Prayer, Evangelism and Worship

We have a lot to be thankful for this year.  It's amazing though, how we tried to survive through this pandemic and now looking back - it has been two years.   Let's continue to praise God for families, church, friends, and wonderful relationships God has given us to cherish.  Don't forget to join the T hanksgiving Eve celebration with Mililani Baptist Church , this Wednesday at 6:30pm.  Bring a dish to share.   If you have friends you would like to minister to on the day of Thanksgiving, I have Thanksgiving Day worship and reflection on Thursday, 9am at Living Faith Baptist Church, Kalihi .  Registere here .    Don't lose track of your spiritual formation - get involved in small groups, Sunday school, fellowship, and bible studies.   Every Sunday worship, we will be looking at the Birth of King Jesus from the book of Matthew chapters 1 and 2.    Looking ahead.  See me if you are interested to join the Christmas...

Revelations 3:14-21 Questions to Ponder  1.  Share how you have overcome being lukewarm for Jesus?  2.  What areas in your life need some Holy Spirit Fire?  3.  Which of the four reminded can you practice this week as an evidence of your hearts love for Jesus? 

There are many things to notice when you first come into the church.  The color of the carpet and the flowers on the table.  Hopefully, you did not miss the smiling faces that greeted you and above all, the awesome presence of the Lord.    But if I were to tell you, there's a letter from Jesus that is waiting to be read for the church this Sunday, would your preparation and your presence be anything different?   The church is more than the songs that you sing and the sermon that you hear.  In Revelations 2-3, Jesus shows us how the church looks like behind the scenes.   Here is a commentary on what Jesus particularly looks for in a church.  There are seven churches in these two chapters and Jesus begins with the church in Ephesus in Revelations 2:1-7.  Throughout these letters, Jesus follows five to six reminders, and here are a few of what Jesus notices with the church of Ephesus.   1.  He commends them (v.2-3). ...

 In light of the pandemic of 2020 and 2021,  somebody had said that the church is "made for times like these."  Recent polls however indicate that the church has suffered much due to what COVID-19 brought, isolation, separation and distance proximity.   Let's remember the promise of the Lord about what the church is: Here are the six characteristics of a biblical church as indicated by Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 1.  The Biblical Church is a about family (relationships, communion and fellowship, v.19b, you are fellow citizens with God's  people) Have you been born again? (John 1:12, John 3:16) Have you been baptized?  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19-20) 2.  The Biblical Church is about membership (commitment, respect, and obligation, 19c, and members  of his household ) Are you willing to grow intimately? Acts 2:42 Are you willing to give faithfully? 2 Cor. 9:1-8; Malachi 3:10 Are you willing to serve selflessly? 2 Cor. 9:12-13; Eph. 4:12 Are yo...

Saul and Samuel          Saul and Jonathan          Saul and David  Love is a powerful element because it transforms people from within.   Our story has been covering King Saul and his relationships with people that have made significant impact in his life.  First, God used Samuel to speak the truth to him.  Secondly, God used his son Jonathan to show him how to live a good life.   Today, we will look at how God used David to love on King Saul.  Here are some things that we discover how to extend love to anybody that does not deserve loving  (1 Samuel 24):  1.   Loving your enemy is the right thing to do (v.5) 2.   Consult others about your response to people (v.7) 3.   Approach people with respect (v.8, 11) 4.  Dispel gossip and confirm facts (v. 9-11) 5.  Pray for justice and leave it to God (v. 12,15) First, relate any of this point to the story ...

Now more than ever, the caged church is ready to rediscover itself.   COVID 19 has kept the Christian church far too long and many of its members are crying out for purpose, deliverance and courage.   If you are like me, you have felt the urge to move the church forward.  But how do you this?  Lately, I've been looking at church systems that just might be able to jump start the plateau church into a vibrant growing organism.   Being in person or online is irrelevant if you have a strategy that the church can use to map out its spiritual growth.   Where do we begin?   I feel that an assessment of sort is needed most especially who had been in the church for awhile.   This first step creates a beginning point which hopefully creates the need to look forward to  a next step.  Simply creating the class without the person feeling the need for it is just another way to waste someone's time.   But who kno...

Saul and Samuel          Saul and Jonathan          Saul and David  The story of King Saul and his son Jonathan is an ironic drama.   Typically, it's the father who lives righteously to teach his son good ways.  In this case, it is Jonathan who shows to his father the right way.   We all need help especially on areas that are difficult to change in our lives.  Humility, sacrifice, forgiveness, hard work, treating others fairly among others.   But God wants us to live victoriously and abundantly.   That is why we he chose people to come alongside us.   Here are four areas that Jonathan lived better than his father.  Notice how the writer of the book 1 Samuel literary placed them side by side for readers to see the comparison.   These are also areas we may need help with a mentor, confidant or a friend.   1.  Humility is a hard lesson to learn (1...

Saul and Samuel         Saul and Jonathan         Saul and David  LESSON # 1:  Discipleship:  When You Need Someone To Tell You The Truth Other topics:   Samuel Points King Saul to God; Listen to God's Divine Intervention; The Barrier of Unbelief Bible Verses:  1 Samuel 10:20-24;  1 Samuel 13:7-14; 1 Samuel 15:10-15; 20-23 Barriers are healthy especially when you are careening on the freeway of life at top speed.  These boundaries keep you safe.   But there are boundaries that hold us back that keep us moving forward to our top speed.   So if you feel like you running like a turtle, when you know God gave you rabbit legs, then this series is for you.    King Saul was called by God to lead the children of Israel into independence and victory.   But Saul kept hitting walls that would have made him a great leader.   He also failed to realize the moments where he...

I'm often asked what's a good church?  Who is the true church?  How can I find a good church?  The Bible speaks of the importance of you being involved in a church and here are some questions you can ask to find the right one:   1.  Is this church Bible-Teaching church?    You would normally know from day 1 if it is because they bring their bibles, they open their bible, they read the bible.   2.  Is this church a Bible-Practicing church?  As one has said, it is easier "caught" than "taught".  So stay for a few to see if they are really practicing what they are preaching.  3.  Do they prioritize their worship to Jesus?   You would know immediately who is the focus of the church and unfortunately, sometimes the Pastor, the building, money, and saints become the focus.    Here is a list of churches that I know are immediately you can visit if you are within their area:  Living Faith Baptist...

Congratulations!   You have made a commitment to be a follower of Jesus.  So don't forget the day and the incident when this happened.   I want you to know that your journey has just begun.   Now it's time to grow in God and here are some immediate steps you can take.   Connect.  Continue to connect with the person who brought you to Jesus.  Communicate to him or her once a week and share what's going on in your life and an update of your spiritual journey.    Bible.  Start reading the Bible and flip it open to the book of John.   May I encourage you to read one chapter at a time.  The book of John is the simplest and easy to understand book regarding the life of Jesus.   Prayer.   God wants to hear from you and pick a time and a place that you would meet with God regularly to pray.   Speak to Him.  He is very eager to hear from you.  Church.    You need to find ...

Practice develops confidence.   An element missing to an evangelistic zeal beyond the Holy Spirit is to train to share the gospel.  In the "Make Disciples" Class, I have developed a script to help share the gospel.   This script will not make sense to you if you have not attended the class. I hope to elaborate on this in the next few blogs.   A few highlights of this gospel presentation: It has five major sections that help facilitate gospel sharing It uses three chairs illustration as a visual aid It is theological and emphasizes man's problem of sin towards a holy God Presentation Outline □ Courtesy □ Two kinds of Contacts; Two kinds of responses □ Casual. Hi ________.   I have not seen you since _______. How has it been with you? (listen for and look for clues). □ Pos. It’s so good to hear that you ________________.   I had some good thing that happened in my life too. □ Neg I am sorry about what happened.   Life is not perfec...

For small group discussion review but go immediately to the ASSESSEMENT area.     In our study, we have identified two kinds of people who needed Jesus.  A Saul-like individual and a Cornelius -like individual.  Shocking as it may seem, both need Jesus in their hearts.  They belong to section 1.      What do Saul and Cornelius - like people need to move from section 1 to section 2?    Rehearse this gospel presentation in your own words.   ASSESSMENT QUESTION:  This assessment will determine your "make-disciples" quotient.  Answer the questions randomly, but do not take the result lightly.   1.  Write five names of people that you know fit these categories (Saul - like and Cornelius - like)?    2.  Determine a number beside the name of how likely this week you are to have a conversation with this person.   1 - not likely;  5 - very likely. 3.  Put a check among the...

  What's Your Name?   I am not a people person.  In fact, my natural default is to find a space within a crowd.  But when somebody reaches out to me, I like the feeling.  Don't you?   Too many people are in the kingdom crowd but never a part of God's family.  They are waiting for me and for you to reach out to them.  DISCUSSION:  Recall a moment when you were thankful somebody engaged with you with a spiritual conversation?  How was it like?  And why were you thankful and glad?  Identify your fear on making disciples?  What do you think should you do to overcome that fear?  What help are you willing to receive from LFBC to help you overcome your fear?  KNOW SOMEONE'S NAME In a book, Discipleship Uncomplicated, Dr. Haynes emphasized the importance of knowing a person's name.   God wants us to know people's names.  Cornelius heard from God that he needed to look for Peter.   When ...

God is always true to His promises.  He keeps His covenant to His people.   From Abrahams time until the Kingdom, they are a reflection of God's unfailing commitment to fulfilling His plan.    The exile is a momentary pause, and today, we examine the return of God's people back to the promised land.  In Ezra 1:2, it shared that King Cyrus allowed God's children to return to Jerusalem.   Finally, God's people's prayers are answered and the Jews experience a second chance as they return back to Jerusalem.  What would be your first bidding if you were in their shoes?  Unfortunately, it is easy to prioritize God and reciprocate.   Let's examine three responses of God's people.   I.  They renewed their Worship to Yahweh God's children return with Zerubabbel and reminding them that they need to ret return urn to God as they return to Jerusalem.  In your own reading, what was  II.  They restored their Wor...

God allows 'life pauses' where moments that we are stopped dead on our tracks while he accomplishes His will.  It's not a comfortable place, but yet necessary.    There are many examples of this in the Bible, but it is one that we do not enjoy.  One key reason for this moment is God's expression of "tough love" (Prov. 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-11).    The Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah sinned against God and they went to the place of no return (Isaiah 28-33; 2 Kings 17:16-20).  As a result, the Divided Kingdoms were shattered.   The Northern Kingdom Israel was dispersed by the Assyrian in 722 B.C. and the Southern Kingdom Judah was exiled by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.    In the midst of Israel's and Judah's life pause, God encourages three things:    Come back to God and renew your relationships with him.   Endure and thrive in the time of your exile. Look forward to the hope that is in Jesus.   DIDISCUSSI...

Lessons from the Old Testament Survey Class.   Today's lesson is about learning to understand that God has better plans for our lives.  That sometimes, our plans, no matter how good they are, are no better than God's plan.   Isaiah 55:8-9 says,  Let's consider three eras in our study today.  ERA # 1:  Disoriented People This was during the days of judges when God raised deliverers or judges in order to save His people.  The problem is that they kept on disobeying God and God was teaching them a lesson to trust Him.   The cycle of sin and repentance were lessonsyou will find in the book of Judges.   Another problem is that God's people were never content.  They wanted a king like the rest of the world.   This leads us to the next Era.   ERA # 2:  United Kingdom God granted Israel's request for a King despite His warning.  There were three kings that ruled one after the other and their live...

We begin the next four weeks to look at the history of the Old Testament.   This lesson begins from Creation (Genesis)  until the Promised Land (Deuteronomy).  The theme we emphasize is "God uses the place of our lives where we are in."   Read Ephesians 2:7-10.   The three places God used for His children were:  I.  The Garden of Eden - It is a Place of Beginning To enjoy God's place of beginnings means:  (1) I must cultivate the land;  (2) I must be aware of temptations and (3) I must remain obedient and follow His holy path.   II.  The Wilderness - It is a Place of Cleansing I must learn to accept that this place of wilderness ...(1) is the safest route; (2) is the cleansing route; (3) it is a learning route.   III.  Canaan - It is a Place of Rest The place of rest is important because... (1) it is a place of promise - the Lord promised rest; (2) it is a place flowing with milk and honey; (3)...

What a glorious resurrection Sunday celebration we just had.   Beyond the message, music, presentations, food, and fellowship, your presence made all the difference.  Because of people like you, our churches broke the attendance barrier.  It only makes sense to thank you.   In John 20:19-29, the disciples of Jesus gathered after Easter and one of their friends missed the gathering.  The others made an effort to encourage him to come.  He responded,  “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. ”  Kudos to these disciples, this man attended the next week's gathering, and guess who showed up?  Jesus!  Jesus asked him,   “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." He knelt down and confessed, "My Lord and My God!"   This is why, for ages,  this man has been called...

Text: Matthew 28:1-10  In a court hearing, a witness is someone who gives and corroborates a truth.  In the process, they establish truth.  Today, we will look at the witnesses of the Resurrection and investigate this historical record.   So many people, look away from the story to prove or disprove the empty tomb.  The sensible approach is to look within the story.  Here is what we find on how we know Jesus is alive.    The women discovered it (v.1-4) The angels declared it (v.5-7) The disciples confirmed it (v.8-10) Conclusion: These are just some of the many witnesses that corroborates the tomb was empty.  In 1 Cor. 15:5-9, Paul the apostle enumerates other than those mentioned above who were witnesses that Jesus is alive.  Our faith in the gospel is challenged in many ways, and today we tried to strengthen your faith in the Gospel.   Questions to ponder upon   What have you heard why people don't believe in the re...