CHRISTIAN TAGALOG DRAMA SCRIPT TITLED "PINAGKAITAN NG LIWANAG " by krisha412

PINAGKAITAN NG LIWANAG

Narrator: Dahil sa sistema ng mundong ito hindi natin maiwasan ang tumingin at makita ang mga bagay na gusto at tanggap ng sanlibutan… Ito ang karamihang kadahilan na kung bakit ang mga tao ay hindi makita ang tunay na liwanag ng kaligtasan… Sana sa mga nakasumpong ay  hindi ito magbigay ng takot o  dahilan sa atin para pagkaitan sila ng liwanag… At magsilbi itong pasasalamat sa  ginawa ng Dios sa atin mula noon pa man hanggang ngayon… Panoorin po natin ang dramang pinamagatang… ‘PINAGKAITAN NG LIWANAG

CAST:

BEN:                            Pastor Larry Dimaandal

JENNY:                         Mary Ann Osorio

DERECK;                      Rodemir Anilao

NARDO (TATAY):         Bernard Llamado

CARLA:                         Neizel Pascual

DOKTOR:                    

DIRECTOR:                 

Scene 1: Hospital setting

(Tunog ng ambulance)

Darating si Ben na mukhang humahangos

BEN: Ano nangyari? Carla, Jenny ano ang nangyari kay kuya?

CARLA: Kuya, nabunggo ng trak ang kotse ni kuya Carlo… nasa loob siya ng operating room ngayon….

BEN: Anong sabi ng doctor?

JENNY: Hinihintay pa namin ang doctor…

CARLA: Kumusta na kaya si kuya… (mukhang mag-alala ang lahat at maghihintay ng sandali)

JENNY: Oh..andyan na ang doctor …

BEN: dok?  Kumusta na ang kuya ko?

DOKTOR: Nasubukan na namin ang lahat… wala na kaming magagawa… Bumigay na ang katawan niya…

CARLA: Patay na si kuya.. Paano yan? (napapaluha)

Jenny: wala na si kuya (iiyak)…

BEN: Dok sinubukan na ba ninyong irevive?

DOKTOR: Nagawa na din namin (tatalikod na ang doctor) 

BEN: Hindi puwede (tatakbo sa operating room)…Kuya… kuya… pakiusap gumising ka… may sasabihin pa ako saiyo… hindi puwede ito… kuya… KUYA!!! (pasigaw)

(MUSIC BACKGROUND)

Scene 2: House

BEN:  Oh.. napasyal ka…may problema ba?

JENNY: Kuya concern lang ako may gusto lang akong itanong….Nakita ka raw ni Carla na sumisigaw sa kabilang barangay at may hawak na Bible.. Nagbago ka na ba ng relihiyon?

BEN: Hindi naman relihiyon ang pinag-uusapan sa buhay na ito…

JENNY: Kuya sana ung tanong ko lang ang sagutin mo…

BEN: Hindi na ako nagsisimba sa dati … Relasyon sa Panginoon ang mahalaga..

JENNY: Nababaliw ka na ba kuya? Alam mo ba ang pinagsasabi mo…Paano na ang pananampalataya na kinagisnan natin…

BEN: Sana igalang ninyo ang ginagawa ko ngayong paglilingkod … pero may sarili na akong pagpapasya…Dito ko nakita ang kasagutan sa mga katanungan ko…

JENNY:  Yon na nga eh, alam ko ang pananaw ng kuya sa ganyan… kya pinapa-alalahanan lang kita, … nawala lang ang kuya.. nag- iba ka na..

BEN: Hindi… buhay pa si kuya noong nagbago ako ng dinadaluhan… noong nasa Manila palang ako…nainvite na ako ng isang kaibigan sa isang gawain na nagpapaliwanang ng Bibliya..

JENNY: So matagal na pala… hindi namin alam.. Alam mo…siguro kaya nawala ang kuya dahil sa pagbabago mo ng pananampalataya… Pinaparusahan na tayo ng Dios…

BEN: Hindi.. lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang oras ng pagkawala sa mundo… Nauna lang si kuya… May purpose ang Panginoon sa lahat ng nagyayari sa atin..

JENNY: Alam mo kuya hindi mo talaga alam ang pinagsasabi mo, parang ka ng nababaliw? Natatakot ako para saiyo.. Alam na ba ito ng Mama at Papa? ikaw pa man din ang ina-asahan na magpapatuloy ng sinimulan nila.

BEN: Alam ko… Ngayon naghahanap pa ako ng pagkakataon para masabi ko, pero sigurado ipapa-alam ko sa kanila…

JENNY: Yan ang wag na wag mong gagawin… Baka mahigh-blood si Papa saiyo… Alam mo naman ang pamilya natin…

 BEN: Kilala ko ang pamilya natin pagdating sa pananampalataya, pinaglalaban ito at ikinamamatay kaya halos natakot ako sa maaring sabihin at gawin sa akin ni kuya noon kya di ako nagsalita…  Pero mali ang ginawa ko… dapat nalaman niya…Nang mamatay si kuya… hindi ko nasabi sa kanya ang katotohanan ng kaligtasan kaya ayaw ko ng itago.. Gusto kong ipakita ang liwanang na mayroon ako…

JENNY: Ang baduy mo kuya… Anong liwanag yang pinagsasabi mo… Hindi ko rin naman matatanggap yan.. Umayos ka kuya baka Makita na lang kita na isa ka sa mga baliw a kalsada. Nakkabaliw talaga ang ginagawa mo.. Basta wag mong sasabihin kay Mama at Papa.. MAKAALIS NA NGA!

(AALIS SA STAGE… Maiiwan si Ben na nag-aalala tapos aalis din sya sa stage)

Scene 3:

DERECK: Nagulat ako sa nabalitaan ko tungkol sa nangyari sa kuya mo…Condolence bro!

BEN: Salamat…

DERECK: Kumusta ka na?

BEN: Masakit ang kalooban ko ngayon… Alam mo ba kinabahan ako at natakot nang malaman ko ang nangyari kay kuya… agad-agad akong pumunta sa hospital… para makita ko kalagayan nya at para na  rin masabi ko sa kanya ang dapat niyang malaman.. akala ko mahahabol ko pa at mamakausap ko pa sya… Alam ko naman na lahat tayo ay mamamatay din pero hindi ko naisip na noong araw na iyon mawawala si kuya… Huli na ang lahat Dereck.. huli na (iiyak)…

DERECK:  Naiintindihan kita bro. (lalapitan si Ben)

BEN: Ang masakit doon matagal ko na ring alam ang kaligtasan pero kahit minsan hindi ko naibuka ang bibig ko patungkol sa kaligtasan…Hindi ko nasabi sa kanya na may impiyerno at langit na siguradong puwedeng pupuntahan ng tao pag namatay.. at hindi ko rin nasabi na may higit na nagmamahal sa kanya.

DERECK: Kung hindi mo man nasabi sa kanya ang kaligtasan.. sigurado akong may ginamit na iba ang Panginoon para malaman nya…

BEN: Yon nga ang mas masakit eh.. Hindi ako nagpagamit sa Panginoon para magbahagi ng  ebanghelyo  o gumawa man lang ng paraan na kung tutu-usin ako ang dapat gumawa noon… Ako dapat (iiyak)…

DERECK: Wala na tayong magagawa pa sa ngayon…

BEN: Ako dapat ang ginamit para makita ni kuya ang  liwanag.. Alam mo ba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.. ang nararamdaman ko… Parang pinagkaitan ko sya ng liwanag..

DERECK: Minsan hindi natin ginagawa ang isang bagay dahil alam natin marami pang pagkakataon pero hindi natin naiisip na hindi natin hawak ang buhay ng tao.. Isa itong paala-ala saiyo na dapat gawin ang tama…  Hindi man natin masigurado kung nasaan ang kuya mo ngayon.. ang tingnan  mo yong ibang miyembro nyo pa sa pamilya…Huwag mo ng piliing maging tahimik pa.. Gawin mo na ang dapat bago pa mahuli ulit ang lahat!!!

BEN: Tama!... Salamat bro…

DERECK: Marami ka pang aayusin…

(AALIS SA STAGE AT MUSIC BACKGROUND… UNANG PUPUNTA SA STAGE SI BEN… DARATING DIN SI CARLA)

(MUSIC BACKGROUND)

Scene 4:

CARLA: Oh, napasyal ka kuya!

BEN: Nangungumusta lang…Kagagaling ko lang sa misyon…Nasaan pala si Jenny?

CARLA: Pinapasok sila sa work ngayon kahit holiday…

BEN: Magpapa-alam lang din sana ako, luluwas kasi ako ng Manila, mag-aaral ng Bible School, medyo matatagalan bago ako makakauwi..

CARLA: Ok! (Hindi matitinag sa ginagawa)

BEN: May tatanungin pala ako saiyo… Bakit hindi mo hinintay na ako ang magsabi kila Mama at Papa?

CARLA: Ah.. yon ba… Ayaw mo yon kuya natulungan na kitang magsabi sa hindi mo masabi-sabi noon pa.

BEN: Ako ang involved doon, dapat ako ang nagsabi at naipaliwanag ko mabuti… Lumuwas ako sa atin at hindi ako pinapasok sa bahay…

CARLA: kahit na maipaliwanag mo pa ng mabuti kuya, hindi ka pa rin tatanggpin nila papa..

BEN: Mas maganda pa rin na ako ang magsabi..

CARLA: Eh di sorry na…

BEN: Mayroon pa akong tatanungin saiyo… Bakit iniwasan mo ako noong pumunta kami sa school nyo noong isang linggo?

CARLA: Hindi naman ah..

BEN: Huwag ka ng magsinungaling

CARLA: Hindi kita iniwasan kuya!

BEN: Kuya mo ako, huwag kang magsisinungaling!

CARLA: Hindi kita iniwasan!!! Ayaw ko lang makita ko ang kuya kong kahiya-hiya ang ginagawa sa harap ng mga tao…

BEN: Kung sainyo kahiya-hiya ang ginagawa kong pagsi-share ng Bible sa mga tao sa akin hindi…

CARLA: May religion na tayo kuya!

BEN: Hindi relihiyon- relasyon… Alam mo na bang may ino-offer ang Dios na buhay na walang hanggan…

CARLA: Tama na yang ganyan kuya…hindi pa ko mamamatay

BEN: Kailangan mong malaman…

CARLA: Tama na ( Isasarado ang tenga)

BEN: Bahala ka…At eto pa pala…Alam mo ba ang lalong nagpadagdag ng sakit sa akin…yung hindi mo ako pinakilalang kapatid mo sa mga kaibigan mo..

CARLA: Yong religion natin kuya, hindi ginagawa yan, ayaw ko lang maging kahiya-hiya… Naisip mo rin sana na naging kahiya-hiya kami sa ginagawa mo…

BEN: Wala akong magagawa sa pananaw mo..pero ang hinihingi ko lang respeto bilang kuya mo… Aalis na ako… Baka makabalik rin ako dito bago lumuwas.

Scene 5:

JENNY:  Oh kuya, luwas ka daw… at mag-aaral pa sa Bible School?

BEN: Oo nga.. Dumaan lang ako bago para magpa-alam na din sainyo, wala ka kasi noong pumunta ako dito..

JENNY: Nagpapa-alaala lang ako kuya sa mga pinapasok mo lalo ngayon alam na ng mga magulang natin… (lalapit si Ben at may ibibigay kay Jenny)…. Ano ito? ( biglang sasabat si Carla)

CARLA: Eh ano pa eh di tungkol  na naman sa relihiyon nya

BEN: May mga bagong libro kasing dumating… Magandang babasahin yan… subukan mo…

CARLA: Ayan na naman… makaalis  na nga!!!.(aalis na si Carla sa stage)

BEN: Ingat ka…

JENNY: Oh! Carla Maagang umuwi ha!!

CARLA: Try ko

JENNY: (titingnan niya ang binigay ni Ben) Ano ka ba naman kuya… Iniinsulto mo ba ako? Sa iba mo na lang ibigay yan!!!

BEN: Try mo lang…

JENNY: Ano ka ba…

BEN: Wala namang mawawala saiyo.. Sige na

JENNY: Ayaw ko niyan (itatapon)… Hindi ka ba  nagsisi o nahihiya sa ginagawa mong yan… Ultimong magulang natin hindi ka tinatanggap ngayon… para kang itinakwil.. bakit ganyan ka?... Bakit mo pinagpapatuloy ang kalokohan na yan kuya?

BEN:  Ano bang kalokohan ang sinasabi mo?... Kalokohan ba ang nagbago ang buhay ko… Dati walang direksyon ang buhay ko… Lango sa alak at puto babae ang ina-atupag ko… Ngayon nagkaroon ng direksyon at purpose ang buhay ko.. saan doon ang kalokohan? Sabihin mo nga sa akin, ang binagong buhay ba ay kalokohan?... (lalapit si Ben kay Jenny)… Kalokohan ba yon ha?...(mangiyak-ngiyak)… Aalis na ako…

JENNY: Kuya!! (Babaling si Ben)

BEN: Pasensiya na sa abala saiyo!!!

JENNY: Sorry!!! (TITINGIN SI JENNY KAY BEN HABANG PAPAALIS AT HINDI NA MARIRINIG ANG PAGHINGI NG SORRY…PUPULUTIN ANG BABASAHIN NA TINAPON)

Scene 6:

JENNY: Anong nangyayari saiyo? ( hindi umiimik si Carla at lalapit sya sa kapatid)… Umiiyak ka ba? (babaling si Carla)… Maaga kang umuwi ngayon ah.. May nangyari ba sa school nyo?

CARLA: Wala

JENNY: Eh anong problema?

CARLA: Nakita ko si Jessica kanina sa  daanan

JENNY: Yong naka-away mo?

CARLA: Oo

JENNY: Oh, bakit nag-away na naman ba kayo sa daan?

CARLA: Hindi ate… Nakita ko siya kung paano hilahin ng sasakyan ang katawan nya kanina… Naglalakad siya at masayang kasama ang mga barkada niya tapos hindi niya namalayan  na nasabit ang bag niya sa kotse at nahila siya….Ang bilis ng pangyayari..nakakbigla.. Patay na siya ate… (iiyak)

JENNY: Nakakalungkot nga… kawawa naman siya…

CARLA: Punong-puno ng dugo ang katawan niya at laging sumasagi sa isipan ko ang nangyari sa kanya… Bigla akong natakot at naalala ko ang mga sinasabi ni kuya Ben sa akin… (iiyak) Natakot ako.. totoo ba yon ate? (tatango si Jenny)… Ikaw ate.. ano ang nagtulak saiyo para baguhin ang kinagisnan natin?

JENNY: Bukod sa pagbabago ni kuya, narealize ko na kailangan ko talaga ng tagapagligtas dahil nakita ko na di ko kaya sa sarili ko lang at hindi relihiyon natin…

CARLA: Sa totoo lang Ate…natatakot talaga ako (iiyak).. tulungan mo ako…

JENNY: Oo tutulungan kita… Salamat sa Dios at bukas na ang puso mo… salamat sa mga panahon ng pananalangin ko para saiyo..

Scene 7:

JENNY: Mabuti nakarating ka kuya, ngayon lang ulit tayo nagkita…

BEN: Marami akong nabalitaan saiyo..salamat sa Panginoon… Oh Carla, kumusta ka na?

CARLA: Mabuti naman kuya…

BEN: Mabait ka na ba?... joke lang…

JENNY: Alam mo kuya pag binigyan mo siya ng babasahin… hindi ka nya hihindian..

BEN: Oh… talaga!!!

CARLA: Huwag kayong maingay marinig tayo ni Papa

BEN: Nasaan pala si Papa?

JENNY: Nasa loob siya ngayon…

BEN:  … puntahan ko muna pala si Papa… (lalapit si Ben kay Nardo)

BEN: Pa…

NARDO: Bakit ka nandito?... (strikto ang boses)

BEN: nabalitaan ko po ang nangyari sa inyo… Nag-alala lang ako sainyo

NARDO: Wag kang mag-alala… buhay pa ako…(strikto ang boses)

BEN: Galit pa ba kayo sa akin? (Hindi iimik ang tatay)… Pa… sana maintindihan nyo na ako… Pa.. hindi ibig sabihin na hindi ako sumunod sa inyo ay nilabanan ko na kayo.. Pa.. (lalapit sa tatay)… Pa (mangiyak-ngiyak)…  (biglang tatayo ang tatay)… Kilala nyo naman ako mula pa ng pagkabata… Alam ko na marami akong nadalang problema sa pamilya natin… Naging basagolero ako, hindi nag-aral ng mabuti at laman ako ng mga bar…Ngayon nagbigay na naman ako ng problema sa inyo pero… Pa… problema ba  sainyo ang pagbabago ko? Hindi na ako basagolero, pinagpapatuloy ko na ang pag-aaral ko at hindi na ako laman ng mga bar… PA… (iiyak)… binago na ako ng Dios…. (Iiyak at mdyo matagal ang walang imikan)

… Sa tingin ko hindi nyo pa ako handang kausapin… aalis na po ako… (aambang aalis nang biglang matitigilan sa biglang pagsasalita ng tatay)

NARDO: (strikto ang boses)…Galit ang umiral sa akin ng nalaman ko ang pagbabago mo ng pananampalataya dahil alam mo naman kung gaano ko kayo minulat sa paniniwala natin… Mula pa sa pagkabata naitanim na sayo yan… Hindi ko maintindihan… Alam mo ba kung ano ang naisip ko… magbibigay ito ng kaguluhan sa simbahan natin… Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng elders natin…

BEN: Sorry po sa naidulot na ito sainyo…( darating si jenny at may dalang tray ng pagkain… hihinto sa gilid)

NARDO: (Mataas ang boses)…Ito na ang minulat na relihiyon ng ating ninuno at bago namatay ang lolo mo nangako ako na ipapagtuloy ko ang pagiging relihiyoso ng pamilya… masakit ito sa akin bilang ama… At pati si Jenny nadamay mo pa… Nasaktan ako ng husto, sampal sa akin ang ginawa ninyo… Sa sobrang sakit natikis kita na di kausapin ng maraming taon… Ginagawa ko iyon para saktan kita sa problemang binigay mo sa pamilya natin pero sa ganong pagkakataon mas lalo ko palang sinasaktan ang aking sarili.. Naisip ko rin itong paraan na baka may pag-asa pa na bumalik ka sa dating pananampalataya… Nagkamali ako… (iiyak)… sa tagal na iyon nakita ko ang pagbabago mo ng buhay…( umiiyak sa kasalukuyan si Ben)… Ito ang nagbigay sa akin ng kaginhawaan ng kalooban na tama ang pananampalataya mo… Alam mo anak, ayaw ko sanang aminin pero nakita ko ang liwanag dahil saiyo…

BEN: Salamat Pa… Antagal kong namiss ang boses nyo…. (aakap sa tatay)… salamat sa Dios…isa itong magandang regalong natanggap ko…

NARDO: Salamat saiyo…Huwag ka ng umuwi.. dito ka na kumain… (Tatango si Ben at ngingiti.. darating si Jenny)

JENNY: Meryenda muna tayo… (pagkababa ng tray.. aakbayin ng tatay si Jenny at biglang papasok si Carla)

CARLA: Oh.. nakakainggit sweetness ninyo…. Isama nyo naman ako..

Narrator: May mga bagay sa ating buhay na sa tingin natin ito ang tama at ito’y pinaglalaban natin kahit anuman ang mangyari… At minsan ito ang nagiging dahilan para hindi natin makita ang liwanag… Dahil dito,  may mga pangyayari na pinahihintulutan ng Panginoon para maramdaman natin at makita ang tunay na liwanag…At bilang pasasalamat huwag nating pagkaitan ang mga taong nais na makasumpong ng liwanag…

The End

HAVE YOU NEVER READ?

Matthew 22: 15-46; Matthew 21: 14 - 16 picture taken from Google

MEMORY VERSE Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Lesson Prepared by: Krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page some lesson points taken from: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2005/september-october/how-the-bible-can-help- Introduction:

Have you tried a new-bought machine and tried to assembly it with your own knowledge? It is possible that we have a little knowledge about it, but the full details are needed to be read and executed.

One time our nephew, this was already mentioned by my sister in her lessons, bought a swing from the store to be their gift to their mother as Mothers’ Day gift. At first, we just watched him in a distance but when we saw that he was struggling in assembling, we offered help. He was about to bring the swing to the store and pay for assembling the parts when we approached him. The first thing my sister, Kris, asked was “where’s the manual?” She read the manual and followed the instruction and after few minutes, it was successfully assembled.

We know that the Bible is a manual of life but most of the time we try our own way and knowledge and seldom read the manual which is the best way to do.

The title of our lesson is taken in Matthew 21:15-16 wherein the priests and scribes were displeased when they saw Jesus did wonderful things and heard the children crying and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

The Lord Jesus Christ quoted the verse in Psalms 8:2

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Jesus was pointing out that they didn’t read what mentioned in God’s written word

In our passage today we have read, Matthew 22: 15-46, there are five situations wherein God answered the people’s questions.:

         a)      Matthew 22:15-22 – Jesus was asked about paying taxes. When people heard His words,             they marvelled.

         b)      Matthew 22:23-30 – Jesus was asked about a wife who had 7 husbands; whose wife shall         she be in the resurrection. Jesus answered in this manner in verse 29, “…Ye do err, not              knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

         c)      Matthew 22: 31-33 – Jesus answered with these words, “…have ye not read that which          was spoken unto you by God…? He has explained the God of the living and not the dead and the people were astonished to his doctrine.   

          d)      Matthew 22: 34-40 – Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment

         e)      Matthew 22: 41-46 – This time Jesus was the one asking them., “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?

       If you notice to the following situations, there are commonality; those are coming from God’s Word, the scriptures, and the Lord Jesus Christ always says, “HAVE YE NOT READ?” If today at our present time, we have struggles and problems and we feel confuse, our Lord might say, “HAYE YOU NEVER READ?”

Lesson Points:

     1.   HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE WAY TO LIFE BEYOND DEATH? (LUKE        10:25 -28)

The Bible reveals the way to eternal life and salvation. After you die, will you live again? How do you know? Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14–15)

.

  Another verses from Luke 10:25-28, we see that a lawyer asked the Lord on how to inherit eternal life

²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? HOW READEST THOU?

²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy

soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

In 2 Timothy we can see that Timothy has leaned the scriptures since childhood and it’s a good spiritual idea that the parents as well as the Sunday school teachers need to teach the kids the right way to God’s salvation. And in our next verses, again, we notice that Jesus replied the lawyer with a question, “What is written in the law? How readest thou?”  All things are answered in God’s word but sometimes we are sidetrack, we listen to false views in social media. Another thing, when we are asked about our salvation, we keep silent and what does this imply? We don’t listen to the sermons and we think that our bible is not readable.

         2.     HAVE YOU NEVER READ YOUR LIFE’S REAL MEANING AND             PURPOSE? (JEREMIAH 29:11-14)

Christians know that the world we live in today is temporary and our final destination is in heaven because we have faith and accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour but why there are Christians don’t still give time for spiritual matters. What is the purpose of this life? Have we never read in the Bible our purpose?

God had a purpose for Jeremiah. God selected him. He knew him before he was formed. It is one thing to brag about who you know. It is quite another thing to boast about who knows you.

There may be many people you know who don’t claim to know you. God knows you and claims to know you.

Not only did God know Jeremiah, He chose him. Nothing makes a person feel better than to be chosen by someone. Knowing everything about you even before you were conceived, your strengths and flaws, your obedience and disobedience, God chose you. Wow!

Not only did God select Jeremiah, He shaped him in his mother’s womb. In the words of the Psalmist, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). When God made Adam and Eve, He did so with His hands. Handmade items always have a greater value. God wove you while in your mother’s womb. You are a one-of-a-kind creation of God.

God also sanctified the prophet. He was set apart for a special purpose. God has special plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11-14). God has chosen you to do things and say things that will impact all time and eternity.

He sanctioned Jeremiah to carry out that plan.  Jeremiah realized the facts. Notice the absolute words God used. God declared to him that he would go to everyone God sent him to, speak whatever God told him to speak, and not to fear anyone.

Why? God told him he was not alone. God promised to be with him and to deliver him.

     3.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE WAY TO HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS?

    4.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ ON HOW TO FIND TRUE SUCCESS, FULFILLMENT AND         HAPPINESS?

     5.      HAVE YOU NEVER READ THE FUTURE?

STAND YOUR GROUND

This picture is taken from Google

HEBREWS 10: 32 - 39

HEBREWS 10: 32 - 39

OCTOBER 14, 2018

MEMORY VERSE

Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.

(Hebrews 10:38)

INTRODUCTION:

In verse 32 it says, “But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, … This verse reminds me of my conversion: Pastor Elmer with his young people companions visited our house in 14^th street. He was asked me if I already accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour and I answered, “Is it needed?” He explained and accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. After conversion, I experienced very slight persecution. My parents were aware of spiritual matters because we were Protestants but that time they questioned my conversion and frequent goings in the church. Without my knowledge, our neighbor brainwashed my parents. They told negative things about Christian churches and this church; one of those things is my salary, she said that my money would only spend in the church and before it would be too late I should quit attending. One thing hurt me when our neighbor asked my father to bring me to Baguio City to have a good earning job and I refused. My dad heard it and he was really mad; that was the first time I saw his face like that. He cussed me and I was really crying hard. I knew and understand our situation; we were very poor. That time at the age of 16 I was working in a pawnshop. He talked to me like this:

Father: Why you refused?

Me: I want to serve God

Father: You can serve God anywhere

Me: Yes, but this time God spoke to me through His word and He wants me to stay here in Olongapo

Father: (He said bad words) From now on, after work don’t go anywhere, go straightly back home and don’t expect us to prepare food for you.

Me: (just crying and say nothing).

I really miss the feeling that you speak boldly for God against people questioning your conversion and changes. These experiences are nothing to be compared to the persecutions the early Christians experienced.

A stand-your-ground law (sometimes called "line in the sand" or "no duty to retreat" law) establishes a right by which a person may defend one's self or others (right of self-defense) against threats or perceived threats, even to the point of applying lethal force, regardless of whether safely retreating from the the situation might have been possible. Such a law typically states that an an individual has no duty to retreat from any place where they have a lawful right to be, and that they may use any level of force if they reasonably believe the threat rises to the level of being an imminent and immediate threat of serious bodily harm and/or death.

These words I heard from a newscaster anchor that she mentioned these words upon receiving an award for being firm in giving good news to people on television. Stand your ground based on the truth. These words caught my attention in our spiritual life.

There is a book that mentioned the history of how James, one of the disciples, died (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/stand-your-ground-david-elvery-sermon-on-endurance-). Several years after Jesus died, King Herod Agrippa decided to stop the spread of Christianity by striking its leaders. He had James arrested and sentenced to death based on one man’s testimony. However, when this accuser saw James’ extraordinary courage and steadfast joy, even when condemned to die, the man was deeply touched in his heart. There on the spot, the accuser made a decision for Christ. He boldly cried out, "I want to follow Jesus also. I am a Christian."

The soldiers led James to be executed. Along the way, his accuser stopped the apostle and fell down at his feet. "I am so sorry for what I have done," he cried. "The blood of an innocent man is on my hands. Please, please, before you die, please forgive me." Let’s read Acts 12: 1-6 which mentioned how James’ death and why and how Peter was imprisoned.

These were just a few of the tragic things happened to early Christians. Maybe we think that persecution was incredible in the life of early Christians but in our present time, we don’t see the danger because we’re here in the city. How about in Mindanao?   Brother MT is an evangelist in the Philippines. He travels regularly into the mountains to preach to the terrorist groups. Peter, his eight-year-old nephew, frequently went with Brother MT on his evangelistic trips. He was a special help to him in children’s meetings in the mountain villages.

One day he received a message, "We have your nephew," said the handwritten note. "If you surrender to us, we will return the boy to his parents." Brother MT stared at the message. It was from the leaders of the New People’s Army (NPA), the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines. People in many parts of the Philippines have been threatened and persecuted for years by this group of terrorists.

Because of pressure from the NPA, Brother MT was often forced into hiding. Still, as a result of his ministry, some of the NPA soldiers had given their lives to Jesus Christ and left the organization. MT had counted the cost and was prepared to give his life for the Gospel, but he was not prepared for this! He knew there was no hope that his surrender would save his nephew. He knew they would both be killed; still, he hesitated.

The boy’s parents insisted that MT ignore this order and continue his evangelistic outreach. As a result, the parents gave their son for the Gospel. Peter was killed on Good Friday, April 17, 1992. He was tortured for three hours and suffered very much. His hands were tied with wire, and the terrorists struck him in the legs and head with an ax. Finally, he was beheaded.

The abductors have warned the boy’s parents and MT that if they do not stop their ministry, they will return and torture them. Brother MT is continuing his dangerous work in the mountains among the terrorist groups(https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/stand-your-ground-david-elvery-sermon-on-endurance-).

Persecution and challenges to Christian people are not a thing of ancient history. It still happens in our time and Christians everywhere are being asked to stand their ground against those who want you to give up your faith. And today’s question for all of us, “Will you stand your ground?”

LESSON POINTS:

1)  STAND YOUR GROUND BECAUSE WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN IS WORTH IT (HEBREWS 10: 32-34)

-       Have you known a person still happy if his property is confiscated?  In Hebrews 10: 32-34

³³ Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

³⁴ For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

You know that these things are temporal; knowing you have a better substance in heaven. You see having your salvation is far greater than everything on this earth.

-       In vs 32-34, the writer to the Hebrews starts to remind them of their past. They had just become Christians and were so convinced about the truth of their faith and so thankful to their new found Saviour that they stood their ground. They were suffering, yes, but they stood their ground. Against insult, against, persecution, against imprisonment, confiscation of property. They were associated with others who were persecuted and so were tarred with the same brush. Some even died. They still stood their ground – why? Because they knew that what they had – forgiveness and Salvation - were so much better than anything this world could offer. It would outshine and outlast anything they could achieve themselves. Their suffering and pain were worth it considering what awaited them.

(Insert the experience of John Bunyan, the Baptist martyr who laid down his life for preaching God’s Word)

2)  STAND YOUR GROUND BECAUSE YOUR REWARD IS SO NEAR (HEBREWS 10:35)

-       The second reason why the writer to the Hebrews says to stand your ground is that God’s reward is close at hand. Vs 35 says...

Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry.

We do have a reward that awaits us, a reward for those who have been faithful.

 James 1:12 says that “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

When we are promised that God will come again soon and deliver us from all our trials and pain. Our reward is not long coming – Will you stand firm like so many others in this world?

-       (insert the story of Haim’s Family, a Christian family, living in a communist country in 1970 -  Die for Us)

3)  STAND YOUR GROUND BECAUSE IF YOU DRAW BACK, GOD WILL BE DISPLEASED (HEBREWS 10:38)

-       “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

-       Insert the story of a mother and her daughter, Siao-Kei 5 years old, Mainland China - During the Red Guard Era, 1966-69 – Mother was forced to deny Christ for her daughter’s safety.

CONCLUSION:

I remember when I was in College, my classmate asked me to go somewhere with her to buy something. This time, I said yes because there were so many times I refused for those invitations she asked me to go with. After we bought something, again she asked me to go with her to pray in Columban church before we go home. For you all to know my childhood, elementary, high school and college life had so many struggles in gaining friends maybe because I learned to be alone and independent. Before I was not approachable but when they talked to me I tried everything to please them to have friends that’s why I also was so quiet regards to faith and doctrine. So when this classmate asked to me pray in a church with a different faith, I didn’t know what to do; I took a deep breath and said, “Friend sorry, I’m not Catholic. Our prayers are different.” She replied, “From the start, I didn’t notice you are not Catholic. I don’t know.”  I said, “Yes, but now I tell you I’m not. Still friends?” She said yes but I noticed she distanced herself from me. You know what why she said she didn’t know I was not a Catholic? It’s because I kept silent about my faith and I did not respond to spiritual matters. There are simple things we can stand on our ground. We don’t have that incredible experiences but in simple things, we can stand on our ground. Could you stand your ground if your boss asks you to carry the idols for company picture taking?  Could you stand if the breadwinner of the family asks you to do something against your faith?

There is a lesson we could learn from this story:

Archibald Naismith tells us that at the Battle of Waterloo when the fight became its worst, an officer galloped up to the Commander, the Duke of Wellington and said, "my Captain says we are being destroyed, we need reinforcements quickly." The Duke said simply, "tell him to stand." The officer galloped back to relay the message to his Captain.

Shortly the same messenger galloped back with the same message. Again, Wellington said simply, "tell him to stand."

Very soon another officer the same with the same request. Wellington’s response was this, "I have no help to send you, tell him to stand." The officer saluted and replied, "you will find us there sir."

When the battle was fought and won the Duke found each of those men at his post. All dead, but they stood. They had laid down their lives for the victory.

Bible says in Ephesians 6:10-11(KJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

One lesson we could see in this lesson is although we know that we have the armour, God’s Word, the weapon to fight in the battle, we still need to stand your ground and use your weapon.  The emphasis is not on the armour, but on standing. The armour is simply a tool that we are to use to carry out God’s command, "STAND."

(https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/stand-your-ground-david-elvery-sermon-on-endurance-