Preaching activities from June 15 to July 10, 2016

June 15, in our midweek bible study here at Metro Tuguegarao, brother Jay discussed to us “1 Corinthians 5”. The lesson was about another problem of the Christians at Corinth and also telling them what to do in order to solve the problem.

June 19, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “The heavy price of Sin”. Part of the lesson is on how it sin affects us physically which might lead to diseases or even death, spiritually, which will lead us to the second death or eternal punishment in hell and emotionally, that makes us worry much. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached a very good lesson on “Why aren’t more Christians involved in the work of the church?” This is one of our problems in our congregation because we can only see a few who are really trying hard to make the church grow both in number and in knowledge.

In the afternoon, I preached the same lesson about “The heavy price of Sin” in Palca. After our worship, we had a meeting on how we can improve more our number and how we can encourage our brethren who have gone cold in worshipping the Lord. We have planned visitations and trying to make a record on whom will we are going to. We will schedule a day in which we will join together to visit them.

June 22, in our midweek service, I taught in our bible study “1 Corinthians 6”. The problem of the Christians at Corinth on taking brethren to court and how they could settle their differences. To be impressed with the power of the gospel and the proper use of our bodies in services to the Lord.

June 24, we went to Katabbogan, Kalinga to preach to the contacts of brother Rogelio Esperanza. One of the member in San Luis where he is preaching asked us to go to her siblings to share also to them the gospel. It took us about 2 and a half hours to travel on a hilltop road. There are some rocks falling from the mountain but that doesn’t stop us in going to those who need to hear the gospel.

We had three speakers:

Brother Jerome Forelo – Church and Salvation

Brother Flor Respicio – Baptism

Brother Celso Jacobo – Why we should become Christians?

We extended the invitation, but no response yet from them. They wanted to hear more because they still have many questions in their mind. According to brother Rogelio, there are already some who obeyed up to this day. I think it was just the first week of July. We ended the study by me, leading us all in prayer.

June 26, in our Lord’s day service at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study the lesson “Did Jesus Christ died in vain?” If we continue to follow the Law of Moses, the death of Christ is vain because we do not follow the gospel He gave us. If the church is non-essential, then Jesus died in vain. He came to establish His church that whosoever will believe and be added to His church, those whom He will save, but if we say we do not need the church, He established another vain thing. We should not let the death of Christ be in vain, we need to follow His commandments. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Essentials in the work of the Lord”. We need to have personal love and effort as a Christian because that is needed in the church.

In the afternoon, I preached again the same lesson at Palca “Did Jesus Christ died in vain?”

June 28, we went to a bible study at Bangag, Solana wherein they have five American brethren who came with brother Materno Sibayan all the way from Laoag City. The first to speak was brother Craig Hecht who preached about “Abilities and Opportunities” then followed by brother Steve who preached “Isaiah 28:10”. I did not get the name of the three more brother and the last name of brother Steve. They are in a hurry to go back to Laoag because they have another scheduled lectureship in different places. After the preaching, we extended the invitation and one young lady obeyed the gospel and was baptized. I led the closing song in this activity.

June 29, in our midweek service here at Tuguegarao, brother Jay taught “1 Corinthians 7” about marriage, being single, and what to do in order for one not to sin when it comes to marriage relationship.

July 2, we went to Luttuacan, Conner Apayao in the village of Cacbungao. We had to travel for more than three hours to reach the area and needed to walk again another hour to reach the place. We also cross the river by walking. It is good that the level of water is just until my knees so we easily got to the other side. We came here before with three baptism and we are very happy that when we came back, there are already many who were baptized.

When we reach the place, they are already assembled. They already erected a small chapel without any walls yet. Brother Jerome first speak then followed by brother Edgar, Joeben and Jimmy. The lessons preached was all about encouraging the brethren to remain in the faith. I stand after the preaching and led the invitation song, even though we have three who are non-christians, they did not response for now in the invitation.

July 3, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “Herod’s virtue”. I got this lesson from the brethren at Vegas Valley Church and the lesson is about getting an irony on the attitude of King Herod. We also needed to see the good in very people because even though he is very bad, we can still see even just a little good in him. And being a Christian, we should not look for the bad in every people but always the goodness in them and help them continue with that with the help of sharing the gospel to them. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached another very good lesson on “Success of the early church” We can read many wonderful things the early church did, and we needed to follow them.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson “Herod’s virtue”. We had only a few attendance of 18 because the rain was heavy that they cannot get out of their houses. There are no other means of transportation except to walk.

July 6, in our midweek service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study “1 Corinthians 8”. Another problem of the Corinthian church and now it is about the things offered to idols. At the end, we need to show love toward those whose consciences are weak and not to embarrassed them because they are still learning.

July 9, we went to Mabagyo, Guinamgaman, Conner. We came here before, about a month ago and now they are again inviting us to preach to them. Brother Joeben brought a tarpaulin with the lesson entitled “Why I am a member of Church of Christ?” We shared the same tarpaulin and preach one by one to them.

Joeben Jacobo – I. Because of the Scriptural Builder

                          II. Because of the Scriptural Place

                          III. Because of the Scriptural Date

Jun Antonio – IV. Because of the Scriptural Worship

Me (Mark Daquioag) – V. Because of the Scriptural Organization (The chart only shows one verse so I added more to emphasize what are they)

Jimmy Duque – VI.  Because it teaches scriptural baptism

Jerome Forelo – VII. Because its work is scriptural

                          VIII. Because its destiny is scriptural

                         Conclusion: How to become a Christian?

Brother Fernando Duque, Daniel Pasaraba and Alex Genilba are also with us and they help in leading songs and prayer.

After the lesson was preached, we extended the invitation and four precious souls came in front to confess their faith but when we went to the river, only two were baptized. The other two told us that they will have to talk first to their pastor and tell him they will already leave the denomination (Temple of God) and obey the truth. They are afraid of their pastor because he is telling lies against what we preach. I hope and pray that they will be baptize soon. July 10 was their first worship in that place and I am happy for that. Another congregation was started because of our joint efforts. Brother Samuel Bucao will be their preacher.

When we are in the river baptizing the new converts, heavy rain came that we are all very wet going to our cars. In our way back, there are many rocks and muds blocking our way. We cannot see much the road because of the heavy rain. When we are already near San Luis, a part of the mountain is sliding down that makes the road unseen and only mud in front of us. It was very slippery, but with God’s help, we arrived home safe.

July 10, in our Lord’s day service here at Metro Tuguegarao, I taught in our bible study about “Roadblocks to effective prayer”. Selfishness is one, another is unforgiving and finally doubt. This will all affect our prayers not to be answered by God. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Death, When, Then”.

In the afternoon at Palca, I preached again the same lesson “Roadblocks to effective prayer”. When we started, the weather was very fine so we have a good attendance of 32, but when we finished, it again rained very hard. I needed to drive some of the brethren who are from afar just to help them get home. My car was full that we only have a few space to move, but if it means helping the brethren, I will be very happy to do it.