110 Years of God’s Blessings
Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you for joining us in our special episode of The Message, brought to you by the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, or the INC. I’m here with Brother Richie Juatco today and we’re here, we want to welcome everyone to this important broadcast.
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: Brother Richie, before we get started, first of all, why do we refer to this as a special episode?
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
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110 Years of God’s Blessings
Brother Richie Juatco: Well, Brother Bob, this special episode of The Message is to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the Church. And as we commemorate God’s blessings on the Church Of Christ, we’ll look back on its history to acknowledge the biblical basis of its establishment, the achievements of this Church, and God’s command to His people to do good to their fellowmen.
Brother Bob: So dear friends, stay with us. This is what we’ll be studying today here on The Message.
[Show open]
Brother Bob: Brother Richie, although, you know, there’s a lot of, let’s say, there’s many religions and different churches and some even use the name “Church Of Christ.” They have the same name. But our question we begin with for today is what makes this Church Of Christ unique among them all? Is there maybe a biblical basis?
Brother Richie: For sure, Brother Bob. That’s the uniqueness. The prophecy of God written in the Bible is the basis of this Church. What is one of those prophecies? We can read what God teaches in Isaiah 43, we’ll read verses 5 to 6, and it says here:
Do not be afraid, because I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not keep them.” Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth.
[Isaiah 43:5-6 God’s Word Translation]
Brother Richie: In these verses, we can see God is addressing a particular servant or Messenger.
Brother Bob: And what is he saying there about that particular servant or Messenger, Brother Richie?
Brother Richie: We can see this Messenger is being entrusted with a great mission.
Brother Bob: I think it’s very important our viewers surely are going to have to ask, going to want to ask what exactly is the mission entrusted to that chosen servant of God?
Brother Richie: Well we read our God said, “Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” So this is God’s work of establishing His own people, His nation or His children, the ones God acknowledges as His sons and His daughters.
Brother Bob: So we can see here, dear friends, surely how important that mission really is. Since this Messenger is the first and only one called by God at the time, Brother Richie, you know it might be natural for him to feel afraid. He’s going to be all alone, given the big task, go bring the sons and daughters of God back to God. So God told His servant, “Do not be afraid.” But why wouldn’t he be afraid?
Brother Richie: You’re right, Brother Bob. It’s natural for one to be afraid if they’re alone, but God made clear, He said, “Do not be afraid, because I am with you.” So maybe there’s not another person around since he’s the first one called, but God is with him.
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: Okay, so how can it be determined who this particular Messenger actually is in fulfilling this prophecy? Because that’s, I’m sure, what our viewers are thinking right now, “Okay, maybe they didn’t know that God has His chosen messenger and gave Him that important mission.” Who is this? How could we know?
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
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110 Years of God’s Blessings
Brother Richie: That’s a very good question, Brother Bob. The prophecy actually specifies who the Messenger is. It specifies it in three different ways. The prophecy makes very clear and makes known the Messenger’s mission. It also makes known the place where the Messenger would emerge from.
Brother Bob: And perform that mission.
Brother Richie: And perform the mission entrusted to him, and also the time period. The prophecy mentions the time period the Messenger will fulfill this mission that God entrusted to him.
Brother Bob: Okay, so those are three important elements which we have to look for, right? So let’s take a look at these, Brother Richie, with our viewers one by one, right? The first, dear friends, was about the mission that was tasked to the Messenger. And as you have read, Brother Richie, it’s already mentioned that first one regarding the mission already, right?
Brother Richie: That’s right, Brother Bob. So those that were far away, God will bring them close with His messenger. He will call them to be His children, His sons and His daughters. That’s the mission.
Brother Bob: That’s the mission. And the second element in the prophecy is regarding the place where God would bring this Messenger from in order to do that mission, right?
Brother Richie: That’s right.
Brother Bob: And even those that are going to benefit from the work of the Messenger, benefit from fulfilling that particular mission. So what is the place where all of that would happen?
Brother Richie: Well, God said, “I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west.” And if we read this verse in the Moffatt translation, it actually specifies further the far east and the far west:
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From the far east will I bring your offspring, and from the far west I will gather you.
[Isaiah 43:5 James Moffatt Translation]
Brother Bob: So was that fulfilled? Did that really happen? Was there anyone who had the mission of bringing those sons and daughters of God back to Him, and came from the far east?
Brother Richie: For sure, Brother Bob. The fulfillment of that prophecy was the emergence of the Church Of Christ from the preaching function of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, which started in the Philippines.
Brother Bob: Wait, wait a minute, Brother Richie. I know… Let me just speak on behalf of our viewers here for a moment. Maybe those who will be asking, “Well is the Philippines really in the far east?” Because it would have to be in order to be the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Brother Richie: For sure, Brother Bob. The Philippines is in the far east. There are many references that we can cite. In fact, if we read the book entitled Asia and the Philippines, it mentions there that the Philippines is almost at the geographical center of the far east.
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“It cannot be without significance that the country which stands almost at the geographical center of the Far East, the Philippines, also be that in which Christianity has taken the deepest root.”
Asia and the Philippines, p. 169
Brother Bob: Okay, how about the latter part though, the latter part of the prophecy was regarding the gathering from the far west. What about that part?
Brother Richie: That also is fulfilled in this Church.
Brother Bob: So that happened as well.
Brother Richie: Correct, Brother Bob. In this Church, we know that the Church reached the far west in the local congregations of this Church established in Hawaii and California in 1968. Now those places are geographically in the far west, and that’s when the global expansion, that’s where it started.
Brother Bob: And that was also fulfilled.
Brother Richie: That’s right, Brother Bob.
Brother Bob: Alright, there was a third element in the prophecy that you read earlier, Brother Richie. And that was referring to time.
Brother Richie: Time.
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: So what is the period of time that God would call this Messenger from the far east? The third element was time. When specifically would this take place?
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: Now God mentioned in the verse that we read, He said, “Bring my sons and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” Now we’ve studied in our other episodes that this term “ends of the earth” is a period of time when the end is near.
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110 Years of God’s Blessings
Brother Bob: Wait a minute, Brother Richie. Again, let me speak for our viewers. They may want to ask, “How do you know that that’s time?” You know, “ends of the earth,” that could be a place on the earth.
Brother Richie: Well it’s hard for it to be a point on the earth because there is no point on a round earth or globe.
Brother Bob: Right, right, right. Because the earth is spherical, doesn’t have an end place. There’s no ends of it, it’s round. And for other reasons as well, we are sure that’s referring to time.
Brother Richie: It’s a time.
Brother Bob: Okay, so back to the question then. What is that time “ends of the earth,” Brother Richie?
Brother Richie: Well, we will actually know that time period when it begins through the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:33, 6-8:
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So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
[Matthew 24:33, 6-8 New King James Version]
Brother Richie: Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a sign identifying the time frame in the form of a war, and not just any ordinary war, this was a global war in nature, a worldwide war. So His disciples would know that they are in that time period “ends of the earth” or the last days. Now the fulfillment of that sign our Lord Jesus Christ gave was World War I, which broke out on July 27, 1914.
Brother Bob: Can you tell our viewers also, Brother Richie, why is that date, July 27, 1914, which was the date of the outbreak of the World War, why else is that so significant in the history of the Church wherein we are members?
Brother Richie: Brother Bob, that is the exact same date that this particular Church Of Christ was registered with the Philippine government. So it’s an official date, not anyone can just claim it after the fact. It is very clear this Church coincides with the prophecy. It is no coincidence this is the fulfillment of God’s prophecy.
Brother Bob: And that was 110 years ago.
Brother Richie: That’s right.
Brother Bob: Dear friends, that’s why we’re celebrating! We have every reason to celebrate. This prophecy was filled exactly as God had spoke this prophecy through His prophet. And so, we faithfully believe that this was all fulfilled in Brother Felix Y. Manalo and the Church Of Christ that emerged in the Philippines, correct place. July 27, 1914, correct time. The Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, was established in fulfillment of God’s words written here in the Holy Bible. And Brother Richie, dear friends, that’s why this Church Of Christ is unique, right? It’s unique among all others. Even if others, you know, they may try to copy the name or try to say this or try to say that, but they cannot copy biblical prophecy to be fulfilled in them. It’s only fulfilled here.
Brother Richie: That’s right.
Brother Bob: And Brother Felix Y. Manalo and the Iglesia Ni Cristo of which we are members.
Brother Richie: Well, and we mentioned earlier, the three ways in the prophecy that we can know who our God is referring to with the mission: fulfilled in Brother Felix Y. Manalo; the place: Philippines, where the Church reemerged; [and] the time: July 27, 1914. So, we know who really is God’s nation in these last days, and His last messenger.
Brother Bob: Nobody can copy that.
Brother Richie: No one can copy it.
Brother Bob: Nobody can be an imposter because God clearly identifies who belongs to Him.
Brother Richie: We know, Brother Bob, we can’t force people to believe it. And if they don’t want to believe it, then they have to provide who then?
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: Exactly! If they want to say, “Oh no! That’s not Brother Felix Y. Manalo,” then present another that fits those biblical prophecies. There’s none!
Brother Richie: There’s none.
Brother Bob: There’s none.
Brother Richie: And Brother Bob, if people want more proof…
Brother Bob: Okay.
Brother Richie: They want more proof that this really is God’s nation—
Brother Bob: Provide more proof.
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: We can say, “What is it that God proclaimed would become of His nation from the ends of the earth, or in these last days?” We can read again from the book of Prophet Isaiah. We’ll read now [Isaiah] 62:2-3, and God says this:
Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory. You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of GOD. You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of GOD’s hand, a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
[Isaiah 62:2-3 The Message]
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Narrator: Imagine a mission set out to save mankind. A mission that brings contentment in a time of little. A mission that builds endurance at a time of deep struggle. A mission that brings hope when despair and desperation is rampant. And a mission that reveals a life-changing truth about your purpose. Despite the world’s challenges, this mission endures. Guided by the hand of the Lord God.
What began through one man in the islands of the sea, a work from few to many, continues reaching all corners of the world. A mission now reaching different walks of life, now embraced by 152 nationalities, knowing no boundaries. Now established in 166 countries, continually striving to bring more people closer to the truth.
A mission of building houses of worship that stand as beacons of hope, guiding more people to witness God’s work in their lives, and extending a compassionate hand to those in need. Inspiring hope and strength during times of severe challenges.
For 110 years, this great mission of faith, love and hope has thrived within the Church Of Christ—continuously led dynamically and tirelessly by those appointed by God until now—inviting more to discover the truth and find the greatest purpose in life.
Joining God’s people who continue to please Him.
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Brother Bob: So, dear friends, from where the Church began in its humble state to what it’s become in 110 years, it’s clear that God’s words are the truth. We have reason to celebrate, and we celebrate all over the world. And what is God’s instruction to His people in these last days? What’s His instruction now, in our time, Brother Richie?
Brother RIchie: Brother Bob, we’ll go back to Isaiah 43, now that we know the fulfillment is the Church Of Christ, what is God’s instruction to us? We’ll read now from verse 10. It says:
The Lord says, “You people are my witnesses. You are the servant that I chose. I chose you so you would help people to believe me. I chose you so you would understand that ‘I Am He’ – I am the true God. There was no God before me, and there will be no God after me.”
[Isaiah 43:10 Easy-To-Read Version]
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: Here, our God makes very clear one of the main purposes of Him calling us inside the Church. Our God is the one that said, “You people are my witnesses….I chose you so you would help people to believe me.” Now, what is it that we should understand and help people believe about God?
He said, “I am the true God. There was no God before me, and there will be no God after me.”
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: And that’s what we are to do. And that’s what we do as members of the Church. Dear friends, was this part of the prophecy also fulfilled in the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo? Absolutely yes!
That’s why as members of the Church Of Christ, we believe and we share with you—with everyone—that there is only one true God, and that the one true God of the Old Testament, it’s the same one true God of the New Testament. And dear friends, who is the true God? Jesus introduced Him. And here’s how, precisely, He did that, recorded in John 17, we’ll read verse 3, then we’ll read verse 1:
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
[John 17:3, 1 New King James Version]
Brother Bob: Dear friends, Jesus taught that the Father’s the only true God. So, one, then, of our missions in life as members of the true Church is to continue the mission that God gave to Brother Felix Y. Manalo, His messenger in these last days, which is to preach this truth regarding who the only one true God is. That’s what we do, that’s why we do it, and we will never stop.
Brother Richie: You know, Brother Bob, there might be some that wonder why we continue to do that, because we simply want to remain as God’s chosen people. Is there a condition that God has for His chosen people to remain as such? There is. Let’s read His instruction here in Jeremiah 7:23. It says:
But what I told them was: Obey me, and I will be your God and you shall be my people; only do as I say, and all shall be well!
[Jeremiah 7:23 The Living Bible]
Brother Richie: So, God’s condition is quite clear. He is the one that said, “Obey me…only do as I say.” And what would be the result if we remain obedient to His words? God is the one that promised. He said, “…I will be your God and you shall be my people;…and all shall be well.”
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Brother Bob Pellien
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Bob: You know, Brother Richie, dear friends, this is the only reasonable explanation, right? That this Church, the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, that started in a relatively poor country, the Philippines—that’s why it’s done so well and it’s grown across the globe, succeeding victory upon victory for the last 110 years. All of this—it would have been impossible had it not been for God, which further proves again, this is His work. It’s only because the Church remains loyal to God; loyal to God by following His teachings.
And that’s why the Church continues and remains God’s people in the midst of all people. Here is where God’s people dwell.
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Brother Richie Juatco
Minister of the Gospel
Brother Richie: And as God’s people, Brother Bob, since we are the ones that strive to fulfill His commandments, what is one of the commandments of our God to the Church Of Christ in these last days, that we really do strive to fulfill? Let’s read from what’s written here in Proverbs 3:27, it says:
Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
[Proverbs 3:27 Good News Translation]
Brother Richie: Here, we can see that God wants us to have a positive impact—a positive influence—on our fellowman. He teaches us, “Do good to those who need it.”
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110 Years of God’s Blessings
Therefore, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, or INC, has made a concerted effort to find out what those around us need and give them our help in a project called INC Giving.
Brother Bob: The INC Giving Project, dear friends, was first launched in 2011, and was relaunched at the beginning of this year. It became but another project of the many aid to humanity projects the Church has been conducting since the very early years of the Church. And through this project, we, INC members—well, we’re following what you just read there, Brother Richie—we’re following God’s instruction to do good to those in need. So, we volunteer our time, we volunteer our services whenever possible for the welfare of our communities; the communities that we live in. Take a look at this video clip:
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Elijah: This week, we’ve got an amazing variety of INC Giving projects for you to see.
Elijah: To all our INC Giving volunteers all around the world, thank you for sharing all of these with us. Let’s get this recap started.
Our first stop is in South Africa, where INC Giving volunteers organized one of our most well-loved INC Giving projects—Neighborhood Appreciation Day in King William’s Town. No words needed to feel the joy on the faces of these INC Giving volunteers. It’s the same exact joy felt by INC Giving volunteers doing good all around the world. Around 600 kilometers away, in Ficksburg, South Africa, INC Giving volunteers got out their rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows in a community cleanup that focused on filing potholes. This is an INC Giving first. It’s so nice to see new ways INC Giving volunteers are going out to help their communities.
Now over to Victoria, Australia, where a heavy storm recently left pathways and playgrounds cluttered with fallen branches, leaves and other debris. INC Giving volunteers did not waste any time and met at the park with cleaning tools and trash bags. Together, they beautified the area around the Brentwood Park Neighborhood House and Community Centre. Their work was featured in an article in the Phil Times, “Australia’s Filipino Newspaper!”
Now, all the way to the other side of the world in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, INC Giving volunteers headed over to a local park in a cleanup drive to help residents enjoy this space.
INC Giving volunteers over in Kaoshiung City, Taiwan had the same idea and joined other community members in cleaning up their local park.
Leny Wang: Many sisters came here to help in cleaning. Thank you so much Church Of Christ. Very good!
Elijah: And in Rizal, Philippines, INC Giving volunteers got out their brooms and trash bags and put in work for a cleanup drive in Lagundi. Isn’t it so much nicer walking in streets and parks that are clean?
Elijah: In line with this clean up theme, INC Giving volunteers in Obando, Bulacan generously gifted San Pascual Elementary School with brand new trash cans! This was greatly appreciated as the school posted: “Thank you very much for your generosity and support for our school.”
Elijah: At another school in Bulacan, Philippines, INC Giving volunteers joined forces with school officials to donate cleaning materials to Meycauayan National High School.
Elijah: And to appreciate the teachers who make these schools special and make the learning possible, INC Giving volunteers in Tinambac, Camarines Sur thanked educators at Canayonan Elementary School with INC Giving drink tumblers. They also donated paint, school supplies and cleaning materials to the school.
Elijah: Kids really do learn better in a clean school, and even better on a full stomach.
So when INC Giving volunteers in Bulacan shared hot bowls of Arroz Caldo, a rice and chicken porridge, they were very appreciative. This is what they posted: “A heartfelt thanks to the brothers and sisters of Iglesia Ni Cristo–Locale of Luwasan (through INC Giving Project) for the cleaning materials you’ve shared to our school as well as the nutritious “Arroz Caldo” that benefited Grade 2 learners.”
Elijah: INC Giving volunteers in Cavite handed out free school supplies and provided free food to the community, especially to the children who are residents of Barangay Pasong Cawayan, Cavite.
Elijah: Sometimes, unfortunately, tragedy strikes— and that’s when our help is truly needed. In Caloocan City, Philippines, INC Giving volunteers offered free meals to 14 families who were victims of a fire in the barangay.
Elijah: Seeing the warm smiles all around reflects that glimmer of hope. So important during the tough times.
Elijah: In Punta, Metro Manila, INC Giving volunteers held a blood donation drive. When was the last time you rolled up your sleeves to donate blood? Unless you’re wearing short sleeves…
Elijah: In Metrogate, Bulacan, INC Giving volunteers held a neighborhood appreciation day and gave out free pandesal.
Elijah: INC Giving volunteers in Boracay, Philippines offered free pandesal— a sweet bread— and biko— a sweet sticky rice cake. Mmm, both are so yummy. Which one would you guys pick?
Elijah: In General Santos City, INC Giving volunteers gave out free pandesal and Arroz Caldo.
Children: Salamat! (Thank you!)
Elijah: I guess pandesal really goes well with anything—sweet or savory.
Elijah: Speaking of food in Bremerton, Washington, INC Giving volunteers got together to organize a food donation drive.
Elijah: To close this week’s recap, one family in Toronto, Canada, created an INC Giving skateboarding team to participate in the “Capes For Kids” fundraiser for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
Elijah: “Capes For Kids” helps with important programs and services for kids and teens with disabilities.
Elijah: After helping out for Holland Bloorview, they’ll continue the work of INC Giving, doing various acts of kindness at local skate parks on their skateboards.
Friends: Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
Elijah: How cool is that to see them in their INC Giving T-shirts and matching red capes?
Elijah: Not all heroes wear capes, but many wear INC Giving shirts.
Elijah: Can’t wait to see what you and your fellow INC Giving volunteers share with us next. For tools and updates, don’t forget to go to incgiving.org and you’ll also be able to catch up on any weekly recaps that you may have missed. See you guys next week!
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110 YEARS OF GOD’S BLESSINGS
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BROTHER BOB PELLIEN
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Bob: We could see there, dear friends, all the wonderful things, some of the many wonderful things, the members of the Church Of Christ are doing all over the world. Brother Richie, why is it that God really is expecting us to do such kind of things as that, help our fellow man and have these various projects in support of our communities and such as that?
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BROTHER RICHIE JUATCO
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Richie: Brother Bob, we can get the explanation from the Son of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ explains to us why God wants us to do that. We can read the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ here in Matthew 5:14 to 16, and He says this:
“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your father in heaven.
[Matthew 5:14-16 Good News Translation]
Brother Richie: Here, the Lord Jesus Christ describes those inside His Church as light. What did He instruct? He said, “your light must shine before people.”
Brother Bob: He didn’t say, that’s a very definitive instruction—must.
Brother Richie: It must. It’s a requirement.
Brother Bob: There you go—requirement.
Brother Richie: It must shine before people. How? How can people of the world see this light, or the difference, in God’s people? Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “that they will see the good things [that] you do.” Now, Brother Bob, you asked what’s the explanation of it? Our Lord Jesus Christ gave the explanation, why we should do good things for people. He said, so that they will “praise your father in heaven.”
Brother Bob: But aside from you doing good things for the people that are around us in our community and such things as that, how else can we achieve fulfilling the instruction to shine as lights in this world? What else should we be doing—which our guests joining us in this program, viewing this program, and maybe learning about the Church for the first time—we invite them, “Come! Come and do these things with us!”
Brother Richie: Yes, Brother Bob. That’s a good question. How else can we shine as lights? Let’s read from what’s written in Philippians 2:15 It says:
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
[Philippians 2:15 New International Version]
Brother Richie: Here we are taught how different we should be from the people of the world. We read “…in a warped and crooked generation,” we should become blameless and pure children of God without fault. What would we prove if we do not go along with the darkness of the world? We read “then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
Brother Bob: I think no one would deny that the world is quite crooked and warped, to use the words there in the Scriptures, right? We have the obligation to shine as lights of the world. Remaining true, always dear friends, to God’s teachings. Despite the ever-changing culture of the world around us in our time. We must shine as lights amidst it all. And by doing this we, members of the Church Of Christ, we prove something. We prove that the Church Of Christ is truly God’s nation today, Brother Richie.
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BROTHER RICHIE JUATCO
MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
Brother Richie: Brother Bob, some might think, some might wonder how we members of the Church Of Christ remain walking on the right path if the world and time we are living in, as we read, is warped and crooked. How is it that we can do that? The Bible does teach us how. We’ll read from what’s written in 1 Thessalonians, 4, 1-2. Here it says:
Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing; that you do so even more and more abundantly—attaining yet greater perfection in living this life. For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus.
[1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 Amplified Bible]
Brother Richie: Here we can read the instructions of the apostles to the Church. What is it that they taught? They said, “follow the instructions which you learned from us.”
Brother Bob: Brother Richie, allow me if you will, once again, to speak from the vantage point of some of our viewers. Maybe again, those that might be joining us for the first time, they might say, “By what authority do the apostles or what authority do they have to instruct us? What authority do they have to tell us how to walk or journey in this life?”
Brother Richie: Good question, Brother Bob.
Brother Bob: A lot of people don’t like to be told what to do.
Brother Richie: That’s right, especially nowadays. But the apostles, they did clarify why they are the ones that are teaching the Church. They said, “We … admonish you in virtue of our union with the Lord Jesus.” So the apostles that, at that time, they were the ones entrusted to lead and administer the Church. And we understand, what do those entrusted with the Church Administration, what do they guide the brethren to do? We learned that, they said, learn from us “how you ought to walk.” Therefore, we have to learn from the Church Administration, not just from anyone, not from the internet, not from social media.
Brother Bob: Not even from social media influencers!
Brother Richie: Not from influencers.
Brother Bob: No.
Brother Richie: It’s from the ones God entrusted with the Church Administration.
Brother Bob: Which is why, dear friends, this is what we see today from our Executive Minister. Brother Eduardo V. Manalo is continuously reminding us and teaching us all the time, as members of the Church Of Christ—live a life of holiness. And what’s the purpose of making so sure that our way of life, or our walk, to use the words there that you read from the scriptures, Brother Richie, our walk of life is always based on God’s teachings. We’re always reminded about that, why is that so vital?
Brother Richie: Well we read, “walk so as to please and gratify God.” That’s the purpose and that’s the reason why the theme of the Church, of the 110th anniversary is “People of God should continue to please him.” And that’s based on Exodus 33:13 [Translation for Translators].
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People of God should continue to please Him
Based on Exodus 33:13 Translation for Translators
Brother Bob: Ok, Brother Richie, we’ve arrived at this point now, we want to ask, is there anything else that is pleasing and gratifying to God that we should be doing?
Brother Richie: For sure, Brother Bob. If we want to please God, we should do what He wants. We should do what He desires. And our God makes that very clear. What is it that our God desires for everyone? We’ll read from I Timothy 2:4-5:
Because it is His earnest desire that everyone should come to know what the truth really is, and be saved. Put briefly, the truth is this: There is only one God, and there is only one Person who can act as a go-between between God and man. That Person is the Man who we know as Christ Jesus.
[I Timothy 2:4-5 Last Day Bible]
Brother Richie: Here we learn what God truly desires. We read that it is His desire, His earnest desire that everyone be saved. And we can see God really does have compassion on all the people since He’s the creator of everyone.
Brother Bob: But what we can see as a response to that, Brother Richie, is that a lot of people are coming up with their own ideas on how to be saved. Okay, so God wants everybody to be saved, well and good. So there might be this idea of what people might need to do, or want to do in order to be saved. It’ll be the opposite of that and everything in the middle.
Brother Richie: People have their own way of how to be saved, yes.
Brother Bob: That’s the best way of saying it, I suppose. So what is God’s way?
Brother Richie: What is God’s way? We read, it says people “should come to know what the truth really is…” And what is one of the fundamental truths people need to know in order to be saved? We read the biblical truth is that there is only one God.
Brother Bob: That brings us back to what we were discussing earlier where God said He had His witnesses. They would be leading people to believe Him and believe that He is the only true God. Which is why we read from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father is the only true God. That’s what we teach, that’s what we believe. And sorry to say other Christian professing religions are teaching different gods, and different perceptions of God, different understandings of who God is. That cannot be true. A religion that is not teaching the true God cannot be a true religion. Religion is bringing people to return to God. This is therefore further evidence this is the one true Church spoken of in the original prophecy that you read.
What else is the truth, Brother Richie, that everyone needs to accept? They have to accept it in order to be saved. Whether they accept it or not, it remains the truth.
Brother Richie: Well this is what the truth really is, we read that “there is only one person who can act as a go-between between God and man.” Now who is this one and only person? The Bible says “that Person is the Man whom we know as Christ Jesus.”
Brother Bob: Another fundamental truth then, dear friends, is that the Lord Jesus Christ is not God, but rather a man who is the only mediator to God. Dear friends, these biblical truths lead to salvation and are only taught here inside the Church Of Christ, the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Why? To please God. And that is what we strive always to do, Brother Richie.
Brother Richie: You know Brother Bob, since we are celebrating the 110th anniversary of the Church, all of God’s blessing to the Church. What should we do so that we can remain in God’s blessings for many more years to come?
Brother Bob: Another 110 and beyond!
Brother Richie: And beyond!
Brother Bob: Dear friends, let’s turn for a moment yet once again to the Holy Bible. And the question you pose, Brother Richie, let’s listen here I Samuel 12:22, 24 reads:
For the sake of his own great name the Lord will not abandon his people, since the Lord has decided to make you his people. But you must fear the Lord and serve him faithfully wit5h all your heart, for you have seen the great things the Lord has done among you.
[I Samuel 12:22, 24 New American Bible (Revised Edition)]
Brother Bob: Instructions, dear friends, that we read here are to God’s nation, to His people. What did we read? He said, “since the Lord has decided to make you his people.” His first nation as we can recall was ancient Israel. His nation today, in these last days at the time ends of the earth, as we’ve studied, is the Church Of Christ. Because this is what blessings have we experienced. What blessings have we seen? He said, “you have seen the great things the Lord has done among you.”
So to our fellow brethren around the world, members of the Church Of Christ. Isn’t it so true that we’re aware of all these great things, the great victories upon victories that God is bringing about through the Church? Brother Richie, it began with just one man fulfilling the biblical prophecy. One man, Brother Felix Y. Manalo all alone, but didn’t stay that way, right?
Brother Richie: No, he didn’t stay alone.
Brother Bob: What happened?
Brother Richie: The members, those that believed, they continued to multiply.
Brother Bob: Continued to flourish and more ministers were…
Brother Richie: More ministers, more local congregations, ecclesiastical districts…
Brother: Bob: Houses of worship…
Brother Richie: Houses of worship. And we can see…
Brother Bob: Grand grand beautiful edifices for the glory of God constructed all over the world. And so many grand victories like that.
Brother Richie: And the other religions are going the other way.
Brother Bob: Precisely. So what are we taught so that we can remain in His blessings in all these wonderful things continued to flow for another 110 years, as we said Brother Richie, and beyond. Dear friends, we are taught, you must fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart.
Let’s fulfill this command together as we praise and thank our God for His love, protection to us all. Let’s serve Him faithfully with all our hearts. What should we never forget? Especially, you know there will be times we’re gonna find ourselves surrounded by the heavy weight of worries of problems that’s so prevalent in the world nowadays? Remember. Remember the biblical truths that we read here. He said, “the Lord will not abandon his people.” So let’s remain obedient. Let’s remain loyal to God. So that we will also remain His chosen people.
Brother Richie: And to all our friends who are watching this special episode we actually hope and pray that you also will be among those who receive God’s blessings and guidance. And this is the reason why we invite you to learn more of God’s instructions taught inside this particular Church Of Christ. Observe our worship services, sit in on a Bible study. Or search through the content available on incmedia.org.
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Learn more about the Church Of Christ
Brother Bob: Dear friends, it is the desire of God that everyone come to know what the truth really is in order to be saved. We will do everything that we can to share with you always the truth of God’s message. On behalf of all of us here at The Message we would like to wish our beloved Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo and happy happy 110th anniversary. And to all our brothers and sisters around the world joining us today in our study of God’s message, Happy Anniversary!
Before we go please join with us in a short closing prayer.
Brother Bob: Oh merciful Father, Lord, we once again approach You to thank You. Thank You Father for the 100 years of Your abundant grace showered upon the Iglesia Ni Cristo. From the one You have sent, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the Messenger in these last days to the current Church Administration. You have stayed by the side of Your people and led us to heights of faith and service to You, that we pray is pleasing in Your sight. Please, please continue to pour Your abundant mercy, pour Your abundant victories, that the world may come to know You Father, the One true God, and how great Your works are here inside Your nation. Lord Jesus please bring our thanksgiving to the Father. As our mediator please ask Him to bless all of us. As we celebrate the 110th anniversary of the re-emergence of the one true Church Of Christ in these last days. Lord Jesus ask the Father’s continued protection. Ask the Father’s mercy in the homes and families of Your people around the world. Lord Jesus ask the Father to call all who are viewing this program, visiting as our guests, may their names join with us, may their names be joined into the book of life as they join with us serving the Father until the end of this life. We pray for this, we pray Your grace upon us all, in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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