1. We always consider the end of a thing before we embark on it, but few consider the end/purpose of life before they choose what they’ll live for.
2. We only learn the true meaning and purpose of life when we elevate our faith and focus beyond the here and now. Ps.39.4-7
3. Every moment everyone is either pacing towards heaven or hell, consciously or unconsciously, willingly or unwillingly. Ps. 90.12
4. David’s charge. A man’s last words are his most important. 1 Kings 2.1-4
5. All that matters is our relationship with God, which will determine how we live, and where we’ll go for all eternity. Deut. 32.45-47

Introduction: One of the wonderful traditions that we follow at Christmas time is giving and receiving of gifts. The practice was started by God Himself when He gave us the best gift ever given to man – His one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

But what kind of a gift was Jesus?

I. He was an UNUSUAL Gift – Luke 2:1-7
* The birth of Christ was different from any other human birth.

A. Prophetically – Matthew 1:22,23; Matthew 2:4,5
B. Historically – Luke 2:1-3
C. Physically – Luke 2:5-7 He was born to a virgin in humble circumstances.
D. Spiritually – Luke 2:11; II Corinthians 9:15 – Christ as a Gift is indescribable
1. Priceless
2. Perfect
3. Permanent

II. He was an UNWELCOMED Gift – Luke 2:7; John 1:11

*Even today, at Christmas time and at any time, Jesus Christ is still not welcomed by many people He came to love and to save from their sins.

Conclusion: Jesus Christ is the Gift that God offers to you at this very Christmas season. Will you welcome Him into your life today?

Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Sermon Summary:

Today, we continue our new Christmas series this December, “Experiencing God during Christmas” (Studies in Luke 1-2). Though the Christmas season is not new, we can experience God in a new way this Christmas by focusing on 4 things: the blessedness, miracle, humility, & gift of God this season. We now focus on the miracle of God: “For nothing is impossible with God” (Lk. 1:37). Through the Christmas story segment in Luke 1:26-38, what do we need to know about the miracle of God during Christmas?

I. WHO THE MIRACLE OF GOD IS DURING CHRISTMAS (1:26-33)

The context of God’s miracle is the announcement of Jesus’ birth, when God supernaturally intervened by sending angel Gabriel (1:26) with a message of God’s favour & presence, leading Mary to be troubled & fearful (1:29-30), & prompting the angel to allay her fear with God’s favour (1:30). What can fully take away her fear is knowing the content of the miracle, Jesus (1:30): “He will be great & will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, & he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (1:32-33). Let’s enjoy more the miracle of God in Christ during Christmas.

II. HOW THE MIRACLE OF GOD OCCURRED DURING CHRISTMAS (1:34-38)

When Mary asked how the miracle of God would occur (1:34), the angel replied by saying that the means is through the Holy Spirit’s coming upon Mary & through God’s power to “overshadow” (or show God’s powerful presence to) Mary (1:35). The validity of this means is verified when the angel informed that the “barren” Elizabeth is pregnant (1:36), & stated that “nothing is impossible with God” (1:37). Let’s remember God’s miraculous work during Christmas.

Sermon Text: Luke 1:39-56
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45

Sermon Summary:

As we welcome the month of December, we will be starting a series of messages entitled “Experiencing God during Christmas” based on Luke 1-2. The story of the First Christmas surely is reflected in every corner of the streets but its significance to the world is often neglected and ignored. Love, joy, peace, hope, giving, and celebrations are some of the themes that are often reflected by the decorations and activities in the homes, schools, and workplaces. These are blessings but what does true blessedness entail? In tomorrow’s message, we will grasp how Elizabeth and Mary were blessed and how this blessedness has been extended to us.

1) Why was Elizabeth blessed? (vv.39-41,43-44)

2) Why was Mary blessed? (vv. 39-40,42,45,48-49)

3) Why are We blessed? (v.50)

Bible Passage: Jude 17 23

Intro: The Holy Bible forewarns us of the many dangers that will come to pass in the last days to prepare us.
1. Hiding God’s word in our heart is the best preservative to sin and error.
2. We must grow daily in our faith if we would not backslide from our Lord.
3. Prayer is the chief exercise of faith.
4. We must advance God’s kingdom in diverse ways, but advance it with what talents and time we have we must.

Bible Passage: Jude 24-25

Sermon Summary:

The concluding verses of the epistle of Jude is one of the most beautiful benedictions in the New Testament (cf. Rom 11:33-36; 16:25-27; 2Cor 13:14; Heb 13:20-21). Our Christian life may be threatened with “falling” and “fault” because of false teachers that are creeping in the churches with their doctrines and deeds. But we have a “God who is able.” He is our Keeper (v.24a), Presenter (v.24b) and Savior (v.25)!
How should we then respond?

1. ACKNOWLEDGE Christ for who He is as the Bible declares.

2. BELIEVE that He has the authority to change lives.

3. CONSECRATE ourselves until the coming of the Lord.

Sermon Summary:

Bible Passage: Jude 5-16

Sermon Summary:

Today we will be starting a new series based on the Book of Jude – Keeping the Faith in the Face of Dangerous Days. The events that are happening around us and in the whole world suggest that there is a real danger that we need to face. It would be an understatement if we say that we are not affected in any way by negative circumstances and people that are challenging us in all fronts. We believe that as Christians, we are in spiritual battles. But to win the war, we need to know our real enemy and the strategies that he uses to ward us away from God and His will.

The verses that we are going to study will reveal the character of our true enemy and will show us the result of their wayward schemes. And to be prepared in this spiritual battle we are encouraged to:

(1) RELEARN FROM THE FAILURES OF THE PAST (vv.5-7)

(2) RESIST THE ENEMIES OF THE PRESENT (vv.8-16)

1. All shall be shaken but the Kingdom of Heaven, therefore, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Heb.12.25-29)

2. The kingdom of heaven advances on earth by the preaching of the gospel, which shakes spiritual dominions, and translates souls from the kingdom of darkness to light. (Acts 17.6)

3. Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate Servant, Signet and Chosen.

4. We are chosen in Christ Jesus to be His people from before the foundation of the world. (Eph.1.4)

5. Jesus Christ is the Signet on God’s right hand, the Right arm of the Lord, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

6. All things here are uncertain; only what’s to come hereafter is certain (death, judgment, and heaven or hell). Build your life upon and put your trust in the only Rock that cannot be shaken: the Rock of ages. (Matt.7.24-7)

Bible Text: Haggai 2:1-9

Sermon Summary:

Today we will continue our series on “Rebuilding Together in Broken Times: Studies from the Book of Haggai.” In chapter 1 of the book, we saw the importance of building the temple of God, which the Israelites didn’t recognize at first. (The First Temple was constructed during the reign of King Solomon and was completed in 957BC. It was destroyed in 586BC by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon when he conquered Jerusalem.) When they began to build the foundation, the work stalled for 16 years. Their priorities were checked by God through the prophet Haggai, and they were exhorted to put valued time and efforts to build God’s temple. In chapter 2, Haggai delivered 3 more brief messages to encourage the workers to complete their assignments. In the first message in this chapter (vv. 1-9), we will rediscover the impact of God’s promises to the temple builders – promises that we could cling on to in our daily life as well, especially when we feel discouraged:

1. COMFORT of GOD’S PRESENCE: “I am with you” (v.4b). “My Spirit remains among you” (v.5b).

2. CONTINUITY of GOD’S PROVISION: “I will shake” (vv.6-7a). “I will fill this house with glory” (v.7b).

3. CONFIRMATION of GOD’S POWER: “The glory of this present house will be greater… and in this

1 Peter 5.5-11

1. Christians ought to be the humblest people on earth.
2. The Lord’s love and power should lead us to trust and go to him with all our cares and burdens.
3. Our adversary is a spirit, therefore we have need of spiritual armory and spiritual mindedness to resist him.
4. If it weren’t for the God of all grace that were on our side, now may Israel say, etc. (Ps.124).
5. Peter ends where we all shall, in doxology, to the Author and Finisher of our salvation.

Sermon Summary:
We are now on our last two messages in the sermon series, “Breaking Down Barriers Despite our Sufferings (Studies on 1 Peter).” My prayer is that all of you have completely read one of the shortest books of the entire Christian Bible and made some personal notes about it. The First Letter of the apostle Peter has only five chapters and tomorrow we will learn about the elders’ position and role in the congregations. We will mirror this as well with what GCF churches have traditionally adopted. We will also consider the godly response that God expects from His people so that church leaders will enjoy their services for the Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and Chief Cornerstone. And finally, we will discuss on the reward that is waiting for those who are faithful.

A. The Elders’ ROLE & LIFE (1 Peter 5:1-3):

1. CONVERSION: A Vital Personal Experience with Christ (v.1) – SALVATION

a. “fellow elder” (v.1a)
b. “witness of Christ’s sufferings” (v.1b)
c. “partaker of the glory that will be revealed” (v.1c, NKJV)

2. CHARACTER: A Loving Concern for God’s Sheep (vv.2-3) – SANCTIFICATION

1. Not by compulsion, but willingly (v.2b)
2. Not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve (v.2c)
3. Not lording but being examples to the flock (v.3)

3. COMMITMENT: A Desire to Please Christ Alone (v.4) – SERVICE

B. The Congregation’s RESPONSE: Obedience and Submission (Hebrews 13:17; Titus 3:1)

C. The Lord’s REWARD to the Faithful: The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)

Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:8

Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Sermon Summary:

As children in the same spiritual (church) family we need to learn how to get along with others. Although we are uniquely created by God and different from each other, we have overwhelming points of unity to live in harmony. Through the apostle Peter’s letter, we have learned that we belong to the same family (1 Pet 1:3). We are like living stones in the same spiritual building (1 Pet 2:5a), priests in the same holy temple (1 Pet 2:5b), fellow citizens in the kingdom of heaven (1 Pet 2:10), and co-servants of the same God (1 Pet 2:16). Thus, we are exhorted to live as such. This Sunday, we are going to learn three essentials to achieve and maintain harmony in the church:

1. UNITY in faith and purpose:

“all of you be of one mind” (v.8a, NKJV) (cf. Ephesians 4:4-6; Matthew 28:18-20)

2. HUMILITY in the exercise of skills and spiritual talents:

“be humble” (v.8c) (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:20-25; Ephesians 4:11-13)

3. CONSISTENCY in our walk in Christ:

“love one another” (v.8b) “repay evil with blessing” (v.9b) (cf. 1 Peter 4:8; John 13:34-35)

(1 Peter 4 :1-11)

Knowing our new identity in Christ (1:1–2:10), we can now think & live differently (2:11–3:22) in the midst of suffering. In our passage today, we will see how suffering leads us to a new way of thinking & living (4:1-6), & how we can develop internally & externally (4:7-11). According to 1 Peter 4:1–11, what does suffering do for us in light of our new identity in Christ?

I. SUFFERING PROMPTS US TO LIVE DIFFERENTLY (4:1-6)

Peter presents Christ’s own suffering (2:15; 3:17; 4:1, 19) as the basis for the believers to think & live differently. Just as Christ was determined to do God’s will & obey God, so the believers are to “arm themselves with the same attitude” (4:4b)—depicting the picture of a soldier putting on an armor (see Eph. 6:13)—of radical resolve to obey God & His will. This radical resolve of Christ’s followers is to be seen in their being done with sin (4:1b) & in their contrasting life before Christ & their present countercultural lifestyle (4:2-3; see Rom. 6:6-7), knowing that God will vindicate them later from an unbelieving world (4:5-6). Through God’s transforming work, we (like the audience of Peter) can face our suffering (like Christ did) & live differently (as Christ desires for us to do so).

II. SUFFERING PREPARES US FOR SELF-CONTROL & SERVICE (4:7-11)

Peter also presents the perspective on & practice of suffering in the context of the end of all things being near (4:7a). In light of the believers’ definitive break from the past & its old habits, we are to live differently in light of the future return of Christ. Thus, we are to be alert & be of sober mind (i.e., be self-controlled) to aid in our prayer life (4:7b), to be deep in loving others (4:8a), to offer hospitality without grumbling (4:9), & to speak & serve as God’s stewards (4:10-11). We are to speak the very words of God & to serve with God’s strength. The result of such stewardship & service in suffering is that “in all things, God may be praised through Christ” (4:11a) & that we in doxology give God glory & declare His power forever (4:11b). We are called to do the same.

Message Title: Prayer of Praise to the Promise-Keeper (Ferdie Umali; April 16, 2023) (Enjoying God’s Promises: Part 2)

Bible Text: 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 (NIV)

Sermon Summary:

After two Sundays of studying the passion of Jesus Christ when we celebrated the Lenten season, we are now going to resume our series on “What Real Success Means in God’s Sight: Study on David’s Life from Select Passages in 1 Chronicles.”

1 Chronicles 17 can be divided into two parts: (1) God’s Promise to David – presenting a REVELATION (vv.1-15); and (2) David’s Prayer to God – which is a godly RESPONSE (vv.16-27). David’s reaction to God’s promises exposes his beautiful inward character and full trust in God. David had a remarkable plan for God, i.e., to build His temple. But God had a better plan and the effect of it extends to all generations.

The Bible contains more than 7000 promises and many of these stems out from the covenant that God has made with David. Reflecting on the Davidic covenant, which is now a fulfilled promise, can cause us to thank and praise God even more. Tomorrow, we will study the magnitude of this covenant that can move us to praise like David praised.

The PROMISE

1. EXPLAINED – What it meant to David (vv.7-8).

2. EXTENDED – How it affected Israel (vv.9-13).

3. EXPRESSED – What it means to us now (v.14).

The PRAYER

1. PRESENT – David’s character of humility and submission (vv.16,18-20).

2. PAST – Israel’s redemption and protection (vv.21-22).

3. FUTURE – The world’s spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ, the Messiah (vv.17,23-27).