The Gospel Story Line

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Dennis

Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength. Out of repentance and admitting you are weak comes real power. Out of giving away and serving others comes real strength. Out of generosity and giving your money away comes real wealth. That’s the gospel story line. – Tim Keller

Posted in GOSPEL | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Dennis

I have read this book twice already in less than six months. Some books are good, some books are great and there are some books that are life-changing and this is one book that has transformed how I preach, lead, pray and live.
I had to stop during the reading of this book to just pray and thank God for His infinite love and grace for me.Tullian Tchividjian’s book Jesus + Nothing = Everything discusses how we as Christians forget to live on the power of the gospel and the grace He provides for us. It seems we started with God’s grace but then as Christians we rely on our strength.

A few of my take home from this book:

1. I need to preach the gospel to myself everyday. I need to see everything with gospel lenses.

2. The only solution and source of what I need is found in Christ.

Everything – Jesus = Nothing

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Book Synopsis: It’s so easy to forget what the Christian faith is all about. We struggle so much, work so hard, and fail so often that we frequently sense something in the equation of life must be missing.

Tullian Tchividjian argues that what we are missing is the gospel—a fuller, more powerful understanding of Jesus and what his finished work means for everyday life.

During a year of great turmoil, Pastor Tchividjian discovered the power of the gospel in his own life. Sharing his story of how Jesus became more real to him, Tchividjian delves deeply into the fundamentals of the faith, explaining the implications of Christ’s sufficiency—a revelation that sets us free and keeps us anchored through life’s storms.

Ultimately, Tchividjian reminds us that Jesus is the whole of the equation as he boldly proclaims that Jesus plus nothing really is everything

The book Jesus + Nothing = Everything is on sale for only $4.99 for a limited time only. Original Price is $16.99

Posted in books | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

God will make a Way

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Dennis

From one of the members of Victory Greenhills, Camille Yambao

I was in awe this Sunday. God can really change the hearts of many. It also happened to my mom..

Last Holy Week kasi, she fret when she knew I was a Christian na. She felt kasi na I was more getting distant sa family kasi syempre malayo na nga ako,  and I’m super busy with work and iba pa religion ko. And she was thinking, naiimpluwensyahan ko yung sister ko na mapalayo din sa kanila, kasi my sister likes attending Victory too.

Then, I heard about the Youth Camp. I wanted to let my sister experience the spirit of God. My mom said NO, I had no choice… -_-

After that, a couple of days ago my sister told me that she was joining a Badminton training, which costs the same as the fee for the Youth Camp. My mom said, YES. I was shocked. I was like—— “WHUUUUUT???” >_

At the back of my mind, Why wouldn’t she let my sister join the Youth Camp? Isn’t it better if she will know more about God instead of learning how to hit a shuttle cock? kinda funny, but IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE. Anyway, sabi nga ni Ate Sally, “..in God’s time :) ”——–> the way I heard it, it was like “..matagal tagal pa ( it will take time) :) ”

So, just this Sunday. God’s message struck me. I got  an issue regarding something. tas un! Napaka sakto. Kasi kung anu yung naiisip ko, yun ung sinabi sa service. ( the preacher said what was running in my mind) Then afterwards, God touched the heart of my mom too. God told them not to worry. “God has plans for your children, learn to let go, you can’t control them. All you have to do is trust God and not worry..”

And then my mom decided to let my sister join the Youth Camp. The good news? It was the last day of payment, and she had a check and was able to pay for my sister’s youth camp. :) ?

And I felt like this is the start. I know my mom and my dad is going to join me in Victory. I pray that they will be in the Word of God and they’ll be more hungry for God’s promises.

But it was IRONIC. During the service and worship I had a hard time controlling my TEARS!! :’) Grabe si Lord. :’) para akong naka HIGH. Yung HIGH na you feel that JOY in your heart. ?

Yun lang. Gusto ko lang i-share. God has His own timing talaga. Never too LATE, never too EARLY. ? Kaya tayo, we may only see and judge kung anu yung meron tayo at that period of time. But God has already planned it all out. Whew! galing lang, kahit we are sinners, God never ceased to let us feel that He is always be there for us. ? ? ?”

Posted in FAMILY, GOSPEL | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Get set free from YOU

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Dennis

I think one of the greatest thing that happens everyday if it ever happens to me is for me to be set free from ME.

As human beings we love us. We think about us. We want us to be comfortable. We want ME to be the hero.

I fight with this almost every single day.

The fight to be more significant in the eyes of the world.

To be more successful in the eyes of my fellow pastors.

To have an image that seems so good to be true.

But to be set free from ME and to be set free from you – your ambitions and your own dreams and to get into what God wants – we have to come to a point where we realized that GOD IS FOR GOD.

Ultimately God is for God. I know God is for me but ultimately God is for God.

Psalms 23:1-3

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters,  3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

When i read Psalms 23 I feel like I am the center of God’s universe. He is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures ( provision), He leads me beside quiet waters ( peace), He guides me in paths of righteousness ( guidance). All for me!!!

FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

But ultimately He does all this things for HIS NAME and HIS GLORY. His motivation is not for us to say we are great but for us to see HIS greatness!!!

Lesson for today: God is for God. 

Photo taken from http://kamarah.wordpress.com/

Posted in GOSPEL | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dazzle your Kids with God’s Grace

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Dennis

One of the best parenting book I have been recommending my friends when they ask what book has helped shaped my parenting is  Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick. This book has helped me tremendously on living out the gospel and dispensing the grace of God in our family.

I have two daughters Alyanna and Mika. I remember an episode last year with my eldest daughter. There comes a time in a life of our kids when we don’t understand why they act or think a certain way. Alyanna was 5 at that time and there was a season where the issue of pride would always come up.

We never teach our kids to be prideful and I guess it is man’s sinful nature being exposed in situations like these. During one of our intense conversation where I was feeling discouraged because I feel that I was not getting through with my eldest, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the gospel and the principles I have learned from the book Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus. Here was our conversation:

Me: Alyanna, daddy doesn’t know what to do anymore. Do you know that what you did was wrong and sinful???

Alyanna: Yes.

Me: Then why can’t you say sorry. SORRY is so simple to say. Why?

Alyanna: I don’t want!

Me: Why? Is it because you feel you are right?

Alyanna: No I just don’t want to say sorry.

At this time I could see myself in Alyanna. Where else could she get her pride? From…. Satan and …… DADDY!!!

Me: Alyanna, I have given you to the rod already and I think the issue now is not if you will get more ROD. You see the ROD reminds you of your sin but it will not change your heart. ( I started pointing at her heart). Alyanna, sin makes us blind to what is right. Sin destroys us. And your pride is sin and there is no way the rod can keep that pride away from your heart. Only the Holy Spirit can help you… do you understand?

Alyanna: No, I don’t understand.

Me: Alyanna, even if we stay here and daddy just forces you to say sorry so that this would be all over, it won’t change your heart. Only Jesus can change your heart. The reason we can say sorry is because Jesus loves us and forgave us even when we were still sinners. When you were bad, Jesus chose to love you.

Alyanna: But Dad, I don’t want to say sorry. It is hard to say sorry. I think I cannot say sorry. I need Jesus to help me because I cannot say sorry.

Me: Yes Alyanna, that is what the Bible says. On your own, you cannot say sorry. Only Jesus can help you to say sorry and remove the pride in your heart. Do you want Jesus to help you?

Alyanna: Yes but it is hard dad.

Me: Let us pray Alyanna. “Lord, we thank you for Jesus, because even though I was bad, Jesus forgave me. Even if I was proud, Jesus forgives me and loves me. Lord, please help me to say sorry and remove my pride. Give me a new heart. I need the Holy Spirit to help me do this.. In Jesus name, Amen.”

Alyanna: Dad, I am sorry for being proud. I am sorry.

Me: Great Alyanna, Now you know that Jesus loves us and that He can change us okay?

Alyanna: Yes dad but I just want to say it is still hard to say sorry.

Me: It’s ok. Everytime you feel like you can’t say sorry and pride comes, ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

Alyanna. Okay dad but it is hard!!!

Me: Holy Spirit Alyanna, Remember Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Conversations in our house have changed as we dispense God’s amazing grace. I know all of us in the family will make mistakes and commit sin, but because of God’s grace we are being transformed from glory to glory.  Thank you Jesus for your grace!!!

You can buy Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus in Amazon while it is on sale for only $7.99. Click on the link I have provided.

Posted in faith, FAMILY, GOSPEL, next generation, parenting | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

How to Stand Firm in the Midst of the Battle

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Dennis

Here was a preaching last year looking at Ephesians 6. I preached don’t how we could stand firm in the midst of battle.

Posted in ephesians, GOSPEL | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

You are Giving the Devil too much credit

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Dennis

You cannot underestimate the enemy. As Christians, we need to know who our enemy is. At the same breath you cannot overestimate the enemy. You can’t always blame the devil. I have a friend who loves blaming the devil. Everything that happens is of the devil.

When his tire burst – it was the demon of flat tires

When his wife is overreacting – it was the demon of overacting

When they are in an argument – it is the spirit of unforgiveness.

I think we need to be careful with how we use our words and terms. To my preacher friends, we have to think about the terminologies we use because it has its implications.

If a Christian brother who understands the gospel, has unforgiveness in his heart, he doesn’t need deliverance from the spirit/ demon of unforgiveness or bitterness. He needs to repent of his sin. He needs to live out the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit and not give the devil too much credit. We need to point out the reason why he is unwilling to forgive if he has experienced the unconditional love and grace of God. He needs to see the idolatry in his heart why he has unforgiveness. If all we do is just cast out and rebuke the demon in him, )or personally I would use the word SIN, since all SIN is demonic) then he could end up with 7 more wicked spirits.

Thus I am saying let us be careful with the terms we use. Is it technically demonic? Yes but should the response be always casting out the demon? No, since all sin is demonic.

So the next time you are faced with situations like these, ask – does he need deliverance aka “casting out of demons” or repentance?

 

-

 

 

Posted in DOCTRINAL, GOSPEL, spiritual warfare | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Offending Christ

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Dennis

Jewish historian Josephus called the crucifixion, “the most wretched of deaths” Roman philosopher Cicero asked that decent Roman citizens not even speak of the cross because it was too disgraceful a subject for the ears of decent people.

With the picture of a girl posing in a sexual manner at the cross during holy week going viral , people of faith and even those who are not Christians are outraged with the lack of decency and respect of some people.

My friend and I got into a discussion because of the picture and the reactions of people with this picture. So what are my thoughts?

1. I think what the girl did was not wise and was  very disrespectful but I think she didn’t have a clue that it is so.

She might have thought it was cool to do such stunt without really thinking about what her actions implied or how others would feel. I think her picture represents us. When this picture was posted in FB and Twitter – a barrage of curses was hurled against her. You could feel the hatred and the anger of the people for such an act. They wanted this girl to be punished for what she has done.

The people wanted justice for the sin that was committed. We were offended. I was offended but at the same breath I realized that…

2. The real offended party here are not the people who are ready to nail the girl at the cross because of her “blasphemous” act but Jesus and all of us are guilty of sinning and rebelling against Jesus.

Once you understand the message of the cross and what Christ accomplished at the cross, you wouldn’t even do something like the what the girl did. On the other hand, if you understand the cross, you will also not heap hatred on the girl who posed on the cross. Why? Because what the girl did is just the representation of our sinful nature. It is actually a picture of me without God’s grace.

And my friend Dodge observed,

“And what the people who cursed at her did is also a reflection of the sinful nature.  Kasi, we tend to see things in this dichotomy, the offender and the offended. Nakakalimutan natin tingnan ( we forget to see) if the offended offended the offender too? Because we want things fair, when we get offended, we want the offender to get punished. Whether or not we offend him/her too. That’s the difference, kasi God is just — He sees each of us, independently of whether we are offenders or offended. Kasi ang nakikita niya yung sin. ( Because what we see is the sin).

At the end of the day, only one has the right to be offended and that is Christ. And he has the right to be offended with the girl, the people who cursed the girl, the unrighteous and the self-righteous, the religious and the irreligious.

And this is where the love and the grace of God comes in. It is when we realize that we are even at our best no heavenly good and that God in spite of our rebellion choose to send His son to die for us and forgive us is what really transforms me.

Romans 3:25-26 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

The more I read and re-read this verse it makes me cry because of God’s amazing love for me. Thank you Jesus for choosing to save a sinner like me. Thank you because you first loved us.

 

 

Posted in Culture, GOSPEL, MISSIONAL | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Notes on Ephesians 3: What’s your problem again?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Dennis

Ephesians 3 talks about the mystery being unveiled. The unveiling of the mystery is part of a bigger cosmic plan of God to save the world through the spreading of the gospel. As we look at the progressive unveiling of God’s plan, we could see that God is in charge and He always sees the big picture and that He is in control.

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

So what has this to do with me?

Well it has a lot to do with you because God’s plan to save the world includes you. Yup, you!!! God’s plan A is the church and I think He has no plan B if you search through Scripture.

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Since you are part of the cosmic plan of God to save the world, imagine the magnitude of the mission God has entrusted the church.

Thus Paul ended chapter 3 with a prayer:

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

His prayer was that we might know how loved we are and His love overwhelms us to the point that we might say “In Christ I am complete.” I need nothing else because I find my sufficiency in Christ.

So let me summarize:

1. As a Christian, you are part of God’s cosmic plan to save the world.

2. God lavishes His love on you that you can’t even measure it.

Then Paul ends his prayer in this famous verse that most Christians know

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Paul was saying- knowing all this things – you still think you have a problem. And if ever you have a problem God in his sovereignty and the magnitude of His plan for the world is nothing compared to our problem coupled that He loves us so much.

 

 

Posted in DOCTRINAL, ephesians | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Jesus is No Plastic Surgeon

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Dennis

Once we experienced who Jesus is, we realized that Jesus is no plastic surgeon. The power of the gospel transforms us from inside out, not outside in.

If you grew up trying to live under the law and not under the grace of God, we tend to do things because it is the right thing to do or because we know that people are watching. Our life is marked by behavior modifications but not heart transformation. We do things out of performance. Our change is only skin deep. It is all cosmetics.

Jesus is more of a CARDIOLOGIST. He opens up our hearts and changes our hearts. In fact Scripture says HE GIVES US A NEW HEART.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:10, 17)

So are you ready for a heart surgery???

 

Posted in GOSPEL | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment