Pastor Elias Rafanan

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Sabbath School Lesson Review 4th QUARTER 2023 LESSON 1: GOD'S MISSION TO US: Part 1 (ILOCANO)Preview Sabbath School Lesson Review 4th QUARTER 2023 LESSON 1: GOD'S MISSION TO US: Part 1 (ILOCANO)Preview

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"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 NKJV

Straight and strong words! To the Christians in Rome, Paul made it very clear, to the Jews and Gentiles alike. They are the same. They are sinners and they fell short to the standard of God.

He asked his fellow Jews: "What then? Are we better than they?" And he answered: "Not at all." (v 9) Then he made it clear: "There is none righteous, no, not one." (v 10)

What is the answer? "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (v 24) and this is final.

I was a teacher for 10 years- in an academy and in a college. I did not require 100% grade for passing. The requirement was 75% for a study to pass.

But in God's standard- perfection, 100% is His requirement. And I fell short of it. But there is a remedy: Jesus grade is 100% and He is giving it for mine. And the good news is God accepts it. Jesus is my surety and His perfect life is a substitute for my failures.

This is grace and I need faith to accept it.
That is the reason why God's grace still amazes me!

This is the proof of the reality that God is good all the time!

Meditation 10-26-2024

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jews, then the Gentiles." Romans 1:16

The Gospel that changed Saul to be Paul has changed the lives of all who believed. The news that Paul said of the believers: "I thank God for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." (verse 8.

The lives of the believers became a strong sermon in favor of Christianity. They "walked the talk." And the result brings a 360 degree turn from their evil world into the kingdom of God's righteousness.

"I remember you in my prayers." (verse 10) is an assuring statement of Paul to the believers in Rome and he longed to meet them and to strengthen their faith.

"The righteous shall live by faith." (verse 11)
is the result of faith that had lives changed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If this was true in Paul's time, it is also true in our time. The most wicked of sinners is transformed by the power of God's love. And it brings pride in our hearts to see living sermons.

All because- God is good all the time!

Blessed and Happy Sabbath from the cold City of Pines!

UPDATED! for 4th Quarter Lesson 4 2024

4th Quarter 2024 UPDATE

For those who are requesting our Sabbath School Lesson Review outlines, please check out this link.

https://shorturl.at/L7XVH