THE KEY TO HILARIOUS GIVING IN WORSHIP
A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW STUDY OF THE BOOK OF MALACHI
WHAT G0D EXPECT OF HIS PEOPLE. – Malachi1 11. From the rising of the sun even unto to the going down my name shall be great among the Gentiles: and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts,
1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father where is mine honour? and if I be a master where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you O priests that despise my name
2: The duty of the priests: “ For the priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts (2:7).
3. The contemptible acts of the priests and nobles against God.
Despised the name of God.
Offer polluted bread upon the altar – blind sacrifice, lame, and sick
Divorces,
Rob the tithes of the Lord (3:8)
Wearied the LORD with your words
They said “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have mournfully before the LORD of hosts.(3:14)
Call to repentance
2:1-3.
Biblical giving in worship is a matter of the heart. It is not of volume or weights or percentage of what you “give to God.” The prophet Malachi in Malachi 3:8-10 is always used out of context. The expositor errs when if he means to teach prosperity and abundant blessings by the giving of the tithes faithfully and regularly the church or any other religious organizations. What he is appealing to is the selfishness and greed of the people. You give tithes so that God would reward you with so much abundance by “opening the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” ( Mal 3:10b) Compare this word with Habakkuc 3:17-19 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines and the fields shall yield no meat: the flock cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my Salvation. The LORD God is my strength and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk in mine high places.”
Both prophets are faced with the people’s sinfulness. The people offended God by their gross idolatry. Murder, adultery, disregard of the commandments of God angered God. He left them to themselves and the mercies of their enemies. Habakkuk looks up to God with great faith and trust, “Although …” the situations now are not good and favorable, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD...”. On the other hand Malachi centered the anger of God with the infidelity of the priests and the leaders. Even if they were very religious their hearts despised God. The people mirror the character of their priests. The contemptible acts of the priests and nobles against God.
Despised the name of God.
Offer polluted bread upon the altar – blind sacrifice, lame, and sick
Divorces,
Steal the tithes of the Lord (3:8)
Wearied the LORD with your words
They said “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have mournfully before the LORD of hosts.(3:14)
Malachi is calling upon the priests and leaders to repent of these abominable worship. The people who mirror the character and attitude of the priests will just follow suit. They will repent and give their hearts to God. The signs of repentance are giving honor and praise to God in worship; offering only the choicest and best from their produce of the land, flocks, herds, orchards. They acknowledge that all things belong to God. They know that God created all things and for His pleasures have all things created (Rev 4:11). Malachi is calling the priesthood and the leadership to honor God by bringing all their tithes to the storehouse of the LORD that there may be food in the house.” The he will lift the curse so that the blessings will again flow in great abundance, Again “from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD's name shall be praised. And prayers (incense) shall be offered by all and for all to the name of the LORD. There shall be great rejoicing and joy as the people, great and small, worship God together (Phil 4.4, 19).
The key to hilarious giving in worship then is “Give your heart to God for where your heart is there will your treasure be also.”
04/29/10:DSK/DYRB/ith
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
MY FRIEND MALCOLM
Sometime during the second half of the decade in the sixties, the United Presbyterian Church launched a program called Partners in Obedience. The Program paired a minister of the United Presbyterian Church with a dynamic, progress-minded ministers of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. The Program emphasized sharing of experiences in church growth and development. The General Secretary of the UCCP strictly warned and advised the Filipino partners to avoid exploiting the UPC partner financially for personal advantage.
My U.S. partner was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Campaign, in Champaign, Illinois. His wife, Susie and daughters Mindy and Nancy made up his lovely family. I introduced my wife, Apolinaria and my six children, Eunice Lois, Mary Lois, Samuel Jonathan, Virginia Lois,Omar Jonatan,and Leila Lois. We exchanged family pictures and shared our hopes and dreams for each of them. I was already the Conference Moderator (Conference Minister) at the time. The Cotabato Annual Conference was the poorest Conference at that time. The Conference jurisdiction was the largest in the UCCP. The area was divided into North and South Cotabato by the Liguasan Marsh. Transportation to South Cotabato passed through the Liguasan Marsh. Most of the time during the rainy season it was very difficult and impossible to travel by land. One has to travel either by plane from Cotabato to Buayan, General Santos or by ships and coastal launches from Cotabato to Dadiangas, General Santos, a voyage of from three to five days along the sea coast.
Church congregations were far apart along the highways. It was farther apart in the interior. Houses and homes in each church were located on their farmstead. The farmers exist on “hand to mouth” living conditions, Farm to Market roads and trails discouraged farmers from planting for a big harvest. I described the conditions to Rev Malcolm Nygren I explained in our correspondences our program which included seed selection, poultry and swine raising, health and sanitation, literacy education and faith in God. Our pastors had to be the “Jack of all trades and be knowledgeable in some.” We had to assist farmers buy a carabao and farm implements.
We have to help cooperating farmers select hybrid seeds of corn or palay, buy pure breeds of poultry and swine. We had to buy Sunday School Lessons Quarterly. etc.
With subsidies from the Department of Stewardship and Evangelism of the UCCP and small amounts contribution from the Champaign Presbyterian Church we were able to assist deserving farmers earn additional income for their families and churches.
Rev Nygren sent a life size walking doll for our daughters. They named the doll Mindy after his eldest daughter. Through him we receive boxes of children’s dresses and books which we shared with children in need. The Cotabato Annual Conference was able to subsidize cost of farm animals to deserving farmers, improved poultry and swine raising, and increased production of farm products by using hybrid seeds,
I was given an opportunity to have a study scholarship at the Institute for Ecumenical Studies in Geneva, Switzerland in 1967. Dr Nygren remembered to extend financial aid to my family in Midsayap, Cotabato. By end of my study in Geneva, Dr Nygren invited me to visit the USA.in 1968. I was introduced to pastors and churches in Michigan, in Detroit, and Chicago and San Francisco and given a chance to interact with some of them.
When my term as Conference Moderator was over, I was assigned as a home Missionary among the highland tribes of Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao and in cooperation with Brokenshire Memorial Hospital in Davao City trained some members to be “barefoot doctors.” Dr Nygren continued our partnership in obedience to the ministry of our Church.
On September 16, 1970 our youngest son was born. I wrote Dr Malcolm Nygren that we are going to name him Malcolm. He demurred at first but sent a silver cup to his namesake. Mal, I owe you much through your constancy in your obedience in partnership in the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all the glory, p[raise, honor, and thanksgiving.
Before my term as Conference Moderator expired in 1974, I received a plaque of appreciation from the National Treasurer of the UCCP congratulating me for the progress of the Cotabato Annual Conference. It has grown and prospered from the poorest of the 30 Annual Conferences to number 3 in national giving to the General Assembly. I share this honor with my partner and friend, Dr Malcolm Nygren, pastor of the Champaign Presbyterian Church, Champaign, Illinois,U. S. A.
Sometime during the second half of the decade in the sixties, the United Presbyterian Church launched a program called Partners in Obedience. The Program paired a minister of the United Presbyterian Church with a dynamic, progress-minded ministers of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. The Program emphasized sharing of experiences in church growth and development. The General Secretary of the UCCP strictly warned and advised the Filipino partners to avoid exploiting the UPC partner financially for personal advantage.
My U.S. partner was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Campaign, in Champaign, Illinois. His wife, Susie and daughters Mindy and Nancy made up his lovely family. I introduced my wife, Apolinaria and my six children, Eunice Lois, Mary Lois, Samuel Jonathan, Virginia Lois,Omar Jonatan,and Leila Lois. We exchanged family pictures and shared our hopes and dreams for each of them. I was already the Conference Moderator (Conference Minister) at the time. The Cotabato Annual Conference was the poorest Conference at that time. The Conference jurisdiction was the largest in the UCCP. The area was divided into North and South Cotabato by the Liguasan Marsh. Transportation to South Cotabato passed through the Liguasan Marsh. Most of the time during the rainy season it was very difficult and impossible to travel by land. One has to travel either by plane from Cotabato to Buayan, General Santos or by ships and coastal launches from Cotabato to Dadiangas, General Santos, a voyage of from three to five days along the sea coast.
Church congregations were far apart along the highways. It was farther apart in the interior. Houses and homes in each church were located on their farmstead. The farmers exist on “hand to mouth” living conditions, Farm to Market roads and trails discouraged farmers from planting for a big harvest. I described the conditions to Rev Malcolm Nygren I explained in our correspondences our program which included seed selection, poultry and swine raising, health and sanitation, literacy education and faith in God. Our pastors had to be the “Jack of all trades and be knowledgeable in some.” We had to assist farmers buy a carabao and farm implements.
We have to help cooperating farmers select hybrid seeds of corn or palay, buy pure breeds of poultry and swine. We had to buy Sunday School Lessons Quarterly. etc.
With subsidies from the Department of Stewardship and Evangelism of the UCCP and small amounts contribution from the Champaign Presbyterian Church we were able to assist deserving farmers earn additional income for their families and churches.
Rev Nygren sent a life size walking doll for our daughters. They named the doll Mindy after his eldest daughter. Through him we receive boxes of children’s dresses and books which we shared with children in need. The Cotabato Annual Conference was able to subsidize cost of farm animals to deserving farmers, improved poultry and swine raising, and increased production of farm products by using hybrid seeds,
I was given an opportunity to have a study scholarship at the Institute for Ecumenical Studies in Geneva, Switzerland in 1967. Dr Nygren remembered to extend financial aid to my family in Midsayap, Cotabato. By end of my study in Geneva, Dr Nygren invited me to visit the USA.in 1968. I was introduced to pastors and churches in Michigan, in Detroit, and Chicago and San Francisco and given a chance to interact with some of them.
When my term as Conference Moderator was over, I was assigned as a home Missionary among the highland tribes of Cotabato, Bukidnon and Davao and in cooperation with Brokenshire Memorial Hospital in Davao City trained some members to be “barefoot doctors.” Dr Nygren continued our partnership in obedience to the ministry of our Church.
On September 16, 1970 our youngest son was born. I wrote Dr Malcolm Nygren that we are going to name him Malcolm. He demurred at first but sent a silver cup to his namesake. Mal, I owe you much through your constancy in your obedience in partnership in the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all the glory, p[raise, honor, and thanksgiving.
Before my term as Conference Moderator expired in 1974, I received a plaque of appreciation from the National Treasurer of the UCCP congratulating me for the progress of the Cotabato Annual Conference. It has grown and prospered from the poorest of the 30 Annual Conferences to number 3 in national giving to the General Assembly. I share this honor with my partner and friend, Dr Malcolm Nygren, pastor of the Champaign Presbyterian Church, Champaign, Illinois,U. S. A.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
NGANONG GIPANGITA NINYO BUHI DIHA SA MGA PATAY?
Lukas 24:1-7 “Sayo sa pagkaDomingo sa buntag miadto sa lubnganan ang mga babaye dala ang mga pahumot nga ilang giandam. Ug nakita nila nga naligid na ang bato nga giali sa pultahan sa lubnganan. Busa misulod sila apan wala nila hikit-I ang lawas sa GINOONG Jesus. Samtang nagbarog sila didto nga nangalibog mahitungod niini, sa kalit mitungha sa ilang tupad ang duha ka lalaki nga nagsul-ob ug sulaw nga bisti. Nangalisang pag-ayo ang mga babaye ug miduko sila samtang miigon kanila ang ,duha ka lalaki, “nganong gipangita ninyo ang buhi diha sa mga patay? Wala na siya dinhi! Nabanhaw siya! Hinumdomi ang iyang gisulti kaninyo didto sa Galilea: Ang Anak sa Tawo kinahanglan nga itugyan ngadto sa mga kakasasala ug ilansang sa kros ug unya banhawon sa ikatatlong adlaw.”
Daghan ang mga nagabaton sa pagtulon_an nga nagaingopn “Motuo ako kong adunay namatay ug mibalik sa kalibutan aron mopamatuod nga adunay kinabuhi luyo sa kamatayon.” Ang Balaang Kasulatan nagapamatuod nga adunay namatay, gilubong ug sa ikatatlong adlaw nabanhaw ug sa kap-atan ka adlaw misaka sa langit aron mahimo nga GINOO sa mga guinoo ug Hari sa mga hari.” Sa dinhi pa siya sa yuta siya miingon “Kay ako buhi man mabuhi usab kamo” (Juan 14:16) Siya miingon usab “Ako mao ang pagkabahaw ug ang kinabuhi. Ang nagtuo kanako, bisan tuod namatay mabuhi. Ug ang tanan nga buhi ug mitoo kanako dili gayod mamatay” (Juan 11:25-26).
Si San Pablo nagapamatuod sa 1 Corinto 15:3-8 “Gitudlo ko kaninyo ang akong nadawat nga mahinungdanon kaayo ; kini mao nga si Cristo namatay alang sa atong mga sala sumala sa nahisulat sa Kasulatan. Nagpakita siya kang Pedro ug unya ngadto sa 12 ka mga apostoles. Unya sa usa ka higayon nagpakita siya ngadto sa kapin ka 500 sa iyang sa iyang mga sumosunod ug kadaghanan kanila buhi pa. Unya siya nagpakita kay Santiago ug sa tanang apostoles. Sa katapusan nagpakita usab siya kanako… .”
Ang Pinakadakung Maayong Balita , ang pinakamatahom balita mao ang pagkabanhaw sa GINOONG Jesukristo.Sayo kaayo sa kabuntagon sa unang adlaw sa semana miadto sa lubnganan ang mga babaye nga si Maria nga inahan ni Jesus, si Maria nga igsuon ni Lazarus, si Juana ug uban pang kababayen-an nga kauban nila miadto sa lubnganan aron sa paghuman sa pagembalsamar sa lawas ni Jesus. Nangalibog sila kay wala na nila nakita ang patay nga lawas ni Jesus. Mitungha kanila ang duha ka lalaki nga nagsul-ob ug sulaw nga bisti. Ang duha ka lalaki nangutana kanila “Nganong ginapangita man ninyo ang buhi diha sa mga patay? Wala na siya dinhi. Nabanhaw siya!”(Lukas 24:5-6)
Ang gipangita nila ni Maria mao ang patayng lawas ni Jesus. Wala gayod sila magtoo nga nabanhaw si Jesus. Ang mga tinun-an dili usab makatoo nga nabanhaw si Jesus Gibati nila ang dakung kahibulong ug kahadlok ang gipamalita sa mga kababayen-an.
Wala pa sila makasabot nga ang pagkabanhaw sa GINOONG JesuCristo mao ang gahum sa Dios alang sa kaluwsan sa tanang katawhan. Mas masayon tuhoan ug sundon ang patay nga Jesus. Mao kini ang anaa sa hunahuna ni Pedro didto sa pagbag-o sa nawong ni Jesus sa taas nga bungtod sa Moriah diin si Pedro misulti kang Jesus nga buhaton ang tulo nga tolda nga simbahan – kang Moses, kang Elias, ug kang Jesus. Niadtong adlawa wala maghunahuna si Pedro nga si Jesus nga Messiyas mamatay alang sa kaluwasn sa katawhan ug mabanhaw gikan sa kamatayon. Masayon ang pagalagad sa patayng Jesus. Madali awaton ang iyang pagtulon-an. Ang Budha usa ka magtutudlo. Ang iyang mga templo dagku Didto ginadala sa mga Budhista ang ilang mga halad ug sacrificio ug mga pag-ampo.
Ang mga Indian adunay mga dagku nga templo alang sa ilang patayng mga guru.
Mamao usab si Mahomet sa mga Moslem. Si Marcos, Lenin, Stalin, Mossulini, Napoleon. Sila nga tanan mga bantugang tawo sa ilang panahon ug ang ilang
mga lawas karon nangaabog. Si Jesus lamang ang nabanhaw ug nagapadayon nga buhi ug gamhanan.
Ang kalibutan nagapadayon pagpangita sa buhi nga Dios diha sa mga patay samtang ang buhi nga Dios walay undang ang pagtawag kanila nga moduol
Kaniya “Umari kamo kanako kamo nga gikapuyan ug gibug-atan kay papahulayon ko kamo” (Mat 11:28). “Ngari kamo ug maghusay kita. Bisag unsa ka pula ang inyong mga sala, maputi kini kaayo. bisan pa kini dagtom-pula maputi kini sama sa balhibo sa karnero”(Isa1:18).
Ang Buhi nga Cristo magabag-o sa inyong kinabuhi. Kinabuhi nga nabanhaw, kinabuhi nga napuno sa madagayaong panalangin ug bahandi sa Dios.Mga higala ug kaigsuonan ko sa GINOONG Jesus duol na sa GINOONG JesuCristo.
Dawata ang kaluwasan sa inyong kalag. Dawata ug pasalamati Siya sa pagpasaylo sa inyong kasal-anan ug pag-ayo sa inyong mga balatian Biyai ang patay nga ugali ug ang tanang matang sa pagsimba sa mga patay nga dios-dios. Si Jesus nabanhaw ug karon atua sa kiliran sa Makagagahom nga Dios Ug nagapangalipo alang kanato. Si Jesus nabanhaw. Ayaw siya pangitaa diha sa mga patay. Buhi siya! Saulogon nato ang bag-ong kinabuhi nga gasa ni Jesus kanato.
Mag-ampo kita. Amahan namo sa langit mapasalamaton kami sa imong pagbanhaw sa GINOONG Jesus. Daku uyamot ang iyang paghigugma kanamo sapagkaagi nga gihalad niya ang iyang kinabuhi sa pagkamatay sa cros ug sa iyang dugo nga giula alang sa paglinis ug pagkuha sa tanang tunglo sa sala ug kamatayon. Kami karon makatawag kanimo nga among Amahan nga nagahigugma kanamo.Sukad karon ug hangtud sa kahangturan puy-I kami ug gamhi kami sa kanunay. Salamat GINOONG Jesus sa imong pagluwas kanamo ug pag-ayon sa among mga balatian. Puy-I kami ug pun-a sa Balaang Espiritu nga sa kanunay magapalig-on ug magatudlo kanamo sa matarong nga kinabuhi. Amen.
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