Lesson I Learned From Hannah Montana

Before anything else, I would like to make a disclaimer. I am not a Hannah Montana fan but my 2 little girls are.  So when they told me that they wanted to watch the Hannah Montana Movie last Monday, I easily gave in to their request.

In the movie, Hanna learned a valuable lesson.
“Life is a climb but the view is great.”

This statement stuck to me until the end of the movie. It speaks of the reality that there will be struggles in life but we should not despair because they all will pass. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He has given us an overcoming spirit for everyone born of God overcomes the world. We may be going through some problems in our relationships, finances, health, career and many others. We just need to hold on and never give up.

When God told Joshua that he is giving them the promise land, he did not say that it would be a walk in the park. In fact when the spies went to do an ocular inspection, they saw that it was flowing with milk and honey but there are giants in the land.  Many times, when we receive a promise from the Lord, problems come before the provision. It doesn’t mean that it is not God’s will. It simply means that we are called to overcome something. But in the end, the struggle is worth it.

So, when you feel like you are going uphill, just hang on because when you get to the top, you’ll eventually enjoy the view!

Sunday Recall

We just finished our second installment in our series www.victory last weekend. I am posting my sermon notes last Sunday. Our topic was: Make Disciples.

Matt. 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matt. 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

These are the last words that Jesus said.
It speaks of importance.
He did not say: feed the poor, fix your marriage, build houses, build schools and hospitals

But make disciples.

Discipleship starts by having a heart for God and a heart for people.

Discipleship is a way of life. It’s the way they live. Other people see their lives and get attracted by it.

What does that way of life look like?
Matt. 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
A disciple is somebody who follows God, fellowships with believers and fish for men.

Discipleship is relationship. It is impossible to disciple apart from relationships.

FOLLOW JESUS
Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

•    What’s the cost of following Jesus?

Following Jesus is going to cost you. It is not a safe game or little church-ianity.

There was a time when following Jesus would cost you your life. There are, in fact, some countries where persecution is still so severe.
o    It may cost you your job, a promotion, maybe relationship with family or friends or even popularity.

FELLOWSHIP WITH BELIEVERS
(done in the context of small groups)
•    Jesus started a small group. There was even a Judas in his group so don’t expect to have perfect members.

Why are people sometimes not willing to be discipled?
•    Imperfect people
•    I don’t like the people in the group.
•    Fear of opening up
•    Lack of time and resources
•    Added responsibility
•    Fear of being controlled and manipulated

Benefits of being discipled in a group:
•    Easier to talk in small group than big group.
•    You realize that others face similar circumstances.
•    Use of gifts to minister to others
•    Encourage others to grow in faith.
•    Hold each other accountable and pray for one another.
•    Can help one another in tough times.
•    Friendship can start.

FISH FOR MEN
Jesus loves the lost. He will seek and save the lost.
ILL. If you were to disciple 1000 a year, within 36 years you’ll have 36,000.
But if you teach everyone to make one disciple each then maybe in 36 years we would evangelize the world. That is if we all do our job.

MAINPOINT: FOLLOW JESUS AND HELP OTHERS FOLLOW HIM.

2Tim. 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Many people all over the world was impacted in one way or the other by the ministry of Billy Graham. Who impacted Billy Graham? Billy graham found Christ in a revival meeting led by Mordecai Ham. How did Mordecai Ham know Christ? He met the risen Christ through a revival meeting led by Billy Sunday. Billy Sunday was led to the Lord in a revival meeting by J. Wilbur Chapman. Who discipled J. Wilbur Chapman? It was D.L. Moody. But who influenced D.L. Moody? It was a Sunday school teacher named Edward Kimball.

You don’t know whom you will reach. You just have to be faithful in discipling people.

Jesus’ words still keeps on ringing in my ears – Go and make disciples.

Michael Jackson Theology (Re-mix)

Shirley and I were watching the memorial service for Michael Jackson this morning. We were  touched by the eulogy given to him by his friends and family.  I was inspired to write something. Here goes:

We are called to HEAL THE WORLD, to make it a better place

It doesn’t matter if you’re BLACK OR WHITE

Whether you’re BEN or BILLIE JEAN

You’ve got to make a difference

But first you have to look at the MAN IN THE MIRROR

You want to start to make a change

Because you realize that you’re BAD

And that inside you look like a THRILLER

But that’s just HUMAN NATURE

Temptation says, “I want to ROCK WITH YOU.”

You’ve got to BEAT IT

Don’t BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE

You know that you WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’

And DON’T STOP ‘TIL YOU GET ENOUGH

WORKING DAY AND NIGHT

Many times you want to say “LEAVE ME ALONE”

Because you feel like a SMOOTH CRIMINAL

But God is saying YOU ARE NOT ALONE, I’LL BE THERE and  I WANT YOU BACK

You PRETTY YOUNG THING

You might respond, “LEAVE ME ALONE.”

But He says, “I NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE.”

I JUST CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU.

Bye Mj. Thank you for the music.

Learning a lot from the pastors meeting while eating a killer white chocolate chip cookie that Shirley baked. Life is gooood!

Meeting now with the Alabang pastors. I thank God for the privilege of working with this great team of godly men!

Happy Father’s day to all dads!

Trying out how to use ping.fm. This social networking thing can be confusing. It’s time to simplify and consolidate.

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