Pure Witness

web-admin December 17, 2017

December 17, 2017, 3rd Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Theme: “Pure Witness”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Know who you are that you might witness effectively for Him.”

Isaiah 61:1-4; 10-11
– God teaches us to heal, to anoint, to proclaim God’s Kingdom to others.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
– Because the presence of the Living God is with us by the power of the Holy Spirit, We can truly rejoice because He is in control.

Psalm 126:1-6

John 1:6-8; 19-28

1.(v.6-8) We are to become true witnesses of the true light => Jesus.

2.(v.19-28) You are not just a child of God, but a son of God. You work together with the Father in accomplishing things for His Kingdom.

Pure Preparation

web-admin December 10, 2017

December 10, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Theme: “Pure Preparation”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“God has called us to prepare the way for Him.”

Isaiah 40:1-11
– We, the church must prepare the way of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:8-15
– Just because the Lord has not come yet, does not mean that He is slow in fulfilling His promises.

Psalm 85: 1-2; 6-9

Mark 1:1-8

1.(v.1-3) God has called us to partner with Him.

2.(v.4-8) God has called us to walk in His power.

“We, the church as bearers of light are to go and spread the light in dark places.”

2 Peter 3:8 – But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

“We can do God’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Moving With God’s Timing

web-admin December 6, 2017

December 9, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: Moving With God’s Timing

Numbers 9:15-23 –

The Cloud and the Fire

Now on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents. At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey. So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey. So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.

“We need to learn the timing of God”

“Being spiritually alert also means knowing when to move and act with God.”

Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Isaiah 61:1-2 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,”

2 Corinthians 6:2 – For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

“In a time of favor, let us take advantage of God’s favor.”

Pure Diligence

web-admin December 3, 2017

December 3, 2017, 1st Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Theme: “Pure Diligence”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“To wait for the Lord’s promised return is to stay spiritually awake.”

Isaiah 64:1-9
– The coming of the Lord goes far beyond our highest expectation.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9
– In Christ, we have received the abundant blessings of God.

Psalm 80:1-9

Mark 13:33-37

1.(v.33-34) We must be ready to move with God when He comes.

2.(v.35-37) What He said to His disciples then, He’s saying to us today.

How to be Spiritually Alert/Awake

To do the will of the Father. (Mark 3:35)
To have a servant attitude in the Kingdom of God. (Mark 9:35)
To welcome/to care for/to protect little children. (Mark 9:37)
To help those in need especially in the Body of Christ. (Mark 9:41)
To become child-like in faith in God. (Mark 10:13-15)
To serve others without recognition. (Mark 10:44)
To be forgiving and merciful. (Mark 11:25)
To be gracious and generous. (Mark 12:23-24)
To be involved in the work of Christ. (Mark 16:15-16)

“Let us desire Heaven!”

Contending For God’s Plans & Purposes For Your Life

web-admin November 29, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: Contending For God’s Plans & Purposes For Your Life

Number 13:30 – Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Contending – to fight for something; to engage.

Genesis 32:22-31 –

Wrestling with God

And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”

But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

So He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob.”

And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;^[a] for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”

And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.

2 Timothy 2:1 – You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:18 – This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

1 Timothy 6:12 – Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 – Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

“Write the Vision!”

The Family of God: Inheritors of the Kingdom

web-admin November 26, 2017

November 26, 2017, The Feast of Christ The King – 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 29)
Theme: “The Family of God: Inheritors of the Kingdom”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Are you ready for your inheritance?”

Ezekiel 34: 11-16; 20-24

1 Corinthians 15: 21-28

Psalm 95: 1-7

Matthew 25: 31-40

“When you inherit the Kingdom, God is looking forward to rule and reign together with you.”

Walking Under An Open Heaven

web-admin November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: Walking Under An Open Heaven

John 1:51 – And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Psalm 78:23-24 – Yet He had commanded the clouds above, And opened the doors of heaven, Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Deuteronomy 28:12 – The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

3 Basic Principles That Will Help Us Walk Under Open Heaven

1. Seek The Lord and Seek What pleases Him.

Psalm 37:3-4 – Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

“You learn to desire what God wants you to desire.”

“God delights in answering our prayers.”

“God enjoys our worship.”

“Look for Intimacy with God.”

Matthew 6:6 – But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“God is waiting for you. Do not fail to show up.”

“You will understand the heart of God.”

Matthew 6:25-33

2. Walk in Love.

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 4:29-32 – Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

3. Let your faith in God speak.

2 Corinthians 4:13 – And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

“Speak of words of thanksgiving, words of faith. Speak God’s Word.”

Walking Under an Open Heaven

The Family of God: Good and Faithful Slaves

web-admin November 19, 2017

November 19, 2017, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 28)
Theme: “The Family of God: Good and Faithful Slaves”
Homily by Fr. Fernando Ilustre

“Each and everyone of us were given talents and abilities according to our capacities, and we will give account for these.”

Zephaniah 1: 7; 12-18

1 Thessalonians 5: 2-6

Psalm 90: 2-7; 9-12

Matthew 25: 14; 19-29

Being Prepared For The Day of His Coming

web-admin November 15, 2017

November 15, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Fernando Ilustre)

Topic: Being Prepared For The Day of His Coming

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NASB) – But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB) –

Parable of Ten Virgins

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

The Family of God: Prudently Ready to Meet Their Lord

web-admin November 12, 2017

November 12, 2017, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 27)
Theme: “The Family of God: Prudently Ready to Meet Their Lord”
Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

“The Gospel teaches us the importance of preparing to meet our God.”

“The oil represents the Holy Spirit; the fire should continue burning in us.”

“Staying power comes through the Word of God and prayer.”

“Faith in God will lead us to be wise and inspire us to prepare.”

Amos 5:18-24

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Psalm 70

Matthew 25:1-13

11-8-2017 Fr. Erel Villanueva Sermon Teaching

Developing a Servant Heart

web-admin November 8, 2017

November 8, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Erel Villanueva)

Topic: Developing a Servant Heart

“A servant heart based on love and on the character of Jesus.”

“Develop that attitude on how to be a servant.”

“Jesus is a servant – to fulfill the will of the Father.”

Matthew 20:28 – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

“Servanthood is character.”

Philippians 2:5-6 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.

“Think like Jesus and Learn from Him”

The Family of God: Humbling Ourselves As Servants

web-admin November 5, 2017

November 5, 2017, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 26)
Theme: “The Family of God: Humbling Ourselves As Servants”
Homily by Fr. Fernando Ilustre

“As servants of God, we are to serve others with humility of heart.”

“Greatness is all about servanthood.”

Micah 5:5-12

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Psalm 43

Matthew 23:1-12

The Cloud and the Fire

Wrestling with God

Parable of Ten Virgins

I AM BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING