Catching Up

 After breaking my arm last Wednesday, we were able to finish the class over the next two days. Please excuse my brief summary of this, as I have to do all of my writing through dictation to my phone.

On Thursday and Friday in Tuguegarao, we finished the book of Hebrews. We had excellent classes as the students were all very attentive. the attendance through the week reached a high of about 200, I would estimate. My guess would be that we always had about 150 or more. It was an excellent attendance, far more than I anticipated. My plan was to have about 50 preachers present for the study. However, word got out and we had brethren from a great distance who came to take part in the studies. My hope is that they were edified and helped by their time of study.

The much larger audience was good, but it absolutely busted my budget, costing over 3 times what I estimated and over twice what I planned as a “worst case scenario.” We plan for Leslie to wire me more money as soon as I can figure how much will be needed to finish the trip.

The last two days of the study, James Paet agreed to help me by staying in the hotel, and assisting as I needed i. James was a great help in so many ways as I learned what it was like to be a one armed man. One of the things I have learned is that you cannot put on your right sock easily when you’re right arm is broken. 😁 James also accompanied me on the flight to Cebu, and in the first two nights at the hotel there.

Our flight to Cebu turned out to be a total fiasco. After getting to the airport with plenty of time to board the flight for Manila, we were bumped due to an extremely rude clerk. We then waited for about four hours in the Tuguegarao airport to board the next flight to Manila. That flight was also delayed due to air traffic control, and we were running late to make the connection to Cebu. All of this was happening on the very hottest day we have had this trip. The temporary cast on my right arm became very sweaty and hot and I broke out in a heat rash. Let’s just say it was no fun at all.

By the time we finally got to Cebu, I think I had become dehydrated. Jonathan, Nanette and the girls all met us at the airport and then took us to the hotel. James again stayed with me to help. During that night, I became very sick at my stomach And was unable to attend Sunday services. The whole episode left me very weak. The hotel had a nurse on call who came and helped re-wrapping my cast. It was a miserable Sunday that I hope never to repeat!

On Monday morning we started the classes on the gospel of John. About 50 to 60 were present on Monday and Tuesday. So far we have made it through John chapter 7 and I think we are on schedule to complete the book. The students here have been very attentive, and have been active in comments and questions during the class. It has been very interesting to me to learn more about the students in this class. One is the grandson of brother Cipriano Carpentero who was a great friend and co-worker to me. I was thrilled to see that he has the same kind of sharp mind as that of my dear friend Cip. I look forward to going on with these classes for the next three days.

Please excuse whatever typos or problems there are in this report. I am finding it a great challenge to go on in the work without my right hand when I am right handed. on top of that I have not gotten my strength back and my left knee continues to be quite a problem as well. I guess it is just a reminder that I am definitely getting older!

Please keep this work and your prayers. Thank you for your interest in this work and your support of it. God bless!

4/10/24

After trying for over an hour to connect to the internet with my computer and send the above report, I still could not connect and finally gave up. I am now at the business lounge on Wednesday afternoon where an IT guy for the hotel got it working. So, I will include a short summary of today's work before sending this update. In the morning session, we covered John 8 through 10. The afternoon session was a bit shorter today, since I ran over in the morning, so we covered chapter 11 and the first half of chapter 12. The questions from both sessions were excellent. It is great to see the high level of interest and participation each day, then see it grow the next day! I could not ask for a better group of students than these!

Complication Arises in Classes

 Our classes were going very well today. We finished Hebrews 6 and 7 before lunch. After lunch, we completed chapter 8 and the first 10 verses of chapter 9. However, a complication arose at the lunch break. On the way back to the building, As I tried to take the first step up of the stairs to go into the building, I lost my balance and fell. My head hit the steps, and I had a small cut in my right eyebrow that bled for a little while, but soon stopped. The problem came when I tried to break my fall with my right hand. It immediately swelled and had a great deal of pain. But since I could bend it, I thought there was no big problem. So I completed the afternoon class, but as I came toward the end, it was obvious that the pain was much worse. Rody's daughter, Kathy Forello, is a medical doctor and she checked my wrist. She wanted to take me to the ER to have an x-ray immediately after the fall, but I decided to finish my class.

By the time the class was over, the pain was such that I was ready to go. Jerome and Kathy then took me to the ER where I was immediately taken back for the x-ray. The initial reading was that there was no obvious fracture. However, by the time I got settled in my room, I was called and instructed to return to the hospital. A further reading of the x-ray determined that I had two breaks in my right arm above the wrist - one in the ulna and the other in the radius. So they put me in a temporary cast and told me to see an orthopedic doctor when I returned home. They also said I would probably require surgery when I return home. Of course, that was not what I wanted to hear. For right now, I intend to go on with the trip and teach the classes both here and in Cebu. The pain seems to be under control so that is not really a problem. The problem is that I am right, handed and have difficulty since I have no use of that hand. I am writing this post by the dictation function on my computer and it has taken me an extremely long time. I will try to get out reports as best I can, but please understand that they will be sporadic. In the meantime, i would appreciate your prayers. God bless!

Classes on Hebrews Continue

 Jerome and Cathy Forelo picked me up this morning and took me to the meeting place. I was feeling much better, having had a good night’s rest, my breakfast and, most importantly, my coffee! 

We began the morning session with Hebrews chapter 2. This chapter begins with the completion of the point started in the first chapter – that Jesus is a better messenger in bringing the gospel than were the angels as messengers bringing the old law. The writer also shows in this chapter that, although Jesus was greater than the angels being Deity, He was made a little lower than the angels in partaking of humanity, so that He might die for all men to make possible our salvation through Him.

 

In chapter 3, we saw how Jesus was a greater apostle (that is, a representative or ambassador) for God than was Moses. The writer then shows that, since Jesus is that better representative, we must live in a better way than those of the old covenant. The Hebrew writer then uses Psalm 95 to show how those who came out of Egypt disobeyed God and all except Joshua and Caleb died in the wilderness. So, they did not enter the rest God had prepared. Instead, that generation wandered in the wilderness and died without entering that rest. Why? The writer shows it was because of disobedience. He then urges the readers not to fall away from the same kind of unbelief or disobedience.

 

After the lunch break, we spent time showing how make a textual sermon and illustrated it by making several outline from the first three chapters of Hebrews. This will be a part of our next two days classes as we start the afternoon sessions with a 30-minute period of showing how we can let the text itself be our outline.

 

Next, we went back to our textual study with Hebrews chapter 4. There the writer shows us how the rest of God remains, as others have not entered it due to their unbelief and disobedience. We are then called to enter that rest even as God did – “after He had ceased from His works.”

 

Finally, we began the section at the end of chapter 4 dealing with Jesus as the better High Priest. We also cover chapter 5 which continues that same point. The Lord willing, we will complete our study of this section of the book with the study of chapters 6 and 7.

 

The students in this class are very receptive and I am thankful to have this opportunity to study we them. Please keep us all in your prayers!

Classes Begin in Tuguegarao

 We started the Hebrews class today, but not as I intended it! The classes were scheduled to start at 9am. At 8:53am, Jerome sent me a text that he was downstairs ready to pick me up. There was only one problem. I was sound asleep and only awakened by his text. I have not yet figured out why my alarm did not go off at 6:30am as set, but I am sure I did something wrong. At any rate, I got dressed and ready as soon as I could and had no time for coffee or breakfast. Anyone who knows me well knows that is not a good start for me!

 

Jerome took me straight to the building where I walked in at 9:30am, set up my computer, started the PowerPoint charts and began the class as quickly as possible. We cover the Introduction and the first chapter of Hebrews, ending at 12:30pm rather than noon as scheduled. So I said we would begin the afternoon session 30 minutes later than the scheduled 1:30pm. We all ate lunch and I laid down for about 30 minutes before looking over my charts and making a few changes.

 

The afternoon session was spent on a study I call “Hermeneutics from Hebrews.” In the lesson, we showed how the Hebrew writer does not depend on his own authority in making his points, but correctly draws his conclusions by using OT passages properly and letting them show his points. Yes, the writer of Hebrews is inspired by God, but he draws his conclusions by proper use of the OT Scripture. So, the book of Hebrews can also be used to show us the principles we can use to properly understand Scripture. In the first chapter of Hebrews, we saw that the writer uses the fact that God said several things about the authority and place of the Messiah, but He never said those things of the angels. What does that silence with respect to the angels prove? Where the Scripture is silent, we must understand the angels did not have the same authority and place as the Christ. Scripture must positively express something for it to be understood as truth. Where the Bible is silent, we learn no truth, but must remain silent as well.

 

We ended the afternoon session with a short question and answer period because I was starting to feel very week. Earlier in the afternoon, I had to excuse myself from teaching because I suddenly became very sick at my stomach. I will spare you the details, but it took about 15 minutes before I was able to start up the class again. By the end of the session, I think the problem started by not eating breakfast and then compounded by getting sick that afternoon left me somewhat dehydrated and I blacked out for a moment. When I came to, brethren were all around me holding me up on my knees, then helping me sit on the front pew a little later. After a few minutes, I was able to get to the car. Jerome and his wife, Cathy (who is an M.D.) took me to my room and made sure I laid down on my bed. They stayed a while longer to make sure that I was okay and then I sent them back home to tend to their family. I am now feeling pretty well, though still somewhat weak. Through it all, I learned a valuable lesson – always eat breakfast no matter how late it makes me. Please keep us all in your prayers as these classes progress.

Lord's Day in Tuguegarao

 After a good, full night of rest on Saturday, brother Rody Gumpad picked me up this morning at 8:30am and we proceeded to their meeting place. It is always a true joy to be with the brethren who comprise the Metro Tuguegarao congregation. I first met with them in 2002 and joined Rody for the first Preacher Training Program there in 2003. Many of the brethren were missing from the assembly today as they have been gone over the past week on vacation during this holiday week in the Philippines. Still, there were about 100 adults in attendance plus many children which made the auditorium seem fairly full.

 

The elders asked me to take the class period in continuing their study in the Gospel of Luke. We started with the beginning of chapter 6 and covered through verse 16 and ran out of time at that point.

 

In the assembly, we had a very reverent and edifying period of singing, prayer, partaking the Lord’s Supper and contribution. I was asked to preach and brought a lesson on “God’s Plan for Congregational Unity” from 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. (That sermon was also telecast live as well.) When Rody extended the invitation of the Lord at the end of the service, three ladies responded to be baptized into Christ.

 

At the end of my sermon, I lost my voice and finished in little more than a whisper. So, I returned to the hotel after lunch where I have worked much of the day on the materials for the classes starting tomorrow, the Lord willing. Please keep this effort in your prayers.

Meeting in Trece Martes City

 Again this morning, brother James Paet picked me up from the hotel about 8:30am. He drove us to the meeting place of the Trece Martires church in Cabuco, Trece Martires City. Those familiar with Spanish may recognize similar words in the Spanish language for the origin of the name. It harks back to a time under the Spanish rule of the Philippines when 13 “priests” were “martyred” in that place. The period of Spanish rule over the Philippines was a time of great violence and oppression brought upon the Filipinos.

We started the morning study with a lesson on “Recognizing Good and Evil” from Matthew 7:15-21. We noted that the Scriptures teach us that distinguishing between good and evil is not done by mere appearance, lineage, claim or the personal thoughts of man. Rather, good and evil are recognized by the fruits borne (Matthew 7:16, 20).

Next, we examined the subject of “Baptism” as it is presented in the New Testament. We looked first at the baptism of John which teaches us about principles that were preparing the way for Christ’s teaching. We then noted the teaching about baptism in the name of Christ as first commanded in the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16) and its practice in the cases of conversion we find in the book of Acts. Lastly, we looked at the teaching about baptism in the Epistles which confirms its purpose, action and effect. After that lesson, we had a break of a little less than an hour for lunch.

In the afternoon session, we concluded the teaching with a lesson of encouragement from Philippians 3:12-14 dealing with “A Life to Lay Hold of Hope.” After that lesson, we had a question and answer period. We had only one non-Christian visitor, the aunt of a young man who is a member of that congregation. It was this lady’s first time to hear the truth of the gospel. She wanted to follow-up with some questions about baptism regarding what one must know before being baptized, the responsibility of growth after baptism, and the difference between the “baptism” practiced in the denominational world versus that taught in the gospel. From what I saw of her demeanor and her questions, I do not think she is very far from the kingdom. My hope is that she will soon be obedient the gospel call.

The Lord willing, I will fly to Tuguegarao in northern Luzon tomorrow. I will plan to make my next report on Sunday after our day’s work. God bless!

Gospel Meeting in Cavite City

 Brother James Paet picked me up at the hotel and took me to Cavite City for a one-day Gospel Meeting with the BACOOR church. There were several visitors from other congregations in the area, but no non-Christians were present. We had about 50 in attendance. The BACOOR congregation meets in a very nice place that was built by an American brother who returned to the U.S. at the time of the pandemic in 2020 and has not returned. Since there was no preacher for the congregation, the members over time became discouraged and drifted away. James contacted the former members and a few Christians in the area to see if the congregation could be revived. As I understand it, they began the work again only a couple of months ago and this was their first Gospel Meeting.

In the morning session, we started with a lesson of encouragement – “Summarizing a Life of Faithfulness” from 2 Timothy 1:8-12. After that, we took a short break and then considered a lesson on “The Inspiration of Scripture” from 2 Peter 1:16-21. The purpose of both lessons was to strengthen their faith and encourage them to live faithfully to God and His will. After the second lesson we took a lunch break until 1pm.

 In afternoon session, we studied a lesson entitled “Salvation & Saul” giving careful examination to the accounts of the conversion of Saul (later called the apostle Paul). We noted that he was not saved by faith only on the Damascus road as commonly taught in the denominational world. In fact, three days after he had believed on the road, Ananias came to him in Damascus and said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord' (Acts 22:16). So, after believe on the road, Saul was still in his sins which separated him from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Paul noted very clearly in Romans 6:3-11 that he and the brethren to whom he writes were saved when that were baptized in Christ’s dead, there contacting the blood of Christ, being forgiven of all sin.

 We ended our study time with a question and answer period. We had several good questions dealing with the action of baptism, what it means to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the equivalent term of baptizing in the name of Christ, as well as one question regarding baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was a good start to my time of work here in the Philippines and I look forward to another Gospel Meeting tomorrow in Trece Martires City.

It is the very hottest time of the year here in the Philippines. Late March and April are called “the middle of Summer” here and the heat testifies to that fact. I went through 6 bottles of water and 3 Gatorades in our time today! When I was finished, I was drenched from head to toe with sweat! The weather is miserable, but a good miserable as we have the chance to spread the precious gospel to those so willing to hear. Thank you so much to all who have made this opportunity possible.

Sermon Video - "Stirring Up Faithful Lives" (8/20/23)

Fellowship #2: Examples of Fellowship in Action

Sermon: "Fellowship #1 - Defined"

 Video of the first in a series of lessons on "Fellowship":