Obey with Joy with Ptr. Joby Soriano 050717

friends let me tell you honestly when I was growing up many times I was disobedient to my parents I look back and I remember how they would say Joby time to study and I would play they'd say behave and I would misbehave and this went on in my young adult life and it came to the point where I didn't follow their rules at home it caused so much friction and conflict that I left the house when I was 21 years old and I lived on my own and by doing that I experienced so many trials and troubles this character of defiance carried on into my adult life I was I remember that in business often times I would compromise I do a lot of compromising deals just to make money and this is what happened to me as well I would disrespect the authority of the government by not paying taxes I had a very huge problem with authority it was only after I committed my life to Jesus Christ and became a Christian in the age of 26 that God started to work in my life he's hard to speak to my heart that convict me of my lifestyle of sin I could not live a double life being hypocrites on Sunday and and during the rest of the week I was two different people but it came to the point where this daily conviction caused me to really stop and analyze my life what am i doing am I really a Christian it was easy before to live a life of denial and just sin and sin it didn't matter but as a Christian I knew that I needed to obey Authority and not just obey for the sake of obedience but obey with joy I realized I need to obey with joy I struggled with this from the very beginning but as I took steps as I took steps not to be conformed to this world God slowly changed my heart so that I learned to enjoy obeying and that's the title of our message today obey with joy can you all say that obey with joy that's what it's about friends how many of you here like to submit to authority to answer your hands thank you for your honesty how many of you love and enjoy submitting to Authority okay those of you who raised your hands you're dismissed you may go anyway before a few of you the truth is we are all by nature rebellious oftentimes it's not our natural instinct to obey Eva many times we want to be in control we want to dominate we want to rule we don't want to listen to Authority so what I've done is I've come up with a message which I pray will motivate you will inspire you will encourage you to obey with joy and why joy I use Joy's of the cross stick J which stands for Jesus our example Jesus our example letter O stands for honor God honor to God you'll never forget that right can you all say that o see on earth to God Oh huh and letter Y stands for your testimony to others everyone say that you're a testimony to others these are the three areas which will really drive you to submit to the authorities that God has placed over us now remember submission is not as much an action as it is an attitude think about this submission boils down to having a heart of trust it's all about attitude because you can submit and obey and obey but if you don't have that attitude if you're doing without a frustration if you're doing it out of anger with grief with defiance that's not submission and God sees our heart just the word obedience look at the word obedience what's the word in the middle of obedience die you see that and what's the letter in the middle of die I I need to die and friends many times you think what's the correlation between obedience and joy it sounds like those are opposites how can you have joy in obedience obedience enjoy together I realize that's that's a question you might have your mind how can you have joy in obedience you know what in the book of John chapter 15 it says there if you keep my commands Jesus says my joy may be what in you and that your joy may be complete can you see that if you want to have joy Jesus is joy complete overflowing joy it's in obeying his commands this is the truth which really comes to us as we enjoy who God is friends obedience is giving up our right being willing to give up your rights being willing to to give up the belief that you deserve everything that you want it's putting our lives in the loving hands of a faithful God and humbly expressing our full dependence on him his sovereignty and that he knows what's best for us and he will give us what's best for us they say find a person who does not understand submission to Authority and you will see a person who is what proud full of criticism selfish self ruled and spiritually irresponsible you know people like this they don't understand submission submission to Authority is honestly not natural that's why many people love the songs have you heard the song born free born free but how about the song my way people love those songs because those are songs where it's anti-establishment it's doing what you want now if you find a person who understands submission to Authority you'll see a person who is what humble full of trust in God faithful accountable and what personally responsible now let's make something very clear because this message is for every single one of us here today question who are the appointed authorities God has placed over your us over you today who are the appointed authorities that God has placed over you today let me give you a few of them okay there are only five government government is given to us to administrate the citizens next one is the church church leaders are there to Shepherd the flock another one is husband's husbands are there to lead their wives another one our parents parents are there to train up their children and lastly you've got employers employers are to manage their employees so these are the authorities that God has given now each and every one of you has one of these and even more than one in your life today the phrase submits to authorities you know what that is it comes from the Greek word who put a so can you all say that one more time who put a so and very good booboo tassel are two words combined the first word is Cooper Cooper and Cooper means under under and fassl not the wrath also but passel means what to fall in line then actually submission or hoop without is a military term it's used in the military and this is telling us we must place yourself under that's what who put us is placing yourself under can you turn to your neighbor tell your neighbor who put and answer them hoop with a socket in submit also okay now when I see you sometimes this week if I if we bump into each other in the mall or wherever or I see you next time I ask you okay what does the message last Sunday you'll answer who put us on yes obey with joy all right submission I want to define it for you so we all in the same page submission is trusting that God is able able to what to accomplish his will and purpose in our life through those his place in authority over us do you believe this really do you believe this I trust you okay if you don't believe this it will never work in your life you have to come to the point where you truly in your heart in your mind you believe that God is in charge that God's in charge let me say something unless and until you believe that God is sovereign in control of all things being able to submit or it will be impossible it's a futile attempt you will not want to submit you will not want to obey why because our nature is no it's defiant but when you know God and you trust him it will change your life you see biblical submission is not slavery biblical submission is not slavery it is freedom to do what is right biblical submission technically is one way what do I mean whether or not the person is agrees with you or not friends regardless of their condition you must submit that's the way it is I'll explain that little boy later on when we submit to non-christian authorities men and women who are unchristian we're trusting God by faith we're trusting that God will protect us that God will defend us that God will guard us in our situation we submit with faith in God that he will provide justice for us rather than us taking justice into our own hands obedience is submission to God's appointed authorities over us is one of the most basic principles in life that we must all live by and this happens in our family in our work in church in marriage and even in our country have you ever had an experience where you're working the company and your boss tells you to do something and you know what's completely wrong you know they're going to fail and yet they're ordering you you've got to do this you've got to do this and you're smarter than your bosses that ever happen to you how do you deal with that how do you deal with that has that ever happened to you that you have parents and your parents are so so strict they're not followers of Christ and your parents are old-fashioned and they're demanding you to do certain things which are so unreasonable so impractical how do you deal with that maybe today you're in a small group and you're the group servant tells you I want you to attend the seminar I want you to attend this conference it's going to be good for you and you just ignore them or they give you advice to help you in your marriage or in parenting your children but you just disregard whatever they say is that's what's happening for example the ushers as you come in here they are just said bring it to your seats and do you listen to the ushers when they are just come to you and you have a crying child and they say you can take your child to the nursing room for your child to you know praise God in whatever way they want do you just make that bar do you listen to them how about when you're out you know in the streets driving around you take shortcuts if you break the law and make sure that you escape so you don't get caught do you do that when the MMD a traffic enforcer stops you you don't even know you completely ignore him you know and you want to run him over also is that what's happening that's awful huh is your husband from Mars he does whatever he wants he lies he cheats he verbally and emotionally abuses you you know he lives a life that he wants you to bow down to his every wish how do you deal with a husband like that friends are there times in your life where like for example April just passed that's tax season for the businessman the professionals this is such a struggle for many because paying taxes I mean did you pay your legal taxes is it a sin to go against God and not pay the right legal taxes do you struggle these kinds of events in your lives are you struggling these areas yes or no nobody's struggling with this huh the truth is you're all struggling I know what does the God teach what does God's Word teaches in Romans chapter 13 verse 1 it says there every person is to be what in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God and those which exist are what established by God let's understand this the very first observation is this it says every person every person are there any exceptions does this include you yes every person there's no one accepted it says second observation is to be to be in subjection to the governing authorities is this a request is this a suggestion or is this a command it's a command it's a command it says every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities these governing authorities can be the government it can be the authority in your home your parents your husband the church leaders work all that notice it continues saying for there is no authority except from God what is that telling us it's telling us that God has ordained the authority above us God has approved them and then it further emphasizes it repeats it it says and those which exist are established by the soil patek so in fact he repeats God appoints and God gives those in authority the right to rule and lead that's a that's the worst thing friends this is the big picture this is the big picture God is sovereign and God is in charge kidding I say God is in charge God's in charge now is it possible that God allows unreasonable and even wicked leaders to rule over us yes or no yes it is possible it is possible many times God knows what's best for us he knows what type of leaders we need why because he wants to change us he wants to mold our character think about this a government that is not good is better than no government at all think about this the Philippines if the Philippines had no government where would we be today where chaos energy so God has given us discover what happens if we refuse to obey the authorities God has given us what happens if you refuse to obey your parents your husband or your church leader or your government officials your job your boss what happens look at the verse it goes on to say in Romans 13 first to therefore continue whoever resists authority has what has opposed the ordinance of God and they who have opposed will what received condemnation upon themselves notice the Bible says whoever teittleman whoever resists or rebels or opposes or goes against this is a person who deliberately chooses to rebel against God why because as we rebel against the authority we're really rebelling against God himself who put them there what happened to those who disobey look at it goes it goes on to say they will receive condemnation upon themselves this is scary guys because this is where God's judgment will fall on us you and I will receive the consequence of this rebellion and God has ordained that those in authority have the right to reward and to punish accordingly now you say wait a minute wait wait wait a minute what if the government is corrupt what if my parents are unreasonable one of my bosses is just so difficult to work with what if what if they're evil what if they're dishonest what if they're deceitful people do I still have to obey them this is the rationale that people use to justify stepping away from obedience and submission but let me remind us that when this verse was written Romans chapter 13 written by the Apostle Paul he wrote it in the time when the Christians were living under the rule of Emperor Nero and if you remember the history books during the time of Nero Christians were brutalized they were persecuted they were tortured they were burnt at the stake they were thrown in the lion's den they were completely beheaded it was it was chaos chaotic for the lack of Christians it seems that this is the perfect time to fight back but no the Apostle Paul tells the Christians that they were commanded to submit to unjust authorities to unjust leadership why why why why how could this be possible how could you actually follow this how can you obey with joy the very first letter is what Jay J stands for Jesus our example jesus is our example think about this Jesus was God in the flesh he lived on this earth and he submitted himself to the suffering under human authorities under the leadership in his time Jesus himself he acknowledged that those who are in leadership were put there by God himself by his father when he had a conversation with Pontius Pilate in John chapter 19 Pontius Pilate said said to him you're not talking to me don't you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you what does Jesus reply you would have no authority over me at all jesus answered him if it had not been given to you from above Jesus is telling Pontius Pilate he's reminding us that all the authority whether unjust was unreasonable wicked they're put there by God they put there by God let's remember Christ he lived a perfect life of submission and his submission led him all the way to the cross he submitted all the way he appealed at one point Lord take this cup away from you but notice he did not refuse to submit in the end he didn't give any excuses he didn't complain he didn't get angry he didn't fight back against those unjust authorities when they went out of control in in harming him physically he submitted to his father's will he submitted how could he do this how how can we do this it tells us the first Peter chapter 2 verse 21 for you have been what called for this purpose talking about us Christians you've been called for a purpose what is that purpose since Christ also suffered for you leaving you what an example for you to follow in his steps friends notice first and foremost jesus is our example he says he's an example for you to follow in his steps it continues who committed no sin nor was any deceit found his mouth verse 23 and while being reviled he did not revile in return friends this is the attitude of Christ he was going through all of this torture and pain and while he was going through it he did not retaliate it says when suffering he uttered no threats but continued kept and trusting himself to him who judges righteously listen carefully friends who did Jesus entrust himself to him who's him God the Father he kept entrusting himself the word entrust here is a banking prays he kept investing he kept putting his life into the hands of God the Father it says who judges righteously you see friends this is what Christ did he knew that his father would do what's right and would do it's just that's where its focus and Trust was and that's what we should follow his example is I'm not trusting these authorities I'm trusting in God the Father who's above these people who will do it's right and just just before Jesus died in Luke chapter 23 verse 46 it says there then Jesus shouted father I entrust my spirit into your hands everything he put into God's hands question to us have you invested have you entrusted your situation today your difficult trial and situation with the authority above you have you entrusted into God's hands have you banked with him friends that Bank of God will never go bankrupt never go back up and as you do this it means that God will see your situation and he will reward you he will ultimately bring justice on those who have mistreated you maybe you're being mistreated right now by the authorities above you God understands that he sees that and he will not let it pass Romans chapter 12 verse 19 tells us therefore brothers do not take revenge my friends but what leave room for God's wrath for it is written it's mine to avenge I will repay I will repay that's the comfort we have as you're being mistreated by whatever authority that you're going through in life today know this that as you're entrusting your life in God's has he will make things right his justice will prevail if he needs to take revenge he will take revenge I just feel sorry for the people who harm you today because look what's do that I mean koalas Allah they're going to experience something that they will never expect God will discipline and punish now here's the question is there ever a time is there every time that we can choose to disobey yes I know you're right yes when can we disobey when can we disobey listen carefully you and I can disobey when the authority is telling us to do something against God when the authority is telling us to do something that God disapproves of for example the counsel of the Jewish leaders arrested Peter of the Apostles in Jerusalem and told them you cannot go into the streets and preach about Jesus you cannot heal in the name of Jesus you cannot tell people about Jesus and His resurrection you cannot do that they banned them from doing it what did Peter say to the Jewish Council and leaders in Acts chapter 5 verse 29 he says we must obey what we must be God rather than men this is an example where you are being forced to do something that God doesn't want you to do you can you can and I suggest respectfully appeal and tell the person I choose to obey God rather than men why why did they defy the authorities because they knew that what they were being asked to do was clearly against God's teaching to proclaim the gospel that's the only exception friends another time that this happened was in the Old Testament in the time of Pharaoh Pharaoh gave orders to all the midwives these are women who help mother's give birth he told all the midwives I want you to kill the firstborn of those women who give birth to a boy to a male can you imagine this is worse than abortion because the child is born is alive and now if it's a boy you kill that boy well what did the midwives do exodus chapter 1 verse 17 tells us but the midwives feared God continued and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them but let the boys live complete opposite of what fair asked them to do they defied his orders they chose not to follow why because there's a higher law and that's the law of God so that's what we follow friends the higher law they were loyal to God first and foremost and because of this look what the result was in verse 20 21 it says there so God was good to the midwives and people multiplied and became very mighty continue because the midwives feared God he established households for them loyalty first and foremost to God now I know that many of you here have been mistreated even abused by authorities I've dealt with them I've talked to them I've appealed to them I've struggled with them just like you and I know that some of you are skeptical in submitting these to the authorities over you today because you've been hurt and there's no more trust there's actually a sense of anger in your hearts why should I submit to this person why should I submit to that person you know whether it be government your parents or your boss or whoever it is you've been unjustly treated friends today right now you are a child of God and you have to believe in your heart that God is bigger than all those authorities that are over you today God is in control he's bigger than them jesus is our example look at the life of Jesus what he did and use that to motivate and are you to submit to the authority you're not doing it for the authority you're doing for God let's look at the next letter why should we as Christ followers submit and obey with joy o stands for what honour to God honor to God we want to honor God in first Peter chapter 2 verse 13 it says there submit yourselves what for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men whether the king whether to the king as the supreme authority notice the Apostle Peter now says I want you to submit for the lord's sake not for that person's sake but for the lord's sake you honor God you honor God my question to you is why do you will be what's the point of your obedience why do you BAE why do you follow rules why do you follow the laws of the country on a daily basis you see God is not looking for blind obedience in fact our minds must be alert we should understand why am i obeying why am i obeying for what mindless resentful obedience is truly meaningless anyone can obey for for the sake of obedience but we must obey for the reason that we want to obey to honor God people ask me why are you gonna obey when in fact that person is so evil ungodly the reasons is I want to honor God remember there are many people today who follow Jesus and they proclaim that I'm a Christian I'm a Christ follower and yet their life did not reflect the truth that they were really following Christ because there's many areas that they chose not to obey and one of the most Authority what did Jesus say depart from me I don't even know you it could happen to us today Romans chapter 13 verse 7 says this give to everyone what you owe to them if you owe taxes pay taxes notice give to everyone what what you owe them pay your obligations to everyone in other words give back or return what you owe Paul is telling the people the taxes that you have that doesn't belong to you believe it that does ability you owe that to the government you don't own it you owe it and he's expecting Christians to honor God by submitting to the laws of the authority of the land in verse 7 continues there it says if respect then respect if honor then what then honor respect and honor for those in authority the context of this is is we must respect those who are leaders whether government whether church whether parents family this goes out to all the authorities as well since God ordained for us in our country a government this government requires financial support to run properly we might not agree with where the money is spent and how it's spent that who is spent by but we must honor God by paying our taxes now think about it friends paying taxes is giving to an institution ordained by God himself we're giving our taxes to God in regardless of what you think about certain officials by paying taxes you are supporting God's design his institution obeyed Jesus why because he is our example obey with joy because it's an honor to God this afternoon we're privileged to have a brother who's going to share with us how he put this into practice in his old life please welcome Peter goal my name is Peter goal and I have been a Christian since 1996 as I grew in my faith over the years I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to stop living a double life I knew I had to honor God by putting my business practice in order so on the first day of 2013 I decided to operate my business in a way that is worthy of a good steward and in a manner that would glorify God's name I also wanted to submit to the governing authorities and comply with what the law requires I didn't know how far the repercussions of my days would affect me my business and my family's future but I didn't care I just wanted to obey and incidentally without mentioning it to me that was the prayer of my wife as well so I got my confirmation that this is what the Lord wanted me to do right away I confessed to my kids my sin and explain to them the possible results of my obedience to the Lord possibly a lower income decline in business etc my prayer then was that God would give me the resolve to persevere and to hold on to his promise of provision when my business fails and for me not to be discouraged easily with a change in our lifestyle it has been 4 years and 4 months since I made that commitment to God and I praise Him because not only did he provide for our needs without having to change our lifestyle but he blessed my business even more I saw my business increase my double-digit percentages in the last 4 years and 4 months than I did when I intentionally declared mild taxes incorrectly I cannot explain how it happened I guess people just like buying very expensive nuts what God has done for me and my business shows me that he rewards those who are faithful to him please note that I did not do this because I wanted God to bless me I did it because I realized that I had no right to manage the business he had entrusted to me in a way that would be displeasing to him before I was unable to share my faith to my employees because they knew how I operated my business and I would not have been a credible witness I would weep in hell I would have been a hypocrite but now I feel like I have been freed from this bondage and I can openly share my faith because they have seen with their own eyes how business has been dedicated to God it is my plan for the years to come that I would like to share my to take my business a step further I want to use my business in furthering the gospel by supporting ministries and giving away Bibles etc because I believe that the business has been and trusted to be just like anything else does not end by providing for my needs alone but should be used as a tool for the spreading of God's Word one thing I have learned from this experience is this it only takes a step of faith in obedience to do our part and God shows us how faithful E is to all who are his children Psalm 105 verses one to five says give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness let the whole world know what he has done sing to him yes sing his praises tell everyone about his wonderful deeds exalt in his holy name rejoice you who worship the Lord search for the Lord and for his strength continually seek him remember the wonders he has performed his miracles and the ruling he has given to God be the glory friends who owns your business who controls your business God and who provides for you yes it's all about God it's really not ours we're just simply stewards of what God has given us I like what Peter says that today is able to share his faith with his employees because he's been released from that that bondage of being a hypocrite if he shared in the past times praise God obey with joy obey because Jesus is our example old because we want to honor him and why why because you're a testimony to others it matters it really matters we see this very clearly in the life of David and soul as you remember the story David at a young age was anointed to be the future king of Israel he was also invited into the palace of King Saul to sing songs to play the harp to to relieve the stress of King Saul at the same time David fought in a battle against Goliath and he became one of the mighty warriors in the in the in the household of King Saul it came to the point that he was more popular and respected by the people rather than King the king himself it came to the point that King Saul wanted to kill David he got a spear and he threw it at David it missed but David ran for his life Sall with his army chase David all throughout the kingdom all the way into the mountain areas david was together with some of his mighty men during that time there was an opportunity in which David had a opportunity to kill King Saul up in the mountain one time but he was held he did not take a hand against King Saul and he was his men were watching him seeing what are you doing David relates this he says at first samuel chapter 26 verse 10 and 11 David said to Abishai I wish I was one of his right-hand men he says as the Lord lives surely the Lord will strike him referring to soul or his day will come that he dies or he will go down into battle and perish the Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed and true enough David did not touch the king but the king eventually died a terrible death in battle like killing himself falling on his own sword but notice David was aware that his men were watching his words watching his actions seeing his life his testimony was important David realized that he should not touch God's anointed and he would be guilty before God if he did that he saw Saul's leadership was really in rebellion against God and yet he chose to leave God to do what he wished in the life of King Saul your testimony matters your testimony matters as an ambassador of Christ you can either draw people to Christ or discourage them from following Christ your testimony matters when people observe your life as a Christian do they see walking faithfully or do they see you slandering leaders inciting dissent disrespect for them we may disagree we made dislike we may not approve the policies the methods or even the moral character of our leaders but the manner in which we deal with it makes all the difference in the world it makes all the difference now this is being that we don't speak out and tell the truth to others when when we see it blatantly of course not we need to speak out we can speak out the truth without slandering or disrespecting these people friends let me just say that there's nothing wrong speaking the truth do you believe that God knows that those in authorities are doing wrong we believe that God knows yes now can you confidently and trust these people to God and allow God to do what only he can do yes and he can do it much better than any one of us can the Word of God tells us to pray for our leaders rather than to tear them down we should be the very first individuals to initiate pray or for our leaders more than anything else we must pray for them as others see us and trusting our leaders to God they will see that we have a God that we can trust in 1st Peter chapter 2 verse 15 it says there for such is the will of God that by doing right you may watch silence the ignorance of foolish men there are many today who mock Christianity they mocked Jesus Christ they look at our lives as they point fingers at us and they they do this just like they did in the past now friends listen by responding in submission we would essentially cause them to be shocked to be amazed at how we are really our faith is transcending the situation's not like everyone else everyone else in this world is going against the authorities but we're saying Lord we trust you we know that you can do great and mighty things by doing that we're showing our faith to others and it will silence them it will cause them to to step back and say we don't want to touch you because you have a faith you truly have a faith in your God it shows it will show and that's what will help Christianity not be mocked people will not persecute Christians because they will see a difference in our lives they will see that we're on God's side obey with joy why friends because jesus is our example because we want to honor God and your testimony matters now God has given wives their husbands husbands are the appointed authorities by God to lead their wives now I want all the wives to please read this ok read this passages it's in first Peter chapter three verse one and two wives such enthusiasm I'm just kidding wise I'm just kidding this is another part to it this is other part good as they Wow with conviction uh just to recap that that those two verses says that wives even if your husband is disobedient as you live a life of submission and respect you will see that their life will change it will change to your behavior now some of you are saying come on I've had a husband like this for many many years and nothing has happened he's still the same even worse now ladies how is your husband today is it good and godly just because he's sitting beside you no wives let me just say even if your husband is disobedient what's your responsibility who put also submit submit ladies a lot of women submit without the right heart attitude I ask you ladies are you submitting to your husband oh yes I am I am is your wife submitting to you no no she is not why is there disconnect because the husband can sense that her submission is not with a an open heart with a real heart it's it's a resistant heart resentful heart sometimes now can you imagine if all the CCF ladies would submit to their husbands and all the CCF men would love their wives with sacrificial love and service we would have a revolution people would come to Christ because they see the difference in our lives it would be amazing now we asked for some women to submit testimonies about how they submit to their husbands and I just had too many I couldn't top reading them you don't believe me no it's a miracle no no we have a lady who's going to share with us how she applied this in life and I want you to hear this wonderful testimony please all welcome Annabel salamat my name is Annabel selamat being a middle child I felt that I loved attention from my parents compared with my other siblings filled with self-pity I grew up making our decisions without asking my parents permission I learned to work at a young age and put myself through college earning my personal money we said my model and self-confidence I dependent and no one but myself I got married in 2004 and back then I thought that the man who was the basis of one's authority in the home since I was earning more than my husband I had more authority and had the final say when it came to decision making I felt that I didn't need to consult my husband and anything I told him was just for his information every time there were family problems especially financial leads I never asked my husband on how we were going to sell to solve it but instead I let me know once I had the solution I always thought that if it was my responsibility to solve all the problems until the time the time came when father's just started piling up and I would easily get either irritated my husband and I would often have disagreement and misunderstanding which would end up in shouting much as a resource I'm going to drink alcohol with my friends as an outlet for my frustration my husband also started to drink with his friends and later got involved with other remains our family back then was in total tears until I learned God's design for the family to see if Sunday messages in Bible study I realized that the husband was appointed by God to be the leader of the family and the wife please help me my rose as a wife must stop me - my husband initially I found God's commands to be so difficult and impossible to follow I had a hard time obeying because that was not me but as my relationship with God grows deeper God's calling for me to obey in that area became more become more intentional in my quiet time I asked God to teach me how to submit I know I cannot do it on my own and that I need yourself to do it last year I faced one of my major problems in my life and a crucial decision had to be made I was going through work-related problems and I lost trust in my co employees it was a struggle for me because my work was our bread and butter and my comfort zones since I spent most of my years working in that company this time I shared my problem with my husband and told him everything my husband told me to resign from my job and to not worry anymore for my own sake he told me to take one step at a time and initially to remove the things that was causing me stress it was hard but I decided to follow his advice I sent my resume online and I after I received my three-month evaluation from my dead manager which turned out to be a positive assessment I submitted my resignation after turning in my resignation I felt peace in my heart I submitted to my husband not only because I trusted him but most importantly I trust God that he will direct and lead our family through my husband but the most amazing granting I received after submitting to my husband was when he decided to accept Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Savior in fact he attended the true life way 3 plus Holy Week and took a step of faith in agreed to be baptized the joy in my heart was overflowing truly God never stopped doing amazing things in my life and in my family as Matthew 6:33 says but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given as will be given to you as well to God the all the glory ladies can you relate okay it's difficult I'm sure especially if your husbands are unreasonable yes it is so we also have another appointed Authority that God has given us and that's parents parents are appointed by God to train up their children now can I hear from all the singles and young children today can I hear from you you're here yes you're here wonderful now you know the Bible says children but these aren't children as in children this pertains to anyone who's still living in the household of their parents okay I want you to all read this verse just the singles those are who are living with their parents can you read this verse a vision six verses one two three everyone it continues next verse notice that God is telling you that when you submit and you obey your parents there is a blessing this is the very first commandment with the promise and the promise is that your life will be long you'll have a great blessed life here on this earth there are a lot of parents are very difficult to to deal with but you know what I would really say this after all the years experience your parents even if they're not followers of Christ they have your best interest in mind they want what's best for you it might seem that they're trying to choke you struggle you you know not make you happy but friends they really really love you and they care for you it might be just a method in which they express it and being too strict etc but trust God that your parents have been given to you for a real purpose this afternoon we have a young man who's going to share with us how God has changed his life in regard to this principle of submitting to parents please welcome Jerome Santos my name is Jerome Santos I grew up in a family that regularly attends a Christian Church I grew up hearing about God in great Bible stories when I was 14 years old my parents would always tell me to stay away from biases and wrong friends but I didn't care about their advice because I didn't see them as my authorities rather I saw them as people who want to hinder me from being happy that same year I started I started hiding secrets from my parents I started drinking smoking with my friends and my parents knew that I was surrounded by people who are members of a notorious fraternity so as expected they told me to never join that fraternity in 2012 I decided to dishonor and to disobey my parents by joining that fraternity and allowing myself to be brutally hit by a paddle by different people when I got home after the hazing I did my best to pretend that I was physically fine but my mom my mother noticed that I wasn't okay she checked my legs and the moment she saw the bruises she started crying and I was so devastated to see her broken to see her heart broken into pieces late high school and early college days I started jumping from one relationship to another my mother would always remind me to keep myself pure and not commit sexual sin but I never listened to her and I and I indulged and fulfilled my selfish sexual desire with my previous relationships truly I experienced painful consequences because of my disobedience as to them last 2014 my family went to the United States to visit my sister since my US visa got denied I was left behind one Sunday I attended CCF worship service alone and I decided to sign sign up to up to be a member of the group wishing that they will not put me in an elevator but they did my D group leader contacted and invited me to elevate youth service where I heard the gospel in Jesus Christ great love for me despite my great sinfulness and unworthiness he gave his own life to save me from eternal death and the moment I heard that awesome truth I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ when my family got back from States they noticed changes in me I started reading my Bible developing godly conviction helping other men other young men to follow Jesus by deciding them before I graduated to from college the Lord gave me a heart and burden to reach out to the next generation and he led me to apply as a full-time Campus missionary and elevate I am the one now encouraging the young students to love and honor their parents with all their hearts the love of God changed my life radically I now have this conviction to obey my parents in the burning desire to honor them for the rest of their lives there is there are still times that I would struggle to honor and obey my parents but the Lord will always remind me to honor them and obey them and by God's grace that I am obeying or not honoring my parents I am now living a blessed life and I'm obeying them and honoring them as a response to God's love for me and the Lord kept reminding it to me through this verse from Colossians chapter 3 verse 20 children obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord in closing I would like to say that I am forever grateful to my Lord Jesus Christ for saving me and to my parents for allowing the to God be the glory thank you very much if you notice in Jerome's case he had a change of heart with his relationship with God and because of that submission to his family his parents was much much easier and that's where it all starts if your heart does not change and surrender to the Lord it's almost impossible I would say to surrender and submit to the those in authority there's another set of authority that God has given us and I'm sure many of you today today are involved in this that's the employer-employee relationship employers are appointed by God to manage their employees those of you who are here as employers owners the businesses you have a great responsibility that you're accountable to God in how you treat your employees now if you're an employee and you're here today I want you to read this passage okay read this passage first Peter 2:18 servants employees be submissive to your masters to your boss with all respect not only to those who are good and gentle but also to those who are unreasonable sometimes you say why was that last phrase put there huh why have it so they're unreasonable in other words God can use your boss in your life in a way that you won't even understand how can an unreasonable be a purpose my life friends there might be some issues of your life in your character as these be changed you might be lazy you might be proud you might be stubborn you might be any of these things and God allows you to be under that person's authority to change you to mold you to make you more humble to make you kind to make you respond in a proper manner if you choose to fight that Authority whoever that Authority is you're going to be the biggest loser in the end you'll experience the consequences today we have a sister who's going to share with us how in her workplace she was able to apply this please welcome hope Velasco I'm hopeful ASCO and I'm currently an employee of a five-star hotel as a marketing communications associate for nearly three years I met an accepted Christ in my life C years ago also and it is through this job that made his grace and and presence real to me God has proven time and time again that I am where he wants me to be when I came to the hotel for my first interview I had egos in mind first pastor six months probationary period ii built a good working relationship with my boss answered beyond the wall of outstanding associates of the quarter in a year and shed a lot of tears sweat and lot to accomplish dorsey i succeeded through the six months of probationary period despite the company's rigorous evaluation process and standards and on top of that I have a difficult boss even before I met my boss I heard a lot of warnings about her from the girl I replaced and my co-workers she has a reputation where no one lasts with her I tried to ignore these discouraging remarks and just held on to God's promises true enough they were right when they say that she's a terrier boss if you have seen the movie The Devil Wears Prada she was my Meryl Streep he has that Stern task-oriented Annie Norah was often shout and swamp near Edward I would literally go run around and she in chios can even manage her toilet breaks just to finish my deliverables and so end up going overtime 9:00 p.m. and beyond I did become scared of her that I would work on weekends eventually I learned at her perfectionist and tough attitude Sam from her troubled past when I knew her backstory my respect for her covered up for the tormentor image that many people maybe believe there are times when I would be tempted to talk or scrutinize her behind her back and involving gossip especially when I see she's being rude and considered it but looking back I was blessed to have Jesus already in my life then as it gets unbearable I began lifting up to the Lord my boss my reactions toward her and my hopes for a harmonious working relationship then one day I came to works he was a so calm we were exchanging jokes and suddenly he was opening up her life and how much he loves the Lord as well at first I was really hesitant to share my fate to her anyone at work so I had this non-practicing Christian life on weekdays and driving servant of Christ and weekends of course nothing in creation can be hidden from the Lord as my desire to serve the Lord and make him known grew he impressed in my heart to start sharing him in my workplace before I would keep quiet when my boss shares about Lord and be fearful of being persecuted but God made the burden heavier that in one overpass twelve men I talks in her office I was able to share my testimony and bits and pieces of God's Word after that it became officially the prayer leader in our meetings and lunch outs I witnessed how she became more careful with words and the rage from daily to once a week and until it becomes so rare one miracle that I won't forget is when she allowed me to leave work at exactly 6:30 p.m. for my GOC Wednesday classes before she was also the person who nominated me for the associate of the year which I was very humbled to receive last year how amazing God is to fulfill my heart's desires now that I have a good working relationship with my boss God gave me the opportunity to serve Him in our workplace Bible study every Wednesday nights we average six to ten daily including management positions I wouldn't have seen these things coming a year ago but as I remain in my walk with the Lord I am concerned and joyful where he has planted me indeed I'm a follower of Christ first before a hotel you're a marketing person I'm hopeful osco humbled and privileged to be working for the Lord to God the author glory thank you thank you thank you obey with joy submit to authorities and that is what's word who who put us no not people Potamus who put sauce so everyone say that yes who put a soul now let me illustrate this to you because this is important does anyone here have an umbrella I can borrow pastor Mun hi thank you thank you very much friends who Picasso means to fall under to place yourself under this umbrella represents authority in our lives we're to go underneath the authorities above the authorities is God himself God has ordained that these authorities will be over us our problem is that when we choose to live our lives our way we step outside the umbrella of God's protection and this or we get in trouble understand France that for as long as you're under the authority you are protected you're covered by God's authority himself what are the benefits what are the benefits of being in God's Authority look what it says here you see what it says protection of God we receive God's protection over our lives when Satan attacks you when storms come into your life God is there to protect you look at the next one the next one is blessings and long life as you submit to your parents as you listen to their counsel you'll be blessed with a long blessed life the next one is freedom from fear of those in authority many times people live in fear because they're there hiding things they're not righteously submitting to Authority but when you choose to submit to the authority that bondage of fear is removed and it's a benefit to live in that freedom and the last one is spiritual blessings as you and I listen to God's Word his teaching his counsel we receive his his care and we we pray to Him we have that encouragement that we will give we'll receive blessings spiritual blessings from God himself friends stay under the authority of God himself because that's what it is at the end of the day it's not these people because these are the people that God uses over our lives I pray that you learned something today obey with joy remember Jesus our example honor to God and your testimony to others matters let's join our hearts in a word of Prayer Lord God we humbly come before you and say thank you Lord because we don't even realize that these authorities are there for our good we know father that it's not easy we struggle with the authorities we struggle with obedience and Submission and yet Lord God we see things from a different perspective today we see that it's you that we're submitting to it's you that we're honoring and respecting it's you that's going to stand behind us and before us and defend us and uphold us and guard us it's you Lord God through and through I pray for my brothers and sisters here today Lord we're going through this heart-wrenching struggle Lord may you give them confidence and assurance that you are for them and not against them and as they take those steps of faith for you Lord you will show them your faithfulness we thank you for the testimonies of these four individuals we know that this is their story but it can be our story as well when we make that choice to turn from our old ways when we choose Lord to follow you and to never turn back thank you Lord that you are great and mighty and can overcome all these authorities because you're a bigger God we Lord we thought that you are in charge you are in charge I thank you Father for all that you'll do in and through our lives to make us credible witnesses to those around us so they may see our faith in you is real thank you Father Lord I want to pray for those individuals who are here today you brought them here for a very special purpose today they might not have a surrendered relationship with you friend you know who you are and God's reaching out to you he's calling you into his family he wants you to be part of his family to be under his protection would you pray this prayer from your heart to God just between you and him say Lord God I need you I've been living my life my way doing things the way I want to do them Lord but I'm getting nowhere in the process father I'm lost I'm empty sometimes I'm hopeless and fearful but today Lord God I know that you have my best interests in mind I thank you for loving me unconditionally I thank you for giving your one and only Son Jesus as a sacrifice to pay for my sins Lord Jesus who was sinless and did not have to die gave his life in my place thank you Lord that through his sacrifice my sins are paid for thank you Lord that I have forgiveness through Jesus today lord I give you my life I surrender you my life I commit my life to you and I ask you to take over change me from the inside out Lord change me make me the person you want me to be and I thank you Father for your forgiveness I thank you Lord for your grace I thank you Lord that you've given me eternal life today right now with you I pray Lord that I may live my life in gratitude and honor and love to you for all that you've done for me I pray for all of us father as we leave this place that our lives would be a testimony a testimony of faith and trust in you as our sovereign God we love you and we thank you and we give you all the honor and all the glory and all the praise that we pray this in Jesus is most precious name Amen and they meant glory be to God I love you guys

Channel: CCF Alabang

Views: 2,856

Rating: 4.9230771 out of 5

Keywords: ccf, alabang, sunday, service, joby soriano

Id: J1trCaRtV_w

Length: 64min 34sec (3874 seconds)

Published: Sun May 07 2017