Mark 8: WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

📖 Scripture
Mark 8:27-30
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

🔎 Observation
Jesus starts with a question. He’s not confused about His identity, but He is compelling His disciples to confront theirs.

PUBLIC OPINION IS SHALLOW
People saw Jesus as a prophet, a reincarnated John, a moral teacher.
Close, but not the real point.

PERSONAL CONVICTION IS REQUIRED
Faith cannot be borrowed from the crowd.
Everyone has to answer for themselves.

PETER’S ANSWER IS RIGHT, BUT INCOMPLETE
He calls Jesus the Messiah, but later he rejects the idea of a suffering Messiah.
Knowing the title is not the same as understanding the mission.

✴️ Application
We can know a lot about Jesus and still not know Him.
The question is not “What do we believe about Jesus?” but “Who do we say He is in our lives?”

Today that means:
❇️ LET US STOP SETTLING FOR SECONDHAND FAITH
It is what do we believe, not what our parents, pastors, or friends believe.

❇️ LET OUR ANSWER SHAPE OUR CHOICES
If He’s truly our Christ, our Messiah, then He gets final say over our time, money, relationships, and plans.

❇️ LET US BE HONEST IF OUR ANSWER TODAY IS MESSY
The disciples got it right and still struggled to live it out.
Jesus meets us where we are and He will help us and reveal Himself to us if we allow Him.

💗 Reflection
1. Whose voice am I listening to?
The crowd called Jesus a prophet, Elijah, John the Baptist.
But who has shaped my view of Jesus lately?
Is it social media, culture, family, past hurt?

2. What does my life say my answer who Jesus is?
Peter said “You’re the Messiah” but still resisted a suffering Messiah.
If someone watched my schedule, spending, and reactions this week, what would they say I believe Jesus is?

3. What would change if I took Him seriously?
If Jesus is truly our Christ, He has authority.
What’s one decision, fear, or desire I’m holding back from Him right now?

Do we recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or just a good teacher, a friend, a helper, a prophet, messenger, or a genie whom we expect to grant our requests?

✝️ Believing Jesus as our Christ means having a genuine faith that has personally responded, not just repeating or following what others say.

✝️ Believing Jesus as our Christ means having a genuine faith that is personally surrendered, not just merely an intellectual belief.

It’s not enough to know what others say about Jesus.

What about you? Who do you say Jesus is?

🤲 Prayer
Jesus our Lord and Savior, we don’t want to just repeat what others say about You. Today we answer for ourselves - You are the Messiah, the Son of God. Forgive us Lord for the times we treat You like just a good teacher or just a helper or just a friend. We acknowledge You as our God and we allow you to be the Lord over our lives, and the Savior of our souls. Help our actions Lord, line up with what we claim to believe – believing that You Jesus is our Christ. Amen. 🙏

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

Mateo 28: "MAGALAK KAYO!"

 Mateo 28:9 RTPV05

[9] Ngunit sinalubong sila ni Jesus at sinabi, “Magalak kayo!” Lumapit sila sa kanya, hinawakan ang kanyang mga paa at sinamba siya. "MAGALAK KAYO!" Observation:

Ang dalawang salitang iyan ang nag stand out sa pagbabasa ko. I asked God for a message today na sakto sa nararamdaman ko. Kaya ng binasa ko ang last chapter in English ay naintindihan ko naman pero gusto ko pang maintindihan lalo kaya trinanslate ko sa Tagalog. At iyan ang nakuha kong mensahe. Tamang-tama. Kakatapos ko lang umiyak dahil nakuha ko na ang program namin sa graduation bukas. I have high hopes kase alam kong maganda naman ang performance ko academically. Nag e-excel ako sa klase. Pero nung binuklit ko ang pages sa mga may awards ay wala doon ang pangalan ko. Dinouble check ko, wala talaga. Tapos nakita ko dun ang mga pangalan ng varsity ng school na hindi nga pumapasok, hindi nga namin alam na kaklase namin dahil hindi namin nakikita sa klase, andun sa list ng mga mag ga-graduate at may mga awards pa. Nasa award list din ang dapat na hindi ga-graduate pero dahil Tita niya ang Dean ay nakasama sa ga-graduate at may tatlo pang awards. Habang yung mga katulad naming nag e-excel naman sa klase, kahit isang academic acknowledgement, wala. Kaya sa tricycle palang pauwi, tulala na ako. Umiiyak ako. I asked God, bakit Lord? Ginawa ko naman lahat. I did my best. Halos mapuyat na ako sa kakagawa ng mga school activities and other staffs, hindi man lang binigyan ng halaga? Pag uwi ko, diretso ako sa kwarto. Tiyaka ako nag breakdown. Excited na lahat for tomorrow habang ako hiyang-hiya dahil walang award ni isa. And then, after that, binasa ko na to. And Sabi ni Lord, MAGALAK KAYO! His resurrection means victory. Napagtagumpayan na ni Lord ang lahat. Kaya God is telling us right now, we are victorious too! Sa kabila ng hirap, sa kabila ng sakit na pinagdaanan niya, hindi siya umimik sa halip pinagpatuloy niya ang dapat na mangyare. At ngayo'y nag bunga na ang lahat ng ito. Sa kaniyang muling pagkabuhay at napagtagumpayan niya na Ang kamatayan at kasalanan. Ganun din tayo, sa kabila ng hirap at sakit na pinagdaanan natin ay victorious na tayo. Dinaig na ng Panginoon ang kalaban sa Krus. Dinaig na ng Panginoon ang problema, sakit, kahinaan, at disappoinment natin sa Krus. Matagumpay na tayo. And now, I am proud to say that napagtagumpayan ko na ang college. Salamat sa Panginoon! Kahit walang award sa school basta may reward sa langit. That's my goal! Alam ko proud sa akin si Lord. Glory be to God talaga. Application:

Sa kabila ng lahat ng pinagdadaanan natin, MAGALAK KAYO. Gusto ni Lord na huwag tayong malugmok sa problema, sa kasalanan, sa kahinaan, sa sakit, at sa kung ano pa Mang bagay na gawa ng kaaway. MAGALAK TAYO dahil may Diyos tayong buhay na handang tumulong sa atin. Na mahal na mahal tayo. May Diyos tayong makapangyarihan. Natutunan ko ngayon na huwag tayong mag seek ng acknowledgement sa tao dahil gagamitin yan ng kalaban laban sa atin. Instead, don't ask acknowledgement, acknowledge God instead. He sacrificed His life para maging victorious din tayo. Kaya mag diwang tayo! Praise God, nahimashamasan na ako sa emosyon ko kanina. Praise God because His word is alive. He is the word. He is alive! Amen! Prayer:

Hallelujah Father God, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Purihin ka Panginoon sapagkat Ikaw ay mapagmahal na Diyos. Salamat dahil personal mo kaming dinadaluhan ng tulong, ng comfort, at ng agad-agad na kagalingan. Salamat dahil naririnig mo Ang aming mga katanungan at agad-agad mong sinasagutan. Salamat Panginoon ko dahil pinaparamdam mo palagi na hindi kami nag-iisa. Salamat Panginoon ko dahil ga-graduate na ako bukas. A big achievement for me. You know what I've been through. And thank you for not giving up on me and my education. Thank you for financing my needs. Thank you for all the wisdoms and knowledge. Thank you Lord for fixing my heart and eyes na hindi dapat ako mag de-depend for academic validation. Especially, thank you for sacrificing your life to give us salvation. Thank you Lord. Patawarin mo po kami sa mga nagawa naming kasalanan, sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa. We're very sorry. Fix us Oh Lord. Thank you. Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Purihin ka Panginoon! In Jesus name I pray, Amen! ---------------------

ELDER MC - JCRC SORSOGON

Mark 7: God’s Command vs Human Tradition

 

Mark 7:6-9

God’s command vs Human tradition

“He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
Mark 7:6-9 NKJV

Observations:
1. Jesus criticizes worship that looks sincere on the outside but lacks true devotion to God.

• May mga taong panlabas lamang ang pagsunod sa Diyos ngunit malayo naman ang puso.
• Hindi sapat ang ritwal kung walang tunay na pagsunod at pagmamahal sa Diyos

2. The Pharisees treated human traditions as equal to God’s commands.

•Ang “tradisyon ng tao” ay mga kaugaliang ginawa ng tao na itinuring nilang kasinghalaga o higit pa sa salita ng Diyos.
•Posibleng maging abala sa mga gawaing panrelihiyon ngunit nakakalimutan ang tunay na kalooban ng Diyos.

3.Jesus directly confronts hypocrisy

•He exposes how religious systems can appear righteous while actually resisting God.
He reveals that religious systems and institutions can look morally upright, spiritual, and devoted to God on the surface, yet still work against God’s true will.
• Hindi Siya natakot itama ang maling sistema at maling interpretasyon ng pananampalataya. Diretsahan si Jesus sa pagtutuwid

Application

1. Unahin ang salita ng Diyos kaysa tradisyon
• Mabuti ang tradisyon kung nakakatulong sa pananampalataya, pero hindi ito dapat pumalit sa utos ng Diyos. 

2. Suriin ang motibo ng pagsamba
• Ang tunay na pagsamba ay galing sa pusong tapat, hindi lamang sa panlabas na gawain.

3. Ang pagsunod ay dapat may puso
• Ayaw ng Diyos ng pormalidad lamang; nais Niya ang pusong may pananampalataya at pag-ibig

✅Mahalaga ang pagsusuri sa sarili dahil tinutulungan tayo nitong tapat na suriin ang ating mga iniisip, kilos, motibo, at kalagayang espirituwal.

• Tanungin ang sarili:
• May ginagawa ba akong tradisyon na mas pinapahalagahan ko kaysa utos ng Diyos?
• Tunay ba ang aking pagsamba o pakitang-tao lamang?

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Teach us to honor You not only with our lips, but with our actions, thoughts, and desires.
Help us value Your wisdom above human traditions and follow Your ways with humility and love. In Jesus name. Amen.

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ELDER SHIELA 

JCRC RIYADH

Mark 7: ANG KALINISAN NG PUSO

 

ANG KALINISAN NG PUSO

Scripture
Mark 7:15
Nothing that Enters one from outside can defile that person,
But the thing that come out from within are what defile.

👉 Ang isyu
V5. " at tatanungin siya ng mga faraseo at ng mga eskriba. bakit hindi Nagsisilakad ang iyong ang alagad ayon tradisyon ng mga matanda. Kundi nagsikain ng tinapay na hindi hinuhugasan ng mga kamay

👉 Ang mali
V6. Sumagot si Hesus. Mga mapagkunwari. Tama ang hula ni isaias tungkol sa inyo. Gaya ng nasulat: "ang mga tao ito ay nagpaparangal sa akin sa pamamagitan ng kanilang labi, ngunit ang kanilang mga puso ay malayo sa akin.

👉 Ang sagot
V20. At Sinabi nya, ang lumalabas sa tao ang nagpaparumi sa tao."

Observation

📍Mahalaga ang kalooban sa paggawa
📍Marapat na ang puso ay bukal
📍Mahalaga ang kalinisan ng puso
📍Marapat na malaman ang "defilement" o karumihan upang magbago

Nilinaw ng Panginoong Hesus na ang panlabas na ritwal o pagkain ay hindi nagpaparumi sa espirituwal ng kalagayan ng tao.

Ang tunay na kamalian ay nagmumula sa puso--- mga masamang kaisipan, masamang motibo at hangarin.

Ang Panginoong Hesus ay nagtuturo ng may kabanalan, katuwiran sa bawat tao at ang Kanyang mga biyaya ay para sa lahat ng tao. Kung tanggapin mo Sya na bilang Dios at tagapagligtas, malaya ka para gumawa ng kabutihan sa iyong Kapwa. Tanging kalooban lamang ng Dios ang kailangan upang ang mga gawa natin ay katanggap tanggap sa Kanya.

Application

❤️ Suriin ang puso
❤️ Bantayan ang salita at gawa
❤️ Huwag maging mapagkunwari
❤️ Humingi ng bagong puso

✅ 1. Guard your heart
Ang ating mga iniisip ang nagdidikta ng ating karakter. Huwag hayaang magtanim ng inggit, poot, o kasamaan sa ating puso.

✅ 2. Focus sa inner purity, hindi lang sa appearance
Huwag magkunwari na banal sa labas habang marumi ang kalooban. Mahalaga ang sinseridad sa pananampalataya.

Prayer
Panginoong Hesus, salamat sa pagtuturo mo na ang tunay na kilinisan ay wala sa panlabas na anyo kundi nasa puso. Patawarin nyo po kami sa mga pagkakataong mas inuna namin ang opinion ng ibang tao kaysa sa kahalagahan ng aming kalooban.

Nalalaman mo po ang bawat kaisipan at motibo ng aming puso. Linisin nyo po kami sa anumang masamang hangarin, inggit, poot o karumihan na nagpaparumi sa amign pagkatao.

Tulongan Nyo po kami na bantayan ang aming puso at punuin ito ng iyong pag ibig, katuwiran at kabanalan. Hayaan Nyo po na ang aming mga salita at gawa ay sumasalamin sa iyong kadalisayan.

Sa pangalan ng Panginoong Hesus, eto ang aming samu't dalangin. Amen 🙏

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Elder Kuya Dong
JCRC Riyadh

MARK 6: DO NOT BE DISHEARTENED

 

Mark 6:4

Scripture:
And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Observation:
When Jesus came back to His hometown Nazareth, many who heard His teachings was astonished. As if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing and hearing. They recognize Him as the carpenter’s son who came from a humble beginning, and a brother to so and so. They were skeptical at His mighty works and divine wisdom. And yet, they rejected His authority and divine calling. And because of this, there’s only few to whom He ministered His power and authority. He couldn’t do much because of their unbelief.

It's sad to think that even the people closest to Him, people who knew Him from His young age, find it hard to believe how He is able to do so. And why is that? All because of their lack of faith, unbelief, and their familiarity. Since they knew His family upbringings, they couldn’t help but doubt in disbelief.

It is an absolute matter of fact even to this day and age that when our loved ones find out about our renewed faith in Christ, they find it hard to believe the transformation they see in us.

May magsasabi na lang sayo na – weeeh… di nga? Seryoso ka ba? Kelan ka pa naging ganyan? Ano nakain mo?

These are some of the many antics they throw at us. Kilalang-kilala nila tayo. Sa mga galawan pa lang, alam na nila kung ano yung tumatakbo sa isip natin. Minsan kahit sarili nating pamilya, kaibigan at kamag-anak, halos di tayo paniwalaan. And guess what? Sila pa yung mahirap evangelize. Kahit paulit-ulit mo na pinaliwanag, parang hirap na hirap silang tangapin dahil sa nakasanayan at kinagisnan nila.

Minsan, may maririnig ka pa, ayan na si alive-alive. Puro praise the Lord na naman sasabihin nyan. Nakakalungkot lang isipin na sa kagustuhan mo silang ma-save, parang sila pa yung nagre-reject at lumalayo.

Application:
This verse teaches us to never lose hope, not to be disheartened, thus, continue to persevere and endure the challenges. Keep on planting and sowing, persevere in prayer, show our love and compassion, hold on to our faith and hope that one day, they too will be enlightened, and Jesus will reveal Himself to them.

Wag tayong panghinaan ng loob, kung hindi man natin sila nahikayat, for sure, may ibang ipapadala ang Diyos para malaman nila ang katotohanan sa kanilang faith. So, we keep on praying, we press on. Sabi nga ni Pastora, they can run away from us, but they cannot run away from our prayers.


Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding us not to lose hope and not to give up on our loved ones. May we have a humble heart full of love and compassion to face rejection, mocking and persecution. May we stand firm and profess our faith even at times it is difficult because of the unbelief and doubts. May we always recognize your grace upon us. May we learn to discern the good and the bad in any situation. May we continue to serve You and share Your Word no matter the circumstances. May we never get tired of praying for our loved ones that they may know and encounter You. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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ELDER JOEL - JCRC RIYADH

Mark 5: NO ONE BUT JESUS

 📖 Scripture

Mark 5:14-20

NO ONE BUT JESUS

🔎 Observation

This illustrates the transformation of the demon-possessed man through Jesus' authority as Lord and Savior that even the demons within the man recognized Jesus' sovereignty.

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS SUPREME AUTHORITY OVER ANY DEMON/OPPRESSION
📍The demons recognized Jesus and His authority over them and begged Jesus not to torment them.

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS UNDENIABLE POWER TO TRANSFORM LIFE
📍The demon-possessed man, living in tombs, in total social isolation, and self-harming was found "clothed and in his right mind".

❇️ NO ONE BUT ONLY JESUS HAS GREATER COMMAND TO TESTIFY OF HIS HEALING AND GRACE
📍The healed man obeyed Jesus, being saved by the grace of God, he did what the Lord told him to do.

💡Application

💟 No One Is Beyond God's Grace In Jesus
📍Acknowledge that only in Jesus we can be saved
📍Surrender our lives to Jesus and commit to follow Him

💟 No Situation Is Too Far Gone In Jesus
📍Believe Jesus has the power to change our situation no matter how hopeless it may seem
📍Trust Jesus has the power to heal and liberate us no matter how broken, isolated or sinful we may feel

💟 No Other Proper Response But to Share Jesus
📍The proper response to deliverance is telling others what the Lord has done
📍Our primary mission field is often our own home and community

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your authority to restore and for the mercy that transforms lives, as seen in the story of the man from Decapolis. Thank You Lord that no amount of darkness, sickness, or hopelessness can place anyone beyond Your grace. We ask You Lord to give us the courage to fully surrender to You and to faithfully share the story of Your redeeming work in our lives with our families, friends and community. Amen.

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PASTORA RIVA - JCRC RIYADH

Mark 1: Authority in Christ, Prayer and Compassion

 

Mark 1

Authority in Christ, Prayer and Compassion

There is so much information and deep lessons in the first chapter of the Gospel according to Mark.

 What really captured my heart was how Jesus’ ministry started and the qualities He had shown from the start. Beginning from being baptised by his cousin, John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for Jesus (v3).

 1. The Wilderness – resisting temptation and being faithful to God the Father

From v9 – 11, Jesus went to John the Baptist and asked John to baptise him and after His baptism the heavens was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. When Jesus came to be baptised, it was done before He started his ministry to teach people the message of salvation.

The next thing that happened after Jesus’ baptism, v12 tells us that he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into wilderness, where he was alone for 40 days. In my own life I have experienced the place of being alone in the wilderness, it is not easy or comforting, but it is the place where we are being stripped from our fleshly desires, our own selfish ambitions and learn to lean on and trust in Christ for our victory. The wilderness is not a place to fear, in my humble opinion it is a necessity… for every believer to have a close, intimate walk with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. If you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness, be thankful to the Lord and praise Him for the opportunity to grow and be sanctified, for your own good.

 Characteristics of Jesus

 From verse 14 to verse 45, three more things capture my heart in the qualities that Jesus showed in character i.e., His authority, Prayer and Compassion.

 2. Authority

When Jesus taught in the synagogues, the people were amazed at the authority with which He preached (v22). His presence was even recognised by the demon inside a man who attended synagogue, the demon became restless, recognising Jesus’ authority. Jesus did not entertain or plead with or shouted at the demon, He simply commanded it to be silent upon which the demon left the man. After witnessing this, the people attending synagogue were even more amazed at the authority Jesus held. As Jesus followers and the presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us, we carry the same authority given to us. We need to make an effort and ask Jesus to help us walk in the fullness of the authority that is available to us through Him.

 3. Prayer

After Jesus cast out the demon, he also healed Peter’s mother-in-law (v31) and then many people who came to the Synagogue asking for healing and deliverance (v32-34). Following this intensive time of teaching, healing the sick and casting out demons, Jesus got up early in the morning before day-break to go out alone to pray.

 Prayer was a priority for Jesus – early in the morning, before the day begins to spend time alone with His Father (God), no interruption, no-one else but them.

 We too also need time alone with God in prayer, to pour out our hearts to Him. When we are alone, we can bring our raw emotions and honesty to God, without fearing what others will think or say. We should train ourselves to be quiet and still to listen until we hear His voice speaking into our silence, receiving the waters of life that we all need so desperately.

 4. Compassion

In v40 when the poor leper asked Jesus to heal him, Jesus felt pity for the man and responded that He wants to heal the man and (here we see the authority in Jesus’ action again) Jesus simply spoke to him and said: “Be healed” (v41) and the man was healed immediately.

But the miracle did not end here, Jesus had so much compassion with this man that He was also concerned with his reputation, the condition of his soul and emotions. Jesus ordered the man to go and show himself to the priest and take the offering as instructed in the law of Moses as proof that he is completely healed and clean. Jesus showed respect to the law, but this action was also to ensure that the now healed leper would not be treated as an outcast anymore, so that he could be acknowledged in society and allowed to go and worship with others in the synagogue again. Jesus also cares about our hearts and wants to bring complete healing to our emotions and souls, the parts that cannot be seen. Will we let Him do that for us?

 

Prayer

Lord we pray and ask that when we are in the wilderness, to help us keep on seeking you, trusting you, turning to you with every difficulty and affliction so that You can lead us into the place of Victory you prepared for us, so that we can also walk in the fullness of the authority of Christ, remain prayerful and abiding in Christ and have compassion with our fellowman like the examples you showed us. Amen.

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PASTORA HESMA – JCRC CAPETOWN