12-18-2016 Bishop Ricardo Alcaraz Homily

Disciples of the Son

web-admin December 18, 2016

4th Sunday of Advent, Year A
Theme: “Disciples of the Son”
Homily by Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“Disciples trust and obey the Lord’s purposes and plans.”

Isaiah 7:10-17 – When we are facing trials, we are to trust in God alone.

Romans 1:1-7 – When we receive the Gospel, we become recipients of God’s greatest gift.

Psalm 80:1-7;16-19

Matthew 1:18-25
1.(v.18-21) Trust in God’s guidance even if you don’t understand.
2.(v.22-25) Be willing to take the simple steps of faith in following the Lord’s guidance.

Growing While Waiting On The Lord

web-admin December 14, 2016

“While we are waiting for the coming of our Lord, we are to continue growing and walking with the Lord.”

“The season of advent helps us to wait upon the Lord. We must also grow while waiting on the Lord; be productive while waiting.”

Matthew 3:1-12

“We do not just wait but do more for the Kingdom of God.”

“We must bear fruit for others.”

“Discipleship; duplicate ourselves; Grow!”

12-11-2016 Bishop Ricardo Alcaraz Sunday Homily

Disciples of the Kingdom

web-admin December 11, 2016

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A
Theme: “Disciples of the Kingdom”
Homily by Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz

“When trials & circumstances tempt us to doubt, remember His Word, His Promises, and His Deeds.”

Isaiah 35:1-10 – When the glory of God comes upon us, we will also see the abundance of God’s blessings.

James 5:7-10 – We need to be patient as we await the second coming of our Lord.

Psalm 147

Matthew 11:2-11
1.(v.2-6) When experiencing a crisis of faith, Worship God and meditate on His Word.
2.(v.7-11) Be grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve Him in the new covenant.

12-7-2016 Fr. Fernando Ilustre Wednesday Teaching

Waiting for the Coming of our King

web-admin December 7, 2016

December 7, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Fernando Ilustre)

Topic: Waiting for the Coming of our King

1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 – For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Feast of the Trumpet – Leviticus 23:23, Numbers 10:10, Numbers 29:1, Psalm 81:3

Malachi 3:2 – “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap.

“Our King and Lord Coming as a Judge, can we stand as He appears? like a refiner’s fire and like a launderers’ soap”

“The result of that coming to us will depend on His treatment of us and our treatment on Him now”

2 Timothy 1:18 – The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

“Our Lord is merciful, so what is our treatment of Him now?”

1 John 1:9(NASB) – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

“We are to come to Him and confess our sins now! This is one of the preparation that we are to make for the coming of our King”

“Notice that we are going to restore confession and absolution in our masses”

Disciples of the Word

web-admin December 4, 2016

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A (+Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz)
Sunday Worship Homily
“Disciples of the Word”

“As our King’s return draws near, let us turn to Him and invite others to do the same.”

Isaiah 11:1-10 – The coming of the Messiah will bring restoration and fulfillment to us.

Romans 15:4-7;13 – Through the examples of patience and
encouragement found in the Holy Scriptures, the Lord gives us hope.

Psalm 72:1-8

Matthew 3:1-12
1.(v.1-6) Choose to be prepared for our Lord’s second coming.
2.(v.7-12) Living prepared lives is living transformed lives that can be seen.

Repent – to have a change of heart and mind. Turn away from wasteful life and turn to the Kingdom of God. Come back to a right relationship with God.

Acts 26:17-18 – I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

11-30-2016 Bishop Ricardo Alcaraz Sermon

Keeping Watch

web-admin December 1, 2016

November 30, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz)

Topic: Keeping Watch

“While we are waiting for the Lord to return, we are to heed the Lord’s command to watch and pray.”

Matthew 24:42:44 – Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Watch – you are on guard; alert.

What it means to be a watchman:
1.) We are to be aware of the Lord’s purposes and principles – Ephesians 5:17
2.) To give attention to His priorities and be involved in them. – Matthew 6:33
3.) We are to be on-guard that we do not forget our commitment and responsibilities to Him.

Sleep – to be unmindful of the Lord and His purposes

“To be watchful is to seek the scriptures in order to find the how.”

How to Remain Watchful:
1.) Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents
– Jesus teaches us to use what He has given us to serve Him.
2.) Matthew 25:31-46 – Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the people in prison.
– When you do these, you are doing these to me.
3.) Matthew 25:1-13 – Parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
– For us to have oil in our lamps, we need to have a sense of intimacy; spending time with God and knowing Him for who He is.

“We’re not just to be servants, we must also be family and friends to Him; we serve because we love the one whom we serve.”

Mark 6:7 – And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.

“Notice that He called the twelve to Himself before sending them out. God wants us to be friends with Him”

John 15:15 – No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

“Sit down with God, Talk to Him”

11-27-2016 Bishop Ricardo Alcaraz teachings

Disciples of the Way

web-admin November 27, 2016

November 27, 2016 – 1st Sunday of Advent (+Bp. Ricardo Alcaraz)
Sunday Worship Homily
“Disciples of the Way”
Isaiah 2:1-5
– When we walk in the light of the Lord, we are walking in preparation to His coming.

Romans 13:8-14
– Since the Lord will come to judge the living and the dead, we must wake up and walk in love as we prepare for the coming of our Lord.

Psalm 122

Matthew 24:37-44
“Give importance to our spiritual lives as we await His return.”
1.) (v.37-39) Let us listen to the Lord’s warnings before His second coming.
2.) (v.40-42) Those who are ready will be separated from those who are not.
3.) (v.43-44) It’s our choice to be watchful, alert and on guard.

11-23-2016 - Fr. Erel Villanueva Teachings

The Lordship of Christ in Our Lives

web-admin November 24, 2016

November 23, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Erel Villanueva)

Topic: The Lordship of Christ in Our Lives

“We have to develop our faith on the Lordship and Kingship of Christ in our lives.”

“Jesus reigns yesterday, today, and forever no matter what happens around us.”

“Unless we settle the issue of Lordship in our lives, we cannot experience the fullness of the Kingdom.”

“Confessing God as our Lord and Savior without action will just remain a confession.”

Colossians 1:16 – Shows us that God is in full control of everything. All things were created through Him and for Him.

“Everything is connected to God, so we need to seek Him always, His will and purposes for our lives.”

“God is in full control of our lives if we die everyday and only do His will. Let Him be King not ourselves; obey the Spirit and not the flesh – Only Jesus fulfilled this. That is why we always need the grace of God.”

Philippians 2:7 – but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

“Our King is a humble King, dying on the cross for you and me. He is already secured in His position as a King, even if others are mocking Him.”

Luke 23:33-43

When our egos our challenged, our defenses are up. But Jesus, mocked on the cross, prayed “Father, forgive them…”. He is secured on who He is; He chose to serve than be served.
May we always see Jesus as our King.
The greatest of all is to be humble and obey God.

11-20-2016 Fr. Fernando Ilustre Teaching

Forgiven by the King

web-admin November 20, 2016

November 20, 2016 – Feast of Christ the King (+Fr. Fernando Ilustre)
Sunday Worship Homily
“Forgiven by the King”

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:13-20; Psalm 46; Luke 23:33-43

God loves us and He has chosen to forgive us,
Jesus is the only King who is willing to die for the sins of His people.
When we begin to acknowledge the love of God, we become partakers of what He purchased for us through the cross.
The Feast of Christ the King is reminding us that because Christ has died on the cross, we also become part of His Kingdom.
Forgiveness continually reminds us of the favor we have received from Christ.
God only wants us to acknowledge our sins so He can give us that forgiveness.
Only to Him we submit, bow, and fall on our knees, acknowledge that He is the King of our lives.
As God had forgiven us, we also do acts of forgiveness so we can move forward.

11-16-2016 Dcn. Felipe Panganiban Jr. Sermon/Teaching

Living With A Purpose

web-admin November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (Dcn. Felipe Panganiban Jr.)

Topic: Living With A Purpose

“Am I living with the purpose of God here on earth or I am living just on my own?”

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) – Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Acts 13:22-23, 26 – David Served the purpose of His Life.

– Life will only make sense when you know you were made by God and for God alone.
Ephesians 1:11(AMP) – It is in Christ that we find out who we are.
– You can only discover your purpose/identity through your relationship with Jesus Christ
– long before you were conceived by your parents, you were already conceived in the plans of the Lord.
– God already determined the talents we will possess; we are all created unique.

Psalm 139:16 – Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

“With God, Life makes sense. With God, my life has purpose and meaning. With God, my life has hope and significance because I have the meaning of God in me.”

Psalm 119 David’s Prayer: I am here on earth for just a little while.

Acts 10:31 – and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

Cornelius gave generously to the needy => Come up as a memorial offering before God.

“Our attitudes should change in dealing with fellow servants of the Lord.”

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of a firmament. Those who lead others to God’s righteousness.”

“The power of God is in us. It is God’s power, not ours.”

“We are His instruments in bringing His power to others.”

Preparing for eternity: Create an internal legacy for one day we will all stand before God. “What did you do with the salvation God has given you? What did you do with your life?”

The Goal of Legitimate Witness

web-admin November 13, 2016

November 13, 2016 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (+Fr. Erel Villanueva)
Sunday Worship Homily
“The Goal of Legitimate Witness”

God wants the heart of the Pharisees to change but they keep on confronting, rebuking Jesus

Malachi 3:13-4:2 – God will judge the world and all the people.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Psalm 98
Luke 20:45-21:4

Legitimate – true witness of the Lord

– Our life should be a testimony of the Lord.
– Whatever we do, do it from the heart because God sees our hearts.
– God has given us everything yet there are times we only give a portion. Faith is believing that God supplies everything and by giving to God our all, we become a legitimate witness.

The Move of the Holy Spirit is for Everyone

web-admin November 10, 2016

November 9, 2016 | Wednesday Fellowship Service (+Fr. Fernando Ilustre)

Topic: The Move of the Holy Spirit is for Everyone

Joel 2:28-29 – And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

“God can move and use any of us; God is no respecter of persons.”

Exodus 17:8-13 – Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

“We all have Significant roles to do in the movement of the Holy Spirit so that His power will continue to flow.”

I AM BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING