Dying To Self —Unknown Author

Dying To Self

—Unknown Author

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, and climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than your self and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” —Matthew 16:24-25

FULL SALVATION (Sermon Outline)

FULL SALVATION

TEXT: I THESSALONIANS 5:15-24

THEME: The believer is fully saved if he is fully sanctified.

INTRODUCTION:

Evangelical salvation is salvation from sin. There are two classes of sin: the committed and the habitual sin and the sin as a principle in the heart of a man. The word sin which is “hamartia” in Greek denotes the act of disobedience and at the same time a condition or the state of the heart. Salvation is the deliverance from all sin, the habitual and the root of sin. If a believer is only justified and not fully sanctified he is considered as not fully saved yet. He needs the second work of grace of entire sanctification done in the heart through the agency of the Holy Spirit by purifying it from the carnal sin: when these works are accomplished in the life of a believer he is fully saved from sin. How can a believer or a child of God be fully sanctified?

I. FIRSTLY, ONE HAS TO BE SURE HE OR SHE IS REALLY JUSTIFIED AND EXPERIENCES THE REGENERATION (BORN AGAIN) OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A. Repentance is fully done. (Isaiah 55:7)

B. Regeneration is experience in the heart. (Titus 3:4, 5)

C. By living Godly and righteously. (Titus 2:11, 12)

II. SECONDLY, ONE HAS TO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE WORD OF GOD. (I John 1:7)

A. There is a ready mind to obey what is required of a child of God upon Illumination of the WORD OF GOD.

B. There is an attitude of real love and fellowship with the children of God.

III. THIRDLY, EXERCISE THE NATURAL DUTIES OF THE CHILD OF GOD. (I Thess. 5:15-22)

A. Render not evil for evil, Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.

B. Quench not the spirit: despise not prophesying; prove all things, hold fast that which is good, abstain from all appearance of evil.

(NOTE: The approach to entire sanctification is the exercise of all Christian duties known.)

IV. FOURTHLY, CONSECRATE ENTIRE ONE’S PERSON AND ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. (Rom. 12:1)

A. Consecration of self is the natural requirement of God from His child.

B. Consecrate to God what He has given you.

V. FIFTHLY, HAVE FAITH IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (ATONEMENT) AS THE GROUND OF FULL SANCTIFICATION. (I John 1:7)

A. After fully consecrating one’s self, believe that the work is done in the heart.

B. The altar sanctifies the gift. (Ex.29:37; Matt.23:19)

CONCLUSION:

Entire sanctification gives us holiness in the heart. In regeneration the holy life begins. In full sanctification holiness is completed in the life or soul of the child of God. There is power in living for God in full sanctification. Entire sanctification is full-salvation from sin.

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD AT DUBAI -

Sa mga kapatid naming sa Panginoon diyan sa Pilipinas,

Pagbati mula sa pangalan ng ating Panginoon at Tagapagligtas na si Jesus.

Nais kong ibalita sa inyo na idinaos naming ang ika-15 anibersaryo ng Iglesia ng Dios dito sa Dubai noon April 24, 2009 na ginanap sa Consulate General of the Philippines. Nagpapasalamat kami sa Panginoon sa naging tagumpay ng aming anibersaryo. Maraming mga mga pagpapala at mga biyayang ipinagkaloob ng Dios na aming natanggap. Salamat na aming nadama ang pagkilos ng Espiritu Santo sa mahalagang araw na yaon. Salamat na nananatiling tagumpay ang kaniyang Iglesia dito. Ang amin tema ay “Christ our Example” (I pet. 2:21). Mahigit 50 ang dumalo sa kaniyang gawain at 12 dito ang lumapit sa Panginoon. Ang mga kaluluwang ito ay mga Overseas Filipino Workers na hindi naging mabuti ang kalagayan sa kanilang mga amo. Tuwing araw ng Huwebes ay mayroon kaming Bible Study doon at ilan sa kanila ay aming nkakapiling. Sila’y ating isama sa ating mga panalangin na nawa’y maayos na ang kanilang mga kalagayan dito.

Patuloy po tayong magdalanginan upang manatili ang pag-ibig sa mga kapatid at pagkakaisa ng kaniyang Iglesia at nawa’y lumago pa ang kaniyang Gawain hindi lamang dito kundi lalo na jan sa ating bansa. Muli ay nagpapasalamat kami sa inyong mga panalangin at daing patungkol sa mga banal dito sa Dubai.

Kalakip ng email na ito ang ilan sa mga larawan na kuha sa anibersaryo.

Ipinaaabot ng mga kapati ang mainit na pagbati at pangungumusta sa inyong lahat.

Purihin ang Panginoon.

Ang inyong kapatid at kamanggagawa kay Kristo

Bro. Arthur Logan

(See pictures at www.cogphoto.blogspot.com)

FLEE FROM SIN

Genesis 39:1-21

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.

So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. "And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside." So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; "so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside." So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

" But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside." — Genesis 39:12

In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks a legendary reptile with fatal breath and glance, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant. Who would wantonly enter the leper's prison and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He only who desires to be leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel. This day I may be exposed to great peril, let me have the serpent's wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me today than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. The devil I am to resist and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the flesh, I must flee, or they will surely overcome me. O God of holiness preserve thy Josephs, that Madam Bubble bewitch them not with her vile suggestions. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil, never overcome us!

Morning and Evening Readings—Charles Spurgeon

WHO CAN BE A DICIPLE OF CHRIST- By the Late Pastor Victoriano Luzong

Born into this world, every human being finds himself adrift in the sea of life. With him comes a present tendency toward evil, a nature that flourishes in magnifying self. It seems that survival in a competitive world demands it, so the battle of the ages, endlessly persists. In fact still today, are not all the works of the flesh a morbid coddling of self which in the end bankrupts the soul of man? Satan is the mastermind behind all these and the evils perpetrated by mankind are a reflection of his evil plan. The very first sin grew out of Eve’s temptation of covetousness to know that which God’s wisdom forbade. However, all through the ages God has sought to turn the heart of men to righteousness and peace. The sordid picture must have grieved the great heart of God deeply, for He warned early that His Spirit would not always strive with men.

Humanity struggled on through the centuries entertaining the hope that light someday would dispel the seemingly eternal darkness. Yes, they had heard that a king would come to vanquish all enemies and satisfy the longing of humanity. That king did come! And His name is Jesus! He was born of a lowly virgin in a stable in Bethlehem. The promised Light had shone up. He set about the task of getting followers called disciples. Many wanted to be His disciples, bit now many could qualify to His Standards: He said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my disciple. If any man come to me, and hate not his own life also, he can not be my disciple”. This is something new! This is revolutionary! This, in plain words, is the end of the self life! The old man is now dead through Christ and the real life is hid with Christ in God. Hallelujah!

While Levi (who was later called Matthew) sat at the receipt of customs, Christ called him saying, “Follow me”. He left all and followed Him! This meant his job, his income, his old friends, close companionship with his family and loved ones if he need be. He left all and followed Christ. Why? He gad been made somehow to see the intrinsic value of this new and impelling leader, and considered himself most fortunate to enter into this new association.

The sturdy fishermen called the Sons of thunder while securing a livelihood by hours of hazardous toil left their nets and followed the Master when they were called.

What about Paul of Tarsus? On the road of Damascus humiliated and subdued by the heavenly light cried out, “Lord what do you want me to do?” the Master said, “Delivering thee from the people and to the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”. Only in Christ, whom he hated before could he find rest to his soul and hope for eternity, he suffered the loss of all things that he might win Christ. Yes, he counted the best the world had to offer as but dung.

My beloved friends and brethren, consider your own plan and purpose of life. Maybe you had given much but you still cling tenaciously to a few. No! listen to these resounding words, “Forsake all! Forsake all! Part will not do! Happiness and acceptance cannot come until all is forsaken! Because what Christ has to offer is not bought at a bargain counter. There is no cut rate price; there is no compromise. It is ALL for nothing! Earthly values cannot be compared to heavenly values. All that men hold dear in this world is doomed to perish in the judgment fires. The island of safety is to forsake all.

DO IT NOW! Lay it on the altar! SACRIFICE IT ALL and YOU SHALL LIVE!

Concerning Women in the Ministry

I Corinthians 14:34-37

“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”—1 Cor. 14:34,35
Language could scarcely be more plain. It only remains for us to determine if the command of silence for these women at Corinth is intended for all women in all congregations.

A brief study of the original language will show us that the word translated as women can also be translated wives. We may also gain this understanding from the context of the writing. “They are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”

Reference is given here to Genesis 3:16, when God gives the place of the wife, saying that her husband would rule over her, or be her head. “…Let them ask their husbands at home…” This is sufficient proof that these words are directed to wives and not all women in general.

“How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.”—1 Cor. 14:26

The burden of the chapter throughout is one of ensuring that the congregation of saints is edified upon their coming together. Thus is given the proper method for speaking in tongues (languages) and prophesying in verses 27-32. So strictly were these instructions to be followed that silence was commanded rather than to go outside of them. “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church…(vs. 28). “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (vs.33).”

We infer from the reading that many of the wives at this location were not in obedience. They were speaking out in public assembly in a domineering way with neither regard for their husbands, nor for the edifying of the church. Their speaking was causing confusion and disorder in the congregation, thus their instruction was not to speak at all, not because they were women, but because they were out of order.

Again, this is consistent with the previous instruction given to a man who speaks in tongues. If he was unable to speak in a foreign language in such a manner that would be decent and orderly and in which all the church may be edified, then let him be silent. “But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God (vs. 28).

In chapter 11, verses 4 and 5 of the same epistle, we are made aware that both men and women speak in the congregation of saints, for it says of both that they pray and prophesy. We will now allow the writer of the epistle to himself define what he meant by the word prophesy: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”—1 Cor. 14:3

According to chapter 11, women did speak in a public assembly of the church, for they, as well as the men, were permitted to prophesy. God granted women the privilege to speak unto men (mankind) that they would be built up in the things of God. Women were permitted to speak so as to provoke to love and good works. By their words, women in the congregation openly comforted the hearts of God’s children.Both men and women, under the direction of God, were able to bring forth the Word of God in such a manner as to convince and reveal God’s judgment to sinners and reveal the innermost secrets of their hearts. Women spoke as to cause the penitent sinner to fall down and worship God and acknowledge that He was behind every word they spoke, according to 1 Cor. 14:24, 25. This, according to Paul, is prophesying and this is done by women as well as men in Christian meetings. “But if all prophesy…” This “all” includes the women, for Paul writes, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”—1 Cor. 1:2
With the forgoing understanding, there is no possibility that the apostle Paul was demanding or imposing silence upon all women in the churches. In fact, in 1 Cor. 14, his burden is not men verses women, but rather order verses disorder.

The burden of his heart as he wrote this epistle is not only for the Corinthian church, but it directly applies in all the present day congregations of the church of God. Not for women only, but also for men. If any speaking will cause confusion and disorder, if no one is being built up in the Lord, and it is no more than a show in the flesh, then keep silent. “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”—Zech. 2:13

1 Timothy 2:12
“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”—1 Tim. 2:12

Many, however, still feel that it is a very unnatural thing to see a woman preaching. Their primary thought is that by so doing, she is out of her place and is usurping authority over the man. Again, Paul is addressing wives in the home setting, for he speaks of one man and not men in general. “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man...” Again, the Greek word here translated man can also be translated husband. The very next verse strengthens his point when once again, as in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul refers to Genesis and is unquestionably dealing with the husband and wife relationship in the home life. “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. (1 Tim 2:13).”

The man (husband) is the head of the [woman, wife] home, not the head of the church. He, with the help of God, sets things in order in his own home. Christ is the head of the church, He being the Son of God, sets things in order in His own church. To usurp authority means to take the authority of someone else as your own and to act with that authority which was never intended to be yours. The woman is not to be forcing her opinions on her husband, for it is not her place to do so. This is the simple meaning of the apostle’s writing.

By the same principle, husbands (or men in general) are not to teach or give direction to Christ concerning matters of His church, for it is not their place. Men must keep silence concerning the gifts and the callings of God. God sets the members in the body as it pleases Him and not as it pleases men (I Cor. 12:18). A woman cannot be guilty of usurping authority over the man by delivering God’s Word if she is called [by God] to preach, for delivering God’s Word is not authority that belongs to man, therefore she did not take it from him. If a man were to forbid a God-called woman to preach, he would be guilty of usurping the authority of God.

The world continues to be plagued with the lifeless, formal traditions of men preachers who are no more than elected officials. In the spirit of bigotry they foam out their bias opinion and attempt to justify their position with a few scriptures clearly taken out of context. While they rant and rave that God would never call a woman to preach, they do not consider that God never called them to preach. Being therefore not of the number of Holy Ghost-called ministers, they can do naught else but proclaim error and advance the most deadly thing that has ever been, which is false religion. —S. Hargrave

Pagbabalik sa Unang Pag-ibig (by:Racquel Ricamara)

Pagbabalik sa Unang Pag-ibig

(by:Racquel Ricamara)

Nang una mong makilala ang Panginoong Dakila,

Kay init ng 'yong pagsinta at di masayod na ligaya,

Laging may kagalakan na si Jesus ang paglingkuran,

Nangako ka na di sya iiwan magpakailan pa man.

Sa pagdaan ng panahon,mga tukso'y naroroon,

Dagli mong nalimot,unang pagibig sa Panginoon,

Sa pagsubok ay nanlamig,unti-unti kang nadaig,

Ikaw ay nagbalik sa magulang buhay sa daigdig.

At muli mong naranasan,ang buhay sa sanlibutan,

Na laging abala sa materyal na pangangailangan,

Ngunit ang lahat ng bagay,ay wala ring kabuluhan,

Sapagkat ang ating kaluluwa,ang syang kayamanan.

Bagamat Masaya ka sa panlabas na kaanyuan,

Ngunit may takot at pangamba sayong puso't isipan,

Sapagkat iyo nang nalalaman ang katotohanan,

Na walang makasalanang,tatanan sa kalangitan.

Hanggat may pagkakataon,ikaw sa kanya'y magbalik,

Sa matapat mong pagluhod at sa pagsisisis ay sabik,

Upang muli mong makamtan ang dakilang kaligtasan,

At mamuhay ng may kabanalan sa panahong kasalukuyan.