HEBREWS 4 - ENTERING GOD’S REST

 

ENTERING GOD’S REST

 HEBREWS 4 exhorts believers to enter God’s rest- a state of salvation, peace, and security in Christ- by faith, warning against the disobedience and unbelief that kept the Israelites from the Promise Land.

 ENTER GOD’S REST- with a PROMISE

 4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

 The promise that still stands is the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.

JESUS is the one who makes the promise of rest possible.

He says in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for us to experience GOD’S TRUE REST-both now and forever.

God’s love is shown in that the promise of rest “still stands.” He didn’t close the door even after generations failed. He continues to invite people in. His heart is for us to find peace, joy, and life with Him.

 ENTER GOD’S REST- with FAITH as the Key

 ² For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

 Faith isn’t just believing that something is true-it’s trusting in it and acting on it. The Israelites heard God’s promises, but they didn’t mix that hearing with real trust, so they didn’t obey. Because of that, they missed out on what God had for them. The same warning applies to us today: hearing the gospel isn’t what saves a person. It must be received with a heart of faith that leads to obedience.

  ENTER GOD’S REST- with DILIGENCE

 ¹¹ Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

 Yes, salvation is a free gift from God, and our response is important. We are not saved by works, but we are called to actively trust, obey, and persevere. Why? So “that no one will fall by following their [the Israelites’] example of disobedience”. Entering God’s rest is not passive. It requires that we keep believing, keep following, and keep resisting the pull of sin and unbelief.

When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He completed the work of salvation. We no longer have to strive to earn God’s favor. In Christ, we rest-not because we’ve done enough, but because He has.

 Questions for reflection:

1.  What does “God’s rest” mean to you personally?
2.  What does it mean for you to “make every effort to enter” God’s rest?

3. How does the example of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as a warning to you?
4. In what ways can you encourage others to stay strong in their walk with God?

 

To enter God’s rest is not to stop living faithfully but to stop striving as though everything depends on us. 

 God’s rest is a place where obedience flows, hope is our anchor, and peace becomes our posture – because God is already at work.

 Lord teach us to rest in what you have done, and to live diligently and faithfully from the rest in trust and hope. Amen.

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PASTORA PAULA

HEBREWS 3 - “DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS”

 

HEBREWS 3

“DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS”

¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵ As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”     -Hebrews 3:12-15

Have you experienced hardness of heart towards God? ..to a point of losing sensitivity to God’s voice?

-when He speaks, you would not listen.

-when He commands, you would not want to do/obey.

-when He gives advice, you seldom keep it.

-when He rebukes, you would not want to reflect on it.

-when He calls, you went missing to do other things.

-when He reveals things, you take it with little importance.

-when He tells you His will and what’s right and wrong, you still do your own ways.

 This is already sinning, a disobedience, a rebellion, stubbornness and irreverence towards God. For who is the One speaking, isn’t He the True Living God? He whom all creation submits to and worships and whom you’ve professed as your Lord and Savior and who indeed gives you spiritual and physical blessings in this life and in the life to come.

  ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.  -1Samuel 15:23a

¹⁰ Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ ¹¹ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”    -Hebrews 3:10-11

   

Sin deceives, tells lies to the heart that makes the heart hardened towards God,

-Sin says that God is not worth believing, untrustworthy that His promises will not come true and if it does it’s not worth the sacrifice of our comfort, time, resources, reputation etc, leading to an unbelieving heart

-Sin says that evil is more desirable than God’s promises, it promises temporary and deceitful form of happiness and gives reasons why not to obey/listen to God and tempts to prefer evil than good leading to an evil heart.

 ¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.   -Hebrews 3:12-13

 As Christians let’s be vigilant against evil, unbelief and hardness of heart that led many believers to fall away, backslide and turn away from God. Let us exhort one another about what is true, that God is trustworthy, that evil things are not to be preferred even when temptations of sin, that the promises of God are better than the deceitful promises of sin. Let’s speak to one another of God’s word and of our personal testimonies about God in our lives so that we would encourage one another to hold fast, remain strong and be firm to the end as partakers in Christ Jesus.              

 Let it be that when God speaks, we listen to His voice and do our best to obey with trust, for all He says and ways are good, He gives strength and power in our weakness and gives victory for His will in our lives, in others and in His works that He has prepared for us to do. Let us not harden our hearts instead we be joyful for we are so blessed, able to hear from God.

 

¹⁵ As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”     -Hebrews 3:15

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PASTORA LODY

 

Hebrews 1 : HE MADE PURIFICATION OF SINS

 

Hebrews 1:3 NASB
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
 "When He Had Made Purification of Sins"

§  Not we.

§  Not religion.

§  Not effort.

§  He.

It’s     Jesus…….

"When He Had Made Purification of Sins"

§  Sin is not just something we do —

• It is something that stains.

 

§  Because sin separates us from a holy God.
Isaiah 59:2“Your iniquities have separated you from your God.”

• Sin is not a small issue.

• It is a spiritual contamination.

THREE THINGS ABOUT SIN
1.     Sin is Rooted in Unbelief (Hebrews 3:17-19)
2.     There's Disobedience. (Romans 5:19)
3.     God Is Angry with Sin. (Hebrews 3:17-19)

-       He, and He alone was the Redeemer.

-       Jesus Christ is the revealer of God to man and Redeemer of man to God.

"When He Had Made Purification of Sins"

A.    It Was Personal

He did it Himself.

No angel could do it.

No prophet could do it.

No priest could permanently do it.

Only the Son of God.

 

B.     It Was Complete

The phrase is past tense.

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

The debt is paid.

The stain is removed.

The sacrifice is sufficient.

Hebrews 1:3 NASB

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

   Seated at the right hand of Majesty means:

ü Authority

ü Victory

ü Completion

 

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PASTOR LORENZ 

PHILEMON 1 - GRACE THAT RESTORES WHAT WAS BROKEN

 

GRACE THAT RESTORES WHAT WAS BROKEN

May mga relationship sa buhay natin na nasira Hindi dahil kulang sa effort, kundi dahil may nasirang tiwala.

May mga taong umalis na may iniwang sakit. At minsan , Kahit Christian na tayo, hindi pa rin natin alam kung pano haharapin ang ganitong klaseng sakit.

Ang Book of Philemon ay maikli- isang chapter lang -but it speaks loudly about grace, forgiveness and restoration.

Ang kwento ay tungkol kina Paul, Philemon at Onesimus.

Si Onesimus ay isang slave, tumakas, may pagkukulang,ay kasalanan.

Si Philemon naman ay nasaktan, may karapatan, may dahilan para maningil.

But somewhere along Onesimus’ journey he encountered Christ through Paul. 

Paul send Onesimus back —— not as property but as a brother - in - Christ.

Sabi ni Paul sa verse 15. 

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, “

Hindi dine demand ni Paul ang forgiveness. Hindi Nya rin minamaliit ang sakit na na -feel ni Philemon. Sa halip inaapela niya ang pag ibig ng Diyos, hindi ang authority na meron cya.

Minsan ang mga paghihiwalay ay hindi aksidente. Hindi rin ibig sabihin na tama ang ginawa—— But God can redeem the space in between. 

May mga “for a while” moments ang buhay natin—-seasons of distance 

      Silence

      Unanswered questions

Pero pwedeng gamitin ng Diyos ang mga panahong iyon para baguhin ang ating puso, hindi lang ang sitwasyon.

Madaling sabihing. “I forgive you”

Pero ang tanong ng Philemon ay mas malalim.

—-Handa ka bang tanggapin ang taong nanakit sa yo bilang binago na ng Diyos?

Grace is not denial of pain. Grace is choosing restoration Kahit may cost.

Daily Application: 

May mga “Onesimus “ ba sa buhay mo- mga taong nagkamali pero malinaw ang transformation?

May pagkakataon bang tinatawag ka ng Diyos na piliin ang reconciliation over right? 

Kaya mo bang makita ang tao hindi base sa kanyang past, kundi sa gawa ng Diyos sa kanyang present?

Sometimes , the clearest evidence of the gospel is not in how well we speak about Jesus, but in how we love when it cost us something.

Ang Philemon ay paalala na ang tunay na Christianity ay hindi lang about personal salvation, kundi restored relationships.

The grace we received from Christ is the same grace we are called to extend ——-even when it’s hard —- even when it’s painful —- even when it’s inconvenient.

Because restored lives often begin with restored relationships 

Prayer 🙏 

Lord Jesus, thank you for the grace You have shown us in Christ.

Teach us to extend that same grace to others, even when it is hard.

Heal what is broken, soften our hearts and help us choose love over pride.

May your grace restore our relationships and reflect your gospel through our lives.

In Jesus name. Amen

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PASTORA SHERLY

TITUS 3 - A REMINDER OF GOD’S GRACE

 

TITUS 3

We are a changed person when we encountered Jesus. There can be no way that we receive God’s gift of salvation and remain living as we formerly lived. By His grace alone, God raised us from being dead in sins, gave us a new heart, and a new life.

But the world, the flesh and the devil tries to pull us back and so we need to be reminded of how God’s grace has taken hold of our lives.

A REMINDER OF GOD’S GRACE

Titus 3:1-2 – 1Remind God’s people to obey rulers and authorities. Remind them to be ready to do what is good. 2Tell them not to speak evil things against anyone. Remind them to live in peace. They must consider the needs of others. They must always be gentle toward everyone.

✝️ REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CHRIST WITNESSES IN THIS SINFUL WORLD 

Grace-filled people are Christ-like people.

We live in a world that exalts sin and rejects God. This is why the sinful world needs desperately the gospel of Christ, which alone can change human hearts and transform lives. We must then live godly lives in this ungodly world and excel in good works that display God’s grace. 

❇️ God’s grace empowers us to live a life that mirrors Christ, that our changed lives is a living testimony that provide the platform that points unbelievers to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:3 At one time we too acted like fools. We didn’t obey God. We were tricked. We were controlled by all kinds of desires and pleasures. We were full of evil. We wanted what belongs to others. People hated us, and we hated one another. 

✝️ REMEMBER THAT WE WERE ONCE LIKE THE SINFUL PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD 

Grace-filled people are patient and compassionate people. 

Instead of easily getting upset and irritated with unbelievers who act stubborn and selfish, we want to behave as godly people towards them. We then need to remember that, before we met Christ, we acted in the same manner that these people do. This reminds us of our past so we can appreciate God’s grace in our present lives. 

❇️ God’s grace transforms hearts and minds enabling us to turn away from ungodliness and to share and treat ungodly people with love and compassion. 

Titus 3:4-7 4But the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. 5He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life. 6God poured out the Spirit on us freely. That’s because of what Jesus Christ our Savior has done. 7His grace made us right with God. So now we have received the hope of eternal life as God’s children.

✝️ REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CHANGED BY GOD’S KINDNESS AND MERCY TO THIS WORLD

Grace-filled people are humble and grateful people.

God’s kindness, love, and mercy is the cause of our salvation. There is nothing in us deserving of it but we deserve God’s wrath. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. Through God’s mercy, by His grace, not by our own deeds, we are saved and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Remembering this keeps us humble and grateful.

❇️ God’s grace saves us and uses us to fulfill His purpose on earth and this is not as a result of anything we have done but simply because of His love, kindness and mercy through His grace.

❤️‍🔥 May God’s glory shines through our lives in such a way that others see Jesus in us and are drawn to His grace. May we always be a reflection of the goodness of God’s transforming love and grace. 🙏

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PASTORA RIVA

Titus 2 - A HEALTHY CHURCH IS A LEARNING CHURCH

 

Paul specifically left Titus in Crete to “put what remained into order” (Titus 1:5).

When church becomes out of order. It becomes chaotic and unhealthy. Professed to know the truth, but their knowledge of the truth did not accord with godliness.

Their doctrines had no impact on their duties!

They professed the gospel, but their lives looked more like the world around them than Christ. And the reason for their lack of health, was that they were being led by unhealthy leaders!

-          A Healthy Church begins with Healthy Leaders.

-          A Healthy Church is an All Play. It requires ALL of us to learn and be able to teach eventually. It is the work for everyone.

-          Want a healthy church?.......appoint elders. But don’t stop there. You also need to TEACH.

·       Because, others (1:10), the insubordinate, and empty talkers are upsetting whole families. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit. They are unhealthy, and their teaching is making the church unhealthy!

·       So teach! Combat their false teaching, by teaching with truth.

·      But by teaching what? “what accords with sound doctrine.”

 While others distort the truth or live inconsistently, Titus is called to be different—faithful, clear, and courageous.

Faithful ministry often means standing apart from error.

Teaching is not optional for a leader. It is a responsibility and calling.
But Paul emphasizes what kind of teaching—not just information, but formation.

“What is appropriate to sound doctrine”

• Sound doctrine means healthy teaching

• It is truth that leads to godly living

• Doctrine that does not transform behavior is not truly sound

Paul will immediately show (Titus 2:2–10) that sound doctrine shapes:

• character
• relationships
• work ethic
• daily conduct

Sound doctrine produces sound lives.

 Titus 2:1 teaches that truth and life must agree.

Right belief must result in right behavior.

Doctrine that stays in the head but never reaches the heart is incomplete.

 Let us reflect:

• What I teach — does it promote Christlike living?

• What I believe — does it shape how I speak and act?

• What I confess — does it align with my daily life?

 

-        In a culture of confusion and compromise, God calls His servants to teach healthy truth that heals lives, not popular ideas that please ears.

The goal of teaching is not applause, but obedience.

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PASTOR LORENZ

Titus 1 - THE LIP SERVICE

 WHEN FAITH IS ONLY ON THE LIPS 👄 

May mga moments talaga na ang lakas nating mg confess.

Ang dali magsabi ng tama.

Pero kung magiging honest lang. minsan mahina ang transformation.

Sabi sa Titus 1:16

“They profess to know God, but by their works they deny Him. “

Ang bigat ng verse na ito.

Hindi sya harsh ——

Totoo lang

At kapag Totoo, Talagang tumatama.

Sa panahon ngayon, madali na talagang magsabi ng “ Christian ako”

Madali mag share ng sermon

Madali mg post ng Bible verse

Madali magsabi ng “Praise the Lord”

Pero minsan , doon lang siya natatapos ——-sa labi 

Kaya napapaisip ako: 

Kapag pagod na ako, 

Kapag may conflict, 

Kapag na - trigger na, 

Kapag walang nakakakita……

Kita pa rin ba si Cristo sa akin?

Sa paraan ba ng pag - react ko?

Sa choices ko kapag may short cut or 

Sa attitude ko kapag hindi ako nasusunod?

Sabi ng bible, sa Colossians 1:10

“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruits 🍎 

Ang tunay na pananampalataya may bunga.

Hindi lang sa magandang salita

Hindi lang sa tamang theology 

May pagbabago talagang kasama.

May evidence.

Kaya itong Titus 1:16 becomes a gentle but honest heart check for me.

May area ba sa buhay ko na hindi ko pa talaga sine -surrender kay Lord?

May sinasabi ba akong tama, pero hindi ko pa isinasabuhay?

May alam ba akong kalooban ng Diyos pero pinipili ko munang i delay?

Hindi ito para manghusga ng iba, 

MAs para itong salamin.

—-Para sa sarili

Kasi ang faith na totoo, 

Naririnig sa salita——

Pero mas malinaw na nakikita sa gawa.

Kung tunay nating kilala ang Diyos, 

Makikita yan sa pakikitungo natin sa ibang tao.

Sa integrity Kahit walang nakkakita 

Sa humility, obedience at love natin sa Panginoon.

Hindi perfect.

Pero totoo.

At araw - araw, patuloy na binabago ni Lord.

A TRUE CONFESSION OF FAITH ALWAYS LEADS TO A TRANSFORMED LIFE.

Prayer 🙏 

Heavenly Father, we confess that there are moments when our lips say we know You, but our lives fail to reflect You.

Forgive us when our faith becomes words only,

When our confession is loud. But our obedience is weak. Cleanse our hearts from hypocrisy, and renew us from the inside out. Teach us to live what we believe—- that our actions would honor You, our character would point to You. And about daily choices would glorify You. 

May our faith be seen, not just spoken. Transform us so that knowing You is evident in the way we love , serve and obey.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

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PASTORA SHERLY