God's Grace for Each One of Us – April 28, 2013

Shepherd Timothy Mayers

Romans 8:18-27; KV: John 3:16

I have question for you before we start, "What is suffering/trial for you?"

An Overview of Revelations (Apr 21, 2013)

April 21, 2013

• I pray that you may come to know and understand Revelation as much as John's Gospel and Genesis. Revelation is the culmination of the entire Bible.
• Read one and a half chapters of Revelation each day for the next 2 weeks. 
• Choose a question and share what you learned today at next week's Sunday service.

1. What is another name for Revelation?        The Apocalypse

2. What is the meaning of Revelation or Apocalypse?

In the west, apocalypse conveys the meaning of catastrophe, disaster, or terrible things befalling the earth, a last judgment. In a sense, this is true; because God will destroy the power of Satan when Jesus comes again. But the word actually means "unveiling" or "uncovering." What was hidden, God will uncover, so that we can begin to see and understand what the end times will be. The last words of Revelations say, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev 22:20). Basically Revelation tells us that our greatest hope as Christians is that Jesus will come again very soon, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, like a thief in the night, when you don't expect it. That's the hope of not only 1st century Christians but even Christians throughout the ages.

What Happens in Heaven? (Revelation 4-5) Sun, Apr 21, 2013

Revelation 4:1-5:14; Key Verse: Rev 4:2 (Sun Apr 21, 2013)

"At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it."

Questions. What is God like? What happens in heaven? How does this apply to my life on earth?

Short answers : 1) God--who is on a throne in heaven--is sovereign; he rules the world. 2) All beings around God's throne are worshiping God. 3) All of life is worship. Why? If the book of Revelation has a single theme, then surely it is God and his greatness, which Rev 4-5 will show.

HOW TO PRAY - April 7, 2013 Sunday Service Message at Valenzuela - Dr. William Altobar

Matthew 6: 9-13

What is prayer?

I asked the listeners what is prayer? One of them answered me, “Prayer is asking God to give you something".  Another one said "It’s a silent communication with God and meditation of His word.”  Some said, "Asking GOD what the future holds.”  And I believe that all of their answers are correct.

Prayer, as we define it from dictionary, is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks to God. But the delicate and profound meaning of prayer is to not only ask God about the things we want but instead, to help us focus mainly on what God wants for us. His heart and His will. There are two ways on how to approach GOD in prayer.

April 14, 2013 - Sunday Worship Service Message - Valenzuela

Romans 5: 1 – 9; Key verse: Romans 5:3-4

• Justification (Ro 5:1-2)

The word justified in this passage is repeated twice, first in v. 1, “since we have been justified through faith” (italics added), and the last in v. 9, “Since we have now been justified by his blood” (italics added). Justification is a wonderful thing for us believers in Christ, for we know that through faith and through the blood of our Lord, that we (filthy sinners as we are) have been made right in the eyes of our God. Our sin with which our Lord and Savior gladly took from us by sacrificing himself on the cross so that we can enter His kingdom.

SUMMER BIBLE CONFERENCE 2013

“For even for the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

 –Mark 10:45

                                                    Mar 29-31 2013

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

         The UBF(University Bible Fellowship)-Philippines celebrated their Easter Summer Bible Conference on the 29th up to the 31st of March 2013, and was held at the Bankers village, Antipolo City. The venue is under construction but once it is finished, it will become the new Bible House. As of now, only the walls, the stage, the flooring and cemented pillars could be seen, and there’s no roof yet, so they improvised something else that served as their roof which was good enough to protect them from extreme heat. There was also an equal division of labor. Some shepherds were assigned to buy groceries while most shepherdesses or prayer mothers in to cooking, and the other shepherds were at the technical preparation while the others were assigned as cleaners. All in all they had 88 attendees.

SUMMER BIBLE CONFERENCE 2013

                                                                                                        Mar 29-31 2013

Key Verse: Matthew 20:28

               “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

            It was a hot summer indeed but did not stop the church in continuing its yearly tradition of holding the much awaited Summer Bible Conference for the year 2013. The Summer Bible Conference is a yearly conference held by the UBF Church done not only in the Philippines but also in other chapters of UBF all over the world. It usually lasts 3-4 days, and bible studies and presentations are the usual activities done. For this year’s Summer Bible Conference, the event was held at Banker’s Village, Antipolo City which is where the house church for the Antipolo Chapter is located. The dates set were March 29, 30, and 31, which coincides with the Philippines’ celebration of Holy Week which has been the custom of the church to coincide this celebration with the conference.

A Real Man Vs. Counterfeit Men (Jn 19:1-42)

Sun, Mar 31, 2013 (Easter Sun Service)

John 19:1-42; Key Verse: Jn 19:5b, 14b

"Behold the man!" "Behold your king!" (ESV)

What is a real man like? Why and for whom did Jesus die? This sober text that covers Jesus' trial, crucifixion, death and burial can be divided into three parts:

1. Who Jesus is (Jn 19:1-16, 19-22): Man and King.
2. How Jesus died and Why (Jn 19:17-42): The King crucified, pierced and buried. He died for God.
3. What Jesus accomplished: Life through his death (Jn 1:4; 6:35; 11:25; 14:6).

Love Without Discernment (Rev 2:18-29)

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 (Day 2 Easter conference)
Revelation 2:18-29; Key Verse: Rev 2:25, 28 (1 Kings 16:29-33)
"...hold on to what you have until I come." "I will also give the morning star."
     
Loving more but tolerating false teaching. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Jesus commends the Ephesians for persevering in sound doctrine (Rev 2:2-3). But Jesus also rebukes the Ephesian church for losing their first love (Rev 2:4)–their love for the brethren. The church in Thyatira has the opposite problem. Indeed, Jesus commends the congregation in Thyatira because their love for their fellow Christians has actually increased over time (Rev 2:19). But Jesus rebukes this church for tolerating false teaching within their midst (Rev 2:20). Unlike Ephesus that shows discernment without love, the Christians of Thyatira are loving, but not discerning.

Compromising and Defiled (Rev 2:12-17)

Sat, Mar 30, 2013 (Day 2 Easter conference)
Revelation 2:12-17; Key Verse: Rev 2:13a, 14a (See Num 25:1-9; 31:16)
"I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me...Nevertheless, I have a few things against you..."
Like the church in Smyrna, the church in Pergamum faces intense persecution from the God-hating Roman empire and their fellow Jews. But the church in Pergamum also faces an enemy from within, a seductress who entices God's people to commit spiritual adultery.

The Riches of Poverty (Rev 2:8-11)

Fri, Mar 29, 2013 (Day 1 Easter conference)
Revelation 2:8-11; Key Verse: Rev 2:10b (Zechariah 3:1-9)

"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown" (NIV, 2011). "I will give you the crown of life" (NIV, 1984).

Seven letters speaking to churches through out the church age.

Discernment Without Love (Rev 2:1-7)

Mar 29, 2013 (Day 1 Easter conference)

Revelation 2:1-7; Key Verse: Rev 2:4 (Exodus 25:31-40)

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first" (NIV, 2011). "You have forsaken your first love" (NIV, 1984).

Last year (2012), while I was in Manila, I preached 3 sermons on Revelation:

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1-20).
• Christian, Listen Up! (Rev 2:1-3:22)
• What Is Heaven Like? (Rev 21:1-22:5)

Each message to a church is what the Spirit says to all churches.

The Words Moses Spoke (Deuteronomy 1:1-46)

Sun, Mar 24, 2013

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Key Verse: Deut 1:1

"These are the words Moses spoke..."

What is Deuteronomy about? Moses speaking/ preaching/ teaching God's word to his people for the last time. Deuteronomy consists primarily of speeches/"sermons" (three of them) that Moses gave to the Israelites shortly before he handed over the leadership to Joshua. Like a senior pastor after having led his congregation for 40 years and who is about to pass on the baton, Moses gave his prophetic farewell sermon for the last time as their senior pastor and leader. It is his last will and testament given to all Israel east of the Jordan on the plains of Moab (Deut 1:5), just before their entrance into the Promised Land. Moses' aim in his final speeches is to ensure that the people will remain faithful to God; his speeches would prepare them to conquer Canaan and then live faithful lives in their new land. (A few key verses are Deut 6:5; 10:12-13; 30:19-20.)

Shepherds (Christian Leaders) Are Not To Lord Over Others (Mt 20:25-28)

Sun, Mar 17, 2013

Matthew 20:21, 25-28 (Mark 10:37, 42-45; Luke 22:24-27)
Key Verse: Mt 20:25-26 (Mk 10:42-43; Lk 22:25-26)

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."

"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you."

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that."

Theme: What is Christ-like Christian leadership like? It is interesting that Jesus' answer begins with a resounding negation.