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.

Preaching activities from May 25 to June 12

May 25 (Midweek service at Metro Tuguegarao)

I taught in our bible study the “2^nd chapter of the book of 1^st Corinthians”. It explains the right way to preach the Word of God like the manner of preaching the Apostle Paul did and also shows the true wisdom the only comes from God.

May 28 (Meeting with the men in the church – Tuguegarao)

We had our meeting with the men in the church. We are only 10 in attendance but we had a wonderful plan that could make the congregation grow. We planned that we will ask all the brethren to make a list of their friends/relatives/neighbors whom they want us to visit and share the gospel. We want to spread the word of God even in the deepest place of Tuguegarao. In the meeting, we also wanted to have visitations to the brethren who are being unfaithful or seldom comes to church and also to the sick and needy brethren. We will start to do this by this June and with the Lord’s help, we will restore our brethren, strengthen the church and save more lost souls.

May 29 (Lord’s Day service at Tuguegarao)

In our bible study, I discussed “The Grasshopper Complex”. The attitude and of 10 spies that Moses sent to Canaan who are fearful and untrusting to God. Some Christians have the same attitude that’s why this makes them lose their faith to God and return to their worldly desires. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “According to the scriptures” wherein he explained why Jesus came, why we need to obey him and what He will do for us.

After the service, we extended the invitation and we are happy that three of our guest came in front to confess their faith. I personally immersed them in water and with the help of the other brethren, we prayed all together and read them the scriptures as their guide in their new life with Christ.

This is our photo with my son after baptism. He is trying to imitate me.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I preached the same lesson to them “The Grasshopper Complex”. My wife continues to teach in the children’s class both here in Palca and in Tuguegarao.

June 1 (Midweek service at Metro Tuguegarao)

Brother Jay taught in our bible study the “3^rd chapter of the book of 1^st Corinthians”. He divided it in to three part: The workers of God, house of God and Temple of God.

June 2 (Our travel to Manila)

We started our trip going to Manila at around 6:00 p.m. through bus. The trip was very long as it should only be about 8 to 9 hours but because of the may road repairs, we reach Manila, particularly in Pasay at around 9:00 a.m. that is about 15 hours of travel.

June 3-4(Preparation for preaching in Sunday)

We made all the necessary preparations for our Sunday worship at Pasay church. Brother Sammy and Ranjet put a tent on top of the building because when it rains, the water is going inside the worship place. Sammy also asked me if I can preach three times on Sunday which I accepted with joy because it’s been almost a year since I stand to preach in this congregation and I am excited seeing every one of them.

June 5 (Lord’s Day service at Pasay Church)

We started singing early even though we are only 6 in attendance so far. But while we are singing, the brethren are coming one by one. In the bible study I shared to them, the story of the Good Samaritan, in particular, on being a good neighbor. The lesson is entitled “Which of these three do you think is the neighbor?” just like what Jesus asked the lawyer after sharing the story to him.

In the sermon, I preached to them about the “Grasshopper Complex”.

In the afternoon, I preached the last lesson with different audience, about “Ingredients to a guaranteed failure”. After the services, my wife and I approach every member and have a few time of conversation with them about their life in Manila (Because many of them are from the provinces) and also about their relationship with God.

June 7(Trip back to Tuguegarao)

It is only on Tuesday that we got a bus for our trip back because our main concern is our fare which we cannot provide. Instead of waiting for any help, I ask brother Ryan to lend me some money and promised to pay him back. I received help when we arrived and so as I promised, I paid him back.

This time, our trip from Manila to Tuguegarao was extended to 17 hours.

June 8(Midweek service at Tuguegarao)

We arrived here in Tuguegarao 2:20 p.m. and because I was scheduled to teach in our midweek service, I have no time to rest but to prepare the lesson.

In the evening, I taught in our bible study “1 Corinthians 4”. A study on Paul’s letter on how to regard preachers/ministers, how to regard ourselves, and how to regard God’s rebuke.

June 10 (visitation of the sick)

I received a text message from the brethren at Palca that the daughter of brother Enzo Simangan had already undergone a surgery on her cyst in the throat. I visited them in CVMC hospital and offered a short prayer for the immediate recovery of Charisse. She is one of the children in my wife’s class at Palca.

June 12(Lord’s day at Tuguegarao)

In our bible study, I discussed to them about the “Three Trees” in the bible and these are “The tree of knowledge of good and evil, tree of life and the cross of Christ”. In the sermon, brother Jerome preached “Shining as lights in the world”.

In the afternoon, at Palca, I also preached the same lesson to them “Three Trees”. I got news that one of our sister (Sister Anne) was involve in a car accident on their way going for vacation in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. We thank God that she only got small wounds, but her cousin and aunt got broken ribs (both are non-christians). We prayed for all of them that God will help them.