The Family of God: Against Contrary Winds Prevailing

web-admin August 13, 2017

August 13, 2017, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 14)
Theme: “The Family of God: Against Contrary Winds Prevailing”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Faith in God will allow you to soar above the storms of life.”

Jonah 2:1-9

Romans 10:6a-11

Psalm 29:1-4; 10-11

Matthew 14:22-33

1.(v.22-27) Trust that the Lord is with you in the middle of the storm.

2.(v.28-33) Look and keep looking at the Lord even when the storm grows stronger; even when problems become complicated.

“As believers, we need to establish a relationship with our Father; we need to stay in His presence.”

“In the middle of your problems, God is giving you strength.”

“The presence of problems does not mean God’s absence.”

Faith – is the confidence in God’s ability to care for you.

Fear – confidence in the enemy’s ability to destroy you.

“The Power of God can only be received and operated on Faith in God.”

The Family of God : From the Mountain to the People

web-admin August 6, 2017

August 6, 2017, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 13)
The Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Theme: “The Family of God: From the Mountain to the People”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“We are to ascend to God, that we might descend with God.”

Genesis 12:1-4a

2 Timothy 1:8b-10

Psalm 33:4-5;18-22

Matthew 17:1-9

“Spend more time with God.”

“Ascend to His Presence and descend with His Presence.”

“Change our values for God’s values”

1. (v.1-3) Let us go up to the presence of the Lord.

2. (v.4-5) We are transformed as we focus on the Lord (as we encounter Christ).

3. (v.6-9) We’re to bring His Presence and Power as we go to the world.

Psalm 73:28 – But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 139:17-18 – How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

John 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Hebrews 10:19-23 – Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

2 Corinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Family of God: From Their Treasure,Things Old and New

web-admin July 31, 2017

July 30, 2017, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 12)
Theme: “The Family of God: From Their Treasure,Things Old and New”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Let’s consider the Kingdom of God as our most valuable treasure.”

1 Kings 3:5-12

– God is pleased when we put His Kingdom first in our life.

Romans 8:26-30

– God sent us the Holy Spirit to empower us to serve His Kingdom well.

Psalm 119:123-135

Matthew 13:44-52

1.(v.44-46) Let your treasure be the Kingdom of God.

2.(v.47-52) Let’s not run away from the Lord’s dragnet(mercy) stay there until the end.

The Holy Spirit : Our Divine Enabler

web-admin July 26, 2017

July 26, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Erel Villanueva)

Topic: The Holy Spirit : Our Divine Enabler

“The Holy Spirit gives us the divine power that will enable us to serve the Lord and fulfill His plans and purposes.”

Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Luke 4:1 – Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness

Luke 4:14;18 – Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

Witness = “Martus” = “Martyr” – being a witness by His death; people who are willing to die to what they believe and see about Jesus.

“The power of the Holy Spirit will only work in our lives if we are willing to die of our own self; willing to be a ‘Martyr’ and give our all to God.”

“We have to settle the issue of Lordship in our lives then we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The Family of God : In The Kingdom of their Father

web-admin July 23, 2017

July 23, 2017, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 11)
Theme: “The Family of God: In The Kingdom of their Father”
Homily by Fr. Fernando Ilustre

“We are chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, special people to God. Whom He has taken out of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of Light.”

Isaiah 44: 1 – 8

Romans 8: 12 – 18

Psalm 139: 1 – 10

Matthew 13: 36 – 43

We, as the Kingdom of God

web-admin July 19, 2017

July 19, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Fernando Ilustre)

Topic: We, as the Kingdom of God

“We as God’s people, are the Kingdom. We are the Kingdom of God.”

Revelation 1:6 – and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 – And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

“We are kings, God has placed us into the Kingdom of Light – We are the Kingdom.”

“Jesus is the Head and we are the body of Christ – We are the Kingdom.”

Hebrews 7:25-26 – Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

“Jesus always lives to make intercession for His Body and that we are to manifest the Kingdom of God.”

The Family of God : By Hearing of The Word

web-admin July 16, 2017

July 16, 2017, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 10)
Theme: “The Family of God: By Hearing of The Word”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“What we do with the Word of God will determine what we will have in life.”

Isaiah 55:6-13

“God desires for us to choose properly between what He offers and what the world offers.”

Romans 8:8-11

“We are children of God if we declare Jesus Christ as our Lord. To be led by the Spirit is to follow the ways of God.”

Psalm 65:4-13

Matthew 13:1-9;18-23

“To hear is to listen with the intention of doing.”

1.(v.1-9) Learn to hear what God is saying to us.

2.(v.18-23) To hear and understand is to act on the Word we heard.

“Be humble and open before the Lord.”

“Persevere in standing in faith despite the trials of life.”

“Seek God first.”

Flowing With The Holy Spirit (Part 2)

web-admin July 13, 2017

July 12, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: How To Participate With The Helper (“The Holy Spirit”) – Part 5 (Flowing With The Holy Spirit – continued)

“Being careful not to offend our friend, the Holy Spirit”

Things We Should Avoid:

1.) Don’t be ignorant concerning the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1 – Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant

2.) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:29-31 – Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

3.) Don not insult the Holy Spirit

Hebrews 10:29 – Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

4.) Do not quench the Holy Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Do not quench the Spirit.

5.) Do not test or temp the Holy Spirit

Acts 5:9 – Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

6.) Do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit

Matthew 12:31-32 – “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

The Family of God : In The Yoke of Obeying Jesus

web-admin July 9, 2017

July 9, 2017, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 9)
Theme: “The Family of God: In The Yoke of Obeying Jesus”
Homily by Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Only as we submit to Christ’s lordship will we find rest.”

Songs of Solomon 2:8-13

Romans 7:21-8:1

Psalm 45:7-15

Matthew 11:16-19;25-30

1.(v.16-19) Do not refuse to follow Christ

2.(v.25-27) Let us be child-like and humble when we come to Christ.

3.(v.28-30) Submission to Christ’s Lordship is not a burden but refreshing.

The Holy Spirit : The Sanctifier

web-admin July 5, 2017

July 5, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Erel Villanueva)

Topic: The Holy Spirit : The Sanctifier

sanctifier – to separate us and make us holy.

Sanctification of the Holy Spirit

Romans 15:16 – that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 – But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

1 Peter 1:2 – elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

“The Work of the Holy Spirit is to sanctify us.”

How the Holy Spirit Works/Sanctifies us:

1.) Through the Word of God; the Holy Spirit will convict us through the Word of God.

John 16:8 – And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment

2.) Through other people

“The Holy Spirit uses other people to build your character.”

3.) Through Circumstances

“Circumstances – so we can test and exercise our faith.”

“All these will allow us to conform in the image and likeness of God.”

“It will cleanse the attitude of our hearts.”

2 Conrinthians 3:18 – But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Family of God : For the Love of Him Above All

web-admin July 2, 2017

July 2, 2017, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 8)
Theme: “The Family of God: For the Love of Him Above All”
Homily by Fr. Erel Villanueva

“May we see that God desires our love and may we grow in His love.”

Jeremiah 28:5-9; 15-17

Romans 6:16-23

Psalm 89:1-3;19-21;36-37

Matthew 10:37-42

“Our love of God must be supreme over all.”

“Do not let your family or relatives hinder you in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.”

“God wants us to love Him first and He will take care and love our families.”

6-28-2017 Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz Teachings

Flowing With The Holy Spirit

web-admin June 28, 2017

June 28, 2017 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Abp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: How To Participate With The Helper (“The Holy Spirit”) – Part 4 (Flowing With The Holy Spirit)

Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Know How to Respond to the Holy Spirit

Genesis 1:1-2 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

hovering – to move softly, in a relaxed manner.

“From the beginning, the Holy Spirit is already active (hovering). He gently leads us.”

Luke 4:1 – Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

Galatians 5:18 – But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Attitudes we should have as we flow/walk with the Holy Spirit

John 16:13 – However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

1.) When He comes, make Him feel welcome in your life; give time for Him to speak in your life.

2.) We should seek Him

Luke 11:9-13 – “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

“Create an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to come (Worship, Prayer)”

3.) Give Him full control of your life

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Lord Holy Spirit – He is your Master

Things We Should stay away from: That will hurt the Holy Spirit

1.) Don’t be ignorant of the Holy Spirit

2.) Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit

3.) Don’t insult His presence

(4 to 6) To be continued…

I AM BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING