CHRISTIAN DRAMA: "MULING NASUMPUNGAN"

 

MULING NASUMPUNGAN

By krisha412

February, 2024

 

OPENING SCENE: (dark scene)

(Background: Tumatakbo si Lance dahil may humahabol sa kanyang mga gangster na papatay sa kanya ngunit siya ay nakorner)

 

LANCE: (sisigaw) HUWAG NIYO AKONG PATAYIN!!!… huwag kayong mag-aalala mababayaran ko kayo basta huwag lang biglaan! Maawa kayo! Pakiusap! Huwag! Huwaggggg!!

 

(voice background)

LANCE:

Ako si Lance. Hindi ganitong buhay ang kinagisnan ko. Dati kong nakukuha ang mga bagay na nais ko. Ang katotohanan ay hindi ako naging mapagpasalamat at hindi nabibigyan ng halaga ang mga bagay na mayroon ako. Dahil dito, nasaktan ko ang mga taong tunay na nagmamahal sa akin, at higit sa lahat ANG AKING AMA. Nagising na lang ako na sa magulong buhay na ako mismo ang pumili. Gusto kong magkaroon ng pagkakataon na ayusin ang buhay ko. Iniisip ko kung kaya pa ba akong mapatawad ng aking ama sa hirap at pasakit na dulot ko sa aming pamilya? Ang mga maling desisyon sa buhay at mga kasalanan ang nagdala sa akin para mapagkumbaba at lumuhod. Panalangin ko na hindi pa huli ang lahat!

 

 

SCENE 1: (farm background)

(Lahat ng tao ay busy sa pagsasalansan ng produkto ng biglang dumating si Lance)

 

LUIS: Saan ka galing?

LANCE: Diyan lang…

LUIS: Hindi mo ba alam na busy tayo ngayon, may malaking company na aangkat ng produkto natin?

LANCE: oo nga eh… wala eh… hindi ko na kinaya eh… Kagigising ko lang…

LUIS: Ang yabang nito… pumunta ka pa dito… Hindi ka pa ata umuwi kagabi..  Bakit ngayon ko lang?

LANCE: Hindi ko masasagot tanong mo… Hindi mo ba ako nakita andito na ako!!

LUIS: wala ka ng galang ahh… sagutin mo ako!

LANCE: (lalapit sa tenga kapatid ang mang-aasar) KUYA.. wala ka ng pakialam kung saan ako galing.. inggit ka lang!

LUIS: (Hahawakan ang damit) Huwag mo akong gaganyanin… aalisin kita dito sa produksiyon, tingnan ko lang kung may makukuha ka pang pera sa pinaggagawa mo…

(Biglang darating ang tatay)

 

TATAY: Ano yan!

LUIS: Itong si Lance Tay… kararating lang (bibitiwan si Lance)… alam naman niyang marami tayong dapat gawin itong linggong na to… lagi pang wala o kaya late naman…

TATAY: (babaling kay Lance) Ano ba ang nangyayari saiyo? Kailangan ng kuya mo ang tulong mo…

LANCE: Patawad.. Hindi ko alam Tay kung anong nagyayari sa akin… hindi ko nga alam ang gusto kong mangyari eh… Masakit din ang ulo ko ngayon… (sasabat si Luis)

LUIS: Eh kasi late ka na matulog (Hahawakan ng tatay si Luis sa balikat)

TATAY: Eh sige… umuwi ka muna… ako na tutulong sa kuya mo! (aalis si Lance )

LUIS: Tay, pinagbigyan nyo naman si Lance eh kaya nagkakaganyan eh…

TATAY: Anak iba ang kapatid mo, iba ang ugali… hanggat pinipigilan mo lalong nagpupumiglas… intindihin muna natin…

LUIS: Tay, andami na niyang ginagawa na hindi maganda at labag sa kalooban ninyo… naaawa lang din ako sainyo.

TATAY: Salamat anak … habaan pa natin ang pasensiya natin… Mahal mo pa naman ang kapatid mo di ba?

LUIS: OO naman Tay!

TATAY: (aakbayan ang anak).. Salamat… papasaan ba at maiintindihan niya rin kung anong landas ang gusto niyang tahakin…Salamat at andiyan ka… (tatango lang si Luis)

 

SCENE 2: (house background)

(Nakaupo at tinitingnan ni Lance ang old pictures ng family ng biglang darating ang tatay )

 

TATAY: Oh, nandito ka pa, gabi na ahh (magmamano si Lance)… ano yang tinitingnan mo?

LANCE: Lumang pictures natin… ang saya namin ni kuya dati… lagi kaming magkasama at naglalaro… walang iniisip na ibang bagay… (biglang tatayo)

Tay, mabuti pa si kuya wala kayong problema… napaka perfect niya… magaling siya sa lahat ng bagay lalo na pamamalakad ng mga manggagawa natin… Samantalang ako… (tatayo ang tatay at sasabat)

TATAY: Anak, walang perpektong tao… at lahat tayo ay iba-iba… Mahal na mahal ka ng kuya mo… huwag mong ikumpara ang sarili mo sa kuya mo dahil iba ka.. may sarili kang kakayahan…

LANCE: Ano naman kaya yong kakayahan na meron ako?

TATAY: Ipanalangin mo anak at makikita mo rin ang nais mo…

LANCE: Meron akong plano Tay…

TATAY: Ano yon?

LANCE: Tay, huwag kayong magagalit ha… (tatango ang tatay) naisip ko kasi kunin ko na aking mana kahit maaga pa para dito…

TATAY: Ha? Bakit naman?

LANCE: Hahanapin ko ang buhay para sa akin… Aalis ako… Hindi na ako masaya dito eh…gusto kong makita ang buhay labas ng lugar na ito- ng bayan na ito..

TATAY: Anak, nag-aalala ako para saiyo…

LANCE: Tay… mula bata ako andito na ako… gusto ko naman makita ang ibang bagay at baka dito ko masumpungan ang tamang landas para sa akin…

TATAY: Ipina-nalangin mo ba ito?

LANCE: Normal naman na yon Tay!

TATAY: Hindi ka na ba mapipigilan?

LANCE: Tay, subukan ko ito… ito na ang pasya ko!

TATAY: Mag-alala man ako, tingin ko wala na akong magagawa sa desisyon mo…

LANCE: Siyanga pala Tay, paano yon, hindi naman agad-agad maipagbibili ang mga ari-arian na para sa akin?

TATAY: Oo nga, kuha na lang sa bangko… Kailangan ko palang kausapin yong manager ng bangko para sa pagwithdraw ng malaking pera…

LANCE: Salamat TAY!

TATAY: Mag-ingat ka anak! Andito lang ako!

 

 

 

 

SCENE 3: (resto bar at casino)

(Nakaupo ang mga nakilalang kaibigan ni Lance sa isang resto bar at biglang darating si Lance)

 

MGA KAIBIGAN: (sabay-sabay na magsisigaw) Wow pare!

TYLER: Welcome sa panibagong buhay mo! Dala mo kotse mo…

LANCE: Oo naman.. bakit dito meeting place natin?

TYLER: Oh, Rex, bakit daw nandito tayo? Sagutin mo!

REX: Siyempre we need to celebrate your freedom! Tama mga pare? (Sisigaw ang mga kaibigan)

TYLER: Ayaw mo ba?

LANCE: Hindi… Gusto ko nga eh… sige libre ko to!

REX: Yon yon eh… yan ang hinihintay ko! Siyempre hindi mawawala ang MALAMIG na inumin diyan

TYLER: Huwag ninyo lalasingin si Lance kasi maglalaro pa kami…

LANCE: Hindi ako marunong ata niyan…

TYLER: Tuturuan kita… napakadali…

REX: You’re in good hands.  Huwag kang mag-aalala... si Tyler premium player yan…

TYLER: May ipapakilala ako saiyo! (lalapit ang babae) I would like you to meet my beautiful friend, RIZA… Riza si Lance… (kakamayan ni Lance si Riza)

REX: Sabi ko sayo magiging masaya ka sa amin compare sa boring mong buhay sa probinsiya. For a change I date mo rin itong si Riza after nyo maglaro mamaya… Payag ba kayo mga pare?

MGA KAIBIGAN: OO naman!

 

SCENE 4: (house background)

(Nakaupo ang tatay at may tinitingnan na larawan)

 

LUIS: Tay, Tay! May maganda akong balita!... Tay, na close na yong bagong deal! Malaking production ito!

TATAY: Salamat anak. Salamat sa Panginoon!

LUIS: Teka, kumain na ba kayo?

TATAY: Hindi pa nga..

 LUIS: Sige Tay. Sabay na tayo… (biglang may nalaglag sa kamay ng Tatay at pinulot ni Luis) Tinitingnan nyo na naman ang larawan ni Luis…

TATAY: Naalala ko lang ang kapatid mo… ilang buwan na ang nakalipas at wala pa tayong balita sa kapatid mo!

LUIS: Oo nga Tay… siyanga pala patawarin ninyo ako ha…

TATAY: Para saan?

LUIS: Kasi nagalit ako sainyo nong binigay ninyo ang mana ni Luis na hindi pa dapat… at isa pa nag-away kami bago siya umalis na maaring naging dahilan niya para gumawa ng malaking desisyon na umalis dito sa lugar natin…

TATAY: Naintindihan ko naman anak!... Ipanalangin na lang natin na maging maayos siya at Makita niya ang daan pabalik sa atin…

LUIS: Oo tay..  Halika, kain na tayo!

 

SCENE 5: (hangout ng mga barkada)

(Nagkakasayahan ang mga barkada ng biglang dumating si Lance sa lugar)

 

LANCE: Tyler tulungan mo ako. Nagkaroon ako ng kompormeso sa grupo nila Manuel!

TYLER: Hindi mo pa ba nababayaraan yong inutang mo sa kanya?

LANCE: Malaki yon… hindi ko kaya!

TYLER: Akala ko nakahingi ka ng tulong sa tatay mo…

LANCE: Wala na akong mukhang ihaharap sa kanila… tulungan mo ako, pakiusap!

TYLER: Hindi kita matutulungan!

LANCE: Akala ko tutulungan mo ako!

TYLER: Iba na to… mag-isa mong harapin ang problema mo

LANCE: Tulungan ninyo ako… papatayin ako ng grupo na yon!

TYLER: Yon nga eh… Eskapo na kami…

LANCE: Akala ko ba walang iwanan.. kaibigan for life!

TYLER: ayaw pa naming mamatay.. tara mga pre!

LANCE: Huwag ninyo akong iwan! Tulungan ninyo ako! (Palakad-lakad si Lance at hindi alam ang gagawin nang bigla siyang may marinig na pagdating ng sasakyan. Hindi na nakaiwas si Lance nang pumasok sa hangout si Manuel at ang kanyang mga kasama)

LANCE: Ikaw pala Manuel

MANUEL: Andito ka lang pala… kumusta na ang usapan natin.. Saan yong pambayad mo?

LANCE: Wala pa eh…

MANUEL: Noong nagsusugal ka at nawalan ka ng pera, tinulungan ka namin tapos ngayon parang tatakasan mo kami ha…

LANCE: Sir hindi… nag-iisip lang kasi ako kung paano… akala ko kasi makakabawi ako eh.. at tutulungan ako ng mga kaibigan ko… ngayon hindi pala, iniwan na nila ako…

MANUEL: (lalapit kay Lance at ipapakita ang baril).. Wala akong paki doon basta ibalik mo ang perang hiniram mo… bibigyan ka namin ng isang linggo! Pag hindi mo naibigay ibabaon ka namin sa lupa…

LANCE: Huwag naman!

MANUEL: Kahit saan ka magtago mahahanap ka namin! Nainintindihan mo? (hindi sasagot si Lance at uumbagin siya ni Manuel) Naintindihan mo? Sagot!

LANCE: Oo

(Nang maiwan si Lance, malungkot siyang naglakad-lakad at may nakitang karatula sa isang lugar na nakasulat “WE ARE HIRING. FARM WORKERS” )

 

SCENE 6: (farm background)

(Naglilinis ng kulungan ng hayop si Lance)

 

LANCE: (hinahawakan ang kanyang tiyan) Ang sakit ng tiyan ko.. gutom na ako… (naghanap ng puwedeng makain si Lance at nakita niya ang balde na may pinagbalatan ng mga prutas na ipapakain niya sana sa mga hayop na alaga niya)

(Bigla siyang natigilan at nag-isip)

(iiyak)…. Bakit ganito?... Bakit mali ang napili kong landas? Akala ko tama. Ngayon ko lang nakita na ang sarap pala ng buhay ko dati, yong dati kong buhay na malapit sa aking tatay…Mas masaya pala na kapiling ang iyong ama…  Ano itong kinakain ko? Sa bahay namin, ang mga alila ay labis-labis ang pagkain samantalang ako, ito ang kinakain ko…  Mas mainam pa na maging alipin na lang ako sa aming tahanan. Tama! Hihingi ako ng tawad sa aking ama at gawin na lamang niya akong alipin!

(Si Lance ay tumakbong pababa ng stage…. Music background. then lalabas sa stage ang ama o tatay na nakatingin sa malayo at biglang natigilan sa mapapansin sa malayo)

TATAY: (Ilalagay ang kamay sa taas ng mata at nakatingin sa malayo) Lance! (pasigaw) Si Lance yon! Anak… Anak (tatakbo pababa at masasalubong ang anak at yayakapin) Salamat anak at nagbalik ka!

LANCE: Tay, nagkasala ako sa Diyos at sainyo. Hindi nap o ako karapat-dapat na tawagin ninyong anak. Gawin na lamang ninyo akong alila. Pero mayroon akong naging problema Tay, may Malaki akong pagkakautang… babayaran ko yon ng aking pagtatrabaho sainyo bilang alipin…

TATAY: Huwag kang mag-aalala anak… tutulungan kita… Teka tawagin ko lang ang mga kasama natin ditto sa bahay…Sally, Lito halika kayo dito… Kumuha kayo ng magarang damit, sandalyas at singsing, at ipasuot natin sa anak ko… sabihin ninyo rin sa ibang kasamahan natin na magkaroon tayo ng pagdiriwang; katayin ninyo ang matabang guya para tayo’y kumain at magdiwang. Sapagkat ang anak kong ito’y namatay na, ngunit siya’y nabuhay; nawala ngunit muling nasumpungan.

LANCE: Tay, maraming salamat (niyakap ang ama)

 

SCENE 7: (Eldest son and Father Encounter)

(Dumating ang panganay mula sa bukid at nalaman niya na may pagdririwang dahil sa bunsong kapatid)

 

TATAY: Anak, bakit hindi ka pumasok sa loob ng bahay?

LUIS: Tay, nagagalit po ako sainyo…

TATAY: Anak, pakiusap palawakin mo ang iyong pang-unawa. Sana intindihin mo aking damdamin bilang ama…

LUIS: Bakit Tay, Naintindihan nyo rin ba ng aking damdamin?

TATAY: Naiintindihan kita anak… mahal kita at mahal ko rin ang iyong kapatid…

LUIS: Hindi nyo ako naiintindihan! (Pasigaw na may iyak)… Alam ninyo Tay…Pinaglingkuran ko kayo sa loob ng maraming taon at kailanma’y hindi ko kayo sinuway (iiyak)… Ngunit ni minsan… ngunit ni minsan hindi ninyo ako binigyan ng kahit isang maliit na kambing para magkasayahan kami ng aking mga kaibigan…(pause at iiyak)… Pero nang dumating itong si Lance, na aking kapatid, na siyang naglustay ng iyong kayamanan sa masasamang babae at bisyo at pinapatay nyo pa ng matabang guya at nagkaroon pa ng pagdiriwang… Samantalang ako wala! (iiyak)

TATAY: Anak lagi kitang kasama at ang lahat ng aking ari-arian ay sayo. Hindi na mababago yon… Tama lamang na tayo ay magdiwang at magsaya sapagkat namatay na ang kapatid mo, ngunit nabuhay, nawala ngunit muling nasumpungan. Huwag mong kakalimutan anak… MAHAL KITA… mahal ko rin ang kapatid mo! Naiintindihan mo ba anak?  (Tatango si Luis at yayakap sa tatay nang biglang dumating si Lance)

LUIS: Mahal ko din kayo Tay… salamat sa pang-unawa!

LANCE: Kuya! Andito na ako… nagkamali ako kuya… babawi ako saiyo… sana mapatawad mo pa ako… (lalapit si Lance sa kuya) … kuya!

LUIS: Kung ang Diyos nagpapatawad sa lahat ng ating pagkakasala. Ako pa kaya… (yayakapin si Lance) - namiss kita! Huwag ka ng aalis! (Tatango si Lance)

 

NARRATOR:

Sa ating buhay, mahirap nating tanggapin na tayo’y nagkamali; mahirap ding tanggapin na tayo ay nagkasala. Si Jesus habang nakapako sa krus ay kanyang nasambit, “Ama, patawarin mo sila sapagkat hindi nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa.” Kaya kahit anuman ang ating ginawa o nagawa, mapapatwad tayo ng Diyos. Tayo’y pinagpala dahil mayroon tayong mahabaging Ama na handang magpatawad sa ating mga kasalanan. Binigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak upang mamatay sa Krus para tubusin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan. Dahil sa kanyang ginawa sa krus, maaari na ang tao ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Kailangan lang na aminin natin na tayo ay nagkasala, humingi ng tawad sa ating pagkakasala at tanggapin na si Jesus ang tagapagligtas lamang.

 

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

 

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

(CHRISTIAN LIVING)

LESSON #1

LESSON THEME: church

INTRODUCTION:

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THE FAMILY IS FACING?

(Choose from the pictures and share something about you’ve chosen)

From the pictures we’ve shared, we can see that the family has many problems to face. Whether we like it or not, there are situations we face which we feel that these are too hard to handle. Before we proceed, let me ask, who created the family? In Genesis 2:24, God created the family. Before, the relationship of the family and God were intact or close but we know that sin entered in the family and we know the story of Adam and Eve how they were tricked by the enemy. Eve was tricked by Satan in a form of a serpent. Then when they were got out from the Garden of Eden, and built a family, another problem arose. Cain killed his brother Abel. Because of envy, he did this horrible crime. Family is in danger. Let’s take a look in Ephesians 6:12,

 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

TAGALOG: Sapagkat hindi tayo nakikipaglaban sa mga tao, kundi sa mga pinuno, sa mga maykapangyarihan, sa mga tagapamahala ng kadilimang umiiral sa sanlibutang ito, sa mga hukbong espirituwal ng kasamaan sa himpapawid.

 

It says, we don’t fight against flesh and blood. We see in God’s creation how Satan wants to destroy the family. He moves in a way we don’t notice. The enemy wants to destroy relationship and he doesn’t want to fix the relationship therefore the family is at war. The enemy doesn’t want the families to be reconciled with God. Can we fight the enemy with our own strength? The battle is not physical; it’s spiritual therefore can we do it by ourselves? Can the family do it by themselves? No, we need a powerful God to fight with us.

 

What community agency where we can go to help us spiritually? (Give examples of community places: hospital, barangay, city hall, malls, and others) These examples can’t answer or help us. Bible says in Matthew 16:18

 

At sinasabi ko sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesya at ang kapangyarihan ng kamatayan ay hindi magtatagumpay laban sa kanya.

 

Only church has the power to help us in spiritual matters. How important church in our lives? Why Go to Church?

 

BIBLE LESSON POINTS:

 

1.  GO TO CHURCH SO YOU WON’T BE HARDENED BY SIN

Bible says in Hebrew 3:12-13,

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Human hearts ay deceitful and not stable and if you don’t guard your heart, we will be in danger. We always see this saying posted in Facebook, “It’s better not go to church than go to church without life changed.” We must always remember that people are not perfect and church goers are not exempted on this. What we can say about this on Fb? If a bad person goes to church, there’s possibility that the Word of God would strike his heart and be convicted rather than not going to church.

 

How about in families, do we hear members of the family get involve in fighting, killings and other bad situations? If we just watch news, yes they are many families get involved in killing their own families. We should not let hatred grows in our hearts and then suddenly hurt our families.

 

2.  GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE GOD TELLS YOU TO

The bible itself tells us that we should not forget the assembling of ourselves together. Hebrews 10:25 says,

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What’s the day of our gathering in the church? Since from the New Testament, God gave the day of assembly of Christians in the first day of the week.

 

ACTS 20:7 - And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

1 CORINTO 16:2 - Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

God Himself commanded us that going to church is a command that we should obey. If we neglect this, we disobey God’s command. God won’t command us if this is least important. Going to church is vital in our lives.

 

3.  BECAUSE YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND YOU NEED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS AS WELL

Part of the assembly in the church is to encourage one another. Bible says in Hebrews 10:25,

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Whether we accept it or not, we’re not created by God to be alone; we need others. Have you come to the point of your life that you can’t find someone to tell your problems or just listen to you? That’s the hard thing, that’s one of the reasons why some get depressed and become hopeless. This verse was written not just to be read but need to be applied in our lives. This is part of the commandment – exhorting one another.

 

4.  GO TO CHURCH TO HEAR GOD’S POWERFUL WORD PREACHED

 

Only God’s Word has the power to enter in the depth of our hearts. It converses to our souls and most importantly, this is the food of our souls. This is the manual of life; it helps us how to live on this world.

Bible says in Hebrews 4:12,

 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

Other people say “Bible is hard to be read understand.” The first thing we should remember, we should not understand the Bible and penetrate in our hearts unless God the Holy Spirit will guide you and that’s why we need to pray before we proceed reading.

Bible says in James 1:5,

 

Ngunit kung ang sinuman sa inyo ay kulang sa karunungan, humingi siya sa Diyos at siya'y bibigyan, sapagkat ang Diyos ay nagbibigay nang sagana at hindi nanunumbat.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 

5.  BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE USED BY GOD

We cannot be used by God alone; we need support from the church. For example, God gave you the talent of singing. You can’t sing by yourself alone and no one hears you. If you do it, it’s not productive. You need the church. If the members listen to your song, they will be blessed and thank God for that. Let’s remember you sing for the Lord and God wants others to be blessed through you. Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:5,11

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

 

6.  GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE YOU ARE PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

The church is likened to the Body of Christ. Christ is the Head and every member is part of the body. It’s possible that you are the foot, others might be the nails part, others are eyes, others are arms and many more. Though we are different parts, we are in the same BODY and every one of us are important. Therefore, each one needs to fulfill his purpose in the church. If you are expert in cooking, do it for the ministry and if you have the gift of teaching, use it in the ministry to fulfill your purpose in the church. Romans 12:5 says,

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

7.  GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY TO GET INVOLVED TOO

Does everyone know what is right from wrong? Can you discern what is good decision and bad decision? (Give examples from the Bible: David, Solomon, Rehoboam and others)

 

Others have attained highest degree, others have higher positions and others are wealthy but still they failed to recognize and do what is right from wrong.

 

The fact of the matter is no one knows what’s good; only GOD. Even we already adults, still we need GOD. He knows what’s best for us. Therefore, our family needs guidance: our children. Bible says in Proverbs 22:6

 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

Bring your family, your children in the Lord. The world is strong to drag our families to love the world. The world is worldly and has the great power to influence our families and we can’t do it alone. We need GOD. We need the CHURCH.

 

8.  GO TO CHURCH TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Whether we like it or not, God wants us to love one another. Bible says in Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR FOR:

a)    TO SHOW GOD’S LOVE – to show God’s love to people and God uses Christians to fulfill this.

-      Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

-      John 13:35 - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

b)    TO BEAR ONE’S BURDENS – Whether we like it or not, there’s a command by God that we should help and bear one another’s burden especially in the family of faith. Bible says,

 

-      Galatians 6:2 – Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

 

We don’t know what our brethren face in their lives that’s why we should learn to show care and pray for the brethren.

 

c)    TO CELEBRATE BAPTISM AND TO FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION – The great commission is written in Matthew 28:19-20. Let’s read.

 

-      Matthew 28:19-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We can see that being a follower of God, BAPTISM and TEACHING are important in able for people to follow GOD. This is the greatest purpose of Christians on earth.

APPLICATION:

Attending Church gathering is a sign of being a genuine Christian (Matthew 7:20). God has given us six (6) days to work and only one day for Him. It would be more than enough if you take one day for God.

God built the church to help us fulfill our needs spiritually. Therefore, we need to bring or involve our families in the church. Doing this, we make them get nearer to God and they’ll be led on how to live life with purpose on this earth. Neglecting this, we just let them live life in danger.

THROUGHOUT ALL THEIR JOURNEYS

 

THROUGHOUT ALL THEIR JOURNEYS

picture taken from Google

Bible lesson for January, 2024

 

BIBLE PASSAGE: EXODUS 40:1-38

LESSON VERSE:

For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys (EXODUS 40:38)

 

INTRODUCTION:

I remember the first time I travel after the restrictions because of the pandemic. There were so many things need to prepare. You need to be vaccinated, travel health insurance was required and other documents need to fill out. With these needed, we need to follow because we want our trip or journey to be smooth and with no hassles. Every time I travel especially by plane and international, I have worries about safety that’s why my prayers are non-stop. No one would wish that their travel was tragic or awful.

 

How about our journey in this life? We wanted it to be smooth, prepared and guided but the question is – are we expert in the journey of life? Do we already know what is the right way for us to go?  Whether we accept it or not, we need SOMEONE Who is an expert of life to guide us and that’s the LORD GOD.  In our lesson today, let’s see what are the things we need to consider in this journey of life.

 

BIBLE POINTS:

1.   BEING OBEDIENT IS IMPORTANT (Exodus 40:1-33)

When Jesus went back to heaven, God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us and guide us in this life (John 14:16-18, 26). The bible is given as our manual of life. It’s a complete guide for us on how to live life on this earth.

 

Before the Israelites was sent on a journey, there were things they need to prepare. Start from verse 1 to 33, we can read that God had commandments that needed to follow or do. On the first day of the month, they needed to set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, they shall put the ark of the testimony and cover the ark with the vail, they needed to set up the table with important things on it and other things they needed to do. These things are part of their journey, they needed to do this as part of their obedience unto the Lord. Another thing, preparing yourself in worship is very important. In our journey, we need to include God and part of it is, preparing our hearts to worship.  

 

 

2.   THE GLORY OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM (EXODUS 40: 34-38)

God’s glory fills the tabernacle. In here obviously, God was pleased with the obedience of Israel. This proved that they really did believe Him and love Him

 

Without the glory, it was just a fancy tent. The same could be said of a church, of a home, or of the human tent.

 

In verse 36-37 we can see how God guided them through the clouds,

And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

How amazing that God was there for them in their journey. It’s been a comfort to have someone with you in a journey and personally I know how hard the travel was on being alone. Knowing God is with you in this journey of life is a big comfort. Guide you when to stop and proceed.

 

3.   THE CONFIDENCE OF BEING SAFE ALL THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY (EXODUS 40:38)

 

For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

God’s glory abides with Israel in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. This is a beautiful evidence that God did answer Moses’ prayer in Exodus 33:14, God’s presence was with Israel.

The book of Exodus ends with great hope and trust in God. Though Israel was in the middle of desolate dessert, had fierce enemies in the Promised Land, and was weak and liable to sin, God WAS WITH THEM. THROUGHOUT THEIR TRAVELS, THEY KNEW GOD WAS WITH THEM.

https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-40/

 

CONCLUSION:

Life on earth is short and uncertain. We are created by God and because of that, we need our Creator to guide us. He knows perfectly how to live life because He created it.

There are life situations happen in our life that don’t go according to our plan. We have no control of things and everything we have is limited and even our strength so it’s better in life to be led by SOMEONE who has the control of things. LEAN ON HIM AND TRUST HIM!