***Disclaimer: This Lesson is NOT mine. This is owned by Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo. The Teacher’s guide is written by Bro. Radel G. Cortez. The translation is done by Bro. Bienvenido C. Santiago. The credits belong to them. Included at the end of this article are the commentaries from different active Ministers. This is the original text in Tagalog: worship-lesson-october-6-2016-tagalog English: worship-lesson-oct-6-2016-english; . This is not plagiarism, there is no Intellectual Property that is violated, any further efforts by the Church to report this article and have it shut down is A CLEAR VIOLATION OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND BASIC LIBERTIES. This is strictly for CRITIQUING PURPOSES.
Such rights are covered by the Fair Use Doctrine which was defined by Standford University as: What Is Fair Use?In its most general sense, a fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner. In other words, fair use is a defense against a claim of copyright infringement. If your use qualifies as a fair use, then it would not be considered an illegal infringement.
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/fair-use/what-is-fair-use/
By the way, I would certainly love to see any proof from the Church Administration proving that their Worship Service Lessons are all copyrighted materials… Because as you can see, the people who made this Teacher's Guide also used Bible verses from copyrighted materials, DID THEY ASK FOR PERMISSION FROM THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER TO USE THEIR CONTENT? No, because of the Fair Use Doctrine, so please stop being hypocritical and accord others the same courtesy.***
This is their Teacher's Guide for everyone to critique and please notice how the Officiating Ministers struggle to read this lesson word for word during the worship services because deviating from it, will mean strict reprimand from the Church Administration and a series of loyalty checks. The best thing they can do is to "dramatize" their delivery to make it "sound" like they are not merely reading the well written "script".
More and more brethren have stopped giving monetary offerings during worship services and even more have completely stopped from attending worship services altogether due to the dramatic plummeting of the trust rating of the EVM Church Administration. After a series of documentary exposés and debunked "miracle conversions", brethren from all over the world are slowly realizing the truth behind the EVM Church Administration's cover-ups. As a band-aid solution, the EVM Church Administration has resorted to this hopeful attempt to convince the brethren to go back to attending their worship service (which is technically reduced to LIP SERVICES nowadays) and hopefully they can also convince the brethren to give monetary offerings and Special Offerings again since many have resorted to either giving small coins or none at all, upon realizing that their offerings only go to the payment of the multi-billion bank loans of the Church Administration plus the lavish lifestyle of Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo's family, Sanggunian Ministers and their cohorts, not to mention the funding of the unChristian and inhumane treatment of the Family of Bro. Eraño G. Manalo and other Ministers who stood up for the truth. This worship service lesson is the O.W.E. Church Administrations feeble attempt to dissuade the brethren from attending the Devotional Prayers and Gatherings of the Defenders worldwide in the hope that they can win them back.
Lessons such as this is a glaring contrast to what the Church Administration is currently doing to the family of Bro. Eraño G. Manalo in #36 Tandang Sora. Anything they mention in their lessons, as Godly, Christian-like and holy are the complete opposite of what they are doing to those who they consider as "enemies". As of this writing, continued harassment, both physical, emotional and psychological torture, are being done to the families residing in Tandang Sora, such as throwing rocks at the windows, hosing the front door and windows with water, invoking fear by cocking their firearms in a threatening manner while surrounding the house of Bro. Angel V. Manalo. The guards have started to restrict the entry of crucial medicines needed by the residents, yet they take pictures of the whole packages of the medicines to falsely show that no medicines are being restricted. And to add to a whole new low for these minions of EVM, they barged in the storage rooms and illegally took all of their tools and other personal belongings (STEALING is the more appropriate term). Truly, the Church Administration of Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo is the epitome of religious hypocrisy in the world, befitting of a Guinness World Record category all to itself.
The commentaries will be in the next article after this.
Teacher’s Guide
Wednesday/Thursday: October 5/6, 2016
“CHOOSE LIFE”
ISSUE
God commands us to choose life, and we can do that by always obeying His
commandments and remaining loyal to Him whatever situation we face in life.
OBJECTIVES
- Make the brethren understand that as God’s chosen ones we should not
imitate the way the people of this world deal with the severe problems that
they face. - Teach that God Himself wants us to choose life because our salvation
depends on it. - Encourage the members of the Church to imitate Christ who chose life by
obeying and remaining loyal to God. - Inspire the brethren that no matter how severe their problems are, they
must never stop obeying because God will not abandon them.
EXORDIUM
There is no doubt that Judgment Day is very near. On that great day, we, members of the Church Of Christ, are the ones who are certain to be saved. However, as we journey in this world, we encounter many obstacles or hindrances that can prevent us from receiving that great blessing. There are also many problems that trouble us in our daily lives. It is vital that in such situations, we must learn to decide wisely and correctly. Why?
INTRODUCTION:
WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS TO MAN WHEN HE IS TROUBLED BY MANY PROBLEMS?
- Panic-stricken.................................................. Ps. 55:3 REB
3 I am panic-stricken at the hostile shouts, at the shrill clamour of the wicked; for they heap trouble on me and revile me in their fury.
(The Revised English Bible. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 1989)
! When there are many threats from the enemies, man is usually panic-stricken, uneasy, and troubled. Who is the foremost enemy of our faith? The devil, and it has many schemes and instruments that it uses to destroy our hope for salvation.
! What usually happens to man when he is panic-stricken and troubled? He makes wrong decisions. Hence, when beset by serious problems, there are people who choose and turn to vices, such as getting drunk and using prohibited drugs. Others go with bad companions who do influence them to commit evil deeds that further aggravate their problems.
! As people who belong to the nation of God, should we be overcome by troubles?
- What do the apostles teach us if we are experiencing all kinds of troubles?
- We should not lose hope because God will not abandon us.............. II Cor. 4:8 CEB & 9 EXB
8 CEB We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed.
(Common English Bible. Nashville, Tenessee: www.CommonEnglishBible.com, 2011)
9 We are persecuted [pursued], but God does not leave us [not abandoned/left behind]. We are hurt [struck down; knocked over] sometimes, but we are not destroyed.
(The [Expanded] Bible. Nashville, Tenessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2011)
! According to Apostle Paul, as people who are journeying in this world, we often experience all kinds of troubles; we get confused, we face persecutions, and there are also times when we are knocked over. However, as members of the Church Of Christ who are on the way to salvation, what should we not allow to happen to us? We must not allow such troubles to destroy us and cause us to fall into hopelessness. Instead, what should we bear in mind in the face of many and intense persecutions? God will not abandon us.
! Thus, whatever we encounter in this world, as servants of God, we should not give up; even though sometimes we get knocked down, we should get back on our feet again and continue moving forward.
- What should we firmly believe that God will do whenever we are facing all
kinds of problems?
- Teach and counsel us....................................... Ps. 32:8 NIV
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
(The Holy Bible: New International Version. Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society, 1984)
! Although we cannot avoid experiencing problems, still, what give us courage are God’s promises to us, His servants. What are those promises? When we are troubled and in difficult situations, He will instruct us. If we get confused, He will teach us in the way we should go. If we are being persecuted and in the grip of disappointment, He will counsel us with His loving eye on us.
! What is being referred to as the counsel of God that He will use to teach us how to face problems? Those are His words (Ps. 107:11). On what occasion are we taught the words of God? During our worship services. Thus, the worship service is vital because on occasions such as this one we receive the counsel and guidance of God so that in the face of many problems we will not get confused, and we will not make wrong decisions like what others do.
- WHAT DOES GOD TEACH TO GUIDE US NOT MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE WHATEVER WE ENCOUNTER IN THIS LIFE?
- “Choose life”................................................... Deut. 30:15 & 19 GW
15 Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction.19 I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.
(GOD’S WORD Translation. Holiday, Florida: Green Key Books, 2006)
! God Himself is the One who told us that we ought to choose life. Even to His ancient people, that was what He taught them to choose, and even now that is what we should also choose: life, not death. If we choose life, what benefits will it bring us? Prosperity and blessings. Who should lead the families of God’s people in choosing life and blessings? The parents. Thus it was stated, “Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.”
! This should call the attention of all parents. All the members of your household should be united in making the right decision so that none of you will suffer death and curse. You should choose life.
- How do we choose life?
- Choosing life.................................................... Deut. 30:20 GW
20 Love the Lord your God, obey him, and be loyal to him. This will be your way of life, and it will mean a long life for you in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
! To choose life is to obey and remain loyal to God. What good will obedience and loyalty to God bring? The confident hope for life in the land promised by God. What land is promised to us, members of the Church Of Christ? The Holy City wherein the life we will have there is very different from the life we have now in this world. Why? Because in the Holy City there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, no more pain, for those things have passed away. (Rev. 21:1-4).
! Now that we are very near to the fulfillment of these promises of God, we should make a firm decision: that we will obey His commands and be loyal only to Him, and we will not allow anything to take them away from us.
- WHO CAN WE CITE AS EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO CHOSE DEATH AND WHO IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE WHO CHOSE BLESSINGS?
- Those who chose death..................................... Gen. 3:1-6 GNB
1 Now the snake was the most cunning animal that the LORD God had made. The snake asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat fruit from any tree in the garden?" 2 "We may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden," the woman answered, 3 "except the tree in the middle of it. God told us not to eat the fruit of that tree or even touch it; if we do, we will die." 4 The snake replied, "That's not true; you will not die. 5 God said that because he knows that when you eat it, you will be like God and know what is good and what is bad." 6 The woman saw how beautiful the tree was and how good its fruit would be to eat, and she thought how wonderful it would be to become wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, and he also ate it.
(The Good News Bible in Today’s English Version, Second Edition © 1992. Manila, Philippines: Philippines Bible Society, 1995)
! To choose death was the decision made by Adam and Eve, the first man and woman created by God, who were placed in the garden of Eden where they enjoyed a good life. What was the strict instruction of God to them so that they would remain in the garden of Eden and continue enjoying their life there? They should not eat the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. But, when the tempter or the devil came, did the couple make the right decision? No. They chose to disobey the command of God, and they ate the fruit of the tree that God forbade them to eat. What did their disobedience amount to? It amounts to being disloyal to God. Thus, what happened to them as a result of their disobedience? They were cast out of the garden of Eden, and their life was cursed. And from then on, man has been experiencing death and has been separated from the life that God wanted him to have.
! What does this prove to us? Disobeying God’s commands is equivalent to choosing death, and this has a corresponding punishment or curse.
! Why did the first man and woman still choose death and curse when their life in the garden was already good? Because the temptation of the devil prevailed over them. Did you notice the tactic used by the devil against them? The devil overturned the teaching of God, muddled it, and made it appear that the teaching of God is not true.
! Thus, when someone is trying to confuse us or make us doubt the teachings of God that we received, such as the importance of attending the congregational worship services, helping in the work of sharing our faith, offering with all our might, and submitting ourselves completely to the Church Administration, we should be wary and vigilant because the devil is using someone to deceive us.
! What was another tactic that the devil used that deceived the first man and woman? He tempted them with something that was beautiful and good in their eyes, but was against the command of God. Thus we should learn from what happened to them. We should not pick or grab the things being offered to us just because we want them and we perceive them to be opportunities for us because the devil might be using those to tempt us. For example, a job that pays well but can prevent you from carrying out your duties in the Church or prevent you from attending the worship services; someone courting you who have the qualities that you are looking for but is not a member of the Church, knowledge or an ideology that promotes something that go against the teachings of the Bible, and the like. Those things should not deceive us because, if that happens, it only shows that we are disloyal to God, and we have chosen death.
- On the other hand, who is a perfect example of one who chose life?
- One who chose blessing.................................... Matt. 4:2-4 & 8-11 GNB
2 After spending forty days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry. 3 Then the Devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread." 4 But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, 'Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.'"8 Then the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in all their greatness. 9 "All this I will give you," the Devil said, "if you kneel down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus answered, "Go away, Satan! The scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!'" 11 Then the Devil left Jesus; and angels came and helped him.
! We should imitate the Lord Jesus Christ because He chose life despite the different attempts of the devil to deceive Him. How did Christ do that? He did not hold onto His ability but to the teachings of God. What did obedience to the teachings and loyalty to God bring to Christ? He was not deceived, He did not sin, and He was able to choose life.
! Hence, we should not listen to and obey just anyone. We should listen to and obey only the teachings of God. Who was entrusted by God to teach us His words? The Church Administration; thus, we should listen to and obey the Church Administration (Col. 1:25 HCSB). Our submission and obedience to the Church Administration is our submission and loyalty to God (Heb. 13:17; I John 1:3).
! What is one of the teachings of God that Christ firmly held on to? The teaching written in the Scriptures, “Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.” Hence, that is also what the Church Administration always teaches and reminds us. The teaching written in the Bible that we should not forsake is attending “our” meeting for worship or our congregational worship service (Heb. 10:25 CEV). Take note that we should attend “our” worship services in the Church Of Christ and not the gathering or meeting being held by those expelled from the Church or those outside the Church. Thus, if we are invited to attend “their” meetings or gatherings we must not join them. What they are doing is not the true worship because those who are outside the true Church cannot render to God the true worship. Let us learn from the examples set by Christ before us. We must hold on tightly to the teachings of God for us not to be deceived. By doing so, we can make the right choice, just like what the Lord Jesus Christ did.
III. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH FOR US NOT BE OVERCOME BY TROUBLES?
- Look forward to the joys in heaven..................... II Cor. 4:18 TLB
18 So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
(The Living Bible: Paraphrased. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1971)
! Let us follow the instruction of the apostles that we should not look at the things that we see right now. What do we see in this world? The troubles all around us. Instead, to what should we look forward? The things that we have not yet seen or the joys in heaven. How about the troubles in life? They will soon be over; meanwhile, the joys to come will last forever. How should we look at the things that we are going through? Those are just trials. God wants us to prove to Him that despite all of those things we will still choose and obey Him.
- What should we ask from God so we can overcome the troubles and problems and remain in our hope of receiving the everlasting life?
- What we should ask for.................................... Ps. 57:1-3 GNB
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful, because I come to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings I find protection until the raging storms are over. 2 I call to God, the Most High, to God, who supplies my every need. 3 He will answer from heaven and save me; he will defeat my oppressors. God will show me his constant love and faithfulness.
! Let us implore God to be merciful to us, that He may draw near to us and protect us until the dangers are over. But, whom will God protect? Those who call to Him with steadfast hope that He will be the One to supply their every need. Thus, we have nothing to worry about no matter how severe our problems may be because God has the solution to all of them. What should we always keep in mind for us to always receive the love and help of God? His constant love and faithfulness are for the people who are faithful or loyal to Him.
CONCLUSION
In this time when there are so many problems and hardships, turmoil is everywhere, and the schemes of the devil to snatch us from salvation are all around us, this is the best opportunity for us to prove our loyalty to God. Although the situations we are going through in life may change, our resolve must remain unmoved. We will still obey and zealously serve God. If we do so, we make the right choice: we choose the everlasting life.
TEACHER'S GUIDE by RGC BY:
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: OCTOBER 5/6, 2016 EDUARDO V. MANALO
Translated by Bienvenido A. Santiago Jr.
TAGALOG VERSION
NOBYEMBRE 6, 1980
“PILIIN NINYO ANG BUHAY”
ISYU
Ipinag-uutos ng Diyos na piliin natin ang buhay sa pamamagitan ng laging pagsunod sa Kaniyang mga kautusan at pananatiling tapat sa Kaniya anuman ang ating sitwasyon.
MGA LAYUNIN
- Ipaunawa na bilang mga hinirang ng Diyos ay hindi tayo dapat tumulad sa mga taga-sanlibutan sa pagharap sa mabibigat na suliranin.
- Ituro na ang Diyos mismo ang may nais na ang piliin natin ay ang buhay dahil nakasalalay dito ang ating kaligtasan.
- Hikayatin ang Iglesia na tularan ang ginawa ni Cristo na pinili ang buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod at pagiging tapat sa Diyos.
- Bigyang-inspirasyon ang mga kapatid na gaano man kabigat ang suliranin ay huwag hihiwalay sa pagsunod dahil hindi sila pababayaan ng Diyos.
PANIMULA
Walang pag-aalinlangan na napakalapit na ng Araw ng Paghuhukom at tayong mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo ang tiyak na maliligtas. Subalit habang naglalakbay pa tayo rito sa mundo ay nakakasagupa tayo ng maraming balakid o hadlang sa pagkakamit natin ng mabuting kapalaran. Marami ring mga suliranin sa araw-araw ang bumabagabag sa buhay ng tao. Napakahalaga na sa gitna ng ganitong uri ng buhay ay matutuhan natin ang matalino at wastong pagpapasiya. Bakit?
PASIMULA:
ANO BA ANG KARANIWANG NANGYAYARI SA TAO KAPAG NABABAGABAG SIYA NG MARAMING SULIRANIN?
- Nalilito …………………………………………. Awit 55:3 BMB
Sa maraming banta ng mga kaaway, nalilito ako’t hindi mapalagay. Ang dulot sa akin nila’y kaguluhan, namumuhi sila’t may galit ngang tunay.
- Kapag maraming banta ang mga kaaway, ang tao ay nalilito, hindi mapalagay, at naguguluhan. Sino ba ang pangunahing kaaway ng ating pananampalataya? Ang diablo, at marami siyang lalang at kasangkapan para pinsalain ang ating pag-asa sa kaligtasan.
- Ano ba ang karaniwang nangyayari sa tao kapag nalilito at naguguluhan? Nagkakamali ng pasiya. Kaya may mga tao na ang pinipili at binabalingan sa panahon ng matitinding suliranin ay ang bisyo tulad ng pag-inom ng alak at droga, at ang barkada na gumagawa ng masama.
- Bilang mga tao na kabilang sa bayan ng Diyos, dapat ba tayong magkaganito?
- Ano ang itinuturo sa atin ng mga apostol kapag tayo ay nasa kagipitan at may mabibigat na suliranin?
- Hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa dahil hindi pababayaan ng Diyos…………….. II Cor. 4:8-9 SNB
Madalas kaming nagigipit, subalit hindi nalulupig. Nalilito kami kung minsan, subalit hindi nawawalan ng pag-asa. Marami ang umuusig sa amin, subalit hindi kami pinababayaan ng Diyos. Nadadapa kami, subalit bumabangon din at nagpapatuloy.
- Ayon kay Apostol Pablo, bilang tao na nagsisipaglakbay pa sa mundo, tayo ay madalas na nagigipit, minsa’y nalilito, humaharap sa maraming pag-uusig, at may pagkakataong nadarapa rin. Subalit bilang mga Iglesia Ni Cristo na naglalakbay patungo sa kaligtasan, ano ang hindi natin dapat na payagang mangyari? Ang malupig tayo ng kagipitan at mahulog sa kawalan ng pag-asa. Sa halip, ano ang dapat nating tandaaan, marami at matindi man ang mga pag-uusig? Hindi tayo pababayaan ng Diyos.
- Kaya anuman ang masagupa natin dito sa mundo, bilang mga lingkod ng Diyos ay hindi tayo susuko; madapa man tayo ay muli tayong babangon at magpapatuloy.
- Ano ang dapat nating panaligan na gagawin ng Diyos kapag nahaharap tayo sa iba’t ibang suliranin?
- Tuturuan at papayuhan …………………………. Awit 32:8 NPV
Tatagubilinan kita at ituturo ko sa iyo ang daang dapat mong lakaran; papayuhan kita at babantayan.
- Hindi man maiiwasan ang mga suliranin subalit nakapagpapalakas naman ng loob ang mga pangako ng Diyos sa atin na mga lingkod Niya. Anu-ano ang mga ito? Kapag tayo ay nagigipit, tatagubilinan Niya tayo. Kapag inaabot tayo ng pagkalito, ituturo Niya ang daang dapat nating lakaran. Kapag inuusig tayo at inaabot ng kabiguan ay papayuhan at babantayan Niya tayo.
- Ano ba ang tinutukoy na payo ng Diyos na igagabay Niya sa atin sa pagharap sa mga suliranin? Ang Kaniyang mga salita (Awit 107:11). Sa anong pagkakataon ba tayo tinuturuan ng mga salita ng Diyos? Sa ganitong mga pagsamba. Kaya napakahalaga ng pagsamba, dahil dito natin tinatanggap ang mga pagpapayo at paggabay ng Diyos upang sa harap ng maraming suliranin ay hindi tayo abutin ng pagkalito at hindi tayo magkamali ng desisyon na tulad ng nangyari sa iba.
- ANO ANG ITINUTURO SA ATIN NG DIYOS UPANG HUWAG TAYONG MAGKAMALI SA ATING PIPILIIN ANUMAN ANG ATING MASAGUPA SA BUHAY NA ITO?
- “Piliin ninyo ang buhay” ……………Deut. 30:15 at 19 BMB
Binibigyan ko kayo ngayon ng pagpipilian: buhay o kamatayan; kasaganaan o kahirapan; … Saksi ko ang langit at ang lupa na ngayo’y inilahad ko sa inyo ang buhay o kamatayan, at ang pagpapala o sumpa. Kaya, piliin ninyo ang buhay para kayo at ang inyong lahi ay mabuhay nang matagal.
- Ang Diyos mismo ang nagsabi sa atin na ang piliin natin ay ang buhay. Kahit noon pa sa unang bayan Niya ay ito na ang Kaniyang ipinapipili at ito rin ang dapat nating piliin ngayon; huwag ang kamatayan. Ano ba ang kalakip ng buhay kaya ito ang dapat nating piliin? Ang mga pagpapala. Sino ang dapat na manguna sa pagpili sa buhay at pagpapala? Ang mga magulang, kaya nga ang sabi, “Piliin ninyo ang buhay para kayo at ang inyong lahi ay mabuhay nang matagal”
- Kaya dapat na matawagan dito ng pansin ang lahat ng magulang. Ang inyong buong sambahayan ay dapat na iisa lang ang maging pasiya para walang sinumang mamatay at masumpa—ang pagpili sa buhay.
T.Papaano ba ang pagpili sa buhay?
- Ang pagpili sa buhay ………................... Deut. 30:20 BMB
Ibigin ninyo si Yahweh, sundin siya at manatiling tapat sa kanya upang kayo at ang inyong salinlahi ay mabuhay nang matagal sa lupaing ipinangako niya sa ninuno ninyong sina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob.
- Ang pagpili sa buhay ay sa pamamagitan ng pagsunod at pananatiling tapat o loyal sa Diyos. Ano ang kabutihan ng katapatan at pagsunod sa Diyos? Ito ang may maaasahang buhay sa lupaing ipinangako ng Diyos. Sa panig nating mga Iglesia Ni Cristo, alin itong lupaing ipinangako? Ito ang Bayang Banal na kung saan ang magiging buhay natin doon ay ibang-iba sa buhay natin dito sa mundo ngayon. Bakit? Dahil doon ay wala nang kamatayan, dalamhati, pag-iyak, hirap, kalungkutan, at sakit dahil lilipas na ang mga ito (Apoc. 21:1-4).
- Ngayong napakalapit na natin sa katuparan ng mga pangako ng Diyos ay dapat na mayroon na tayong matatag na pasiya—ang pagsunod at ang loyalty natin ay sa Diyos lamang at hindi natin ito ipaaagaw sa iba.
- SINO ANG HALIMBAWA NG PUMILI NG KAMATAYAN AT SINO ANG HALIMBAWA NG PUMILI NG PAGPAPALA?
- Ang pumili ng kamatayan………………………….. Gen. 3:1-6 MB
Ang ahas ang pinakatuso sa lahat ng hayop na nilikha ni Yahweh. Minsa'y tinanong nito ang babae, "Totoo bang sinabi ng Diyos na huwag kang kakain ng anumang bungangkahoy sa halamanan?" 2Tumugon ang babae, "Hindi naman! Ipinakakain sa amin ang anumang bunga sa halamanan, 3huwag lamang ang bunga ng puno na nasa gitna niyon. Pag kami raw ay kumain ng bunga nito o humipo man lamang sa punong iyon, mamamatay kami." 4 “Hindi totoo iyan, hindi kayo mamamatay,” wika ng ahas. 5 “Gayon ang sabi ng Diyos, sapagkat alam niyang kung kakain kayo ng bunga niyon, magkakaroon kayo ng pagkaunawa. Kayo'y magiging parang Diyos; malalaman ninyo ang mabuti at masama.” 6Napakaganda sa paningin ng babae ang punongkahoy at sa palagay niya'y masarap ang bunga nito. Nabuo sa isipan niya na mabuti ang maging marunong, kaya't pumitas siya ng bunga at kumain. Kumuha rin siya para sa kanyang asawa, at kumain din ito.
- Ang pagpili sa kamatayan ay ang katulad ng pagpili na ginawa noon nina Adan at Eva—ang mga unang tao na nilalang ng Diyos at inilagay sa mabuting kalagayan ng pamumuhay sa halamanan ng Eden. Ano ang mahigpit na ipinag-utos ng Diyos sa kanila upang makapamalagi sana sila sa halamanan ng Eden at sa mabuting pamumuhay roon? Huwag nilang kakainin ang bunga ng punongkahoy na nasa gitna ng halamanan. Subalit nang dumating ang manunukso o ang diablo ay nagawa ba ng mag-asawa ang wastong pagpili? Hindi. Ano ang katunayan? Nilabag nila ang utos ng Diyos at kinain ang bunga ng punongkahoy na ipinagbabawal ng Diyos na kainin nila. Ano ang katumbas ng kanilang ginawa? Hindi sila naging tapat sa Diyos. Kaya ano ang nangyari sa kanila bunga ng hindi pagsunod? Sila ay pinalayas sa halamanan ng Eden, sinumpa ang kanilang pamumuhay, at nagkaroon na ng kamatayan ang tao mula noon, anupa’t nahiwalay ang tao sa buhay na gusto ng Diyos.
- Ano ang pinatutunayan nito sa atin? Ang paglabag o hindi pagsunod sa mga ipinag-uutos ng Diyos ay pagpili sa kamatayan at may katapat itong parusa o sumpa.
- Bakit nagawa pa ng mga unang tao na piliin ang kamatayan at sumpa gayong nasa mabuti na silang kalagayan? Dahil napagtagumpayan sila ng panunukso ng diablo. Napansin ba ninyo ang taktikang ginamit ng diablo sa kanila? Binaligtad ng diablo ang aral ng Diyos, nilabo ito, at pinalitaw na ang aral ng Diyos ay hindi totoo.
- Kaya kapag may humikayat sa atin na nilalabo sa ating isipan o pinapag-aalinlangan tayo sa mga aral ng Diyos na ating tinanggap, tulad ng kahalagahan ng pagdalo sa pagsamba, pagtulong sa gawaing pagpapalaganap, buong kayang paghahandog, at sa ganap na pagpapasakop sa Pamamahala ng Iglesia, ay dapat tayong matawagan ng pansin at maging matalino dahil may kinakasangkapan ang diablo para tayo dayain.
- Ano pa ang taktikang ginamit ng diablo kaya nadaya ang mga unang tao? Ang ipinangtukso niya ay maganda at mabuti sa tingin ng tao subalit labag sa utos ng Diyos. Kaya dapat ay matuto na tayo sa nangyari sa kanila. Hindi lahat ng gusto natin at inaakala nating oportunidad ay pipitasin natin o susunggaban dahil baka panunukso na pala ito ng diablo sa atin. Halimbawa, hanapbuhay na malaki ang kikitain subalit hindi ka naman makatutupad ng tungkulin o hindi makasasamba. Nanliligaw sa nagtataglay ng mga hinahanap mong katangian subalit taga-sanlibutan naman. Karunungan o ideolohiya na ang itinataguyod ay papalayo na o baka sumasalungat pa nga sa mga itinuturo ng Biblia, at iba pa. Huwag tayong paaakit sa mga ito dahil kawalan ito ng katapatan sa Diyos at pagpili ito sa kamatayan.
- Sino naman ang mabuting halimbawa ng pumili sa buhay?
- Ang pumili ng pagpapala ......................... Mat. 4:2-4 at 8-11 SNB
Apatnapung araw na hindi Siya kumain kaya’t Siya’y gutom na gutom. Dumating si Satanas at sinabi sa Kanya: “Kung Ikaw nga ang Anak ng Dios, gawin mong tinapay ang mga batong ito.” Sumagot si Jesus, “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Hindi sa tinapay lamang mabubuhay ang tao, kundi sa bawat salita ng Dios.” … Pagkatapos, dinala naman Siya ni Satanas sa tuktok ng isang napakataas na bundok, at ipinakita sa Kanya ang lahat ng mga bansa sa lupa, at ang kanilang kariktan. “Ang lahat ng iyan ay ibibigay ko sa Iyo,” wika niya, “kung luluhod Ka at sasamba sa akin.” “Lumayas ka, Satanas!” sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya. “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan, Ang Dios lamang ang inyong sasambahin; Siya lamang ang inyong susundin.” Umalis si Satanas, at dumating ang mga anghel at naglingkod kay Jesus.
- Ang Panginoong Jesucristo ang dapat nating tularan na ang pinili ay buhay kahit pa iba’t ibang pamamaraan ang ginamit ng diablo upang Siya ay linlangin. Paano Niya ito nagawa? Ang pinanghawakan Niya ay hindi ang Kaniyang sariling kakayahan, kundi ang mga aral ng Diyos. Ano ang ibinunga kay Cristo ng pagsunod sa aral at ng katapatan sa Diyos? Hindi Siya nalinlang, hindi Siya nagkasala, at nagawa Niyang ang piliin ay ang buhay.
- Kaya huwag kung kani-kanino tayo makikinig at susunod. Ang mga aral ng Diyos lamang ang dapat nating pakinggan at sundin. Sino ba ang pinagtiwalaan ng Diyos na magturo sa atin ng Kaniyang mga salita? Ang Pamamahala sa Iglesia, kaya sa kanila tayo dapat makinig at sumunod (Col. 1:25). Ang pagpapasakop at pagsunod natin sa Pamamahala ay pagpapasakop at loyalty natin sa Diyos (Heb. 13:17; I Juan 1:3).
- Ano ang isa sa mga aral ng Diyos na pinanghawakan ni Cristo? Ang nasa Kasulatan na, “Ang Diyos lamang ang inyong sasambahin; Siya lamang ang inyong susundin.” Kaya ito rin ang laging itinuturo at ipinapaalala sa atin ng Pamamahala. Ang nakasulat sa Biblia ay huwag nating pababayaan ang pagdalo sa “ating” mga pagkakatipon o pagsamba (Heb 10:25 MB). Pansinin natin na ang dapat nating daluhan ay ang “ating” mga pagsamba sa loob ng Iglesia Ni Cristo at hindi ang pagsamba ng mga itiniwalag o nasa labas ng Iglesia. Kaya kapag inaanyayahan tayo ng iba na daluhan ang “kanilang” pagsamba huwag tayong sasama. Hindi iyon ang tunay na pagsamba sa Diyos dahil hindi magagawa ng tao ang tunay na pagsamba sa labas ng tunay na Iglesia. Matuto tayo sa halimbawang iniwan ni Cristo—manghawak tayong matibay sa aral ng Diyos para huwag na tayong madaya. Ito ang matalinong pagpapasiya—tulad ng pagpapasiya ng Panginoong Jesucristo.
III. ANO NAMAN ANG ITINUTURO SA ATIN NG BIBLIA PARA HUWAG TAYONG MADAIG NG MGA SULIRANIN?
- Tanawin ang kaligayahan sa langit ………….. II Cor.4:18 TLB
Kaya hindi kami nakatingin sa mga bagay na nakikita namin ngayon, sa mga bagabag na nasa paligid namin, kundi nakatanaw kami sa mga kaligayahan sa langit na hindi pa namin nakikita. Di magluluwat, ang mga bagabag ay matatapos na, ngunit ang mga kaligayahang darating ay magtatagal magpakailanman.
- Sundin natin ang itinagubilin ng mga apostol na ang tingnan natin ay hindi ang mga bagay na nakikita. Alin ba ang mga nakikita natin dito sa mundo? Ang mga kabagabagan sa ating paligid. Sa halip, ano ang dapat na lagi nating tanawin? Ang hindi pa natin nakikita o ang kaligayahan na nasa langit. Paano ang mga bagabag sa buhay? Matatapos din ang mga ito, samantalang ang kaligayahang darating ay magtatagal magpakailanman. Paano natin dapat tingnan ang mga pinagdaraanan natin ngayon? Pagsubok lamang ang mga ito dahil nais ng Diyos na patunayan natin sa Kaniya na sa kabila ng mga ito ay Siya pa rin ang ating pipiliin at susundin.
- Ano ang dapat nating hilingin sa Diyos upang mapagtagumpayan natin ang mga bagabag at suliranin nang sa gayon ay makapamalagi tayo sa pag-asa sa buhay na walang hanggan?
- Ang dapat hilingin …………………………………… Awit 57:1-3 MB
1Mahabag ka, O aking Diyos, ikaw sana ay mahabag; Sa 'yo ako lumalapit upang ako ay maligtas, Pagkat aking nasumpungan sa lilim ng iyong pakpak, Ligtas ako sa panganib hanggang ito ay lumipas. 2Yaong aking tinatawag, ang Diyos sa kalangitan, Ang Diyos na nagdudulot ng lahat kong kailangan, 3Magmula sa kalangitan, diringgin ang aking hibik, Ang lahat ng kaaway ko'y lubos niyang magagahis; Ang tapat n'yang pagmamahal at matatag na pag-ibig, Ihahayag ito ng Diyos, sa aki'y di ikakait.
- Hilingin natin ngayon sa Diyos na mahabag Siya sa atin, lapitan Niya tayo, at iligtas hanggang sa ang mga panganib ay lumipas. Subalit sino ang ililigtas ng Diyos? Ang tatawag na taglay ang matibay na pag-asa na ang Diyos ang magdudulot ng lahat niyang kailangan. Kaya wala tayong dapat ipag-alala gaano man karami o kalubha ang mga suliranin dahil nasa Diyos ang lunas sa lahat ng ito. Ano ang dapat nating pakatandaan para tamasahin nating lagi ang pagmamahal at pagtulong ng Diyos? Ang tapat Niyang pagmamahal ay para sa mga taong tapat din sa Kaniya.
KONKLUSYON
Sa panahong ito na napakarami ng suliranin at kahirapan, kabi-kabila ang kaguluhan, at naglipana ang mga lalang ng diablo para agawin tayo sa kaligtasan, lalong magandang pagkakataon ito na patunayan ang katapatan sa Diyos. Sa bawat sitwasyon ng buhay na ating pagdaraanan, magpabagu-bago man ang mga ito, huwag na huwag mababago ang ating paninindigan—susunod at buong kasiglahan pa rin tayong maglilingkod sa Diyos. Ito ang pagpili natin sa buhay na walang hanggan.
GABAY SA TAGAPAGTURO by RGC BY:
MIYERKULES/HUWEBES: OKTUBRE 5/6, 2016 EDUARDO V. MANALO
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