THERE IS MORE!

A Theme Message @ FARM, by Rev. Rey Calusay

THERE IS MORE!
DEU 1:6-8

God Speaks..
When everything is smooth, but also when everything is bad.
When we are achieving, but also when we are failing.
When we are advancing, but also when we are stuck in the mud!

Advancing?.. How long have you been a Christian?  Do you have a regular encounter with God? Are you maturing spiritually? Are you sharing the gospel to others and bearing fruit?

GOD SPEAKS THREE IMPORTANT LESSONS ON JOURNEYING:
1. Don’t Get Stuck, v6  Stayed too long
WHY? After a few victories? v3-4 Disorganized? V9-14 Fear of the Unknown? V21-25 Rebelled in Unbelief? V26-33 Unnecessary Defeat? V41-46 Useless Wanderings? 2:1-3
2. Move Straightaway, v7
Break camp, organize for action Move forward, surge like wave. Start aggressively, 1st gear Move Progressively, create and ride the momentum Explore to the edge, full extent.
3. Believe His Promise, v8
See things from God’s view Go in & possess like it’s yours The Lord has given (already).. The Lord swore He would give Promise is true to all descendants of faith.

WHY I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE
1. BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE, ACT 18:9-10 .. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
2. BECAUSE OF WORK OF GRACE – 2CO 4:15 ..so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. ACT 15:19  “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
3. BECAUSE GOD GIVES MORE. PSA 2:8a Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance.. EPH 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..
4. BECAUSE WE HAVE A BURDEN, PSA 126:4-6 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, ..Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
5. BECAUSE OF A PROMISE. 1CO 3:6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. ..only God makes things grow. ISA 54:1 “Sing, O barren woman, ..because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.
6. BECAUSE GOD IS WORTHY ROM 15:16..the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ISA 66:20  And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, ..as an offering to the LORD.

WHAT WE WILL DO
We will train how
We will work with God
We will organize for action
We will start strong
We will form a movement By my Spirit says the LORD

SOS 2012 ENLISTMENT BUILDS UP AT FARM

Enlistment for SOS 2012 started weeks ago and continue to build up Sunday after Sunday. SENDERS also start buying gift certificates for the support of the missiopns trip of the GOERS.  Currently, students and young professionals are highly motivated to join SOS 2012 because of the powerful testimonies of Movers who joined SOS 2011. The FARM women are  equally fast growing in their number of enlistments. Surely, more FARM men will also decide to go this year because of the increase of FARM who led as Field Directors last summer.

FARM members purchase gift certificates in support of SOS volunteers

Movers showing off SOS 2012 enlistment form, ID and gift certificates

Young professionals enlisteing for SOS 2012

FARM women: attended ECS Missions Rally and enlisted for SOS 2012

FARM Men, some to serve as field directors, others as pioneer pastors

HAPPIER, NEWER YEAR!

HAPPIER, NEWER YEAR! This is how FARM Senior Pastor Rev. Rey Calusay greets everyone as year 2012 starts. It is a statement of faith after a very  tumultuos 2011 year. During the first Sunday of 2012, January 1st. the FARM senior pastors were definitely in high spirits as they ministered to the people.

Clips from Pastor Rey’s greetings on his FB Wall.

FAMILY CONVENTION FLASHBACK

     FARM is making a remarkable headway in its church life and ministries.  Much of what is  happening now at FARM can be credited  to  the deliberate efforts that were initiated during the First Family Convention held last Dec 18-19, 2010. The FARM pastoral team headed by Rev. Rey Calusay presented a 7 point action-plan to prepare ourselves as a church family for more and greater things that God will do in the next five years.

 

Below are flashbacks of key events during the Family Covention:

FARM,Inc. Senior Pastor’s Keynote Message: `I Believe There is More’

 

Covenant Membership Sign Ups

Ministry Sign-Ups

Buzz Groups and Talk Back on Project Visibility

Challenge to Fill the City with the Doctrine of Christ

Increase in Stewardship Giving

         Sister Lina Chan- Candaleza  is one  of the pioneer young people of FARM, Inc.  She and her husband Rex Chan are now living in Las Pinas, Cavite and and are serving in Cathedral of Praise.  Lina testified of the reliability of God’s promises and of His plans to prosper his people. She also joyfully talked about  serving God as one of the few young people  then of First Assembly. 

Youth Convention

 

The Children Are Counted In

ANOTHER BSM ALUMNI COMMISSIONED FOR MISSIONS WORK

            Last October 26-28, 2010  the PGCAG held a special convention  at the Cathedral of Praise (formerly Manila Bethel Temple, Inc.), 350 Taft Ave., Ermita, Manila. During the last night service, Joan Faith Calumpang, a BSM alumni was   comissioned for missions work in Cambodia. It was noteworthy that on stage to help pray for Joan were four other BSM alumni who are or have been missionaries to Cambodia; namely, Warren Aragona, Melbert Fajarito, Jessie Villagracia and Jose Estrebilla. Pastor Rey Calusay, their mentor, also the PGCAG General Superintendent, was overjoyed as he led the comissioning prayer for Joan. Mrs. Calusay was also present and was likewise overjoyed. 
          Joan   was one of the 31  BSM students for BSM SY 1998-1999. First Assembly has been training since 1986 young men and women for church planting and missions through the church-based Berean School of Ministry. Members through the years have faithfully, many times sacrificially but gladly shouldered the school fees, board and lodging of the students. The sight of at least 5 alumni on stage who all are making an impact in the harvest field is a most encouraging picture.

LOYALTY IN FRIENDSHIP!

Rev. Rey Calusay @ FARM, May 16, 2010
Reading: JAM 2:23 EB 11:8-19
GOD’S FRIENDSHIP HIGHLIGHTED
2CH 20:7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?
ISA 41:8 “But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend..
GOD’S FRIENDSHIP:
1. Unique in the universe – the greater taking the lesser.
2. Bigger than life – takes up all of your life in a lifetime, eternal.
3. Redeeming plan – friends become partners.
Importance of friendship:
PRO 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (tniv)
GOD’S FRIENDSHIP CYCLE
Encountering
Experiencing
Evaluating
Expanding
JESUS’ OFFER OF FRIENDSHIP
JOH 15:13-15 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

BSM 18TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

        Berean School of Ministry for Church Planters  held its 18th Commencement Exercises last March 28, 2010. Thirteen students received the certificates of completion.  Three students, namely; Ninfa M. Pasco (NODC)  Gene Rose B. Dayaoen (NIDC)  and Brian B. Breboneria (BRDC)  finished as  academic awardees.   The event was graced by the presence of  FARM members who sponsored the schooling of the students.
       The church planting placements of all thirteen students have already been determined before the school year ended. Rev. Rey  Calusay, FARM,Inc Senior Pastor and General Superintendent of PGCAG welcomed the graduates to the band of laborers for the last day the harvest   and was later joined by the FARM pastoral team and leaders to  consecrate the graduates to the task of  church planting and pastoral work.

      

 

 

 

CHURCH: WHERE GOD LIVES!

Rev. Rey Calusay @ FARM, February 14, 2010
EPH 2:11-22
CONCEPTS ON GOD’S DWELLINGS
1. Omni-presence: PSA 139:7 God is everywhere, nothing escapes Him
2. Indwelling Presence: ROM 8:9-11 Christ lives in each believer. 2CO 13:5 Test of faith – if Christ is in you. COL 1:27 The hope of glory! PSA 51:11 Cast me not away..
3. In-gathering Presence: MAT 18:20 In the midst of the Church! 2CO 6:16 Church, as a temple for God to dwell and to walk among them and be their God – and they, His people!
CONCEPTS ON GOD’S DWELLINGS
1. He does not live in man-made temples:
ISA 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?
ACT 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
2. He lives in the community of Believers through the Spirit:
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
- The Church is where He dwells: where He operates in the world!
3. He will eternally live with them in the Holy City:
Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS GOD’S DWELLING
The Church is the Community of all kinds of “saved” people – from Jews & Pagans.
1. No More Distinction, v11
2. No More Doomed, v12
3. No More Distance, v13
4. No More Division, v14-15
5. No More Discord, v16-17
6. No More Deprivation, v18
7. No More Disaffection, v19-20
8. No More Disorganization, v21-22
HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE
Rom 9:25 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,“ 26 and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”
Before: “You are not my people”
1. Hated, v11
2. Christless, v12
3. Aliens, v12
4. Strangers, v12
5. Hopeless, v12
6. Pagans , v12
Now: “My people, my beloved… Sons of the Living God!”
1. Union, v14
2. Demolition, v14
3. Abolition, v15
4. Creation, v15
5. Pacification, v15
6. Reconciliation, v16
7. Proclamation, v17
8. Admission, v18

CONCLUSION:
We are “One New Man” Church! Our “Peace” was very costly!
We have access to the Father by One Spirit!
We are one Body, Fellow citizens, God’s people, God’s Household!
We are joint together and rising as a holy temple in the Lord
We are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by the Spirit!
THE CITY CHURCH…
Must become a vehicle of change and reconciliation;
Must become a celebration of God’s power and presence;
Must become a people of hope and salvation;
Must become a household of love and unity!

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH?

Rev. Rey Calusay @ FARM, Dec. 6, 2009

JESUS PRAYED FOR WHAT KIND OF CHURCH?
Background: refer to post `New FARM Theme: Raising the City Church’
JOH 17:9-ff
What are the characteristics of  a City Church that will effectively reach its urban environment?

1. Church that will give glory to God!
V1-5 Glory of God, center of all that we do, to God’s honor and praise!
V10 Through us, Jesus receives glory.
V22 Jesus raised us unto honor/glory.
V.24 We will always see and show the glory of Jesus.
Will never dishonor God.
Will always bring glory to Him!
2. The Church that will overflow with joy!
V.13 The joy of Jesus will stay with us!
Needed characteristics of this church in a sad world!
Oil of gladness, garment of praise! ISA 61:3
Joy of Salvation, PSA 51:12; 95:1
3. The Church that will live Holy Unto God
V19 Jesus holy, people holy.
V15 Protected from the evil one.
V16-17 In the world but not of the world!
Without spot or blemish
Clean before my Lord!
4. The Church that will hold on to the Truth
v.17 The Word is the Truth. It sanctifies! Scriptures.
V3, 6 The only true God, now revealed;
V7-8 God, the only source of Truth; Truth and Jesus, inseparable
5. The Church that will walk in unity
V20-23 Love unity, complete unity.
Strong Message to the world that Jesus was sent, that people should believe in Him.
We are a family, a fellowship, a Body!
6. The Church that will witness to the world!
V18 We have a mission to the world.. We are being sent!
We are witnesses of Savior, Salvation, Glory, Truth, Holiness, Love.,
7. The Church that will enjoy God’s blessing
V.12 Protection, safety
V15 From the evil one
V22 glorified
V26 Presence

NEW FARM THEME: RAISING THE CITY CHURCH

 `Raising the City Church’ is the new theme and focus for FARM ministry. Pastor Rey Calusay made this announcement as an introduction to his message, first   week of  December, 2009. He said FARM,Inc. should be prepared and empowered to serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ in the increasingly urbanized culture.
   
 SCRIPTURES:
JER 29:7  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” MAT 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

BIBLICAL WORLD: AN URBAN CULTURE
Urban Bible: The Biblical World was URBAN. Ur, Babylon, Memphis, Nineveh, Jericho, Jerusalem, Antioch, Corinth, etc.
The Jerusalem Church – Characterizes the City Church Jesus started. It was not in the villages of Galilee or Samaria – but in Jerusalem it was built.
Being sent as a City Church!

THE “CITY-CHURCH” CONCEPT
URBAN CHANGES:
Inevitable. Irreversible Trend: Urbanization  -  Very Rapid
In the Philippines – 2005, 83Million of which 63% were already in Cities!
By 2030 estimate will rise up to 73%
Only about 27% will then live in rural!
URBAN CRISIS:
Cities becoming a Social Challenge and Spiritual Battleground!
Place of gathering and dwelling! As Human Habitation  – will be plagued with Overcrowding, Unemployment, Poverty, Crimes, Sanitation Problems, Diseases, Pollution,
Will tend to self-destruct!
URBAN CHALLENGE:
To be a City Church!
Called to a city and having the preparedness and the power to serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ in the rapid urbanization of the world. 
No generation has had to face human problems of this magnitude or had to wield urban power on this scale! (City of God, City of Satan).
THE “CITY-CHURCH” POTENTIAL!
As People Convergence
As Economic Centers
As Social Workplace
As New Testament Model
As Spiritual Battleground