The lectures resumed this morning with 108 registered attendees. We started again with a few songs led by Jack Jaco. I preached first with the third part of “The Work of the Holy Spirit” series, the one dealing with the Spirit’s work in the salvation of the sinner. The lesson detailed the NT teaching showing the Spirit works by persuading the individual of truth through His revelation and calls for a free-will response of obedience in order to come to the promise of salvation. This was contrasted with the error taught in the denominations wherein they affirm the Spirit overwhelms an individual to act without his free will having been persuaded to do so. There was very good attention even from the Pentecostal preachers who talked less during the lesson than they did the previous day. The larger number of Baptist preachers were also very attentive, though obviously unconvinced.
Jonathan Carino followed with a lesson on “True Worship versus Vain Worship.” It was a very thorough lesson that made specific application to the varying practices called “worship” in the denominational world and comparing them to the worship of the NT church as we read in the Scripture. After his lesson, I preached a lesson on “Why We Do Not Burn Incense in Worship Today.” As you will see in the outline of the lesson which follows this report, the point of the lesson is not really burning incense, but instrumental music. The denominational preachers were nodding in agreement as I made each point in showing why we should not burn incense in worship, as the Catholics do, and they agreed with the answering of arguments to justify the practice. There were even a number of “amens” heard 
from the various preachers, both Baptist and Pentecostal. However, when we showed that the arguments to justify instruments of music in worship are just as fallacious, you could have heard a pin drop and the heads stopped nodding.At the break for lunch, a number of the denominational preachers, both Pentecostal and Baptist, had a gathering and it became obvious as to their decision. When we began the afternoon session, about 50 less were in attendance. (There were 58 present at the end of the afternoon session.)
So, we continued with Jack Jaco preaching a lesson on “Calvinism.” I followed with a sermon on “Who Is a Christian?” that examined the contexts in which the
term “Christian” appears in Scripture to see their characteristics. Towards the end of the lesson, I had an extended addition on the need to count the cost before deciding to become a Christian by obeying the gospel. We noted the fact that, if one leaves a denomination to obey the truth, that one will suffer persecution, rejection and opposition of various kinds. There was no attempt to “sugar-coat” anything, but every attempt to have each one recognize the full effects of coming to salvation in Christ. For the final lesson, Jonathan preached on “Why People Are Lost.” I asked John to take time to develop and apply his lesson appealing to the audience by showing the factors that lead many to reject the gospel in this culture and contrast that with what is necessary to truly follow Christ. It was a great and compelling lesson – it clearly caused the audience to think soberly. At the end, he 
extended the invitation of the Lord. No one responded to be baptized. It was disappointing, but not entirely unexpected after what had been seen earlier in the day.After the lectures, I again went to the mall where we could eat more cheaply as I needed to discuss with five Filipino brethren the work yet ahead. The Lord willing, our Saturday will have an early start as we must be on the road by 7am to make the 2-hour drive and be ready to start in Sagay City at 9am. Since last night was a very short one without much sleep, I am going to try to get to sleep early tonight and be ready for a 5am wake-up time. Thank you again for your support and interest in this work. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels and open door. May God’s great blessing be upon you as you serve Him in sincerity and truth.
Brotherly, Harry O.
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Why We Do Not Burn Incense in Worship Today
Exodus 30:1-8
Some Try Justifying Incense Burned in Worship Today by Saying…
I. They Used It In O.T. Worship
A. The use of incense was commanded in Old Testament worship
(1) Exod. 30:1-8
(2) Lev. 16:11-14
(3) So were animal sacrifice, Sabbath keeping, etc.
B. We are not under O.T. law because it was done away in Christ & replaced by gospel
(1) 2 Cor. 3:12-14 Old law “done away in Christ”
(2) Gal. 3:23-25 Tutor to bring us to Christ
(3) Eph. 2:14-15 Broke down dividing wall (law)
(4) Col. 2:13-14 Law nailed to cross = taken away
(5) Heb. 7:11-12 Priesthood changed, law changed
II. David Used It In Worship
A. David worshipped in the temple which involved burning incense
(1) 1 Chron. 23:12-13
(2) 1 Chron. 28:11, 18-19
(3) Psa. 141:2
B. David under different law & did things we cannot do under the law of Christ
(1)Animal sacrifice
(2)Polygamy
(3)Sabbath keeping
C. We are under the law of gospel & must find authority for all actions by that law
III. Greek Word for “Smell” (eudia) Refers to Incense
A. Used of acceptable service in Phil. 4:18
(1) Thayer’s lexicon says Greek word eudia means “a fragrant or sweet smelling thing; incense”
B. Does use of the word eudia authorized burning incense in N.T. worship?
(1) The “smell” or incense was the service “acceptable and well-pleasing to God”
(2) Not speaking of literal use of incense, but of figurative reference to acceptable service
(3) Acceptable service to God requires positive, divine authority for the action (Col. 3:17)
IV. It Is Used In Heaven
A. Revelation speaks of incense used in heaven
(1)Rev. 5:8
(2) Rev. 8:1-4
B. Do these references to incense in heaven prove that we can use incense in worship?
(1) References to incense are not literal, but figurative as the book is full of figures
(2) Incense is figurative of prayers
(3) Absurdity is result if context is taken literally
(4) Heaven is spiritual realm & not pattern for our worship in this physical realm
C. Must abide in Bible authorized practice (2 John 9)
V. These Arguments Do Not Justify the Action
A. For Burning Incense in Worship Today
(1) Used incense in Old Testament worship
(2) David used incense in worship
(3) Greek word for “smell” (eudia) means “incense”
(4)Book of Revelation refers to incense used in heaven
B. For Instrumental Music in Worship Today
(1) Used instrumental music in O.T. worship
(2) David worshipped with instruments
(3) Greek word for “make melody” (psallo) means “to pluck”
(4) Book of Revelation refers to musical instruments used in heaven
(1) 1 Chron. 23:12-13
(2) 1 Chron. 28:11, 18-19
(3) Psa. 141:2
B. David under different law & did things we cannot do under the law of Christ
(1)Animal sacrifice
(2)Polygamy
(3)Sabbath keeping
C. We are under the law of gospel & must find authority for all actions by that law
III. Greek Word for “Smell” (eudia) Refers to Incense
A. Used of acceptable service in Phil. 4:18
(1) Thayer’s lexicon says Greek word eudia means “a fragrant or sweet smelling thing; incense”
B. Does use of the word eudia authorized burning incense in N.T. worship?
(1) The “smell” or incense was the service “acceptable and well-pleasing to God”
(2) Not speaking of literal use of incense, but of figurative reference to acceptable service
(3) Acceptable service to God requires positive, divine authority for the action (Col. 3:17)
IV. It Is Used In Heaven
A. Revelation speaks of incense used in heaven
(1)Rev. 5:8
(2) Rev. 8:1-4
B. Do these references to incense in heaven prove that we can use incense in worship?
(1) References to incense are not literal, but figurative as the book is full of figures
(2) Incense is figurative of prayers
(3) Absurdity is result if context is taken literally
(4) Heaven is spiritual realm & not pattern for our worship in this physical realm
C. Must abide in Bible authorized practice (2 John 9)
V. These Arguments Do Not Justify the Action
A. For Burning Incense in Worship Today
(1) Used incense in Old Testament worship
(2) David used incense in worship
(3) Greek word for “smell” (eudia) means “incense”
(4)Book of Revelation refers to incense used in heaven
B. For Instrumental Music in Worship Today
(1) Used instrumental music in O.T. worship
(2) David worshipped with instruments
(3) Greek word for “make melody” (psallo) means “to pluck”
(4) Book of Revelation refers to musical instruments used in heaven
