Category Archives: Life & Love

Life & Love, Who is God?

Who is Jesus Christ and Who Are We in Him

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Last Sunday, September 16, I had the privilege again of giving a sermon in my home local church, the ReThink Community, a local congregation of my denomination, the Grace Communion International. Based on Mark 8:27-38, I spoke about who Jesus is and who we humans are in Jesus Christ — especially those who believe in Him.

Here’s my sermon outline. (Right below this text outline, I have also included the Facebook Live video of the message.)

A. Who is Jesus Christ?

At the beginning of the gospel of Mark, we the modern readers have the benefit of reading right away in Mark 1:1 as to who Jesus is. Mark tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

When Jesus baptized, God the Father said in Mark 1:11, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” God the Father identifies Jesus as his Son.

In Mark 1:23-24, an evil spirit identified Jesus and said, “I know who you are– the Holy One of God!” Jesus told him to keep quiet about his real identity. It was not yet time for Jesus to be revealed at that point in time. “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” (Mark 1:25).

When Jesus was alone with his 12 disciples and some others, “He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables” (Mark 4:10-11).

Jesus always talked in parables publicly. “But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.” (Mark 4:33-34)

Jesus and his disciples went around Galilee preaching the good news and at one time they were in the middle of the lake. As Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat, there developed a thunderstorm with strong winds. The disciples were terrified and woke Jesus up. “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41).

The evil spirits called Legion identified Jesus as the Son of the Most High God (Mark 5:7-9).

At one time Jesus revived a 12 year old girl who was already dead. “He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.  43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.” They were told to keep this a secret.

In his own hometown in Nazareth, Jesus was a nobody to his relatives and town mates. “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:3) Coming back to his hometown, Jesus was considered as just one of the ordinary guys. That is who Jesus was to them — just a nobody.

A lot of speculation developed as to who Jesus really was.

“King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”  15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”  16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead.” (Mark 6:14-16)

After miraculous feeding of the 5,000 Jesus told the disciples to go ahead on the boat going to Bethsaida. In the evening, they were already in the middle of the lake rowing hard when Jesus was about to pass them by walking on water! They were terrified thinking Jesus was a ghost! Same question: “Who is this man?” (Mark 6:44-52)

The deaf-mute whom Jesus healed was told to keep quiet, but I guess he was practicing his new skill in talking after being healed of being mute (Mark 7:35-36).

The Pharisees also came to question who Jesus was and asked him for a miraculous sign. But Jesus would not give them any sign at all (Mark 8:11-12).

So, Who was Jesus According to the People?

So, who was Jesus Christ according to people’s views about him? The disciples answered that people thought he was John the Baptist, Elijah or some other prophet. There were a lot guessing. (Mark 8:27-28)

But Who was Jesus According to his Disciples?

But then Jesus asked the disciples themselves for their opinion of who Jesus was. And Peter was quick to answer (Mark 8:29). And then they were told to keep quiet about it. (Mark 8:30)

Who Jesus is According to Jesus

And then Jesus told them who the real Messiah is in Mark 8:31. When Peter said, “You are the Christ,” he had the right answer, but he had the wrong concept of the Messiah. He thought of a conquering king like old times during the time of King David and Solomon.

B. Who Are we in Jesus Christ?

Who are we in Jesus Christ? We are his followers. We are his disciples. But does it entail when we claim to be a follower of Jesus?  “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Greek, Christianos, meaning a follower of Jesus. A Christian is a disciple or a follower of Jesus.

What it means to be a follower of Jesus?

At this point in time, Jesus began to go public. He not only talked to his disciples, but he also invited the crowd — the public, to listen as well.

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

Here Jesus begins to explain what it means to be a follower or disciple of Jesus: it’s self-denial and cross-bearing. Here we see where this road of discipleship will lead to: losing one’s life. And it’s going to be messy!

Deny Oneself

Denying oneself – not just moralistic changes in behavior or delaying satisfaction for future benefits. But a total change in our thinking. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Focused on Christ. Become Christ-centered, not self-centered.

Self-denial does not mean seeking or embracing abuse for its own sake, as if suffering is something we like. Jesus spent over seven chapters in Mark healing the sick and helping people. He was not promoting suffering. He was not endorsing suffering as something to look forward to.

The kind of suffering Jesus is talking about is in Mark 8:35, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

This kind of unjust suffering is because we are followers of Jesus and we are not ashamed of it. We don’t deny Jesus just like Peter denied him 3 times at one time in his life. This kind of unjust suffering is because we are living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

But if we are suffering because we are sinning and doing wrong, being evil and causing harm to others, that’s not the suffering we are talking about.

Cross-bearing

Taking up our cross does not mean simply enduring unto the end. The cross meant death. It means giving up our own reputation and life.

Conclusion:

So, Who is Jesus Christ? He is our Savior and Lord. He is the Messiah. He suffered and died but was resurrected, ascended to heaven and will return.

And Who are we? We are God’s children. We are followers of Jesus Christ and we are ready deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. And we are waiting for his return when we shall be changed and have glorified bodies just like Jesus has. That’s who we are my friends!

May this good news about who Jesus is and who we are in Jesus inspire us to carry on, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.

May I share this Facebook Live video of this message beginning at about 23:48.

Life & Love, Who is God?

Di Na Ako Kundi si Kristo

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Magandang araw po! Eto po si Pastor Len Joson. Alam nyo po ba na tayo daw ay patay na at si Kristo na ang nabubuhay sa atin? Pag-usapan natin ‘to saglit:

Sinabi ni Apostol Pablo sa Galatia 2:20:

“Namatay na akong kasama ni Cristo sa krus. Hindi na ako ang nabubuhay ngayon kundi si Cristo na ang nabubuhay sa akin. At habang ako’y nabubuhay pa sa katawang-lupa, mamumuhay ako sa pananalig sa Anak ng Diyos na umibig sa akin at naghandog ng kanyang buhay para sa akin.”

Ang sabi ni Apostol Pablo, kasama daw po siya ni Kristo na pinako sa krus. Nang mamatay si Kristo sa krus dahil sa ating mga kasalanan, kasama din daw po siyang namatay. Tayong lahat na mga tao ay nakasama rin kay Kristo sa kanyang pagkapako sa krus at tayong lahat ay patay na. Inako ni Kristo ang lahat ng ating mga kasalanan at siya ay namatay para sa atin.

Kaya daw po, hindi na tayo ang nabubuhay kundi si Kristo na — na nasa atin. Si Kristo na banal at matuwid ay siya nang nabubuhay para sa atin. Dahil dito, dapat lang na tayo ay sumang-ayon, sumunod at tumupad sa mga pagsusumamo, pag-gising, pagpukaw at pagpapa-alala sa atin ng Bahal na Espirito ni Kristo na nasa atin. Huwag po nating suwayin. Huwag po nating tanggihan. Huwag po nating kontrahin si Kristo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Espirito na nasa atin na siyang gumagawa at tayo’y hinuhubog at binabago na maging katulad ni Kristo na banal at matuwid.

Dahil dito, sabi ni Apostol Pablo na siya daw po ay namumuhay na — na may buong pusong paniniwala at pananalig sa Anak ng Diyos. Buong-buo ang kanyang tiwala at pananalig na si Kristo na ang nabubuhay para sa kanya upang siya ay gawing ganap at kumpletong banal at matuwid. Lahat po ng eto ay ginagawa niya dahil sa laki ng kanyang pagmamahal sa ating lahat.

Eto po si Pastor Len Joson na nakikipagkuwentohan sa inyo tungkol sa Pagkakaisa at Pagkakasundo kay Hesu Kristo.

Pakinggan ang audio na mp3 dito po (2 min, 51 sec)

Background Music Credit: “What a Beautiful Sunset – radio mix!”
Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Life & Love

Panaghiusa ug Pagpasig-uli

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Maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan! Kini si Pastor Len sa programang Panaghiusa ug Pagpasig-uli.

Miingon si Apostol Pablo sa 2 Corinto 5:17 nga:

17 “Kay bisan kinsa nga nahiusa kang Cristo, bag-o na siyang binuhat.”

18 “Gibuhat sa Dios kining tanan ug siya usab ang nagpasig-uli kanato ngadto kaniya pinaagi kang Cristo…”

19 “Maoy among mensahe nga ang Dios pinaagi kang Cristo nagpasig-uli sa tanang tawo ngadto sa iyang kaugalingon. Ang Dios wala na mag-isip sa ilang mga sala…”

Kaguwapo ra no? Ang bisan kinsa kuno nga nahiusa kang Kristo, bag-o na nga pagkatawo. Gihiusa na kuno kita sa Diyos pinaagi ni Kristo. Gipasig-uli na kuno kita sa Diyos pinaagi ni Kristo. Duha ka punto: gihiusa ug giapasig-uli — mao kini ang gibuhat sa Diyos pinaagi ni Kristo. Mao kini ang maayong balita! Ang Diyos unang milihok aron kita mahiusa aron mahiuli pagbalik ang atong maayong relasyon diha sa Diyos. Maayong balita kini: gihiusa na kita ug gipasig-uli sa Diyos pinaagi ni Hesu Kristo.

Ang pangutana na lang nga nabilin mao kini. Andam na ba kita nga makighiusa ug makig-uli sa Diyos diha kang Kristo? Andam na ba kitang makighiusa ug makig-uli sa atong mga kaigsoonan ug mga silingan?

Miingon si Apostol Pablo sa bersikulo 20: “Sa ngalan ni Cristo, naghangyo kami kaninyo nga makig-uli kamo sa Dios.”

Mao kini si Pastor Len nagahisgot bahin sa Panaghiusa ug Pagpasig-uli diha kang Kristo. Maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan!

Pwede paminawon ang mensahe diri (2 min 47 sec) : click here.

Background Music:  “What a Beautiful Sunset – radio mix!”
Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Life & Love, Who is God?

Dili Na Ako ang Nabuhi Kondili si Kristo

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Maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan diha sa Ipil, sa Zamboanga Sibugay, sa Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur ug sa uban pang mga lugar nga naminaw diha sa Radio Sangyaw. Kini mao si Pastor Len nga amigo ni Pastor Geoffrey, ang atong radio station manager sa Radio Sangyaw.

Miingon sa Apostol Pablo sa Galatia 2:20:

20 “Gilansang ako uban kang Cristo didto sa krus busa dili na ako ang nabuhi kondili si Cristo na nga ania kanako. Ug kining kinabuhi ko karon akong gikinabuhi diha sa akong pagtuo sa Anak sa Dios nga nahigugma ug nagtugyan sa iyang kaugalingon alang kanako.”

Miingon sa Apostol Pablo nga kauban kuno siya ni Kristo nga gilansang sa krus. Sa pagkamatay ni Kristo sa krus tungod sa atong mga sala, naapil na pod kuno siya nga namatay uban sa iyang mga sala. Kitang tanang mga tawo naapil na pod diha kang Kristo sa iyang pagkalansang sa krus ug kita patay na — uban sa atong mga sala.

Busa, dili na kita ang nabuhi kondili si Kristo na — nga anaa kanato. Si Kristo nga balaan ug matarong nagapuyo na diha kanato. Tungod niini, angay lang nga mooyon, mosunod ug motuman kita sa mga pag-awhag, pagpukaw ug pagpahinumdum kanato sa Balaang Espirito ni Kristo diha atong tagsa-tagsa nga mga kasing-kasing. Ayaw pagsupak-supak. Ayaw balibare. Ayaw kontraha si Kristo pinaagi sa Balaang Espirito diha kanato nga nagmani-obra ug nagtrabaho sa atong mga kasing-kasing aron kita mahisama niya nga hingpit ug matarong.

Si Kristo nga buhi mao nay anaa kanato ug ang atong karaang pagkatawo uban sa atong mga sala wala na — patay na. Si Kristo na ang naghari sa atong kinabuhi. Anaa siya diha sa matag-usa kanato. Ang iyang pagkabalaan ug pagkamatarong anaa na kanato. Wala na kitay sala sa atubangan sa Diyos Amahan tungod kay ang iyang makit-an si Kristo man ug dili ang atong pagkamakasasala. Maayong Balita kini!

Tungod niini, miingon sa Apostol Pablo nga siya nagkinabuhi na diha sa iyang pagtuo sa Anak sa Diyos. Mao pod ang atong angay ug maayong buhaton. Ipadayon nato nga motoo, mosalig sa pagtoo ni Kristo nga maoy makaluwas kanato. Dili nato supakon ug kontrahon si Kristo diha kanato pinaagi sa Balaang Espirito nga kita iyang gihinay-hinay ug bag-o hangtod kita mahisama niya ug makasulod sa iyang gingharian inig abot sa saktong panahon. Kining tanan gibuhat sa Ginoo tungod sa iyang dakung gugma sa atong tanan.

Hinaot pa unta nga kini nga pulong sa Diyos nakadasig kaninyong tanan karong adlawa. Maadyong adlaw kaninyong tanan.

Pwede paminawon ang mensahe diri: audio mp3 (4 min 9 sec).

Background Music Credit: “What a Beautiful Sunset – radio mix!”
Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Life & Love

What is Proof Texting?

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Most of us mean well and are sincere in our beliefs and in our search for the truth. We don’t want to deceive others nor do we want to be deceived ourselves. We want to be true to what we believe in based on what God has revealed to be the truth found in the Bible. But without realizing it, we sometimes embrace error and spread it to others. And sometimes, our false belief is based on a proof text.

Proof Text Explained

So what is a proof text anyway? May I quote from Wikipedia:

“Prooftexting (sometimes ‘proof-texting’ or ‘proof texting’) is the practice of using isolated, out-of-context quotations from a document to establish a proposition in eisegesis. Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author,[1] and a document quoted in such a manner, when read as a whole, may not support the proposition for which it was cited.[2][3][4][5] The term has currency primarily in theological and exegetical circles.”

Examples of Proof Texts

One good example of proof texting is that of people quoting John 6:44 to explain that only a few will be saved and that God is setting limits to salvation. This verse is quoted to support a view that God has already decided who will be saved and it’s not everybody. For an explanation on this topic, please visit this link.

Another example is that of 1 Corinthians 15:22 which is quoted by some people to support their belief that in the end time, all will be saved. Taken out of context, it would really seem like what they’re saying is true. But here’s an explanation I wrote at this link.

One more example of a proof text is on a passage which says that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, “every knee will bow down” to him. This is interpreted to mean that all will be saved because all knees without exception will bow down to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Here’s an explanation I wrote on this one at this link.

Reading in Context

Learning to read the Bible in context is something we must not forget when reading the Bible. Whenever we disregard the context of Scripture, chances are, we would most likely end up misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Bible leading us to believe and teach what the Bible does not support after all. And that is what proof texting is all about.