Bella the Movie

True inspiration and very uplifting on family values. This movie is a must see for everybody. More info here.



THE MOVIE Bella
Bella is a love story that goes much deeper than romance. A story about a man who gave up his life to save the girl he loved, Bella is a heartwarming story that celebrates life, love, family and relationships. Starring Mexican superstar Eduardo Verastegui (Chasing Papi) who is known as the “Brad Pitt of Latin America” and Emmy award winning actress Tammy Blanchard (The Good Shepherd), Bella is inspired by a true story that shows how one moment can change your life forever. Below is a second trailer.

Rapture! Are you ready?

GET READY!

John 15:1-3. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you, I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. YOU KNOW THE WAY TO THE PLACE WHERE I AM GOING.”

Eschatology = the study of the last things/end times
Eschatos = the last, or end.

Two Biblical Views of the “last things”
Apocalyptic in which God gives up on history and breaks in with a whole new order
Eschatological in which God moves history toward its ultimate consummation. Already but not yet.

A. The Second Coming is Imminent. Matt 26:64, John 14:2-3, Rev 22:20, Matthew 24: 1 Thes 4:14-18.
i. Jesus testified to his second coming. Matthew 24:30, 25:31, 24:3, 26:64.
ii. Other Scripture testifies, Acts 1:11, Phil 3:20 etc
iii. We have to remember that the time is not very clear as the coming. No one knows. Acts 1:7, Mark 13:32, 33, 35. Matt 24:36-44.
iv. We have to get ready. Triumphant and Glorious.
v. First stage: secret rapture of the saints & Second stage: coming with the saints to judge the world and set up Millennial kingdom. Rev 10:1-7 (1000 years of reign) i.e. coming for the saints, then coming with the saints with the great Tribulation in between. Matthew 24:39-41 Left Behind.
vi. The dead shall resurrect, and those alive and meet with Christ. Then there is the final judgment.

B. Rapture
i. 1 Thessa 4:14-17. 1 Cor 15:51. A thief in the night. During or after a period of great tribulation. Tribulation Matt 13:7, Matt 24:21-22. Pre, Mid and Post.

The Promise of the Second Coming
Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with promises of the second coming of Christ. There are 1,845 references in the Old Testament alone and a total of 17 books that give it prominence.
Of the 260 chapters in the entire New Testament, there are 318 references to Christ's second coming. That averages one out of every 30 verses. Furthermore, 23 of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. That leaves only four books that do not refer directly to the Second Coming. Interestingly, three of these four books are single-chapter letters which were written to specific persons on a particular subject.

C. There is no definitive, absolutely unquestionable plan of what will take place in the future and so we are only making educated guesses as to what will take place.

D. Contrasting trends in Eschatology.
i. Eschatomania which is extensive preoccupation of some conservative evangelicals with the endtimes, with their charts and graphs. Current political and social events, especially those relating to the nation of Israel, are identified with prophecies in scripture.
ii. Eschatophobia which is the fear or aversion of eschatology. So that they avoid the eschatomaniacs.
iii. I fall right in the middle.

C. MODERN ESCHATOLOGICAL TRENDS
i. Moral Eschatology/19th Century Liberalism. Preachers trying to reconcile the Bible with modern science. Liberal theologians are buying much into this. Where Jesus message is considered with high moral value and brotherhood of humanity is the center of all things. These rejected the second coming of Christ.
ii. Anti-Liberal Eschatology. Jesus message is thoroughly eschatological, futuristic and even apocalyptic. The Message of repent for the end is near. Albert Schweitzer is attributed to this.
iii. Realized Eschatology/C C. Dodd. Essential to Jesus message. We are in the last days. The bread has already been broken. The kingdom of God has come
iv. Existential Eschatology. It is all happening in the heart of the individual. Attributed to Rudolph Bultman.
v. Jurgen Moltman: Theology of Hope. Christianity has to offer hope in times of trouble. Christianity has to be on the front line in offering aid and helping people. The idea of Hope is authentically Christian. NO doubt. We are participants in creating hope and fulfilling the eschatological promise. It is not a passive thing before us.
vi. Dispensational Eschatology. John Nelson Darby, a Plymouth Brethren is the champion of this. Portrayal of seven dispensations. The present dispensation being the church age. It is almost literal in its interpretation of Scripture. This also seeks to identify the antichrist, the Beast, Time of Tribulation. Examples: Rome, Dometian, One of the early persecutions of the Church etc.

All Christians must stand for the truth and proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ. This is the hope that we have in him that we will be with him in eternity forever and ever. I don't have any charts or graphs to clearly give the time line, but I believe that JESUS IS COMING
1. Hope in this Life
2. Human cooperation with God’s desire to bring hope to the world
3. God is victorious in the end
4. Christians must be on the front line.

Romans Contd 11:1-16:27

A. REMAIN FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN THE WORLD IS TORN APART
1. Remember that you’re not alone. Someone is helping you pray. Someone is praying with you.
2. Most of all God is with you. He knows your voice and hears your cry. He is always there for you no matter what comes your way.
3. You have been chosen by Grace. God has entrusted to you so many things and you have to take pride in it and do it faithfully. You’ve been given ownership by all standards. 11:5
B. DON’T TAKE FOR GRANTED GOD’S KINDNESS
1. We must guard the gift that God has given us.
2. Don’t play a juggling game with God, instead strive to be faithful 11:22.
3. Don’t think you’re above God’s judgment just because you’ve been saved and can do whatever you want. All of them preachers out there who think they will interpret the scriptures the way they want and manipulate God’s people will face very harsh consequences for their actions.
4. The Fact that God’s is merciful doesn’t mean that he won’t punish those who are stupid.
C. WE ARE LIVING SACRIFICES TO GOD
1. Called unto HOLINESS.
2. It is an act of worship
3. We have received enough information what we now need is transformation
4. It all begins in a clear state of the mind.
5. God’s good, pleasing, perfect will is realized in obedience (12:1-2)
D. WE MUST SERVE DILIGENTLY IN GOD’S KINGDOM
1. Emphasis on the issue of leadership in the Church and the need for it. I don’t have to be paid to be in a leadership position. Am just using the gifts that the Lord has given me. I would still preach even if I got fired today. 12:5-6b.
2. LOVES NOTHING BUT GOD HATES NOTHING BUT EVIL
E. SUBMISSION TO GOVERNMENT
1. We have a responsibility in ensuring whom we place on power
2. Not voting is putting wrong leadership in place so don’t blame nobody.
3. Love overcomes everything else. 13:8.
F. WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD EACH OTHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
1. 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2. 14:19. We have to create and build peace instead of tearing everything apart.
3. 15:2. It is not about what I want, It is about what others want and how better I can make the world for them.
4. We have to learn to accept others as we would like them to accept us. 15:7. That is what true servant hood modeled in Christ is.
5. Paul then gives benediction. 15:13.
G. PAUL’S JOY IN SERVING THE LORD
1. 15:17.
2. 16:20. Victory is coming. Let us never give up on doing what is good. Let us overcome evil with good.
3. READ 16:25-27.

Romans Continued 5:12-10:21

A. All Have SINNED and FALL short of the GLORY of God.

1. 5:12 Sin entered the world through one man. And death through sin. Therefore all sinned.
2. It is a sinfully stained world
3. Quote “A Holy life is every preacher’s badge of authority, and his shield of protection for living pure in a sinfully stained world.” Orville W. Jenkins. Add every believer’s/every preacher’s.

B. The SIMPLE way of SALVATION

1. Just as sin entered into the world through one man so has salvation come to us.
2. There could have never been a simpler way of doing it.
3. We don’t have to have a seminary degree to know the way of salvation
4. It is as simple as Repent. (Matthew 4:17).

C. Salvation’s long journey

1. Living in Christ 6: 11.
2. The excitement of Salvation must continue in all life’s aspects. 6:11-14.
3. Sin must not be our master but we must master it. I tell my body what to do not what it tells me to do. If I lived my life the way my body wants, it would be a disaster. Thank the Lord for Grace. By the grace of God, I am what I am. I am the righteousness of God. No devil on earth and in hell can dictate what I do.

D. Victory over Sin

1. We must become slaves of righteousness and not sin no more. 6:18.
2. All the things we continue to struggle against were all paid for on the cross
Healing is mine, Deliverance is mine, victory is mine, and courage is mine, because Jesus said so.
3. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
4. The benefit we reap leads to HOLINESS (6:22)
5. 7:6. It Is a continual process that never gives up.

E. It is time to hand it over to God.

1. My future belongs to him. I may suffer today but I know who holds tomorrow. The song writer says, “because he lives I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone”. Fear is a negative form of faith. The more you fear it the stronger it becomes and it builds up. 8:18. 8:25.
2. We must remain hopeful. 8:25. It may not happen now, but I know its going to happen some day. They may mock me now but I know its going to happen some day. They mocked Noah, and look what they got.
3. God’s love is ALL. 8:37-39. We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us. After all is said and done, nothing will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

F. THE WAY OF SALVATION

1. Christ is the end of the Law 10:4.
2. All you got to do is to believe (10:9)
3. Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame (10:11)
4. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (10:13)
G. Benediction
We must continue to preach the message with which we are sent. 10:14-15.

Romans

A. Introduction
Paul introduces himself as (verse 1)"a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God" (NIV). He realizes the humility with which he has to undertake this duty and knows that the task ahead belongs to Christ and not to him. He also acknowledges the fact that he has been set apart, a statement that would later define his commitment and desire to give his very best in all circumstances to ensure that the message is correctly defined. Another critical part of this introduction is the giving of thanks. It is only by God's grace that he is able to attain the levels that define his ministry.

B. God Revealed in Nature
Paul then gives an overview of God's revelation in nature. He says that this revelation is plane to men and has been understood more and more in the course of the ages. This revelation ensures that every man is aware of who God is without a doubt (1:20)

C. Sinful desires of men
Paul then enters into the critical topic of sin. That despite God's grace that literally sets us up to uphold his beauty and creation, we still lean toward sin which is rebellion against him. He vividly talks of perversions like sexual impurity, homosexuality which he calls "unnatural" and therefore sinful. 1:26-27. He says that our rebellious nature leads us to sinning despite knowing that sins leads to destruction (1:32).

D. Sin and Judgment
Just as the example that Jesus gave of the the speck in someone's eye, Paul says that we tend to pass on judgments against people yet we do the same things. We have even overlooked the "riches of God's kindness, his tolerance and his patience" which he concludes by saying that "God's kindness leads us toward repentance" (2:4). This should be critically interpreted. It is because of his kindness that we ought to be propelled to repent and seek him. We have to remember too that each person will be rewarded according to that which he has done.

Quotes
1. God's kindness leads you toward repentance
2. God will give each person according to what he has done
3. God does not show favoritism
4. It is those who obey the law and not those who merely hear it that will be declared righteous before God
5. Inward transformation is necessary more than anything else. We don't only need information but we also urgently need transformation.

E. God is All
We can totally depend on God in our walk with him. Instead of trying to do things on our own, we should ask God to take full control of our lives. Despite our sinful nature we have been justified freely by God's grace "through redemption in Jesus Christ" (3:24). We may seek to obey the law but we must remember the rich young ruler. Obedience is always the key.

F. It is all paid for
This brings to mind 1:17 which says that the righteous shall live by faith. Paul gives reference to Abraham in Chapter four where his obedience was credited to him as righteousness. Paul concludes chapter 4 by saying that "He (Christ) was delivered over to death or our sins and was raised to life for our justification." The knowledge that Christ has paid it all just for us itself should be an awakening call for every believer to stand strong in the Lord. God works are necessary but not for redemption. Christ is the only way.

G. The Long Journey of Faith
We have justified through faith and that leads us to rejoicing in "hope and glory of God." Paul goes on to remind us that "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (5:3-4). We will continue to explore 5:12 in the next sermon.

Introducing Paul

Paul a native of Tarsus was born around the same time as Jesus Christ. Tarsus at the time was an extensive commercial center due to its accessibility. It was wealthy and very popular. It also housed a University during the same time that Universities in Alexandria and and Athens also existed. Paul was born into the family of the Benjamites and his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). Paul had a descent upbringing and his parents played a very big role in this. His father was also a Roman citizen, something that would be massively significant in his later life especially during his trials.

As a Jew from Tarsus he learned the trade of tent making and also trained as a rabbi. A rabbi was "a minister, a teacher and a lawyer all in one". He learned under Gamaliel a prominent rabbi of the time. During this time he spent a lot of time studying the Law(Torah) and this defined his "good" life which would later change. His life suddenly becomes the center of things when he begins the persecution of Christians. He sought and killed Christians wherever he could find them. Among the prominent Christians under this period in time whom Paul witnessed his killing was Stephen. Paul is said to have personally affirmed this. He became a Christian killer and did all he could to exterminate its upsurge in Jerusalem and the surrounding cities.

During one of his journeys to Damascus, a sudden appearance of a dazzling light blinded him and the Lord spoke to him, (Acts 2:5). He later testifies how Jesus spoke directly to him and how this changed his life forever (Acts 22:8; 26:15). He was later made to see by Ananias who commissioned him to do what the Lord had commanded him to and also warned him of the dangers ahead. He later faces persecutions, rejection and torture.

After this encounter with Jesus, Paul sets on a Journey of preaching the Gospel of Jesus. He defends it, preaches it, explains it, teaches it, embraces it, and lives it. He is threatened, imprisoned, beat up, involved in a ship wreck and even struggles with a prolonged ailment but never quits no matter what.

He writes unrelentingly and takes every opportunity to preach Christ to the Gentiles and Jews alike. He later declares that in Christ we are one, no Jew or Greek (Galatians 3:28). He explains love (1 Corinthians 13) and for the first time explains the teachings of Jesus on the most profound way in the Apostolic era.

He travels on a a number of missionary journeys crossing, rivers, valleys, seas, lakes and none of them stops him. He labors day and night despite the dangers that he faced. He is once bitten by a snake but shakes it off and continues to live on for Christ. He is imprisoned but acquitted due to lack of evidence but this does not stop him. His Roman citizenship plays a very important role.

Apostle Paul is later killed under the fierce persecution of Nero after he claims it is the Christians who burnt Rome. Paul's life is remarkable especially his perseverance and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All that he did can be summarized in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" and Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Links:

Apostle Paul

From a Christian Killer to a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ; that is how best I can summarize the amazing transformation of the Apostle Paul. After his amazing encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul was never the same again. He turned out to defend the very cause of which he killed mercilessly. The truth burned in him like fire and he spoke it, wrote it, defended it until his final breath. A new series ensues in the next couple Sundays based solely on the Apostle Paul. I look forward to this extensive study.