. Guder of the Princeton Theological Seminary.

My Perspective on Liberalism

By Manuel Rodriguez II

The liberal person is stereotype as a militant, not often esteemed and often misunderstood. In the present Filipino culture we have lost track between political liberalism and moral liberalism, to be “liberated” now is to be an immoral person.

As I see it, the term “liberalism” is almost certainly one of the most misapprehended words in the society of Juan dela Cruz.

Perhaps the supreme fallacy of the term is that one cannot be a liberal and a God believing individual at once.

As a Christian-liberal, let me state my political view and assertion on the subject matter. It is a delusion that only politicians should have a political view, every citizen must get involved in the affairs of his State.

My liberal perspective is probably a “hybrid” of my first being a believer and a practitioner of the Christian Faith and second as an advocate of democracy and liberalism as a political system. Back in senior college I was the Chairperson of the Students’ Democratic Party which is the first political party to be organized after the lifting of martial law and a promoter of liberalism and democracy in governance.

I do not expect all fellow liberals to agree on my perspective; many liberally-educated individuals and political scientists (and maybe the religious) may differ or oppose my personal view.

It’s OK, I have learned to accept the fact that it is uncommon to meet two liberals who would agree on a common definition of the term unless in all probability if they are a part of a same political party which has a liberal brand.

It is only normal that the liberals from different walks of life will argue among themselves regarding the definition of the term “liberal” and the principles and ideals that are anchored on it. As liberals tend to price their personal opinions, you should anticipate a flood of ideas, opinions, positions and even formulas in putting up the “ideal society.”

In my opinion, to be liberal does not mean to be a part of a political group. Liberalism is a belief. It is similar to Christianity, Islam, or any other religion however the focus in liberalism is not the belief in a supreme being but in the belief on the attainment of the ideal society.

As a philosophy, the focus of liberalism is on the freedom of the individual. Liberals believe that in order to attain the ideal society, the individuals must be free to do the things that they want as long as it does not affect the rights of other individuals. Liberals give higher importance to the lives of the individuals rather than the life of the State; they believe that the State must be the protector of the people and not its oppressor.

Unlike the traditionalists who stick to lenience and understanding, the liberal always demand change when change is being called for, they are open to new ideas and values. He always calls for genuine reforms, but is not easy to call for arms unlike the radicals and leftists. In fact, he shuns violence as a solution.

The liberal always respect the rule of law and works within the system and not against it. He boldly presents the cancers of the society, asks the hard queries, and offer solutions.

The liberalism political thought asserts that every individual is rational and is responsible and are at the best position to choose his or her interests. Liberals believe that to go after personal interests freely and rationally would lead to the finest of all social systems.

It is in contrast to the view of the fascists and the conservatives that individuals in the social order are linked collectively in an organic whole and affix on social order. Liberals also disagree with the socialist argument that individual interest should bow down to the interest of the society as a whole.

Liberals are firm to their ideal that no principle can ever authorize the restriction of freedom in the political and economic spheres. Liberals give emphasis to equal opportunities to all, they dream of a society where the hard-working and the talented are rewarded the amount of their work. They shun the idea of equality of ends wherein people will simply receive equal shares of the economic benefits.

In my opinion, it is not wrong for liberals to profess a faith and advocate to Christian values of humility, honesty, justice, love and prayerfulness. Religious freedom is one fruit of many libertarian efforts. Liberals believe that each man must be free on his worship to a supreme being, if he chooses to worship at all.

To end, let me state the six core liberal principles that I have learned being a seeker of political knowledge. These six principles sum up everything about liberalism. First is Individualism, or the belief that the individual is more important than the group or society where he/she belongs. Second is Rationalism or the belief that the world is rational and it can be disclosed in the eyes of the human person through the exercise of critical inquiry. Third is Freedom or the ability to act as one desire in agreement to self-determination. Fourth is Responsibility or being responsible for one’s social and economic circumstance. Fifth is Justice or the giving of every person what is due them. And the sixth is Tolerance or the willingness to accept the views or actions that one disagrees or of which one disapproves.

This is my perspective of the liberalism political credo. As I mentioned earlier I do not expect everyone to agree and that will be fine for I respect the differing views regarding the topic and I uphold the sixth core value abovementioned.

There are many professed supporters of liberalism are at times unconfident as to what precisely their political philosophy is all about. I genuinely hope that my perspective helped those people.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Retreat and Surrender

By Manuel Rodriguez II

(Based on the sermon by Rev. Jeffrey Gatdula delivered on April 9, 2011 at Forest Life Resort, Silang Cavite on the occasion of the retreat for the young adults of UCCP-Cosmopolitan Church with the theme “I Retreat, I Surrender.”)

What is “retreat”? The dictionary gives us clear meanings of the term. The word retreat means –to move back or to withdraw. Another definition is to withdraw to a quiet or secluded place or to change one’s decision, plans or attitude.

What is “surrender”? We know that in this life “surrender” is something difficult to live at. It is defined as -- to cease resistance or to abandon oneself entirely to a powerful emotion or influence.

The word “surrender” traces its root from Anglo-Norman. It is a combination of two words namely “sur” and “render.”
“Sur” means superior or excellent, it is where we get the English term “super” which means the same thing. “Render” simply means to give. Ergo “sur-render” literally means super-giving or excellently submitting.

The question now is…are we really “super-giving” as far as the Lord is concerned?

The central to the word “surrender” is our “will.”

Our “will” is a deliberate or fixed desire or intention. It is fixed. It is etched in stone and indelibly written. By analogy in the legal parlance “the last will” of the deceased as a rule cannot be modified.

As we recall in the life of Jesus, he mentioned the phrase “thy Kingdom come, thy WILL be done…” Hence, we can conclude that the Kingdom is the “will” of the Father. Where the “will” of the Father is happening, the Kingdom is present thereat.

God wants us to live “His will” for us instead of “our will” for ourselves. God wants us to experience “His Kingdom.”
In John 18:36 Jesus mentioned that the Kingdom is not of this world. When “God’s will” come upon us…everything changes…even the fixed ones.

Because his Kingdom…A.K.A. “His will” is more supreme. There is always fear when we are not submitting to the will of the father.

Hebrews 9:16-17 says “in the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.”

The verse talks of “the last will.” Nowadays, we need not be legal experts to know that such document has no effect when the testator is still alive, thanks to telenovelas of primetime TV.

“The last will” is similar to the will of the Father; it cannot materialize unless we die.

What kind of death does it talk about? Definitely, not on its literal sense. In Galatians 2:20 the Apostle Paul said “I no longer live but Christ lives in me.” It means dying to self…and letting God take over.

“Surrender” means death. And I must admit that it is not easy. This is the struggle that we face every single day. But we Christians should fret not, for we do not struggle in vain for the Holy Spirit will surely help us.

“Teach me to die to myself every day of my life” must be a part of our daily prayer because unless we die, “God’s will” shall not live.

Losing our lives for him is gaining everything.

Are we ready to lose our lives and give up our desires?

Today is a Perfect Day to Die (my new year message)

Bago ang lahat, ako at ang aking pamilya ay bumabati sa lahat ng Manigong Bagong Taon at isang Masaganang 2011 sa lahat.

The statement “to die oneself” must of course not be taken literally but figuratively.



In the Christian perspective it means to put behind all the sinful things and to start life anew. It means to be dead to sin and be alive in Christ.



As a new century unfolds, let us continue our pursuit in fulfilling our God-given mission, to spread love and be a channel of peace. May our new "New Year's Resolution" is to remain our old selves "dead."



The year 2010 was a year full of storms and tragedies in our lives individually and collectively as a nation. Yet with our fortitude and faith we managed to endure.



And here we are once again, welcoming a new challenge 2011 will dish up on us. May the God that carried us through in 2010 may once again show off his power and prove his might on 2011.



Happy New Year and may all our old selves pass away