CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR

TEXT: 1 Cor. 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I my self should be a cast away.

( Tagalog) Ngunit, hinahampas ko ang aking katawan at aking sinusupil baka sakaling sa anomang paraan, pagkapangaral ko sa iba, ay ako rin ang itakwil.

INTRODUCTION:

Ito po ang magandang challenge sa bagong taon, ang siyasatin, at disiplinahin natin ang ating sarili.

Disciplines implies instruction and correction.

The training that improves molds, strengthen and perfect character. It is the moral education obtained on the enforcement of obedience trough the supervision and control.

“ANO ANG DAPAT NATING DISCIPLINAHIN?

I. WE MUST BE DISCIPLINED IN WATCHING OUR OWN SOUL.

---- Kmusta po ang ating spiritual? Lumalago ba tayo?( 1 Tim.4:16 ) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the Doctrine: continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Note: if I want to preach the gospel, I can only use my own voice: therefore I must train my vocal powers. I can only think with my own brain, and feel with my own heart, and therefore I must educate my intellectual and emotional faculties.

In other words; Tiyakin natin ang ating spiritual na kalagayan, baka kaya hindi tayo makaakay ng iba, ay dahil hindi nakikita sa atin ang magandang halimbawa.

---- Tanungin po natin ang ating sarili.

1. May pagpapahalaga ka ba sa iyong magandang patotoo?

2. Pinagpapatuloy mo ba ang Gawain ng panginoon, kahit nahihirapan ka?

3. Pagpapala ka ba sa iyong iglesia?

( Heb.10:25-26 ) 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.

v.26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin.

v.27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgement a fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

II. WE MUST BE DISCIPLINED IN OUR PRIVATE PRAYER.

---- kadalasan sa sobra nating busy, nakakalimutan nating manalangin.

“PRAYER IS TALKING TO GOD”

“WHY DO WE PRAY?

1. It is God’s command.( Lk 18:1 )

2.To obtain help in times of need. ( Heb.4:16 )

3.To obtain guidance and wisdom. ( James 1;5 )

4.To remove worries. ( phil.4:6 ) ( 1 Pet.5:7 )

5. To satisfy our inner needs. ( Psalms 42:1-2 )

6.To win over temptation and sin. ( Mathew 26:41 )

EXAMPLE OF PRAYERFUL PEOPLE:

CHARLES SPURGEON, Devoted the hours from four, till eight in the morning. 4 hours.

John Wesley, Spent two hours daily in prayer.

John Fletcher, Stained the walls of his room by the breath of his prayers.

---- Sometimes He would pray all night, always frequently and with great earnestness. His whole life was a life of prayer. He said: I would not rise from my seat, w/out lifting my heart to God.

Martin luther, If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day.

---- I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.

His motto: He that has prayed well, has studied well.

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER:

1.Unconfessed sin. ( Ps.66:18 )

2.Doubts, lack of faith. ( James 1:5-7 )

III. WE MUST WIN MORE SOULS.

( Mathew 9:36-38 ) Datapuwa’t nang makita niya ang mga karamihan, ay nahabag siya sa kanila, sapagka’t pawang nangahahapis at nangangalat, na gaya ng mga tupa na walang pastor.

v.37 Nang magkagayo’y sinabi niya sa kanyang mga alagad, katotohana’y ang aanihin ay marami, datapuwa’t kakaunti ang mga manggagawa.

v.38 Idalangin nga ninyo sa panginoon ng aanihin, na magpadala siya ng mga maggagawa sa kanyang aanihin.

( Mathew 28:18-20 )